10 Questions from a Newbie!

[Cinderellie]

My dd12 wanted me to post & ask what being tagged be the tag fairy was all about, but I said if I asked that I would sound like a newbie for sure. It got me thinking – I AM a newbie. I might as well admit it. Hi. I am the mother of one great daughter. I am the wife of one fantastic husband. I am a newbie. And I am Canadian.

We are heading to DW in 15 days (but hey, who’s counting??)
(I figured out that DW means Disney World & it’s located in Florida all by myself). I went to DW once as a teenager (but that was many years ago), and it is the first time for my hubby & daughter.

Here is my list of 10 questions. If you are reading this (and you must be since you know that I am asking this of you) please answer at least one of my 10 questions. If anyone wants to see if they can score a perfect 10 out of 10, go for it & answer them all! OK Here goes:

1. What is a tag fairy? How do you get tagged or know if you have been tagged? Have you ever been tagged? What do "Close Current Tag" and "Close All Tags" mean? (OK I guess those were at least 4 ?s technically, but let's count it as one, if anyone is counting.)
2. Is DISBoard pronounced DIS as in discussion, or DIZ as in Disney?
3. Can you get ice for coolers at Fort Wilderness? Do you have to buy it (cost?) or is there somewhere you can get it cheaper or free?
4. Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach? Which do you recommend? Why?
5. Do you recommend Cirque Du Soleil? For the 3 of us, it will cost $185 to $285 US depending on quality of seats. It seems like quite a lot for 2 hours or less of entertainment. People indicate it is amazing, but I wonder if this money would go further elsewhere?
6. How does the Fastpass system work? I’ve heard you can only get one Fastpass per person at a time? Is this true? Anyway around it or to use them to their fullest? Is it obvious where to get your Fastpasses for rides & where you go when you want to use them to get on the ride?
7. We have tried to book our days at certain parks around when the Extra Magic Hours are (based on the Calendars on Disney’s website) as we are staying at Fort Wilderness and would love to access the parks with fewer crowds. Do you need a wrist band or something? If so, where & when do you get this?
8. What rides do you recommend? My husband loves all rides. The faster, scarier the better. However, I’ve always been a bit of a wuss (ever since I puked when my sister forced me to go on the Zipper at our local fair, because she came on the merry-go-round or something with me). That said, I’d like to try a few rides (roller coaster or 2 even) that are fun, thrilling, but not likely to give me a repeat performance of my Zipper days! Any suggestions? I’ve been warned not to go on Tower of Terror by someone who said they almost peed their pants & seriously wanted to get off half way through. How about Rockin’ Rollercoaster? Expedition Everest Coaster? Comments?
9. Is there anywhere you can go fishing for free? (Not the excursions or renting boats… just daddy & his little girl putting their rods in the water off a dock). Are there any restrictions on bait? Do you need a fishing license or reservations?
10. R R R R R R R R R R R R R R A A A A A A A A A A A …
Speaking of bait, that’s the sound of a can of worms opening up.
Cat’s go away (it’s not cat food). Hello fish!
My last question is, are the souvenir mugs only to be refilled for one visit at Disney, or can they be refilled on future trips? I have read the hilarious trip report by Zzub which discusses this in a most comical way. What’s your view on this one? I’m sure we can get $12 worth of drinks at Fort Wilderness in a week, but in a lifetime, for sure!

 

[we're all mad here]

Well, I can help with #6

Yes, 1 per person. You can get another one 30 minutes before the one in your hand expires. No way to cheat it, computers. The best way to get the best usage out of them, get one and stay in the same area so not to be running all over the place. We'll get one for Space Mountain, ride the TTA, Buzz Lightyear or maybe find Stitch for a photo while we're waiting. Get one for Pooh Bear and ride Snow White while waiting. Help any?

I'm with your Hubby on #8, the scarier the better! I LOVE TOT!

Have a GREAT time!

 

[mdhkitten]

I personally definitely recommend seeing the Cirque show "La Nouba"! It's totally worth it, and it pays to be close to the front (although the tickets are more $$). When you're near the front, the clowns typically interact with the guests up there before the show, not to mention that the view is AMAZING! I wouldn't sit anywhere else (at least not in that particular set up, and I just saw a new Cirque show where the front seats would have been terrible!) !

 

[AllAboutPluto]

Honestly, I'm not much help on any, save the slight bit of knowledge on #7 that the Extra Magic Hours (EMH) days tend to become VERY crowded later on in the day, so if you really want to use them, get up early and get there before opening. I'm not sure what gets you in the gate in the morning; I'd presume your regular ticket with your room pass. But I do know that you pick up a wristband if you're staying past close for the evening EMHs.

But honestly, what intigues me most about your post is your sad, sad tale of Whoa! on the Zipper! Say it ain't so! Why, at the tender age of 15, I once rode the Zipper with my then boyfriend and we immediately started rocking and proceeded to spin the car the full 360 degrees 233 times before they stopped our car to let us off. We were scolded for continuing to spin while the ride was stopped and other cars were loading and unloading, yet they made no REAL effort to let us off the ride before anyone else. We concluded that this could only mean that the ride operators were as amused as the people on the ground waiting to see who 'those kids' were.

Sadly, the next boyfriend didn't like carnival rides and has your same tendency to throw up. Must be why I married that one.

 

[zachnlucy]

Okay I'll try to help.
1. The tag fairy chooses you whenever he/she feels like it. See your tag now reads "earning my ears." At about 75 posts or so, you'll become a "mousekeeter." The tag fairy can just show up someday and change your tag. I've read that you have more luck on getting tagged on the Community Board.

2. As to EMH parks, you will want to avoid them unless you have the parkhopper option. They get extremely crowded. If you have parkhopper, you can do the EMH AM and then hop to another park around 11 am or so when it starts getting crowded.

3. I pronounce the dis in disboard as diz. Don't know about anyone else.

4. The mugs can only be used at your resort.

5. As to coasters, can't really help you there. I haven't been to WDW in about 10 years, but we're leaving in 16 days. YAY! I loved Space Mountain but I love all coasters, the faster the better. Looking forward to RNC and Everest.

6. Never been to Cirque. We've bought tickets for our upcoming trip because of the awesome reviews around here.

HAVE FUN!

 

[erikthewise]

1. What is a tag fairy? How do you get tagged or know if you have been tagged? Have you ever been tagged? What do "Close Current Tag" and "Close All Tags" mean? (OK I guess those were at least 4 ?s technically, but let's count it as one, if anyone is counting.)

A tag fairy is a person with mystical powers who places colored text under your username. You don't get to pick what they put there, but you feel blessed nonetheless.

2. Is DISBoard pronounced DIS as in discussion, or DIZ as in Disney?

Now none of us will be able to sleep tonight.

3. Can you get ice for coolers at Fort Wilderness? Do you have to buy it (cost?) or is there somewhere you can get it cheaper or free?

No idea, but if it's expensive I suggest buying ice at the Winn-Dixie just a few blocks north of Crossroads shopping center.

4. Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach? Which do you recommend? Why?

Never been to either. But my impression is that TL is better for families, and BB is better for thrill seekers.

5. Do you recommend Cirque Du Soleil? For the 3 of us, it will cost $185 to $285 US depending on quality of seats. It seems like quite a lot for 2 hours or less of entertainment. People indicate it is amazing, but I wonder if this money would go further elsewhere?

Absolutely positively YES! It IS an amazing show.

6. How does the Fastpass system work? I’ve heard you can only get one Fastpass per person at a time? Is this true? Anyway around it or to use them to their fullest? Is it obvious where to get your Fastpasses for rides & where you go when you want to use them to get on the ride?

It will say at the bottom of your fastpass when you can get the next one. It may well be before the first one is used. If it's not obvious where the FP machines are, or where to return with one, just ask a Cast Member.

7. We have tried to book our days at certain parks around when the Extra Magic Hours are (based on the Calendars on Disney’s website) as we are staying at Fort Wilderness and would love to access the parks with fewer crowds. Do you need a wrist band or something? If so, where & when do you get this?

In the mornings you just need to show your Disney room card. In the evenings you need to get a wristband. Again, ask a cast member if you're not sure where to get one.

8. What rides do you recommend? My husband loves all rides. The faster, scarier the better. However, I’ve always been a bit of a wuss (ever since I puked when my sister forced me to go on the Zipper at our local fair, because she came on the merry-go-round or something with me). That said, I’d like to try a few rides (roller coaster or 2 even) that are fun, thrilling, but not likely to give me a repeat performance of my Zipper days! Any suggestions? I’ve been warned not to go on Tower of Terror by someone who said they almost peed their pants & seriously wanted to get off half way through. How about Rockin’ Rollercoaster? Expedition Everest Coaster? Comments?

I am a coaster-hater, but I have never been on a Disney ride that I didn't like. But then, I haven't yet tried Tower of Terror...
Rock'n'Roller coaster is by far the most intense coaster at WDW. All the others including Expedition Everest are really "intermediate" coasters by the standards of most theme parks, but still lots of fun!

9. Is there anywhere you can go fishing for free? (Not the excursions or renting boats… just daddy & his little girl putting their rods in the water off a dock). Are their any restrictions on bait? Do you need a fishing license or reservations?

Free?! At WDW?! Surely you're joking.
You can hardly throw a rock in Florida without hitting a lake, so there is probably somewhere nearby where you can do this. Perhaps someone will suggest such a place.

10. R R R R R R R R R R R R R R A A A A A A A A A A A …
Speaking of bait, that’s the sound of a can of worms opening up.
Cat’s go away (it’s not cat food). Hello fish!
My last question is, are the souvenir mugs only to be refilled for one visit at Disney, or can they be refilled on future trips? I have read the hilarious trip report by Zzub which discusses this in a most comical way. What’s your view on this one? I’m sure we can get $12 worth of drinks at Fort Wilderness in a week, but in a lifetime, for sure!

I don't like soda from fountain syrup. Just cans for me!

 

[swillis]

I can't really answer any of your questions since I'm headed to the World myself in a few weeks. (This will be my first time w/kids) But...I enjoyed reading your post It was entertaining

 

[kmebee]

Here's the little bit of help I can offer ya...

1. The Tag Fairy issue has been explained well enough
2. I'm with erikthewise, now none of us will sleep. I pronounce it Dis as in Disney
3. Can't help with Fort Wilderness & Ice
4. I've done Blizzard Beach and totally enjoyed it. Don't know about Typhoon Lagoon although it looks really cool too and my niece & her kids loved it.
5. Can't answer about Cirque. Too much money for a short performance when there is so much more to do and see in the parks. Maybe someday on a longer visit.
6. Fastpass has been thoroughly explained.
7. EMH experience: If, for instance, MGM has Evening EMH on Sunday night, Monday mornings tend to be "empty".
8. What rides? Well, I'm not much of a coaster person either but I can tell you that the only one I haven't tried is Mission:Space. Don't want to take the chance of being sick or dizzy the rest of the day. But one must ride is Soarin'!!
9. Don't know about fishing either.
10. In my opinion the mugs are definitely worth it. I don't drink much pop/soda/whatever you call it but I LOVE my iced tea. Plus, it gives me a little bit of Disney when I'm sitting at my desk at my job in between trips.
Hope this helps, somewhat at least. Have a GREAT trip and enjoy yourselves!

 

[FigNewton]

I have to say DIZ as in Disney, as dis for discussion sounds too much like slang for disrespect! And that sure isn't in the Disney spirit!

 

[SomePixiedust]

Just want to say welcome to the DIS family.

 

[AllyGirl_79]

I'll take a stab at a few...

2. I pronounce it 'diz' in my head, for much the same reasons other people have listed.

3. I haven't stayed at Fort Wilderness for a few years, but they used to have ice machines at each comfort station in every loop. Very reasonable if I remember right. My dad, who I just asked as he would have been in charge of all ice related activities, says it was cheap and convenient, with both cubes and blocks of ice available.

5. For the past few years, we've planned to go to Cirque Du Soleil, and somehow never had time. My dad was the one who really wanted to see it, and, as he never really asks for anything, I bought tickets for our most recent trip. It was awesome.

6. Fast Pass, like most other things, is something you get really good at after a while. Take a look at what attractions have FP, figure out what you can do in the areas around them while you wait for passes to be usable, and make sure you pay attention to the times listed -- don't miss a ride because the ticket expires or miss the opportunity to get a new one as soon as you're able. During busy periods, I love Fast Pass. Also, it is sometimes nice to send one person to get all the FP tickets for your party while you wait in line for a table at a restaurant or let little ones rest in the shade, etc.

7. No wrist band for early magic hours. If you actually get up early enough to take advantage, by all means head to whichever park. I second the opinion of the poster who said to take advantage of the hopper passes, though. By noon we usually hop to one of the other parks, as the EMH park can get really crowded.

8. I love Rock n Roller coaster. It's fast and fun, but you're not in pain when you get off like with some roller coasters. Big Thunder Mountain is not terribly frightening. The simulator rides (i.e. Star Tours and Soaring) might be good, as you can always just close your eyes.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[princessboogirl]

I had a very similar experience on the Zipper(my husband thought it was so funny but I was in tears and felt sick to my stomach and dizzy the rest of the night) I HATED the Zipper . Now as for Disney rides I haven't been on one that I didn't love... one minor exception might be misson space but only because I had worked myself up because I was afraid of motion sickness, I didn't get any thought. Every other ride at DW is wonderful Have great time and don't be afraid of the rides

 

[Boncho]

Next month will be our second trip to Disney, and also our second time seeing Cirque de Soleil. We are Canadian also so the tickets are expensive but you can get lower priced ones than we get ( We always get seats right in front).
This year my son is 10 so I had to buy him an adult ticket - so the price of the ticket, the tax, and the exchange cost me $243.00 Canadian for the two tickets. The show is awsome!!!!!! To me, the show is worth every penny. It is unbelievable what these talented people do.Life is short - you'll be on vacation - ENJOY!!!! Have a wonderful time, how can you not at Disney???

 

[Boncho]

When you go to the entrance to the ride, you can't miss the sign to show you where to get the fasspass and what time it will be for.

 

[sunshineclarity]

Welcome to the boards! I found some info on the fishing!

You can do dockside fishing at Port Orleans Riverside and Fort Wilderness. Hours are 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. The fishing areas are stocked with catfish, bass, and blue gill. For a pole and worms it is $4/hour and for family fishing (up to 6 people) it is $12.50/hour.

There are also fishing exursions and Junior fishing excursions which are very pricy. You can read more about them at http://allearsnet.com/btp/fish.htm.

 

[PercussionGirl]

2 - im not sure but my family has always pronounced it DIZ

4 - personally i like typhoon lagoon (love the lazy river!!!)

5 - we went to Cirque a couple of years ago n it was brilliant! we were sitting quite near the back, and the view was amazing! honestly i dont think theirs a bad seat in the house!

8 - Splash Mountain! Ok theres a drop at the end but the themeing around it makes up for it!

 

[cruislovin]

Does anyone know of a way to get discounted tix for Cirque?

 

[Hopefully]

Welcome to the Dis.
#2 I pronounce it Diz
#3 Ice is available at the Comfort Stations throughout the campground. I do not know about the cost.
#4 I have only been to Typhoon Lagoon and enjoyed it very much. This past weekend, however, I watched a Travel Channel show on the best water parks in the US and BB was rated #2 in the United States. TL was not even on the list.
#5 I think Cirque is worth every penny. It is an amazing show. I don't think you need to buy the most expensive tickets to have a good seat. I would recommend going to the show.
#6 Fast Pass machine are located right at the entrance to the rides that have them. Often times lines form to get the FP too. The return time will be displayed above the machines. Do look at that to be sure that you want that time. Sometimes it is many hours in the future.
#7 As others have said, if you can be at a park before opening, you can get many rides in early in the morning EMH. You will just need to show your resort ID in the morning. That park will get very crowded as the day progress, so hoping to another park in the afternoon is a good strategy. Wristbands are required for the evening EMH. They will begin giving them out about 4 PM and a CM will be able to direct you to the location.
# 8 My DH and DS love the coasters, but I am not much of a coaster fan. I will do BTM but that is it. They love Space Mountain, Rockin Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror. Splash Mountain is great fun, even though it looks scary. The drop is not as bad as it looks. Mission Space has reportedly made many people nauseous (sp).
# 9 There is reportedly free fishing at Port Orleans Riverside. It is catch and release from a "fishing hole". I do not know if you need to be a guest of that resort. Check while you are at Fort Wilderness, there might be some place there to fish, I am not sure.
I think you will love Fort Wilderness, it is wonderful, and I think very Disney!! Enjoy the boat ride to the MK.
Have a wonderful trip!!!!

 

[sewer]

4. Typhoon Lagoon is the better of the 2 (I think) it's larger, and the wave pool is great!
10. Get the mug, you won't be sorry!

 

[HACAM]

I actually thought that it was pronouced "DIS" as in discussion....what do I know!

We were just there in March, and went to both TL and BB, we have 3 children 10, 8, 5 and would have to say that BB is best for our family, there is something for every member of the family there. DD5, was not able to do any of the slides at TL, too short, but really loved the wavepool at TL, other than that BB is better....much more for the whole family.

We bought the refillable mugs...stayed at POR...great for coffee in the mornings and soft drinks, ice tea in the afternoon...make a great sovenier.

Enjoy, your trip you will have a blast! We are going again for the free dining in September and can't wait, we will definitely be going to Cirque du Soliel during that visit...heard so many wonderful things about the show!

Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!