What are some things we don't want to miss?

[Momoftwo9598]

My husband and two kids have never been to Disney World and I haven't been there for atleast 20 years. I don't remember much at all. We will be driving from Pennsylvania in June. My daughter will be 9 years old and my son will be 6. My son has no fear and will ride anything while my daughter is has a little fear when it comes to rides. Also which water park is the best? My kids LOVE water slides. I would love to read some suggestions on things we should see or do. We will be getting 5 day park hopper tickets. Thanks in advance.

 

[XStAnt]

MomofTwo,

I'd start by getting one (or all) of the guide books. The ones mentioned most here are The Unofficial Guide, Birnbaum's, and Passporter. They have loads of info.

Check out this website along with www.mousesavers.com and www.wdwig.com. Mousesavers.com has info on all sorts of discounts for Disney, including resort discounts and ticket discounts. wdwig.com and this site have lots of general info, pictures, menus, etc.

It's a little hard to tell "newbies" what not to miss in only 5 days. We need a little more info to help you. Where are you staying: on-site or off? Will you take advantage of EMH if staying on-site? Do you want suggestions for sit down restaurants? Character meals?

One suggestion I can give you. Definitely see the closing activities at MK (Wishes), MGM (Fantasmic), and Epcot (Illuminations). They are fantastic.

Your children will probably enjoy MK the most. You may want to plan the most time in this park. Definitely schedule a character breakfast. Check the above websites and/or guidebooks for info on the various breakfasts.

If you haven't been in at least 20 years I'm assuming the only parks were MK and maybe Epcot. You must have been young then. With that in mind understand that Disney World is VERY spread out. You cannot walk from park to park, etc. Leave time for traveling from you hotel to the park, or from one park to the next park.

Please ask lots of questions here. People on the DIS are very friendly and helpful and you will learn so much.

Good luck with your planning.

P.S. If you want to visit a water park you should get a 5 day Park Hopper Plus (not just a 5 day Park Hopper). The 5 day PHP gives you 2 plus options which can be used for a water park. Unused park days and plus options never expire.

 

[LittleBlackRaincloud]

OK, I have to add my .02.....DON'T miss Mickey's Philharmagic!!! It's my new favorite now! I also agree that the night time programs are not to be missed...wishes, spectro, illuminations, and fantasmic. I also would make sure to do at least one character meal with your kid's ages...heck I make sure to do at least one at my age!

 

[Momoftwo9598]

Thank you for the good ideas. I am writing this all down. One question I have is What is Mickey's Philharmagic? I have never heard of this.

 

[mugglemom]

It is a new 3 D movie on a huge screen and it is packed full of all your favorite characters! Just a great time!

 

[Gary M]

My best suggestion is to get to the parks when they first open. The crowds start picking up 1 1/2 to 2 hours after the opening. It is also not as hot.

 

[Planogirl]

I agree that it's real important to get to the parks when they first open. You can ride a few of the headliners without much of a wait if you do that. And do invest in a good guidebook such as the Unofficial Guide to WDW. The touring plans can give you a lot of pointers whether you use them or not.

It will be hot when you go. We always prefer to tour in the morning, have a nice lunch or late breakfast and then escape the crowds during the middle of the afternoon afternoon. The afternoon could be spent napping or swimming in your hotel pool or shopping at Downtown Disney or whatever suits your energy level. Then we always return to the parks late in the afternoon and have a lighter dinner somewhere. Your time will be fairly limited but you should be able to see most of the big ticket items if you get to the park early and tour wisely.

As for waterparks, it's a hard call. Typhoon Lagoon is tropical with more shade and has the wave pool and snorkeling pool. Blizzard Beach is more open and has more intense slides. It's really just a matter of personal preference.

 

[Momoftwo9598]

I have done alot of reading on the internet today. I mostly used allears.net to see what the parks have to offer. I didn't see a whole lot that we would enjoy at Epcot or Animal Kingdom. Do you think after I get there I will see things that we will enjoy. Here is my problem. My sister told me that I have to go to Universal Studios. I told her we wouldn't have time but after looking today I am wondering if we should go to Universal instead of Epcot and Animal Kingdom and not buy the 5 day park hopper. Does anyone else do this?? Now I am really confused.

 

[XStAnt]

I love Universal Studios. However, since this is your first trip to Disney and you're only there for 5 days, I'd stick with the Disney parks.

Epcot actually has a lot of great stuff. Your kids will love most of FW: TT, MS, the Land, HISTA, Figment, Univ of Energy, Body Wars (if open), SE, Ice Station Cool, Ice Cream Social, and Innoventions. The countries in WS have the Kidcot program, which is fun for kids. They'll also love Maelstrom and the ride in Mexico. And, of course, the restaurants are fantastic. You can easily fill a full day at Epcot.

As for AK, the park is definitely worth seeing but may not take a full day (it usually closes at dusk anyway). The Safari is great, as is ITTBAB. If your kids are fearless you must do Kali River Rapids and Dinosaur. Festival of the Lion King is not to be missed. Also, take the time to look for and watch the animals which are all around the park. Kids are absolutley fascinated by animals.

Since AK does not take all day/or closes earlier than the othre parks it's great to schedule an evening activity on that day. Try the luau, Hoop Dee Doo, Cirque, or hop to another park to watch Wishes (MK), Fantasmic (MGM), or Illuminations (Epcot) if you missed it on another day.

 

[Planogirl]

You will also discover that touring these parks is really tiring and visiting Universal will only add to that. I do love Universal but I think that it really depends on how long you plan to be in Orlando.

As for Epcot and Animal Kingdom, these might just surprise you especially Epcot. World Showcase is very nice and the evening show, Illuminations is well worth seeing. Spaceship Earth is a classic and you may actually find a lot more to enjoy at this park.

Animal Kingdom is fun too but likely wouldn't take a full day. Again, some people do spend a lot of time at this park so it depends on your interest and energy level.

I do urge you to get one of the hopper passes. They are so convenient because you can so easily leave a park and then head for a different favorite or to another to see a show or whatever. You might find yourself easily spending more than one day at the Magic Kingdom or you may wish to visit Epcot one night (if your go) just to dine and see Illuminations. They offer you a lot more freedom and unused days never expire.

By the way, ITTBAB is the attraction It's Tough To Be A Bug. Since you aren't as familiar with the parks, I thought that that one might throw you.

 

[Planogirl]

By the way, another really useful website if you haven't found it yet is wdwig.com . They post restaurant menus which is really useful when you're deciding where you want to eat. This very website has a dining database and ratings which you might also find useful.