Need WDW attraction strategy help

[our2disneygirls]

We're an AZ family who has been to Disneyland several times. Through a great turn of fate/pixie dust, we are able to spend 4 or 5 days in WDW before getting on the Magic.

Having been to DL/CA several times, including last year, we want to maximize our experience at WDW by focusing on the differences. We're staying at Shades of Green, so getting to each park should only be a monorail ride.

I'm planning on taking a day per park in no particular order:

Hollywood Studios
EPCOT
Animal Kingdom
Magic Kingdom (since the castle is different, we have to at least see that)

Any thoughts on what we must do or what we can/should avoid?

BTW, our kids are 5 and 7, so rides requiring a 48 inch height will be mom and dad only.

TIA!

 

[FlightlessDuck]

First, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom aren't on the monorail. So you will need to take a Disney bus or drive or take a taxi.

As to what to do/avoid, I dunno. I've never been to DL/CA so I can't say for sure, but you might want to focus on stuff that's not in DL/CA, which would mean that you will probably spend the least amount of time in Magic Kingdom (I guess).

 

[Mouse's Shadow]

I've never been to DL, but the poblem is that there is so much to see. My best advice is to get a Birmbaum's Guide to WDW. It's colorful so that the kids can look at the pictures and get excited. Pick out what you're most interested in. My kids are grown so we're not so interested in the Disney Playhouse and the likes.

The wonderful thing about Disney is that most things are multi-generational.The Beauty and the Beast show at DHS is wonderful. I think Fantasyland is a kid's favorite (mine too). Part of the challenge is finding a good balance for the family, so that everyone gets to have fun.

Have a great time!

 

[sharonabe]

HS---all the shows. The Great Movie Ride is the only one for the under 48" crowd that I can think of that's different. There is the Honey I Shrunk the Kids play area and the Backlot Tour...other than that, you have Star Tours which I believe is the same.

AK--everything! The shows are good, the rides are fun...Dinosaur may be a little intense for your age kids, but if they don't scare easily, they'll be fine.

Epcot--I think Soarin' is the only duplicate here, so you'll find lots to do at Epcot. Plan to spend at least 4 hours in Future World before heading over to explore the countries. Your kids will probably enjoy Kim Possible missions, but beware they do take about 30 min to complete.

MK--You're right, you do need to see the castle and then just enjoy all the rides you normally enjoy!

 

[plutolovr]

There is no monorail from Shades of Green. The only resorts on the monorail loop are the Grand Floridian, Polynesian and Contemporary.

You will need to take a bus.

 

[squirrel]

Even some of the rides that are the same, aren't. ToT at WDW is better. Indiana Jones at WDW is a show, not a ride.

There is a list somewhere of the differences.

Don't bother with hoppers, just do one park a day.

 

[KingdomKeepersFinn]

Having been to DL, all the rides in WDW are bigger

The MK in WDW has bigger rides. Splash Mountain is bigger, Space mountain has different cars and no music, Haunted Mansion is bigger.

AK - Everest is deff something to check out, but of course you need to be 48"
Kiliminjaro Safari is a great ride! I believe everybody can go on it? correct me if Im wrong. Finding Nemo, Lion King, Pocahontas (If its still there) are great shows. Dont forget to watch the Jammin Jungle Parade

EPCOT - Deff check out World Showcase. Its great to see all the cultures and how people live. In the land, go on the Finding Nemo ride. Great for young kids like yours. Soar'n is the same. Livin with the land is a good ride that teaches you about agriculture (next to soar'n inside). Figment is a good right..fun for all ages. Mission space and test track are a little over the top for young kids.

Hollywood studios - Tower of Terror is much bigger than the 1 in DL, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster you should totally check out.. Goes upside down 3 times, Beauty and the Beast Broadway show is very good, Indiana Jones the show is great!, Star tours is a little shakey. If your interested in Cars and action packed scenes I suggest going to Lights, Motors, Action! It MIGHT be a little over the top for the kids though

 

[PixieTopaz]

Even some of the rides that are the same, aren't. .

I agree-i think Splash mountain is different and there's no Matterhorn. I donr think MK is a copy of Disneyland at all.

Main thing is learn as much as you can about Fast pass to maximize not waiting too long


My current fave ride is in Epcot-Soarin-DEFINITELY run and get a fast pass for that as soon as you get to Epcot-major lines on that.

 

[sters]

Most of the attractions at the Magic Kindgom will be the same or similar to what you'd experience at Disneyland, so I'd probably concentrate on the things that are different or improved at WDW, for example the Hall of Presidents, dine at LIberty Tree Tavern and the like. Attractions will be in places you wont' expect, so it might seem a little disorienting at first. The Tiki Birds is a different show, Tom Sawyers Island is bigger and a little more involved at WDW. Pirates might be a disappointment to you, but who can go to Disney without visiting the pirates? I'd also recommend the Barnstormer in Toon Town. The rest of Toontown will likely disappoint you, but it's going away for the upcoming Fantasyland expansion.

Epcot is unique, except for Soarin'. Off the top of my head, I can't think of any duplications. Okay, Innoventions I think is the same. It might be fun for you take the monorail between MK and Epcot. Illuminations is a great way to end the day.

Animal Kingdom, except for Tough to Be a Bug, should have all unique attractions. The track for Dinosaur is similar to DL's Indy, but the theming is completely different, obviously. The other rides in Dinoland can probably be skipped, nothing you wouldn't find at the boardwalk. On the other hand, my kids got a huge kick out of the Boneyard, which is essentially a playground, and could spend hours there.

Holywood Studios..the ToT queue is more interesting and the ride a little different, but basically the same as what CA has. RnRollercoaster,, the Great Movie Ride, stunt shows...fun and unique. The backlot tour is lame, nothing as extensive or intersting as California's Universal Studios. Most of this park offers different Disney attractions for you to enjoy. You may want toskip the Toy Story Mania, since the lines are crazy busy and you already have that ride. Fantasmic is a little different, at least there is seating in Florida! But many DL veterans are disappointed with the WDW version of the show.

That's what pops up in my mind. Sorry for the rambling post.

 

[PearlySwan]

We're an AZ family who has been to Disneyland several times. Through a great turn of fate/pixie dust, we are able to spend 4 or 5 days in WDW before getting on the Magic. That's awesome! You'll love going to WDW before going on a Disney cruise. Btw, you'll absolutely love the Disney Magic. We loved cruising on the Magic in 2006. It was one of our most memorable vacations ever.

Having been to DL/CA several times, including last year, we want to maximize our experience at WDW by focusing on the differences. We're staying at Shades of Green, so getting to each park should only be a monorail ride. You'll need to get on a Disney bus to get to the parks each day. Shades of Green is not serviced by the monorail.

I'm planning on taking a day per park in no particular order: You might want to check the crowd calendar here: http://www.touringplans.com/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=14 then based on crowd levels determine which park to visit on which day.
Hollywood Studios
EPCOT
Animal Kingdom
Magic Kingdom (since the castle is different, we have to at least see that) I think you'll see a lot more differences than just the castle.

Any thoughts on what we must do or what we can/should avoid? Your girls might want to visit the Bippidi Boppidi Boutique then go to eat at Cinderella's Royal Table (CRT) inside Cinderella's castle in Magic Kingdom. Make your dining reservations at CRT as ASAP.

BTW, our kids are 5 and 7, so rides requiring a 48 inch height will be mom and dad only. To see rides height requirements go here: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/height.htm You can also make use of the Rider Swap Fast Pass on any ride your youngest/shorter child can't ride. You'll need to ask the Cast Member at the ride's entrance for the Rider Swaps.

TIA!

^^^^ My answers in red above.

 

[our2disneygirls]

Thanks everyone for the great responses! I should have noted that I recognize that Shades of Green is not on the monorail route. However, I'm led to believe that the Polynesian is right across the street. Is that correct or are we better off getting on the bus?

We leave saturday, so at this point I think all we'll do is pick a park a day based upon the attendance rates and wing it from there!

 

[chartle]

Thanks everyone for the great responses! I should have noted that I recognize that Shades of Green is not on the monorail route. However, I'm led to believe that the Polynesian is right across the street. Is that correct or are we better off getting on the bus?

We leave saturday, so at this point I think all we'll do is pick a park a day based upon the attendance rates and wing it from there!

By Google maps its about .5 mile to the Poly but still the Monorail will only get you to the Magic Kingdom and by transferring at the TTC to Epcot.

To get to AK and DHS you will either have to take a bus from SoG or get a bus from the TTC which is either a trip all around the lake from the Poly on the resort monorail or a 1 mile walk.

Remember WDW is really big compared to Disneyland and they don't expect you to be walking from place to place so there may not be sidewalks.

 

[LVdisneyChick]

see hydroguy's tips over on the DL boards. I too am a first timer to wdw. Hope our experience gives us a leg up on everything!

 

[Nala83]

I'm also a DLR vet- headed to WDW in May. I posed a similar question on the DL community board. I got some helpful responses from the folks over there.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2411531