May 2005 - First WDW Trip!!! (questions)

[Suivi]

Hello Everybody!

I'm a 21 year-old boy from Austria (not Australia! and I will go with a friend to Orlando in May 2005. This will be my first time at WDW (and USA as well). In the last weeks I tried to find information but there are still a lot of questions... especially there are not so many information in german. I think this board is very great but I wont be able to check all the tips for a WDW-Trip.


I just write down my plans and questions and I hope you excuse me that I don't open several different threads to the right Forum. Please excuse also my English. (it's not the best)

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when: May 2005
duration: about 2 weeks
what: the 4 disney parks, 2 disney waterparks, 2 universal parks, sea world and maybe busch gardens tampa bay.
accomodation: hopefully not to expensive. near the parks. maybe a "holiday inn", because my friend works in Austria at a partner-hotel and we will get a special employee-rate. which one? holiday inn international drive?


1) when?
When is the best time in may? I heard that students have holiday from May 17th. So, I think the first 2 weeks in May will be the best?!


2) rent-a-car or public transport?
differnt question... I heard of advantages and disadvantages of both. Is there always a additional fee for drivers under 25? What is about the busses early morning/evening (for example after firework or show)


3) tickets?
I think we will take a 4 or 5 days base ticket for disney + Magic Plus Pack = that means 4 or 5 days park and 3 days waterparks ->

For Universal we will take the 4 or 5 parks Flex Ticket.

Are the prices everywhere the same? Is it a good idea to book tickets online at the official WDW-Homepage?


4) which park/which day
Is it a good idea to take NOT the park which has the early entry at this day? I think so, because all the people at a disney-resort hotel will get into the park with early entrance, or not? Can I rely on early-entrance-information (which park/which day) on this website? Is there a general tip such as "do not go to Epcot on Thursdays".


5) shows/fireworks
I'm very looking forward to see the shows and parades especially wishes, IllumiNations, Fantasmic, Electric Light Parade.... Are they really EVERY day? If yes its great - if not I have a problem because I thought of taking not the additional "park-hopper" pack. Same question as before: Can I rely on "firework/show-times" on this website? (Not now for may, but a few weeks before my journey?)



I hope some of you can help me. It's not so easy here in Austria to get detailed information about the parks and everything.

With the right planning, I think I will have a magic-journey!

Thank you very, very much!
Best rgds,
Christian

 

[Wishing on a star]

Hello Christian!

We will also be there the first week of May.

First, remember that on May 5th is the opening of the big 'Happiest Celebration on Earth'! So, those days could be very busy/crowded...

Yes, starting the last week of May, this is when Schools are out for summer vacation... So, the parks are VERY busy from then thru August.

If you are concerned with crowds, that second week of May might be the best.

If you are very much wanting to see the parades and shows, you will want to go directly to Disney.com and look at the schedules for each Park for May. This schedule has not been posted yet. But, you will want to keep checking for when it is posted!

You have found one of the best places to help plan a trip to Disney! Also, I am signing up at Tourguidemike.com. His site is supposed to be excellent!

As far as which Holiday Inn... I would post that one question over on the other section about Orlando Hotels and Attractions. Somebody may have some advice. I would go to the main Holiday Inn web site (Holidayinn.com ????) Also, go to one of the big travel sites, like Travelocity, and you can search there to pull up all the Holiday Inn's in the area.

Good Luck planning your trip!

 

[civileng68]

Hi there!

And let me be one of the first to give an early "WELCOME TO AMERICA!"


I will answer SOME of what you asked.

About transportation, you may want a car, for that unexpected time you want to do something. Disney Transportation only takes you around the resort, and anything outside of the resort you'd have to take a bus or taxi. I like having the independence of a car.

About fireworks. The fireworks at Magic Kingdom and Epcot are every night! I think Fantasmic is every night, except on bad weather nights! Spectromagic is not on every night so check the scheduling.


I hope you have a great time! :jumping4:

 

[Suivi]

Thank you for your answer. So maybe I do the first week Disney and the second Universal. When exactly holiday will start in May? 17th or 23rd?

 

[suzkq]

Hi Christian -

You mentioned Holiday Inn - my family & I stayed at Holiday Inn Family Suites in 2001 and loved it. Since you will be traveling with a friend, you might be interested in something other than the kidsuites...they also have LARGE residential suites with a full kitchen (can certainly save $$ on food that way). Dib't know if they still do it, but when we were there the room price included an all-you-can eat breakfast as well, which added to the value. The prices are very reasonable to start with - add on the special rate your friend can get, and it gets even better. Their website is...

http://www.hifamilysuites.com/

As to the early entry and extra evening hours, I think we will be avoiding those parks when we go in March - I still haven't decided what is best.

Good luck with your planning & have a wonderful time!

 

[Suivi]

I just have a few new questions:

1) Where can I put my backpack during rollercoasters like Rock'n'Roller or Hulk?

2) Same question: backpack during waterrides? (cam shouldn't get wet)

3) This is will be my first time at WDW: Are 4 days park and 2 days waterparks enough? Or better 5 or 6 days park? which parks are great for a 2nd day? (Think I wont take the hopper package)

Have a nice day,
Christian

 

[Mortlives]

I just have a few new questions:

1) Where can I put my backpack during rollercoasters like Rock'n'Roller or Hulk?

2) Same question: backpack during waterrides? (cam shouldn't get wet)

3) This is will be my first time at WDW: Are 4 days park and 2 days waterparks enough? Or better 5 or 6 days park? which parks are great for a 2nd day? (Think I wont take the hopper package)

Have a nice day,
Christian

Welcome to the Dis, Christian!
1) There are lockers in the Disney Parks (for a fee), but you can generally jam your pack under your feet on WDW rides unless it's really big (not recommended anyway). At Universal, rides that require bag stowage have free limited-time lockers you store your backpack in.

2) There's a bin in the middle of the waterraft rides, but if you're really concerned, get a regular locker (locations are, I believe, on the park maps).

3) 5 or 6 days at least. Epcot is a 2-3 day park, and you might want to rethink hopping so you can have a clean-up day to catch things you missed.

Kungaloosh!
Morticia.

 

[ead79]

If your Disney tickets will be park hoppers, then I suggest that you visit more than one Disney park per day. It's fun to spend the morning at Magic Kingdom, then head over to Epcot for the evening. It breaks up the day nicely. I would allow 5-6 days to tour Disney's parks for sure. Have a wonderful time in America!

 

[Fla Gator]

I can give you a little info. about school holidays. My kids are in school here in Florida and I know a lot of schools in Florida, Georgia, & Alabama dismiss around May 17 but others are in session another week or so. Plus a lot of Florida schools were closed for hurricanes this fall and they may have to make those days up in May. I have been to Disney during this time before (and we are going May 20-26 this year) and the crowds are manageable, you'll need fast passes at a few rides but it's a good time to go. (However I don't know what the 50th Anniv. celebration that kicks off in May will do as far as crowds this year).

We were at Universal Studios last year during that week and there were lots of school groups there on field trips. It would have affected our wait times for rides had we not been staying at the Hard Rock Hotel and using the front-of-the-line pass.

Hope this helps and you enjoy your visit!

 

[Suivi]

Thank you Fla_Gator for your advices.

Last year Universal, was this the 3rd week in May? So maybe its better when I try to book the first two weeks in May. (First week Disney, 2nd Universal)

Greetings,
Christian

 

[Fla Gator]

We were at Universal from the end of the third week in May until the middle of the fourth (just prior to the Memorial Day holiday weekend). The tour groups started appearing at Universal during the last couple days of our trip. I think you would be okay at Disney or Universal the third week in May.