Taking the grandkids in a few weeks. Thought I'd ask if and what are the must things to do. It's been 25 years since we've been and a lot has changed. Wife and daughter are doing the planning but we can always use extra info, Thanks!
Headed to Disney ?.any tips, suggestions, etc.
- Thread starter Morris
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- Nov 13, 2009
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Assuming Disney World (not Land) definitely take the time to visit the Animal Kingdom park. It's ultra cool especially for young kids. Epcot is also amazing but maybe more so for the grownups. Hollywood studios is skippable (at least it was 4 or 5yrs ago). That time would be better spent at the Disney waterpark as a refresh day in the middle of the trip.
We stayed here:
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=5607&language=en_US
We had a room with couple bedrooms and baths, full kitchen, washer/dryer in the room, screened porch and a kickass pool and it was cheaper than most of the onsite options with way more amenities. Was also able to use accumulated points. Think it was a 10min drive to the parks.
We stayed here:
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=5607&language=en_US
We had a room with couple bedrooms and baths, full kitchen, washer/dryer in the room, screened porch and a kickass pool and it was cheaper than most of the onsite options with way more amenities. Was also able to use accumulated points. Think it was a 10min drive to the parks.
Set up Fast Pass reservations in your Disney account ASAP! Gonna be crowded! Fast pass "Seven Dwarfs Mine Train" located in the Fantasyland area of Magic Kingdom whenever you can. Tough to get. Regular line will be 1-2 hour wait. Fast Pass "Soarin'" at Epcot. Fast Pass "Toy Story Mania" at H-wood Studios. "Expedition Everest" at Animal Kingdom.
See "Fantasmic" at the end of your day at H-wood Studios if you go there.
Customize your Magic Bands. The g-kids will like that. You'll receive them about a month before you depart.
I'll probably add more later unless you tell me to shut my hole then I won't.
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I haven't been yet. (not since I was a kid), so I can't help you there BUT!!!!!!!!
Lawtchan can help. He just came back from Disney Trip. He should have some good insight.
Lastly, get Nole's contact info. He won't tell you here - but he is somewhat of a Disney expert as he is a travel agent and has been 100 times and can get you great rates. Seriously, you would be doing yourself a disservice by not giving him a call.
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When we (me and an ex bf) went in 2007 I bought 10 day NON-expiring hopper tickets. BUT there is a catch. The first time you go to a park and they scan your finger when you stick the ticket in the machine, the ticket is registered forever to that persons finger print and CAN NOT be transferred TO ANYONE ELSE. Even though I purchased the tickets in my name I now have a ticket with 6 days on it that I can not use because his finger print is registered to it. Although since you are buying for family I'm sure that won't make a difference.
Definitely get the HOPPER option because if you go to more than one park in one day it will only take one day off your ticket. If you don't have the hopper option it will take a day off for every park you go to even if it's in the same day. We mapped out our day the night before-(you can get maps of all the parks and then we made lists of what roller coasters, attractions, etc we wanted to see) got up in the am drove to the first park and then rode the Monorail from park to park when we wanted to go somewhere else. We were basically there to ride the big roller coasters but we also went to Animal Kingdom which was awesome. The next time I go I am hoping to take the kids so it will be a whole different experience.
I bought my tickets here. http://www.mapleleaftickets.com/ Which is recommended site by travel agents that I talked to.
We stayed at a hotel about 3 miles away. $40 a night and was a very clean plain jane motel but we weren't there to sleep. We got up early in the am, drove to eat breakfast, then headed into the parks, and were in the parks til they closed.
Sea World is not that far away either and the kids would love that too.
Definitely get the HOPPER option because if you go to more than one park in one day it will only take one day off your ticket. If you don't have the hopper option it will take a day off for every park you go to even if it's in the same day. We mapped out our day the night before-(you can get maps of all the parks and then we made lists of what roller coasters, attractions, etc we wanted to see) got up in the am drove to the first park and then rode the Monorail from park to park when we wanted to go somewhere else. We were basically there to ride the big roller coasters but we also went to Animal Kingdom which was awesome. The next time I go I am hoping to take the kids so it will be a whole different experience.
I bought my tickets here. http://www.mapleleaftickets.com/ Which is recommended site by travel agents that I talked to.
We stayed at a hotel about 3 miles away. $40 a night and was a very clean plain jane motel but we weren't there to sleep. We got up early in the am, drove to eat breakfast, then headed into the parks, and were in the parks til they closed.
Sea World is not that far away either and the kids would love that too.
You have to set up fast pass in advance now? Good thing to know- when we went you just walked up to the machine and it popped out a ticket telling you when to return. If you are a travel agent we should get a hold of you to set up our all inclusive vacation and our Alaskan Cruise!! I'll keep that in mind for when we are ready!!
- Mar 19, 2006
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Thanks guys and gal.
Things are starting to come together now. Some fast passes booked, 5 dinner res booked, magic bands all set and linked to rooms and credit cards and the photo thing is set up. Spending 6 days there with 2 at Magic Kingdom, 1 at animal kingdom and 1 at Hollywood studios. We figure 1 day inbetween to relax and let the kids rest up. Can't wait to se their smiles!
Things are starting to come together now. Some fast passes booked, 5 dinner res booked, magic bands all set and linked to rooms and credit cards and the photo thing is set up. Spending 6 days there with 2 at Magic Kingdom, 1 at animal kingdom and 1 at Hollywood studios. We figure 1 day inbetween to relax and let the kids rest up. Can't wait to se their smiles!
sounds great Morris? You may want to check out Epcot, the illuminations fireworks and laser show every evening is pretty amazing. Soarin, test track you would want to fast pass, world showcase has lots of great restaurants. Magic Kingdom does not have many great restaurants, but you can easily take the monorail over to the Polynesian and Kona Caf? is very good and pretty reasonable.
This website shows every restaurant on the Disney property, at the resorts as well as all four parks.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-dining-plan-restaurants.htm#ddp2014.
I am going last week of March as well... U can only pick one between Soaring and test track on Fast Pass and I would recommend Soaring. My kids can't wait for the 7 dwarfs mine train. Where u staying Morris
Shamrock thanks for the link. We got the dining plan so this helps.
Jinx?.We are flying in on Easter Sunday and staying at the All Star Movies resort. Looks OK the grandkids will have a pool and arcade there to wind down. We did get a fast pass for the Mine Train.
Tcas, thanks for that link. We have some fast passes already booked. My daughter was on the phone at midnite booking them. I'm forwarding it to her so she can finish up the bookings!
Jinx?.We are flying in on Easter Sunday and staying at the All Star Movies resort. Looks OK the grandkids will have a pool and arcade there to wind down. We did get a fast pass for the Mine Train.
Tcas, thanks for that link. We have some fast passes already booked. My daughter was on the phone at midnite booking them. I'm forwarding it to her so she can finish up the bookings!
Have fun Morris!
Make sure to head back to the pools when the kids start to get tired. Once the day starts going south, it's tough to turn around in the parks. Keep everyone over hydrated. Enjoy all of it. The lines, the missed rides, the over amp'd kiddos because when it's gone, it's gone.
Make sure to head back to the pools when the kids start to get tired. Once the day starts going south, it's tough to turn around in the parks. Keep everyone over hydrated. Enjoy all of it. The lines, the missed rides, the over amp'd kiddos because when it's gone, it's gone.
I hear ya man! I think the pool at the end of the day will be the place to be to unwind. The twins will be Ok (8 years old) it's the rest of the gang that will be tired.
Easter week too?..it will be packed!
- Mar 6, 2015
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By far the best tip I can give is to get there before the park opens. You can ride more rides in the first 3 hours than you can for the rest of the day - not counting fast pass access
I know from personal with kids it's tough to do this so the flip side is to get there when you get there, relax and let it all unfold.
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I know from personal with kids it's tough to do this so the flip side is to get there when you get there, relax and let it all unfold.
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I have no real advice to give you about the park other than they don't sell beer in the park, but the lakes they have by the hotels have some of the best bass fishing in the state and is accessible by foot I believe. You know, in case you need some Morris time with Morris.
