Help in trip planning required for a newbie

[CharlesElliott]

Although I've been to Disney World a couple of times, it was a long time ago (> 15 years) in a different sort of situation - I was the child/teenager being lead around!

I'm returning with my girlfriend in October, but am starting to get a bit concerned about the amount of forward planning that seems to be necessary. We're normally the 'wander around and find a restaurant that looks good' type but wonder how possible this is in Disney (both due to the geographical separation of places, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Univeral etc. and places getting full).

We're in Orlando for 6 nights at the Grand Hyatt in Lake Buena Vista (first week October) - can anyone suggest how much we need to plan? Is there one or two places that are worth booking in advance because we won't get in otherwise?

Price wise, I'm happy to go somewhere reasonable ($65 each?) once or twice.

I suppose I need to think about breakfast as well ;-).

Cheers,

Charles

 

[UKDEB]

Hi Charles, and welcome Great to have you here.

Is it just restaurant planning you're concerned about, or the whole thing? With only 6 days in Orlando, there's no way you'll get to see everything, so I think it's worth at least getting a good guide book and working out which are your 'must-dos'. Personally, I would be tempted to make sure I covered the main theme parks - the four Disney ones and the two Universal ones. There's no way I could pick a favourite from them, but if I had to leave one out, sadly it would probably be Universal Studios these days (although not Islands of Adventure). That said, the two parks are so close together, you could easily spend a couple of hours at US and then hop over to IoA.

As far as restaurants go, there are only a couple which you would <i>have</i> to book before leaving the UK. One that springs immediately to mind is Emeril's at CityWalk. Unless there is somewhere you are desperate to go, I wouldn't bother booking in advance - there are just SO many fantastic restaurants. Also, October is a comparatively quiet time to go, so you shouldn't have any problems.

Tell us a bit about what you want to do and what you like, and we'll give you some recommendations.

 

[WDWfan uk]

Hi Charles Welcome aboard

You can also get a good idea of what to find at the theme parks from our fixed info on www.wdwinfo.com and as Debbie says, make a note of the places and things you both want to do the most - remember you have 4 Disney parks plus 2 Disney Water parks and then there's Sea World and the two Universal parks.

Disney operate a Priority Seating system to book in advance - they don't hold a table for you but give you the next available table from your PS time - this is more important for character meals but if there is just the two of you, and particularly if you avoid peak meal times, you may well be able to just walk in. Alternatively, if you are in a park and you see a restaurant that appeals, why not pop in and make a PS for a later time?

You are staying in a wonderful hotel and I'm sure that you'll have a great time - please post as many questions as you need to help with your planning - we love to help people plan but don't feel you have to map out every day, just have a rough idea of what you want to do.

 

[Janice]

Hi Charles

Cant add much to the great advice you've already been given, but just wanted to say hello

Post as many questions as you wish - starting a new thread for each topic, then nothing will get lost and you should get all the help you need

 

[CharlesElliott]

Well, firstly thanks for the really nice messages so far!!

On the parks front, I think I'll take a stab at planning and then get your advice once I've got something.

I suppose my real concern was on restaurants and being faced without being able to get in anywhere nice if we wanted to. It sounds as if this won't be too bad in October.

So far I've got Emeril's at Citywalk on the list for consideration - it looks absolutely great on the web site (thanks Debbie ). Any other suggestions for places that we might miss out on if we wait until we are there?

One other group of questions (in this thread anyway). There appear to be three main evening areas. DD, Disney Boardwalk, and Citywalk - is this right? Are all three good to just wander around in the evening and pop into the odd bar or two? Bearing in mind we're staying off site (Grand Hyatt in LBV) is there transport at night to these places?

Thanks again!!

Charles

 

[UKDEB]

If you're into really nice restaurants, here are a few of my favourite 'fine dining' options:

Emeril's - definitely best to make a reservation before you leave home. You may even find you're too late for a dinner reservation already! Lunch should be OK.

The Palm at the Hard Rock Hotel (huge steaks and Nova Scotia lobster).

Jiko at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

California Grill at Disney's Contemporary Resort. It's on the 15th floor and, if you get the timing right you can watch the MK fireworks - they pipe the music into the restaurant.

Flying Fish Cafe at the BoardWalk.

Artist Point at Wilderness Lodge.

This trip we're also planning on a meal at one of the restaurants at the new Gaylord Palms hotel, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Emeril's new restaurant, Tchoup Chop (pronounced chop chop, apparently) at the Royal Pacific (Universal) will open whilst we're there.

A nice park option is Mythos at Islands of Adventure. If you're keen to take in the fireworks at California Grill, you'll need to book ASAP, otherwise you'll probably find you can be seated at most places in October as a walk-up. Personally I'd probably get a PS (Disney) or a reservation early on the day I wanted to eat, or the day before.

You're right about the main evening areas. Downtown Disney is within walking distance of your hotel. I would be tempted to get a taxi to the others, although you could use the Disney buses for the BoardWalk from your hotel. They all have a lovely ambiance during the evenings - BW is more laid back. It is within walking distance (or boat launch) of Epcot and MGM. You need a separate entry ticket for Pleasure Island at DD (although not for West Side and the Marketplace) and some of the bars at CityWalk after a certain time (7pm?).

 

[Sue F UK]

Hi Charles and welcome to the DIS.

My restaurant recommendation if you like fine dining has to be Victoria & Alberts at the Grand Floridian at Disneyworld. It is pricey - $85 per head for a set 7 course dinner and an extra $42 per head for wine pairings (different wine for each course) but the food is out of this world!!! You get treated like royalty by your personal waiter and waitress (Victoria and Albert) and it is not at all pretentious. You need to phone in advance for reservations as it is only a 60 seater restaurant.

Emerils at Citywalk is another favourite as is Wolfgang Puck's at Downtown Disney.

Breakfast wise, you could do a character breakfast at one of the Disney restaurants or look out for the cheaper options such as Sizzler or Ponderosa. These are good quality for the price and you can eat as much as you wish - sure sets you up for a day of walking around the parks!

Don't forget - the planning is half the fun!!