What about advice for a group of 4 adults.....

[Hockeytchr]

Here's the deal, our next trip there will be 4 of us. Me, DH, Mom, and my BFF.

It is our first trip since my Dad passed in October of last year (October 9, 2011) so it will be a bittersweet one for mom.

So anyhow it will be the four of us and we are going June 3-8.

Any advice on things to do? DH and I have been several times and on our last trip it was DH, my mom and dad, and myself in 2009.

Our plan is to do 6 days since we bought 6 day passes without hoppers. We figure on doing one park each day and doing two at MK and Epcot.

So I am looking for ideas on how to make it an enjoyable trip and get as much in as we can. We don't plan on ADRs at table service restaurants since it's likely we won't be able to make any.

Thanks!

 

[Needafix]

Why not at least try for ADR's if that's what you really want? Try off hours if you need to. I was shocked when I was able to get CA during fireworks in June right before our trip. Also, try when you get there. Except for character meals, I've usually been able to get mostly what I want.

How about doing the High Tea at GF? I found that very special and something my mother and I love to do where ever we go.

 

[Hockeytchr]

I am going to try for an ADR at the Liberty Tree Tavern or the German Festhaus. I love the idea of high tea, that would be a neat thing for us girls to do while hubby gets some downtime. He can't to the go,go,go like my bff, mom and I. He gets fustrated because he likes to relax which is hard for the rest of us when we are at Disney ( at least mom and I). My Bff hasn't been to Disney since she was a little kid and that was back in 1977-78. So she will be like a little kid in a candy store when we are there.

So I know we will send some time in lines waiting to get pics with characters. Hopefully the people with kids in these lines won't be rude about it! I've seen that happen to other adults in the past when we've been there.

Any other ideas or tips for watching the fireworks or fantasmic?

 

[Needafix]

If you really want a special treat and a chance for DH to relax, try getting an ADR for CA grill. I did it June of 2010 and now it's my #1 absolute must do. We didn't even have the MK view and the views were still amazing. When I bring SO there (he's never been to Disney) that's one of the first things I'm going to do. If you don't fall in love with Disney then, there's something seriously wrong with you.

I'm not a Fantasmic fan, but make sure you get there early. I don't think there's a bad seat in the house as long as you get a seat. WISHES is my thing. I'm assuming you've seen Tinkerbell's flight. For some reason that's my favorite part. I always make sure I see the fireworks from Main Street at least once, so obviously need to get there early to save my seat. The other times I watch, I'm not concerned where I watch from, so I don't have to spend too much time sitting around.

I just checked your signature and saw that you haven't stayed at an Epcot resort, so I'm guessing you may not have spent much time exploring them. Even if you aren't staying there, you might want to spend an afternoon or evening walking around. It's so beautiful and relaxing. We love finding all the hidden bars tucked away at BC/YC/BW and S/D. Some fantastic food options there also, especially if you can't get the ADRs you want in Epcot. It's a short enough walk to leave from IG and get dinner, then walk back. I actually prefer the BW and S/D restaurants to the Epcot ones, so we often do that.

 

[TrinaLovesDisney]

I am also going to Disney with 3 other adults! My DH my FIL and BIL are going the week of the 4th of July. My MIL passed away July 13, 2011 and before she passed said if everything was ok with her last summer she wanted to take us all to Disney because my BIL had never been. Well she lost her battle with breast cancer last July and my FIL is trying his best to fulfill all of my sweet MIL's wishes. (it breaks my heart knowing she wont be with us) My FIL booked a room at AKL for the 4 of us and we are all so excited since there are all types of African animals on the savannah that we will get to see daily! (Giraffes especially since my MIL had a love for giraffes) While booking our trip the gentleman on the phone asked if we were celebrating anything...as it turns out my FIL will be retiring the day before we get there, my DH and I will be celebrating our 2nd Anniversary about 6 days before we get there and my BIL will be making his first trip! We are excited to all be "celebrating" something and remembering my sweet MIL all at the same time. Sorry for the looooong rambling but excited to see the ideas you all have to share!

 

[Stoneham92]

The most magical moments for me where the following:
Magic Kingdom
1. Early character breakfast Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom. Park opened at 9:00 but our reservation was for 8:00. We were able to walk down Main Street and take a photo with absolutely no one in the shot
2. We got dessert at Main Street Bakery and sat in front of the Plaza Restaurant waiting for Wishes Fireworks show, with my DD BFF (cancer survivor). Wishes did come true.

3. Riding Astro Orbitor in the pouring rain. We all had on our rain ponchos but nobody else was on the ride.
Studios
1. Selected as an extra for the show Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular. Need to arrive early and stand up and scream "Pick Me!"
2. Doing the magic hours til 3:00am riding Aerosmith, then Tower of Terror, then Areosmith, then Tower of Terror.....
3. Must see Fantasmic at least once
EPCOT
1. Having a beer in every country.
Animal Kingdom
1. Character Breakfast with Donald Duck at Tusker House before park opened, so right after breakfast we were the first to ride Safari. All the animals were awake and getting ready to be fed.
2. Riding Kali Rapids with DN who had just said he hates DW and is never coming to florida again, after the ride he says "I love DW!"
3. When the attendants forgot to take my Fast Pass ticket for Everest and I got to go again.
Favorite Restaurants:
ESPN Zone at BW
CA Grill at Contempory Resort
Ragland Road and Downtown Disney
Hoop De Do Show at Ft Wilderness
Pizza Planet at Studios
Le Cellier in Canada

 

[ValDawg]

I've done WDW in a group of 4 twice! In 2009 with my Brother, Mom, and Dad and in 2011 with my boyfriend and another couple. Both times were so much fun! It's really a great number of people to travel and keep up with. You can break off and do your own thing, or stay in a group.

Make sure you have a little down time, sleep in on some mornings so you're not exhausted! I would definitely try to make some ADR's because table service restaurants are a great way to have some relaxing time, getting off your feet, but still having a blast!

I loved going around Epcot and trying different drinks from the different countries in the World Showcase! Also, I would highly recommend the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, if it's playing when you're there. It is amazing!! I saw the show last year and couldn't stop laughing the whole way through!!

Have a blast on your trip!!

 

[PumpkinPastie]

Thanks for some of the advice here. I dont have any but was a good read to see what others are doing. I hope you have an amazing time and I am so jealous as my trip in November seems like FOREVER away!

 

[AlexJohnson240]

As far as maximizing your experience and getting in as much as possible, I suggest that you should catch the light parade at Magic Kingdom and the firework show at Epcot, which is quite an extravaganza. Magic Kingdom's light parade is full of excitement and satisfaction as well.