Help, we leave on Wednesday....

[coachlaura]

Okay, I procrastinated only because I've been having hip problems for the last 2 weeks. But I'm biting the bullet and me and my 4 children ( ages 13, 11, 9 and 7) will arrive at wdw mid afternoon wednesday and stay until the following wednesday. I'm lost already. Anyone have ideas of when and where to go? We'd like to hit Universal and Blizzard Beach , possibly. HELP, please. (staying onsite at the Grand Floridian with no rental car)

 

[barbeml]

First off--deep breath and welcome to the DIS. Everything will be fine, you're going to Disney.

The fact that you are staying at the Grand Floridian is a big help, because you can get to two parks (Magic Kingdom and Epcot) very easily. For MK, just board the monorail at the Grand Floridian station--you will be there in a minute. To get to Epcot, continue on the monorail through the Contemporary to the Transportation and Ticketing Center. From there, take the monoraail to Epcot, or catch a bus to Studios, Animal Kingdom or a water park.

My advice: when you check in, get a brochure for each park--they will also give you a brochure with park hours, parade times, etc. Since you don't have a plan, why not do one day each for Epcot, MK, and Studios, then split a day between Animal Kingdom (morning when it is cooler) and Blizzard Beach in the afternoon. Then use your remaining time for Universal or repeats of WDW parks.

Just remember, you cannot possibly do it all in one trip. Pace yourself and enjoy what you can. While it might be impossible to get priority seating for character meals this late, guest services at the Grand Floridian can help you make dining arrangements. Also, they should be able to help you with a shuttle to Universal.

Have a great time (I hope your hip feels better) and let us know how it goes. By your next trip you will be a pro if you use these boards.

 

[coachlaura]

Thanks, I took that big breath and feel much better....I worry too much, I know. We haven't been on a vacation in 6 years and I'm a bit worried that I won't be able to handle it all by myself.

Are there better days to do the different parks? Do they still have early days for those who stay onsite? I would like to have some sort of game plan roughed in before I go. I suppose we'll hit Disney after checking in sometime around 3:00. That's 1/2 a day planned.....only 61/2 left. that sounds easy....lol ....aaaawwwww!

 

[DISNEY GUEST]

Is there a shuttle between the parks?
WDW and Universal?

 

[adisneyfan2]

I would also consider getting one of the Unofficial Guides. Several of them have park plans based on the ages of the guests you want to please & how much time you have. I can't remember which one we used the first time we went, but it actually laid out in what order to go to rides & attractions, to minimize wait times & make the most of the allotted time. It really worked, too !

Like barbeml says, RELAX - You're going to Disney. Even if you are completely unprepared & disorganized, how bad can it be? Don't worry about smashing all you can in -- just do the best you can & ENJOY yourself!

Good luck with your hip! Maybe you should consider renting a chair for part of the time & getting your kids to take YOU around the parks some of the time!

 

[cyndilou01]

just relax, Disney will be wonderful......
what kind of tickets do you have? IF you get the seasonal pass you can go in and out of the parks at will, any disney park, they also have a pass that includes the water park. so you may want to sit down with the kids and see just what you want to do. Which parks
Dont forget to allow some rest time it is hot, I mean hot this time of the year the Grand Floridan has a nice pool and hot tub... the kids can rent boats at the lagoon. You can hop on the boat and just take a ride over to Ft. Wilderness they have a nice buffet call trails end, great breakfast buffet... good pizza.., remember since you are on Disney property there is a bus to take you to downtown disney to shop and walk around. So do not stress there are plenty of things to do. No matter what.

With your hip problem you may want to rent one of those elect. carts, or a wheel chair to make your time more enjoyable. you do not want pain to interrupt your time of fun....

Enjoy yourself.

 

[Mortlives]

Originally posted by DISNEY GUEST
Is there a shuttle between the parks?
WDW and Universal?

I believe you can book a Mears Shuttle. I don't know what the cost is.

Ciao,
Mort.

 

[happy highlander]

User Mears when going off site I thimk the charge is$13.00 round trip per person. Give them a call the a day or two before you intend on going off site, let them know when you want picked up & collected. if you decide to change your pick up time whilst in the park give the a call 1 hour in advance. I'll be there on Friday for my 5th trip without a car, I've stayed on & of site & always used Mears. A cab my be a slightly better price?

Mears www.mearstransportation.com
(407) 839 1570 or (407) 816 2928

Enjoy your trip

 

[coachlaura]

what are the magic hours for all parks? does anyone have a list? tia

 

[natcam1996]

Like a poster above, I would recomend getting one of the unofficial guides. I've used The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World by Bob Sehlinger and it's prety detailed with touring plans for different stay lengths. Some folks really like one called Passporter but I've never used it. Try this link (Deb Wills site) for online answers to a lot of questions:

http://www.wdwig.com


It has a lot of info that is well organized. For the most part, you can do a lot in the time you have. Don't overplan and don't assume you can do everything. And make sure you relax and enjoy it - especially seeing how much fun kids are having. It's part of the magic.

Oh, I just remebered your hip problem. There is a LOT of walking so if you think it would enhance your mobility I would strongly recommend renting a scooter. We used this company last year when my wife had a broken leg (it really made it a great trip):

http://www.walkermobility.com/

 

[coachlaura]

I'm so glad I found this board. You are all super in your responses. I've had my eldest (13years) look thru all the info and she's busy preparing our days in Disney.....I'm actually getting excited thinking about it now as it being a fun trip instead of a burden of trying to handle it all by myself. thank you, thank you, thank you........

just one more question.....does anyone know anything about the pins that interact on certain rides?

 

[DISNEY GUEST]

You can get the pins at the pin cart in front of Tony's resturant on town sq. in the MK.
They are big and I think rather expensive.
They interact with the parade.Maybe they have pins that work on the rides now....I am not into pin collecting anymore.
Have Fun...go with the flow.

 

[mmeb144]

Just another reminder that you can't do it all. No matter how hard you try.

I've had great luck with Birnbaum's official guide to WDW. I just run through the rides at all the parks with the kids, so that we can sort of plan which rides are priorities. That way, we don't get home and wonder why we didn't get to ride whatever we missed.

You might also try taking an afternoon break. The pool at the resort can be fun. The GF has that really neat looking water slide at the pool.

Marie

 

[coachlaura]

Gave the kids a list of things to pack, ran out to the Library for Birnbaum's book and a few other ones on Disney. 13 year old checking that out and reporting to me all the good stuff. Last load of laundry done......now does anyone know if there is some sort of grocery store on Disney grounds to buy some stuff to eat in the room.....?

Can you tell I'm getting 'with it ' now?

 

[jeankeri]

How are you getting to the park? If you are coming from the airport, Tiffany Town Car(? is that name right guys?) includes a 30min grocery trip on the way to the park. Mousesavers should have a coupon/savings you can use, and more info if you are interested. I wish I could post the link for you. mousesavers.com. Hope this helps!

 

[adisneyfan2]

Actually almost any limo company will make a complimentary 30min grocery stop. You pass right by (at least) two big grocery stores from the airport to WDW. One of them is open 24h too, so even late arrival shouldn't be a problem.

Be sure to check out the ride "ratings" in the unofficial guide - they can be helpful for younger kids (for scare factor, motion, age appeal, etc.) Also, many of them list average wait times & when rides get crowded. It's helpful to be aware of some of the most popular attractions that you know your kids will want to ride, & either go on them or at least FP (FastPass) them first thing. What's nice about FPs first thing in the morning is you often get an instant time (no delay, or very short delay) before your FP time. Once that time arrives, you can FP something else. Since you get an hour window, you can hang onto the FPs, ride other stuff before the lines get long, then go back to the rides with the FPs & walk right on (or at least wait in the short FP line!) Another FP "trick" is once our time comes, if it's something the kids REALLY like (like Buzz), we grab new FPs before we go in with the current ones. (Since you can still wait 20-30 minutes even with a FP at some places.)

Like many before me have said, don't even try to do it all. Whatever you do will be great, so relax & enjoy being there. For whatever you don't get to, there's always next time!

 

[Minnie1156]

Get the kids a Pal Mickey when you get there. They are a lot of fun to use in the parks and he gives you some good info on the attractions and also the countries in Epcot. I do not have any small children and I had a ball wiht Pal Mickey. It is definitely worth the $50 to get it.

"What will be will be"

 

[coachlaura]

We have Mears transfers from the airport to wdw so I guess the grocery stop is out of the question. I just might have to pack an extra carryon loaded with snack foods for when the kids get the munchies in the room or to eat on the way to the parks. Just wish I could load up on sodas, milk, bread and some lunchmeat to help defray the cost of going out to eat.