Just my 2 cents worth.....

[LouisaBean]

We have just returned from an amazing 3 1/2 weeks in America and thought I would give my thoughts on some of the things we did ... And if anyone has any questions please feel free to ask...

Highly recommend:
Magic Castle Hotel - Los Angeles
Hop on Hop off Starline bus tour LA
Sheraton Vistana Resort Orlando
Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani - savannah view - amazing
Bay Lake Tower - great location
Disney Fantasy Cruise - trip highlight
Hoop De Do Revue
Tomorrow land Dessert Party Magic Kingdom - best way to see wishes
Brown Derby at HS Fantasmic Package
Garden Grill at Epcot
Downtown Disney
Earl of Sandwich

Just one more thing - I did a lot of research before we went. I am not really a "planner" but I was so glad I did because for the most part everything we had prebooked or planned to do before we left was well worth it. I didn't have a plan for the Parka only a ADR at each Park and we just went with the flow each day. We didn't try and do it all, I just had an idea of a few things each park we wanted to do like at HS my son wanted to do the Jedi Training so we made sure he got to do that.

Happy Planning

 

[LizfromOz]

Wow! Looks like you had a fabulous time. We're heading back to the States next Sept, but this will be our first trip to WDW.

I like the way you booked your ADRs and then just went with the flow in the different parks, it makes it seem a bit less daunting to me now. It's so different to Disneyland where we just tend to plod along and enjoy ourselves.

We are planning on a few days in LA at the end our our trip and I have been reading Tripadvisor reviews on the Magic Castle Hotel. We have stayed down the street at the Orchid Suites a couple of times before and love the facilities and location but want to try something new. Think we'll go with the Magic Castle now.

Thanks for your 2 cents


Liz

 

[Tashinwdw]

lizfromoz sounds fantastic, your planning sounds similar to our strategy, and a lot on your list is what we have planned, I am glad you think they are worth it. We have a few ADRs planned but like you will be taking each park one day at a time.

quick question, one on our must do list is the dessert wishes, which looks so great, is there plenty of space for everyone to see the fireworks, or does it get crowded, just so I can warn DH.
Are you guys planning another trip in the future?

 

[marvel]

sounds like an awesome trip.

Any food highlights and disappointments?

I like to know what's not to miss, but also what isnt worth it, as there are so many choices.

What did you think of the Sheraton Vistana?

 

[zanzibar138]

Thanks for sharing Sounds like everything was amazing! I have a similar park touring style too (although I haven't been to WDW yet).

I would also be interested to know about anything that was a bit disappointing (if there was anything ).

 

[LouisaBean]

lizfromoz sounds fantastic, your planning sounds similar to our strategy, and a lot on your list is what we have planned, I am glad you think they are worth it. We have a few ADRs planned but like you will be taking each park one day at a time.

quick question, one on our must do list is the dessert wishes, which looks so great, is there plenty of space for everyone to see the fireworks, or does it get crowded, just so I can warn DH.
Are you guys planning another trip in the future?

Hi tashinwdw, the dessert party was so worth it,Great view really from anywhere you're seated, plenty of room we did not find it crowded at all, we had front row table to the side so no one stood if front of us although people stand at the fence you can still see over them. No trip in the near future of us but still looking maybe in a few years.

 

[LouisaBean]

Thanks for sharing Sounds like everything was amazing! I have a similar park touring style too (although I haven't been to WDW yet).

I would also be interested to know about anything that was a bit disappointing (if there was anything ).

Hi zanzibar138, to be honest there wasn't anything really disappointing, we went with the attitude that maybe some things wouldn't work out as planned and that was ok. The only thing I didn't really bargain on was how tired the kids would be, I don't think my son got over the time difference the whole time we were there! I'm not a big shopper so probably the most disappointing hang for me was the outlet stores in orlando but I have friends who rave about them so think it may have just been an off day

 

[LouisaBean]

sounds like an awesome trip.

Any food highlights and disappointments?

I like to know what's not to miss, but also what isnt worth it, as there are so many choices.

What did you think of the Sheraton Vistana?

Hi marvel, the Sheraton Vistana is beautiful, it is huge though and we got a bit lost on our first night, the rooms were very nice, we had a 2 bedroom, its location is great - so close to everything - we had a car and it was so easy to yet around. The pools are nice and they have a lot of activities running although we were out every day so didn't get to any off them - that's probably what I regret the most about our stay there was that we didn't really have a lot of time to really make the most of it.

I think food is very subjective and we are not really "foodies" as long it tastes good that's all we need! I will say "earl of sandwich" at downtown disney had the best sandwiches, so yummy. I loved the cob salad at brown derby, actually everyone enjoyed the food there even my fussy dd10. We didn't really enjoy the counter food in the parks - it was fairly average so having the ADRs booked for dinner each night was great as by then we were usually ready to sit and have a decent feed. Oh and at hoop de Doo the strawberry shortcake was amazing

 

[Tashinwdw]

Hi zanzibar138, to be honest there wasn't anything really disappointing, we went with the attitude that maybe some things wouldn't work out as planned and that was ok. The only thing I didn't really bargain on was how tired the kids would be, I don't think my son got over the time difference the whole time we were there!

We had the very same problem on our last trip, I knew it would be different going with children but I just presumed that they are kids, they have heaps of energy and they would be fine. It wasn't like I had lots of things booked in, we only had a few ADR and a few special events like African Trek, MNSSHP and the Pirates and pals cruise, other than that it was take each day as it came. But they still got so tired so easily and I was really frustrated as I had been there before and I new how much we were missing out on and didnt want them to miss any of the shows or rides that disney had to offer........silly me! I think it took nearly 2 weeks before they started to get over the time differences etc and by then we were in Las Vegas and it was time to head home. I also didnt think we would ever be going back, getting DH on a plane was a huge deal and this was our once in a life time trip, but as like others have found our once in a life time trip is turning into twice in a lifetime, and this time I am going with a very different attitude. If the kids or DH does not want to do something or wants to rest I am going to just go and do things by myself.
Silly me thought that because we are in the 'happiest place on earth' that my children would turn into angels, that didnt happen either, the 4 of them still fought with one another and grumbled about walking so far (but I have them in training for next year - hope that helps) whined about the heat.....I wanted to scream,did they not realise how lucky they were just being there!
All lessons learnt for the next trip.