Going to Disney World

[dbot]

So I'm packing for my disney world trip tomorrow. I've never been to disney world and just looking for tips fro anyone about packing or while I'm there.

I'll be going tomorrow, and coming back on the 8th. Staying at one of the hotels in disney world.

 

[altonb1]

Originally posted by: dbot
So I'm packing for my disney world trip tomorrow. I've never been to disney world and just looking for tips fro anyone about packing or while I'm there.

I'll be going tomorrow, and coming back on the 8th. Staying at one of the hotels in disney world.

You posted at 10:17pm the day BEFORE you leave to ask for suggestions?

Okay--real quick: Prime Outlets at the end of I-Drive has a store called Disney's Character Warehouse. This is a DISNEY owned "outlet" for merchandise sold in the parks. I am not kidding when I tell you many things can be found for 50-70% cheaper than if you bought it in the parks. I have gotten authentic (remember--disney owned!) t-shirts for $5. Polos for $10-15. numerous collectibles, etc--all at cheaper prices.

Premier Outlets near Lake Buena Vista has a store called Character Premiere. This, too, is owned by Disney. While this story is basically the same as Character Warehouse, you may find some differences in merchandise--it doesn't hurt to go to both.

If you are driving to FL down I-95: They have a 3rd location in the Prime Outlets in St. Augustine. I believe they also have one in Miami, but I've never been there.

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Check out the Electrical Water Pageant. Ask a cast member at your resort for details if you are staying at a resort near water (ie. any resort on the Monorail line, Ft. Wilderness, and others) It was the pre-cursor to the Main Street Electrical Parade. It is free and cool to watch--it probably starts at 8 or 9pm at the Polynesian, so ask at your hotel or go to the Polynesian and watch it there. Not sure if timing works this time of the year, but during the summer you can watch that at 9 from the Polynesian pier, then hang out and see the fireworks over the castle at 10pm. Perfect views.

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Don't try to do it all in one day, or even a week. Look at the park maps, decide what are must-sees and plan around them. You will be worn out, otherwise, and you're still not going to see it all, anyway, even if you try. My recommendations, by park:

Magic Kingdom:
Pirates of the Carribean, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mtn Railroad, Country Bear Jamboree, Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan's Flight, Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear's Spin.

Epcot:
Soarin', Mission Space, Test Track

Hollywood Studios:
Tower of Terror, Rock n Roller Coaster. (also look for the Hollywood Public Works guys--they are actors and are hilarious--especially Frederick and Boss Gus Goobleman)

Animal Kingdom:
Kilimanjaro Safari, Expedition Everest, Primeval Whirl, Finding Nemo the Musical

If you can, go to a character meal. They aren't just for kids and can be a lot of fun. The food at Disney is always top Notch. Some of my favorite restaurants: Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom, Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge and Cape May Cafe at one of the Epcot resorts--forget which one) Crystal Palace has incredible breakfast and has Pooh/Tigger/Eeyore/Piglet at every meal. Boma and Cape May Cafe are NOT character meals, but have good food.

I know I'm forgetting things, but that's a good start. Most importantly, HAVE FUN!

I actually just placed my requests tonight for our timeshare for our summer vacation to WDW as well as a request for my Disney Vacation Club trip next holiday season. We usually go at least once a year.

 

[NanoStuff]

You could have had 8800GTX SLI with that kind of cash. You will realize this in 5 days.

 

[ProfJohn]

It is cold in Orlando right now, pack a jacket and sweaters.

Make plans and stick to them.

When you go into a park pick one of the big rides and then make a circle around the park starting at that point. Don't waste all your time walking across the parks, just go to one ride and then the next.

Luckily you are going in one of the slowest times of the year so you should have no problem seeing everything.

The magic kingdom shouldn't have fireworks this time of year, but Epcot always does.

Go to the animal kingdom EARLY and to the Safari ride first and then everest, go on the day they allow resort guests to get in early, if they still do that.
Also I would suggest riding the Safari ride twice, once early and once right before you leave for the day. That way you get to see all the animals.

Most of all relax and have fun and don't let yourself get upset trying to do it all at one time.
Eat off property, its cheaper. Unless you are going to one of the themed restaraunts.

Which resort are you staying at?

 

[tfinch2]

Isn't it snowing over there right now?

 

[ProfJohn]

No snow in central fl, they thought there might be some along the coast.

I don't think Orlando has ever seen snow, it almost never hits freezing either.

Mid 40s right now, unlikely to drop below 40.

 

[santuitman]

intercot.com haas a ton of info.

If you are staying on property ask about early openings and late closings

http://intercot.com/infocentral/park/extramagic.asp

and don't try to do it all!

I'm envious!

 

[Queasy]

If you're staying at one of the Disney hotels, use the bus system they have at the resort. It is the fastest way to get around. Especially at night when it is time for the parks to close and everyone is waiting on a tram or a train to get to the parking lot where they then get to sit in traffic.

Use Fast Passes whenever you can. They are the best way to stay out of long lines for popular rides.

Find out which park is having extended hours on the days you are there. People who are staying at the Disney hotels can come earlier/stay later.

Pace yourself. It is a marathon. Not a sprint.

 

[Kabrinski]

I took my ex-gf there for her birthday last year, it was a blast. We only had time to be able to go for the weekend though (left Friday, returned late Sunday night), but we were able to squeeze in just about everything in Magic Kingdom on just that Sat. Just gotta be smart with your time. I'd say we saw and rode about 85% of the sites and rides. Use their Fast Pass system. It will help out a lot in trying to fit more in.

 

[Mursilis]

Originally posted by: altonb1
I actually just placed my requests tonight for our timeshare for our summer vacation to WDW as well as a request for my Disney Vacation Club trip next holiday season. We usually go at least once a year.

Enjoy Disney World over the holidays - the decorations are a sight to behold. We just got back from spending Christmas week down there. Crowded, but manageable if you have a plan (sounds like you do). The Osbourne Family Spectacle of Lights at MGM is not to be missed!

 

[altonb1]

Originally posted by: Mursilis

Originally posted by: altonb1
I actually just placed my requests tonight for our timeshare for our summer vacation to WDW as well as a request for my Disney Vacation Club trip next holiday season. We usually go at least once a year.

Enjoy Disney World over the holidays - the decorations are a sight to behold. We just got back from spending Christmas week down there. Crowded, but manageable if you have a plan (sounds like you do). The Osbourne Family Spectacle of Lights at MGM is not to be missed!

We were just there in early december. We arrived on 12/8 and left on 12/15. I'm an old Disney pro!

 

[mattpegher]

Have been to Disney yearly for about past 8 years.

First Disney is best enjoyed if you don't try to penny pinch. Most of the expenses are already set. If you enjoy good food and like to sit down for dinner, get the Disney dining plan. For about $40/day you get to sit down at one of their premium restraunts with appetizer, entree, and dessert and non alcoholic bev(about a $40 dollar value), one counterservice meal with entree, side and dessert, bev, and one snack per day. Tons of food at some of the best restraunts that I've eaten at in my life (and I drive into NYC freg).

Second unless your time has little value, skip the buses. If your on the monorail, use it of course but for those parks off the monorail, take a taxi. For about 10 bucks you get there in a 5 minutes instead of waiting for the bus about 20 min, and a 20-40 minute ride with lots of stops.

Actually skip the early entry days, because all the resorts get early entry on the same days this usually makes that park busy that day, not worth one hour of early entrance.

 

[Pugnax]

I know so many people going to Disney this week. Are they giving away free money this time of year or what?

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: Pugnax
I know so many people going to Disney this week. Are they giving away free money this time of year or what?

It's the off-season. Cheaper tickets and hotel rooms and the weather isn't too bad in Orlando this time of the year most of the time.

 

[Tifababy]

Originally posted by: mattpegher
Have been to Disney yearly for about past 8 years.

First Disney is best enjoyed if you don't try to penny pinch. Most of the expenses are already set. If you enjoy good food and like to sit down for dinner, get the Disney dining plan. For about $40/day you get to sit down at one of their premium restraunts with appetizer, entree, and dessert and non alcoholic bev(about a $40 dollar value), one counterservice meal with entree, side and dessert, bev, and one snack per day. Tons of food at some of the best restraunts that I've eaten at in my life (and I drive into NYC freg).

Second unless your time has little value, skip the buses. If your on the monorail, use it of course but for those parks off the monorail, take a taxi. For about 10 bucks you get there in a 5 minutes instead of waiting for the bus about 20 min, and a 20-40 minute ride with lots of stops.

Actually skip the early entry days, because all the resorts get early entry on the same days this usually makes that park busy that day, not worth one hour of early entrance.

The Disney Dining Plan changed for '08. It no longer includes and appetizer and it also no longer includes the tip. So it's $38 and you get one sit down entree, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage, a counter sevice meal and one snack. We were going to use the DDP for our DVC trip in June, but with the recent changes, we're not sure if it's still a good deal or not.

 

[dud]

I live near Disney and have visited from 1972 to about 1994.

My tip: Don't go. Every time I fly home (from a business trip) the damn plane is filled with you tourists wasting your money at Mickey World. The fact is it is WAY overpriced and not worth it.

Anyone considering going to Disney should consider someplace worthwhile like Detroit or Bismarck, North Dakota.

 

[ghostman]

Originally posted by: Tifababy
The Disney Dining Plan changed for '08. It no longer includes and appetizer and it also no longer includes the tip. So it's $38 and you get one sit down entree, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage, a counter sevice meal and one snack. We were going to use the DDP for our DVC trip in June, but with the recent changes, we're not sure if it's still a good deal or not.

That's a shame. I went to Disney last year during the week in September when they had the DDP for free. Excellent value, especially since we made reservations to a few of the fancier places at Disney (Coral Reef, Wolfgang Puck Cafe, Ohana, etc.). The price for 4 were often over $200, so it's a big relief not having to penny pinch. We even added an extra day to our trip, since the free meals costed more than the price of an extra day. If you don't take advantage of the nicer food places, then the rest of the food is just average. There was often way too much food, so losing the appetizer might not be that horrible.

Second unless your time has little value, skip the buses.

I disagree with this completely. The bus waits were not long and I had more than enough time to hit every park and every ride. The only bus complaint I had was with the free Magical Express bus from the airport to hotel. That wait was about an hour, but seeing as how we didn't have to pay extra to/from the airport, I can't really complain.

Oh, if you plan on hitting Universal, take a taxi there. The Meers buses cost just as much and make rounds whereas the taxi goes straight there.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: ghostman

Originally posted by: Tifababy
Second unless your time has little value, skip the buses.

I disagree with this completely. The bus waits were not long and I had more than enough time to hit every park and every ride. The only bus complaint I had was with the free Magical Express bus from the airport to hotel. That wait was about an hour, but seeing as how we didn't have to pay extra to/from the airport, I can't really complain.

Yep. We used the buses on our last trip and they're very nice if you're staying in a hotel at Disney. The bus will take you directly to the park and to the hotel. This is much better than waiting forever in line at the Monorail or ferry at Magic Kingdom when the park closes and then sitting in traffic trying to get out of the parking lot.

 

[Slickone]

Tip: Go to Universal, Busch Gardens and Sea World instead.

 

[blackdogdeek]

we went the week after thanksgiving and they had some kind of special holiday spectacular ticket you could buy for an extra $110 or something and they close the park to everyone except people with these tickets after about 7 pm until about midnight. we were able to hit all the major younger kid rides multiple times with no waits (unfortunately, daddy's tummy started to not feel good after the fifth magic tea cup ride in a row). then there was a huge parade with santa claus at the end and extra fireworks after that at the big castle thing.

what buses are everyone referring to? we took the monorail to/from the hotel from/to the magic kingdom everyday. we saw the ferries but i don't remember there being any buses except for the one we took to the airport.

 

[Gibson486]

Have fun at MCO. I hate that airport with a passion.

 

[DT4K]

Originally posted by: ghostman
That's a shame. I went to Disney last year during the week in September when they had the DDP for free. Excellent value, especially since we made reservations to a few of the fancier places at Disney (Coral Reef, Wolfgang Puck Cafe, Ohana, etc.). The price for 4 were often over $200, so it's a big relief not having to penny pinch. We even added an extra day to our trip, since the free meals costed more than the price of an extra day. If you don't take advantage of the nicer food places, then the rest of the food is just average. There was often way too much food, so losing the appetizer might not be that horrible.

We were there for free dining last September also. With 3 adults and 4 kids, we saved a huge amount of money. Yeah, at some places, it was way too much food. There were a few places with small enough portions that appetizer, entree, and dessert was just right. Coral Reef, for instance. The food was good, but with the portion sizes and the price, there's no way I'd pay cash to eat there.

I don't think I'd pay for the Dining Plan though, especially with tip and appetizer no longer being included. I think you'd have to work pretty hard to get your money's worth out of it now. And honestly, it was a pain in the ass trying to keep track of all the dining credits and which items the kids could choose at the counter service locations, what counted as snacks, etc., etc.

Originally posted by: blackdogdeek
what buses are everyone referring to? we took the monorail to/from the hotel from/to the magic kingdom everyday. we saw the ferries but i don't remember there being any buses except for the one we took to the airport.

Where were you staying? Did you skip Animal Kingdom? There is no monorail or boat service to AK. Just bus service.

There is bus service from every resort to each of the 4 parks, both water parks, and downtown disney. For many of the resorts, buses are the only transportation available.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: blackdogdeek
what buses are everyone referring to? we took the monorail to/from the hotel from/to the magic kingdom everyday. we saw the ferries but i don't remember there being any buses except for the one we took to the airport.

If your exiting Magic Kingdom, you turn right and go up the ramp to the monorail. You turn left and go past the ferry line to get to the bus loading/unloading area.

 

[alkemyst]

Perfect time to go. Weather is good and crowds are at there lowest. This time of year you should be easily able to cover magic kingdom, epcot, MGM and animal kingdom in 3-4 days, with 5 being slow boat. We usually do 3 days in Disney and then 2-3 at Sea World and/or Universal. Being a florida resident I get cheap passes for the year.

 

[dbot]

Just got back, had a great time. I'll update tomorrow with details.

There was one incident on Jan 7th I was hoping someone here read about. Apperently there was an accident on the boat that takes people to the magic kingdom. When we were waiting to board, an employee ran off and told some guy to call someone, they just had a fatality.

I'm pretty sure that's what I heard, and so did my girlfriend. Ok well, going to rest now.