Walt Disney World

[Cajuncowboy]

Who's been there and what did you like the most/least.

We will be taking our first trip there this year and my wife is overwhelmed in trying to plan this thing.

Any ideas.

Thanks.

 

[Kangaroo]

Who's been there and what did you like the most/least.

We will be taking our first trip there this year and my wife is overwhelmed in trying to plan this thing.

Any ideas.

Thanks.

Just went June 2008

How old are the Kids How many days are you planning to stay.

Stay on the resort it makes life easier you get up walk out catch the Bus; train etc to the park you want.

Food is expensive so get ready for that

Also if you stay at the resort you get extra magical hours to stay at certain parks.

What time of the year are you going to that will help

Will follow up this post with more

So the basic book through Disney stay at on site hotel; they will pick you up at the airport drop you off at the hotel. Then you get to check in your luggage when you leave (if you fly) right there at the hotel how great is that.

 

[Hostile]

Went there January 2007, and may be going back at the end of February.

Animal Kingdom is my favorite park. The Kali River Rapids and Expedition Everest are the two rides I enjoy there. The River Rapids is my favorite. Don't ride it if you don't want to get wet.

 

[5Stars]

Just watch out for Minne Mouse! Really! She's ****ing Goofy!

 

[FloridaRob]

I took the grandkids last year. They were 5 and 6 so they were into everything there.

Be sure and get there early. The later you go, the bigger the crowd is. My former daughter in law worked there until couple of months ago and was in charge of leading people in groups thru the park in a way you could get everything done in a short amount of time without having to wait forever to ride something. (I can get some information from her if you would like) I know they have a fast pass system where you sign up for a ride and then come back later on and ride without the wait. Whatever you do, be sure and do that. The lines are horrible.

If the kids are young, there is nothing they won't enjoy. they have the characters running around the park and they can take pictures with them. The parade is great with all the Disney characters.

I took my daughter out of school many years ago and brought her to Disney, At the end of the day, I asked her what was her favorite thing to do. She said the tram ride from the car to the gate. If I had only known.

If you are going to go to a water park, be sure and go to Disneys Blizzard Beach. Disney Village is close in the Lake Buena Vista area and the kids can have breakfast with the Disney Characters. They will love that. Cirque de Solais is there and we took the grandson there last year and he loved it.

A lot will depend on how old the kids are. If they are young they will love it. I would be happy to never go again. We actaully enjoy Universal/Islands of Adventure more than Disney. I would go there again tomorrow. Disney, I am way over it and pray I never have to go again.

 

[Vintage]

Are you taking your kids (?) ....?

I haven't been there in over a decade.

But when I was a kid.... I remember Space Mountain was my favorite ride. Def. worth getting on. Also... if you go to Sea World (which I recommend) be careful where you sit. We were sitting in the splash zone, my parents were taking a picture, and the camera got soaked. It ruined the camera.

Epcot Center is cool too. But as a kid, my favorite was def. Magic Kingdom and all of the rides.... I recommend spending a couple of days there if this is a "kids trip" and the kids like rides.

Its def. a blast as a kid. Not sure how much fun it would be as an adult. I suspect its still fun, but not quite the same. I suspect my parents got more thrill from watching my sisters and I enjoy it than any actual thrill they had themselves.

My dad also lost his wallet when we were in Florida. My youngest sister was 2 and she was having a tantrum when my mom tried getting her into her car seat. My dad set his wallet on the car, got my youngest sister into the car, forgot his wallet on the roof and drove off. It was night time, we were leaving a restaurant. Fortunately, he only had a couple of hundred dollars on him (my mom had the traveler's checks.....). When we got home from Florida, there was a message on our phone from a couple in Tenn. saying they found the wallet and wanted to ship it to our address. Of course, by then, all the cards were cancelled, etc, but the license and stuff were in it... so they shipped. And my dad told them to keep the cash, but they didn't. He got the cash back.


Also... make sure you see the fireworks! They've got great fireworks.

 

[Cajuncowboy]

Thanks for the info guys. My kids are 12 and 16. Both girls. Funny thing is that I am almost as excited as the kids are about the trip. We had said forever we were going to go but we just had conflicting plans all the time. We are big fans of Disney. My personal favorite......

Again, any info ya'll have on the ins and outs of the park is greatly appreciated.

 

[Cajuncowboy]

I took the grandkids last year. They were 5 and 6 so they were into everything there.

Be sure and get there early. The later you go, the bigger the crowd is. My former daughter in law worked there until couple of months ago and was in charge of leading people in groups thru the park in a way you could get everything done in a short amount of time without having to wait forever to ride something. (I can get some information from her if you would like) I know they have a fast pass system where you sign up for a ride and then come back later on and ride without the wait. Whatever you do, be sure and do that. The lines are horrible.

If the kids are young, there is nothing they won't enjoy. they have the characters running around the park and they can take pictures with them. The parade is great with all the Disney characters.

I took my daughter out of school many years ago and brought her to Disney, At the end of the day, I asked her what was her favorite thing to do. She said the tram ride from the car to the gate. If I had only known.

If you are going to go to a water park, be sure and go to Disneys Blizzard Beach. Disney Village is close in the Lake Buena Vista area and the kids can have breakfast with the Disney Characters. They will love that. Cirque de Solais is there and we took the grandson there last year and he loved it.

A lot will depend on how old the kids are. If they are young they will love it. I would be happy to never go again. We actaully enjoy Universal/Islands of Adventure more than Disney. I would go there again tomorrow. Disney, I am way over it and pray I never have to go again.

That would be HUGE for my wife. She is going nuts trying to figure out how to save 5 minutes here and 3 minutes there. :laugh2:

We will be going in Oct. for 6 days. Gonna visit cape Canaveral as well.

 

[Phrozen Phil]

I would echo what's been said above and emphasize a couple of things:
1) Be early. You won't regret it.
2) If you're going to eat in the park, eat lunch early (11:00 ish) It gets crowded close to noon.
3) Convince your girls to wear comfortable shoes - avoid the flip-flops. You'll do a lot of walking and flip-flops don't cut it. Your family will love it. Incredibly safe. People there are very helpful if you need it. Have fun!

 

[MetalHead]

You are never too old to go.
I was 26 when I went and loved it.
Bring money....plenty of money.

 

[Route 66]

You are never too old to go.
I was 26 when I went and loved it.
Bring money....plenty of money.

Or bring plastic and get your swiping hand ready.

 

[Cajuncowboy]

You are never too old to go.
I was 26 when I went and loved it.
Bring money....plenty of money.

I already planned that. I really don't mind spending the money as long as you get good value for it and the kids have a blast.

 

[Kangaroo]

That would be HUGE for my wife. She is going nuts trying to figure out how to save 5 minutes here and 3 minutes there. :laugh2:

We will be going in Oct. for 6 days. Gonna visit cape Canaveral as well.

If you go on Halloween you can do the Halloween Party Bash (you dress up for it) with Mickey but book it soon before it fills up

Ok some things Hollywood Studios if you like Beauty and The Beast go to the Play

The Fantasmic show (night time only) has fireworks and image projection on the water and characters is good get there early to get seats for that show

Toy Story Mania is just great a must do at the park ride (You have to do this one)

Indiana Jones Stunt show is entertaining

Adult The Rock N Roll Roller Coaster

Star Wars ride was good and right next to it when we went they had a Starwars show and kids gets randomly picked to go on stage and do Jedi training

Animal Kingdom

it's Tough to Be a Bug 3D show is fun
The Animal Tour is good if you like stuff like that

The Everest Conquest Rollercoaster flat out rocks loved that ride

Maybe too cold for the water Parks but Typhoon Lagoon is sweet with the big Wave they do.

The best part of Blizzard Beach is the Summit Plummet (120ft Drop) Yes i did that ride


In Epcot well it is Epcot (I Like several things on it and my son is 10 so he enjoyed hanging out with just Dad and we did stuff there)if you do the nemo ride it is while soso but the crush Show is great it is a short show talking turtle that is the best part of the Nemo Ride

Soaring is also a great ride in Epcot

I loved the Mission to Mars and I did it on the Hard Level just make sure you look at the screen because you are in a centrifuge spinning if you look side ways you may get really dizzy quickly.

Also note they know have what is called fast past you get there grab a time from the ticket and show back at the time and you go right to the front of the line.

The good thing about October it is not as crowded as other times of the year . MY brother law went during Oct Halloween one year and with us this last Jun and he said the crowds and lines are night and day.

Also when at the hotel buy the free drink refill cups if you are staying a long time they pay for themselves because anytime at the hotel you just refill up for free in the cafeteria

I stayed 7 Days and yes it was worth it

 

[Kangaroo]

I already planned that. I really don't mind spending the money as long as you get good value for it and the kids have a blast.

Two give you an Idea on what I spent

Family of 4 Airfair + Hotel Rooms 7 Nights + Park Hopper Passes 7 days all the Parks Plus a Special Cruise on the Lake for Fireworks with the Pirates. + Food +Souvenirs I payed 6 Grand

Also note some of my Meals where expensive Because we Did Breakfast with Mickey at the A shaped Hotel, Epcot German Buffet; Lunch with Pooh at Crystal Palace Magic Kingdom

Those are expensive but the Kids get to get pictures and autographs from the characters and they come to your table.

 

[kmp77]

I went twice when I was little (80s and then early 90s). I found Epcot and Universal Studios more fun than Disney. The Epcot stuff was cool. I would have loved animal kingdom but that wasn't created yet.

 

[DallasFanSince86]

I went there in July of '06. We went when I was 20 and my parents were in their 40's, and my sisters were 8 and 16, and we all had a blast. For my sisters graduation present this year we are trying organize a trip down there this summer.

Now onto the information you want to know.

If you can stay at a resort, it is alot easier take the resort buses to the different parks than having to fight the traffic driving to the parks.

Also get the fast pass, it helps avoid those long lines for rides.

Take lots of money. It gets pricey.

Wear tennis shoes when you are going to the parks, because you will be doing a lot of walking and standing.

If you do get the magic hours package where you can stay late after the park closes, take adavatage of it. I mean get there early and stay until they kick you out, there is a lot of stuff to do.

Don't miss the fireworks, they put on a spectacular fireworks show every night.

Most important have fun! Ride as many rides as you want/can and see as many shows you want/can because that week goes by fast.

 

[Kangaroo]

I went there in July of '06. We went when I was 20 and my parents were in their 40's, and my sisters were 8 and 16, and we all had a blast. For my sisters graduation present this year we are trying organize a trip down there this summer.

Now onto the information you want to know.

If you can stay at a resort, it is alot easier take the resort buses to the different parks than having to fight the traffic driving to the parks.

Also get the fast pass, it helps avoid those long lines for rides.

Take lots of money. It gets pricey.

Wear tennis shoes when you are going to the parks, because you will be doing a lot of walking and standing.

If you do get the magic hours package where you can stay late after the park closes, take adavatage of it. I mean get there early and stay until they kick you out, there is a lot of stuff to do.

Don't miss the fireworks, they put on a spectacular fireworks show every night.

Most important have fun! Ride as many rides as you want/can and see as many shows you want/can because that week goes by fast.

In 7 Days we still missed stuff it is crazy how much there is to do

 

[silverbear]

Who's been there and what did you like the most/least.

We will be taking our first trip there this year and my wife is overwhelmed in trying to plan this thing.

Any ideas.

Thanks.

Disney World is strictly for the kids, Epcot is more for the adults... I actually enjoyed touring the studios most of all... of course, it was 10-12 years ago that I was there...

 

[UKCowboysFan]

We have a timeshare in the Orlando area, so try and make it every 3/4 years.

We go in October when it's not so busy, so haven't had too many issues with crowds

My advice would be to have a plan of what you want to do, before you go, in terms of which parks you want to visit.

If you are going for more than a week, don't miss out Universal Studios, especially if you like Rollercoasters. Islands of Adventure generally have the better Coasters, although it's not quite as well done as Disney.

The other thing, don't forget to Fastpass. often you can Fastpass a ride, queue up, snd it means you can get straight back on.


Oh yeah, and most of all...... HAVE A REALLY GREAT TIME !!!!

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

We just went last year with our kids (five and two). We are not big on eating out, especially after stuffing our faces at Disney all day, so we rented a really nice four bedroom house about ten minutes away with a pool, pool table, etc. There are a lot of folks who buy houses around Disney just to rent them out weekly and some of them are really nicely put together. It ended up costing us less than the hotels, but our primary reason was that we just wanted a good place to veg in private after a long day at the park. Given the age of your daughters, I'm sure they would want to stay at a Hotel, but I figure I would let you know.

Now, on to the tip: PLEASE NOTE: Check with their ticket office to see if they still do this, because it is a major time saver! They have express passes now where you can swipe your ticket and get an "in time" to ride the rides rather than wait in a long line. What they do not voluntarily tell you is that you do not have to pay extra for this, it comes with the general admission ticket. The only difference is that you can only reserve one ride per hour with the general admission ticket.

What this means to you: Wait time using the reservation was about five to ten minutes while standing in line was thirty minutes to an hour. No joke. We would go to the popular rides like Space Mountain, swipe our tickets to get our return time, then go to the less popular rides until it was time to walk in. There were a ton of people waiting in the lines that were not happy about it, but they did not realize that they could do the exact same thing. They may have changed it by now just due to the backlash from the general admission folks, but if they didn't, man does it cut down on waiting!