First time Disney World... Disneyland lovers!

[PrincessSparkle90]

This is going to be mine and my boyfriends first trip to Disney World. We are planning a road trip of sorts. Coming from Canada, flying to Orlando for 3 - 6 days (depending how we like it) and then driving through the southern states, staying in New Orleans for the riverboat casino's and to Disneyland for at least 7 nights. We go to Disneyland at least once a year, so we are looking for information on Disney World. What are the best places to dine, and best hotels? I feel like it's going to be a headache getting from our hotel to different parks and I'm looking for advice on what to see and what is the easiest way to get places. If you have any advice on this, please let me know! This may be our only Disney World trip for the next 5 years, so we want to make it count to the best of our ability.

 

[soar2014]

Wow! You are so going to dump Disneyland! You're going to meet Disneylands hotter younger brother!!

 

[soar2014]

But seriously, DL and WDW may as well be apples and oranges. Some folks have been going to WDW for decades and not seen it all. It could be overwhelming. Just stalk these boards and you will learn more than you ever thought you could. There are opinions about whether or not to stay on-site vs. a less expensive off-site. The benefits (IMO) of on-site are worth it to me. There are lots of dining options which require learning about reservation windows. FP+ and it's schedule of reserving windows too. You can learn everything right here.

 

[PrincessSparkle90]

Thanks for your help! I will try to search around a little better. It seems scattered in here, so I'm not one hundred percent sure how to find what I'm looking for.. I guess maybe because I, myself, don't really know what I'm looking for. Haha.

 

[jamnmom]

Thanks for your help! I will try to search around a little better. It seems scattered in here, so I'm not one hundred percent sure how to find what I'm looking for.. I guess maybe because I, myself, don't really know what I'm looking for. Haha.

Do you have any specific questions that would help with your planning? There are so many people here who are ready to answer any questions that you have. Just to start with some (hopefully) helpful info: My family's favorite Table Service locations are 50's Prime Time (Hollywood) and Liberty Tree (MK). Both are themed, although not character dining; and the interaction with CMs at 50's Prime Time is truly priceless! As for resorts, there are so many factors that go into that decision. If you decide to stay onsite, we've stayed at Caribbean Beach, Port Orleans French Quarter and Polynesian. We've loved all of them and each has their own unique things that made it great. We've also stayed off site a lot, but stay at a Time Share resort, which would be very expensive if not an 'owner'. If you choose to stay off site and you are good at following road signs, you'll have no problem getting to/from the parks. Hope this helps! Have FUN planning this awesome trip!!

 

[dugthetalkingdog]

I enjoy staying on property because of the Disney shuttle system and the wristband they offer now that allows you to sign up for rides using fast pass before your arrival.
My daughter and I was there during Christmas and being able to sign up early for her favorite rides helped save time. I have stayed at the French Quarters (moderate price) which was really nice and
during Christmas, stayed at the Art of Animation which is geared more towards families with children because they have family suites. Our room was standard with Little Mermaid theme. (value price). My
favorite character dining is Chef Mickey. When planning I like to pick up a book on Disney World and then highlight all my favorite things. Have fun planning!!

 

[PrincessSparkle90]

Thanks for your guys' help. I believe we are stuck between the Grand Floridian or the Contemporary Resort (I have been told that walking to MK is the best because the Monorail is always super busy and not enjoyable?). We love Disneyland, so we are thinking we will likely be at Magic Kingdom for most of our trip but it would also be very helpful to hear the best/easiest way to get to the other parks from there as well. I'm not sure if this will help, but our favourite places in Disneyland for dining are Blue Bayou, Carthay and Napa Rose. Is there anything like Cove Bar there? Like a nice chill place in the sun to enjoy drinks in between rides?

 

[jamnmom]

Walking to MK would probably easier and quicker from Contemporary. I've never had problems with the Resort Monorail. The only ppl on it are those who are only going to Floridian/Polynesian/Contemporary/MK. The monorail that goes from MK to Ticket/Transportation Center is the one that is so very crowded and unpleasant. Also the resort monorail is not a very long ride. There is also a Resort boat that can get you to MK.

As for getting to other parks from MK. EPCOT: best is truly the monorail. Even though this can be crowded, it is a better option than taking a bus or the monorail to Ticket/Trans then tram to your car and finally driving to Epcot. Epcot is just so close that it's not worth the time it takes to drive from MK or take the bus. HOLLYWOOD and ANIMAL KINGDOM: you would have to drive your own car or take a bus. To get to the bus lines, you would take the monorail or ferry to Ticket/Transportation Center. The bus stops are a short walk outside the Ticket Kiosks. The ride to Hollywood is about 15 min; to AK is 20-25 min. If you drive to either of these, you would need to get to your car (wherever you have it parked) by monorail or ferry; then drive and deal with the parking lots at the other park. Drive time approx same as I gave for buses; then, you would also have a walk and/or tram ride to the park. It can be very tedious, but if you plan well for your travel time between parks, you will be able to park hop without any stress.

I can't answer the questions about the dining spots...I'm not that familiar with the ones you mention to be able to make a fair comparison. I do know that there is no alcohol served in MK; however, I have heard talk that this is changing with the menus at Be Our Guest and reservations are required for dining there. There are several sidewalk seating Quick Serve locations around the park; but that is the best I give on this question.

HAPPY PLANNING!!

 

[RHMH]

Dis-Friend

 

[Pooh2]

Sounds like an awesome trip! Enjoy!

 

[HotMama]

Stay on property! Disney makes everything so stress-free and easy!

 

[HotMama]

 

[dayvewc]

This is going to be mine and my boyfriends first trip to Disney World. We are planning a road trip of sorts. Coming from Canada, flying to Orlando for 3 - 6 days (depending how we like it) and then driving through the southern states, staying in New Orleans for the riverboat casino's and to Disneyland for at least 7 nights. We go to Disneyland at least once a year, so we are looking for information on Disney World. What are the best places to dine, and best hotels? I feel like it's going to be a headache getting from our hotel to different parks and I'm looking for advice on what to see and what is the easiest way to get places. If you have any advice on this, please let me know! This may be our only Disney World trip for the next 5 years, so we want to make it count to the best of our ability.

Welcome!!

For starters, I'd recommend committing to the number of days you anticipate being at WDW. I've been 8 or so times, usually for 6-7 days at a time, and I've still not seen everything. I'd recommend planning to be there 5 days, that gives you 1 day at each park and then an extra day to go back to the one you liked best/didn't see enough of/wanted to redo/etc.

Also, be aware that driving from WDW to New Orleans is a LONG day. I did it several years ago, and I think it was about 12 hours drive time. I didn't live in NO, but was dropping off a friend who had made the trip with me, so after I dropped him off I drove another 4-5 hours before I stopped for the night, so my time estimate may be off.

Also, from NO to DL I would estimate at least 2 more days driving, and maybe 3. I drove from Little Rock (just a touch west of NO) to Albuquerque NM over 2 days (13 hours day 1, and 7 hours day 2) and there was still about the same distance to go to get to LA.

Thanks for your help! I will try to search around a little better. It seems scattered in here, so I'm not one hundred percent sure how to find what I'm looking for.. I guess maybe because I, myself, don't really know what I'm looking for. Haha.

As for the best places to stay, dine, etc. Those are going to be harder to answer. I've stayed on-site once, and it was really nice not having to deal with traffic, but also felt somewhat limiting waiting for buses. I normally stay off-site, and other than the obligatory "Main Entrance Drive" I do each time, I can generally get from my resort to any of the parks in less than 30 minutes. Which was about the same (or less) than what I was able to do while staying on-site.

Dining - depends on what you like. EPCOT has the most dining places with the biggest variety, but there are themed and specialized restaurants in all the parks and all the resorts.

Travel - it's really not difficult to get from place to place. If you stay onsite, Disney buses will get you there, just realize that at times of the day they will be crowded, and at other times there will be a wait. If you stay off-site, you do have to pay for parking, but the signs are easy to see and follow to get from where you are to where you want to be.

Mostly, just take a breath, and tell yourself "I've got this." and figure out what you want to do. Start there, and we on the Dis can help answer any question you might have.