Disneyworld advice?

[93Devil]

These people know nothing.

Stay on the park. If you belong to AAA, use it. If you are out of state, booking the meal plan basically gives you free food. Be aggressive in your bargaining. Staying on the monorail is the bomb. Younger kids, though, loves the buses. A really, really good best is the Port Orealns/French Quarter. It's a moderate and not terribly pricey. But as I said, by doing hotel, tickets and food, you always save. Monorail is king and the Epcot resorts are so good if you want to walk in the back entrance, but Port Orleans works for all. Nice setting. Good pool. Movie at night. Enough food options. Moderately priced.

By being aggressive, I mean call. Find the deals. Disney is really easy to deal with. They want you to come.

DO NOT come spring break or summer. too many people spring break. too ****ing hot. Despite what some may say, the parks ARE NEVER empty. Are there emptier options? Yes. But, there are always people.

So, moderate hotel. If price is no option? Book the Contemporary, with castle view. If there's a bunch of you, might want to look into the vacation club options, which include Bay Tower at the Contemporary, Saratoga Springs and Key West. Condo style digs,which means you can eat breakfast in the room.

BOOK RESTAURANT OPTIONS AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. many, many good choices. PM me for details.

Port Orleans is nice, but it does seem more themed for old people. The Art of Animation will have rooms totally themed in Little Mermaid or there are Pirate themed rooms in some of the others resorts. The Polynesian is very cool and on the Monorail as well. We had breakfast there and really liked the place.

Stay away from Coronado. Stayed there last time and even though it was nice, it didn't wow us enough.

 

[expendable]

Well, it can at Disney. If you child is autistic they don't have to wait in lines. It is worth investigating.

Investigate whether your child is autistic? How does that work ? Can you get a note from your pediatrician.

Maybe you can rent autistic children for the day.

They don't help trolls, though.

Park attendant: Sir, I don't believe your child is autistic.
Skin-flint dad: Yes. Check it. Son, how much is a ticket to Magic Kingdom?
Son: About 100 dollars.
Dad: Okay, how much will you, your mom and me spend on dinner tonight?
Son: About 100 dollars.
Dad: The Mickey Mouse windbreaker you saw in the store last night...how much does that cost?
Son: About 100 dollars.
Park attendant: Story checks out.


Yeah, I'm going to hell.

 

[Here me roar]

These people know nothing.

Stay on the park. If you belong to AAA, use it. If you are out of state, booking the meal plan basically gives you free food. Be aggressive in your bargaining. Staying on the monorail is the bomb. Younger kids, though, loves the buses. A really, really good best is the Port Orealns/French Quarter. It's a moderate and not terribly pricey. But as I said, by doing hotel, tickets and food, you always save. Monorail is king and the Epcot resorts are so good if you want to walk in the back entrance, but Port Orleans works for all. Nice setting. Good pool. Movie at night. Enough food options. Moderately priced.

By being aggressive, I mean call. Find the deals. Disney is really easy to deal with. They want you to come.

DO NOT come spring break or summer. too many people spring break. too ****ing hot. Despite what some may say, the parks ARE NEVER empty. Are there emptier options? Yes. But, there are always people.

So, moderate hotel. If price is no option? Book the Contemporary, with castle view. If there's a bunch of you, might want to look into the vacation club options, which include Bay Tower at the Contemporary, Saratoga Springs and Key West. Condo style digs,which means you can eat breakfast in the room.

BOOK RESTAURANT OPTIONS AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. many, many good choices. PM me for details.

Port Orleans is nice, but it does seem more themed for old people. The Art of Animation will have rooms totally themed in Little Mermaid or there are Pirate themed rooms in some of the others resorts. The Polynesian is very cool and on the Monorail as well. We had breakfast there and really liked the place.

Stay away from Coronado. Stayed there last time and even though it was nice, it didn't wow us enough.

Um, I got to Disney, four, five times a year. I actually know what I'm talking about.

 

[Captain Obvious]

These people know nothing.

Stay on the park. If you belong to AAA, use it. If you are out of state, booking the meal plan basically gives you free food. Be aggressive in your bargaining. Staying on the monorail is the bomb. Younger kids, though, loves the buses. A really, really good best is the Port Orealns/French Quarter. It's a moderate and not terribly pricey. But as I said, by doing hotel, tickets and food, you always save. Monorail is king and the Epcot resorts are so good if you want to walk in the back entrance, but Port Orleans works for all. Nice setting. Good pool. Movie at night. Enough food options. Moderately priced.

By being aggressive, I mean call. Find the deals. Disney is really easy to deal with. They want you to come.

DO NOT come spring break or summer. too many people spring break. too ****ing hot. Despite what some may say, the parks ARE NEVER empty. Are there emptier options? Yes. But, there are always people.

So, moderate hotel. If price is no option? Book the Contemporary, with castle view. If there's a bunch of you, might want to look into the vacation club options, which include Bay Tower at the Contemporary, Saratoga Springs and Key West. Condo style digs,which means you can eat breakfast in the room.

BOOK RESTAURANT OPTIONS AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. many, many good choices. PM me for details.

Port Orleans is nice, but it does seem more themed for old people. The Art of Animation will have rooms totally themed in Little Mermaid or there are Pirate themed rooms in some of the others resorts. The Polynesian is very cool and on the Monorail as well. We had breakfast there and really liked the place.

Stay away from Coronado. Stayed there last time and even though it was nice, it didn't wow us enough.

Um, I got to Disney, four, five times a year. I actually know what I'm talking about.

Lighten up, Francis.

 

[Here me roar]

I'll give that all the consideration that it's due.

 

[Captain Obvious]

You're being the douche getting uptight on Devil's experience. Glad to know you hold all the Disney expertise.

 

[BTExpress]

Stay away from Coronado. Stayed there last time and even though it was nice, it didn't wow us enough.

Um, I got to Disney, four, five times a year. I actually know what I'm talking about.

Psssst. This stuff is subjective as hell, and people like different things. What didn't wow Tom may very well wow **** and Harry.

Forgive me for trying to help. Since 2001, I've been to Disney at least 60 times.

Awww, that was you?

 

[Here me roar]

Forgive me for trying to help. Since 2001, I've been to Disney at least 60 times.

I'll let him muddle through because, obviously, that's the way to do it.

Forget I said anything.

 

[novelist_wannabe]

Not much to add here, but I will say the suggestions about going off-peak are spot on. I've been three times in January and once in October. I've also been at spring break and the week after Christmas. January and October are solid. January is best.

FWIW, my wife and I really enjoyed Downtown Disney. If you take the kids, make sure to take the kids and see the sculptures at the Lego store.

If you take the kids to Disney Studios, go later in the day and take them to the Fantasmic show, which is conveniently located next to the Tower of Terror and the Rock'n Roller Coaster, the two best rides in the park. If they enjoy the Disney movies, they'll thoroughly enjoy the show.

 

[Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!!]

I would rather take the family to Afghanistan.

This +1
But my in-laws want to do this for the kids (aka they are footing the bill).
My cousin, who is a travel agent is calling tomorrow, with some ballpark figures.

The kids are 10, 7 and 5.

I don't think spring break - or off-peak is an option. Prolly gonna be mid to late summer or winter.

 

[kleeda]

-- I am a "Cast Member" so my tickets are free. I know you don't have that advantage. The meal plan ends up being a pretty good deal if you don't go much of anyplace else while you're in Orlando. Disney food is top-quality stadium food. So there's that.

-- Do a "character meal." It's worth it. If you have girls, do the Cinderella one. My nieces never felt more awesomeness. If you have girls, make a reservation at the Bippitty-Boppitty-Boutique (sp?) and get them made up as their favorite Disney Heroine. I have never seen a girl under 12 being anything less than giddy by the results. Smoke less, drink less, eat less, be late on the mortgage. Get little girls to the Bippitty-Boppitty-Boutique (sp?).

-- I have an autistic son (profoundly), and while it does grant certain advantages, it is no panacea. And yes, all you jokers are going to hell. :-) I kid.

-- Local hotels are fine and then you take the rental car to the park of the day. $10. Driving from park to park gets expensive quick. Most local hotels have a shuttle to the Magic Kingdom and then you can take a bus anywhere you want to go. I usually stay at the Marriot Residence Inn Lake Mary, which is usually affordable and has free breakfast. Of course I do use points, and it's free.

-- Park Hopper passes are not essential, but if you or the kids get bored or overwhelmed quickly, suddenly they are essential. A 15-minute bus-ride from one park to the other can be a cleansing and reinvigorating experience.

-- The Magic Kingdom is just that. Two days.

-- The animal Kingdom is great, too. 1-2 days. We usually do 1.5 days there (take anyone old enough on the Himalaya if you like roller coasters) and spend the other half at the Studios park. The Star Tours ride and the Aerosmith coaster are awesome at Studios.

-- Epcot is dicey. You and the other adults will love every minute of it. Kids like a few select things (the aquarium, World Of Energy, Gm Test Track), but unless they like documentary films, it's a bore-fest. My kids like documentary films, so score for me. You can get a great steak in the Canada section. The Morrocan food place is hit or miss, but when it's on, it's great. The German buffet is phenomenal if you like meat, meat and more meat. Me and my brood like meat.

-- There are great English pubs (not Irish) all over Orlando. Our favorite is Harry Ramsbottom's. And Downtown Disney is great for you and the better half if the 'rents will watch the grandkids until 2 a.m.

 

[93Devil]

I'll give that all the consideration that it's due.

And I've stayed at Port Orleans.

IMHO, nice for older adults, but boring for kids.

 

[93Devil]

-- I am a "Cast Member" so my tickets are free. I know you don't have that advantage. The meal plan ends up being a pretty good deal if you don't go much of anyplace else while you're in Orlando. Disney food is top-quality stadium food. So there's that.

-- Do a "character meal." It's worth it. If you have girls, do the Cinderella one. My nieces never felt more awesomeness. If you have girls, make a reservation at the Bippitty-Boppitty-Boutique (sp?) and get them made up as their favorite Disney Heroine. I have never seen a girl under 12 being anything less than giddy by the results. Smoke less, drink less, eat less, be late on the mortgage. Get little girls to the Bippitty-Boppitty-Boutique (sp?).

-- I have an autistic son (profoundly), and while it does grant certain advantages, it is no panacea. And yes, all you jokers are going to hell. :-) I kid.

-- Local hotels are fine and then you take the rental car to the park of the day. $10. Driving from park to park gets expensive quick. Most local hotels have a shuttle to the Magic Kingdom and then you can take a bus anywhere you want to go. I usually stay at the Marriot Residence Inn Lake Mary, which is usually affordable and has free breakfast. Of course I do use points, and it's free.

-- Park Hopper passes are not essential, but if you or the kids get bored or overwhelmed quickly, suddenly they are essential. A 15-minute bus-ride from one park to the other can be a cleansing and reinvigorating experience.

-- The Magic Kingdom is just that. Two days.

-- The animal Kingdom is great, too. 1-2 days. We usually do 1.5 days there (take anyone old enough on the Himalaya if you like roller coasters) and spend the other half at the Studios park. The Star Tours ride and the Aerosmith coaster are awesome at Studios.

-- Epcot is dicey. You and the other adults will love every minute of it. Kids like a few select things (the aquarium, World Of Energy, Gm Test Track), but unless they like documentary films, it's a bore-fest. My kids like documentary films, so score for me. You can get a great steak in the Canada section. The Morrocan food place is hit or miss, but when it's on, it's great. The German buffet is phenomenal if you like meat, meat and more meat. Me and my brood like meat.

-- There are great English pubs (not Irish) all over Orlando. Our favorite is Harry Ramsbottom's. And Downtown Disney is great for you and the better half if the 'rents will watch the grandkids until 2 a.m.

Thank you for the heads up on the Boutique.

We are planning to go again the first week of December. Basically, we are playing Disney for all it's worth while Lil 93 is still young and buys everything hook, line and sinker that they are offering.

I agree about the food quality except for the desserts. Those are pretty damn good. Oh, the coffee sucks, but I have heard that is because of the water.

 

[Boom_70]

I highly recommend The Grand Floridian. It's on the monorail line, has great pools and water slide .

 

[playthrough]

About five years back, one of kleeda's fellow "cast members" swiped his card at the Magic Kingdom turnstile and let me, my wife and child in. We were in awe. I clearly remember saying to the wife "if they axe me, at least we got that done." A few months later, yep. (We laugh about it now.)

Ditto on the Princess dinner. Our 3-year-old was speechless, and that's darned hard to do.

If you go at off-peak times, off-property is OK. Stay on property for the peak times to avoid the astounding I-4 traffic that will make you want to scream.

 

[93Devil]

I highly recommend The Grand Floridian. It's on the monorail line, has great pools and water slide .

FYI, the monorail only takes you to Epcot and the Magic Kingdom. You either have to ride a boat or a bus to get to the Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios.

 

[Bradley Guire]

Well, it can at Disney. If you child is autistic they don't have to wait in lines. It is worth investigating.

I'll be sure to get my kids vaccinated. :D

I know it sounds ****ty, but they do help people out that might need help. And there is something where parents can reride something if they have a kid that does not want to ride or only one parent to ride. It does not apply to my family, but there is some thing they do to help out if a child does not have someone to ride with.

I'm glad they have it. Disney thinks of everything.

Oh, and Slick Ric checks in:

"It may be the oldest ride in the park, but it's still got the longest line! Wooooo!"

The ladies love riding Space Mountain. Some guys, too. Hell, I tried it once. I was curious. It wasn't bad.

 

[Bradley Guire]

Serious Disney World advice:

- Meal deals are a money-saving package. Worth it.
- Fast passes are time-saving packages. Worth it.
- Even if you stay at the cheapest resort inside Disney World, it's still nice a nice joint. Plus, bus service. Plus, if you buy trinkets and don't want to cart them around all day, the park will deliver your trinkets to your hotel. That was nice.
- At least two full days for Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, for those of all ages.
- Not as many rides in Hollywood Studios, but more shows. Shows take longer than rides. Plan for that.
- Epcot is a waste for the younger kids. They'll be bored with everything but the Nemo show. In this instance, park hopper is great. Knock out an early show of Nemo, then jet over to another park for other stuff.
- Want to get pics and autographs of characters for kids? Pay the extra for a character meal, unless you wait to wait an hour in line for each and every character.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

Well, it can at Disney. If you child is autistic they don't have to wait in lines. It is worth investigating.

Investigate whether your child is autistic? How does that work ? Can you get a note from your pediatrician.

Maybe you can rent autistic children for the day.

No notes, and it doesn't always mean you can skip lines.

My kids are disabled. What we've done is get a note from our pediatrician. When we enter, we go to the customer service place, show them the note, and get us a disabilites pass.

With the pass, usually the smaller rides just let us cut in and we get on right away. With the bigger attractions, they either have us do that, or write down a time for us to come back. At that time, they let us on.

 

[Bradley Guire]

Here's something I've thought about since hurting my back: even though Disney isn't a "roller coaster" park as much as Six Flags, if you've got folks who can't handle being jarred around there are a handful of things to consider.

Thunder Mountain at Magic Kingdom: it's a fairly rough ride.
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios: I wouldn't ride it because of the potential compression on my spine.

The rest, like Aerosmith and Space Mountain, probably won't do much damage. Depends on how fragile you are.
Also, depending on the time of year, indoor rides are great for beating the heat. Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion are fantastic. Rode them over and over when we got overheated.