Help for a Newbie from CA!

[squirrelgirl]

Hi everyone! I am planning a trip to WDW this Fall (kids are 6 and 8), along with a Disney Cruise. Needless to say, the kids are thrilled.

We are from So. Cal. We are very lucky in that we can visit DL/DCA almost anytime. We go often enough that the kids know the parks/attractions really well, but not to the point that it isn't still a special event.

The schedule works out that we will have about 3 half days and 1 full day to spend at the parks. I am trying to figure out the best way to cover the 4 parks. My first thought was to have the full day set for AK..possibly saving the evening to go back to another park. This is because the AK theming is so unique.

What do you experts recommend as "musts" for DL/DCA natives? Character meals and greetings are not important. I want to show them the uniqueness of WDW...they have been on Soarin'/Dumbo/Small World/etc enough that I don't want to have them only experience the same rides. Can you tell me what is different or unique? Do you have recommendations on what I should focus on given our limited amount of time? It doesn't have to be a big thing either. Honestly, they will probably just flip over the idea of taking a bus or boat to a park vs. the monorial. I guess what I am looking for is the novelty and things that make WDW special.

Thanks in advance!

 

[tink1978]

Congrats on your trip!! You are bound to have fun. I would say that Animal Kingdom is more of a half-day trip. While it is excellently themed, it does not have a ton of attractions. Since your girls have experienced DL, I would spend the full day at EPCOT. However, your girls may love AK and want to stay for the full day. Another thing to realize is that AK closes really early, like 5pm, so you may want to consider going to another park later in the evening.

 

[Dizneydaz]

We too can go to DL and DCA anytime, so hear are my recommendations. AK (which I love) can be done in a half day (start in a.m.) then you can finish up at Epcot for the rest of the day. I also think you can do MGM in 1/2 day. MGM has a few good rides and some good shows. As far as MK goes, DL is better, but that is where you'll find most of the characters. However, if you've done the rides then 1/2 day should do it. Try to go to one of the water parks. They are great! And they are unique to WDW.

Epcot has many things to do. You can skip Soarin' if you want, it's exactly the same as DCA. But Test Track is not to be missed. My DD6 loves it! It's also unique and different to walk the World Showcase (there are a few boat rides that my DD6 likes) and lots of food!

Hope this helps! Have fun!

 

[ChristmasElf]

AK is definately a half day. First of all, this park gets really hot in the afternoons and tough to enjoy in the heat. Plus there are not as many attractions as there are at the other parks. Go early and you will be done by 3 ish and still be able to see it all. Dont forget to check out Expedition Everest and the Festival of the Lion King show.

EPCOT is fun,. Test Track and Mission Space and Soarin are not to be missed.
The countries are nice to see, but save them for the evening hours and you will be able to catch Illuminations which is every night at 9 pm sharp. Great show of lasers and fireworks. Two of the countries have rides in them. Norway and Mexico.

MGM can easily be done in just a half a day. The Stunt Spectacular show is new and your kids will enjoy that. The Great Movie Ride, Tower of Terror and Rockin Rollercoaster are don't misses here. If you get hungry, the 50's Primetime Cafe is a lot of fun to eat at. If you will there in the evening, try to catch Fantasmic.

Magic Kingdom is really an all day park as this park has the most to see. But since you live in LA and have DisneyLand close by, I can see where there would be many things you could afford to skip over.

Have fun on your trip!!

 

[denecarter]

Hope this works... trying to put a link to another thread which talked about similarities and differences between DLR and WDW.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1105278

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

I'm a Californian too who's planning on buying an AP as soon as I move back in a few weeks. If you want to focus on what's unique to WDW, spend the bulk of your time in EPCOT. AK can be done in half a day as can MGM, although both are very nicely themed. MGM's Star Tours area is very cool because of the space and detail they were able to give it outside. As far as attractions go, EPCOT is the only park with a lot of unique things to WDW. AK does have Everest, which is great, but if you're not coaster people, don't worry about it. Tot is already in DCA and Rock N Roller Coaster is like Screamin' only it has better music and better theming.

EPCOT though has so many really cool things that you can't find at Disneyland/DCA. And I know that character meals aren't a must do, but if you can afford it and can pull it off, I would recommend eating at the castle in MK. It's really cool to eat in the castle, and that's something unique to WDW.

 

[hockeyfan]

I am also from So Ca, we just got back from our first trip on May 28th. We stay ten days and had a great time. But since I have done DL/DCA more times then I can count, My family really enjoyed the AK it was our favorite Park of our trip, we did a day and a half everyone told us it was just half a day park so that was my original plan but it was not enough time to really see it. I think it was because it was so different then any thing we have in Ca half rides/Half wild animal park. I was really disappointed in MGM kinda of like DCA (city streets) and universal studio( shows) The best ride there is Aerosmith RRC. the TOT, star tours is just like Disney CA. My kids aren't crazy about show so this park is half a day at best. Epcot was great alot to see Soarin is the same ride as in CA still good but the same ride. Test Track was my family favorite ride in Epcot, alot to do in FW but mostly shopping,eating and walking in the countries but very enjoyable. As for MK very big the size of this park is much better than DL(for crowds and walking) but most of the rides are like our at DL still alot of fun. I think WDW does a better job of interacting with the kids before parades and fireworks than DL. My family also really enjoyed DTD/WS/MP/DQ and Broadwalk and both of the WP. I hope your family has a magical trip and my advice to you is spent most of your time on stuff we don't have in Ca than to rush and try to do it all it is just to big to get it all done in one trip so you know I will be returning. Enjoy

 

[buckylarue]

I was really disappointed in MGM kinda of like DCA (city streets) and universal studio( shows) The best ride there is Aerosmith RRC. the TOT, star tours is just like Disney CA.

Actually, TOT is quite different and much better at WDW, from the exterior theming to the moving elevator car to the random drop sequences and effects. Star Tours is identical except for the queue and gift shop, Muppets is identical except the lobby/pre-show area is better themed at WDW than DCA. Make time to eat at '50s Prime Time Cafe or the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, both unique to WDW and very fun!

 

[Yookeroo]

As far as attractions that are at both resorts...
Skip:
Animal Kingdom
It's Tough To Be A Bug

Disney-MGM Studios
Star Tours
Muppet Vision 3-D
The Magic of Disney Animation
Fantasmic!

Epcot
Soarin'
Turtle Talk with Crush!
Honey I Shrunk the Audience

Magic Kikngdom
Its a Small World
Mad Tea Party
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Cinderella's Golden Carrousel
Liberty Square Riverboat
Tomorrowland Indy Speedway


Consider skipping:
Magic Kikngdom
Everything in Mickey's Toontown Fair
Haunted Mansion
AstroOrbiter

I'd say that Tower of Terror, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Jungle Cruise, Tiki Room, Buzz & the dark rides are unique enough to check out.