Disney site??

[soxfan22]

Oh, and yeah you're gonna sweat! People can never understand how we can go to STJ in July...I always say that it's not Orlando in July in terms of pure disgusting heat...Not even close.

I'll take the 'heat' in STJ in July in exchange for the bathtub that is Maho Bay...We live about an hour and a half from the Cape...My family has been vacationing there the same two weeks of July for about 20 years (about 20-25 of us in West Dennis)...My wife and I because of our trips to STJ in July have only managed to catch a couple of days up there ther last few years...I can't even step my toes in that water anymore (it's black and ice cold)...And I grew up in it. I am forevor spoiled!

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[soxfan22]

That's funny - the timeshare hardsell...Kids are magical that way, aren't they (uh, what's that son? your belly hurts?)...They can single-handedly get us out of situations that we ourselves would never be able to get out of. New Smyrna is a nice beach...Beware of sharks!

Sounds like you guys went to the character bkfst or dinner at Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary. And you stayed at the Wilderness Lodge?

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[soxfan22]

Yes, Chef Micky and Wilderness Lodge. They really took care of my son, it was his birthday and he got ballons and a signed birthdat card/pictire of Goofy. All kinds of buttons at check in too. I liked to be able to take the ferry to the MK in the evenings, and watch that light show thing on the water. I cant remember the character dinner in the MK.

Probably the Crystal Palace...or maybe Liberty Tree Tavern.

[XOXO]

soxfan22: Agreed...And they are VERY into Disney...bordering on obsessive

LOL, like we are about St. John???

We went to Disney when my kids were young and we rank it as our second worse vacation ever. I wish I would have known about all of the resources online--like tripadvisor or the one posted here. We just weren't prepared. I am glad to see that others are more prepared and can make it work the best for them.

Have a great trip. Fun ages to bring there too!!

Gina

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[soxfan22]

soxfan22: Agreed...And they are VERY into Disney...bordering on obsessive

LOL, like we are about St. John???

We went to Disney when my kids were young and we rank it as our second worse vacation ever. I wish I would have known about all of the resources online--like tripadvisor or the one posted here. We just weren't prepared. I am glad to see that others are more prepared and can make it work the best for them.

Have a great trip. Fun ages to bring there too!!

Gina

Gina - as soon as I typed the comment about the folks over on the Dis boards, I thought the same thing! So yes, a lot like us!

Your take on Disney brings me back to what we all used to say when I was employed by the Mouse...For the "World's Happiest Place", everybody sure is miserable (meaning guests). People save up for years to get there, then they make the mistake of trying to see and do everything in one week. Can't happen. When we go now, we have no problems with sitting by the pool with some drinks, taking the kids to the parks for half-days, whatever...No rush. But, we have investigated every corner of the place many times over - and the kids don't know the difference.

I will say, the look on my son's face during his first trip was priceless, and it gets more exciting for him each time.

[soxfan22]

Yes, Crystal Palace sounds right. I would like to try to get to Epcott this time. I would like to take my son to that light show production on the water there. He is more into the prouctions than the rides. He loved the Animal Kingdon walking tour and Safari. Also the Nemo stuff he loves!

I would venture to guess that you will like EPCOT much more than the MK. It's a bit more adult oriented (with the World Showcase), and it's the only Disney park that sells alcohol (which trust me, you'll need). Good frozen margaritas right outside of Mexico...And you can get yourself some Sake in Japan (that was a mistake).

They also have a couple of attractions he would probably like...There's once called Soarin' (basically a hangliding sim), and then there's also a Nemo ride in the Living Seas.

But, you should definitely give Test Track a shot. You'll love it!

Oh, and I think you also mentioned Illuminations (laser/firework show)...He'll love that too...think it starts at 9 PM in the summer. Get yourself a Margarita from the kiosk outside Mexico, or a Beer (Bass or Harp) at the Fish and Chips joint across from the UK showcase - and enjoy the show!

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[XOXO]

Soxfan:

For the "World's Happiest Place", everybody sure is miserable (meaning guests). People save up for years to get there, then they make the mistake of trying to see and do everything in one week.

That is so true!! We wanted to hit all of the biggest rides (I had the book--that is all--I could have used a little more advise for sure). That aerosmith rockin' roller coaster was so cool! So was honey I shrunk the kids. Also, we loved loved EPCOT.

We did a lot of great things--but overall we groan when we hear the words disney theme park.

I think what happened with us was that it was crowded and we weren't prepared to stand in line for an hour. We didn't know about the express pass (maybe it wasn't in use when we were there). That would have helped.

Also, the people around us were pretty rude. I really don't remember seeing a lot of happy people. It was really hot. When we got back to the pool people were so much better.

The people at the parks were a little like the people I see got to St. John from cruise ships. They were pushy and seemed like they had enough playing nice.

I don't know--I don't mean to scare anyone. My friend have gone and had a great time--my sister went when it wasn't busy and couldn't figure out what I was talking about when I asked about the hour lines--I think we just weren't prepared--the book wasn't enough.

Gina

[mcpenguin5]

We went to DisneyWorld when our grandson was 5, and we had a blast. I settled in on Intercot.com for a few months in advance, and I found them quite helpful. Most of the regulars were so into the park, they were going at least once a year. Most recommended Season Passes. These were not people who lived close by in Florida, they are from all over the country! The were obsessed, but I found them very helpful and friendly.

We stayed in one of the 2 Bedroom Condo units in Wilderness Lodge, and it was really great. The pools alone were worth it. We liked that we had ready access to the ferry boats, and we could watch the Light Show from the pier there.

We also learned on the forum about a great little freebie most people don't know about. The campgrounds next to Wilderness Lodge have a campfire, marshmallow roast, and cartoon show for the kids at the campground once a week. It costs nothing but the marshmallows and sticks you can buy there but you can bring your own if you want. The kids love it, and I think most of the adults did too.

We mapped out what we wanted to see, planned only one park per day, and set limits on what we were expecting to do. As for the lines, they have a system that lets you get a ticket that holds a "spot" in the line for you so you don't have to stand around in lines. At every ride, you have place to push a button, it prints a ticket that tells you when to show up again, and you get to go in as if you had been standing there the whole time. Much nicer.

I do recommend hitting the Intercot site and using it just like we use this forum. It is very helpful, and the people very knowledgable. Yes, they are obsessive about Disney, but that is their thing. I prefer to be obsessive about St. John, and so does our grandson, now. To each his own.

McPenguin5

[sherban]

I'm headed down with the family for a short trip in 2 weeks. Our kids are 7 and 9 so it is prime time for them there. My daughter is now 45" tall so she is in the big leagues now. My kids are both nuts, they both loved tower of terror when they were 4-5 years old! What's up with that?

Ah, then there's the 9 hour drive down there...talk about fun...

Peace

[liamsaunt]

I have to make one correction ...you can get alcohol in all of the parks except the Magic Kingdom. EPCOT definitely has the most variety, but there are adult drinks to be had in the Studios as well as Animal Kingdom. Trust me, I know.

Sherban, you'll have fun if you don't try and do everything. Just take it at your own pace, and make sure to utilize the fastpass system.

My niece and nephew are the same ages as your kids. I have not gotten them on Tower of Terror yet--I haven't even gotten the youngest on Thunder Mountain. You know what their favorite rides were this past trip, that we went on over and over? The teacups and the peoplemover! John and I joked that we could have just brought them to the local carnival and they would have had just as much fun.

[soxfan22]

Soxfan:

For the "World's Happiest Place", everybody sure is miserable (meaning guests). People save up for years to get there, then they make the mistake of trying to see and do everything in one week.

I think what happened with us was that it was crowded and we weren't prepared to stand in line for an hour. We didn't know about the express pass (maybe it wasn't in use when we were there). That would have helped.

Also, the people around us were pretty rude. I really don't remember seeing a lot of happy people. It was really hot. When we got back to the pool people were so much better.

The people at the parks were a little like the people I see got to St. John from cruise ships. They were pushy and seemed like they had enough playing nice.

I don't know--I don't mean to scare anyone. My friend have gone and had a great time--my sister went when it wasn't busy and couldn't figure out what I was talking about when I asked about the hour lines--I think we just weren't prepared--the book wasn't enough.

Gina

What month did you go, Gina? When I worked there, there were days that the park (MK) had to close it's doors around 11 am because they reached capacity...This was generally around the 4th of July. Also, if you go in March or April, forget about it.

Like Liamsaunt says...use FastPass.

Liamsaunt...you are correct, there are places in AK and The Studios where you can grab a drink (Dawa Bar at AK for one...at the studios I believe we're mostly talking restaurants like Hollywood & Vine)...MK is the only completely 'dry' park...However, I believe EPCOT is the only park where it is readily accessible, sold basically on the 'street'.

It's funny...When Disney opened EuroDisney (now Disneyland Paris) in 1992, they followed the same "no alcohol" policy that they follow in the rest of their parks. With attendance nowhere near what they had expected initially (and almost complete failure), they had to amend their policy on alcohol for Disneyland Paris to acquiesce with European culture. I always thought it interesting that a company with that worldwide scope could've so badly miscalculated the needs/culture of their guests.