Going to Disneyworld!

[JimandTiff]

Hello Everyone,
I'm almost 24 years old, my fiance' and I are going to Disneyworld from March 13th-19th. I notice when we booked our vacation that this is a "peak" time of the season to be going. We will be staying at the Caribbean Resort, and looking very much to it. I haven't been to Disney since I was about 6 years old, and she went about 6-7 years ago. How busy can we expect it to be? As in general wait times and everything overall. Just by reviewing this site, the official site and others, it sure looks like it has changed since the last time I was there. Thanks in advanced!
We also purchased the 6-7 day park hopper pass, that includes the Disneyquest and others.

~JimandTiff

 

[TXTink]

It is going to be crowded, but not as hot as it will be in the summer months, so that is good. Plan on using Fast Pass as much as you can to avoid the lines. The more popular rides will have long stand by times at that time of year, so the use of Fast Pass will be important.

Since you are staying on site you will be able to take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours, so keep up with when those are and take advantage of the that bonus.

You are doing the right thing by getting on these boards and asking questions! Keep reading threads. That will get you familiar with the parks and what to expect.

Most people on these boards are happy Disney planners and love planning trips, so keep asking questions!!

 

[syzslak]

Plan on taking advantage of Fast Passes. We've always had good trips by avoiding lines with the fast passes. Remember to get a new one just before you go on a ride. In between there are usually rides and attractions that never have long lines (like the TTA). Go early and get FPs for the attractions you most want to do. You ca also avoid lines by riding during parades and usual meal times.

 

[TXTink]

Oh, I forgot! Welcome to the DIS JimandTiff!!

 

[JimandTiff]

Thank you very much for the quick responses. Fastpass? Sounds similar to things that they do here at Kings Dominion in VA and sometimes at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg. Getting pretty amped about the trip, just hoping our timing won't come back to haunt us.

 

[TXTink]

You will be fine at this time of year, but it will be better the more planning you do!

Do you know what fastpass is? I am just wondering because you have a question mark behind it in your post.... So, just in case you don't here goes....

At the more popular rides they have what they call Fastpass machines. You put your park ticket into a machine and it will spit out a paper ticket (and your park ticket) with a return time for that ride . You can then leave and do more touring, and come back to that ride during the return time on the ticket and get right on without standing in line. It will give you an hour window to return to that ride, so you don't have to be "right on time".

It really helps you stay out of as many long lines. Be warned though, during the busier times of year the very popular rides (like Rock n Roller Coaster, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, and Test Track) the Fastpass tickets may run out by noon!

 

[JimandTiff]

Very cool, sound similar to Kings Dominion out here in Virginia. Looking forward to it, luckily its 1-1.5 weeks before easter, and MOST Elementary/Secondary schools do not spring break this early. As for the college crowd, can't complain since I'm one of them.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We've been going to WDW over 30 years, and to us, it hasn't change much. People are people, and the crowds are about the same. Sometimes bigger than others but in 6 or 7 days at the park, you can do it all, and see it all with no fuss. Just don't get overwhelmed and charge, charge every minute all day. Half the relaxation is the resort, the pool and doing nothing. Remember, you're on vacation. If one park is crowded, try another. MK is ALWAYS CROWDED BUT DOES SEEM TO SLOW DOWN IN THE AFTERNOON, epcot IS NEVER CROWDED TO ME BUT LESS FILLED IN THE EVENINGS AND mgm IS LEAST CROWDED TO ME IN THE AM. AK, well we've been there twice, not our kind of park, too spread out with nothing inbetwwen and way too many people. But I think thats from the parks lay out is seems crowded.

 

[Johnfish]

JimandTiff,

I think we must be close to each other if you live close to kings dominion. Im in Midlothian Va.

Definitely get the Unofficial Guide to WDW. That book was a Godsend for me. They have touring plans for all the parks which I xeroxed and carried in my pocket. They worked really really good!!!. I cant say enough about this book. This website is also a great resource as well.

My son (16) and I visited for the first time last august. Except for the hurricane (charlie arrived the day after we did) we had a GREAT TIME. Here is a list of my best and worst first timer experiences from my trip last august. Maybe you will find it helpful.

Oh and congratulations on you wedding

John


All around Best:

WISHES This absolutely tops my list. The first night we were there we went to Ohanas for dinner and they gave us a window seat. Our PS was at 8:30 and by desert WISHES had started. It was a great first magical moment for both of us. What a great way to start vacation. We saw WISHES 2 more times and I never got tired of it. Every show brought tears to my eyes. As a tip for other newbies make sure to be somewhere on Main street when they start. One night we got caught over by splash mountain and by the time we got to the monorail to go to the parking lot the lines were huge. If this happens to you, use the ferry back to TTC as it is much less crowded.


Best Ride:

SPACE MOUNTAIN My son and I did just about every ride in all 4 parks. We loved Dinosaur, RR coaster, Splash mountain, BTMRR, etc. And he fell in love with the duelling dragons in IOA.
But we could not stop riding space mountain. We just kept going back and riding it over and over again. It isnt that the drops are scarey or it gives that great pit of the stomach thrill. Its just plain fun from the theming to the anticipation of the drops and curves in the dark. We absolutley loved it.

Best Live Show

FESTIVAL OF THE LION KING By far the best show of all the ones we saw. I was blown away by the sets and the acrobatics of the "monkeys"

Best 3D Show

Mickeys Philharmagic This show was awesome. And it wasnt just the 3d effects that made it great. Its about time Donald Duck got some recognition and this show does a great job of it. It was great the way Disney incorporated alot of their most popular animated movies into the story.

Best food:

OHANAS This was our first dining experience in WDW and was one of the best values for the money. The food was incredible and it just kept coming. My son love the honey corriander chicken wings. The main course meats were shrimp, turkey, pork and steak served off of giant scewers. The food and the theming was great. and then to top it off with WISHES made it that much more magical. The final bill for the 2 of us was around 60 dollars and that included 10 dollars of adult beverages for me.

Best Drink to cool off:

Frozen Lemonade We found these in Animal kingdom. This is a kind of a lemonade slushie. They were fairly resonably priced and not only quenched your thirst but really helped to cool us down. I highly recommend it.

These are some of my top favorite things. I could go on for many more pages. Disney is a super class organization and I do feel they make dreams come true!!!!

As for the worst... Its hard to find anything bad to say really, but there were a few things that were worth noting.

Worst live show:

Tarzan Rocks We did this show at noon time and boy was that a mistake. It is in an enclosed open air theater. I honestly believe the temperature inside must have been 105 F or higher. I was miserable. My son enjoyed the show but I found it a little disjointed. It had a lot of great music and CMs doing amazing things on roller skates but it really seemed to have no point. If you have to choose between this and the Festival Of the Lion King take the Lion King every time.

Worst time to visit the Magic Kingdom

Do not go to the Magic Kingdom on a friday afternoon / evening everyone in the world is on the last day of their visit and will be making this their last stop. The lines were crazy. During the rest of our visit we never waited more than 20 to 30 minuites in que. On friday space mountain was at 60 to 90 minuites!! We did get to ride BTMRR and Splash mountain several times though. I was surprised that I didnt come across this information either here or in the Unofficail Guide to Walt Disney.

 

[JimandTiff]

Ahh Midlothian, my fiance has grown up out there. We live in Henrico.

Great input though, I really do appreciate it. Should be great for our Spring Break trip, nothing better then getting away from Richmond/VCU.

 

[pumpkinfish]

Hey, I thought I would jump aboard this "VA" thread
From Newport News here!!

My advice is to head out early. Usually being young, we like to sleep in (or at least my DH does ). I advise to head out early in the day. OR if you spent a late night at Pleasure Island, relax/shop in the morning and head to the parks in the afternoon/evening. If you are staying onsite, use the EMH in the evening. I think they will come in handy for DH and I on our April trip! Good luck, and just have fun!

 

[tifandjim]

We also wanted to say HI!, since we are tifandjim from VA! Looks like there are more Jim and Tiff's that love WDW!! We hope you have fun on your trip!!

 

[pumpkinfish]

LOL! How cute! 2 sets of Jim and Tiffs from VA!

VA really is for lovers ...

...WDW lovers that is

 

[civileng68]

Sure it's going to be busy but we purposely pan our big trip this time of year. It will be very busy BUT but but but, the parks are open later, mainly MK and that makes a whole new difference. Tip: Plan the big rides the hour after Wishes since the park is open later. You'd be surprised how much the park clears out after wishes.

 

[Baloo]

WELCOME to the DIS JimandTiff

How amazing 2 sets of Jim and Tiffs and both from Virginia! WOW! What are the odds of that happening?!?...pretty cool!

Well yes a lot has changed since you went to WDW and even since your fiance last trip there too! But change is good! They've added FastPass which is a wonderful thing! USE THESE!!! Especially if it's a busy day.TXTink gave a very good descricption on how to do this.

EMH are a good thing to use too.They have hours to appeal to earlybirds and night owls.Here's a link to more information on what parks and what days they are while you are there.http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/earlyentry.htm

Have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[ANTSS2001]

Hello Everyone,
I'm almost 24 years old, my fiance' and I are going to Disneyworld from March 13th-19th. I notice when we booked our vacation that this is a "peak" time of the season to be going. We will be staying at the Caribbean Resort, and looking very much to it. I haven't been to Disney since I was about 6 years old, and she went about 6-7 years ago. How busy can we expect it to be? As in general wait times and everything overall. Just by reviewing this site, the official site and others, it sure looks like it has changed since the last time I was there. Thanks in advanced!
We also purchased the 6-7 day park hopper pass, that includes the Disneyquest and others.

~JimandTiff

One thing we make sure always (second most thing we think about .. of course planning to go to WDW is the 1st thing but you know that.. Is eating!!! ) Call in to reserve for your dining purposes which can save you time, one less line for you to be waiting at. And calling them doesnt mean you have to give any credit card info. but atleast you get priority sitting(407-939-3463 a no. I already know by heart )