Going to Disneyworld, any tips? (1 Viewer)

[Mike boettner]

I'm taking the family to Disney world on Sunday, for 7 days. You guys and gals got any tips for us? like what time of day to ride the different rides, or what to stay away from? I think I might be more excited than my kids!!Its gonna rule!!

BTW i've never been there before.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[PatrickM]

Take at least three days for the entire Disney complex which includes the Magical Kingdom, Epcot and MGM/UA. Also, don't miss Universal Studios and SeaWorld. They are more than worth the drive.

Patrick

 

[Bill Catherall]

Check out the Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for plenty of great information.
I went to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot several years ago. It was really fun. And as you can tell from my signature, I'm a big Disney geek.
Have fun! Take some pictures and show us!

 

[KyleK]

Make sure you set aside two days for Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, one for the Marvel Comics Island, the other for the other islands! The 3-D Spider-Man ride is incredible, don't miss it. Stay away from the cloning places in the Jurassic Park place, though. It's creepy. Have fun!
Kyle

 

[Adil M]

I know it's expensive, but there are some great places to eat there.

 

[Brian W. Ralston]

Don't miss the fireworks show at Epcot. they show it every night, but you might want to see it more than once. With a park hopper pass, you can go back on your last night there and see it again as a last big "farwell" to Disney World. It is very worth it.

Use the fastpass system for the bigger rides, it will allow you to save time and see more things.

At epcot, in the French area, the movie they show is really neat, but kids might not like it. The music is beautiful and the french scenery is breathtaking.

While in the magic Kingdom, check out the magic kingdom band. They perform thoguhout the park many times during the day. My best friend is the lead trumpet in the band. his name is Chad. They are very good and entertaining to watch. They are mostly in Tomorrowland. The Kids will enjoy their music.

 

[Stephen L]

Checkout Disney discussion boards along with the message boards home pagePeter Werners Disney site .There is some good info there

 

[Matt MacFarlane]

Epocot is my favorite, but it is geared more toward adults, but if your kids are younger I would say MGM and Magic Kingdom and the New Disney Quest.

 

[Travis Hedger]

Do NOT miss Star Tours,if you are a Star Wars fan at all you will love this ride!

 

[Danny R]

I've been to Disneyworld about 10 times. I love it and never grow tired.

BRING COMFORTABLE SHOES/SHORTS/POWDERS! After 5 days at the parks, my skin was quite chaffed just from my clothes rubbing from the constant walking! And don't forget your swimsuit. Nothing quite as nice as an evening swim to relax those muscles at the end of the day.

If your kids are younger, make certain you know their limits and they know the rules first. Nothing ruins a day like a grumpy kid and grumpy parent who's just exhausted, but still wants to see everything. Every time I go I always see lots of parents with foul moods and kids throwing tantrums.

Be careful of your camera/purse. I've lost 2 at Disneyworld. People will snatch them very quickly if you look the other way.

Are you staying at the resorts on Disney property? If so then you can take advantage of special early bird opening events, getting into the park 1 hour earlier than everyone else.

Likewise if you RSVP at the Crystal Palace for breakfast, you can get into Magic Kingdom early (perhaps only for resort members). I think each park has such a place.

Speaking of places to eat, try and eat at least once in Cinderella's Castle. Pretty cool place.

At least once, just take the time and wait and get into the nose of the monorail (not certain which of the monorail routes offers this, not all do).

I always find that Splash Mountain (Magic Kingdom) easily has the longest lines of any ride. Get a FASTPASS first thing for that one. Unfortunately you can only have 1 fastpass at a time, so don't waste it on something small.

Don't pass up the Muppet Show (MGM), Bugs Life (Animal), or Honey I shrunk the Audience (Epcot).

The World Showcase is great for adults, but might be boring for younger kids. However definately visit Norway and ride the Maelstrom. Its the best ride in the Showcase. I like all of the future exhibits at Epcot, with the Test Track ranking as my favorite in that portion.

 

[Shawn Shultzaberger]

We came back from Sea World about 2 weeks ago. In two years we are going back to see Disney World. When we got to the Alamo car rental place we saw someone rolling out in a convertable. We asked how much it was and found out that they were having a special and ended up paying much less than we would with the mid-class car we had reserved.
Took that convertible to Cocoa Beach, Clearwater Beach and Sea World. We didn't want to leave!
Plus to top it off as we were finishing it up at Sea World, the group "No Doubt" was in the Tropical Forest section doing a photo shoot! We snapped some pics, got some video before someone asked us to please move away.
I can not wait to go back!!!!! The wife and I had more fun than the kids did.

 

[Ken Wagner]

It's been several years since we've been there but I loved it. We stayed at one of the resorts and it worked out great. Early admission (go on all of your favorite rides first) and buses to take you anywhere inside the park. Cinderella's Palace was a neat place to eat. Loved the fireworks and light parade at night. Also the laser show at Epcot was pretty cool. If you do stay in the park, don't bother going to the rustic water park. Can't remember the name but it was really not much more than a small pond. The more modern water park was great though. I can't wait until my grandkids get older cause I'm going back. Did I say it's been several years since I've been there?

 

[Jeff Kleist]

It rains at least once a day. Wait to hit the good rides for the rain, because people scatter and you can jump right in

 

[Bry_DD]

just have fun...

 

[Joe Wong]

Also try www.wdwig.com. Lots of info and pix there.
I've been 3 times and loved it every time. I don't know whether you're staying onsite but the early entry privileges for Disney hotel guests have ended.
We stayed at the Dixie Landings resort (now Port Orleans) and it had the excellent perk of the evening boat ride to Downtown Disney.
For restaurants, the California Grill at the Contemporary Hotel (can walk there from magic Kingdom) and the Flying Fish at the Boardwalk are excellent. I had the best seafood dish (a pan roasted tilefish with spring garden vegetable risotto) at the Flying Fish.
Have fun!
Joe

 

[Chris Lock]

Don't forget sunscreen & water bottles. Some of the drink carts in the parks sell straps (which look like camera straps) which hold a water bottle & can be worn around your neck or tied to your belt. I take a bottle & keep filling it from the drinking fountains- saves buying a lot of expensive cokes. It will be hot, & if you don't drink a lot, you'll get dehydrated.

Get some park guides & try to figure out what you want to see before you get there. One basic strategy is to get there at the opening & head directly to the most popular ride, before the lines get too long. (At the Magic Kingdom, that would usually be Splash Mountain or Space Mountain, at EPCOT, definitely Test Track, at MGM, hard to say, at Animal Kingdom, nothing really.) I'd also try to see everything of interest in one park/area before moving on. You can waste a lot of time getting from place to place. I would allow a full day for each park, two for EPCOT, to see most of what's there. The Animal Kingdom has the least amount of stuff to do & can easily be covered in a day. It also opens/closes earlier than the other parks.

Since you're going in May, school isn't out yet, & I expect the crowds will be light compared to summer, especially during the week.

 

[Chris Lock]

Don't count on daily rain. It should be happening this time of year, but we've been in a drought for years, & there's been next to no rain the past couple months. When it does rain, it's usually brief & intense.

 

[Craig F]

I hope you like hot weather. The past winter and spring have been unusually warm and I find it downright uncomfortable outside right now. Be sure to drink lots of water and remember everything at Disney is expensive, although they aren't charging for the bathrooms
yet.

 

[Randy Tennison]

My favorite advise is "Always go to the left". If there are two lines for an attraction, always go the left line. Most people are naturally right handed and will line up in the right line, leaving the left line very short. I have actually gone up 3/4 of the way to the front by going in the left line.

1 day per park minimum. Don't forget Pleasure Island, Disney Quest, Downtown Disney, the 3 water parks, and all of the other fun features.

Even if you don't stay on property, explore the hotels. Some are fascinating (I love the Contemporary. I met Michael Eisner in the bar at the top one afternoon). Ride the monorail. You don't have to be staying there to ride it.

Fantasmic is a must, as is Illuminations at Epcot.

Get pictures with the characters. You may feel silly, but those pictures will be your favorites for years to come.

 

[Michael Warner]

Splurge and get a mini-fridge for your hotel room and buy food and drinks at a grocery store before you get to Disney. Then you can have quick and cheap breakfasts and snacks and a place to freeze your water bottles before heading out to the parks. Saves time and money plus it's nice to have cold drinks, fruit, and what-not waiting for you when you get back to the room.