Disney advice

[sofaman]

Me and my family are planning to go to Disney World for the first time the first week of May. We are going to be staying at the Disney Caribiean Beach Resort so can anyone give me any advice on how to make the most out of my first Disney experiance :confused:

[tenbaseg]

Me and my family are planning to go to Disney World for the first time the first week of May. We are going to be staying at the Disney Caribiean Beach Resort so can anyone give me any advice on how to make the most out of my first Disney experiance :confused:

I went to Disney for the first time a few years ago. I referenced this site for a lot of information.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/

[barbourjay]

how many days and do you want to go to all their parks?

we generally go every year, the parks will take an entire day if you really want to do every ride possible. get there early and grab fast passes for the long wait rides. get hopper passes just in case you miss something.

it's going to be pretty hot by then also, expect it to rain in the mid afternoon most days and then for it to clear up so plan to eat lunch around then. unless you have a food pass avoid eating there as much as you can. the food is okay and not worth the price.

[sofaman]

how many days and do you want to go to all their parks?

We are staying 7 days and are planning to go to all the parks :tu

[CigarGuy88]

I'm guessing your family includes children? If so how old... I can write up pages of information for you about disney but a lot of it would be negated if you have young children...

[Lucky_Hippo]

A couple of cheap things inside the park:

If you have young children, my daughter loved the character autogragh thing so we stood in a lot of lines. Mickey ,Minnie, and the princess lines take the longest, but she had a ball.

Also a kind of fun thing to look out for around the park are thoses quater chrushing machines. They are hiddien throughout all the parks and feature different images depending on where you are. We grabbed a collection book and it turned into a fun thing for all of us to look out for while running around the park.

[marge796]

I've been going to Walt Disney World since 1983, I love it there! For a family the best advice I have is the Disney dinning plan. Money well spent, especially for a family. It allows you to eat wherever you want three times a day with snack and drinks between your meals for the kids. Last time we were at Disney World was in 2008 for eight days and the meal plan paid for itself on day 4. You'll be able to eat at restaurants you wouldn't normally dine at due to $$$$$. It's worth checking into! Have fun it's a great palce for kids of all ages!!!


:tu


Chris.....

[elderboy02]

Epcot was my favorite park when I was a kid. Be sure to go inside the ball at Epcot and get on the ride. MGM was pretty boring I believe. Magic Kingdom was pretty cool.

[forgop]

I'd recommend going to http://www.touringplans.com and getting a plan for each day. Based upon your objectives (kids/adults/arrival time/etc), it'll give you a print out of the sequence to go to attractions. This results in shorter waiting times and allows you to see more than people who go in without a plan. Another great message board to learn about all things disney is http://www.disboards.com. You can get all kinds of tips for the parks, resorts, transportation, dining, you name it.

Crowd-wise, you should be in pretty good shape though. My wife and I went the same week last year and it was pretty slow. We got on virtually everything with no more than a 20 minute wait. You'll want to utilize fast passes for attractions like Toy Story Mania(the best ride @ Disney right now), Soarin, Test Track, and a handful of others.

Hopefully your weather is better than ours was: 8 days/7 nights of 93-94 degree sun. It was 3 showers/day for us. If you're on the Disney Dining Plan, hopefully you've made all of your dinner reservations. My favorite restaurants:
Le Cellier, Germany, Chef Mickeys, Crystal Palace, Boma(breakfast and dinner), and 50's Prime Time Cafe are just a few.

[kugie]

If you plan on doing alot of the rides use the passes. Get a pass then wait in line at another ride then go to the pass ride. It makes it a little smoother.
MGM is alot of fun, they have side shows movie character meets. The toy Story Ride was the best of all the rides at the park fun for all and interactive. This ride is packed all the time so get you passes see the rest of the park then go back.
Note: we got our passes for toy story at 0900 and we could not get into the ride until 1445 if this give you any indecation of how busy this ride is.

Be sure to do down time because when you get home you will need another week to wind down.

[kydsid]

After doing Disney World with the family recently my advice is this: Schedule at least 3 days after going to Disney for time for some R&R, you'll need it :D

[CigarNut]

This is all great stuff! My family has been going to Disney World since the early 90's and we go back every year.

Like others have said, plan ahead. There are lots of resources (web sites, books, etc.) pick what works best for you and go with a plan. Having said that, you still need to be flexible (e.g., if it is pouring rain you may want to do something besides a water park :)).


Some other suggestions:

Get park hopper passes and don't be afraid to move between parks. Some parks are busier at different times of the day so try to take advantage of that (planning tools will help you here)
A second vote for the dinning plan; worth the money if you are eating at the parks or resorts
Don't be afraid to use the buses -- they are pretty reliable and you can get anywhere and it really is easier than driving
Don't be afraid to visit other resorts for meals, character events, etc. Often the resort restaurants are not as busy as those at the parks.
Don't be afraid to use the monorail to move between Epcot and the Magic Kingdom
In the parks (with your plan) get your fast passes first and then ride other rides. As soon as you can get a second fast pass (usually after an hour) do it. Usually we send our youngest (a teen) to run and pick them up and meet us at the next ride
If you can manage it, try to catch the fireworks shows at the Magic Kingdom, Studios, and Epcot. Phantasmic at the studios has its own theater while the others are viewable from most anywhere in the park.
The parades are also enjoyable, but the crowds can be initimidating for some
Remember to stop and enjoy the Tequila bar at Epcot :D
We are going in June with another family for our son's high school graduations (both kids are bringing a friend, so we probably won't see them except at meal times. If then :))

[Lucky_Hippo]

[QUOTE=elderboy02;769266]Epcot was my favorite park when I was a kid./QUOTE]

Epcot rules. When I was a kid I bought a Katana in "Japan" and they gave me two options. 1) Pick it up outside the park in 3 hours or 2) Have an armed escort walk me out of the park with my purchase. :D I picked it up at the gate but still think it would have been funny to recieve an armed escort passed Micky Mouse while holding a sword. :r

[md4958]

get yourself this book
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51cYJbqBF6L._SL500_.jpg


http://www.touringplans.com/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=26

it will give you all the info you need to know. :tu

[CigarNut]

get yourself this book
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51cYJbqBF6L._SL500_.jpg


http://www.touringplans.com/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=26

it will give you all the info you need to know. :tuOne of the authors, Len Testa, is the brother of a BOTL (Mike Testa). He does not hang out on CA much though...

Mike and his wife got married at WDW and occasionally help out with the book.

Mike's in Merida, Mexico right now and I am waiting for him to come back with some cigars :D

[barbourjay]

as an adult epcot is the coolest for me. my dad and i spent all day walking around the park drinking beers from each country. that was an interesting day. needless to say i didn't drive home that night.

also, if you are taking a little one (we had my nephew with us who was just shy of 1) we had to do a baby swap (rofl). they do not advertise this but it was a way for us to get fast passes and ride a ride a 2nd time quickly. we did this with soarin, went and got fast passes for us all. almost all of us went except for my sister in law and then we came back and went again with her while one of us stayed back.

http://www.mouseplanet.com/dtp/wdwguide/7_Children/older_kids/babyswap.htm

honestly i enjoy seaworld more than i do disney but that is just me. busch gardens isn't to far away also depending on how much time you have.

[Tenor CS]

I can't believe nobody has stated the obvious:

MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR ASS OVER TO CORONA CIGARS ON SAND LAKE BLVD!

PS: I work at WDW. PM me with any specific questions.

[sofaman]

I'm guessing your family includes children? If so how old... I can write up pages of information for you about disney but a lot of it would be negated if you have young children...
__________________
I forgot too mention my son is 8 and my daughter is 5

[shilala]

I think the best thing you can do is take shilala with you.
Mind ya, he ain't cheap, but he is easy. :D

[sofaman]

I think the best thing you can do is take shilala with you.
Mind ya, he ain't cheap, but he is easy.

LOL to easy :D Lets do it we can rent a condo and skipp the hotel room:tu

[newcigarz]

We try to take advantage of the "extra magic hours". Only available to people staying in the park. Bring your room key to the park for early/late access. They should have a schedule at the front desk when you check in.

A good game plan is to try and get in the park early/opening time ( earlier if they extra morning hours ) Hit the rides/attractions that are must sees in that specific park. Grab fast passes if available. Try to schedule a mid-afternoon break where you go back to your hotel and nap/swim/relax. Freshen up and head back out for dinner/parades/fireworks.
We are annual passholders and currently have stayed at 7 different resort hotels and are working our way around the others. Favorite so far is Wilderness lodge.

Have fun!

[floydpink]

Sofaman,

Caribbean Beach is a beautiful resort.

I have worked in marketing in Orlando for the last 16 years and have a desk at the concierge desk at a large resort across from Disney, where advice and experiences are exchanged all day. Disney and tourists are what have kept me alive for nearly 20 years now.

Rather than type a page or two, pm me if you want and I will give you my cel phone and see what I can share.

Oh, and I was in the parks over 70 times in 2009. Not completely by choice.

Off the top of my head, the best advice I can think of is to bring a lot of patience, and NEVER buy used tickets no matter what the "experts" told you they did when they were down from Michigan or Philly and stopped by the Denny's on International Drive last year before going to the Lobster feast and seeing an even BETTER deal.

The best deals are online unless, like in your case, you will be on property. You might want to take a side trip to Universal, so buy those online.

The new biometric scan makes it very hard now. Tenor? am I lying??

[floydpink]

One of the authors, Len Testa, is the brother of a BOTL (Mike Testa). He does not hang out on CA much though...

Mike and his wife got married at WDW and occasionally help out with the book.

Mike's in Merida, Mexico right now and I am waiting for him to come back with some cigars :D

I worked with Mike Testa years ago.

[tobii3]

Disney Dining Plan...Disney Dining Plan....Disney Dining Plan.

now...Since your daughter is 5, if the idea catches flight, the Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique at Magic Kingdom...they dress her to the nines....and there is a spot right by the castle where you can sit and smoke a cigar while they turn her into her favorite princess.

The buses - the best damn thing Disney pulled off - you can get EVERYWHERE from the buses - from your resort - you can literally leave your car behind (unless you plan on visiting Corona Cigars for some "Dad Time" :D. The other advantage is you won't have to worry about $$$ for parking either!

[captain53]

Me and my family are planning to go to Disney World for the first time the first week of May. We are going to be staying at the Disney Caribiean Beach Resort so can anyone give me any advice on how to make the most out of my first Disney experiance :confused:

Take plenty of lunch money, great place but food prices are beyond your wildest imagination.:2

[thebayratt]

IMO I think Disney is nothing but a huge mall with a few shows/rides thrown in the mix. Great places to eat and few cool shows but that was 18 years ago. I'm not much of a Disney fan now but, I realized when I was 10, thats its not much more than a shopping experience. If I wanted Disney items, I'd go to the Disney store in every other mall in America.
While there PLAN NOTHING. Ride wait times are horindus, food wait is terrible, seating is a nightmare. There were a few nice "retro" rides I liked when I was there BUT that was 18 yrs ago and they have been replaced with new technological rides. (I like the classics)

Epcot is the besk park IMO. Lots of good food and shops there to buy unique gifts and such. I'd spend most my time there if I was given Disney tickets.

I'd rather save my money, go to Busch Gardens and Universal. Then you would still have plenty of money left over to catch a waterpark.

Don't get me wrong lots of people love Disney, I just got better ideas on how to spend my money. But maybe you and your family will love it.

[CigarNut]

One other thing -- there are some free apps you can get for iPhones (and laptops) that show current wait times for the various rides at the parks. I found these to be pretty handy.

[tobii3]

Dunno why the griping about ride wait times...We used the SpeedPass on just about everything. Made the day a breeze.

Wait times for eating? Use the Disney Dining Plan - your times are already locked in before you arrive at your resort - better than reservations!!! And if you want to changethem, just talk to the front desk and they can rearrange it easily.

[floydpink]

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc266/rastapete69/Mickey1.jpg

the best place to meet the characters without a huge wait is Camp Minnie Mickey in Animal Kingdom

[floydpink]

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc266/rastapete69/d8cd4195.jpg
the magic

[floydpink]

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc266/rastapete69/5824b0ed.jpg

lots of fun stuff for big kids too

[tobii3]

Something else for the "big kids" to visit while taking a break from Disney.....

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y198/tobii3/CoronaCigar.jpg

:banger

[CigarNut]

How far from WDW is Corona?

[sofaman]

I would like to thank everyone for there input it has been very helpfull :tu

[floydpink]

How far from WDW is Corona?

10-15 minutes East up I-4. Best sushi anywhere next door at Amura.

Downtown Disney has Fuego and Sosa, but be prepared to pay dearly.

[Tenor CS]

For the best deals on ticket prices, check out mousesavers.com

They have great ticket prices through a place called undercover tourist.

Pete is right: Never buy "used" tickets, you have about a 10% of saving and getting a great deal, and about a 90% chance of getting ripped off.

Don't buy tickets in the lobby of your hotel.

Re: Kids:

With kids/Without kids makes a HUGE difference. Boy/Girl/Age factors in as well. If you have a 5-7 year old girl, be prepared to shell out bank at bippity boppity boutique for a princess makeover.

Daily Touring Plans:

Doing a full day, trying to be the first one there and staying till they kick you out after the fireworks ... SUCKS!!!

Divide your day into A, B, C.
A=early morning
B=afternoon
C=evening/closing time

Only do 2 of the three. A and C, A and B, or B and C.

If you have kids with you, and you ever have this sentiment:

We spent a ton of money on this vacation, and you're gonna stay here till the bitter end whether you're having fun or not!

It's time to take a break.

If your kid is big enough to not need a stroller but small enough to fit into Disney's strollers, rent them one. It will make a world of difference.

Do you have any special needs kids traveling with you? PM me to let me know. I have special advice in that case.

I could go on all day. PM me if you have any specific issues. It's much easier for me to answer specific questions than it is for me to cover a general "what's the best advice?" question. That's why the Unofficial Guide books (I have 2 of them from different years, they are great) are like 800 pages.

Bring a camera. Take advantage of the photopass program.