Walt Disney World Tips

[coasterkid94]

As a Christmas gift, my parents will be taking my family to Walt Disney World sometime this year. I have never been before, so I don't really know what to expect. My entire family consists of five people - two of us love thrill rides, two of us kind of like thrill rides, but nothing more thrilling than AE, and one us doesn't like anything much more thrilling than Whizzer. We can pretty much go anytime of the year, but probably not for much more than six days. In terms of budget, we don't have too many restrictions. Do you have any tips on when to go, what to ride, where to stay, etc.?

Thanks for your help!

[zjohn1988]

Do you have any idea when you are planning on going? First thing you should do is book your hotel (407-934-7639). Reservations are booking quickly for 2008, but you don't seem to have a specific time frame so you should be okay. Depending on when you visit will determine crowd levels. Mid-summer is usually very busy, I would advise visiting right when school gets out in May or early June. Then, lines for major attractions will not peak over 60 minutes, except maybe Soarin'.

Try to ride everything you can. With 6 days, you can complete the parks. If you are looking for other activities "around the World", 6 days is nowhere near enough. I advise getting a Walt Disney World guide book. They are very informative and give you a lot of information on each attraction.

Are you getting park hoppers or water park options added on?

As for which parks to go to first, start at Magic Kingdom. It is the main park and the park with the most "disney feel". Go to Epcot the next day. Don't miss Test Track and Mission: Space. Head to Soarin' first thing in the morning to avoid lines over 45 minutes. At Hollywood Studios, Tower of Terror, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, and Lights Motor Action Stunt Show are the main attractions. Toy Story Mania is scheduled to open this summer so keep an eye out for that! Animal Kingdom has the Kilimanjaro Safari's, Dinosaur, and Expedition Everest. Get a fastpass for the Safari first thing in the morning! The line fills quickly and can back up for a long time. There are also the two waterparks Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. TL is famous for the wave pool and is now known around WDW for Crush n' Gusher. Blizzard Beach has Summit Plummet. BB usually fills to capacity quicker than TL in the summer.

Also, make sure to watch Spectromagic, Wishes, Illuminations, and Fantasmic. They are terrific nighttime entertainment and should not be missed.

There are also characters around all the parks. Also, if you stay on property, Extra Magic hours are available which is when guests can arrive/stay in the parks for an extended amount of time.

If you need to know ANYTHING, let me know.

Also check out http://www.disneyworld.com and Year of a Million Dreams 2008

If you need any general information, call 407-824-4321.

And Finally, It is another Year of a Million Dreams so you never know what you could win

[Tip Top Club]

^My preciction that Disney would get sued for only giving out 999,999 dreans didn't come true...then again...maybe that's why they are extending it...

Well...Disney thrills are different then Six Flags thrills. The only Disney coaster that comes close to whizzer even would be Everest, and It's still pretty tame. Don't get me wrong, they are all amazing rides though.

As far as everything else, it really depends on the length of your stay, and what you are into. If you have a short visit, I'll give you some must-sees In My opinion.

MK
Space Mountain
Buzz Lightyear
Philharmagic
Haunted Mansion
Big Thunder Mountain
Splash Mountain
Pirates
Wishes
I like Spectromagic and Disney Dreams Come True (The Two Parades) but most people don't.

As far as MK goes, it's obviously the most crowded park. One thing I notice here is that the paths are very narrow. The same is true for animal kingdom in many respects, but here when it's crowded, and during parades and fireworks shows, it's impossible to move so don't even try. If you have limited time, Hit MK one of your mornings because obvious the lines for the mountains get long, and you'll want to do them before they do.

My last trip, I knew I would only be able to spend a morning at MK, so after spending a day at EPCOT i took the monorail over to see Spectromagic and Wishes, worth it just for that. Speaking of, definetly go park hopper. With the buses and other various forms of mass transit, it's easy to get anywhere anytime.

Also be sure to take advantage of FASTPASS. If you don't know how it works, you put your ticket into the machine and get a time to come back to the ride with little-no wait. But bear in mind that approx wait times are posted, and check them before getting one, sometimes if you get a stroke of luck, the stand-by line will be shorter.

If you're into Amusement history take a ride on Carousel of Progress before WallE takes over...


DHS (in Six days)
Great Movie Rides
Star Tours (Out of date, but I still love it)
MuppetVision
Tower of Terror
Fantasmic

Many others will include rockin' roller coaster, but I honestly find it to be boring, and not the best of the Disney coasters. That's just one persons opinion though. There are many things here, shows specifically that I would definetely hit If i had the time, but aren't necessarily must dos, like Indian Jones, Lights Motors Action, Beauty and the Beast, and the backlot tour.

Also depending on when you go, Toy Story mania, a new interactive attraction will be opening soon. I'd hit that up if it's open when you are there. Speaking of pixar, March will be bringing the Pixar Block Party Bash, finally replacing that travesty of a parde, Stars and Motor Cars. I haven't seen it at DCA, but i've heard good things.

Fantasmic is their nightime show. Sure it's a ripoff of Disneyland's version, but I honestly like the setting better at MGM/DHS. I concede that the Peter Pan Segment way beats out pocahontas, but then the Lion King Segment way beats out Jungle Book. IF you intend to see Fantasmic, Arrive about an hour before the show for a decent seat. And try to take part in some Fan-tivities. I love disney's love of combining words...

EPCOT
Soarin'
Mission Space
World Showcase Pavillions
American Adventure
Fountain of Nations
Club Cool
Illuminations

EPCOT is a very unique park in that there is endless things to see and do. You'll probably notice that test track is not on my list, and that's because I think it is the most stunningly lackluster attraction Disney has produced in years. People hype it up, and it has a long wait usually, so you go in expecting to be wowed, and honestly, I never am. Take that with a grain of salt though, because after about two minutes of the queue BGM and I wanted to die.

Club Cool is attatched to the end of Innoventions west, and is a place where you can get free samples of coke products from around the world, definetly the hidden gem of Disney. Be sure to try the beverly.

It's hard to decide how to spend your day at EPCOT. As most of the attractions not on my list are noteworthy anyway. The Seas, Turtle Talk, Figment, Ellen, Maelstrom, Fiesta Tour, etc... The one thing I say is to check out all the world showcase pavillions, allow time to wander, and definetly eat there, so much food in such a small space. I really love the Circlevision shows too, I can see how they would be boring, but it's just so in your face, it amazes me every time. Even if you don't plan on visiting gran fiesta, take a look inside the mexacan pyramid, the inside holds many small gems.

This is another park I suggest for the morning, but also has great nighttime entertainment. It's easy to spend two days at epcot and still not come close to seeing everything.

Animal Kingdom
Kilamanjaro Safaris
Expedition Everest
It's tough to be a bug
Dinosaur
Finding Nemo: The Musical

Animal Kingdom has the least attractions of all the parks, but what they do have is world class. The best suggestion i can give you is to browse thorugh Africa and Asia, take the time ot notice to spectacular attention to detail. Animal kingdom can easily be done in a day due to it's lack of attractions, but this is a park about stopping to smell the roses, and I suggest you do just that.

Dinosaur is hard to find, but it's worth it. Dinosaur is my second favorite ride, I stress ride not attraction, throughout wdw, although I know many disagree due to the shortcuts taken on designing the ride.

Their parade is also very unique, yes there are disney characters, but it's mostly a celebration of animals, with puppets, and various odd floats that come together to make this a very unique experiance, definetely the most intriguing of all the WDW parades. And beats out Stars and Motor cars by about forty-six miles. I've also heard good things about Yak and Yeti, the new full service restaurant in Asia, if you intend to make advance reservations (or whatever their calling them now) I'd make them for this restaurant if you want to dine at DAK.

My biggest tip is to not rush yourself. Try to stop and smell the roses, if you only have a two or three days, then you can rush yourself, but if you have enough time for at least a park per day, then take your time.

Also, If you stay on proporty, get a times guide upon check-in. They will have hours for the parks, as well as the nighttime spectaculars. Also be sure to factor in extra magic hours, for resort guests only, those times are usually not too crowded, and can play a role in deciding what to do when.

That's all i've got for now.

[zjohn1988]

^My preciction that Disney would get sued for only giving out 999,999 dreans didn't come true...then again...maybe that's why they are extending it...

I don't remember what the official number is around, but it is being extended because it was successful. Disney would never be able to be sued for that either. There are so many "dreams" awarded that aren't 'official' but guests still believe they were awarded one. I can't even remember how many I gave out..it would be anything from a sticker, to a free fastpass, to free food. As long as the guest was happy, we did our job

[coasterkid94]

Thank you so much for your help, everybody!

I am planning on going to WDW sometime in early September, because that is the time when my guide book predicted some of the lowest crowds. I probably will end up staying at a Disney resort because I truly do want the 100% Disney experience .

I am not too sure if I will be adding on the Park Hopper option to my regular Magic Your Way tickets. Do you think that it would be a good idea to get it, or is it not really necessary? In terms of the water parks, we probably will not be visiting either of them, and we also will not visit any other theme parks other than the Disney ones.

For dining, do you think that it is a good idea to get the dining package for our tickets? I have heard some good things about it, and I have also heard that they give you way too much food. With all things considered, including its relative cost to other dining options, do you think that it would be worth it?

Again, I would like to thank everybody so much for all of your help.

[Tip Top Club]

Get Park hopper! Get Park Hopper! Get Park Hopper!
Because the parks all close at different times you can do so much more then one in a day! Not to mention parks like animal kingdom where you may be able to do eveything you want to in just a few hours.

Don't bother with the dining add on. If you know you want some full service dining, book it as soon as you can, those things sell out fast, even in value seasons like september. Mostly though, it's better to just eat when you are hungry. You're never short of places to eat at Disney.

And the 999,999 dreams thing was a joke btw. My last visit i was only there for three days and I saw A LOT of dreams given away, including one to me, and one to the padre.

[RagingBullFan]

I agree with what Tip Top Club has said.

I'm going in March and will not be using dining and here's why:

1) You have to make Advance Dinner Reservations (ADR's) for each and every day for your Table Service (TS) credit. Because it is nearly IMPOSSIBLE to walk up and get a dinner reservation these days at Disney you have to stick to your original ADR's, but if your in the park and say finish early and want to move to another park, it may be hard to get a table at a TS restaurant.

2) There has been a VERY large change with the 2008 Dining Plan, as part of the union negotiations Disney has dropped gratuity from the Dining Plan. I.E. it is now up to you to tip your server (Typically around 18% of the bill).

3) With the current daily rate of 36.99/per person I still find it to be cheaper for me (Who will maybe eat at a TS location once or twice during my stay) to just eat Counter Service options, which typically average 10-15 dollars per meal, which in the end is much cheaper.

[batcave]

They were 85,000 dreams short, get it right.

[Danhockey04]

^My preciction that Disney would get sued for only giving out 999,999 dreans didn't come true...then again...maybe that's why they are extending it...

I don't remember what the official number is around, but it is being extended because it was successful. Disney would never be able to be sued for that either. There are so many "dreams" awarded that aren't 'official' but guests still believe they were awarded one. I can't even remember how many I gave out..it would be anything from a sticker, to a free fastpass, to free food. As long as the guest was happy, we did our job

Just like the fastpasses we got with no wait time and can be used right away, the free Dole Whip Float Ally got, the free pins Ally received. They have back dooring and all these other things as well.

I also agree with the new DP, it is not worth it anymore. With all the tiering and changes they made. However, getting ADRs is not that hard to get the day of, but most of the better places (especially EPCOT) can be rather difficult, but usually there is walkin availability. We did walk into 'Ohanas before, but it can be a rather long wait.

Food wise, I'd say these following places if you are looking into it, all these places will help if ADRs are made:
Le Celliar Steak House (Canada)
'Ohana (Polynesian)
San Angel's Inn (Mexico)
Sci-Fi Dine In Theater Restaurant (DHS)
50s Prime Time Dinner (DHS)

When it comes to staying at a hotel, you have to take the tiers of prices, the high priced (MK Resort Area), the moderate and the budget resorts. These are my opinion for best in each price range: high price-Polynesian; moderate-Beach Club; budget-Pop Century. They will provide transportation to all the parks from any Disney resort to the parks.

Also, look up the days they have Extra Magic Hours, go to that park at night or in the morning, it will help you get on more rides while being there. There will be some nights they will not have EMH. I'd suggest to pay the extra for park hopper tickets because it is rather hard to spend a whole day at DAK and DHS.

Basically, it all depends on when you go and how long you stay, you should plan your trip on those aspects.