advice from Disneylanders RE WDW please

[kcchica]

Hi.. I thought maybe I could get a different perspective over here... We go to DL often typically at least once a year, except this year we bought season passes, so we have gone several times already...

anyway, we have never been to the florida parks and will have the opportunity to go (at the end of a unexpected business trip) in may, the work stuff ends on tuesday, so I plan on staying tuesday- friday near WDR, most likely on side...

so I am looking for advice from DL goer perspective... we may be able to visit a park tuesday evening , and will definitely have wed. and thursday.. most likely we won't be able to on friday as we will need to travel earlier in the day...

any advice from anyone on this board who has experienced both...

should we go to MK or just epcot and mgm? also advice on where to stay?

i am overwhelmed looking at the wdw boards.... they are a milion posts in quite a few categories... its hard to figure out the answers to questions, when I am not even sure what my questions are yet....

so basically I am looking for advice regarding a first time trip, a short trip and for a typical DL visitor (as opposed to a WDW visitor)

thanks
kc

 

[axavilez]

I know exactly what you're going through. I have been to DL many times, also an AP holder, but had not been to WDW until this year. We had a great trip (went in January)! I felt completely overwhelmed with planning for that trip...where to stay, where to eat, which parks to visit on which days, etc. We ended up staying at Disney's Old Key West Resort by renting DVC points, something I read about on mousesavers.com. The room was spectacular and very spacious. I would highly recommend renting points, since it is definitely cheaper than booking directly with Disney. We were also treated like DVC owners, which was a nice touch. If cost is a concern, you may want to stay at one of the Downtown Disney hotels. They are within Disney property and great deals are to be had. Again, checkout www.mousesavers.com

As far as touring strategies, I would suggest going to all theme parks if you can. It's fun to compare MK to Disneyland. The castle alone is worth visiting MK. Plus, there are the other classic Disney rides. Be sure to checkout Mickey's Philharmagic, which was a personal favorite. MGM was also a great park. Tower of Terror & Rock n' Roller coaster are not to be missed. All the shows at MGM, however, presented touring problems. It's almost impossible to see all the shows in one day because of the scheduled times. I highly suggest touring MGM over two days (half one day & half another day). Epcot should also be toured over two days, maybe Future Wld one day & Wld Showcase another day. Epcot has a much more laid back feel than the other parks, and its better to take your time. Finally, Animal Kingdom can be done in 3/4 of a day. I would skip Tarzan Rocks. This show has got to go! Lion King, however, was really good.

 

[daannzzz]

As far as where to stay, determine how much you can or want to spend. They have many resorts on par with the Grand Californian or DL Hotel but they also have "moderate" resorts that I really like and the "value" resorts wich are also fun.
You can go to this site and check out the resorts. http://allearsnet.com/acc/faq_hot.htm

Scroll down and there will be photos of each place. All of them are fine places to stay. Just pick which ones fit your budget and taste.

You will be supriised at how wonderfull it is driving onto Disney property in FL. Our fist time was in the dark and as we were driving through the forest I knew we were close but there was sunddenly one of the Disney Purple road signs and I knew we were on property even though we were surrounded by trees! I think staying in the Epcot area would be good. If you can not at this time afford the prices at the Yacht and Beach Club or Boardwalk check out the Swan and Dolphin for your dates. They sometimes have some really good prices.The Dis boards site often has good prices available or you can check on www.starwoods.com or other travel sites.
It is really fun to compare Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom and they have a few things we don't have here. It feels really similar yet really different. Epcot is not to be missed in My opinion. The Disney Studios is half a great park and half and okay park. Some of the architecture is wonderful and some parts of the park are a mish mash. But it would be fun to see ToT, The Great Movie Ride and (if you like coasters) the Rock'N Roller Coaster.
I personally love the Animal Kingdom. While there are not many rides there it is a beautiful park which you could do as a day trip (it closes at 5:00) and then head back over to Epcot for a second evening.
If the MK is open fairly late and you can get over there for a few hours on Tuesday evening I would suggest that. You would get to see the park and hit a few of the highlites.
Do Epcot all day Wednesday and then on Thursday do either the Animal Kingdom or The Studios for the first part of the Day and then go back to Epcot in the late afternoon.

 

[exDS vet]

Wow! There's a lot to cram in, but you can do it. MK and Epcot are musts. The thing is that on a short trip, you are best to hop back and forth between parks, but you have to be smart about it so that you don't waste much time travelling.

Visit MK in the morning, prefereably with whatever early entry they have. Here's what you should do; (*-see below)
Main Street shops and buildings as well
Cinderella Castle - take lots of photos, walk through and around.
Tomorrowland - Do all major attractions*
Fantasyland - Philharmagic, Pooh, Mad Tea Party, walk around
Frontierland - Splash and BTMR are next to eachother. You will appreciate the original Country Bear Jamboree too.
Liberty Squere - A definate must!
Adventureland - JC and Tiki Room are nice*
Toontown Fair - Don't bother!

*Skip these attractions
Space Mountain (if crowded), Tomorrowland Speedway
All Fantasyland dark rides, and IASM

Catch the parade and Spectromagic if you can. You can miss "Wishes" since "Believe" is much better.

I could go on forever, but if you'd like more, please PM me and I'll be glad to share.

 

[disneychrista]

I am not sure if they have a 3 day day hopper pass but if they do this is what i would purchase. I would go to Epcot the first day/night because it is usually open the latest. Then I would spend one full day at the Magic Kingdom and one day at Animal Kingdom, finishing the day at Epcot (again because it is usuall open the latest)

If you only have two parks/two days that you can visit I would the Magic Kingdom and Epcot.

If money is no object I recommend the Animal Kingdom Lodge. If you are on a budget the All Stars are great too. We stayed at both and while I love the AKL, for the price you can not beat the All Stars.

 

[Bert N Gert]

Consider staying on-site as the 'extra Magic hour' will give you one hour's start in one of the parks each day.

Whatever you do, don't miss Reflections of Earth on the World Showcase Lagoon (Epcot) - every night at 9pm. It's the best show in town (apart from Cirque du Soleil, anyway).

 

[hayesmama]

I went to WDW for the first time last year. I am a DL APer. There is so much to do there that even though we went to all the parks and one water park over 5 days, I felt as though we only saw half of everything. The sheer size of the whole WDW resort alone was (is) unbelievable to me. Disneyland seems so small to me now (I still prefer DL as it is more cozier). I felt I needed 2 days for WDW, 2 days for Epcot and as a previous poster said one and a half days for MGM (cute shows and ToT). We did Animal Kingdom in one day (we stayed on CA time and the Animal Kingdom closed early Florida time but it was still a nice visit). Keep in mind that not all of DL's attractions are in the same place over there--my kids didn't understand why Star Tours wasn't at the same park as the big castle, why we couldn't see Fantasmic there either, where is Indiana Jones etc. I wish I had explained the differences to them a little more ahead of time. I ended up buying ponchos at DL to take with me and boy am I glad I did--in the sea of yellow WDW ponchos I could easily see my kids/hubby in their blue DL ponchos.
We stayed at Port Orleans and I enjoyed it alot. The only thing I missed was being able to take the monorail like I do at DLhotel. If I had a few extra dollars, I would spring next time and stay at Poly or Contemporary. I also thought it strange that you do not just park next to MK and walk/shuttle there, you have to go to the transportation center and then take a monorail there. We went as the crowds seemed to appear and it took 20 mins to catch a monorail and there really isn't any kind of rhyme or reason to the line to get to the monorail, just a sea of people trying to get up the ramp to it. This was after waiting for a shuttle bus to pick us up for our 10 min ride to the transportation center. It seems to take a long time to just get to/in the parks, but well worth it once you get there.
If I were in your situation, I would do Epcot and the MK. Epcot is a unique place. Don't get me wrong, I also enjoyed MGM and Animal Kingdom too, but the MK had something a little familiar, yet new and exciting and sorta different to offer me.
Have a great time!!!!!

 

[CalGal]

Most definitely, I would go to MK. Yes, it is most like DL, but you love DL, right!? Focus on those rides that are different and those that you like best at DL for the comparison. Don't miss Buzz Lightyear in Tomorrowland. Even though we have visited DL 1-3 times per year for the past 12 years, we still ended up spending as much or more time at MK than any of the other parks.

You will be a bit frustrated that you will not have nearly enough time to take it all in, but enjoy what you can. Absolutely stay on site to get the full feel and save the most time. Assuming you will get a park hopper or length of stay, I would recommend hitting the early admission park as early as possible, but switch to another park when it starts getting really crowded. The early admission days stay very crowded all day. If you can't afford to stay at one of the Delux resorts (and oh, they are so lovely), you might use a car to get around the parks. It can save a little time over the buses and parking at any of the parks or resorts is free to onsight guests.

 

[kcchica]

Hey guys thanks for the advice.. I am looking at staying at pop or one of the budget resorts... I can't justify spending more a few nights... I am trying to keep the trip as cheap as possible given the limited amount of time I will have there...

I would WANT to stay disney or either hilton/swan/dolphin for hte early entry benefit... since we will only be there a short amount of time.

Because of budget concerns I definitely won't be renting a car, but that seems disappointing, it seems a lot of people advocate driving around the resort...

I wonder if staying offsite (cheaper) + renting a car would be better, of course then I won't be able to do magic mornings (which I loved when disney did...)

Not sure what to do.

 

[daannzzz]

Stay onsite and forget the car. You don't really have enough time to go to the parks , Downtown Disney, water parks and resort hop!!! If you get a chance while at Epcot you can get your hand stamped and go out the International Gateway exit (between Great Britain and France) and check out the Epcot resorts. It is and easy walk (or you can take the boat). You will be able to tout the Swan and Dolphin, Boardwalk Inn and Villas, Yachat and Beach Club and Beach Club Villas. There are good dining opportunities there as well.

 

[CalGal]

If it's between staying onsight and renting a car, I would definitely second the vote to stay on-site. It only saves a little time getting you to the major parks, and, as Danzzzz points out, you don't have time to do the other things anyway.

 

[ivanova]

if you only have one day, do MGM & Epcot. If you have two days, you can squeeze in all four parks, if you're crafty.

 

[disneychrista]

Originally posted by ivanova
If you have two days, you can squeeze in all four parks, if you're crafty.

And you have admission that allows hopping.

 

[HaleyB]

I would focus on what you can not get in DL. So I would spend a lot of time in Epcot, visit the Animal Kingdom, and maybe MK. We are DL regulars and I found I was most let down by MGM. Is there any way you can stretch and get one more day in? it seems a shame not to.
With any luck you will have room only discounts avaliable for your stay, which can save you a good 20-35%.
Price the UPH (Dream maker) it could be your best bet. If you book it right with back to back resservations and all as outlined on www.mousesavers.com I think it is the best way to get 2 days worth of park hopping.

 

[ceejay13]

I have APs on both coasts, and we visit WDW a couple of times a year and usually DL only once (it still pays to get an AP at DL for one of us for the discounts). I would recommend getting one of the guide books and determining what you most want to see, and plan from there. I absolutely recommend staying on site. It is truly part of the magic. When I'm asked this question it is hard for me as we all have different wants and tastes so I always recommend reading up on the parks. My favorite park is Epcot. I prefer DL to the MK, other than the castle at WDW is awesome. We are DVC members and usually stay at the Boardwalk so walking or taking a boat to either Epcot or MGM is very easy. Wherever you go, I think you will have a great time.

 

[jlima]

On our honeymoon in 91, the first night we went to Epcot didn't understand why it closed at 9p when DL always closed at midnight or 1a. Check, Check, Check park hours and don't assume that if DL stays open until midnight on a Friday that the MK will do the same!!!

 

[hammertime]

Hello,

I was born and raised in CA so DL is all I've known. Went to WDW this past Dec-Jan. We were pretty disappointed with MK because we didn't know that the rides were different. I recommend seeing things you can't see at DL. If I had to pick one park to spend time in it would be MGM.

If you can get a hopper pass here are my favorite rides at WDW

At MGM
Tower of terror(but there opening one in CA so you could probably skip it)
Rock'n'roller coaster
Great Movie ride(looks like it would be boring but it was fun)
Indian Jones Stunt show

Epcot -
Illuminations- firworks and light show. BEST show at WDW
Mission to Mars
Test Track

Animal Kingdom -
Safari ride - (can't remember the full name for it)
Rapid ride - If it's hot. Prepare to get soaked.

MK
Buzzlightyear ride
Space Mountain(I heard DL's will be closed for another year)
Mickey's Philharmagic
Country Bear Jamboree - I heard it's gone from DL now.
Splash Mountain - Didn't ride it but heard it's actually better than DL.

Pleasure Island- This might be fun to go see once all the parks close(located near Downtown Disney)They have dance and comedy clubs.
If you go you have to go to the Adventures Club. Don't just walk in and out. sit down wait a few minutes. Lots of fun.

I don't want to give you to much so those were the highlights from my 8 day trip. We stayed at the WDW Moderate Resort Port Orleans riverside and I highly recommend it.

Have fun. Don't get to overwhelmed just try and enjoy yourself.

Pamela H

 

[minniecarousel]

See - if I had only 2 days and one evening, I would stay at the Swan/Dolphin and only do Epcot and the Studios. Otherwise, you'll be disappointed in all you CAN'T do and see! JMHO

 

[KAMLEM]

Originally posted by axavilez

I would skip Tarzan Rocks. This show has got to go

JMO but my family loves this show and we have seen it 3 or 4 times. There is a lot of action and they perform many of the more popular Disney songs. My kids are very athletic and could really appreciate the stunts on the roller blades.

I would highly suggest renting points from a DVC member and staying at the Beach Club Villas or the Boardwalk Villas. Both resorts are close to the boardwalk and it's nice to be able to just walk out of your hotel and be there, especially at night. You can walk to Epcot and either walk or hop on a boat to MGM. The buses to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom run very frequently from these resorts. Since you will be there during the middle of the week you can stay very inexpensively. I don't have my current point charts handy but if I recall correctly I think you can stay at the Boardwalk Villas from Tuesday-Friday for about $110 per night for a studio, $220 per night for a one bedroom villa or $300 per night for a two bedroom villa. This assumes that you rent the points for $10 each.

We are DVC members so please feel free to send me a pm if you have any DVC questions.

 

[Firefly777]

Tower of terror(but there opening one in CA so you could probably skip it)

Actually if you do go to MGM, definitely ride Tower of Terror. It is somewhat different than Tower at DCA.