First Trip to Disney since 1982!

[Gary M]

Another very helpful site is www.allearsnet.com. Click on planning and you can see all the passes including AP's (annual passes). This site also gives all the menus for all WDW restaurants.

 

[Grumpy92]

I agree with the others that doing midday breaks is very difficult when you are staying off property. You have lots of time so take a moment to sit down have a cool drink somewhere in the park and just enjoy the atmosphere.

I always suggest making a few PSs before you arrive for character meals, any of the popular restaurants or if you want to dine at the busy timeperiods like 7pm. You can check out the menus at www.allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm and also read the restaurant board. You will find alot of feedback there.

Passes - AP is annual passholder and the breakeven point is usually 8days within 12 months. The PH passes are flexible and good because if you dont use all the days you can use them on a future trip.

Fireworks - cant go wrong anywhere around the lagoon at EC for a view of illuminations. As for MK most people want the view on Main St so they can see the fireworks over the castle.

Have a good time.

 

[wannabee princess]

Lots of good advice so far! I'll try to add a couple of items.

At MK, a great spot to watch the parade and is in front of the castle - you can get pictures with the castle in the background. You will need to arrive early though. Also, in Frontierland, across the street from the Liberty Tree Tavern is a good spot. I like this spot, because you can exit easily through Fantasyland.

Same thing for the fireworks, you will want to get to a spot on Main Street really early. If you don't want to do that, you could watch the fireworks from the Ticket and Transportation Center. If you are heading out anyways, this gives you a "jump" on the other guests leaving. You can also walk from the TTC to the Poly resort and watch from the beach - more romantic - you will still get the music!

We have stayed offsite, and we stayed all day until midnight - wouldn't even have considered making the trip back and forth due to losing valuable tour time! We would use the time waiting for the afternoon parade (at least 1 hour) to relax, eating a Dole whip or hot dog from Casey's. (Dole whips are available in Adventureland and Casey's is on Main Street) One person would sit and save two seats while the other person makes food runs.

At Epcot, Illuminations is good from Italy also, there are benches (facing away from the lagoon, but at least a place to sit while you wait, and you can just flip around to kneel on the benches when the fireworks begin). We did the same thing here with letting one person sit and the other person go get snacks. Try the beavertails from Canada or anything from the France bakery.

To view the parade at AK, at the time everyone else is lining up, go to ride the safari, when you come out of the ride, the parade should be heading back (it circles around and ends where it begins) you still are able to see the parade, but without the long wait time.

MGM, I would suggest the dinner package for Fantasmic (need to go ahead and do PS's) because you get a spot easier than waiting for 1-2 hours. This is also a way to get a good sit-down meal, and you can eat more leisurely.

Use the various "shows" to relax in a cooler spot during the hot part of the day. For ex. MK - Philharmagic is great way to sit and relax, even the Hall of Presidents is an option for the middle of the hot afternoon. At Epcot, in the American Pavilion, you have a longish show to sit and relax you can also go to Honey, I shrunk the audience. Many of the films in Epcot are standing and so not necessarily a choice to sit down in. At AK you can sit and cool off in It's Tough to be a Bug and at MGM, you have Little Mermaid and Who Wants to be a Millionaire.

Decide if you have must-rides and try to do them early or very late. We always rode Space Mountain at about midnight as a walk-on! Until the final minute, the ride is still open, there were many times they would let us in and then the rope went up behind us to close off the riders. So, if you are there at the end, head to your favorite ride.

 

[OneMoreTry]

I went from about '85 to '93 with no visit. I was a little disappointed with some of the transformation. I used to like the long drives through empty pine forest to the magical parks. Now it's a traffic jam and your head spins trying to figure out where you are and how to get where you're going. And what to see and do.

If your personality is like mine it would be hard not to try to see and do as much as possible after such a long absence. But I don't think that is the best thing.

I would say try a sampling of everything, including one really nice meal at one of the resorts (eg. California Grill, Flying Fish, Artist Point, etc.). If you stay at a WDW hotel (esp a deluxe) then definitely take some afternoon time free on at least a couple of days to enjoy the resort. Maybe even a whole day off.

If you really like WDW then check out the Disney Vacation Club while you're there -- get a tour.

 

[TwingleMum]

First off ~ Have a great trip!!! I'm sure after this trip you won't wait 20 yrs to go back. I wish you could be there longer, there is soooo much to see and do. Definately take a break. It will give you the energy to go back to the parks with a vengence and close the place. Enjoy and tell us what you think.

 

[iluvtink]

O'hana's is at the Polynesian and it has a fun atmosphere... with all you can eat food brought to your table. We prefer the Whispering Canyon Cafe in the Wilderness Lodge, because it's a bit more raucous and silly, but the food is better suited to our "American" palates.

I can't remember if you said you had an Unofficial Guide to WDW, but I buy the newest version before every trip, and read it cover to cover. ( After this many years, a lot of what I read is skimming, because I recognize the unchanged parts.) I use a highlighter and a stack of post-it notes as I read, and mark anything I think I need to go back to. The thing I like most is that it presents the whole WDW experience in a humorous light, and you really do have to have a sense of humor to enjoy the trip. It's a very honest perspective of the heat, the long lines, etc., and since it's "unofficial," it tells the good and the bad, and then lets you go make your own decisions.

Whatever guide you are using, read about the resorts and pick a couple in your price range and check them out while you are there, either by getting a PS and eating at one of their restaurants, or just hopping a bus or monorail mid-day and going to look around at one or two. That way, as you plan your next trip on your way home, you'll have actual visual memories to guide you next time.

Keep those questions coming!!!

 

[meaneausindisney]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THIS INFORMATION! I'm going to printer this string out and keep it in our WDW trip folder for reference. Honestly, I don't know how we would manage without all you helpful WDW loving folks

 

[suevee]

You are doing the best possible thing for this trip -- PLANNING! So many people just go to WDW with no preparation and they miss so much and come back deflated.

My advice is take care of your feet! Use spray antiperspirant in the morning. Get good walking socks and change at least twice during the day. And keep a good supply of moleskin available.

Also the Wilderness Lodge Lobby is a great place to take a break. It is so beautiful and comfortable. Schedual a meal at Whispering Canyon (glazed porkchops are great and plenty for two!) or pack a book in your backpack. You can take a ferry over from MK and rest for an hour or so. Comfortable couches, air conditioning, beautiful setting. This Lobby is much nicer that CR or Poly. Though the Poly would rate second with me.

If you are spending the day at Epcot take a stroll out of the International Gateway and check out the lobbies of the Yacht Club. Have lunch at Beaches and Cream. Check out the Boardwalk.

If you need a break from MGM or AK, catch a bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge. Check out the resort and rest a bit in the lobby. Make a PS at Boma's. This way you can rest and check out the resorts for future visits!

Also don't miss the Wishes fireworks at MK. It is just spectacular. Illuminations used to be my favorite until Wishes came on the scene.

Most of all relax and enjoy! Know that you cannot do everything in one trip, don't try, you will be back!!!!

 

[keddy]

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