Questions and any tips for a WDW trip for a Disneyland regular?

[jumpman23j]

My wife and I have basically done all the rides at Disney World that were available in 2011 and 2012 before the Fantasyland update. We are going to DW friday with our our kids and just trying to plan our trip. We are Disneyland regulars so we really want to do everything that we can't do at DLR. So if you have any tips and strategies we would be more than happy to hear them. Is fantasmic worth doing if we've done fantasmic plenty of times at DLR? We never did fantasmic our previous trips though. Thanks for all the help!

 

[mesaboy2]

My wife and I have basically done all the rides at Disney World that were available in 2011 and 2012 before the Fantasyland update. We are going to DW friday with our our kids and just trying to plan our trip. We are Disneyland regulars so we really want to do everything that we can't do at DLR. So if you have any tips and strategies we would be more than happy to hear them. Is fantasmic worth doing if we've done fantasmic plenty of times at DLR? We never did fantasmic our previous trips though. Thanks for all the help!

You would probably be disappointed with Fantasmic. The seating situation for it is better at WDW, but that’s about it.

 

[hakepb]

Most everyone says DL’s F! Is better. I would prioritize the Star Wars fireworks (and RnR, ToT, Slinky..) before F!

Do you have your FP+ booked?

 

[Disnsyncey]

You would probably be disappointed with Fantasmic. The seating situation for it is better at WDW, but that’s about it.

I cannot STAND Fantasmic at WDW, but I had BB seating for my birthday in DL in May and it was AMAZING!!!!!!!

so yes, don't get your hopes up

 

[only hope]

I haven’t seen the new DL Fantasmic (with the Pirates replacement), but the old one was much, much better than the one we have at WDW. There are some portions of ours that are completely different to DL though, so if you are interested in seeing another version maybe it’s worth your time. The finale is mild compared to DL- the characters are on a much smaller, plain white two deck boat made just for Fantasmic.

Nearly everything at MK is at DLR, so I would go to a different park. Park hopping takes so long it’s really not worth it for a one day visit.

Reserve fastpasses asap; make them for rides, not shows; and make them back to back, starting about a half hour to an hour after park open. Hit headliners you don’t have fp for or want to experience more than once before you use your first fp. Use your second fp at the beginning of the window and then immediately start trying to move your third fastpass to start sooner. As soon as you tap in for your third fp, schedule a fourth, etc.

A lot of DLR regulars like to visit AK as the only crossover was A Bugs Life and the generic spinning ride thats at so many parks. If you all love Toy Story, Star Wars, and shows, then maybe Hollywood would be better. The ride wait times plummet during Fantasmic.

 

[Tksolomom]

Splash Mountain is different at WDW, the Peter Pan queue is really good. I think Jungle Cruise is better at WDW too. 7DMT is only at WDW and so is the Enchanted Tales with Belle. The Mickey’s Philharmagic and Monsters Inc Laugh Floor are unique, along with Carousel of Progress and the People Mover. I think MK is worth it, especially if your kids are younger. Pirates and Small World are not as good as DL in my opinion. I think having lunch at BOG is good, especially since they are starting the Prix Fixe menu for dinner soon.

Fantasmic definitely isn’t as good at WDW as at DL, but it is different. I would do Star Wars fireworks if you can only pick one.

I think you need ableast one day each in AK and HS now, I don’t think they are half day parks with Toy Story Land and Pandora open. Both areas are great at night.

I too am a DL regular, but I love seeing the differences between the two parks. MK is so familia but different.

 

[jumpman23j]

Sorry guys I totally botched my previous post. I am staying at Disney All Star Movies Resort for a week. My kids are 4 and 1 year so we'll definitely be doing kiddy rides as well as rider switch because my 4 year old is about 40". Should I stick to getting fast passes for rides or are there any shows that I should look into getting one for? We plan to spend two days at Hollywood Studios to make sure we do Toy Story Land. I managed to get a for for Alien Swirling Saucers last night nub no see.

 

[Tksolomom]

Sorry guys I totally botched my previous post. I am staying at Disney All Star Movies Resort for a week. My kids are 4 and 1 year so we'll definitely be doing kiddy rides as well as rider switch because my 4 year old is about 40". Should I stick to getting fast passes for rides or are there any shows that I should look into getting one for? We plan to spend two days at Hollywood Studios to make sure we do Toy Story Land. I managed to get a for for Alien Swirling Saucers last night nub no see.

You don’t really need fast passes for the shows except for maybe Fantasmc. Since you are from DL it isn’t as good, but slightly different and has seating.

Might want a FP for Frozen in Epcot as it is busy and doesn’t have a height restriction.

You might need FP for everyone at 7DMT, sometimes they won’t let you do rider switch on that ride without both parents having one. I know rider switch is changing to magic bands, but not how yet.

 

[MomOTwins]

I can’t imagine spending two full days at Hollywood Studios, especially with your height restrictions for your kids. I’d change one to an extra magic kingdom day—new fantasyland is great for that age.

One tip, a lot of people from DL are a bit shocked that there is no standby seating at table service restaurants. So make dining reservations if you haven’t already. The character meals at disney world are great for kids that age!

 

[ktlm]

WDW takes more planning ahead than DLR. Unlike DLR where you can only book your FPs day of, at WDW, people start booking their FPs 60 days in advance. Also, because you book 3 at that time, as opposed to the one at a time rule at DL- the more popular rides at WDW book up. If you have your tickets already, but have not booked your Fast Passes, I would work on doing that today. You can always modify or change them based on availability. If you don't have the My Disney Experience App on your phone, I would get that. I would also think about going to the store and getting a portable phone charger if you don't have one, because Disney can really kill your phones battery with as much as you do online nowadays.

If you have not made any dining reservations, I would also look at what is still available and try to book some today. Unlike DLR, people start booking at WDW 180 days out and it is not unusual to have difficulty getting in any TS without ADRs during busier park times. If you go at off times, or when the restaurants first open for lunch etc- you are more likely to pick up an ADR as a walk up. In my opinion WDW CS, is not nearly as good as DLR CS.

I would skip Fantasmic. DL's version is better.

 

[hakepb]

I can’t imagine spending two full days at Hollywood Studios, especially with your height restrictions for your kids. I’d change one to an extra magic kingdom day—new fantasyland is great for that age.

One tip, a lot of people from DL are a bit shocked that there is no standby seating at table service restaurants. So make dining reservations if you haven’t already. The character meals at disney world are great for kids that age!

I want to disagree with you because MK is less important to a DL regular, but at that age, DHS is basically Toy Story Land and several shows and character meets.
Ideally, park hopper tickets would allow a 2nd visit to Toy Story Land, then hop to another park. (MK is a great park to hop to since there are so many additional FP+ options for younger riders) after using the initial 3 at DHS.