Let's help this reporter relax at WDW!!

[riggins]

Hi guys-
As I was skimming my Charlotte Observer over lunch today, I came across this column- http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/living/9192036.htm

The writer is about to go to WDW and doesn't think he'll find any solitude or relaxation. And we all know that it is possible to have a pleasant and relaxing WDW vacation, even in July. So, I'm going to email him the link to this thread and hope you all will join me in sharing your favorite tips to find "some peaceful nook or cranny in over-commercialized, over-booked, over-hyped Orlando . . ." I think he's got the right attitude, he just needs our help with the details!! (Forgive his MGM/ET mix up- its been a few years).

I'll start:

- Use Fast Pass. Its free for everyone and it will save you from waiting in those hour long lines.

- Arrive at the parks at opening, leave at lunchtime to return to your hotel to swim or rest, return to the parks in the evening. You'll avoid the worst of the crowds and the heat.

-Pick up a copy of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. Pay special attention to the chapter on making the most of your time and money. Also, read about all the attractions at the parks you'll be visiting and decide the best way to avoid waiting in long lines for them.

I hit the basics, you guys share your favorite tips.

Thanks
Leslie
-

 

[mrp4352]

Take a mid-afternoon break by stopping at a sit-down restaurant and having desert! The Sci-Fi Drive Inn restaurant is especially good for this!

Go play putt-putt. The courses are fun and it gets you out from the crowds for a little while.

Ride the Train for the "Grand Circle Tour" of the Magic Kingdom.

Grab a Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Bar (eat the ears first, of course) and settle in to watch: the dancing fountain in Epcot for one of the shows; the kids playing in the Toontown Fair playground; or watch the Streetmosphere characters at MGM Studios.

Ride the bus to Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and go explore the savanah.

Most importantly, remember - Disney World will be there for a long time. If you don't see it all this time, that's fine - it'll be there next time you go!

Michelle

(PS - Hug Mickey for me!! Tell him I'll see him next month!)

 

[lentesta]

Hey, he's only 90 minutes from me. Maybe I should call.

Len

 

[Kimberle]

Stay on site. Let WDW do your driving for you.

 

[InstImpres]

One of my favorite parts at MK or Epcot, is after closing. Take your time strolling fown a quiet main street or around the world showcase.

 

[ValerieK]

Originally posted by lentesta
Hey, he's only 90 minutes from me. Maybe I should call.

Len

LOL That's great, Len. Give him a call.

 

[wickey's friend]

While at AK, get lunch at the Flame Tree BBQ and sit back in the shaded seating section away from the walkway. It's so quiet and peaceful in there! Food's great too!

Take time to just sit and watch the other folks go by. We did that in December at Epcot. It was fun to see all the families and groups walk by -- catch parts of their conversations, see the pictures they were taking. It's also a great time to eat a Mickey Ice Cream Bar too.

Don't forget to take a break and watch Off Kilter in Epcot as well. The are very entertaining, and it's nice to sit down for awhile after walking around so much.

There's so much more -- but the main thing is to remember that you don't HAVE to do it all this trip. You can always go back!

P.S. Len -- I think he needs that call from you!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

If you can, rent a car. Not having to wait for , or ride in crowded busses makes your rides to and from the parks a lot nicer!

 

[OhMari]

I just read his article, and I think he got Universal mixed up with MGM. He stated he went on ET when it rained. (Someone should correct him).

 

[susy]

Len, definitely call him!!!

I have a few pieces of advice:

#1 FIRST and FOREMOST-this is vital. Your trip depends on it. The number one thing I tell everyone planning a trip to WDW-DO NOT TRY TO GET YOUR MONEY'S WORTH. It cannot happen. Go,spend, and enjoy...

#2-I found the spot to relax (in a lounge chair with a drink) where your kids will not be bored and it's called Stormalong Bay (at the Yacht and Beach Club resort). I actually saw a mom trying to convince her kids to leave the pool to go to the Magic Kingdom-they weren't biting...

#3-Get to the parks early, stay for a few hours and leave. It's that simple. Why do people torture themselves??

#4- It's your attitude. If you must see every attraction, every parade, every show, you'll be miserable. Sit in a lounge and enjoy some down time. Relax in the hot tub. We had a great time in the afternoons in our room a the BC watching new DVD's.

 

[lentesta]

Thanks Susy. I've left Eric a message. He's about 90 minutes from where I live. I'll let you know what he says. I think he meant to say Universal, not MGM, too.

Another surprising article (which my friends are still sending me, thanks) was yesterday's USA Today, talking about how theme parks such as Six Flags allow guests front of the line access for a fee. No mention of the need for a touring plan or guidebook. Sheesh!


Len

 

[ValerieK]

Originally posted by lentesta
Another surprising article (which my friends are still sending me, thanks) was yesterday's USA Today, talking about how theme parks such as Six Flags allow guests front of the line access for a fee. No mention of the need for a touring plan or guidebook. Sheesh!


Len

Oh my Gosh Len, no touring plan or guide book, that is blasphemy! We can't have that.

 

[mmeb144]

Definitely stay on-site! The Wilderness Lodge is totally awesome! You are still close to the action, but far enough away to relax. The hot tubs are nice, and the pools will be enjoyed by the little ones. Make sure to spend some time in whatever resort you decide to enjoy.

Also, I want to chime in on the other suggestion about stopping to enjoy peoplewatching in the parks. That can be a fun pasttime. It's what vacationing is all about. You get a chance to meet new people, and eat a snack at the same time.

Be crazy, ride the monorail around a few times without getting off!

Marie

 

[SamanthaL]

Enter the World Showcase in Epcot through the International Gateway before World Showcase actually opens. I love to stroll around and look at the flowers and take pictures outside the countries with no one else around!

Oh and stay on site!

 

[NotUrsula]

Wear good shoes; I especially recommend quality waterproof sport sandals for the whole family. Nothing will set you up for WDW stress like foot problems.

Don't eat very much counter-service food. WDW has some *wonderful* restaurants; take advantage of them for both the food and the break from the theme-park atmosphere. The portions are huge at many of them, you can even share.
If your kids are old enough (4 or older), take them to a kid's club and go have a great adult evening out.

Hang out at the Y/B club in the evening. Get boat drinks from Stormalong Bay's pool bar, then sit in beach chairs and let the kids play in the sand. The music from Jelly Rolls and AD wafts over the water, and the lights of the Boardwalk reflect on the lake. Wonderful.

Oh, one more thing for ANY trip w/ kids. Set a reasonable (that means not too generous) treat/souvenir budget for each of them before leaving home, and give them scrip if you don't trust them not to lose the money. Let them buy whatever they want, but once the money is gone, it's gone; no arguments. Also, DON'T carry purchases around the parks; have them held at the gate or sent to the resort.

 

[ValerieK]

Going to Tom Sawyer Island is a relaxing break. My kids love the Fort area! They have rocking chairs inside the fort and on the dock to sit in and relax.

Also, my favorite realaxing spot is a 3rd floor balcony in the Hawaii buiding at the Polynesian. Sitting there in the AM watching the "world" wake up with a cup of coffee from the Concierge lounge. And also in the evening after a long day at the parks with a glass of wine watching the castle change colors.

 

[Micca]

I agree that some late night hours can be nice--way after the sun goes down and the temps cool off. The lounge at AKL is very nice, dark and subdued as is the WL lounge. The sushi place at the Japan pavilion in Epcot is cool too. Did I mention the bar at Wolfgang Puck's at DTD?

 

[JulieWent]

Go to Typhoon Lagoon and just find a shady spot while the kids enjoy the surf pool (provided the kids are teen agers).

Take a walk on the BoardWalk in the evening. Eat dinner at Spoodles or Flying Fish Cafe. Watch a little bit of Illuminations from the benches on the BoardWalk after dinner.

Go to Disney Quest in the late afternoon (around 4:00) on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Enjoy playing old video games until you just can't play another round of PacMan or Joust.

Go to the Living Seas in Epcot. Watching the aquarium always relaxes me.

Take a tour in Living with the Land in Epcot. A very adult thing to do, but quiet and relaxing.

Julie

 

[Nickunited]

Here is a little advice for him. You are spending a quality vacation with your family. There might be a lot of walking and purchasing of kinck nacks but is there a price on a "Family Vacation" - And I dont even have a family!

Disney is only tiring if you make it tiring. If you go to enjoy it - you will find that while there is a lot of walking - it can be very relaxing. Why? Because when you look around you see Thousands of people smiling, laughing, acting like children. Very relaxed environment!

 

[MsLeFever]

Visit the Adventurers Club at PI! Great fun and relaxation at once!

Barbara