WDW planning help needed

[zeitzeuge]

That ride creeps me out!

I have had that experience on Spaceship Earth, the Haunted Mansion, Pirates, the Monorail, the TTA, Splash Mountain, and Journey Into Imagination...

IASW is one of my favorites! Although I'm singing it all day long after we ride.

And um....you're a busy guy at the parks it seems.

Note to self:
More Clorox wipes in the park bag next time.

Clorox wipes and a night vision camera. Could make some money on XTube. ha.

We are going to WDW next Thursday! I don't really have any plannning advice, I just like saying I am going to WDW next week...

How was Christmas away from your family?

Have a great time!

Not going home for the holidays was strange. Never been away from home during Christmas. Spending it with my partner was great and all, but felt like something was lacking the entire time. I was in a very quiet mood the entire day and most left me alone and didn't talk about it. Instead I got lots of hugs and presents.

 

[zeitzeuge]

I never think it's official until I book a flight. Our hotel and now our flight are officially booked!

Now to just get the parkhoppers (yikes they're expensive), which I'll probably wait until closer to the time of the trip.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We bought water park passes from Maple Leaf Tickets at a discount. Of course we have never used the tickets so I can't say for sure that they work. Just kidding. I am sure they are fine. If you sign up for the Mousesavers newsletter she will e-mail a link for discounted tickets from Undercover Tourist. Or I can check my deleted messages and see if I still have the most recent newsletter in there so I can forward it to you.

 

[MonorailMan]

We were extremely pleased with OrlandoFunTickets.com. If you buy a 3-day Park Hopper they automatically upgrade it to a 5-day. The best part is they deliver them to your hotel for an additional $11.50, or you can pick them up at their office for free.

 

[zeitzeuge]

I'm finding that the biggest cost difference between buying them at disneyworld.com compared to a "discount" ticket place is only about $20 total for both of us. Does that sound about right?

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I'm finding that the biggest cost difference between buying them at disneyworld.com compared to a "discount" ticket place is only about $20 total for both of us. Does that sound about right?

Probably.
I think I saved like $3 on each water park ticket.

 

[MonorailMan]

I remember saving quite a bit more, but it might've had to do with the fact that we just got the standard tickets, and not the Park Hoppers.

 

[zeitzeuge]

Ok, the Texan has some more questions.

Since I'm not familiar with AK at all and the one and only time I went through EPCOT, I was rushed by inlaws complaining about the heat, their feet, their backs and needed to constantly find something to eat and drink due to their low sugar levels, I need to know what not to miss in both these parks. MK I'm ok with, with the exception of there being some sort of restaurant in the Castle. Who knew.....

What attractions should we make sure we see while at AK?

I've been on most at EPCOT, but does WS have anything else but shopping and restaurants or is that pretty much it?

 

[MonorailMan]

Ok, the Texan has some more questions.

Since I'm not familiar with AK at all and the one and only time I went through EPCOT, I was rushed by inlaws complaining about the heat, their feet, their backs and needed to constantly find something to eat and drink due to their low sugar levels, I need to know what not to miss in both these parks. MK I'm ok with, with the exception of there being some sort of restaurant in the Castle. Who knew.....

What attractions should we make sure we see while at AK?

I've been on most at EPCOT, but does WS have anything else but shopping and restaurants or is that pretty much it?

There's a boat ride in both the Mexico AND Norway pavilion! And I'd make it a point to see The American Adventure show at least once, just to say you've seen it. (I love it, but it's pretty long, and some people think it's boring. )

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

The boat ride in Mexico you can skip. The Maelstrom in Norway is fun, but it is a short ride. Probably not worth it if the queue is really long. There is a movie in China that is pretty good, but my dream is to go to China. I don't recall Germany and Italy having anything noteworthy.

The show in the American pavilion is neat. The show is about 20 minutes and the wait between shows can be long. I managed to stay awake for the whole thing on our last trip and it is really a remarkable show. I just have a tendency to fall asleep in shows like that because I have chronic Disney insomnia that keeps me awake almost 24 hours a day the entire time we are there. By about Day 12 I can't stay awake anymore.

Miyuki the Candy Lady in Japan is AMAZING. We love to watch her!Morocco doesn't have any sort of ride or movie or anything. The movie in France is nice and there are SEATS (you stand for the other movies). No attractions in UK, Canada has a movie.

Note that nearly ALL of the pavilions have live entertainment in addition to the rides and movies.
If you have a Disney Visa you can get a free 5x7 photo with the characters in Innoventions West in Future World. That starts at 1:30 PM. We have been the first family in line more than once by getting there at 1 PM. Since DH and I each have our own account we are able to get 2 free photos each time. You must show the card to get the free photo.

At AK obviously the best thing to ride is Everest! The safari ride is also great. The Lion King AND the Nemo shows are both VERY good. The Nemo show is long - about 45 minutes - so it can take up a HUGE chunk of your day. The Dinosaur ride is VERY jerky, but if you do not have neck or back problems it is pretty cool. I don't go on water rides so I can't comment on Kali. Tough to be a Bug is a 3D movie - I say you can skip it. The Pangani Trail is just a walk through thing, but we have seen the gorillas up close almost every time, and DH has gotten some FABULOUS pictures of them. I love gorillas, so we always walk that trail. The Maharaja Trail has the tigers but we NEVER see them. Other people see them, but we never do. The AK parade is fun but we are usually finished at AK long before 4 PM.

 

[MonorailMan]

The boat ride in Mexico you can skip.

But remember.....he loves IASM! They're kinda similar.....sort of......kind of.........maybe........

 

[DOPEYLUVER]

I've been on most at EPCOT, but does WS have anything else but shopping and restaurants or is that pretty much it?

First let me say that I am easily amused.

I like the movies they show in China and Canada.
I like the US show.
I like the rides in Mexico and Norway - I actually prefer the Mexico one over the Norway one.

In AK, I also love Bug's Life. My very favorite there though is the Lion King Show. I also like the Bird Show - I can't remember what it's called.

Kali is fun, but you will get wet. So, not so fun when it's cold out.

 

[jjjmranch]

I just remember reading that the EMH hours can make the participating park crazy busy and they recommended not going to that park but another one.

The weather is beautiful that time of year. Relatively low humidity and gorgeous sunshine. We'll be there May 5 - 11th. My favorite time of year to go to WDW. We don't do the water parks but maybe this year the boys (6 & 8) will be old enough to park hop.

I don't like scheduling my days around ADRs, I only made two for our entire trip. We're staying at a 2 bed 2 bath condo for less than a value room. Disney's transpo has pros and cons and I'm renting a car. Just fit it into the budget!

Have a great time!

 

[OrlandoMike]

DAK do not miss.....

The Sarfari - go in the morning, first thing, the animals have just been fed and are very active. (And the Jungle Trek after the safari)

Everest - Possibly the best Disney coaster ever!

Lion King show and Nemo show - Both great shows!

Dinosaur, but it's Indy watered down in the dark....so expect to be a little dissapointed...

Take time to enjoy the foliage and themeing of this park, absolutly beautiful!

EPCOT do not miss...

Spaceship Earth

Test Track

Mission Space

Ellen if you have the time

The Nemo ride for a quick sit down proto type of the sub ride at DL...

In World Showcase..

The show at the American Adventure is the only really MUST see!

Ride the boat ride in Mexico for a look to see how they finally added a restaurant like Pirates in Anaheim to an attraction, and a quick "Small World" knock off! Make sure to stop in the new Tequila bar in Mexico! YUM!

The best part of World Showcase is eating and drinking your way around the world! Each country has a sit down restaurant, a quick service restaurant, and usually a beer and wine stand. (England has a full service bar) Plan to spend one night from about 5:00 till closing just walking around the world.

And dont miss Illuminations....great show! Dont worry about lining up hours ahead of time, I usually stand between Norway and China, back near the buildings, and its a great view! (There is a little curb you can stand on there) You can get there 5 minutes before the show and see plenty!



Oh and dont you worry about that Monorail! Its a mode of transportation here....not a ride! It stays open a few hours after park closing!

 

[ConcKahuna]

The Maharaja Trail has the tigers but we NEVER see them. Other people see them, but we never do.

I always see them, but I know where to look

My favorites in the Maharaja Jungle Trek are the fruit bats. They look like puppies with wings

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I always see them, but I know where to look

My favorites in the Maharaja Jungle Trek are the fruit bats. They look like puppies with wings

Great! You can come to AK with me in June!

The fruit bats weird me out a little. I can stand there and look at them, but they are a little creepy.

 

[zeitzeuge]

But remember.....he loves IASM! They're kinda similar.....sort of......kind of.........maybe........

Hey! Don't talk about me like I'm not here.

Wow lots of things to write down. I hate planning but we must so we maximize as much as we can in 3 days. I like the thoughts of drinking about WS. I found it so strange to be quite tipsy after we left Club 33, like we were doing something wrong. It was Disneyland after all.

Elizabeth, still available for lunch tomorrow? Call me!

 

[SandrA9810]

DAK is my least favorite park at I spent like 18 months working there....
I go on Everest, Kali (there's no way to avoid being soaked by the end), and see the Lion King show.
Primevil whirl and hurl is worthless, Dinosaur... not my thing, bug's life is cute (kinda like hunny i shrunk the audience is passible), I think the safari ride is cheesy and stupid and would rather do the two walk through (maja and pangani). If you still want more animals, go to the savanahs at the back of the lodge, there's always CM's there to talk to you about the animals as well, which makes the experience more personalable than a 17min truck ride.
For extra time, check out the bird show in asia, and Rafaki's planet watch. I've seen people waste hours to watch the nemo show (lining up really early, then another 45min in the show).

Epcot is just so pretty during Flower and Garden. There's a seperate guide map for all the happenings, so pick one up and check it out, so you can plan around anything that peaks your interest.

For World Showcase, love the Norway ride, Love the Canada movie, the voices of liberty are amazing to watch. As well as the fife and drum group. Then you can watch the American Adventure movie. Just like Hall of Presidents, it starts every half hour on the hour, so no need to guess or wait a long time. The candy lady in Japan is cool to watch, it took like a half dozen times of watching her before she picked me. But as cool as the candy is, just eat it. Mine has started melting and stuff, and it's sitting on the dinning room table.
For future world, Soarin is a must get fastpass in the morning, and even during EMH nights the line can be two hours long (with no fastpass)... If orange side of Mission Space is long, just settle for the green. I've riden them back to back a few times in a row, and I barely can feel the difference of the two rides. And green side can cut your wait time by like half. Test track is good, and if the line is too long, just go for the single riders line. Some times you might end up in the same car. Since there's 3 to a row, if there's a family of 4, they'll do two in row one, two in row two, then a single for row one, single for row two.
Even if you don't want to spend the 45mins on Ellen (which might put you to sleep), it's totally worth it to see the preshow. Journey into Imagination is cheesy as well. Do it if you want to and the line isn't more than like 15-20mins. Which it usually isn't after like 4pm.
Nemo bores me to death. I went during the soft opening and got stopped several times along the track. The worst part, the longest time we were stopped was in the EAC tunnel. I wish they would've turned the sound off. Just go in from the left side through the gift shop, and you can see the tanks and all the fishies. I do recommend the Turtle Talk (do they have that in Cali?).
And of course, don't miss out on spaceship earth, every one lines up first thing in the morning, so go in the afternoon. There's cool games at the exit, and Innovention has other neat things like the garbage game, sum of all thrills, the piggy bank. So don't skip it entirely.

I think that's all my opinions on everything there is to do. If not... I'll just butt in later.

 

[OrlandoMike]

For future world, Soarin is a must get fastpass in the morning

It's the exact same show as DCA, so unless you really want to ride it, don't waste your time.....the lines can be insanely long!

 

[zeitzeuge]

It's the exact same show as DCA, so unless you really want to ride it, don't waste your time.....the lines can be insanely long!

yeah it's why we're not really bothering going to DHS. Majority of the rides there they have at DCA or DL, so we figured we would pass on it this trip. When we decide to take a long 7 day vacation there, we'll hit all of the parks.