Disney Love!

[Butler_chic07]

Hello everyone!
I have been lurking around Dis for a long time but have never actually posted anything. In July my dbf and I are going to Disney as a graduation get away. I was wondering if anyone could get me some tips on having 2 adults and no kids at WDW? I have only been to WDW twice when I was younger and never had a chance to fully enjoy it. If anyone would have suggestions how to get the most out of our time there I would be so appreciative if you would share them. Thank you so much.

 

[spiceycat]

well I would stay at a value resort - so you would have more money to spend.

make just a couple of TS (unless you are on the DDP)

if you like parade - see them - Disney does them with style and taste.

the fireworks at definitely worth seeing.

be sure to see Wishes at the MK even if you miss the others (but try not too).

go visit this site home

www.wdwinfo.com

 

[lisaviolet]

Hello everyone!
I have been lurking around Dis for a long time but have never actually posted anything. In July my dbf and I are going to Disney as a graduation get away. I was wondering if anyone could get me some tips on having 2 adults and no kids at WDW? I have only been to WDW twice when I was younger and never had a chance to fully enjoy it. If anyone would have suggestions how to get the most out of our time there I would be so appreciative if you would share them. Thank you so much.

Welcome to the DISboards. Or posting!!!!

I don't know how to get the most out of your time. I like the lazy WDW trip. I would suggest going with the flow. Not making the parks the be all and end all. You will not see everything. Just another reason to keep going and going to WDW.

I really love hanging out at WDW. On the Boardwalk. At DD. Visiting other resorts. Riding transportation boats (fav CR/WL/FW triangle) just to ride them. Reading in a hammock. Renting a boat for an hour. Going to FW and roast some marshmallows at the nightly campfire. Sitting in the rocking chairs in the MK (Tony's right near the entrance, Hall of President's) and simply people watch.

Going into the General Store at the BW (or any other gift shop) buying a airport size bottle of rum and a coke and mixing my own drink. The BW is covered for liquor. Eating at Kona cafe and going out to the beach (Poly) to watch the fireworks (Wishes). Dancing at 8 trax or Atlantic Dance Hall. Watching the Electrical water pageant from FW's beach. Getting takeout at FW (buffet is even available for takeout ...they don't advertise that) and eating at the marina/water. And so much more...

Have a wonderful trip.

 

[tinktime]

hs grad??
college grad??
well if u are the later... definitely try out Downtown Disney...
Pleasure Island ( dance club, comedy club,etc.)
Disney Quest- virtual games. GIANT arcade
Little boats.. you can rent @contemporary or fort wilderness.
Do some research on those places... The parks are GREAT... epcot has 2 really good rides Mission to Mars, Test Track.
MGM RocknRoll Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror. MK-New Pirates of Carribean - with Capt Jack, Haunted Mansion, Space Mt.
Oh.. there is a book out... Disney without kids... I used it back in 1995... Birnbaums I think.

 

[Lucky Penny]

Hi there - and welcome!!

I love WDW with just my DH - how much time will you have? The best advice I can think of is - don't try to do it ALL in one trip - remember it's a vacation Preview the parks on the DIS, read Tour Guide Mike, preview some maps - then pick one or two "must do" activities (rides or tours) each day and go with the flow for the rest. If you go early in the a.m. to a park, take a break mid-day to cool off with a swim or a nap, then you are re-energized for night-time activities. <-- be sure to leave through the "re-entry" turnstile if you're going back to the park later.

I second the prior recommendation - make 1 or 2 TS ADRs. My DH and I don't go for big dinners every day - sometimes we snack in the parks or DTD, then chill out with a cold one and some "bar food" at our resort or another bar in the evening.

As a couple (no extended family, no kids) I recommend walking around the WS at night (can snack from the kiosks or CS everywhere if you're hungry without having to take the time for a full dinner) Use the Disney transportation as much as you can - they have a great guide that tells you the best way(s) to get from one place to another.

HAVE FUN - and CONGRATULATIONS on the graduation!!!

 

[willful]

Congrats on the trip!

July at WDW is hot and crowded. Drink lots of water! All quick service places will give you free cups of water. Some will give large drink cups of water. This is one of the best tips I follow during the hot months in WDW. We generally purchase the DDP so I use my QS drink options as bottled water. If you don't mind carrying it around, bringing an insulted re-useable water bottle is good. They even sell straps to attach to them if your bottle doesn't have one.

Also wear plenty of sunscreen!

Take mid-day breaks if necessary...like go see the Hall of Presidents, the American Adventure or gift shops for example to get out of the heat.

I think those two tips are the best to keep in mind because if I'm hot and dehydrated I can get grumpy.

As far as WDW activities:
WISHES! WISHES! WISHES! This is a must do!! And be near the castle. Nothing like seeing Wishes explode right near the castle. Also nice is seeing Wishes from the Poly beach. Or from Nacrossee's at the GF - here they also play the Wishes music.

Fantasmic! I'd do the Fantasmic! dinner package during the busy summer months. Otherwise get there about and 1 to 1 1/2 hours early. Or go to the 2nd show if there's one.

If staying on property (which I recommend), go to the EMH to knock out the big ticket rides. We're usually pretty productive during the night EMHs with Expedition Everest, Soarin, Rock'n'Roller Coaster, Tower of Tower, etc. So if during the day these rides have long lines and or the Fast Passes are used up, we just wait til that park's night EMH to ride multiple times.

How long will you be there? That for me tends to dictate my activities. We're going for 12 days in August, so I'll probably make time for the water parks (especially since it's hot still!). Also our trip durations will influence our eating. If you have time might I suggest some table service places:
Le Cellier
Kona Cafe
Nacrossee's
'Ohana
Chef Mickey

Best of all make it your trip! Relax if you want to. Rush around like a commando if you want. Do character breakfasts. Get character pictures. And the most important tip I (try) to remember...WDW isn't going anywhere. So if I miss it this trip, I can see it next time.

 

[Princess Stitch]

I went last year with my boyfriend (it was his first time at the world) and one of the things we really enjoyed doing together was the walk from the Poly to the GF. It's really pretty and you pass the wedding pavilion on the way which was nice to see. We watched the fireworks from the GF after.

In July, be prepared for LONG lines. It's going to be busy, so if there's anything you MUST do, make sure to try and work those things in .. other than that, just enjoy yourselves!

 

[Butler_chic07]

Thank you all so much with all your great tips.
We are staying for 7 days and we are driving there, which is about 14 hours from where we live... It is a good test though, right?
We are staying at CSR because they upgraded us and it actually ended up being about $200 cheaper! We were going to stay at Pop. I was shocked that we ended up saving that much. We have reservations at Chef Mickey's right now.
For the Fantasmic Dinner Package would you have a suggestion on where to eat?
Thanks again!

 

[willful]

With the Fantasmic Dinner Package, you can dine at either Brown Derby, Mamma Melrose or Hollywood & Vine. H&V is more of a family atmosphere, so you will deal with kids. which may or may not be a problem for you. The food there is so so as it's buffet style. I prefer Mamma Melrose because they have a better variety, it's a bit more quiet. Brown Derby is very nice but is the most expensive of the 3. It's $43.99 as opposed to $32.99 for Mamma Melrose. So not's really up to your preference. If buffet isn't your style, or if you're like us and can only do so many buffets on a trip, then you might want to skip H&V.

Hope this helps. You can also check out Allearsnet (Dot Com) for more information, including some reader feedback on the Fantasmic Dinner Package.

Keeping going with those ADRs because they can book up quickly! Especially for the popular restaurants. I find it's better to have something than to be scrambling at the last minute.

Congrats on the upgrade! Let us know if you have more questions. We love to help!

 

[10_Kyle_10]

Congrats on the Graduation! I Graduate from college in a couple weeks and I booked my trip for October 8-12th with my DGF (her first WDW Trip!). Clearly we are both still on a college student budget so we booked All Star Movies. How do you go about upgrading? Is it a free process or cheaper than a normal room would be at a moderate resort? Just curious so we can get the most for our $. Thanks Everyone! Also does anyone have any suggestions regarding bars or lounges once the parks close? We plan on going to PI at least once but what about outside of PI?

 

[willful]

I wish I could help with your upgrade question. But I don't know. Hopefully someone else can help you.

As far as bars outside of PI. Do you also mean outside of the WDW bubble as well? When we go to WDW, we don't leave the bubble (which I include PI as inside the bubble). Most of the moderate and deluxe resorts have a bar type setting. Not exactly as happening as PI, but somewhere to get some drinks. Probably the resorts on the MK monorail loop would be nice. I think the Contemporary has a nice bar, which has an overlook of the castle. Or you can drink around the world at Epcot! But you asked for after the parks close. I think the Boardwalk area stays open later than Epcot. And I believe they sell alcohol so that you can stroll around. The Boardwalk area at night is very nice. They sometimes have performers too that are very entertaining. There's restaurants there too, like the ESPN Club, that would sell alcohol within their establishment.

Congrats on the trip! And the graduation!

That's so exciting that it'll be your DGF's first trip to WDW. Tell us what her first reaction is. That's the most special part about going with people that have never gone to WDW or haven't been in a long time. To see their reaction of the castle, Wishes, Fantasmic, and all the pixie dust that contained within WDW.

I hear the best way for new people to see the castle for the first time is from the top area of the main street train station. Upon entering the town square of the MK, you prevent the newbie from seeing down Main Street and the castle. Let them instead take in the sight of it all from that little balcony area of the train station. I heard this is on the Meandering Mouse podcast and it sounds like a great idea. Even though I've been before, I'm going to try this in August.

Now that I've rambled on enough...

 

[Princess Stitch]

Congrats on the Graduation! I Graduate from college in a couple weeks and I booked my trip for October 8-12th with my DGF (her first WDW Trip!). Clearly we are both still on a college student budget so we booked All Star Movies. How do you go about upgrading? Is it a free process or cheaper than a normal room would be at a moderate resort? Just curious so we can get the most for our $. Thanks Everyone! Also does anyone have any suggestions regarding bars or lounges once the parks close? We plan on going to PI at least once but what about outside of PI?

Just so you know, all you get from an "upgraded" room at a value resort is closer to the main building and main pool. Be warned that the noise from the pool goes on until all hours of the night (we had noise from the "quiet" pool at the pop till after 2am). Also I think parents with small children tend to request those buildings as well so it's not as far for them to walk with strollers etc. As long as you don't mind walking for a few minutes, you'll probably be happier in one of the rooms that is farther away from all the noise, and not as expensive!

 

[10_Kyle_10]

Thanks for the info everyone! Wilful ill def keep this in mind and will try this if she isnt half way down main street before I get through the turnstyles! Ive read on a few threads about the walk from poly to the GL....where does this start at the Poly...the beach or?

 

[Butler_chic07]

I tried to send you a private message but it woulddn't let me. I called Disney to change part of my reservation and the lady I talked with told me that they actually had a room at CSR for about $100 cheaper. We were originally booked at Pop. I think it just might depend on when you call and who you talk to. I even talked to a travel agent around here who usually gets Disney packages cheap, she couldn't get it that cheap. I hope you too have fun!

 

[10_Kyle_10]

I just sent one to you Butler did it work ?

 

[Butler_chic07]

Kyle,
I can't send a private message yet, but I am going to go post a bunch of messages til I can, so you have to be patient with me!

 

[10_Kyle_10]

No problem take your time!

 

[ThunderMTexpert]

that's what me and my DH are doing this september: just us two, no one else. like someone else stated, i think u should stay in a value resort, such as pop century or all stars, just so you can put your money towards other things on the trip! also, you probably dont need AS MANY ADRs. most people push for it, but i only booked us with a few, and i have some ideas as to walk-in restaurants that are okay for us. i didn't concentrate soo much on character dining, because it was just us two adults..

 

[willful]

Ive read on a few threads about the walk from poly to the GL....where does this start at the Poly...the beach or?

From the Allearsnet web site:
Walk Around the World path - This bricked path will, walking east, take you to the TTC. Walking west, you will first pass Luau Cove, followed by Disney's Wedding Pavilion, the Grand Floridian Spa & Heath Club, and finally the Grand Floridian Resort, itself.

While on the topic of walking, don't forgot you can walk from the Boardwalk area to the Disney-MGM studios. It's actually quite a nice relaxing walk.