What to avoid

[Robbinsgirls3]

They have made good improvements to go around the world with kids. You can have a passport signed in different languages, do Kidcot activities at the different countries and the Kim Possible Mission around 7 of the different countries is a blast!! You will now here a million of the little "secret mission" cell phones ringing everywhere you go but each countries mission is so much fun. We had 1 day left this past Christmas break on our tickets and my daughter wanted to go JUST to Epcot to do all of the Kim Possible Missions. We did as many as we could in a whole day and it was a blast. I have a 6 year old and 2 year old, neither of them watch Kim Possible really but just doing a secret mission, finding the clues and seeing things ony meant for the players of this hunt is a huge new surprise that only Disney could do! If you decide to go to Epcot look into the Kim Possible and other kid stuff it really does make your kids want to go to every world just to see what is next!!!

 

[Robbinsgirls3]

Originally Posted by rickg15
90% of Epocot Center with children age 5-18 IMO. I remember bring bored to death there as a kid, then going with my extended family a few years back it was our least favorite park. Not even planning to take my 5 year old there for her first trip in May.

They have made good improvements to go around the world with kids. You can have a passport signed in different languages, do Kidcot activities at the different countries and the Kim Possible Mission around 7 of the different countries is a blast!! You will now here a million of the little "secret mission" cell phones ringing everywhere you go but each countries mission is so much fun. We had 1 day left this past Christmas break on our tickets and my daughter wanted to go JUST to Epcot to do all of the Kim Possible Missions. We did as many as we could in a whole day and it was a blast. I have a 6 year old and 2 year old, neither of them watch Kim Possible really but just doing a secret mission, finding the clues and seeing things ony meant for the players of this hunt is a huge new surprise that only Disney could do! If you decide to go to Epcot look into the Kim Possible and other kid stuff it really does make your kids want to go to every world just to see what is next!!!

 

[MAGGIED]

For our family we try everything once.... my children have been going to DIsney since they were young and are now 16 and 20. There isn't anything they were ever afraid of because we tried to explain to them that it was all make believe.... with that being said there are things each of us likes better than other attractions...

Me....
I could do without Stich ... ever again... didn't like the smell the story or anything about this...
the Tiki Room is kind of corny but its one the the original attractions so I go just for old times sake...
I don't do the magic carpet ride... to much like Dumbo...
I do not ever wait in lines for characters... we go to character dining if we want to see them... you have to eat anyway.
Must dos at MK... everything else!!!

At Epcot I avoid Ellens... unless I have 45 minutes to waste which we usually don't.
I like the movies... mostly for the air conditioning and a nap... but I can't get a single family member to go with me..
Figment... I did it once.. that was enough.. the little song is annoying.. but its great for little people.. I think they would enjoy the bright colors and familiar characters
Must do at Epcot... Soarin, Turtle Talk, Fast Track

AK... The little ride that is just like Dumbo again....
I love its a bugs life... and yes this can be scary for little children and those afraid of spiders...
Dinosaur is fun... it is loud.. just have your children sit on the inside.. its very bumpy
Must do at AK... Festival of the Lion King, EE (love this), Safari

HS.. Drew Carey.. sorry Drew but standing in the dark with earphones is not fun
Must do at HS, RocknRollar Coaster, TOT, Toy Story Mania

Dining... we haven't experienced to many places that we would NEVER go back to... some we like much better than others... dining is a challenge for my family.. my DD(20) is a vegetarian and allegeric to nuts.. loves the charactres, DS loves meat!!!

In MK we usually try and snag a 8am CP or CRT reservation for breakfast on a non EMH day.. lunch is Caseys or COlumbia Harbour House and dinner we like Tony's or CRT.... not a big fan of Liberty Tavern...

In Epcot... well we love many places here... our favorites are Le Cellier, Chefs de France, Maraskesh, Teppan Edo, and San Angel... we didn't care for the Chinese place, or Germany... and we thought that Rose and Crown was just okay

In AK we like Yak and Yedi for dinner but will leave and go to Boma or Rain Forest Cafe

In HS well.. we usually eat at Mama Melrose because I think the food at the buffet at Hollywood and Vine is fair... kind of boring stuff... last trip I tried Prime Time Cafe and it was great... the CM were terrific... tons of fun and a good selection for everyone

DTD we think that Wolfgang Puck Express is the best secret of dining... huge portions and great prices... this is also a counter service.. great place to share a meal.. seriously you can feed two people per item....

At the hotels we love
California grill.... great steak... great service
O'Hanas... for the meat lover... sometimes the meat is to dry for my taste but the salad and dessert are yummy
1900 Park Fare has a nice buffet and good character interaction.... love the strawberry soup
Grand Floridan Cafe... another great steak and varied menu
Grand Floridan Tea... a must do ... wonderful way to spend an afternoon... great service and nice selection of sandwiches and pastries
Yatchsman - haven't had anything I didn't like... great service and great steak!! Their appetizers are wonderful also

okay I could go on and on.... the important thing is to make up your own mind by trying it once... just because I like something you might not...

 

[kimis]

For us it was Stitch Escape ride and the Luau at the Polynessian.

 

[happymommy]

90% of Epocot Center with children age 5-18 IMO. I remember bring bored to death there as a kid, then going with my extended family a few years back it was our least favorite park. Not even planning to take my 5 year old there for her first trip in May.

First trip (we were staying at the BWV) my kids were 2 and 4, and we all LOVED Epcot! They had so much fun exploring everything! Having our double stroller helped. Now, my kids have always loved Innoventions (I have to drag them out). At least if it's the evening, I can have a beer while they explore the things in there...

First time DH and I went to DAK, we thought it was no big deal. Our good friends had said it was their favorite, but we just didn't get it. Then, the next trip, we spent an entire day there, exploring the animals on the path, eating at the old counter service (now table service) Tusker House, and we really had a great relaxing day! I do now try to avoid the games there, as we'll drop $40 in an afternoon, my kids will win stuffed animals, and I have to lug them home! Last trip, they kept winning so many! UGH! I will try to steer them clear of it next time, as we actually had to check suitcases home last time to make room for all of the darn things...


I guess it just shows that some of us like some things that others don't. We end up at Epcot every day! We also like the snacks at the different countries there. I would say, Epcot is our favorite, and MK is least, as it gets crowded in the afternoon to me.

We also do avoid waiting in lines for characters. My kids were never super interested in that, and we've never done autographs.

 

[craZmom]

For our family we try everything once.... my children have been going to DIsney since they were young and are now 16 and 20. There isn't anything they were ever afraid of because we tried to explain to them that it was all make believe.... with that being said there are things each of us likes better than other attractions...

Me....
I could do without Stich ... ever again... didn't like the smell the story or anything about this...
the Tiki Room is kind of corny but its one the the original attractions so I go just for old times sake...
I don't do the magic carpet ride... to much like Dumbo...
I do not ever wait in lines for characters... we go to character dining if we want to see them... you have to eat anyway.
Must dos at MK... everything else!!!

At Epcot I avoid Ellens... unless I have 45 minutes to waste which we usually don't.
I like the movies... mostly for the air conditioning and a nap... but I can't get a single family member to go with me..
Figment... I did it once.. that was enough.. the little song is annoying.. but its great for little people.. I think they would enjoy the bright colors and familiar characters
Must do at Epcot... Soarin, Turtle Talk, Fast Track

AK... The little ride that is just like Dumbo again....
I love its a bugs life... and yes this can be scary for little children and those afraid of spiders...
Dinosaur is fun... it is loud.. just have your children sit on the inside.. its very bumpy
Must do at AK... Festival of the Lion King, EE (love this), Safari

HS.. Drew Carey.. sorry Drew but standing in the dark with earphones is not fun
Must do at HS, RocknRollar Coaster, TOT, Toy Story Mania

Dining... we haven't experienced to many places that we would NEVER go back to... some we like much better than others... dining is a challenge for my family.. my DD(20) is a vegetarian and allegeric to nuts.. loves the charactres, DS loves meat!!!

In MK we usually try and snag a 8am CP or CRT reservation for breakfast on a non EMH day.. lunch is Caseys or COlumbia Harbour House and dinner we like Tony's or CRT.... not a big fan of Liberty Tavern...

In Epcot... well we love many places here... our favorites are Le Cellier, Chefs de France, Maraskesh, Teppan Edo, and San Angel... we didn't care for the Chinese place, or Germany... and we thought that Rose and Crown was just okay

In AK we like Yak and Yedi for dinner but will leave and go to Boma or Rain Forest Cafe

In HS well.. we usually eat at Mama Melrose because I think the food at the buffet at Hollywood and Vine is fair... kind of boring stuff... last trip I tried Prime Time Cafe and it was great... the CM were terrific... tons of fun and a good selection for everyone

DTD we think that Wolfgang Puck Express is the best secret of dining... huge portions and great prices... this is also a counter service.. great place to share a meal.. seriously you can feed two people per item....

At the hotels we love
California grill.... great steak... great service
O'Hanas... for the meat lover... sometimes the meat is to dry for my taste but the salad and dessert are yummy
1900 Park Fare has a nice buffet and good character interaction.... love the strawberry soup
Grand Floridan Cafe... another great steak and varied menu
Grand Floridan Tea... a must do ... wonderful way to spend an afternoon... great service and nice selection of sandwiches and pastries
Yatchsman - haven't had anything I didn't like... great service and great steak!! Their appetizers are wonderful also

okay I could go on and on.... the important thing is to make up your own mind by trying it once... just because I like something you might not...

Thank you for your very informative post - I love how you split it up to each park and what to avoid and what to see.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Avoid swimming in the pools with your mouth open, .

 

[Bitsmommy]

We like Fantasmic, but my kids were SCARED! We went twice...they were 1 and 2 and cried and then again when they were 3 and 4 adn they were still scared!

My three year old LOVES Fantasmic. That is one of those that can go either way with the little ones.

 

[BiancaBernard&Penny]

Avoid swimming in the pools with your mouth open, .

Really. Can anyone argue with that?

Oddly, my daughter, almost 3 at the time loved Snow White. She looks forward to returning. I always had a mini flashlight or distraction like the camera screen ready on dark rides but didn't need it there. Haunted Mansion was something she hated... another kid screaming in the stretching room set her off and... ooops... where did I leave the light when I really need it?

Funny how I avoid Dumbo but do ride Aladdin and Triceratops with DD. I figure why wait for Dumbo when Aladdin's wait is OK and Tricera hardly has a line? She had a meltdown in Dumbo's line once and we never went back. I'll get my view elsewhere.

Years ago we loved Coral Reef, now we're skipping it. Chef Mickey's we can take or leave. Too much fuss to get in for me.
Wolfgang Puck's Cafe is terrible! Are you falling for it? Please believe me... don't go there! More yumminess for me!

Going to Ft Wilderness early before HDD if you don't check ahead is a terrible idea. We went early planning to see the horses and get a pony ride. Turned out that all that was closed for an Iron Man marathon. We were stuck in sweltering heat with nearly nothing to do for quite some time. Then we were stuck in a humid downpour with nothing to do. DD played on the playground but it wasn't one of the better ones and DH tired quickly of the few games in that general store.

Lastly, avoid showing up at the MK 15 minutes before your Crystal Palace ADR and realizing on the bus that you left your KTTW in your room.

 

[Muppet_Girl]

I would avoid DinoLand in AK.

Here are my reasons:
1. If you have kids: the carnival type games are really expensive and most kids will beg to play them. You can avoid this all together by not being in DinoLand.

2. If you don't have kids: your time is better spent else where. It is more of a carnival than a Disney land. It isn't really that great. The kids are mediocre at best.

 

[iwrbnd]

We LOVED meeting Prince Caspian (best character interaction ever!) but the movie/attraction was a waste of time.

 

[ScarlettinWonderland]

Stitch's Great Escape!! It was like a torture chamber!! I'm still having nightmares.
The Prince Caspian thing in Hollywood Studios! Pure waste of time. It says you can meet Prince Caspian but there was no one there??

 

[lynnc1265]

Stitch's Great Escape!! It was like a torture chamber!! I'm still having nightmares.
The Prince Caspian thing in Hollywood Studios! Pure waste of time. It says you can meet Prince Caspian but there was no one there??

If you experienced the original Alien Encounter, Stitch doesn't hold a candle! My dad scared the bejesus out of my in AE by grabbing my leg in the pitch black. Stitch just doesn't have the same impact.

 

[sumsmommy03]

90% of Epocot Center with children age 5-18 IMO. I remember bring bored to death there as a kid, then going with my extended family a few years back it was our least favorite park. Not even planning to take my 5 year old there for her first trip in May.

We took our son 3 1/2 to Disney a couple years ago. He loved Finding Nemo back then so we went on the Nemo ride, spent time at the aquaruim there and made early lunch reservations at Coral Reef. We planned to do a quick run through the countries and leave shortly after. We ended up Epcot for 12+ hours. My son loved it!!! It was one of the best days of our trip. My point is you just never know what you (or your kids) will enjoy! You might be surprised

 

[pgumiela]

I have to agree with everyone else about Sticch's great escape - or not so great escape. We love Stitch in our house, so we were really looking forward to it, and we were really disappointed with it. I rode first with DS7 while DH stayed behind with our DS3 who was under 2 at that time, based on what me and DS7 said he didn't even bother trying it.

Most of the rides we all love and there aren't really any that we would not do again. I like astro orbiter just fine, but it is just not worth the wait, and then cramming into that tiny elevator with a bunch of people, there are too many other things to see. I do have to drag DH and DS7 onto small world - they are not fans. I like it ok, I am not a diehard fan of it, I just feel like it is not a trip to Disney if we don't go on it, even if half of us complain about it. Is that wrong or what?

As far as food everyone has their own likes and dislikes - we were not real happy with the Ohana breakfast. My kids are very picky eaters and this last year we tried it. The only thing that they would eat were the waffles, and we had to wait on a server to bring those around one at a time. I loved the juice, but they didn't, and we were there absolutely forever. We like the character meals and expect it to take longer, but it was really bad that day.

Definately avoid not knowing your kid's limits, not knowing if a ride is going to freak them out doesn't always end well, and not knowing whether they can tolerate walking all day in the heat and sun for 6 or 7 days straight could make for a miserable vacation.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

There is not to much that we avoid but the main thing that stands out in my mind is to avoid getting trapped back in Frontier Land during the parade.If you know that you need to get to the other side of the park, do so before they rope it off. I have gotten trapped twice. You would think that I would have learned this after the first time.

Now, here is a list of things that I just don't like.

Stitch- no surprise
Figment ride @ Epcot - boring
Ellens energy ride @ Epcot - Huge waste of time
Journey into Narnia @ HS - boring
All of Dinoland @ AK - worst land at Disney World
Sounds Dangerous@ HS - stupid

and new to my list, the Indiana Jones Show.... I'm just tired of it now.

 

[Art 1]

I feel so sorry for the people when they are waiting in a long line for Stitch. They look so hot and tired carrying little ones. At time I have felt like walking up to the line and telling them not to bother.

 

[KYMSRX]

thank you for all this great info! Kimberly

 

[GMS]

We avoid Stitch. We LOVED Alien We have never ridden Dumbo. I know, people love Dumbo, but it's a lot like county fair type rides and always too long of a wait...we have 7 kids and none of them have ever even asked about it. Tiki room is better now but we don't go. Never ridden Alladin's carpets or most of Dino land (Same reason as Dumbo.) Generally we avoid Toon Town except when we have a 4-5 yr. old, so it seems we'll be back there in March It is cute but in our family, only for about that age. Often we don't go in the tree house...it's OK. We also avoid Characters in the park unless the line is really short...however we do some character meals. We really love just about everything else...oh, I miss the original Journey into Imagination ride, sometimes we don't do the new one. It's not bad, just not memorable.

 

[PrincessBelle87]

The only disappointment I had at my last trip at Disney was the Buzz Lightyear ride. Longest line of the whole trip and my gun thing was broken!
I also don't do anything 3D; gives me a heachache. But that's not so much a disappointment because we didn't do anything 3D last time!