Touring tips for going in June...

[melbournekiwi]

Oh I do so love Disney!! We live in FLA and are Annual Passholders, so we can tell our kids it's ok if we skip a ride, we'll be back next month! You will not have that luxury. I, for one, have never understood the "go back and nap" theory of doing WDW. Nor do I understand the "Comando" approach. You will need to set priorities.

Get there close to opening (I would avoid parks that have extra magic hours that day - you will be able to check the schedule online).

For major attractions - one word - FASTPASS! I do not see the point of waiting in line for Soarin' for over 2 hours. Once you enter a park, send one member (usually Daddy!) to go and grab Fastpasses. One moves faster than 4. Have an arranged spot to meet, or idea where you will be. Cell phones are fab, however half the time ours never work at WDW, we just keep leaving messages.


Get park maps ahead of time to familiarize yourself with the layout. Go to I can't post a link, but google "walt disney world custom map" and your first hit should be for disney's site. The maps are free and beautiful. They take 2-4 weeks (probably more overseas).

A Few tips:

MK - head to Frontierland and FP Splash Mountain right away, then ride Big Thunder Mountain Rail Road, the ride Splash Mountain and save your FP for the afternoon when it's hot. Our general rule, if the line is more than 30 min, Fastpass it or come back!

Decide on the parades. Are they important to you? Are you willing to stake out a prime spot up to 1hr in advance? Does a partial view sound OK to you? or will you ride rides while everyone is at the parade. If there are 2 Spectromagic parades, stay for the late one.

EPCOT - enter park, immediately send Daddy for Soarin' FP. Take the kids and ride The seas with Nemo and Friends. (Daddy won't care he missed it, but the FP line for Soarin' can be long). As soon as possible, FP TestTrack or Mission Space (depending on your family) The best eating is definately at EPCOT!

Hollywood Studios - immediately head to Toy Storia Midway Mania. FP, then ride and save FP for later in the day. IT IS AWESOME! FP Rockin' Rollercoaster ASAP or Tower of Terror (depending on your family)

Animal Kingdom - FP Expedition Everest immediately, some folks like to ride the safari in the a.m. Next FP should be Kalahari River Rapids (you WILL get soaked, poncho's will not help)

a nice site to understand each ride (but may give away some of the "surprise" is allears.net

1-407-WDW-DINE to make reservations, some up to 180 days in advance. We don't spend a ton of time in table service, but snack and move.

Have a list of "must see", "that's cool" and "would be nice, but..." If you spend your time being tense, trying to do it all, you won't enjoy yourself.

I can't thank you enough. I will definitely follow your advice.

 

[mecllap]

Lots of good maps at this site:

http://www.willcad.org/disney_maps.shtml

 

[ilovmy3kidz]

I forgot to add - looks like you are planning a week at WDW. I would suggest 2 days for MK, 2 for EPCOT, 1 for Hollywood, 1 for AK and the last for wherever you feel you missed the most (or enjoyed the most). Each park has a very different flavor. MK is about the rides, EPCOT has some great rides, but a lot of the world showcase, Hollywood has fewer rides (and therefor longer waits), but a lot of great shows, AK, well, I really don't care for it on the whole, but it's got a few nice moments.

When you enter each park, get a timesguide for that day. It will tell you when parades are, fireworks, what rides may be closed (or not doing FP that day) what eateries may be closed, times of those that are open, and times of shows. This is important for Hollywood Studios. It is possible to see all the shows, but you need to view the times guide very carefully.

Wear comfortable shoes. I avoid flip flops and the like and stay wil good moisture wicking socks and athletic sneakers.

You can bring your own snacks and water bottles into the park. We also bring individual mixes so when we refill the bottles from drinking fountains, we can improve the taste. Also, any stand or counter service that sells fountain sodas will give you a cup or two of ice if you ask for it. Great for keeping cool and hydrated.

You mentioned you were coming from New York. Are you planning on Philadelphia or Washington DC?

 

[melbournekiwi]

I forgot to add - looks like you are planning a week at WDW. I would suggest 2 days for MK, 2 for EPCOT, 1 for Hollywood, 1 for AK and the last for wherever you feel you missed the most (or enjoyed the most). Each park has a very different flavor. MK is about the rides, EPCOT has some great rides, but a lot of the world showcase, Hollywood has fewer rides (and therefor longer waits), but a lot of great shows, AK, well, I really don't care for it on the whole, but it's got a few nice moments.

When you enter each park, get a timesguide for that day. It will tell you when parades are, fireworks, what rides may be closed (or not doing FP that day) what eateries may be closed, times of those that are open, and times of shows. This is important for Hollywood Studios. It is possible to see all the shows, but you need to view the times guide very carefully.

Wear comfortable shoes. I avoid flip flops and the like and stay wil good moisture wicking socks and athletic sneakers.

You can bring your own snacks and water bottles into the park. We also bring individual mixes so when we refill the bottles from drinking fountains, we can improve the taste. Also, any stand or counter service that sells fountain sodas will give you a cup or two of ice if you ask for it. Great for keeping cool and hydrated.

You mentioned you were coming from New York. Are you planning on Philadelphia or Washington DC?

Thanks yet again. I have had more great advice from this thread than any other I've had.

In answer to your question, our trip is:

Melbourne - LA / Carlsbad, Las Vegas, Baltimore (staying with sister-in-law), New York, Orlando, Honolulu - Melbourne.

Do you have more wonderful advice relating to Washington and/or Philadelphia?

 

[blueeyesrnc]

I truely believe if you go during some of the busiest times during the year, you must have a clear, cut plan. My daughter and I went last year over the 4th of July holidays, and rode all the most popular rides (many more than once), and dined at so many wonderful restaurants. We were able to do this by researching all the great info here on the Dis, using Tour Guide Mike's touring plans and advice, getting to all the parks at rope drop, taking advantage of AM EMH, taking full advantage of fastpass, and having ADR's for TS restaurants. We never went back to the resort during the afternoon, instead, we had ADR's at TS restaurants for lunch. We took a long lunch, and this allowed us to rest, cool off, and recharge our engines. I hope this helps. Have a wonderful vacation.

 

[ilovmy3kidz]

sounds like you have a great trip ahead of you! we loved our trip to LA, but that was about 8 years ago. We did San Diego Zoo, Disneyland, an aquarium near Carlsbad that was nice (can't rember the name) and drove up the coast to San Simeon (Randolf Hearsts estate) and to visit and Elephant seal colony (it was mating season in February!)

Baltimore is a great place too. You SIL will be able to show you around inner harbor, awesome things to see and do there.

I've never been a NYC fan (sorry New Yorkers!). I grew up in western NY state, then later lived in New Jersey just outside Philadelphia for about 15 years. We are big into history so Philly or Washington would be our choices. Now that we live in Florida we had to take a trip north last summer and spent 3 days in DC, 3 days in Philly, a side trip to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and then on to visit family and to Niagara Falls. It was fun being back in the region as a "tourist".

I think it all depends on what you are looking to do. NY is big big city, but I think anyone visiting the US that wants to see some of the history would be better served with Philly and DC.

Baltimore isn't that far from Philly, so it could be a daytrip. Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed is beautiful, the Liberty Bell is there, a carriage ride through the historic part of the city, the National Constitution Center is a very nice, interactive place to learn about it (my son was 11 when we went, very age appropriate). There is a fun thing at night called "Lights of Liberty" that is a walking tour though the city. You wear big goofy headsets that tell the story of the revolution in suround sound while images are projected up on historic buildings. The kids loved it. There is a childrens version that my little ones (6 and 8) used, the 11 yo listened to the adult one. I could go on and on about Philly...

Washington DC has awesome Museums (the Smithsonian Institution is a large complex of different museums, top ones would be Air and Space, Natural History, American History, and the Museum of the American Indian - great food court here), the major buildings (White House - very hard to tour, Captiol Building- open to public tours, and Supreme Court) Arlington National Cemetary, the monuments (Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson, Vietnam, WWII and Korea - all located in the same area, kind of a walking tour) and the National Zoo. Almost all of these things are free. Arlington charges to park, it's free to visit, but I would take the tourmobile bus inside the cemetary (tickets available only at the visitor center) to save some walking. It doesn't cost very much and is worth it.

Our side trip to Gettysburg was meaningful to us. Not only are we history buffs, but our son is named after General Joshua Chamberlain, who was Colonel of the 20th Maine at the Battle of Gettysburg. Our son was only 4 when we visited the first time, so he didn't quite understand it all. Now that he has studied some history and worked on some Boy Scout Merit Badges for American history it meant more to him. It probably won't have much meaning for you if you don' know much about the Civil War or the battle.

I'm not quite sure how to private message ( I just joined the boards) I think you just click on my user name if there's anything else I can help you with.

 

[dyna]

Summer tips for those that have never been in summer or 1st timers.

1 DRINK lots an lots of water all resturants an counter service resturants has to give you FREE ice water if you ask for it.

2 Sunscreen is a must I prefer a sport block that is water an sweat proof apply in mornin before gettin dressed an I set for the day. Those that are extremely sun sensitive might need to apply again mid day tho.

3. If you can not or not willing to go back to room for afternoon break at least go in a CS resturant get a drink sit an cool off relax awhile if at MK or Epcot go ride monorail for a few trips around the resorts maybe get off go in an explore resort in the A/C most has a nice lobby you can sit an relax in watch ppl come an go. Pack an change of socks for everyone nothing causes blisters more than sweaty socks. Find a shady quiet spot in the park take a short break an remove socks an shoes let feet breathe for a bit.

4 Know which attractions are in a/c an which arent consider doing most of the attractions in a/c in the heat of afternoon.

5.Even a paper towel from bathroom folded to fit your hand an wet down with cold water is a huge help to wipe face an neck with when hot an it helps to cool you off. Some uses wash cloth or towel from hotel but those I'd loose I'm sure or drop it an not want to have to pick it up an reuse. The paper towel can be replaced very easy. Ice on the towel helps too.

6 When you can walk in shade an sit in shade for parades

7. Sunglasses a must!!! some like hat to shade eyes an shoulders myself I find hats hot in the summer.

8. light colored light weight clothing 100 % cotton if you have it as it breaths better than polyester an many other fabrics.

9. socks that wicks the moisture away from feet an change shoes every other day.

10. SLOW down relax it's a vacation it's supposed to be enjoyed it's not the quanity of what you do but the quality of what you do.

 

[ilovmy3kidz]

Definately good tips for our FLA summers.

We always do Carosel of Progress in MK on a hot day. It's AC, about 20 min long and has comfy movie theater style seats. We also ride "blue train" as my kids call the TTA, outside, but in the shade, moves nice and you get a good breeze. If it's not a busy day, they'll let you stay on for more than one trip around.

Everyone carries a waterbottle. We do have to remind the kids to drink.

In MK there are 4 water areas: In tomorrowland there is a big red spaceship that every few minutes "mists" air, you actually get fairly wet under it, in Fantasyland at Ariels grotto there are those fountains in the ground that spurt up (don't worry about being in line to see mermaid, you can go ahead into the center to be wet), in Toontown Donald Ducks boat is a spash area and in Adventureland there are Tiki guys that spit water near Jungle Cruise (you can't get very wet at them tho).

At EPCOT there are mist stations and a splash area near Mission Space, a splash area on the main walk past the dancing fountains as you head to the world showcase and jumping fountains near Honey I shrunk the kids 3D.

I can't think of any in Hollywod Studios or AK. On a hot day I will let my kids take off shoes and socks and get soaked. They dry off faster than you think.

 

[melbournekiwi]

I could never get this information anywhere else - awesome!

My husband read somewhere that June in Orlando is the rainy season. Is that true?

I've not read it anywhere else.

Also, since this is so overwhelming (and I'm a planning freak!) can I ask if there are any parts of Disneyworld that would be too young for 10 and 12 year old girls - things that we could skip and do later if we had time?

Thanks so much - again!

 

[ilovmy3kidz]

Hi Kiwi!

Yes, June is in our rainy season. What that means is that in the afternoon you typically get a short rain shower or thunderstorm. Anywhere from 5 min to an hour. In Orlando it's around 3-4 pm. They do sell ponchos, we never care very much. It's water. Wouldn't hurt to have a ziplock bag for cameras. Since you are not dealing with strollers that's one less worry (I did hate when they got wet).

There's not too much that your 10 & 12 yo would object to. My kids are 6, 9 and 11 and will go anywhere and ride anything. 11 year old son tries to avoid being photographed with princesses, but asks to get in the line to see stitch. You may want to skip Flying Dumbos (the line is always long) but it's such a classic icon it's hard to miss out. You kids may also not shine to It's a Small World, but we force the 11 to deal with it. Besides, it's air conditioned!

 

[suemom2kay]

Yes....sorry

We are staying in a Value resort, tenatively going June 9-16th.

Hey cool. We're staying at CSR for the same dates. My daughter will be 8 in Sept. Maybe we can get together while there!

 

[melbournekiwi]

Hi Kiwi!

Yes, June is in our rainy season. What that means is that in the afternoon you typically get a short rain shower or thunderstorm. Anywhere from 5 min to an hour. In Orlando it's around 3-4 pm. They do sell ponchos, we never care very much. It's water. Wouldn't hurt to have a ziplock bag for cameras. Since you are not dealing with strollers that's one less worry (I did hate when they got wet).

There's not too much that your 10 & 12 yo would object to. My kids are 6, 9 and 11 and will go anywhere and ride anything. 11 year old son tries to avoid being photographed with princesses, but asks to get in the line to see stitch. You may want to skip Flying Dumbos (the line is always long) but it's such a classic icon it's hard to miss out. You kids may also not shine to It's a Small World, but we force the 11 to deal with it. Besides, it's air conditioned!

I have no clue how we are going to prioritise!

I saw Its A Small World at Disneyland in 1991 - I loved it!

The rain sounds like Fiji rainy season. A short, sharp shower once a day. I don't mind the rain either. Is it like a sunshower?

 

[ilovmy3kidz]

Rain could be a sunshower, could be a pitch black thunder and lightening storm with wind. Doesn't mean it rains every day either. Sometimes the rain is refreshing, but sometimes it just makes it even more humid (sort of like living in the rainforest!)

You will get almost all of it in, you've got 6 days to fill and you'll be fine. Just remember that it's supposed to be fun! You just have to figure out what is important to you. We know some people who only want to ride rides, others who will wait in line for an hour to get a character autograph, some who love the parades, some who would rather miss them. There is no one right way to do Disney.

 

[melbournekiwi]

Rain could be a sunshower, could be a pitch black thunder and lightening storm with wind. Doesn't mean it rains every day either. Sometimes the rain is refreshing, but sometimes it just makes it even more humid (sort of like living in the rainforest!)

You will get almost all of it in, you've got 6 days to fill and you'll be fine. Just remember that it's supposed to be fun! You just have to figure out what is important to you. We know some people who only want to ride rides, others who will wait in line for an hour to get a character autograph, some who love the parades, some who would rather miss them. There is no one right way to do Disney.

That's a good perspective. We actually have five days because we were thinking of going to Kennedy Space Centre - have you been there?

 

[ilovmy3kidz]

I've not been to Kennedy yet. My daughter just went on Friday as a class trip. The gifted classes go every year, they had to leave at 5 am and didn't get back until 11 pm. She was one tired little girl, but she seemed to have fun. Maybe you can make a post about going and other can give you some insight?

 

[PrincessAbby'sMom]

Hey cool. We're staying at CSR for the same dates. My daughter will be 8 in Sept. Maybe we can get together while there!

We settled on Pop Centry. Us 3 (husband, daughter & me), my parents (60 & 70 yrs old) and my sister & family (husband, sister, neice 5yrs old & nephew also 8). You can always PM me your days at what park & we can see if we match

Thanks everyone for all your HOT SUMMER ADVICE. It is really helping Keep them coming if you have more......

 

[mdsouth]

Thanks for the feedback.
How do I plan what's a must see if I've never been there?

Help please

I suggest you check out the Disney planning video to see some of the rides. You should also check out youtube.com. Create a search for Disney World Rides and you can view the video tapes that people have made while on the rides. These video clips are a good way of getting to preview rides before you go, so you can make a list of things that you think you would like.

I second the idea that you should plan two days at MK and two days at Epcot with one for AK and DS. You might even combine the last two.

If your family are big roller coaster riders, than go to AK for Everest. Our family is not a huge fan of roller coaster rides. The other big ride is Kahli River Rapids, a water rapids ride that is fun but similiar to those at other amusement parks. Our first time as a family (2005) we went to AK but most likely will not return when we go back this June for our second family trip. The animals are the same you would see in any large metropolitian zoo, so you could easily skip that park and not miss a lot. This is definitely the option I would do, since you are planning a day trip to the Kennedy Space Center.

If you want to meet the characters, instead of waiting in line, plan at least one character meal. allearsnet.com has the menus and reviews. That way you can see and get a photo taken with the characters without having to wait in line. You have to eat so, it is a great idea to combine the two.


Have a wonderful time planning and enjoy your trip.

My family will be arriving the day after you leave WDW.

 

[GettinReadyforDisney]

melbournekiwi: You might want to consider subscribing to tourguidemike.com or touringplans.com. Both have alot of great information, as well as sample touring plans for each park . . . I am a true fan of Tour Guide Mike. We follow his plans and never wait more than 15 minutes for anything. Best of luck with the planning. Planning can be overwhelming, but I assure you that the planning will pay off in the end, making your trip significantly more enjoyable.

 

[melbournekiwi]

Thanks. As I've said before, I can't believe the fantastic advice I'm getting!

We're not huge roller coaster people however some special rides we will do (11 year old and I are scared of heights!), but I have done Space Mountain and Splash Mountain at Disneyland (when I was young and stupid!)

I subscribed to touring plans but found it a bit confusing. I may just try the other one.

Youtube is a fantastic idea too. I'm heading there now (should be doing work though!)

Thanks again.

How far in advance do you have to book the character meal?