Just got back - a few tips

[Ric]

Just a few tips from our recent trip...

1) Rainforest Cafe at Downtown Disney - if you don't want to wait hours for a table and you're not fussed about eating outside then go round to the terrace at the back. We did this on two occasions and got tables in less than ten minutes. The wait for inside was 1hr 45mins! If you time it right you also get to see some fireworks across the lake.

2) Online check-in - if you want to check-in online for your return flight and you're staying in a Disney resort, the reception will perform the check-in for you.

3) If you do Discovery Cove you're allowed to take their snorkels home. We only discovered this when asking whether we could buy some!

4) If you're going to get stuck on one of the rides, make sure it's not in the cold chamber of Test Track. It really is very cold in there.

 

[jockey]

Hi Ric, thanks for the tips how was the weather and crowd levels?

 

[Minniespal]

Thanx for the tips

 

[Pootle]

Thanks. Tip number 2 was especially useful

Jockey: In case Ric doesn't see your question, I'm just back too (well Saturday) and the weather was very good for all but one day, and even that wasn't that bad by Florida standards. I've been visiting at this time of year for the last 9 years and it's generally great weather with lots of sun and no/low humidity. This time I'd say the temps were a bit cooler than usual - ie mid to high 70's during the day but chilly most mornings and evenings (only a light fleece or similar required).

I was in the parks for 7 days total and attendance was lowish - rode Soarin' twice in a row without bothering with a Fastpass for instance.

All in all, a great time to visit - similar weather to Easter but without the crowds

 

[bazzanoid]

4) If you're going to get stuck on one of the rides, make sure it's not in the cold chamber of Test Track. It really is very cold in there.

I would say the opposite - don't get stuck in the heat chamber!!!!

mind you, not as hot as getting stuck in the hellfire segment on Valhalla at Blackpool Pleasure Beach...

 

[angel659]

I would say the opposite - don't get stuck in the heat chamber!!!!

Totally agree. We broke down outside on the last track. Apparrently our car was the problem. So they asked us to get off when we got back to the loading area and was put in another car. People who were waiting didnt look too pleased. All we were saying whilst being broken down on the top was I am pleased it was here and not the heat chamber. I hope they turn it off.

 

[Ric]

@jockey - the weather was fabulous. Only one morning of rain so we went to the mall. On a couple of occasions we needed another layer in the morning or at night. All the pools at CBR seem to be heated - the kids were in there for ages at night. Crowd levels were generally low. It definitely got busier at weekends but even then it was fine. To give you some idea we used to fast-pass if the queue was over 20 mins. The most I saw was 50 mins I think. If you're in resort and take advantage of the Early Magic Hours you'll reap the rewards. We walked straight onto Everest three times in a row one morning. Even arriving when the parks open to the public you'd get straight onto most things for a surprisingly long time. As for outside Disney, we easily did Universal and Islands of Adventure in one day. Universal was virtually deserted in places. Islands was busier but still not much waiting at all. I think October is a superb time to go.

Another tip - don't believe the standby times. It is always worth asking at the gate whether it's really 30 mins. Some rides we did (e.g. Dinosaur) said 20 mins standby and it was virtually walk-on.

 

[martinrmn]

Thanks for the tips Ric. I was wondering if the on-line check in is for all flights? We are travelling with TCD and are staying at AKL for the last 3 nights. If we can check in on line does this mean we have a little more time in the parks?

 

[Girlsontour]

Thanks for the tips Ric. I was wondering if the on-line check in is for all flights? We are travelling with TCD and are staying at AKL for the last 3 nights. If we can check in on line does this mean we have a little more time in the parks?

I am also wondering about the extra time (however mine will be for sunbathing!!). We have never asked to use the check-in on line on the way home......wonder if anyone has done it from the HRH??

 

[Ric]

If TCD have online checkin then you'll be able to do it. The fact that we were flying Virgin is irrelevant. The receptionist just went to Virgin's web site and I talked her through it. She had done it for many other airlines in the past. Usually the fact that you've checked-in online means that you just have to drop your bags at the bag drop. It also means there's less chance of you losing your seat reservations for 'operational reasons'. On our outward journey we discovered our seat choices had changed. By checking-in online early we were able to choose our original seats again. If we'd waited until we reached Gatwick I suspect we would have got a nasty surprise!

 

[jockey]

Thanks. Tip number 2 was especially useful

Jockey: In case Ric doesn't see your question, I'm just back too (well Saturday) and the weather was very good for all but one day, and even that wasn't that bad by Florida standards. I've been visiting at this time of year for the last 9 years and it's generally great weather with lots of sun and no/low humidity. This time I'd say the temps were a bit cooler than usual - ie mid to high 70's during the day but chilly most mornings and evenings (only a light fleece or similar required).

I was in the parks for 7 days total and attendance was lowish - rode Soarin' twice in a row without bothering with a Fastpass for instance.

All in all, a great time to visit - similar weather to Easter but without the crowds

Thanks!

 

[jockey]

@jockey - the weather was fabulous. Only one morning of rain so we went to the mall. On a couple of occasions we needed another layer in the morning or at night. All the pools at CBR seem to be heated - the kids were in there for ages at night. Crowd levels were generally low. It definitely got busier at weekends but even then it was fine. To give you some idea we used to fast-pass if the queue was over 20 mins. The most I saw was 50 mins I think. If you're in resort and take advantage of the Early Magic Hours you'll reap the rewards. We walked straight onto Everest three times in a row one morning. Even arriving when the parks open to the public you'd get straight onto most things for a surprisingly long time. As for outside Disney, we easily did Universal and Islands of Adventure in one day. Universal was virtually deserted in places. Islands was busier but still not much waiting at all. I think October is a superb time to go.

Another tip - don't believe the standby times. It is always worth asking at the gate whether it's really 30 mins. Some rides we did (e.g. Dinosaur) said 20 mins standby and it was virtually walk-on.

Ric, thanks a lot!

 

[alfredromero1975]

4) If you're going to get stuck on one of the rides, make sure it's not in the cold chamber of Test Track. It really is very cold in there.

LOL

 

[Bexx]

2) Online check-in - if you want to check-in online for your return flight and you're staying in a Disney resort, the reception will perform the check-in for you.

That is fantastic news Did you know they would do it beforehand, or did you find out by accident?! Do you think they would mind doing it for a booking of seven people?!!

 

[Ric]

Bexx - I found out by accident really. All the rooms at CBR have high-speed internet...but I didn't have my laptop with me. I was keen to do an online check-in since we'd had a few problems on the way out and nearly lost our seat preferences. I asked at reception how I could get access to the internet and during this debate I was told that they'd happily do it for me. In fact they said they do it all the time (usually to print boarding cards). At one point the duty manager also said that if the process was less than straightforward then we could use the manager's office. They really were extremely helpful.

Are you flying Virgin ? If so, all the passenger details will be already be in the system so the size of your party is irrelevant.

 

[Bexx]

Are you flying Virgin ? If so, all the passenger details will be already be in the system so the size of your party is irrelevant.

Yes, and will (hopefully!) be doing online check-in for the journey out. I was just worried that all the passport numbers etc would be a lot of information for them to type in- and so take up too much of their time!! But if they don't mind.......

I can't tell you how grateful I am for this information

 

[Ric]

Yes - I was concerned about that too but, as I said, they would have taken me aside to go through it all if necessary. I would definitely do an online checkin on the way out because that will ensure that you've supplied all the necessary information already. On the return checkin it should just be a case of confirming everything. The only missing piece of info that the receptionist had to enter was my email address. After that it was just a couple of clicks. Have you supplied your Advance Passenger Info to Virgin online (i.e. details of where you are staying etc.) ?

 

[Bexx]

Wouldn't the email address be a bit useless?!!

Have you supplied your Advance Passenger Info to Virgin online (i.e. details of where you are staying etc.) ?

I'm not actually going for a while, but amongst my pre planning, this is something I've been trying to find a solution to for a while!!

 

[Ric]

Wouldn't the email address be a bit useless?!!

It's a mandatory field...so you have to supply it to continue with the check-in.

For information, the only other way to get access to the internet at DisneyWorld is to go to one of the computer suites in the business areas (e.g. Boardwalk). Unfortunately these had limited operating hours when we were there (October/November)...so they all closed at 4pm!

 

[Bexx]

For information, the only other way to get access to the internet at DisneyWorld is to go to one of the computer suites in the business areas (e.g. Boardwalk). Unfortunately these had limited operating hours when we were there (October/November)...so they all closed at 4pm!

Yep, I looked into all that last time Even if it did work out, it would still be a bit of a pain to head over to another resort just to check in! Strolling up to reception sounds so much better!!

Thanks again