Must Do's at Walt Disney World?

[gypsydoodlebug]

We ALWAYS start our trip with an 8:xx ADR at the Crystal Palace on the first full day. Just starts us off right.

Also, DH sat in the car last year at POR while I checked in (DD was alseep), then we drove around to the room. He said he never really got that feeling of arrival. He says from now on he wants to come in with me.

 

[Donald is #1]

My daughter and I are going in 6 days. she says she's going to leave her "kool side" at home (she's 13) and have the best time ever.
we're hitting every park, including universal. This is her 3rd trip, my 7th.
Our last trip was in 05'. We never saw any of the live musical shows before because she never wanted to, but now she does. any suggestions??

Definitely do the Lion King at AK and Beauty and the Beast at Hollywood Studios (do we have an abreviation for this yet?).

I also thought that the Nemo show at AK was good but I liked the 2 I mentioned above better.

I thought that the Little Mermaid show was just ok.

 

[CHEK]

We love Fantasmic , Festival of the Lion King, Mickey's Phillarmagic, oh we love everything ...... , and if you want to eat off site try Bahama Breeze

 

[fireman1]

thanx. we'll check them out. I have saw B & the B live, but it was back in 92'.

 

[MrsV28]

I love to start with a good breakfast/brunch. My favorites are Kona Cafe at the Polynesian and Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge. MK: Crystal Palace is a fun character breakfast for all ages. I loved dinner at Tony's Italian Rest and I agree about the Dole Whips we never miss them! Don't miss SpectroMagic or Wishes and soak in the atmosphere of each land. DHS (aka MGM): Sci-Fi and Prime Time are fun places to eat - food is ok, Rockin Rollercoaster is my favorite ride, I love the Beauty and the Beast PreShow, Star Tours, Muppetvision 3D. AK The Safari, Lion King Show, Kali River Rapids and Primevil Whirl top our list. Epcot: Soarin tops my list - the kids add Mission Space, and Test Track of course Illuminations. I use 2 days at epcot and take my time! Enjoy the resorts. I Love DTD do much too see and do all over the World - enjoy

 

[harmonium]

My DH and I are also going for the first time in May. Is this different than the Safari ride at AK? That just sounds so neat to see the animals through night vision goggles.
Thanks.

We have been on the Sunrise and the Sunset Safaris at AKL and they are both awesome.

The Sunrise is the same route as the Safari at AK, but it lasts an hour and you can ask the driver to stop or stay longer at any location. You get more time to view and more information with this safari and at the end there is a breakfast included.
http://allearsnet.com/acc/faq_aksunrise.htm

The Sunset Safari takes you around the AKL Safaris. There you get really close to the animals, a Safari-like picnic snack, and a dinner-tasting at Jiko.
http://allearsnet.com/acc/faq_aklsunset.htm


The night-vision is available at the AKL at 9:30pm in an area by the resort pool. It is not part of the Safari.

 

[minniekissedme]

Kona Cafe in the Polynesian for dinner...was my fav on the last trip two weeks ago.
If you have time in Hollywood Studios...it's fun to catch some of the "street acts" patroling thru the course of the day. Some of the stuff is pretty funny and it's a nice way to catch your breath and be entertained. My kids bust a gut when we see these.
If they have it and I'd never seen it before until this trip...there's a double decker bus just inside MK that leaves from the circle, drives up Main Street to the castle and back. It's a blast cruising Main Street like your in your own parade!!
I'm also partial to the train in MK...my home park, Kennywood, has a train and it was always the last ride of the nite.
If you're into virtual stuff and video games, Disney Quest is pretty cool, too.

Have fun.

 

[Dream Flower]

Other than rides -which the majority of people, myself included, like the thrill one's the best- (FastPass everything you can!) here are a few of my tips that I can think of right now:

If you buy things in the parks definitely have them sent to your resort room or at least to the front of the park for you to pick up on your way out. It is so easy to do.

Character meals really are so much fun for all ages and they have a nice variety of food. My fav's are MK's Liberty Tree Tavern, Contempory's Chef Mickey's, and the one in Norway at Epcot (Princess). It also saves you the time and hassle of trying to meet characters in other places.

Don't skip the shows. They give a nice break from walking and rides and are great. My absolute favorite is Festival of the Lion King at DAK. Just be careful where you sit or you can be a chosen one (sorry Dad!)!! The Nemo one is okay to, but I liked Tarzan so much better. Epcot has lots of smaller scale shows in the countries tucked away. The train at MK is also a nice way to take a break.

It is really fun to sit in the front car of a Monorail train. Just ask nicely and you may be able to do this.

The parades and night shows are excellent. Try to schedule your days so that you can see each one if possible. Don't miss Fantasmic! or well any of them lol.

If you only have half a day then go to Downtown Disney and the West Side. There is lots to see/do there like DisneyQuest, shopping, movies, lots to eat, and boat rentals (the water mice are so much fun!). The Boardwalk also has many fun places and activities to see, not just at night. Of course the water parks are lots of fun too (I like Blizzard Beach better for the rides).

Most of all, enjoy every minute of it but don't stress. What you can't get to this trip will most likely be there next time


Have Fun!!!

 

[Reese]

Our favorite things have to be the Lion King show in AK. Beauty and the Beast, if it's not too sunny or raining sit in the high bleachers at the back, it's a great view. Mk has to be sit and wait for a parade with Casey's hot dogs (complete with saurkraut and onions ). In Epcot we like to send email postcards to family and friends. Also munching around the world is fun.

 

[t_catt11]

Lots of good ones in this thread. Make sure you do Festival of the Lion King in Animal Kingdom. Fantasmic (at Holllywood Studios) is another must see, no doubt.

If you have kids, I HIGHLY recommend eating at Whispering Canyon at Wilderness Lodge. Great food, and a hugely fun time - adults on stick horses, attention called to folks who may or may not like it, lots of laughs.

 

[Home@WL]

Be sure to see the Dapper Dans, the barbershop quartet of WDW. They perform daily on Main Street at the MK.

 

[wezee]

At WS the "fab four" (Beatles copycats) are very entertaining..they are located at the England back courtyard. Also we love to check out the performers next to the Dawa Bar at the AK.

 

[Pinky166]

Be sure to see the Dapper Dans, the barbershop quartet of WDW. They perform daily on Main Street at the MK.

Hi Ian. Do they perform at specific times during the day or do they just appear every now and again? Are they listed on the park map?

Whereabouts do they stand on Main Street? Thanks in advance.....

 

[jessirae]

I have to 2nd that...the "fab four" are great! If you close your eyes, you would swear the Beatles were playing...I always enjoy grabbing a beer and catching their show ...I don't know what times they play, but there is ususally a sign telling you the next showing.

Enjoy!

 

[Home@WL]

Hi Ian. Do they perform at specific times during the day or do they just appear every now and again? Are they listed on the park map?

Whereabouts do they stand on Main Street? Thanks in advance.....

I'm pretty sure they perform every day, but it may not be at a specific time. I don't believe it's listed on the map, but there should be a sign somewhere, as Jessirae said. I don't know exactly where on Main Street, but I'm assuming near the barbershop (sometimes they actually perform in the barbershop).

Hope this helps!

 

[cindyfan]

fireman1....... If you are taking your DD13, here some suggestions for you too...
These are some of my DD16 and my favorite things!

Make sure to see "Mulch, Sweat and Shears" at DHS... they usually play on Streets of America, near LMA stunt show. LOTS of fun!!

The 3 big evening shows... Fantasmic, Wishes and Illuminations....

Indiana Jones at DHS..... my DD didn't care for LMA.

The safari and Festival of the Lion King at AK

At Epcot.... the Taiko Drummers are really cool to watch! along with seeing the "British Invasion" at the UK. .... actually all the street shows around World showcase are great! My DD loved all these too.

At MK....Check to see if there are any shows at the Galaxy Theatre (in Tomorrowland).... we've seen some great shows there! Also.... if you have a marching band geek in your family (like I do)....or someone from the armed services...... watch the Flag retreat at 5pm in front of the train station!

And watch out for the Woody's Round Up show on the walkway to Frontierland.... it was so much fun!!! They dance in the streets and pull in the audience!!

Then of course there are all the Big rides that are must sees.... as listed in a lot of the previous posts!

hope you have a GREAT TIME!!!