OT: Disney Trip musts

[NukeDogg]

Decide now that whatever happens you're not gonna get pissed off. It's the Happiest Place on Earth and you can walk around there all day watching people be miserable and making the people they're with miserable. Don't be that person. It's gonna be expensive, just be cool with that, do what others have said and find someone who's familiar to explain the system to you. It's formidable for a newcomer but it's not that complicated. Just don't be the mad parents being pissed off that stuff is expensive or that you're standing in line. It's part of it.

Also, some of the best riding happens during and after the fireworks. You can walk onto the busiest rides there right after the fireworks until close.

I always tell people exactly this. Among our family and friends we're the Disney heads, been to WDW probably 20 times so far. My go-to two pieces of Disney World advice:

1. What vhdawg said, you have to go into it with the mindset that long waits, hot sun, crowded places, high prices is just part of it. Prep yourself ahead of time so it doesn't irritate you in the moment. Kids will get tired, they'll get overstimulated, they will need naps/rest, etc. The more you

2. Unless you are the 1% Disney pro who does this for a living and is doing the parks solo, you will not be able to do everything so don't even try. So many people go into it thinking because they spent thousands that they need to ride every single thing, they need to be efficient so no water/bathroom/food breaks, get up early and stay till midnight, no wasting time in gift shops or at popcorn/ice cream stands, etc. You'll be miserable and exhausted halfway through the trip if your mentality is "gotta do it all".

 

[kired]

I've only been with kids the last few times so can't give any advice on more adult things.

Carousel of Progress or Hall of President's are the best places for a 15-20 minute nap, should be nice & air conditioned since you're visiting during the summer.

Without kids I'd skip out on the more generic rides - hit the big attractions and newer ones. Don't waste time with stuff like the dumbo and flying carpets at MK. Completely avoid anything to do with dinoland in animal kingdom. DO NOT do the orange mission space if you have ever experienced even the slightest bit of motion sickness.

Research the lightning lane stuff. It's constantly changing so advice you get on here may not be accurate. Probably best to go ahead and pay for the individual ones on most popular rides.

Don't know how many days you're there - but we normally do not get park hopper, and just plan for one day at each park + one extra day at either MK or HS. HS used to be a one day park but there are a lot of newer rides plus all of the star wars stuff if you're interested in that.

 

[WrightGuy821]

Not saying you should avoid Disney because it's managed and operated by a bunch of woke, godless democrats...
But I'm saying (from loads of experience) you'll be better off financially, physically, emotionally, and spiritually taking your kids hiking and camping or to the beach. Play putt-putt, go to a water park, trampoline park. Or play a board game.

Disney is so NOT worth what you pay for and go through.

I don't think it's for every body, so this may be true for some people, however, I've never gone and thought it wasn't worth it. It can easily be ruined by someone with a piss poor attitude though. I've seen plenty of groups go and hate it because one person was complaining the whole time about being too hot, tired, expensive, or whatever else they can find to complain about. If anyone in your group is liable to be that person leave them behind. It genuinely is a lot of fun to go and see and do a lot of the stuff. Also, you won't be able to do everything at Magic Kingdom or Hollywood Studios in one day. Animal Kingdom and Epcot you probably can.

 

[MSUDAWGFAN]

A few tips and tricks.

Do some research on fast pass. There are ways to get a lot out of it if you use it right.

Expect to spend 2k on stuff once you get there for a family of 4 on a 7 day trip. Food is insane especially the character dinners.

Look for an after hours event while you are there. We are doing one for the first time this October. Should be basically no wait and some food is included. I’ve heard nothing but great things about them.

We did Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party the last two times we went. My wife took one of my daughters back to the room almost at the beginning of the party and my other daughter and I did just about every ride in MK. Toward the end of the night, almost every ride is walk on. There were only a few we didn't do, but that was because she wasn't feeling brave enough to do Space Mountain. We certainly had time. We even did the People Mover, which if you decide to do, do it at night. When we went over Thanksgiving week in 2019, it was so busy people did that just to feel like they were doing something. We are going the week before Thanksgiving week this year because I said I'll never do that again. Ever.

 

[DoggieDaddy13]

I try to go with the best attitude possible no matter where I go. But at Disney World or Land, whether in Hong Kong, Paris, Tokyo, Florida or Cali, you damn sure need your positive game face on at all times to keep from throttling someone.
It can be lots a damn fun, with or without the kids, which is why I've dropped close to a quarter mil on Diz trips in my life time.
But I'd never tell someone it's worth it.

 

[johnson86-1]

2. Unless you are the 1% Disney pro who does this for a living and is doing the parks solo, you will not be able to do everything so don't even try. So many people go into it thinking because they spent thousands that they need to ride every single thing, they need to be efficient so no water/bathroom/food breaks, get up early and stay till midnight, no wasting time in gift shops or at popcorn/ice cream stands, etc. You'll be miserable and exhausted halfway through the trip if your mentality is "gotta do it all".

Look MF'er if you have something to say to me just come out and say it and don't dance around with this "so many people" ********.**

But seriously, we do it with the have to do it all mindset and shockingly it has mostly worked out fine. We usually do rope drops to closing and have a good bit of the day planned out. We usually sit down for lunch at whatever quick service place has air conditioning. But outside of that breaks are pretty much having snacks while sitting in line. Gift shops and popcorn or ice cream or whatever is for when we're going to have a long wait regardless of where we go, so we're not "missing" good ride time. We occasionally push too hard and have a kid get grumpy, at which point we just slow down some. Ideally would have slowed down sooner, but it's always been a quick bounce back. If we're having to drag people out of bed, we don't do the rope drop, we just skip that part. Just have to know how much your kids (or maybe you and your spouse) can take and slow down when you get to that point.

I will say that we have yet to do it where at least two of our kids couldn't rest in a stroller. Even if one was too big to ride in it the whole time, it's still good place for them to have a break off their feet when it gets to be a grind for them.

 

[mcdawg22]

The easy answer is, find a Disney based travel agent. They’re free and can give u all kinds of tips for your style of group. And may can find a deal or two that aren’t publicized. They’re especially helpful with dining reservations and fast passes.

A few specific tips if u have kids:
1. Drive; and bring a bin of food and such. When kids are hungry, they’re hungry right now. Each park day we had a backpack with at least about 4 peanut butter sandwiches, 2 apples, 2 bananas, 4 packs of fruit snacks, and a bag of goldfish; just for our 5 year old. Waiting in lines with a hungry kid is no fun.

2a. If u have kids less than 10, rent a stroller. U can easily walk 7-8 miles a day there, and when you’re rushing to get to a ride, u can plop them in the stroller and zoom. And u can use it for storage while you’re on a ride. Saw lots of adults with handfuls of bags and souvenirs in their arms trying to get on rides.

2b. And like i said, rent the stroller. There’s companies that will drop it off at your resort and pick it up the day u leave. Strollers take up a lot of space in a vehicle.

3. Stay at a resort with a cafeteria. All of the value resorts and some of the medium resorts have them. They have a good variety of options, and they’re so convenient after a long day.

4. Ultimately, all of the resorts are neat in their own way. We happen to like the Port Orleans ones; they have great beignets at the French Quarter.

5,6,7. Don’t go in the summer. Yowchers.

We are doing Universal for the first time this summer and I spent hours, manipulating passes, Express passes, resorts, Florida resident discounts etc. I thought I had the best options for us, then a friend recommended the travel agent for free and he got most everything I wanted with 4 different options with a grand total of everything so we could make a decision and all of the options were cheaper than what i was able to pull. I’m sure it’s that way with Disney too.

 

[LocalBeachBum]

If you stay on site, you get into parks an hour earlier
you can also reserve breakfasts to get into the parks earlier. Magic Kingdom and Epcot both (used to) have the princess breakfasts where your kids take photos with the Disney princesses. Reservations are recommended. Book the early hour, eat in piece, exit. Go to your favorite ride to avoid the crowd.

the photo pass is worth it. We got a cool video from the drawf mine ride with us in the front car.


if you want to stay in property cheap, there are companies that will rent you aRV and you stay in the Ft. Wilderness Campground.

Disney's Fort Wilderness Camper Rental | Camper Rental Adventures of Orlando, FL

camperrentaladventures.com

 

[SyonaraStanz]

Where are you staying?

Since you're not taking kids, if you're like my wife and I would be, you may want to focus extra on dining. Disney has really upped their game on food. We were there 2 weeks ago, and I did not have a bad meal.

Space220 (EPCOT) - This was a hard reservation to get, but we had 8 people. It was decent food, but a cool atmosphere, as you're dining in outerspace.

San Angel Inn (EPCOT) - Dining on the Mexican countryside. It's a good experience and pretty good food. We skipped it this time, since we got a Space220 reservation.

Roundup Rodeo (Hollywood Studios) - This is a few months old and was surprisingly good. The cheddar biscuits with pepper jelly were outstanding. I highly recommend giving this place a shot. It's expensive though, but they all are.

Sci-Fi Drive In Theater (Hollywood Studios) - This is probably my favorite spot due to the atmosphere. You dine in a table built like a car and watch clips of old Sci-Fi movies on a drive-in big screen. The burgers are pretty good too.

Yak & Yeti (Animal Kingdom) - We really like this spot because we love Asian inspired food.

Tusker House (Animal Kindgom) - We tried this for breakfast for the first time, and it was good with a lot of options. It's a popular spot for the kiddos since it's a character dining.

Skipper Canteen (Magic Kingdom) - This is our favorite spot in MK.

Crystal Palace (Magic Kingdom) - We've never eaten here but have friends who say it's their favorite at Disney.

Seats and Sweets Dessert Party (Magic Kingdom) - If you want to watch the fireworks and have the best seat in the house, while snacking and drinking, book this experience. Otherwise, you'll be standing in the mass of people watching fireworks. I think this is well worth it and a comfortable way to end the long day at MK.

We also ate at Topolino's and Artist Point this trip, and both were very good. Both are hard reservations to get. You can book at 6:00 AM 60 days prior to first day of your trip. If you want to get the coveted reservations, set the alarm clock and book your spots. If it's just 2 of you, you should have decent luck in booking stuff. If you don't get reservations you want, you can sign up for MouseWatchers, and it'll alert you when reservations come available, but you have to be quick on the draw. There are tons of great places to eat at Disney. Hopefully you're staying on property and can maximize those benefits.

Lastly, 17 a budget. I'm a tight guy (Type A accountant), but I'm conditioned now to just say 17 it and spend the money to enjoy your time. You can have a really nice trip, but it's going to cost you. Like others have said, contact a Disney Vacation planner asap.

If you have any questions, let me know. We go every year, are battled tested and have learned a lot of efficient moves to make to avoid pain and suffering.

 

[johnson86-1]

Where are you staying?

Since you're not taking kids, if you're like my wife and I would be, you may want to focus extra on dining. Disney has really upped their game on food. We were there 2 weeks ago, and I did not have a bad meal.

Space220 (EPCOT) - This was a hard reservation to get, but we had 8 people. It was decent food, but a cool atmosphere, as you're dining in outerspace.

San Angel Inn (EPCOT) - Dining on the Mexican countryside. It's a good experience and pretty good food. We skipped it this time, since we got a Space220 reservation.

Roundup Rodeo (Hollywood Studios) - This is a few months old and was surprisingly good. The cheddar biscuits with pepper jelly were outstanding. I highly recommend giving this place a shot. It's expensive though, but they all are.

Sci-Fi Drive In Theater (Hollywood Studios) - This is probably my favorite spot due to the atmosphere. You dine in a table built like a car and watch clips of old Sci-Fi movies on a drive-in big screen. The burgers are pretty good too.

Yak & Yeti (Animal Kingdom) - We really like this spot because we love Asian inspired food.

Tusker House (Animal Kindgom) - We tried this for breakfast for the first time, and it was good with a lot of options. It's a popular spot for the kiddos since it's a character dining.

Skipper Canteen (Magic Kingdom) - This is our favorite spot in MK.

Crystal Palace (Magic Kingdom) - We've never eaten here but have friends who say it's their favorite at Disney.

Seats and Sweets Dessert Party (Magic Kingdom) - If you want to watch the fireworks and have the best seat in the house, while snacking and drinking, book this experience. Otherwise, you'll be standing in the mass of people watching fireworks. I think this is well worth it and a comfortable way to end the long day at MK.

We also ate at Topolino's and Artist Point this trip, and both were very good. Both are hard reservations to get. You can book at 6:00 AM 60 days prior to first day of your trip. If you want to get the coveted reservations, set the alarm clock and book your spots. If it's just 2 of you, you should have decent luck in booking stuff. If you don't get reservations you want, you can sign up for MouseWatchers, and it'll alert you when reservations come available, but you have to be quick on the draw. There are tons of great places to eat at Disney. Hopefully you're staying on property and can maximize those benefits.

Lastly, 17 a budget. I'm a tight guy (Type A accountant), but I'm conditioned now to just say 17 it and spend the money to enjoy your time. You can have a really nice trip, but it's going to cost you. Like others have said, contact a Disney Vacation planner asap.

If you have any questions, let me know. We go every year, are battled tested and have learned a lot of efficient moves to make to avoid pain and suffering.

When you say the food is pretty good or very good, how good? I've just been skeptical of dropping money on food at Disney rather than New Orleans or Chicago or where ever. Or hell, even just in Mississippi. Are they going to be noticeably better than say the better casino restaurants? Or noticeably better than Walker's Drive in, the Manship, Char, Bravo, Jutamas, Keg & Barrel, White Pillars, etc?

 

[SyonaraStanz]

When you say the food is pretty good or very good, how good? I've just been skeptical of dropping money on food at Disney rather than New Orleans or Chicago or where ever. Or hell, even just in Mississippi. Are they going to be noticeably better than say the better casino restaurants? Or noticeably better than Walker's Drive in, the Manship, Char, Bravo, Jutamas, Keg & Barrel, White Pillars, etc?

I wouldn't travel to Disney just for the food, but it's better than I'd expect a theme park to offer. I've eaten at California Grill there a couple of years ago, and it was excellent. To each his own, but I've never been much of a fan of Walker's, while Manship is my favorite spot in the metro area. Some of the places I ate were on par or better than those places.

Artist Point had a decent prime rib, but the appetizers they provided were very good and more unique. Even some of the quick service there is better than expected, such as Flame Tree BBQ at Animal Kingdom.

We go to Disney to experience the nostalgia with our kids, and they love it. While we're there, my wife and I take advantage of the eating and drinking opportunities, so we spend more time than the average park-goers in restaurants.

 

[kired]

Where are you staying?

Since you're not taking kids, if you're like my wife and I would be, you may want to focus extra on dining. Disney has really upped their game on food. We were there 2 weeks ago, and I did not have a bad meal.

Space220 (EPCOT) - This was a hard reservation to get, but we had 8 people. It was decent food, but a cool atmosphere, as you're dining in outerspace.

San Angel Inn (EPCOT) - Dining on the Mexican countryside. It's a good experience and pretty good food. We skipped it this time, since we got a Space220 reservation.

Roundup Rodeo (Hollywood Studios) - This is a few months old and was surprisingly good. The cheddar biscuits with pepper jelly were outstanding. I highly recommend giving this place a shot. It's expensive though, but they all are.

Sci-Fi Drive In Theater (Hollywood Studios) - This is probably my favorite spot due to the atmosphere. You dine in a table built like a car and watch clips of old Sci-Fi movies on a drive-in big screen. The burgers are pretty good too.

Yak & Yeti (Animal Kingdom) - We really like this spot because we love Asian inspired food.

Tusker House (Animal Kindgom) - We tried this for breakfast for the first time, and it was good with a lot of options. It's a popular spot for the kiddos since it's a character dining.

Skipper Canteen (Magic Kingdom) - This is our favorite spot in MK.

Crystal Palace (Magic Kingdom) - We've never eaten here but have friends who say it's their favorite at Disney.

Seats and Sweets Dessert Party (Magic Kingdom) - If you want to watch the fireworks and have the best seat in the house, while snacking and drinking, book this experience. Otherwise, you'll be standing in the mass of people watching fireworks. I think this is well worth it and a comfortable way to end the long day at MK.

We also ate at Topolino's and Artist Point this trip, and both were very good. Both are hard reservations to get. You can book at 6:00 AM 60 days prior to first day of your trip. If you want to get the coveted reservations, set the alarm clock and book your spots. If it's just 2 of you, you should have decent luck in booking stuff. If you don't get reservations you want, you can sign up for MouseWatchers, and it'll alert you when reservations come available, but you have to be quick on the draw. There are tons of great places to eat at Disney. Hopefully you're staying on property and can maximize those benefits.

Lastly, 17 a budget. I'm a tight guy (Type A accountant), but I'm conditioned now to just say 17 it and spend the money to enjoy your time. You can have a really nice trip, but it's going to cost you. Like others have said, contact a Disney Vacation planner asap.

If you have any questions, let me know. We go every year, are battled tested and have learned a lot of efficient moves to make to avoid pain and suffering.

One helpful note on reservations - just because one isn't open today doesn't mean a reservation won't come open before your trip. If there's somewhere we really want to eat but the time we want isn't available, we'll go ahead and reserve it then modify it later on. Keep checking periodically and you'll often get the time you want. There's constantly people changing their plans.

Same thing with the lightning lane stuff when you're in the park. Just spam that app and you'll be surprised how often you get something after a minute or two of refreshing it. (although that trick doesn't work as well as it did with the old fast pass system - we used to ride practically everything with a fast pass just by refreshing the app over & over again)

 

[Trojanbulldog19]

Star Wars stuff is cool. Cautionary I started booking Rise of Resistance at 7 am for what I thought was a 2pm window but ended up being 730pm. Had stuff reserved for the little niece at 10am. So we ended up having to spend all day in Hollywood studios to wait on Star Wars stuff then run back to front catch skyliner to Epcot for a dinner we had reserved two months prior. That's what sucks about lightning lane. You think you are booking one time but by the time it processes it's another. So be careful with that.

Also genie plus book first at 7am then book again either while in line for that ride or two hours after park opens which ever comes first. That's the way to get multiple genie plus rides reserved at one time.

have one of you do lightning lane and one do genie plus reservations at 7. If you aren't an early riser good luck with reserving anything. Also be aware with genie plus you could be reserving a time right as the park opens. Vlogs can tell you better updates to the rides you will need it for.

Boat ride from Polynesian back to magic kingdom just before fireworks is a good idea. You can catch them from just outside the park with a great view.

 

[TrueMaroonGrind]

I wouldn't travel to Disney just for the food, but it's better than I'd expect a theme park to offer. I've eaten at California Grill there a couple of years ago, and it was excellent. To each his own, but I've never been much of a fan of Walker's, while Manship is my favorite spot in the metro area. Some of the places I ate were on par or better than those places.

Artist Point had a decent prime rib, but the appetizers they provided were very good and more unique. Even some of the quick service there is better than expected, such as Flame Tree BBQ at Animal Kingdom.

We go to Disney to experience the nostalgia with our kids, and they love it. While we're there, my wife and I take advantage of the eating and drinking opportunities, so we spend more time than the average park-goers in restaurants.

My favorite food experience at Disney is the Epcot food and wine festival when it’s happening. You spend a lot of money, but it’s awesome to try so much variety in one day. We just drift around the world and try different stuff. It’s a great experience for a foodie.

 

[SyonaraStanz]

My favorite food experience at Disney is the Epcot food and wine festival when it’s happening. You spend a lot of money, but it’s awesome to try so much variety in one day. We just drift around the world and try different stuff. It’s a great experience for a foodie.

Completely agree. We’ve done this once, and it was fantastic. Unfortunately, we end up going in the Spring during the Flower and Garden Festival, which is a milder food scene than food and wine.