Asking for some info/advice. 1st time in Disneyworld.

[SuperBet]

Hi, this is my first time at Disneyworld. I'm going alone and I need some advice/info:

1- What do you do with your backpack? Do you put it in a locker and use a funny pack with the essentials? Are you able to bring it to the rides? I won't be going to the rollercoasters (brrrrr), at least not the big ones.

2- Related to #1 question and, specially for photographers. I'm bringing my camera (big one). What do you do? Do you drag your camera all day long? Do you put it in a locker and take it out from time to time?

3- Does the park's free transport takes you to Downtown Disney? I'm thinking on going there the day I go to Animal's Kingdom.

Three questions by now...

Thanks for all!

 

[JanB]

I can't think of any rides where you couldn't take your backpack. You might have to remove it from your back and hold it in your lap, or loop it over the lap bar, or something like that.

The two rides where a backpack might be an issue are Mission Space and Rock'n'RollerCoaster ---- but it doesn't sound like you're going to do those. On Mission Space, you leave your backpack on the floor outside your space module. It's totally safe there. On RnR, you can possibly place it at your feet and loop a strap around your leg. But that might not work if the backpack is very large.

The answer to your camera question really depends on how you like to take pictures. If you like to be able to capture a moment when you see it, then you'll want to carry it around with you. This is simply my opinion ---- But if you want to take pictures, then you should have your camera with you. Yes, there are lockers. But it will be a long walk back to the locker just to take out the camera. My guess is that you would end up not taking as many photos as you would really like.

If you have a smaller camera, you might find that to be a more workable solution.

Yes, transportation to Downtown Disney is part of the WDW transportation system.

 

[SuperBet]

Thanks!!!

 

[ktlm]

You can't get a bus directly from Animal Kingdom to Downtown Disney. You can take a bus from Animal Kingdom to Animal Kindgom Lodge or any of the hotels and then pick up a bus to Downtown Disney. It's my understanding that Disney discontinued the direct buses to and from the parks years ago because people were using the free parking at Downtown Disney instead of the park lots and then hopping the buses to the parks. In other words, not only was Disney losing parking money, but the people that wanted to just go and shop couldn't find anywhere to park.

 

[pattirjs925]

I like to use the lockers but they are at the front entrances and pretty far to walk to once in the park. I usually take a backpack of extra clothes/shoes/ponchos and make one trip back in the evening for the warmer clothes. I may not have to use it this upcoming trip as I will be renting a stroller, and can keep these extra items in it.

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

Misson Space actually has compartments inside the capsule right in front of where you sit where you can put your backpack - unless it's really huge. I have a small backpack I wear and it goes on every ride with me and I ride everything and never had an issue. On RnR I just put in on the floor behind my legs, don't even loop it through my foot and never had a problem. I just make sure the flaps are closed.

 

[SuperBet]

You can't get a bus directly from Animal Kingdom to Downtown Disney. You can take a bus from Animal Kingdom to Animal Kindgom Lodge or any of the hotels and then pick up a bus to Downtown Disney.

Am I able to do that? I'm not staying at any of the Disney's resorts.

 

[ZoZo]

As another poster said, you can't take a bus directly from a park like AK to Downtown Disney. You have to go to one of the resorts first, then take a separate bus from the resort to DTD.

Please be aware that this can be very time-consuming! I tried going from Epcot to DTD a couple of years ago, and it took well over an hour and a half (I tried using the monorail as part of my equation, but I must have just missed the bus from the Contemporary to DTD, because I waited nearly 45 minutes for the bus to come at the Contemporary). Was very frustrated.

I think next time I'll just go back to my hotel, freshen up, then take the bus from the hotel directly to DTD. Much simpler and quicker.

 

[nezy]

Will you have a car with you?
I assume if you are not staying at a WDW resort you may have a car--if so I would drive to AK and then leave and go to DTD. or if your resort has transportation back from the parks make a separate trip.
Re: backpack as others said I usually overpack and then have clothes to change into for weather changes etc. I get a locker usually and carry essentials w/me/ I also bring a smaller bag w/pull strings that easily goes on my back-you may want that for your camera and other things you feel you need that you will not need. Things I leave in the locker are things i will not need unless it gets cold or some other clothing change.

Have fun-enjoy-don't try to do it all in one shot. Take time to enjoy the MAgic of just being there.

 

[Dismom+two]

My advice.....start listening to the Dis Unplugged podcast. There are HOUR AND HOURS worth of wonderful information.

If you have an Ipod...even better...you can find it on Itunes....download away!!

Have a wonderful time!!!!

 

[cglaura]

Am I able to do that? I'm not staying at any of the Disney's resorts.

Anyone with a park ticket can use the transportation, it is not just for resort guests. But as someone said if you are offsite and have a car it might be better to drive.

Another option would be to bus to Saratoga Springs and walk to DTD or bus to Port Orleans (Riverside? French Qtr?) and take the boat over. I don't think it would save any time, but I think the boat ride might be a fun and pretty way to go. Not sure how you'd get back to your offsite hotel though. Taxi?

 

[rudetreehill]

I almost always take a backpack of some sort to the parks with me. Generally speaking, each of the parks has lockers that you can use all day for one rental price ( as opposed to those annoying ones you have to pay for each time you open them).

The camera question is a bit more of a problem. If you're bringing a "big lug of a camera" as my dad would say, you're saddled with either carrying it around all day OR putting it in a locker... and risk missing out on all those great shots that happen spontaneously. It sort of depends on what kind of pictures you want to take. I tend to love unposed, spontaneously-taken shots. For the posed shots, you can always use the in-park program they have where photographers are stationed at all the places you'd WANT to ahve a picture taken... like in front of the castle, etc. The problem is that you're obviously getting the exact same picture that every other person in the world is getting... except with you in it, of course. LOL

 

[lauren5406]

1) I always carry a bag. I would recommend one that somehow you can put around your body with zipper pockets. And during rides that don't have a bag compartment I put the stap around my legs and keep my feet firmly planted with the bag resting underneath. This is what I do on the Rockin' Roller Coaster and it goes upside down. Disney doesn't have the free lockers like that Universal (one hour for big rides where no carry on items are allowed).

3) Free transportation does go to downtown Disney.

 

[SuperBet]

Thanks a lot for all your comments.

I don't have a car and I'm going to and back to the hotel by the hotel's shuttle service.

At my first day, I'm possible arriving after the last service (my plane arrives at 12 pm), so I'm going to take a taxi, I don't want to waste a day (well, half a day ).

3) Free transportation does go to downtown Disney.

Yes, but from the resorts, not the parks. Well, everybody said that.

 

[SuperBet]

Another question.

I'm travelling alone. I need to know, mooore less, how much cash do I need to have per day. I have credit cards and I will carge everything I can on the beautiful plastic , but I need to know how much cash I need for all those little expenses (snacks, lunch, maybe a cab one day, etc).

Thanks!!!

 

[SuperBet]

 

[MichaelH]

I would plan $50.00 a day. Depends really where you eat lunch. If you like beer and want to try beer from the different countries at EPCOT, they will run you $8.00/per beer.

Also, the transportation from the parks to DTD is free as long as it is a Disney bus.

 

[SuperBet]

Thanks!!!!