DL regulars..got advice for WDW?

[GotFids]

This will be our 2nd trip to the World (last one 6 years ago)! This is my first time really planning it though since I found DIS . Being so close to DL, I was wondering...in order to make the most of our trip there...what rides/attractions are must sees and what (like soaring) are ones that we don't really have to worry about missing since we can enjoy it here at home?


I do remember the last time we went...our days just zoomed by...and it felt as though we rushed around, this time I don't want to feel as though we missed something that we may not have a chance to experience for a long time.

Thanks!
Julie

 

[Noelle]

We live close to DL and have Annual passes. I wish I could give you list of what you could pass on, but I can't. There are so many little differences between the DL and WDW versions of attractions or their waiting areas that make them each special. It sounds crazy but we just end up taking at least 8 days each trip to fit everything in. We do usually limit our MK to 1-1/2 to 2 days. Although we love Animal Kindgdom, we're usually able to get through the whole park in a day. My suggestion would be to buy "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World" and use their touring guides. They usually let us see as much possible in any amount of time. While we're following the plans if we start to feel like we're running low on time, we can pass anything that seems too much like the Disneyland attaction or we feel isn't worth the time.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[The Mick]

Well, much depends on how many days you're going for, and to a lesser extent, if you have children.

For me, personally, Epcot could get 2 days all by itself. Future World one day, World Showcase & Illuminations the next. Soarin, Test Track, Mission Space (even if it's the "lite" version) are must tries. Try the boat ride in The Land. Try Turtle Talk (especially if you have kids - it's even entertaining for adults though). Those are the the best. Also try Club Cool - offers free soda samples from around the world. A nice break during a hot day. Then there's plenty else to fill up the remainder of the day...and remember to use fastpasses, especially for Soarin. World Showcase opens at 11...so maybe go somewhere for breakfast that day. Take your time here and really enjoy it. Stroll and eat! Ride Maelstrom in Norway and watch the movie in France. Walk through all the pavilion stores...Japan's is VERY cool. They all are, to be honest.

A whole day at MK ending with Wishes. Mickey's Philharmagic is a MUST see. Space Mountain (fastpass). Haunted Mansion. Pirates of the Carib (see the movie first if you can!). Remember to just stop and take in the sites and sounds, and really enjoy mainstreet.

A whole day at Animal Kingdom. Of course, Expedition Everest is a must (fastpass). Kilimanjaro Safari is a must. Kali River Rapids. Maharajah Jungle Trek. These are all awesome. AK closes earlier than the other parks, so if you're going to eat out at a resort restaurant, this night would be a good night for it.

A whole day at MGM ending with Fantasmic. Rock & Rollercoaster is a must (fastpass) and Tower of Terror, if you're into thrills. Light, Motors & Action is very cool as well.

Hit Downtown Disney as well. It's especially cool at night. Great atmosphere. Make sure to stop by Ghiradelli.

 

[wdwrich]

Just a clarification to "The Mick's" reply- You can enjoy Turtle Talk with Crush at DCA in Anaheim.

 

[Missus Toad]

Skip the Tiki Room at MK. It's different and not in a good way. More of an ear-splitting, migraine-inducing, eye-twitching, head-shaking in dumbfounded horror experience. Time for a de-furbishment back to the thoroughly pleasant, non-painful original version, happily still available at DL.

 

[mmmears]

We borrowed the Unofficial Guide from our library and read its list of WDW rides and summaries. We mainly used this to figure out which rides were different enough for us to spend time on. Some of our daughter's favorites were:

AK - Lion King show, Everest, Kali River
MGM - Rock'n'Roller Coaster, Little Mermaid show
EP - Test Track, Spaceship Earth, Maelstrom, Amer. Adventure
MK - Splash Mtn (she says it's better at WDW), Hall of Presidents

Both waterparks were great.

We ususally spend about 1 - 1 1/2 days at Mk since there is so much overlap with DL. We usually spend more time at the hotel pool in WDW since it can get so hot there.

Have a great trip!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Well I see by your signature that you are doing (IMHO) the most important thing to maximize your WDW vacation that you don't have to do at Disneyland: Staying onsite! We visit DL regularly since we live in Colorado but also visit WDW and I find that we simply cannot get to the parks at opening. That two hour time difference (which will be 3 for you) is killer for us. So in order to best avoid crowds we go to the park that had EMH the day before. Since we can't get to a park at opening on a regular day, we sure can't get there even one hour earlier so our EMH strategy is to just know in advance we aren't going to make it and plan accordingly! If you do in fact get to go to DL regularly one thing that is exactly identical is Soarin (which I think you mentioned). Many other counterparts like Space Mountain, Peter Pan etc. have subtle to complete differences that only you can be the judge on which one you like best. But Soarin is completely identical except for the ride que (no California theming at Epcot) and since the line builds early and fastpasses start going right off the bat, you might just want to skip that. Epcot has so much to offer you might not want to spend the time on an identical attraction. Also, Disnyeland's Fantasmic is better but the MGM counterpart has a ton of seating (as in thousands of seats in an amphitheater) so that is very nice. Don't know if Wishes was showing when you went six years ago but just a heads up on that. It starts out exactly like Remember but branches off very quickly into its own show. Its not as long as Remember but its a great show. Pirates at WDW is a pale comparison to Disneyland's but hardly ever a long line. I still think its a great ride and it does have a lot of similarities but really can't compare to DL's. I haven't ridden either version since the new changes however.

I also suggest making ADR's for any and every full service meal you want. At Disneyland, one can generally wing it with that since there are so few full service restaurants. WDW however, with its hugely popular dining plan is a different story. Dining at WDW is a huge part of the experience with people planning their entire days and nights around which restaurants they can and want to get into. Many places won't even take walk ups so don't plan on being able to do that.

Here is a helpful link by Hydroguy who frequents the DL side of disboards. This is in reverse order since he posted this for WDW vets going to Disneyland but it has some helpful information about the differences to the two parks. Its a good and informative read you might find helpful!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[GotFids]

Thank you all for the tips! I feel so much better now. I've been so worried about wasting any time...not wanting to miss anything unique to WDW. We have only 7 days, and the 1st is always a bit of a waste, with the 5 1/2 hour flight/time difference! Amy&Dan: you hit it on the head about not making the openings...no way that's gonna happen no matter what I do, can't get my teenager up before noon during the summer! Maybe I should pack a stun gun for him???

Everyone has such great insight...I will keep all the ideas in my notes for getting our plans together. These boards are such a gift!

Thanks again!

Julie

 

[lovethattink]

I'm not a DL regular, but a WDW regular. Be sure to pick up a map when you enter the MK. It is does not have the same set up as DL.

 

[Yookeroo]

You can skip:
It's a Bug's Life
Small World
Honey, I Shrunk the Audience
Jim Henson's Muppet*Vision 3D
Soarin'
Turtle Talk With Crush
Star Tours
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Mad Tea Party

All pretty much identical to the DLR versions.

 

[GotFids]

Yookeroo: That's what I figured. I think most of those are better at DL from what I've read so far.

Thanks for the help.
Julie

 

[Maridw]

The DL version of Pirates is MUCH MUCH better than the WDW version. This is from an old DL regular (lived in Riverside Co.)

I agree to skip Tiki Room, DL's is better.

Everyone has hit on the most popular things. Downtown Disney is quite a bit different than at DL. I especially loved the street musicians at DL - Drew Tretick was my favorite. They don't have those at WDW. Plus Pleasure Island is situated right in the middle of the Marketplace and the West End. With the rehab that was going on in April, I don't know what is open and what is not open in PI as far as stores go.

 

[Ltl Mermaid]

I have lived next to DL my whole life and worked there during college. My advice:
1. Make ADRs when you can, and research the menus at allearsnet.com
2. Plan for travel time, especially going resort to resort. At DL everything is within walking distance while WDW is HUGE. It makes a big difference, esp for parades and ADRs.
3. Things I think you can skip: Soarin', Turtle Talk, Dumbo, It's Tough to be a Bug, and Honey I shrunk the Audience. These are all the same as the DLR.
4. Things I do NOT think you should skip (even if they may seem similar): Space/Splash,Big Thunder Mountains, POTC, Jungle Cruise, IASW, Tiki Room (even if you don't LOVE the "new management" you should see it cause it is different), Peter Pan's Flight, Snow White's Adventure, Many Adventure's of Winnie the Pooh.
5. IMHO do as much as you can without making everybody cranky and mean!
6. Do character meals!!! They are so much fun, even for somebody w/o kids!!
7. Do other "non-park" stuff. Horseback riding at Fort Wilderness is awesome, Parasailing/jetskiing over/on Bay lake is amazing, Fantasia Gardens mini golf is SO fun!, Blizzard Beach is great fun, and the Hoop Dee DOO revue is a must see!
8. Go to at least one "signature dining" restaurant. The food at WDW cannot be beat. I suggest California Grille, Coral Reef, or Narcoosee's
9. Have Fun!!!!!
Have a great trip!

 

[GotFids]

Ltl Mermaid: Thank you for such a detailed list! Dis folks are the absolute best!
I've heard about the tiki room being pretty awful at WDW...It's my daughter's fav here at DL. I'm a bit curious to see the differences. Funny how they put the same attractions in each park, but don't make them identical sometimes.


Julie

 

[helenm29]

We are DL season pass holders also but from Northern California. I guess that there are a few MUST SEE things depending on what you like and where you are going: Khali River Rapids, Kilamangaro Safari (sp) Dinosaur, Rock n' Roll rollercoaster, EVERYTHING at Epcot, Indiana Jones stunt show and then the old favorites like Pirates of the Caribbean....which is a bit different then ours.
Haunted Mansion...also a little different. HAVE FUN!