New, confused, happy

[ronacele@earthlink.n]

I'm pretty much at a loss as to how to use these boards. Though I discovered these boards when I first began researching my upcoming first trip to WDW (this coming december) I never came back to them until yesterday. Now I need to know how to easily navigate them, how to include all those cute little icons I see to my right and at the bottom; will I be notified by email if someone answers me or do I just need to keep checking back? Anyway, I'll keep playing. I'll be arriving at the Animal Kingdom lodge in the early evening on December 2. I'll be there for six nite and have already purchased six any-park tickets (I'm sure I'm not using the right terminology). My first Disney question is: Upon arriving I'll want to take in a dinner show. I saw something that seems interesting and not tooooo far away: a Polynesian show at the Plynesian place. It seems a bit expensive (not very important if it's a decent/good show) and that I can reach it by taking two buses. Any comments on my idea or other recommendations? I don't want to spend my first nite just hanging out in my hotel - there'll be plenty of time for that. Thanks, Rona

 

[Pakey]

First of all, I do hope you have called and made your ADR's (it's Disney's way of doing reservations for meals). It's very very hard to get into any sit down meal at WDW if you don't have advance reservations. If you have not already called to make them, you need to do that ASAP.

For your avatar (pic on the left) and your signature (thingies on the bottom) go up to User CP on the top of this menu and go in there to add those items.

But trust me, your meal reservations at WDW are much much more important than the icons. Most people make their meal reservations 6 months before going.

 

[ronacele@earthlink.n]

Thanks. What is an ADR? I'm afraid to make reservations as I don't know when I'll be where. I'm looking more into that now. I've found a number for restaurant reservations. I'm guessing it's that one number for all restaurants???? Also, I may just be snacking so much that I won't want to eat a sit down dinner?

Still confused but happily learning!

Rona

 

[Pakey]

Yes, an ADR is an advanced dining reservation. If you are fine just snacking or doing counter service, then you won't need them. If you want a sit down meal, you probably will not find any of the popular ones available when you get there--they will already be booked up. The days of being at WDW and walking up to a table service place and getting seated are getting harder to do.

If you want to do the Spirit of Aloha, you will need to call that same number for dining to see what's available for the night you get there.

Regarding transportation from AKL to the Poly, the best way is to take a bus from the AKL to the Magic Kingdom (if it's still early enough that MK is still open) and then transfer to the monorail at MK to go to the Poly hotel where the Spirit of Aloha dinner is.

If MK is closed and the MK buses are no longer running, then you'll need to take the bus to DTD and transfer there. You can get from park to park on one bus but if you are traveling from one resort to another, you will have to change buses somewhere. You can always change at DTD but it is sometimes easier to pick a park close to the resort you are going to rather than going all the way to DTD.

You will love AKL; it is my favorite themed resort there. Enjoy your vacation.

 

[ronacele@earthlink.n]

Thanks so much for your help. Have you been to the Plynesian show? I was also thinking of just wandering around downtown disney or the boardwalk area, any area that I don't need a ticket for. I will be on my own so I'm not sure I want any really nice dinners.

Rona

 

[0hmyheck]

Just riding the monorail and stopping at the Grand Floridian or Contemporary is fun and free. Going to DTD puts you further out from the Poly

 

[Pakey]

Thanks so much for your help. Have you been to the Plynesian show? I was also thinking of just wandering around downtown disney or the boardwalk area, any area that I don't need a ticket for. I will be on my own so I'm not sure I want any really nice dinners.

Rona

Rona

I have not been to the Polynesian show. I've been to Hawaii and luau's several times and going to a luau in Florida just seems odd to me.

Downtown Disney is very nice in the evenings. The stores are open until 10:00 pm. There are several good counter service places to grab a bite to eat. Earl of Sandwich and Wolfgang Puck's Express both offer some of the best counter service food at all of WDW. It would also be very possible to get a walk-in table service meal there too (except for at Rainforest Cafe which is always crowded). There is also Pleasure Island which does cost $$ to get into but there are several clubs once you are inside to enjoy. Besides the nightclub type places, there is the Comedy Club and there is the Adventurer's Club which is more Disney-Esque. I would think you could easily spend an evening at DTD.

 

[Disney Crazy Debbie]

I have done the last seating for Spirit of Aloha and I think transportation is more difficult when it lets out. However, if you do an earlier show then transportation should be easier by going to MK and then catching a bus to your resort. The last seating requires you catching the bus to DTD and then transferring to your resort bus.

Have fun!

 

[DizzDoll]

Have you thought about having dinner at either Jiko or Boma at the AKL and then exploring the hotel? From what I understand there's a lot to see and do - and I think you can even get a pair of night goggles to view the animals (at night, of course). Never having stayed at the AKL but scratching my brain for what I've read, this too could be an option.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

How early in the early evening are you arriving at AKL? There's a good chance you really wouldn't have time to get checked in and make it to the Luau if you are really coming in the evening. I'd allow at least 3-4 hours between flight landing time and any plans you might have.
My idea would be the same as DizzDoll...check out your resort! AKL is fantastic, and both restaurants are wonderful. Boma is a buffet, and is very solo friendly. Victoria Falls is the lounge off the lobby, and is a comfortable place to sit and have an adult beverage while watching the activity in the dining areas. Jiko is fancier, but is also solo-friendly (and expensive!).

At night, you can go out to the viewing area off the lobby, where there is a cast member to point out different cultural tidbits and animal info, as well as night-vision goggles. Check also to see if you can catch a story-telling...don't be shy! The gift shoppe at AKL also kicks butt...best one I've found in any resort, IMO.

If you want to go exploring, I'd go to Downtown Disney and check out the stores and restaurants there. If you feel energetic, pay for a ticket to explore the clubs at Pleasure Island. The Adventurer's Club is one I've always wanted to check out solo...I've only been there with friends, and they didn't feel like sticking around to see what would happen next.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Oh, and there are settings that allow e-mails to be sent to you , but I found them really annoying. I'd suggest returning to the boards once a day or more. The "user CP" link on the top is your friend...it'll bring up a list of subscribed threads each day that have new postings. (A subscribed thread is one you've posted on, or one you've manually subscribed to using thread tools at the top right side of the thread page)