Disney World suggestions

smooth

smooth

Club Member
So I sprung and bought the family a 2 week vacation at Disney World resort in Florida as a Christmas present, it's kinda exciting because none of my kids or wife have flown in a plane. I'm looking for a good hit list of attractions to are a must and a list of "don't waste your time" attractions. The trip has quickly come upon us and I'm really lagging at my pre planning

Thanks,
 
Let the kids pick each days activities... if it's not fun then you know who to blame.. :)

2 weeks!!!?!?!? Make sure to get over to Universal Studios, i remember that being more fun than tea cups and castles.
 
Wait, you're going for two weeks? To the parks? When did you become suicidal?

I'm taking the kids for 3 days next week but they are little so they probably won't remember much. If you're going for two weeks, I'd just say maximize your use of the FastPass things at a different group of rides each day so you're never forced into a huge wait. We have our whole days planned using the Disney web site with times for various attractions and dining. The App is good and will show you your itinerary and let you know wait times. Then spend whatever other time you have on stuff without a big wait.

And as mentioned, please liquidate all holdings prior to entrance. We booked dinner at the Cinderella Royal Table and it was $195 for two adults, a 5 and a 3 year old. At least our hotel at Animal Kingdom was free from CC points, as opposed to the actual $470 a night cost (WTF). With the ticket, hotel and dining prices, I truly do not understand how Disney is not worth $32 trillion on the basis of the parks alone.
 
DBK said:
Wait, you're going for two weeks? To the parks? When did you become suicidal?

I'm taking the kids for 3 days next week but they are little so they probably won't remember much. If you're going for two weeks, I'd just say maximize your use of the FastPass things at a different group of rides each day so you're never forced into a huge wait. We have our whole days planned using the Disney web site with times for various attractions and dining. The App is good and will show you your itinerary and let you know wait times. Then spend whatever other time you have on stuff without a big wait.

And as mentioned, please liquidate all holdings prior to entrance. We booked dinner at the Cinderella Royal Table and it was $195 for two adults, a 5 and a 3 year old. At least our hotel at Animal Kingdom was free from CC points, as opposed to the actual $470 a night cost (WTF). With the ticket, hotel and dining prices, I truly do not understand how Disney is not worth $32 trillion on the basis of the parks alone.
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Yea 2 weeks, everyone I spoke with recommended 2 weeks to get the full effect. We don't have to stay within the park for the full trip, fly out this Sunday and return Feb 5th. and I used the majority of my bonus miles to pay for flights. Disney was running some great deals for the month on Jan Feb so it wasn't that expensive

We sat down as a family and chose which rides to fast pass so that's off the list :lol:
 
DBK said:
Wait, you're going for two weeks? To the parks? When did you become suicidal?

I'm taking the kids for 3 days next week but they are little so they probably won't remember much. If you're going for two weeks, I'd just say maximize your use of the FastPass things at a different group of rides each day so you're never forced into a huge wait. We have our whole days planned using the Disney web site with times for various attractions and dining. The App is good and will show you your itinerary and let you know wait times. Then spend whatever other time you have on stuff without a big wait.

And as mentioned, please liquidate all holdings prior to entrance. We booked dinner at the Cinderella Royal Table and it was $195 for two adults, a 5 and a 3 year old. At least our hotel at Animal Kingdom was free from CC points, as opposed to the actual $470 a night cost (WTF). With the ticket, hotel and dining prices, I truly do not understand how Disney is not worth $32 trillion on the basis of the parks alone.
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Everything Dave said is spot on. We are taking our 5 and 1 year old in March for 2 days. Our entire 2 days are pre-planned. We tried to setup a dinner at the Cinderella Royal Table 5 months in advance of our trip and they had ONE time slot for the two days that we were going to be there........ONE slot. We took it, but Christ that place just prints money. You have to preplan, you cannot just show up down there and expect to go/do what you want because everything will be booked up.

--Joe
 
They had a cool Lighten McQueen show at Universal, my son loved it. There's supposed to be a "Cars" the movie ride there now.
If you're planning to eat at any of the parks try to get reservations asap. It seems that people with nothing better make reservations a year or more in advance.

Have fun... and be patient..
 
We did DL last year and we're going to do DW this year. I found this book to be helpful, and it was free as part of Amazon prime when I read it.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1941500617

One of the authors has the website easywdw.com and there's another one yourfirstvisit.net that has a lot of the same information in it.

I've heard there is a lot stuff closed through spring right now so some of the parks might not have as much to do.
 
Also, if you want the photos from there, you can get a discount on the photo package if you order it in advance. Not sure if it's too late if you're leaving Sunday though it might be worth looking into it.
 
Sorry I dont have much to add other than I am taking the family in March. 1st Time for myself and the kids. None of the kids have flown yet. Only going for a week, staying right on the park. Doing it right with all the Fast Pases, Park Hopper, and all meals are already planned and booked. Cannot wait. One of my good friends is a Disney Planner and she knows all the Do's and Dont's. 2 weeks is a long time, dang. We are going for a week.
 
I have been going to the Orlando area attractions on and off for the last 35 years. Make sure you plan few days to rest and relax around the pool. You will be doing a ton of walking around the theme parks. I don't know the age of your kids but I know with my daughter she's 10 my nephew range from 3-19yo they love a few days during the trip to just hang out and act like kids by the pool. The last few years we have been taking a day and driving to the ocean. The kids have really enjoy playing at the beach. We stop at a dollar store and buy some sand buckets and shovels. They have a blast. When we leave the beach we give the toys to other kids on the beach.

If your children are younger if you don't bring a stroller consider renting a double wide one at the theme park. They are great for kids to take a nap. Most days we get to the park by 9am and don't leave until after the Fantasmic light show. (9:30pm) it's a long day for young kids.
 
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I have several recommendations;


1) Divide your daily actives into “majors & minors”.
Do a major one (like Universal Studios) one day,
and the next day do a minor one like visiting Old
Town (cars, cars & more awesome cars…and things to do).

It is important to not “run” everyday, otherwise you
truly won’t enjoy yourselves & you’ll come home more tired
than when you left.

2) A few great places to visit;

Old Town – (FREE!) http://www.myoldtownusa.com/index.cfm

Wet & Wild Water Park - http://www.wetnwildorlando.com/

Wonder Works - (The kids LOVED this place) http://www.wonderworksonline.com/

The Holy Land Experience - http://www.holylandexperience.com/

Check out the huge flea markets & free parks. Again, take a few “slower”
days to really enjoy your Florida time – everything doesn’t need to cost you
a $100 ticket (yes, that’s what it costs per person in the big parks) to have a great
time.

When you do visit the big parks (like Universal Studios) you can pack a cooler
full of sandwiches & drinks & visit the car for a few breaks. They all have picnic
areas, you’ll save a TON of cash & have MORE fun with your family!

Old Town
Florida 2008 109 (2).jpg



Free drinks @ Old Town
Florida 2008 107 (2).jpg



"cat" @ Old Town
Florida 2008 106 (2).jpg



The Holy Land Experience - What a great place to visit!
Florida 2008 234 (2).jpg
 
smooth said:
Yea 2 weeks, everyone I spoke with recommended 2 weeks to get the full effect.
Click to expand...

Seems as those you spoke with may have been just entertaining themselves by some sort of trolling experiment.

When I went, it was pretty fun and not one second of it was favorable. Great memories and times! Def consider driving around the beach areas outside disney.
 
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2 weeks is a long time. I'd definitely plan some time for things other than the Disney parks.

Personally, I think the short drive over to Kennedy Space Center is worth it. If you go, make sure to do the bus tour of the launch pads.
Young kids may get bored there fast. I was lucky enough to catch a space shuttle night launch when I was visiting.
 
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