Childfree (by choice) Disney Lovers!

[NightAngelX]

Awesome advice Zima! It is welcomed!

We are staying for 5 days at a Disney resort. Park hopper tickets. Going to dedicate a day to each Mon-Thurs and then Friday will be our 'see what we missed and revisit faves'
I booked my own reservation but did check with a few agents but they gave me the same deal I was getting and DH and I changed up dates at last minute (last week in Aug was a pain getting ADRs because of free dining. the week before was much more open).
We are staying at AKL with their great 30% discount in a standard no view room but its a deluxe! So excited. However, DH put on his facebook he was going to Disney world and a friend contacted him about renting points. We have til Thursday to cancel/change our reservations so I hope the guy gets back to him on the points. I'm not sure if we should mess with that though so unless he gives us an amazing deal I doubt we'll do it. Who knows.

Thanks for the info on the books. I've just been reading the official site, this site, all ears and mousesavers for information. Oh and the Disney app on my phone (and a countdown lol). I have totally thrown myself into planning this. I've wanted to go forever. I asked DH if i will love it as much as i think I will (he has been there before) and he said 'You will want to curl up and never leave.' So that makes me even more excited.

Also thanks for the info on stopping for a rest. I think what we plan to do is mornings in the park hitting rides early on and then in the afternoon going back to the resort and showering and changing and then going to dinner and then roaming around and maybe more rides/shows.

QUESTION: Photography is one of my hobbies and I have a nice Nikon I want to take to the park with me. I am unsure how 'safe' it would be to take it in the morning but plan to take it in the evening unless I can figure out a way to take it all day. lol I might just use my phone too instead of screwing with my main camera. It has a decent camera. Any photography geeks have any suggestions??

 

[CruisingGoddess]

Since people are generously giving advice, can anyone give me advice on Universal Orlando? DH and I have never been and would like to go for 1.5-2 days in December after our Disney cruise. Where do you think we should stay?

 

[zima-cheryl]

QUESTION: Photography is one of my hobbies and I have a nice Nikon I want to take to the park with me. I am unsure how 'safe' it would be to take it in the morning but plan to take it in the evening unless I can figure out a way to take it all day. lol I might just use my phone too instead of screwing with my main camera. It has a decent camera. Any photography geeks have any suggestions??

They do have lockers you can rent at the park, but they are at the front of the park, so running back & forth would add some extra steps/time to your day. I don't believe any of the rides have a place to securely leave things & if it is a really nice camera I wouldn't take a chance just leaving it. That said, even on many 'fast' rides (Big Thunder, Splash) if you have it in a good case you can probably keep it with you no problem. Exceptions would be things like Rock-N-Roller coaster or Everest. And I don't ride those (queen of the chicken exit here ) so I can't say how it might fare on a ride like that.

Since people are generously giving advice, can anyone give me advice on Universal Orlando? DH and I have never been and would like to go for 1.5-2 days in December after our Disney cruise. Where do you think we should stay?

Never been, but I thought someone told me if you stay at one of the Universal resorts you get some special pass that lets you go to the front of most lines. Like an uber-fast pass. So maybe that would be worth looking into?

 

[NightAngelX]

Since people are generously giving advice, can anyone give me advice on Universal Orlando? DH and I have never been and would like to go for 1.5-2 days in December after our Disney cruise. Where do you think we should stay?

I have no personal recs but I emailed the Dreams Unlimited travel agency (the ones who own this board) for a quote on our trip and it was the same as what I found online and I just have control issues so I ended up booking my own vacation, BUT they are award winning for Universal Studios so they may have some good advice for you. Their link is at the very top of any of the webpages.

zima-Thanks for the camera question. I had one other person tell me if it was in the case it would be fine too. So I guess I will have to decide. I still have 48 days!

 

[aiminator]

QUESTION: Photography is one of my hobbies and I have a nice Nikon I want to take to the park with me. I am unsure how 'safe' it would be to take it in the morning but plan to take it in the evening unless I can figure out a way to take it all day. lol I might just use my phone too instead of screwing with my main camera. It has a decent camera. Any photography geeks have any suggestions??

How big is your camera? Is it a DSLR? Would you be bringing a camera bag with multiple lenses? Do you plan on going on a lot of the rides?

Your camera would be fine on rides like the teacups (i.e. tame rides) but I would not bring it on Rock n Rollercoster, Tower of Terror, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, etc. There is a small pouch on most rides that can hold a purse but I would be afraid the camera would fall out - and it probably isn't good to be jostled around.

Perhaps you can plan to ride the wild rides on a day or time you don't have your camera with you.

I left my nice DSLR camera at home during vacation and brought a small point-and-shoot camera instead. My boyfriend had an iPhone that he used to take pics and video. I really wanted to bring my camera but was also worried about carrying it around all day.

In the end I was glad I didn't bring it - with the exception of the Wishes fireworks show - I really wish I got some nice shots of the fireworks. My little camera didn't do too well with the fireworks shots or most night shots for that matter. Next time I might bring my camera and devote one day to photography!

 

[canopynut66]

We meaning my sister and DBL are also Disney addicts and they have no kids by choice and mine grown and we love it and October 28---November 10 th will be our 65th trip and we find something new each trip. things do change some but there is always new things going on and also some that have been there and we may have missed and we never at a lack for something to do there.people say to us a lot "your going to WDW again" and we got so we just say yes why and then they have to come up with a reason or say oh just wondered and drop it. Now do not flame me for this as I do not say this -----but my sister does "leave the kids at home and see WDW for real now that's a vacation" she tells the girls she works with that all the time as they complain they get so tired down there chasing kids and husband just lays around..

 

[JeanfromBNA]

Since people are generously giving advice, can anyone give me advice on Universal Orlando? DH and I have never been and would like to go for 1.5-2 days in December after our Disney cruise. Where do you think we should stay?

I would stay on site at one of the three Universal resorts. This will include Universal Express Pass, a Fastpass line for each of the most popular rides at both of the parks. Staying at the resorts is very convenient. The Portofino Bay and Hard Rock Hotel are located within walking distance or a leisurely boat ride of Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure and Citywalk. Citywalk is similar to Downtown Disney. We stayed at Portofino Bay, and thought it was lovely and quiet. They had a very nice spa.

As a Universal resort guest, you will also get an extra hour in the morning to explore the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I recommend that you sleep in, and try WWOHP a couple hours before closing time. Lines are shorter, and the WWOHP has a magical feeling to it at night.

Dining in the parks is okay, with a couple of exceptions. Try the Three Broomsticks for lunch or dinner, or the Hogs Head for a drink. Listen carefully, and look around. There is more magic around you than you realize. There is always a line for the butterbeer cart on the street. You can get the same stuff from The Three Broomsticks, with a much shorter wait.

The resorts and Citywalk offer several restaurants and bars for your enjoyment in the evening.
+0

We took a town car to and from the airport, and did not rent a car at all during our UO stay. It was simple and easy-peasy.

 

[JeanfromBNA]

Awesome advice Zima! It is welcomed!

We are staying at AKL with their great 30% discount in a standard no view room but its a deluxe! So excited. However, DH put on his facebook he was going to Disney world and a friend contacted him about renting points. We have til Thursday to cancel/change our reservations so I hope the guy gets back to him on the points. I'm not sure if we should mess with that though so unless he gives us an amazing deal I doubt we'll do it. Who knows.

Even if your room has an unremarkable view, views of the savannahs are all around the common areas. Have you looked into the DVC club member section for information about renting points if you choose to do that?

 

[NightAngelX]

How big is your camera? Is it a DSLR? Would you be bringing a camera bag with multiple lenses? Do you plan on going on a lot of the rides?

Yeah its a nice DSLR Nikon D3000. I think I will stick with my plan of no Nikon during the day when we do rides and then bring camera with me at night for dinner/fireworks. My phone camera is decent in good light (which daytime would be) so it should be fine for pics during the day. Thanks for the info!

Jean- Yes I looked into the points on the boards here. Very helpful! But the guy never got back to my husband and unless he has an awesome discount for us I don't think we'll do it. We got a Disney Visa for the 6 months no interest on our trip and if we use DVC points we would no longer have that deal. I agree that just staying at AKL even without a view will be amazing. I can't wait!!!!!

 

[BLTLDZ]

Tell me that kids are required on a trip....I just booked a Flying Fish Dinner during Food & Wine with wine pairings and all the works. Would I want to have to stash a kid during an event like that? It's the times like these that make me happy that my sister did all the breeding for our family. I have enough trouble with my partner being healthy enough to travel and enjoy things. It's being able to book events like this with no worries other than, will she feel up to going? That make it plenty worthwhile for me!

Hi
Is this your first time doing the FF chef's tasting? You will LOVE IT!!! DH & I have done it three times SO GOOD.

 

[franandaj]

There are a lot of folks that love Disney and do not have children. If my sister and her husband could live in Disneyland they would

Sounds like my kind of people! Hello from Long Beach!

LOL!



Smart!! Drives me crazy when I see people just walk up & start petting a dog without asking. Then they wonder why they get snapped at


I saw that too. My answer.... Sure, I'll take the kids if you pay. 1st class airfare, private limo to/from the airport, concierge level for two rooms (one for the couple & one for the kids) has to be at a delux (Poly maybe), couple suppers at V&A & maybe Bistro de Paris, segway tour & maybe one or two other tours, private fireworks viewing cruise (with food on the boat of course), spa day, delux meal plan w/the wine option for the week & delux park hopper tix, oh, and don't forget a day at one of the water parks in a private cabanna.
Once they get there they can drop the kids at that kid station at the Poly during the day & get a Disney sitter to watch them every evening!
Thanks SIL!

I like that too!

Awesome advice Zima! It is welcomed!

We are staying for 5 days at a Disney resort. Park hopper tickets. Going to dedicate a day to each Mon-Thurs and then Friday will be our 'see what we missed and revisit faves'
I booked my own reservation but did check with a few agents but they gave me the same deal I was getting and DH and I changed up dates at last minute (last week in Aug was a pain getting ADRs because of free dining. the week before was much more open).
We are staying at AKL with their great 30% discount in a standard no view room but its a deluxe! So excited. However, DH put on his facebook he was going to Disney world and a friend contacted him about renting points. We have til Thursday to cancel/change our reservations so I hope the guy gets back to him on the points. I'm not sure if we should mess with that though so unless he gives us an amazing deal I doubt we'll do it. Who knows.

Thanks for the info on the books. I've just been reading the official site, this site, all ears and mousesavers for information. Oh and the Disney app on my phone (and a countdown lol). I have totally thrown myself into planning this. I've wanted to go forever. I asked DH if i will love it as much as i think I will (he has been there before) and he said 'You will want to curl up and never leave.' So that makes me even more excited.

Also thanks for the info on stopping for a rest. I think what we plan to do is mornings in the park hitting rides early on and then in the afternoon going back to the resort and showering and changing and then going to dinner and then roaming around and maybe more rides/shows.

QUESTION: Photography is one of my hobbies and I have a nice Nikon I want to take to the park with me. I am unsure how 'safe' it would be to take it in the morning but plan to take it in the evening unless I can figure out a way to take it all day. lol I might just use my phone too instead of screwing with my main camera. It has a decent camera. Any photography geeks have any suggestions??

Now that you say you are staying at AKL, that adds a whole nother dimension to the trip. You must spend some time at the various viewing areas at the resort. There is also a wine tasting on Wednesdays at 3PM for a small fee and every day at 4PM there is a culinary tour of Boma and Jiko. You get some samples of the food and some interesting information. You should check out the AKL lite thread on the resorts board, there are lots of friendly helpful people there.

I would bring the camera. Unless you have a good substitute, if you are really into pictures, you will not be satisfied with less than stellar photos. As long as you have a decent case it should be fine, just be careful on water rides.

Hi
Is this your first time doing the FF chef's tasting? You will LOVE IT!!! DH & I have done it three times SO GOOD.

Yes, this is our first FF tasting menu. We've done many at DLR restaurants, but our first at WDW. We've eaten there many times, and dined at the counter as well as the tables so I'm looking forward to thus dinner. Plus quite a few DIS friends will be there too!

 

[BLTLDZ]

[/QUOTE]Yes, this is our first FF tasting menu. We've done many at DLR restaurants, but our first at WDW. We've eaten there many times, and dined at the counter as well as the tables so I'm looking forward to thus dinner. Plus quite a few DIS friends will be there too![/QUOTE]

Well enjoy it all the same.
We love eating there too!

 

[CruisingGoddess]

I would stay on site at one of the three Universal resorts. This will include Universal Express Pass, a Fastpass line for each of the most popular rides at both of the parks. Staying at the resorts is very convenient. The Portofino Bay and Hard Rock Hotel are located within walking distance or a leisurely boat ride of Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure and Citywalk. Citywalk is similar to Downtown Disney. We stayed at Portofino Bay, and thought it was lovely and quiet. They had a very nice spa.

As a Universal resort guest, you will also get an extra hour in the morning to explore the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I recommend that you sleep in, and try WWOHP a couple hours before closing time. Lines are shorter, and the WWOHP has a magical feeling to it at night.

Dining in the parks is okay, with a couple of exceptions. Try the Three Broomsticks for lunch or dinner, or the Hogs Head for a drink. Listen carefully, and look around. There is more magic around you than you realize. There is always a line for the butterbeer cart on the street. You can get the same stuff from The Three Broomsticks, with a much shorter wait.

The resorts and Citywalk offer several restaurants and bars for your enjoyment in the evening.
+0

We took a town car to and from the airport, and did not rent a car at all during our UO stay. It was simple and easy-peasy.

Thank you! This was super helpful!

 

[Robin K]

I am the child when we go to Disney...
It's just mom and myself (36, 55). We always do a mother/daughter trip and the last 5 years have been to Disney! This Sept will be our 6th time. The people I work with always ask "again? didn't you do Disney last year?" I usually just say yes and leave it. They like the beach, mountains, camping whatever I like Disney...SO WHAT?
This will be our first stay at POFQ. Anyone have any opinions on this resort?
We have 61 sleeps...

 

[chloelovesdisney]

POFQ is a great resort, you will love it. It's easy to get around, the bus service was excellent, nice pool and it was so pleasant to take the boat ride to DTD. I wasn't crazy about the food court (it was fine for refilling mugs or getting a snack), but we'd just take the boat to DTD and go to Wolfgang Puck Express if we were hungry and at the resort. Most of the time we ate a the parks anyway.

 

[CynBeth]

I just want to say that I think it's great you go on a trip with your Mom. I am an only child and we lost my Dad when I was a teen so Mom and I are very close. My husband and I go on at least 1 if not 2 vacations with her every year and the 3 of us have been to Disney a few times together. We just went Thanksgiving Week and stayed at POFQ. We loved the resort. The staff was wonderful and I loved how compact and quiet it was. The bus service was great even the mornings we shared with POR and it seemed a short ride to all the parks. We liked the boat to DTD. One morning we chose to eat breakfast at POR and we had a few breakfasts at other resorts plus lunch and dinner were at parks so we did not experience the food court very much but the few breakfasts we had were ok.

 

[marinadca]

Hi I figure I should introduce myself too. Me and my husband are 28 and are CFBC, but have 2 cats.

I decided that I wanted to go to Disney (my first trip as an adult and Steve's first in general) this June so we went for 4 days 2 weeks ago. At the same time that tropical storm Debbie came through. We still had a nice time, Victoria and Alberts for dinner the first time and Epcot the 2nd day where the rain held off. The 2nd day we were going to MK, and we went in the parkas but it was downpouring. We did get to do space mountain/splash mountain/thunder mountain and all the things in the futureland area we only lasted about 3 hours. We went back for dinner and fireworks were it poured even harder. Our last day was supposed to be pool day (Wilderness Lodge) but it was raining so hard we just sat around and read. We ended up paying a change fee with the airline to go home a few hours early.

So, being the brat I am I felt cheated on the trip. The day at MK and the expensive stay at the WL were ruined.

So, naturally I decided we're going back in October. So I booked us to go back on 10/26-10/29. We are "renting" points and staying Sarasota Springs Resort. I am pretty nervous about that, we are using "David's" so, hopefully that works out.

The "plan" (I know how that goes!) is for dinner at Saana Friday, Epcot Saturday/Sunday and then Chef Mickey's for 10:15 on Monday. I am a bit concerned that we'll be overshadowed by kids for the characters. One of my biggest regrets from the last trip was that I never got to see Mickey...so I am making sure it happens this time!

If you made it this far, thanks because this is insanely long. Steve loves to take photos and has the Canon version of you DSLR. He took it to Epcot and also had a backpack. We went on all the rides, for some he put it in the pack but it was totally fine. Not sure if I would do it at place with more roller coaster and fast rides though!

:

 

[zima-cheryl]

Hi I figure I should introduce myself too. Me and my husband are 28 and are CFBC, but have 2 cats.

I decided that I wanted to go to Disney (my first trip as an adult and Steve's first in general) this June so we went for 4 days 2 weeks ago. At the same time that tropical storm Debbie came through. We still had a nice time, Victoria and Alberts for dinner the first time and Epcot the 2nd day where the rain held off. The 2nd day we were going to MK, and we went in the parkas but it was downpouring. We did get to do space mountain/splash mountain/thunder mountain and all the things in the futureland area we only lasted about 3 hours. We went back for dinner and fireworks were it poured even harder. Our last day was supposed to be pool day (Wilderness Lodge) but it was raining so hard we just sat around and read. We ended up paying a change fee with the airline to go home a few hours early.

So, being the brat I am I felt cheated on the trip. The day at MK and the expensive stay at the WL were ruined.

So, naturally I decided we're going back in October. So I booked us to go back on 10/26-10/29. We are "renting" points and staying Sarasota Springs Resort. I am pretty nervous about that, we are using "David's" so, hopefully that works out.

The "plan" (I know how that goes!) is for dinner at Saana Friday, Epcot Saturday/Sunday and then Chef Mickey's for 10:15 on Monday. I am a bit concerned that we'll be overshadowed by kids for the characters. One of my biggest regrets from the last trip was that I never got to see Mickey...so I am making sure it happens this time!

If you made it this far, thanks because this is insanely long. Steve loves to take photos and has the Canon version of you DSLR. He took it to Epcot and also had a backpack. We went on all the rides, for some he put it in the pack but it was totally fine. Not sure if I would do it at place with more roller coaster and fast rides though!

:

We have not done Chef Mickey's, but have done other character meals & if you let the handlers know you want time, you will get it. We hardly ever miss Crystal Palace & I have gobs of pix w/Pooh & the gang. The only character meal we've ever been disappointed in was Donald's breakfastasaurus (sp?) at AK. The place is was too big, so no one (adult or kids) gets any quality time w/anyone. (They have moved to a new location since then, so I don't know if it is better or not?)

Unfortunately you found out the hard way about the rain. Best advice I can share is check the forecast a few days before & have a plan B for days that look iffy. I know it is frustrating when Mother Nature does that, but if you have an alt. plan it helps.

Lastly, to help with the cost thing, since it seems like you will be doing more trips have you weighed the price of a no exp. ticket or annual pass to the cost of regular park tix?
Also, make sure you get signed up with the different Disney websites (movie club, Disney Insider e-mail, etc) and go request a vacation planning DVD. I can't prove it, but it seems to me that the more times you get your name/address/e-mail into their system the more often you get discount offers or PINs from them.
Also, there is the Disney Visa card -- sometimes they have deals & they do have a Disney Dollar point reward system which you can spend at WDW.
And don't forget AAA if you have it -- sometimes they can get you discounts or deals.

 

[marinadca]

Thanks for the tips! I figure enough Grey Goose slushes and I can deal with rain in October. I have all the disney rain gear already! LOL

 

[CynBeth]

Welcome! We just went Thanksgiving Week which was great. We loved the magic of the holiday season so much we are planning to go back in early December 2013. Eventually I would like to visit during the spring for the fliwer and garden festival and Halloween.