Going to WDW first time in almost 20 years! Please help me!

[eric8]

Hello guys! I just joined this site the other day...and I'm so thankful for it too! It's been a great big ol' help to me. With that being said, I need help/advice! And maybe just reminisce a bit!

I have been to the Walt Disney World twice in my lifetime. But the last trip was nearly 20 years ago. Summer of 1986 I believe. It was when they had the Michael Jackson 3D movie. So that would give some of you Walt Disney experts kind of a time frame.

I’m taking my mother and she is looking forward to it! As so am I! I plan on staying at one of the Disney resorts probably 5 or 6 days, maybe 6. I would like to go the week of June 13. So my first question is: What do you guys think about going around this time?

I read on one post here about Pirates of the Caribbean and/or The Haunted Mansion possible being closed this year for updates. PLEASE tell me this will not be going on during the spring/summer of 2005! This is part of my Disney from my childhood that I’ve longed for over the years and I just couldn’t enjoy myself if they are not going to be opened. Is there anyway for me to find out whether or not these attractions or any other attractions for that matter will be opened/closed? Will Walt Disney post something on their official website? I’m going to be nervous about this all the way thru the months until June! I’m paranoid like that I guess.

I plan on getting the park hopper option on our tickets so we can hop back and forth between parks if choose to do so. And once again my paranoia takes hold of me…I hope I’m not charged a day (by accident) on my 5 or 6 day ticket for park hopping. I’m basically a newbie at all this and just a little too excited for my on good! Can’t you guys tell?

We want to go to all the parks and they all look excited but Animal Kingdom (from what I’ve been researching) doesn’t look all that appealing to me. Please give me your opinion on it. I read that part of it was like a carnival with carnival rides. That’s not very appealing. Are their any other great rides in this park? I’m thinking that if we get down to Orlando early enough we might check this park out that same day and use any extra days to go to another park twice during the week. That way we won’t spend a full day here if it’s not very exciting.

Thanks for all your help. I look forward to conversing with you throughout the weeks. Please email me if you like.

FWIW, I remember walking between two fountains and one would shoot up a drop of water in the air and it would land in the other fountain. (my memory might be a little hazy on this). And the other day, while reading stuff about Disney World, I came across the name of this fountain and it said that it was still there! I also remember a logo of Walt Disney World and it looked like a sphere with grids on it. Sound familiar? Do they still have that logo? I know that sounds kinda silly of me talking about that but I can’t help it! It’s a memory from my youth. I connect with little things! Do they still have the Mr. Toad ride? I remember the Crystal Palace and a restaurant at Pirates of the Caribbean.

One other thing and I’ll let you guys go. (If you made it this far, thanks!) There was a certain ride I was on, a boat ride I think. It was indoors. And of course there was so much to see. But I remember a TV/screen or something like that…and it was playing a scene from a movie. The scene was of a boat and people were standing on it waving. It looked like a movie made in the 60’s or 70’s. Does this ring a bell to anyone?

You guys take care. Thanks again!

 

[beccasmom]

Things have changed a bit since your last trip….but some things have remained the same or gotten even better! Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride has been replaced by The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh , but the Pirates of the Caribbean is still there as is the Crystal Palace and the Haunted Mansion. Two good sites to visit for up-to-date information (including renovation schedules) are http://allearsnet.com/index.html and http://www.mousesaver.com/. Both are great websites with tons of information. Two good books to check out are Birnbaum’s Official Guide to Disney World and The Unofficial Guide to Disney World. The second book is more irreverent in its style, but contains solid information and details. There are many other great guides out there, but these are my personal favorites.

Your most difficult decision may be where to stay, as there are many more options than there were in 1986. Several moderate-price hotels have opened as well as value-priced hotels which offer a lot of bang for the buck. The websites referenced above have price information and photographs of the hotels. There is also a thorough explanation of dining reservations, which are now referred to as Priority Seating. It’s not at all complicated!

I would also suggest that you visit the other Forums here for more information on resorts, dining, transportation, etc. as you plan your trip. You will find lots of very friendly folks who love nothing more than sharing their love of all things Disney and will help to make your trip a success! Have fun planning!

 

[PrincessCandaceMarie]

Hello and welcome! Be sure to check out the DIS boards too, they have great info along with Mousesavers and All Ears, and also get a log in name for WDW site too, that'll help you out. And order their DVD planner; and research, have fun and enjoy!

 

[mommystieg]

We usually visit during the first two weeks of June -- not everybody is out of school yet so it is not as crowded. The later you go in June, the more crowded it can be but the trade off is usually longer park hours. It can be hot and humid with some rain every day.
Animal Kingdom is very beautiful park and should not be overlooked. What it is lacking in thrill rides it more than makes up for in beauty. Since it is only open until 6 pm then you will have the ability to "hop" over to another park that is open later. With the park hoppers you will be able to hop from park to park as many times as you want in a single day -- you will not be charged a day for changing parks. Another good guide book I highly recommend it The Passporter (http://passporter.com/). We did an extended family trip last year and ordered this book for each family.
Keep asking questions here -- you will find that planning a visit to WDW is almost as much fun as being there!!

 

[eric8]

your help is really appreciated. i'm absorbing everything i can at the present.

 

[Draglon]

Welcome Eric8! I was in a similar position a few years back. Hadn't been there for 15 years. Now I'm going for my third in in the past two years. These boards (and the people on them) are wonderful. You can see that I'm a new member as well -- but I confess to lurking around for quite a while before posting. You'll find a lot of help here. Re: www.passporter.com, you might want to consider getting their guidebook when the new 2005 one comes out. It is really comprehensive.
Remember that planning can be half the fun. Good luck to you.

 

[Micca]

Welcome to the Dis Eric8 You are in for such a treat after 20 years I think the ride you describe is El Rio del Tiempo at the Mexico pavilion in Epcot. It's still there! I'd get a book like the UG, and hang out here just as much as you can. These people know it all

 

[eric8]

and thanks for the name of that ride. I just looked up some info about it. funny how it's the little things you remember.

 

[Montana Minnies]

Hi Eric8 and Welcome to the Dis Boards! In July of 2003 my sister and I returned to WDW after not having been there for 15 years. You are going to be amazed at the changes. Downtown Disney has more as far as entertainment and food choices.(Actually there was more food choices per all WDW than there was 15 years prior to our first visit, or we just did not know about them I guess.) Do no exclude Animal Kingdom entirely as you may enjoy things such as the Lion King Show, or Tarzan Rocks. Plus we found we even were thrilled to just look around the different onsite resorts. Each is uniique in their beauty.
Last summer, August 2004 we went again with my mother (85), and my brother, his wife and their 3 daughters. (26,24, &14). We stayed at OKW for 10 days,(some of us stayed longer than others), and were not disappointed.
I am excited for you and your Mom!
We learned to pace ourselves, go to the parks in the morning, take afternoon breaks and go back for evening activities.
We owe a debt of gratitude to all those who contribute to this and other disney sites, now my sister and I are both hooked and can't wait to return , hopefully in Dec. 2006, along with our 24 year old niece, Everyone from my mother who at 85 got drenched in a Florida rainstorm while coming out of the Hoop De Doo Review to my "grumpy" brother who orginally said, " I am not a "mouse" fan loved it. I hope you both will too!
Have a magical time planning and have a magical vacation!
I get excited just writing about it!