My Disney holiday plan - what you think ?

[Garyjames220]

Agghhh don't no what to do now lol

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Mind, I'm jaded.

Another thought for someone about your age....Orlando has more than theme parks. If you like fine dining and nightlife activities, then there's much to explore along those lines in the area.

If you have a car, and want a vacation of that length, FL has many amazing beaches! Drive east an hour for the Atlantic Coast (big waves) , 90 min west for Tampa/St Pete's and mild waves.

FL is also home to lots of amazing (National) parks, gardens, and interesting history. St. Augustine is just two hours away to learn about FL's Spanish past. Daytona is an hour. The Everglades/Ft Lauderdale a re more like 3-4hours, but also kind of within day trip range. (We usually do split stays if we go that far: less driving and costs less.) Daytona has an Hampton Inn that is right on the beach w/breakfast and beautiful views, and often reasonable rates. There's also the Space Coast/NASA center.

While maybe not worthy of a full day...within WDW, it is easy enough to spend time touring the WDW resorts. The Boardwalk area is a great area to spend an evening.

Though much of WDW is heavy on cheese and bacon, the higher end places do offer more elegant meals. You use the word partner to refer to your travel companion, which is slightly open ended. Disney World and US hotels, and the Orlando area offer a number of elegant romantic dining options where say, and nice dinner could take up a full evening. You can easily make a whole night of dressing for, and dining at California Grill + plus sticking around for fireworks viewing. (the meal alone takes at least two hours).

On our last trip, we stayed at the MCO Hyatt our first night, had a great meal at McCoy's. On our last day, we ate an offsite Mexican place. It cost half as much as the TS lunch in MK, we had more food, and way better quality. the MK waitperson was pretty nice, but so were the offsite waitstaff. Over at US, Mythos is pretty good, so are the Potter themed food options. the sushi we ate in the lobby of Royal Pacific was also very fresh and delicious. Then again, if you want inexpensive food, Citywalk has a number of fast food options that aren't too bad. If you want healthy food, Near US is a Whole Foods. Pricey, but we eat there to detox. Whole Foods has large prepared foods bars (by the pound) , soups, seafood, bakery, fresh juice bar, etc.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

It sounds like you'll have a car. Now we know FL rather well, but when we travel some place we've never been, what we do is allow ourselves at least one day that is completely open ended. With a car, you can just have fun exploring the area. There is no shortage of guide books and free flyers for things to do in the MCO area. Heck, the airport itself has a small mall!

Orlando also has tons of shopping options. I'm not trying to overwhelm you, I'm just saying that with a vacation of that length, you can easily afford to have a few open ended days.

 

[BrianL]

Agghhh don't no what to do now lol

Don't worry about it too much. You are going to have a GREAT time regardless of what you decide on. Your original plan is still good. If you are going in mid-October or Early December then the crowds should be moderately low. I think 2 days at Uni is plenty.

What is ADRs

Well I will go on any ride as long as it doesn't go up side down

ADR are Advance Dining Reservations...just dinner reservation. Bear in mind that some venues are Disney are very hard to get, even at 180 days out (Be Our Guest, Cinderalla's Royal Table). Universal is much easier to get reservations. They don't take them until much closer to the date. I do recommend Mythos at Islands of Adventure (and that's probably the only one you'd even need a reservation for).

Well, Disney has you covered there. Only Aerosmith Rockin' Roller Coaster (DHS) goes upside down. Everything else is tame. At Universal, Hulk, Dragon Challenge, and Rip-Ride Rock-It all go upside down. Everything else is safe for you there (though Rip-Ride is a BLAST!). I can't speak for Sea-World or the other parks on that.

 

[Garyjames220]

I mean how bad are these upside down rides compared to the mummy cos that's as far as I went last time lol

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I wouldn't do 10 days in the WDW parks. 6 to 8 days max. 2 MK, 2 EP, 1 DHS, 1 AK, maybe 1 or 2 days to re-visit. We like the Disney water parks, particularly Blizzard Beach with a stop at Winter/Summerland mini golf. Yes, you can do US in two days. Can't comment on SeaWorld or Discovery Cove, but I can tell you that Busch Gardens is not worth the drive to Tampa. There is PLENTY to do in the Orlando area.

 

[BrianL]

I mean how bad are these upside down rides compared to the mummy cos that's as far as I went last time lol

Well, The Mummy doesn't go upside down at all, so if it's just inversions you are worried about, then they're all worse. Honestly, I think Aerosmith is quite similar to The Mummy. It's fast, smooth, all indoors with no major drops, just corkscrews. I mean, it goes upside down, but you'd barely know it.

Hulk and Dragon Challenge are similar. Dragon is a hanging coaster, where your feet dangle. Both are outside and the inversions are noticeable. Rip-Ride is the most extreme, featuring a nearly 90 degree drop. None of this stuff really compares to the "mega coasters" that some parks boast, but it's all in the eye of the beholder.

 

[mshanson3121]

Agghhh don't no what to do now lol

I think the biggest thing is to choose when you want to go, first. IMO - I'd do October. You're guaranteed pool weather (which you're not in December). Depending on when you go in October, you may be able to do the Halloween party.

Also - what is your goal for this trip? Is it strictly rides and shows? Or do you want some local sight seeing too?

Next - you are NOT (please repeat this several times), going to come close to seeing and doing everything. You just can't. Florida is FULL of amazing parks and things to do. You cannot see and do them all in 15 days. So you might as well make up your mind to so some of them now, and then some the next time you go (which means, plan on going another time). Decide which ones are most important to you.

How set are you on staying ON Disney property? The point that a PP made about Disney/theme park food wearing thin after awhile is really legit. If you're not married to the idea of a Disney resort, consider renting a house/condo. You can save yourself a TONNE of money. You could even do a split stay - stay a few nights on Disney property and the rest off.

The perks of off-site: it's more relaxing. It gives you more of a "home" feel, which tends to be more restful than a single hotel room with few conveniences. It gives you guys more space - both physical and personal space. Many times you can find houses with your own private pool... which really, that perk speaks for itself. My husband still talks about the night we went swimming at 2 am. It was great But seriously, being able to open our living room door and jump into our own 24' pool whenever we wanted was soooo nice and SO much more relaxing than a resort pool that you have to walk and/or drive to, that's crowded, noisy etc... Not to mention a midnight swim in the moonlight is pretty romantic But then the big perk (and the huge money saving perk) is that you can cook your own meals whenever you want. I don't care how good the food is - eating out gets tiring after awhile, and also can be hard on the stomach. Also, on a 15 day trip, it's nice to have your own laundry, right there, rather than having to deal with laundromats (even hotel ones) etc... Also, off-site can be just as quick shuttle-wise (depending on where you stay) since you don't have to wait for the bus/monorail etc... to arrive, to make other stops etc.. You can just jump in your car and go. So, that might be something you want to consider.

So.. there's a lot to consider. For shows, also consider La Nouba at Downtown Disney and Hoop Dee Doo Revue at Fort Wilderness. HDDR is excellent.

 

[Garyjames220]

Mybe I'll be brave and do Aerosmith lol

Must say I loved the mummy once I got of it. Mind u my eyes were watering lol

 

[Garyjames220]

Well we are really set or staying at a Disney hotel

But having your own pool sounds good to lol

 

[Garyjames220]

If we done a Disney hotel that is the next question. What one

The springs. The Mexican themed one look good or carribean, Dolphins one

Or if we saved that bit more might be able to do animal lodges. Not to sure what that would be like

Any advice ?

 

[BrianL]

If we done a Disney hotel that is the next question. What one

The springs. The Mexican themed one look good or carribean, Dolphins one

Or if we saved that bit more might be able to do animal lodges. Not to sure what that would be like

Any advice ?

This really depends on your budget. Animal Kingdom Lodge is a Deluxe and one of the more expensive, but it has it's own savannah to watch animals in. I have never stayed there but I hear it is quite amazing.

Barring that, if you are looking at a Moderate level resort, Coronado Springs and Port Orleans Riverside or French Quarter are all nice. I have stayed at Coronado ("the Mexican one") and Riverside. They have good locations with good access to transportation, though they both have multiple bus stops within their properties. Riverside shares with French Quarter I think, but it's been a while so I'm not sure. If you have a car, this is all academic.

You might consider staying at Disney then moving to the Universal area once you start there. They're not that far apart, but not that close either. If you don't have a car, getting to Uni from Disney can be a pain.

 

[Garyjames220]

Well if we done animal kingdom we wouldn't be able to afford the Savannah view

What one would u go for

I'd like to no a bit more about the animal kingdom one

Also if am staying at a Disney hotel what is the best way to universal if I don't drive when am there

 

[BrianL]

Well, you can always go look at the savannah even if it's not your room view. They even let you rent night vision goggles form what I hear.

Honestly, I really like Port Orleans Riverside, but my go-to is actually Pop Century. It's a value, but the location and the fact that it does not share busses is a real plus. I do not know that I would want to spend 15 days in that environment...it's kinda busy and gaudy (purposefully). I use it for shorter trips.

Honestly, getting to Uni would likely be easiest using Uber. There are shuttle services that you have to book in advance. Figure if you Uber over, it might be a tad more expensive, but you wouldn't be paying the $18 parking fee at Uni. I don't really know what a round trip on Uber would cost, but I wouldn't think it would be too bad.

 

[serene56]

The first big thing that is missing - is a BREAK. Seriously - this is a killer schedule. Take a couple days off, Disney is exhausting. That's the beauty of long vacations is that you don't have to do a killer pace, you can take a break. I would do something more along the lines of 1 day SW, 1 day at water park, 2 days at US and 7-8 days at Disney - this would give you 3 MK, 2 EP, 1 AK, 1 HS, and a possibly a free day to back and explore whatever park you feel you want more time at.

I thought my age was showing. Yes I agree that this is too much too fast. (Unless water park on a sleep in day and resting at night) I would not be doing the dining plan-- argh-- by day 6, or 7 you might be tired of eating. (unless of course its free dining>)

Food and wine in Epcot-- wow thats some serious eating there but sooo worth it

 

[Garyjames220]

Hmm interested. What to do

So in the animal kingdom a lot more delex to the others I mentioned

 

[Garyjames220]

Hmmm not to sure about the dinning plan ether now

 

[BrianL]

Hmm interested. What to do

So in the animal kingdom a lot more delex to the others I mentioned

Animal Kingdom Lodge is a "Deluxe" resort which are generally nicer than the "Moderate" of "Value" types. If you want a more relaxing, posh hotel experience, then moving up the scale will be nice for you. Really though, Disney's Deluxe properties are very expensive, and I find some of the Moderates to be very nice too. Port Orleans especially is just a lovely property. Deluxe properties are generally closer to the theme parks too, some literally overlooking them. AKL is very close to AK (which is further from most everything else). Only you can decide if it's worth it to stay there.

 

[CynBeth]

If you go in Dec you get to experience all of the holiday decorations at Disney plus the party if you pay for it and the storytellers and Candlelight Processional at EPCOT. Sea World has a special holiday celebration on certain nights where there are holiday shows plus a marketplace and trees dance to music and snow falls. It is free with admission unless you pay for the preferred holiday seating. The Wild Arctic attraction converts into Polar Express as well.

 

[Garyjames220]

How many days would you say u need in Disney to do everything without a mad rush

Also the days we don't go to Disney and do universal etc. Do u find that u sometimes want to go back to a Disney park on the evening. Or is there plenty other things to do on evening. Just want to make sure I get passes for the right number of days in each one