So Stressed Out...and a few Questions

[EsmeraldaX]

Hello,

I will be staying off site at the High Pointe Resort. Does anyone know what the driving distance is to the Magic Kingdom, or other Disney parks?

I've also heard that this resort is awful (we didn't choose it, it was free because his mom has a time share there). Is it really that bad? I've also heard that the Sleep Inn & Suites is pretty bad. That's where we're staying the last two nights while we visit Universal.


Another thing I'm worried about is this. What are the park hours, usually, between Feb 21st & Mar 1st? I've been hearing the parks close really early.

Also, I heard that a lot of rides are closed in Feb, including big rides like PoTC. Is this true? How often does Disney update it's schedule of ride rehabs? I'll be there Feb 21st-March 1st. If PoTC or the HM or ToT or the Safari ride at AK are closed, my boyfriend & I will be beyond crushed. Seriously, I will probably cry because these two rides are among the main reasons we chose to go to WDW. Also, he could not wait for the Indiana Jones show and now I hear that will be closed as well.

I know I'm just being paranoid. I feel like I'm getting so stressed out over this trip. We're also hitting Seaworld and Universal and IOA while we're there and I just have this sinking feeling that because we are going during the off season that lots of stuff will be closed. I keep getting conflicting information from various web sites and I'm really wondering if maybe we should cancel and go at a different time. Money is tight for us and we certainly won't be able to take another WDW trip anytime soon.

At this point we are planning on spending 4.5 days at the Disney parks (using the 5 day park hopper), 1 day at Seaworld and 1 day at Universal and 1.5 days at IOA.

Neither me, or my BF are planners really. He hates plans to be set , and I am not fond of it. But having been to WDW many times, I know you have to have at least some PS, and some sort of schedule. And that you can't really sleep late, esp. if you are going to a park that closes at 5 and is an hour away from your hotel.

Am I just crazy, or trying too hard? I know it's crazy, but I really have lost sleep over rumors that big attractions will be closed for re-furb while we're there. I know Disney has a set list of re-furbs on their page but I also know that it changes a lot.

I'm trying to relax, but between fears that we won't have enough money to really enjoy ourselves, and fears that these things will be closed, or that the parks will close before we have a chance to do everything we want, I'm a nervous wreck.

Can anyone offer any tips, or advice to help me relax?

Thanks,
Sheri

 

[Jackie H.]

Let's start with a big, long deep breath!

First, I can't help you with information about these resorts. They probably can give you more information on the Resorts board on this site.

Check out this link for the hours as they were in February 2003:

February 2003 WDW hours

When you look at that you will see that the parks do close earlier at this time. BUT! That is not all bad! If the parks close early, that generally means the crowds will be very low. We almost always go during off-season (meaning crowds are low). Whenever we have been there (usually early Dec or late Sept) the parks are so empty it is very easy to get everything done with plenty of extra time before the parks close. This really should not upset you too much - I would take it as good news. Now, it is true that nighttime parades and fireworks will be limited - that may take more planning on your part. In other words, if the MK fireworks are only shown once while you are there and you want to see them, you need to make sure you are in MK then

ALSO! WHen we have gone at non-busy times we never have PS for dining. It is really not necessary. The only PS's you would need would be for breakfast in Cinderella's castle and things like Hoop Dee Doo. Nintey percent of the WDW sit-down restuarants would most likely be walk in and sit down! (Isn't that good news?!?!)

As for as rehabs: check out the information part of this site
WDW Information

and Deb Willis' site
Deb Willis

Both these sites keep very up to date rehab schedules. Although they may not know yet what will be closed at the end of February.

Please keep in mind I have not been in late February, but unless there is a holiday or some special event at WDW then, you have probably picked a perfect time to go! Especially since you guys do not like to plan - with low crowds the planning required is minimal. Just plan which parks on which days in order to see things that may be limited (like the fireworks I mentioned earlier) and go and enjoy!!

 

[Baloo]

Hey EsmeraldaX!
Calm down! Can you tell me what road High Pointe Resort is located...that will help me figure it out.If not ask over on the resorts board,you might want to post those questions on our Resort board...here's a link.http://disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=12


First of all when you're there in Feb. it's an off time, the crowds aren't going to be bad at all.Even though the parks aren't open really late you'll still get everything seen and done!
Epcot always closes at 9pm.MK and MGM wil probably be about 6 or 7pm and AK 5pm at that time of the year.

I haven't heard about any rehabs for the Safari ,HM ,Indy or PoC.
ToT rehab will be done in Nov. so you don't have to worry about it being closed.And as always at WDW all refurbishments are subject to change without notice!

I really don't think you need to be so upset.There will be PLENTY to see and do during your stay!!!

Just keep reading the DIS...there are plenty of nice folks to help you out around here.


Now take another deeeeeeep breath....relax...be happy....You're going to Disney World!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Jackie H,

Thank you so much for your response. Seeing last years hours made me feel a lot better. The hours look way better than I anticipated. I thought everything closed at 5, but it looks like that is just AK, which I know we can do in a day.

We wake up at 6 am every day at home, so we'd like to be able to sleep in till 9 or so on our vacation. I'm hoping that each day we can get to the parks by 10:30 am. Neither of us can eat in the mornings so we're not worried about breakfasts, as we plan on big lunches/dinners.

I think we'll probably skip parades because we're , well, just not parade people (although last time I went, I admit when I saw the snowglobe parade I was near tears of joy). Hoping to catch the fireworks at MK and Epcot, but won't be crushed if we miss them.
My boyfriend (now 31) has not been to WDW since he was 10 years old. He's never seen Epcot, AK, or MGM and has very little recollection of MK. We're much more interested in rides/shows.

I've seen just about everything at WDW at least 3 or 4 times. I think most of my stress comes from wanting HIM to have a good time. I swear it's like planning to keep a 6 year old entertained all week. He loves amusements parks, he loves Disney and he's more excited to go than I am.

But I feel a lot better now, knowing that the short hours usually mean less crowds.

 

[Planogirl]

We used to go in February every year and the parks do close earlier during that time. But it's quieter and you can get a lot done because of that. Also, Epcot's World Showcase is always open until after Illuminations at 9 and all of Downtown Disney is open quite late year round. Plus you can check out some of the resorts if you have time in the evening. At Universal, you'll have City Walk to enjoy and also the lovely Universal resorts to visit if you want to.

As for the High Pointe Resort, I haven't heard of it but I could personally put up with a lot for the price you got! I can't find this resort in Orlando, are you sure that's the full name of it?

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by Baloo
Hey EsmeraldaX!
Calm down! Can you tell me what road High Pointe Resort is located...that will help me figure it out.If not ask over on the resorts board,you might want to post those questions on our Resort board...here's a link.http://disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=12


First of all when you're there in Feb. it's an off time, the crowds aren't going to be bad at all.Even though the parks aren't open really late you'll still get everything seen and done!
Epcot always closes at 9pm.MK and MGM wil probably be about 6 or 7pm and AK 5pm at that time of the year.

I haven't heard about any rehabs for the Safari ,HM ,Indy or PoC.
ToT rehab will be done in Nov. so you don't have to worry about it being closed.And as always at WDW all refurbishments are subject to change without notice!

I really don't think you need to be so upset.There will be PLENTY to see and do during your stay!!!

Just keep reading the DIS...there are plenty of nice folks to help you out around here.


Now take another deeeeeeep breath....relax...be happy....You're going to Disney World!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Baloo! Thank you!

The address I have for High Point is :

High Point Resort
2951 High Point Blvd
Kissimmee, FL

I had posted something on the other board but got no responses after a couple of days. It advertises being "2 miles from Disney" but I know that can mean, "2 miles from the start of the Dinsey property but 30 miles from the entrance to the parks".


Thanks. I'm feeling a little better and I know when I get there, I'll be really happy. I'm just worried that my BF will miss out on the rides he's been dying to go on. I shoudl probably stay away from the Rumors board since that's where I heard about Indy and PoTC. Rumors of rides closing are the last thing I need.

Thank you again!
Sheri

 

[Baloo]

Well I'm glad you're feeling better!

Here's what the High Pointe resorts says:Located only one mile from Disney World and Epcot’s main gate entrance. High Point World Resort is near all of Central Florida’s major attractions.

I'm thinking if it's in Kissimee it's probably off 192 aka Irlo Bronson Highway....this will be a piece of cake getting to and from WDW!! I've stayed off site lots of times in previous years.so I know the road is VERY clearly marked.I'll be driving through that area next week...I'll jot the name of your resort down in my note book and see if I spot while we're going through there!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Thank you!!!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by Planogirl
We used to go in February every year and the parks do close earlier during that time. But it's quieter and you can get a lot done because of that. Also, Epcot's World Showcase is always open until after Illuminations at 9 and all of Downtown Disney is open quite late year round. Plus you can check out some of the resorts if you have time in the evening. At Universal, you'll have City Walk to enjoy and also the lovely Universal resorts to visit if you want to.

As for the High Pointe Resort, I haven't heard of it but I could personally put up with a lot for the price you got! I can't find this resort in Orlando, are you sure that's the full name of it?

I'm pretty sure. It took me forever to find it. I almost wonder if it's only time shares like my boyfriends mom has. It may be called High Point World Resort. I've only heard it mentioned on these boards once and it was in a kind of bad way (someone who didn't enjoy it). So I am a little worried. We don't plan on spending much time in our room though, so I guess it doesn't matter.

 

[Baloo]

Here's a link with a picture that I found on the web of High Pointe Resort.
http://www.ivacation.com/wr/property-tsr-542.htm#location

 

[Kuffam]

I think you'll have a great time. We were in SW and Universal last year around Feb. 14. The only things we were not able to see were the ski show at SW and fireworks for Samu rocks. Yet crowds were light and we could see and do pretty much what we wanted.

When we were there last year. Universal had there Mardi Gras festival and parade (which I would skip if you don't like crowds and people jumping around you for beads and coins).

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Thanks. Well it certainly *looks* nice enough

 

[katerkat]

High Point is in a good location - don't worry! I stayed over in that area last year, and it's literally, turn onto 192, drive through a couple lights and turn onto the main Disney road. D-MGM is the closest park, but it's the road that's a straight shot to the MK. Honestly, we were closer to the MK than my friends at the All-Stars were. As for quality... I don't know. I'm hoping it's good, because right now, it's the only resort available for the week we want to go. So I'll let you know in December how it was!

 

[Planogirl]

There it is! The place does look nice in the pictures and I agree that the location is good. We've stayed in Kissimmee and we never had any trouble getting around.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Hey guess what!

I just plugged in the address for my hotel, with the address to the Contemporary Resort, since I couldn't find an actual address for the Magic Kingdom...

and here is the result I got!!!

Total Distance: 7.42 miles
Total Estimated Time: 10 minutes

 

[halfway there]

This resort is listed in both my RCI and II (timeshare) books. They look like townhouses where you park right out front of your unit. From the map provided it does indeed look like it's about a mile to World Dr, the main entrance to WDW. It's also very close to Sherberth Rd, the back entrance to AK area. I'm wondering if you could go in that way when/if you go to AK.
I'm not sure if you can access the RCI website without a membership but I didn't have to log in to view this resort so it's worth a try. It's www.rci.com. The pictures I saw look pretty nice and it's listed as a Resort of International Distinction which is a step up from basic if that helps. If you can get in, there's a link to a map that shows it's location or else try mapquest.com to see how close it is to WDW. It definitely looks like a short drive. HTH

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Thanks! I was able to get into that site and printed out the map. That helps a lot. It does look really close!

 

[halfway there]

Oh good! Glad to be of service.