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Disney Help!
Hey flip flop - I actually worked at Disney (on the WDW College Program) while in college in the mid 90's. We go back just about every year.
One thing I learned quickly (and it became a joke of the cast members)...For the "Happiest Place on Earth", there sure are a lot of aggrevated people walking around. And that is beause, most people save for years for their Disney Trip, then when they get there, they nearly kill themselves trying to see and do everything. I would suggest not doing that. If you have not been there in the last 15 years, you won't believe the size of the place.
As for park planning - I would not go to the Magic Kingdom on Sunday or Monday...Reason being, most families fly in on Sunday, then head STRAIGHT to the Magic Kingdom on Sunday and/or Monday. Go to EPCOT or Animal Kingdom on those two days instead, saving the MK for the middle of the week. Also, I would not miss Animal Kingdom or EPCOT.
As others have offered, please PM me if I can help. There is a great board full of information and experts as well. Not sure if I am allowed to post the link here, however.
One thing I learned quickly (and it became a joke of the cast members)...For the "Happiest Place on Earth", there sure are a lot of aggrevated people walking around. And that is beause, most people save for years for their Disney Trip, then when they get there, they nearly kill themselves trying to see and do everything. I would suggest not doing that. If you have not been there in the last 15 years, you won't believe the size of the place.
As for park planning - I would not go to the Magic Kingdom on Sunday or Monday...Reason being, most families fly in on Sunday, then head STRAIGHT to the Magic Kingdom on Sunday and/or Monday. Go to EPCOT or Animal Kingdom on those two days instead, saving the MK for the middle of the week. Also, I would not miss Animal Kingdom or EPCOT.
As others have offered, please PM me if I can help. There is a great board full of information and experts as well. Not sure if I am allowed to post the link here, however.
Your idea of not staying all day with little ones is spot on.
If you're up to it, go early, leave when it gets hot/the little ones get tired and go take a nap, take a swim, eat, rest and go back for a few more hours after dark.
If you go to see the fireworks at EPCOT over the lagoon around the world of nations(?) here's a huge timesaver.
Go to the Boardwalk, and take the sidewalk into the back entrance of EPCOT. Watch the fireworks on the bridge between England and France, then head out that same back entrance which is right by the bridge. While others are scurrying to the front of the park and still waiting for the ride back to the transportation center you'll be back to your hotel room!
If you're up to it, go early, leave when it gets hot/the little ones get tired and go take a nap, take a swim, eat, rest and go back for a few more hours after dark.
If you go to see the fireworks at EPCOT over the lagoon around the world of nations(?) here's a huge timesaver.
Go to the Boardwalk, and take the sidewalk into the back entrance of EPCOT. Watch the fireworks on the bridge between England and France, then head out that same back entrance which is right by the bridge. While others are scurrying to the front of the park and still waiting for the ride back to the transportation center you'll be back to your hotel room!
Come see us!
[/quote]Thanks Maryanne, I have found a forum or two and find them completely overwhelming as most people on them feel about disney as I feel about STJ and I am just not on that level.
[/quote]
Yeah, you definitely have to be enthusiastic about delving in to all the information...
A park a day sounds like a good plan with little kids. Definitely do a bit of reading/planning, so you're not wandering around. If you have a bit of a schedule, which you probably do anyway with kids, you'll be okay. And Epcot can be a lot of fun.
[/quote]
Yeah, you definitely have to be enthusiastic about delving in to all the information...
A park a day sounds like a good plan with little kids. Definitely do a bit of reading/planning, so you're not wandering around. If you have a bit of a schedule, which you probably do anyway with kids, you'll be okay. And Epcot can be a lot of fun.
If I recall correctly, I don’t think you can get more than one FastPass at a time, but a few yrs ago, there was a cool trick to using it more effectively. And that way was to not wait til you completely use one pass to get another – you can actually get another FastPass as soon as the you hit the beginning time on the first one.
An example to explain: lets say you have a FastPass to go on ride X at 10:15 – 10:30. At around that time, you head over towards ride X. On the way there, before you get to ride X, you can get another FastPass for ride Y at any time after 10:15. You don’t actually have to wait til you submit the FastPass for ride X, go through the ride X FastPass line, and go on ride X, which all total could take another bunch of time til you stroll over and get the FastPass for ride Y. You would already have it in hand and with some luck, go right on ride Y in short order.
These were the rules a few yrs ago. Maybe someone with more recent experience could confirm.
Anyways, these are the kinds of tricks you will find in the Unofficial Guide and no doubt on the Disney message boards.
An example to explain: lets say you have a FastPass to go on ride X at 10:15 – 10:30. At around that time, you head over towards ride X. On the way there, before you get to ride X, you can get another FastPass for ride Y at any time after 10:15. You don’t actually have to wait til you submit the FastPass for ride X, go through the ride X FastPass line, and go on ride X, which all total could take another bunch of time til you stroll over and get the FastPass for ride Y. You would already have it in hand and with some luck, go right on ride Y in short order.
These were the rules a few yrs ago. Maybe someone with more recent experience could confirm.
Anyways, these are the kinds of tricks you will find in the Unofficial Guide and no doubt on the Disney message boards.
When we come to place where the sea and the sky collide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
Hey FF- We've been down 3 times in the past 5 years.
I enjoyed it more than I had expected, because of my kids enjoyment of course.
I don't agree with Epcot over MGM but to each their own. MGM has some cool stuff....Star Wars, Buzz and Woody, Pizza Planet, tower of Terror, Main Street,,,etc.
Food is a rip-off, take in snacks and drinks at a minimum...ticks me off to pay 3$ for water and and 8$ for a burger or what-ever. Plan a full day at Magic Kingdom and go early. Animal kingdom is a hoot too.
Bring a stroller, snacks, etc. if you have a little one, take your time and enjoy it.
We always went off season so I don't know about dealing with crazy crowds...
The memories are worth the trip! Enjoy!
This picture of my daughter at Disney a few years ago says it all...yep-she passed out while eating dinner!
I enjoyed it more than I had expected, because of my kids enjoyment of course.
I don't agree with Epcot over MGM but to each their own. MGM has some cool stuff....Star Wars, Buzz and Woody, Pizza Planet, tower of Terror, Main Street,,,etc.
Food is a rip-off, take in snacks and drinks at a minimum...ticks me off to pay 3$ for water and and 8$ for a burger or what-ever. Plan a full day at Magic Kingdom and go early. Animal kingdom is a hoot too.
Bring a stroller, snacks, etc. if you have a little one, take your time and enjoy it.
We always went off season so I don't know about dealing with crazy crowds...
The memories are worth the trip! Enjoy!
This picture of my daughter at Disney a few years ago says it all...yep-she passed out while eating dinner!
That is such a cute picture, Sherban! 
One year we were at Disney for John's birthday, and the hotel staff left a card signed by all the characters for him in our room. It was really weird because we had not said anything to anyone about his birthday. Disney knows everything!
One year we were at Disney for John's birthday, and the hotel staff left a card signed by all the characters for him in our room. It was really weird because we had not said anything to anyone about his birthday. Disney knows everything!
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
I second the recommendation for the Passporter. Unofficial is good too but I find the Passporter a lighter and easier to follow read.
Try to work a character meal in to your plans. The kids would love it. Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary resort is one of our favorites. Lots of singing and napkin twirling going on.
Downtown Disney is a fun stop for shopping.
I would definitely take them to MGM. There is a lot of kid stuff there that they would enjoy. At Epcot, it would be all about the Kidcot Stations. Tables setup in each country in which they are given a mask on a stick to take around and decorate, color, add stickers, stamps etc. My little guy loved that when he was younger.
Also, if you go to Epcot, don't miss the candy lady in Japan. OMG! She is AMAZING. Get there early. She picks 6 kids to make sculpture lolipops for and they are truly a peice of unbelievable artwork!
Try to work a character meal in to your plans. The kids would love it. Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary resort is one of our favorites. Lots of singing and napkin twirling going on.
Downtown Disney is a fun stop for shopping.
I would definitely take them to MGM. There is a lot of kid stuff there that they would enjoy. At Epcot, it would be all about the Kidcot Stations. Tables setup in each country in which they are given a mask on a stick to take around and decorate, color, add stickers, stamps etc. My little guy loved that when he was younger.
Also, if you go to Epcot, don't miss the candy lady in Japan. OMG! She is AMAZING. Get there early. She picks 6 kids to make sculpture lolipops for and they are truly a peice of unbelievable artwork!
My mom lived in Celebration until recently, and we spent more than a few March vacations at Disney. My son is 10 now, and he too is more of a science /nature kid, than a Disney kid. We loved Epcot and Animal Kingdom. I'm not sure if they're still showing it, but the Festival of the Lion King, at AK, was wonderful.
Not to confuse things but we found a day at Discovery Cove to be extremely relaxing. No, it's not St John, but there is some wonderful snorkeling, a ray pool, a river pool, a man made beach and a Dolphin experiences, if you so choose. I tend to get overwhelmed by crowds and chaos, and Discovery Cove was a lovely alternative, a really relaxing,peaceful day. Have a great trip.
Not to confuse things but we found a day at Discovery Cove to be extremely relaxing. No, it's not St John, but there is some wonderful snorkeling, a ray pool, a river pool, a man made beach and a Dolphin experiences, if you so choose. I tend to get overwhelmed by crowds and chaos, and Discovery Cove was a lovely alternative, a really relaxing,peaceful day. Have a great trip.
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sailorgirl
- Posts: 1644
- Joined: Mon Oct 30, 2006 3:03 pm
Valet is $10 now, and they won't let you park at the monorail resorts anymore unless you have a reservation at one of the resort restaurants. The gate guards have a list with all the names of people with dining reservations. Even then, you only get a three hour pass when it's busy (which it will be!).sailorgirl wrote:if you rent a car to drive to the park, valet ( it used to be free) at one of the hotels on the monorail line and ride to the Magic Kingdom.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.