Advice and Suggestions Please!

[Disney Virgin]

We (me,hubby, 11 yr old son and friend) are staying at FW 7/21-7/27. We have never been to Disney. I feel like I'm visiting there blind....I have no clue what to expect.

Does anyone have any advice or suggestions on what is a must see/do and what should be avoided? What about restaurants? What is the best water park?

We requested a site in Loop 900 if available. Does anyone know of any drawbacks to staying in this Loop? What loops are the most favorable?

All advice would be appreciated!

 

[DVCDAVE]

Sorry, No one is ignoring this thread, it is just an overwhelming question that one could spend an afternoon typing to answer. I would have to suggestions to help you;

1) Buy a copy of Birnbaum's Official Guide to WDW 2001 in any bookstore, in the travel section. Lots of good information. You should be able to read it, and make notes in two days.

2) for information on FW, follow this link. Jeff Spencer has put a lot of time and energy to make the best website on FW on the internet. Disney should be ashamed that Jeff has out done them. Make sure you follow his many links as he has a comlpete photo gallery and history of FW on his site.

http://fly.hiwaay.net/~jlspence/faq_fw.htm

As far as loops, there really isn't a bad one on the site. Just 'preferrred' due to proximity, or hookups for a camper.

On resteraunts, read Birnbaums, but for Breakfast you can't beat the Trails End Buffet at Crockit's Tavern in FW. It is consistantly rated the highest by visitors, and is a bargain compared to many Disney resteraunts. The dinner buffet there is pretty darn good too.

I hope I have been of some help to you, good luck and have fun. Most of all....plan and make a schedule, as WDW can be overwelming to a first time visitor. I guess that is why so many of us keep going back.

 

[Disney Virgin]

Thanks DVCDAVE! Spencer's page is quite extensive and informative. That will help a great deal.

I have one more question regarding FW. Are there fire pits on the sites? I don't see them mentioned anywhere so I'm assuming there isn't. Also, do the sites provide much privacy?

Thanks for the advice on the restaurants. We'll be sure to try them!

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Be sure to check out The Theme Parks board, Disney tips too, there is soooo much information there you will be an expert before you go! My best tip- Get to the parks EARLY!

Have fun

 

[DVCDAVE]

There are no fire pits in the campsites. Only a barbque. In fact campfires are not allowed, nor never have been allowed in the campsites. Charcoal is sold at the Trading Posts for the BBQ. There is a campfire at the meadows area, with a sing a long and a movie near sunset everynight. It is FREE !! Check the times when you check in. My kids LOVE the campfire, it is very family orientated.

As far as privacy, on a scale of one to ten, I would rank it a 6. WIth one being low and 10 being high. It would greatly depend on if you are using a tent, pop up or RV.

 

[DVCDAVE]

By the way !! I STRONGLY suggest you make a dinner reservation for the Hoop-Dee-Doo Review at Pioneer Hall next to Crockits Tavern. This show reguraly sells out, and it is an all you can eat and drink Dinner too. It is one of the very few shows that Disnay will make a reservation for a year in advance, because it is so popular. Make the Ressie NOW !!

I guarantee a good time !!!


Enjoy !

 

[TinkerbellRules]

That is an overwhelming post

Some added advice:

1. Purchase the "Unofficial Guide to WDW" (notice the UN) and read the tips in there. Even has strategies. Everyone I know that has read it, loves it. Sold my 96 version in the rummage because the person had heard such great things about it. (I have a newer one) I think it's by Bob Schillinger or something like that. Can't find my copy at the moment.

2. Don't miss the Hunchback show at MGM (my personal all-time fav). GEt there early and sit up close to the stage (but watch out, Quasi might spit on you. Really! The current Quasi has that problem, but he's excellent!)

3. Go to Ohana's.

4. Go to "Tapestry of Nations" at Epcot before it ends

5. Be prepared for the horrible transportation problems. We drove everywhere while at FW, but we know our way around. Definiately drive to Downtown Disney.

6. Take bottled water with the cooler strap things.

7. Take advantage of the EE (early entry/surprise mornings) days and leave when the park gets too crowded. Your son will love the Buzzlight ride. I'd do that first thing. It's normally on the EE days.

8. Be prepared for overcrowding and extremely hot temps at AK.

9. BE sure to check out the campground. We wished we had spent more time doing that in Oct.

10. Have fun!

 

[Disney Virgin]

Thanks Tinkerbell, Those are some great tips! Especially the water bottle!

You mentioned MGM...which I will take your advice on the Hunchback show...but what about Universal Studios? Alot of people tell me they like that one better. What's your preference? Should we see both or just do the one?

What is Ohana's? Is that a restaurant?

What about Downtown Disney? My husband doesn't dance and neither of us are big drinkers...is it worth it for us to go there? I've heard it's more for adults and a club like atmosphere.

So much to see/do and so little time! Something tells me I'm going to need a vacation from my vacation!!

 

[Disney Campers]

Downtown Disney is made up of 3 parts, West Side, Market Place and Pleasure Island, Pleasure Island requires admission this is where the bars and clubs are, market place has many shops including a neat lego store with Huge lego creations around the store the kids would love it, West side has more shops and restaurants includeing Circque De Soliel, DisneyQuest and others.

A note on Hoop Dee Doo: th earlier you make your reservations the better seats you get, we made ours quite early and had front row seats, we were the last to check in and had the best seats in the house.

 

[TinkerbellRules]

I can't comment on Universal since I've never gone. I'd feel like a trader I'll go some day. My sis has gone and really liked it, but felt my DD wouldn't like it. The rides are a little less tame for her. She was terrified on the Pirate ride (we didn't know it was dark and decended a few ft in the beginning). I'm not sure, but I don't remember hearing about their live shows like WDW (Hunchback). Check my website if you want to see some photos.

AS far as Downtown Disney, we usually go to shop. Ive been to Pleasure Island once when DD (dear daughter) was 5 and she thought it was too noisy. Some CM's got her ear plugs! Still didn't help. She loved the Comedy place though. Laughed and laughed and laughed along with everyone else. I'll never forget that! She had no clue what she was laughing at (over her head).

You should check out the Boardwalk for more free fun. They have dances along the boardwalk on the w/e. I don't know if your son would enjoy that, but the girls do. It's fun to just stroll along though. Resort hopping is another favorite. My DH (dear husband) loves to do that as well especially on the monorails. Listen to "please stand clear of the doors".... then the Spanish version. Our favorite part! If you're among the first in line, ask the CM's if you can ride up front. It's cool!

Ohana's is a restaurant in the Poly. It's really fun. It's a buffet with salmon, beef, turkey (THE BEST), and pork (I think). The kids can play games. They have a singer there (hopefully you won't get the annoying LOUD one.) I can't believe this, but I can't think of the good one's name. It's something like Kalua. Now, that will drive me crazy!

Check out this website as well:

http://www.wdwig.com/

It has menus and all kinds of things on it.

Chef Mickey's is fun as well. I'd advise getting PS for both Ohanas and Chef Mickeys.

Hope this helps! Kaleo, that's the singers name!

 

[DVCDAVE]

DISNEY VIRGIN Seeing you are going for only six days, I wouldn't recomend trying to fit in Universal Studios on this trip. You will be running all over, defeating the purpose of the vacation. The way I see it 1 1/2 day for the MK, 2 days for EPCOT, at least 1/2 day each for MGM and AK, and you will want to do at least one water park. My time schedule is assuming you do your homework, and plan well.

As far as water parks go both Blizzrd Beach and Typhoon Lagoon are large and fun. Rivier Country is in FW, pluss you get a FW discount, albeit it is much smaller than the other two water parks.

An excellant resource is the homepage here at the DIS boards. It has all the resteraunts listed and rated, plus resort maps that you can print.

I still stick by my recomendation of Birnbaums Official Guide to WDW, and I have bought and used all of them over the years, and consider Birnbaums the best. Sorry TINKERBELLRULES, everyone has their own tastes and I respect yours.

Future trips that you plan should include Universal, Sea World (excellant) in my opinion, Kennedy Space center, and Busch Gardens in Tampa. Kennedy Space Center and Busch Gardens are both a 1 hour drive from FW.

As you can see, once you go to Disney, it is easy to keep on coming back. That is what makes it such a great vacation spot.

 

[TinkerbellRules]

One reason I recommend the Unofficial guide is it is not written by anyone related to the Disney company. I thought the "official" one was, but I could be wrong. This way you get unbiased opinions on stuff. I've looked at both as well, but not for a couple years. I guess I'm an "expert" now so I don't need it The Unofficial one has great info on strategies for rides, restaurant ratings, and numerous other things along with plans for touring. And, they arrive from a lot of this by "us" telling them and by them actually looking into things. It's public input like on the DIS. I especially love the section on rating the rides for the "fright" factor. My DD gets scared on dark rides (first time, at 5 yrs, was even scare of Peter Pan!) I haven't taken her on several rides based on this book.

I also could spend more than 1/2 at MGM - all day. I agree about AK though! In July, that park will be so hot!

You can always buy both books Too bad you didn't find us sooner to allow you more time to read We leave next Friday for the beach. Can't wait!

 

[DVCDAVE]

Birnbaum's Official Guide has a lot of the same things you mentioned, but then it is all a matter of taste and opinion.

As far as MGM, I did state at least 1/2 a day, note the word "at least". I lot depends on how many shops and resteraunts one wants to visit, and of course the lines.

Again, having been as many times over the years, I do not recomend Universal or any other park on the first trip. Save those for your second or third trip. My wife and I always use the calender in Microsoft Outlook to fill out a tentative schedule, and go over it with the kids. We have done so since the kids have often compalined on the last day about not having enough time at the pool or to bike ride.

The schedule isn't written in stone, nor a lot of detail. We simply fill in which parks have early entry, and try to make it to that park on Early entery. We usually stay unitl after lunch, (by then the lines are long), and return to the resort for some relaxation or a swim, then return to the parks after dinner to see the fireworks or some of the ampitheater shows.

Everyone has their method of attack, you in time will find out yours.

I will add this opinion too. My family and I believe strongly that FW is the best way to see WDW. It is the best value package at WDW. We joined DVC last year because we had been returning so many times it only made economic sense. Disney has been pushing the room (cabin) rates up 10% per year for the last 10 years running. Even tough we have bought DVC, we still plan on using some of our DVC points to spend a day or two in a cabin at FW. In fact, my boys insisit on it. They love the campfire program, renting a golf cart, and renting the water mice at the FW marina. The water area at BW is much smaller then 7 Seas Lagoon.

I am a little envious, as I have to wait until November for my next trip. AND of course your first trip is something magical !!!

 

[TinkerbellRules]

DVCDAve: Thanks for explaining the reason for the DVC membership. I couldn't figure out why you were here

Have you stayed at the WLV's yet? We were supposed to in Oct with friends, but it got canceled

We pretty much do the same as you as far as the scheduling. My friend's boss actually wanted my touring schedule since we saw and did so much last time we were with them. I do schedule time for pool on my itinerary

**As far as MGM, I did state at least 1/2 a day, note the word "at least". I lot depends on how many shops and resteraunts one wants to visit, and of course the lines.
**

Or how many times I watch the Hunchback show

 

[DVCDAVE]

No, we toured the VWL last March while staying at the BWV and 2 days at a cabin in FW. We bought WLV on the spot, and banked our points to 2002. In March of 2002 we have a ressie for 10 at WLV, and we plan on maling a ressie for 4 days for Thanksgiving 2002. We will very likely add on to our March 2002 ressie, and book a cabin with DVC points at FW as we will have some points left over from 2001 and 2002 that should be used up.

We have ressies for 4 days at BWV this Thanksgiving.

 

[TinkerbellRules]

DVCDave: I should have looked at the bottom of you post for the info