Help with trip planning

[EsmeraldaX]

Hello.

I am hoping someone can give me some advice on planning a trip to the Disney parks in early March of 2004. Here are my questions :

I am staying off site because I have access to a free Orlando condo . Does Disney offer any sort of meal plan for non resort guests?

What is parking like at the parks?

I have said condo for 7 days. I will be most likely getting another hotel in Orlando for a night too, because my boyfriend and I (the only two people going) want to see Universal and Sea World as well. Do you think we should do the 5 day park hopper pass or the 4 day?

How much does the Hoop Dee Doo show cost?

How much does the Luau cost?

How much is the average meal at the castle?

We don't eat much. We both have very small appetites and normally a small thing of chicken fingers is almost too much for us. With this in mind, how much can we expect to pay for fast food lunches each day?

Can non resort guests rent the boats they have at the various resorts?

Given our slight limitations on time, is Disney Quest worth it? We are both avid gamers and my boyfriend, although a 31 year old man, is obsessed with Pirates and I think he may want to play that pirate game.

How long do the lines run at Disney Quest if you don't get there first thing in the AM?

The last time I went was in early July 02. I was able to do most everything I wanted to do at the Animal Kingdom in less than 1 day. Is this normal?

Which park takes the longest?

Regarding Universal Orlando , Islands of Adventure and Seaworld :

Is it possible to do each of these places in one day? I recall doing so last time I was there. Last time was in early July 02 and I remember getting trhough Universal and Islands both in one day with time to spare because there were virtually no lines.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Thank you so much!

Sheri

 

[Cindy'sCastle]

Ok, let me see how much I can help you. I'm not sure about all the questions but here goes:

We stayed off site this time. I've never heard of any type of meal plans. We just ate a big breakfast before we went into the parks, took a lite snack, and went back to the room for lunch and a break around 2, then either ate supper at the parks usually unless we went back early that evening, then we ate back at the hotel. If eating cheap, we could eat on less than $10 per person, that's doing burgers & fries, turkey legs, etc. The burgers are big enough so if you both eat small portions, then you could probably share a meal.

I didn't have any problems with the parking, just remember what section & row you parked in. I just didn't like the parking staff at MGM, we seemed to always get an attitude from someone there. But did like to be able to come and go how we wanted to.

We always do 4 day Park Hopper, to be able to spend 2 days off site. It really depends on your time frame.

Never have been to Disney Quest but planning it on our next trip. I've heard it was worth the money.

We did AK less than a day, getting there before the park opens, around 45 min before.

Definitely Magic Kingdom is the longest!!! But can't pass it up.

We did US one day and IOA the next, but we're planning on combining them on our next trip. Might have to miss a few rides but I think it won't be a problem. I want to fit Seaworld in since I've never been.

Hope this helps, have a wonderful trip!



Cindy

 

[califred]

Hi, I want to know when your'e going.. we'll be there march 6-14 with 10 adults and 8 kids,

the HDDR is 49.01 which inlcudes tax and tips for adults adn for kids I cant' remember but if you click on the dining tab on the top of the first page here you'll be taken to info about every restaurant, etc and you can even see the menu and prices.

heres' the link http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining.htm


I've only ever been to Seaworld and yes we did it in a day.


Anna

 

[XStAnt]

I will try to help with some of these questions. But my first advice is to read through this website and these boards. It is full of info. Also check out www.wdwig.com for tons of info--menus of restaurants, descriptions of rides, etc. Most of your questions will be answered by these two sites. Also, check out www.mousesavers.com for info on how to save money at Disney (and Universal and Sea World). You've made a great start by coming here and asking questions.

Okay, here goes:

Originally posted by EsmeraldaX
Hello.

I am hoping someone can give me some advice on planning a trip to the Disney parks in early March of 2004. Here are my questions :

I am staying off site because I have access to a free Orlando condo . Does Disney offer any sort of meal plan for non resort guests?

There is no formal meal plan for off-site guests. I believe AK sells a meal voucher for counter service restaurants, but it's probably not a good idea if you're small eaters. I think it includes one entree, one small drink, box of popcorn or ice cream, and one bottle of water. Cost is $11.99/adult.

What is parking like at the parks?

Signs for the lots are clearly marked. Parking attendents will direct your car to the section being filled, and to the next available space. Remember your section and row. From there you either walk to the entrance or take a tram (at MK you park at TTC and walk or take a tram to the TTC and hop the monorail or ferry to MK).

I have said condo for 7 days. I will be most likely getting another hotel in Orlando for a night too, because my boyfriend and I (the only two people going) want to see Universal and Sea World as well. Do you think we should do the 5 day park hopper pass or the 4 day?

How many days are you planning for Disney parks? How many fir Universal? Are you doing PI or a Disney water park? If so, you should probably get a Park Hopper PLUS ticket. They only come with the 5 day or longer tix. But, Hoppers never expire and you can use unused days on later trips (even 20 years later).

If you're getting a hotel and planning on going to Universal you should consider one night at a Universal Hotel. Staying there gives you Front of the Line Access to all rides. You can do both US and IOA in 2 days that way (staying one night at a Universal hotel). Try getting an Entertainment Card rate (half off).

How much does the Hoop Dee Doo show cost?

Someone else already answered this.

How much does the Luau cost?

Check out www.wdwig.com

How much is the average meal at the castle?

I don't know the cost, but I believe it is a character meal. They start taking reservations 60 days in advance and the sell out in minutes.

We don't eat much. We both have very small appetites and normally a small thing of chicken fingers is almost too much for us. With this in mind, how much can we expect to pay for fast food lunches each day?

A typical counter service lunch will run about $7-10/person (rough estimate). However, I encourage you to try a sit down meal at one of the many wonderful restaurants. Epcot has some terrrific restaurants.

Can non resort guests rent the boats they have at the various resorts?

Sorry, I don't know the answer to this.

Given our slight limitations on time, is Disney Quest worth it? We are both avid gamers and my boyfriend, although a 31 year old man, is obsessed with Pirates and I think he may want to play that pirate game.

I've never been to DQ, but I hear it's absolutley fabulous, especially for someone like your boyfriend. See if you can find a few hours to get there, perhaps one evening.

How long do the lines run at Disney Quest if you don't get there first thing in the AM?

Can't help with this.

The last time I went was in early July 02. I was able to do most everything I wanted to do at the Animal Kingdom in less than 1 day. Is this normal?

Yes, it takes about 3/4 of a day to do it thouroughly and if you get there when it opens.

Which park takes the longest?

MK, because it has so many attractions that we are familiar with.

Regarding Universal Orlando , Islands of Adventure and Seaworld :

Is it possible to do each of these places in one day? I recall doing so last time I was there. Last time was in early July 02 and I remember getting trhough Universal and Islands both in one day with time to spare because there were virtually no lines.

You can do a great deal each day if the crowds aren't too bad and you get an early start. I recommend buying the Unoffivial Guide to Disney and use the US and IOA touring plans (and you can also use the Disney touring plans). Your other option to make sure you see all of US and IOA in one day each is to stay on site and take advantage of FOTL access.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Thank you so much!

Sheri

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask more questions as you plan.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Thank you everyone!!!

I got our official dates for the condo and as it turns out, we got the condo for the last week of February (the 21st-28th) and will probably stay for the 29th, leaving very late on the 29th.

It's good to know we can get cheap counter service. We're both relatively picky (read : boring) and light eaters and burgers suit us just fine. There are a few sit down meals I don't want to miss at the Sci Fi Dine In Theater and The Living Seas. Depending on how much extra money we have when we go , will depend on whether or not we have more sit downs. I am hoping we can have a sit down dinner every night, even if we only order chicken fingers or burgers.



I think I like the idea of being able to drive rather than waiting for busses too.

We discussed it more yesterday after we got the dates for the condo set and decided we will do the first 5 days at Disney , splitting one day between AK and renting a boat at one of the resorts if we're able to, and then hitting Disney Quest at night.

 

[Camping Griswalds]

I would do the four day hopper, you're adults and can handle the pace. In Feb there are virtually no lines so one day each park will be plenty with time to hop too. Example, Ak closes way earlier than Epcot. See all of AK and then hop on over to Epcot and ride Mission Space, Test track and see Illuminations. Or do Ak until close and then hop over and do Disney Quest. I think it dosen't close until midnight. We went with another couple and left kids at home for that one night. It was a blast. If you like arcade games and simulator rides, it is a must see in my opinion.
As for Sea World we always do everything in one day, and first time we went kids were 9 and 5, so you will definately be fine. We did Universal and Is of Adventure in one day. We did universal first, rode all of the biggies, and then went to Is of Adventure and rode everything. Including Hulk 4 or 5 times and that was with one of us alternating staying back with the five year old. Keep in mind too, that we rode all of the babie rides, which you may not do. The only thing we skipped in Universal was ET, which was a mistake, we literally meant to go back, and forgot. And in Is of Adventure we did not do the one big water flume ride dudleys falls or something like that, nor did we do Popeye. Remember we were there in Jan so it was about 67 and rainy the day we were there. I know we could have probably squeezed one in though because we did leave about a 1/2 hour before the park closed.


I guess if you go the seven days you could get each park in (4 at Disney, 1 day at Seaworld, 1 at Universal/Is of Adv, and slide in one day of rest) It would be a tough vacation, but I would love it if we didn't have the kids!!!