Total WDW noob here lol

[MinnieMae89]

Hello,

I'm trying to plan my families first and most likely last (for a long time) trip to WDW. None of us have ever been before so we're all newbies.

My daughter loves Star Wars however I don't think a full day is worth being spent at Hollywood studios so we plan on going there after our hotel check in at pop century. I assume that we should be at the park by 5pm- since check in is at 3 and it will probably take a while to get a Disney bus.

I'm a little nervous because it appears the park closes at 8:30, and I'm worried the characters won't be available so late in the evening. Do they stay to see guests until closing? Her favorite is Captain Phasma and I truly hope we can catch her for a photo!!!!

Also I can't find any times for the Symphony in the stars show in May, but I noticed show time tends to be around 9...but how is this possible if the park closes at 8:30?


I'm quite confused...so sorry if I make no sense. Again- total noob here lol!! Thanks for your patience!

 

[mrzrich]

How many days are you going? For first timers, especially Star Wars Fans, Hollywood Studios IS a whole day park.

When you see us WDW vets talk about blowing through that park in 4 hours, it's because we've "been there done that"

 

[hiroMYhero]

Complete online check-in for your Pop reservation and you can arrive any time before 3:00p (as early as 6:00a). Drop off your luggage if your room isn't ready and head to the park.

Chewie and Kylo meet until park closing. It doesn't sound like Phasma will pose for photos but you may catch her when she marches with the Stormtroopers to the Center Stage area.

The park schedule will still be updated and don't worry about Fantasmic being scheduled after the park closes - that's a normal schedule. If there are two Fants that night, the fireworks will occur midway between the two shows.

 

[MinnieMae89]

Hm....I didn't think of that. All I ever read is how horrible the park is and how empty and dead it is. I'm nervous because I don't want to waste a whole day there if it's that "bad". But now that you say that, that makes sense. My daughter loves Star Wars and so does my fiancé - so I suppose a full day there might be best?

 

[LinderInWonderland]

If you have never been to Hollywood Studios, I wouldn't say it's a half-day park. On our last trip, we spent 4 half-days at DHS (we park-hop and usually take a break in the middle of the day) and this time we have planned for three half-days since there are going to be nighttime activities at Animal Kingdom by then.

Park hours change often as it gets closer to the dates you are going. It's still up in the air whether Symphony in the Stars is continuing after April while they prepare for the new Star Wars nighttime spectacular (which is planned for 'summer' but Star Wars Weekends used to be in the 'summer' and started mid-May.)

 

[MinnieMae89]

That's very helpful hiromyhero, thank you I just find this scheduling stuff so confusing haha

 

[Disney_Alli]

What time are you arriving? Just because check-in isn't until 3 that just means they can't guarantee your room will be ready until them. You could arrive as early as 6:30am and officially check-in and have Disney hold your bags until your room is ready. Characters who do meet and greets have posted hours and will meet for all of that time. It depends what else you want to do in the park how long you'll need to see it but to me I'd need a whole day there and I've been 15 times...

 

[MinnieMae89]

Were mainly interested in meeting characters and seeing shows - like the fireworks, we're not too interested in rides, as you can do that anywhere and my fiancé and I have weak stomachs lol! So the whole vacation will mainly be tracking down our favorite characters and experiencing whatever we can! We have 4.5 days to visit WDW- it's our family-moon, so I need to make it count! any tips would be incredibly helpful and appreciated

 

[MinnieMae89]

We aren't arriving in Orlando until 2:30 in the afternoon, any flight with an earlier arrival was like double the price for some reason when I booked the trip. So sadly we only have that evening - so 4.5 days total .

 

[LinderInWonderland]

Other than at character meals, the only character meet I did was with Mike & Sulley from Monsters Inc at DHS and it was awesome! There are attractions that aren't rides at all throughout WDW, like the Muppet Theater at DHS, It's Tough to Be a Bug at Animal Kingdom, Turtle Talk with Crush at Epcot, Monsters, Inc Laugh Floor and Philharmagic and Country Bear Jamboree at Magic Kingdom.

I will say that the rides at Disney parks are not like rides everywhere, but if that's not what you are into, it's your vacation to do what makes you happy.

 

[mrzrich]

Were mainly interested in meeting characters and seeing shows - like the fireworks, we're not too interested in rides, as you can do that anywhere and my fiancé and I have weak stomachs lol! So the whole vacation will mainly be tracking down our favorite characters and experiencing whatever we can! We have 4.5 days to visit WDW- it's our family-moon, so I need to make it count! any tips would be incredibly helpful and appreciated

Oh vey, you REALLY are a noob aren't you? In ALL OF WDW, there are 3, maybe 4 rides that are anything like any other rides that you "Can ride anywhere".

There is nothing like the rides at Disney. Disney is NOT SIX FLAGS.

As for your weak stomachs, my mother is 83 years old and rides almost everything at WDW.

When are you going? Do you know about FP+?

 

[mrzrich]

I think you need Josh to explain a few things to you.

http://www.easywdw.com/easy/attractions/

 

[charliesmom86]

You should definitely be interested in the rides Disney has to offer! In addition to the shows and all, the rides are really fun. We aren't talking rides that you can find elsewhere...the ones at Disney are different because they have a bit of magic to them. Also be sure to make dining reservations well ahead of time if you are going to want to do sit down meals. If not, there are plenty of grab and go places. I second Josh at easywdw. His touring plans have been so helpful!

 

[glassslippergirl]

Were mainly interested in meeting characters and seeing shows - like the fireworks, we're not too interested in rides, as you can do that anywhere and my fiancé and I have weak stomachs lol! So the whole vacation will mainly be tracking down our favorite characters and experiencing whatever we can! We have 4.5 days to visit WDW- it's our family-moon, so I need to make it count! any tips would be incredibly helpful and appreciated

Don't be so quick to discount the rides. Disney rides are NOT something you can do anywhere. They are eautifully themed and totally immersive. Even the queues on some rides will amaze you (and not just on their length). If it's your first trip, and you have 4.5 days, consider a full day for each park.
I'd dedicate the arrival day to MK, which will probably have a later close than the other parks. You'll definitely need more time there, and it's the iconic place to start. Your first view of a Disney park really should be the castle.

 

[ChloesDaddy]

Hope you have a great trip.

I second the suggestion to check out easywdw, especially the cheat sheets.

ETA -- This thread may also be useful to you for the Star Wars elements.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/of...y-fireworks-enhancements-coming-soon.3439569/

 

[luvgoing2disney]

Regarding the rides, I would recommend watching some videos on YouTube. You will get an idea of the attractions and what they are like. If you are going only for the shows and fireworks, even as great as they are, you will miss out on a lot of the WDW experience

 

[strat68]

You really don't want to miss Star Tours if you are Star Wars fans.

 

[AFwifelife]

I can see Star Tours being rough on someone with an easily queasy stomach but you can determine that by looking at ride videos. The Great Movie Ride is tame as tame can be but still entertaining. Toy Story Midway Mania is a bit jerky between games but so much fun and one we never miss.

Disney only has a handful of rides that I would lightly label as crazy and not for those with queasy stomachs. My mom who hates roller coasters only refuses to go on 3 rides: Tower of Terror, Rock n Roller Coaster (although she's been once), and Space Mountain (because she went when MK opened and the restrains were not what they are now ).

 

[BaltimoreLauren]

HS is not a half day park if you've never been. There actually is a lot to do, and if you have a SW fan in your family, I'd say you're better off spending the whole day there. My mom and I enjoyed it a lot, especially the Muppet Show and Star Tours.

 

[LinderInWonderland]

I can see Star Tours being rough on someone with an easily queasy stomach but you can determine that by looking at ride videos. The Great Movie Ride is tame as tame can be but still entertaining. Toy Story Midway Mania is a bit jerky between games but so much fun and one we never miss.

I agree. My SIL loves Star Wars as much as we do, but she needs long breaks between rides on it.