Once In A Lifetime Must Dos?

[BudgieMama]

We travel out on the 18th!! Can't wait!! When do you go? I didn't realize quite how much planning I would need to do lol, really enjoying the build up tho!!

We are going to WDW on the 18th too for our first visit! Where are you flying from?

 

[Wills Mom]

I would just say that the most impressive stuff for us the first time we went was the parades, the opening show at Magic Kingdom is amazing as is their afternoon and evening parade and fireworks. Honestly if you never went on a ride you would be in awe of the parades, then Illuminations at EPCOT, Fantasmic at DHS and the afternoon parade at AK.

The Electrical Water Pageant by the monorail resorts is also worth a see.

Add in some meals, rides and lots of sunshine (hopefully) and I'm sure you'll have an amazing trip (and I'm another addict who won trip one to a place I didn't want to go then planned trip two as a 'once in a lifetime' return and will hopefully be back for trip 8 in 61 days )

^^ totally agree with this!! The shows and fireworks and parades are highlights from my first trip, we accidentally stumbled upon Fantasmic at DHS and had no idea what to expect. Needless to say our minds were just blown! That first trip to MK!!! Have tissues ready, 7 trips since the once in a lifetime trip I had NO interest in going on and walking down Main Street towards the Castle gets me every. single. time!

 

[flortlebap]

My first once in a lifetime trip was 21 years ago when I was 7 years old... I informed my parents that I WOULD be going back to Disney World as an adult and I'm now on my tenth trip!

I promise you that once will not be enough - we still haven't seen everything but it's equally as amazing every time

If it genuinely is likely to be a once in a lifetime treat though have you considered the dolphin swim at discovery cove? It's pricy but if it's once in a lifetime...

 

[missnic07]

We travel out on the 18th!! Can't wait!! When do you go? I didn't realize quite how much planning I would need to do lol, really enjoying the build up tho!!

we get there the night of the 17th and we're there until the 29th!!
Haha I know, it's crazy! It makes me excited

 

[missnic07]

We are going to WDW on the 18th too for our first visit! Where are you flying from?

So many first visits! We're there the 17-29th! Where are you staying? We're staying at CSR x

 

[BudgieMama]

so many first visits! We're there the 17-29th! Where are you staying? We're staying at csr x

ssr

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

Am with everyone else, it so is not a once in a lifetime trip, it will suck you in like it did the rest of us on here!

 

[ZoeBiggs]

We are going to WDW on the 18th too for our first visit! Where are you flying from?

Lol!! We fly from Gatwick - what about u?

 

[ZoeBiggs]

I am actually lolling at all the replies on here and hearing that there is no 'once in a lifetime'!!

Enjoying the planning and all your help is great thank you all

 

[ZoeBiggs]

You'll have a wonderful time. But you won't manage everything. We had 2 full weeks of only Disney, at a quieter time of year, and there were still several things I wanted to do that I didn't get around to - and we're not big coaster people so didn't spend much time on some of the attractions with the longest wait! Just warning you.... I would recommend that you investigate all the QS menus and plan out some you really like the sound of. Its easy to get absorbed in the parks and just grab whatever is nearest when you're hungry, but there are some great options, and going to them will take you to parts of the estate you might otherwise miss. Lunches might be great for you as its a good idea to leave the parks for the afternoon anyway. I particularly enjoyed seeing Animal Kingdom Lodge, the Grand Floridian and the Boardwalk area, the Contemporary Resort and Art of Animation - and each of those has QS options that will help to vary what you eat. Also, Be Our Guest is a must do in my view for a QS lunch. Also its fun to use the other transport like monorail and ferry rather than just the bus between French Quarter and the Parks. For a show, we loved Hoop-De-Doo Review, and I would pay extra for that one if I went again. Loved the waterparks too, don't miss those. Snacks - research these too, there are so many wonderful treats that are included in your QS dining plan, I'd never have found most of them if I hadn't known about them before we went (funnel cakes, cinnamon rolls, dole whips, caramel corn, hot fudge sundaes, mickey bars, caramel frappuucinos....) Yeah, I'm all about the food! Happy Planning! Sencybil xx

Brilliant advice!! I can imagine it would be very easy to just grab on the run what with everything else to pay attention to and I hadn't even considered visiting the other hotels either!!! Thanks!

 

[BudgieMama]

Lol!! We fly from Gatwick - what about u?

 

[Princess Leia]

I am actually lolling at all the replies on here and hearing that there is no 'once in a lifetime'!!

Enjoying the planning and all your help is great thank you all

 

[pad406]

We're another one that went for the 'Once in a lifetime trip' 4 years ago. 3rd trip coming up this Christmas The first time is amazing, you'll have so much fun. If DH likes the water slides then they don't come better than Summit Plummet in Blizzard Beach. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/blizzard-beach/summit-plummet/

These are our favorites in Disney:


HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
Star Tours - A really cool simulator type ride. Someone gets picked to be the Rebel Spy for each 'trip'. The CM who controls the doors picks them. Wear a 'First Trip; button and try and catch their eye. Smile nicely and look excited. When you site down, don't put on the glasses immediately, looks straight ahead and don't fidgit. Good chance of getting picked.
Jedi Training - Sign up first thing, no FP+ for this. Must have the kids with you. They get to 'fight' Darth Vader! They'll love it. 4-12yrs old
Indiana Jones - Stunt show based on the movie. Adults can volunteer as extras, great fun.
Lights Motor Action - Really cool show and a nice way to rest for a while
Toy Story Mania - THE family ride in WDW. Hugely popular. Even at that time of year, a must FP+
Rock N Roller Coaster - Good thrill ride. In the dark. Might be a bit scary for younger kids, my DS10 still won't go on it, but DD & I love it. Not sure of height requirement
Tower of Terror - Love this ride. Again might be a bit scary
Muppets Show - Great fun
Beauty & The Beast- Not a must see for us but we did enjoy it. A musical based on the characters from the movie
Fantasmic - Fireworks and water show and more. Hard to explain. Must see

EPCOT Our favorite park.
Soarin - A 4D simulator ride on a kind of glider thingy. Really cool.
Misson Space - Another simulator type ride. There are 2, Green and Orange. Not for the claustrophobic or those prone to motions sickness. The green is a lot less intense, would recommend you try this first if you're unsure
Test Track - Haven't done the new version yet, but loved the old one
Turtle Talk with Crush - Kids love this, it's fun. Just sit in a room and 'talk' to Crush from Finding Nemo
Agent P's World Showcase - Haven't done this, is the replacement for Kim possible, kids loved that and is a really nice way to explore the world showcase with kids. Keeps them busy while the adults can stroll around.
Spaceship Earth - We like this, some don't. Not leading edge but fun and worth doing at least once.
Innoventions - We nearly missed this. If any of the kids are into roller coasters. must do 'Sum of All Thrills'. You design a coaster, or airplane flight (and some others) and then 'do' them in a simulator.
The Seas with Nemo & Friends - A gentle 'ride' through an aquarium
World Showcase - We easily will spend 1-2 days just wandering through here. A lot is hidden off the main track, just explore.

ANIMAL KINGDOM
Partly a HUGE ZOO, partly a theme park
Expedition Everest - Love this coaster
Kali River Rapids - Good raft type water ride
Dinosaur - Dark and possibly scary for younger ones. We don't mind too much if we miss this
It's Tough to be a Bug - Great show
Nemo the Musical - Class
Lion King - Great show - broadway type of production
Flights of Wonder - Great fun, missed it our first time nearly missed this our second time.

MAGIC KINGDOM
Well it's magic Kingdom !
The first walk up Main St and seeing the castle :smile:

There is so much to see and do here. I couldn't possible list them all but here's our top ones
Space Mountain - Indoor roller coaster in the dark. Note the 'cars' are 2 seater one behind the other, not side by side. May be an issue for younger kids
Big Thunder Mountain - Our first ever ride in Disney, will always hold a special place in our hearts. Good family roller coaster, fairly gentle but fun
Splash Mountain - Log/Flume water ride, good fun, you don't get too wet if you're careful
Monsters Inc Laugh Floor - Love love love this
Buzz Lightyear - Ssshh but we prefer this to Toy Story
Mine Train - Opening soon, so haven't ridden it. A gentle type family coaster
Haunted Mansion - Might be a bit scary. DW and DD love this, I'm not bothered either way
Jungle Cruise - If you get a good guide, excellent, otherwise just good
Pirates of the Caribbeann - Love this, again might be dark and scary
Mickeys Philarmagic - Another 4D show, cool

And after all that, there's the fireworks, Wishes and Illuminations.Both are excellent. Then there's the show they project on the castle in Magic Kingdom, Celebrate the Magic, really really cool.

In SeaWorld, Kracken and Manta are great rides. haven't been to Universal yet, this will be our first visit there. For kids your ages they should have lots of fun.

 

[pad406]

I found I couldn't get a dinner reservation at T-Rex last time although I managed to get a 2 pm lunch ADR. I believe that they only release a portion of their tables for Disney bookings. We thought we might change to a dinner when we got there but ended up sticking with the lunch. The food was really good.

T-Rex only release a small number of tables to Disney. Call them direct at +1-407-828-8739. You can still use the dining plan

 

[missnic07]

T-Rex only release a small number of tables to Disney. Call them direct at +1-407-828-8739. You can still use the dining plan

I echo this! I couldn't get a reservation through disney as they were all booked up, but when I rang the restaurant direct I had no trouble booking a table. I did however ring from my mobile, so I'm scared about my bill coming through..eek!

 

[ZoeBiggs]

Wow!!!! Thank you so much for all that information!!

 

[ZoeBiggs]

Same. We're on BA's 1350 flight.

We're catching the 11.20 flight - have a great time!!!

 

[foxxxy83]

I see you already got LOADS of replies with a wealth of info but two "must-do" things that were pretty spectacular was swimming with dolphins at Discovery Cove and the Medieval Times dinner show at Kissimee. Enjoy your hol!

 

[ZoeBiggs]

I see you already got LOADS of replies with a wealth of info but two "must-do" things that were pretty spectacular was swimming with dolphins at Discovery Cove and the Medieval Times dinner show at Kissimee. Enjoy your hol!

Love the sound of the dinner show!! Thanks for that

 

[LumosQ102]

Wishing you a wonderful trip! Its really the most magical place on earth. In the key of once in a lifetime never gonna happen, I have to agree. Went for the first time in 2008 on a whim as we got a deal on flights. I'm a cynical old soul and thought a day at each Disney park would be ample for me, we'd surely prefer Universal? We now go twice a year and just bought membership to the Disney Vacation Club. Poor old Universal didn't get a look in on our last trip...

One thing I would recommend is booking a FP for Be Our Guest lunch. Its the only time it is open for quick service meals (it's a table service restaurant at night) and the food is fabulous - really worth the QS Credits!!

Plus, as an onsite guest you have the benefit of booking a FP for this, where our offsite friends and those that don't know about this wait in the baking sun in a very long line.... queues are easily an hour.

just go to https://beourguestlunch.disney.go.com/Login.aspx login with your My Disney Experience login and select your date. You will need to check back closer to the time for this - if memory serves booking opens up about a month before. We did it twice, and booked the second whilst onsite. If you want to eat there (and its the best option in the Magic Kingdom, and in the afternoon heat its a fabulous respite from the sun) and experience the fantastic theming this is your best bet and getting an adr for the dinner at this short notice will be nigh on impossible, which brings me to point 2....

Have you made your ADR's? Walk up's to restaurants are not recommended - generally leaves people disappointed and hungry. A lot of options will be booked up so don't leave it ay longer - hop over to mydisneyexperience.com and check what you want to do. Be flexible on your dates and time and you should be fine.

Finally - Fast Pass+ and the My Disney Experience app. Once you have a rough idea of what parks you will be in each day, get your FP's booked. as you are onsite guests you will be able to do this 60 days out which is key for some experiences (seven dwarves mine train, Anna & Elsa). Once you have used your first three FP's you can then get extra, one at a time, from the kiosks in the parks. You can also get them at the next park you visit. its very handy.

Most of all - have a wonderful time