Single dad visiting WDW.

[Feralpeg]

Thanks for the tip, is it just called Florida Mall? What is the address? I'll have a look on the map and see how easy it looks to get there.

Yes, it is called Florida Mall. It is at the intersection of Sand Lake Road and Orange Blossom Trail (OBT). From the Disney area, you can take Apopka-Vineland (CR536) to Sand Lake Road. It is a good ten minute drive. Turn right onto Sand Lake Road. Stay on Sand Lake Road until you reach the Florida Mall. You will pass the International Drive area and pass under I-4 on the way. I prefer this route over I-4.

There is also the Millennia Mall. It is just off I-4 at Conroy Road. This is a very upscale mall. Many high-end stores. In my opinion, it wouldn't be that appealing to a teenage girl.

 

[Gazotron]

If you are staying at the one in the Marriott Village I know you will not be disappointed. We have stayed twice and been happy each time. It is a very good location, clean, has a great pool area, and the customer service has always been good. It has a nice food court area as well.

Yes, that's the one, hope to have similar experience to you.

 

[Gazotron]

Yes, it is called Florida Mall. It is at the intersection of Sand Lake Road and Orange Blossom Trail (OBT). From the Disney area, you can take Apopka-Vineland (CR536) to Sand Lake Road. It is a good ten minute drive. Turn right onto Sand Lake Road. Stay on Sand Lake Road until you reach the Florida Mall. You will pass the International Drive area and pass under I-4 on the way. I prefer this route over I-4.

There is also the Millennia Mall. It is just off I-4 at Conroy Road. This is a very upscale mall. Many high-end stores. In my opinion, it wouldn't be that appealing to a teenage girl.

Thanks for the directions, I think I will be giving the Millenia Mall a miss , really just interested in sportswear and affordable fashion items.

 

[Ellester]

Welcome to the Dis, Gazotron! I'm sure you and your kids will have a wonderful holiday! I see no one has mentioned Tour Guide Mike. I would highly recommend it. We used it on our last trip and waited in nary a queue. I found it full of useful info and I've been to Disney plenty of times. If you go to the Theme Park Strategies board there is a banner ad at the top which will save you a few dollars. For the price, I think it's the best planner out there. Can't wait to hear about your trip when you get back!

Other than that my big tip would be lots of sunscreen and lots of water. I have a feeling Florida in August is a bit warmer than summer in the UK!

 

[Mkrop]

Since you are not staying onsite, you may want to avoid the parks that have EMH am. You can find this out on the Disney website. All the people staying onsite get to go into the park an hour before the rest so it get crowded quikc. Also if you want any sit downs meals at WDW you need to make reservations (ADRs)

Have a blast!

 

[Gazotron]

I see no one has mentioned Tour Guide Mike. I would highly recommend it.

After such a glowing reference I'll have to check it out, thx.

Can't wait to hear about your trip when you get back!

I want to try and keep some sort of diary while we are away, and takes loads of photos. Then I can post a short review of our first visit. That's the plan anyway.

Other than that my big tip would be lots of sunscreen and lots of water. I have a feeling Florida in August is a bit warmer than summer in the UK!

I just hope it's a bit drier, been the wettest summer for many years in the UK

 

[tracipierce]

I just hope it's a bit drier, been the wettest summer for many years in the UK

Amen to that! I cannot believe how many days it has been raining non stop, its really getting me down
Although I should think myself lucky we haven't had the bad floods yet like some of the country

 

[Gazotron]

Since you are not staying onsite, you may want to avoid the parks that have EMH am. You can find this out on the Disney website.

Thanks for the tip, I'm all for avoiding the worst of the crowds if possible.

Also if you want any sit downs meals at WDW you need to make reservations (ADRs)

A few people have said that, is that only if you want to eat at the busiest times, or if you want a sit down to eat at all?

Have a blast!

That's what we're aiming for.

 

[tracipierce]

A few people have said that, is that only if you want to eat at the busiest times, or if you want a sit down to eat at all?

Thats if you want to sit down to eat at all!!! When I went last year, I didn't even know that there was a restaurant in the castle, I went over to the podium to enquire about it and was practically laughed off
I was clueless!!! Someone told me whilst waiting in line that I could ring the reservations line and ask to be put on standby for a cancellation, which I did and we got to eat in the castle the night before we came home, it was wonderful!

But please do make your reservations now!!! Its ok to cancel them if you decide you don't want to eat there that day, but if you leave it till you get there you may have to live on burger and chips everyday,, you would be missing out big time!

 

[Gazotron]

Thats if you want to sit down to eat at all!!! When I went last year, I didn't even know that there was a restaurant in the castle, I went over to the podium to enquire about it and was practically laughed off

That sounds like me, a bit slow on the uptake at times.

But please do make your reservations now!!! Its ok to cancel them if you decide you don't want to eat there that day, but if you leave it till you get there you may have to live on burger and chips everyday,, you would be missing out big time!

Seems like good advice, will get on the case. Thx

 

[enhanceyourgreen]

I am so happy for your first visit to WDW

Call 407wdwplay. They are disney vaction planners. They are very helpful.
Let them know your needs and they will set everything up for you. From Dining to what parks are opened later or earlier. Also check out allearsnet.com

 

[Mkrop]

Thanks for the tip, I'm all for avoiding the worst of the crowds if possible.



A few people have said that, is that only if you want to eat at the busiest times, or if you want a sit down to eat at all?



That's what we're aiming for.

The difference between sit down (Table Service) and Counter service is explained in the UOG (I think you said you had this???) Are you going in Aug2007, then you better call quick if you want TS.(If 2008, call when you can bc it is busy time) Plan out you parks days based on which parks are NOT EMH am (also another tip I have read here is to go to the one that had EMHpm the night before, to avoid crowds)

After you decide which park on which day, then look at your dining options in the park or in a resort near the park(sometimes these are not as crowded as in the park, SOMETIMES) then I would call and see what is available, since your kids are older if you could be flexible with your times. What worked for our family this time is we ate light breakfast in the room while getting ready, the had our big meal (TS) at lunch and then did counter service for dinner. It worked for us bc sometimes my 4 yr old konked out and I would have been bummed if I had a character meal scheduled or something like that. Call soon! and if you dont get what you want keep trying even when you get there!

Another is to understand Fast Pass, this is the geratest invention ever and is your friend! Use it and get to the parks at opening.

Ask as many questions as you need to before you go, these boards are here for you, they are great!

 

[enhanceyourgreen]

Yes it is a must. If you do not have reservations your options will be very limited. even though you have reservation it does not mean that you can not cancel. Disney is very flexible. my suggestions for the age group your are traveling with ......MGM try the Sci-Fi .... AK character dining at Donalds Breaks w/micjey donald goofy and pluto. Epcot try something different you can not go wrong there. Hope this helps look them up on the disney web site to get a feel for the places.

 

[Gazotron]

Are you going in Aug2007, then you better call quick if you want TS.(If 2008, call when you can bc it is busy time) Plan out you parks days based on which parks are NOT EMH am (also another tip I have read here is to go to the one that had EMHpm the night before, to avoid crowds)

2007, I am deep into the planning now and I think that it might just come together

Ask as many questions as you need to before you go, these boards are here for you, they are great!

Don't know what I would have done without all you guys, thx.

.....MGM try the Sci-Fi .... AK character dining at Donalds Breaks w/micjey donald goofy and pluto. Epcot try something different you can not go wrong there. Hope this helps look them up on the disney web site to get a feel for the places.

Thanks for the advice, there's no substitute for personal recommendations.

 

[Mkrop]

It will all come together. There are so many here that plan long term but we can never do that due to DH's job (and his personality shh that's suppose to be a secret!)

Anyway, we ate at Chef Mickey(CR), Crystal Palace(MK), Garden Grill (Epcot) SciFI (MGM) Concourse Steakhouse (CR)

Pizzafari (AK) Sunshine Seasons(Epcot) Cosmic Rays(MK)

The only one I did not like was Cosmic Rays others like it. All the others were fabulous and I would eat there again.

 

[Gazotron]

Anyway, we ate at Chef Mickey(CR), Crystal Palace(MK), Garden Grill (Epcot) SciFI (MGM) Concourse Steakhouse (CR)

Pizzafari (AK) Sunshine Seasons(Epcot) Cosmic Rays(MK)

The only one I did not like was Cosmic Rays others like it. All the others were fabulous and I would eat there again.

Thanks, did you eat at lunch, dinner or mixture? What times?

 

[Mkrop]

It will all come together. There are so many here that plan long term but we can never do that due to DH's job (and his personality shh that's suppose to be a secret!)

Anyway, we ate at Chef Mickey(CR), Crystal Palace(MK), Garden Grill (Epcot) SciFI (MGM) Concourse Steakhouse (CR)

Pizzafari (AK) Sunshine Seasons(Epcot) Cosmic Rays(MK)

The only one I did not like was Cosmic Rays others like it. All the others were fabulous and I would eat there again.

Ill quote myself so I can remember. We did most of our sit downs as lunch as I stated before bc of DS4. I didnt want to have the big sit down meal if he crashed early (and one night he did just that!)

Let's see:
CM breakfast
CP Lunch (very good buffet!)
GG Lunch
SciFI Lunch
CS Dinner (EXCELLENT MEAL!)

Pizzafari lunch
SS DInner (very good)
Cosmic Rays dinner (ugh)

We also did H&V for breakfast but this was a Playhouse Disney meal and I didnt think your kids would be interested.

 

[llp479]

I would take your dd to the Premium Outlet Mall on Vineland near International Dr. It's very close to your hotel. We had au pairs for years and two of our former au pairs now live together in London. When they come back to the states and meet us at WDW that's the first place they want to go. They even bring an empty duffel to pack all the goodies they buy here for the return trip home.

 

[Gazotron]

Let's see:
CM breakfast
CP Lunch (very good buffet!)
GG Lunch
SciFI Lunch
CS Dinner (EXCELLENT MEAL!)

Pizzafari lunch
SS DInner (very good)
Cosmic Rays dinner (ugh)

Thanks, I'll add these into the planning equation.

I would take your dd to the Premium Outlet Mall on Vineland near International Dr. It's very close to your hotel.

I'll definitely try this one out, and leave a bit of room in my luggage. Thx.

 

[Gazotron]

Just made my ADRs and got everything I wanted , with one exception. Didn't really expect that at all seeing as I was so late in booking, I guess it's just a case of beginners luck.

For the record I've gone for Sci Fi and Mama Melrose at MGM, Garden Grill and Marrakesh at Epcot and Liberty Tree at MK.

That was so quick and easy and another thing to tick off the list.