TVCH FORUMS HOME . JOIN . FAN CLUBS . ABOUT US . CONTACT . CHAT  
Bomis   Quick Links   TOPICS . TREE-VIEW . SEARCH . HELP! . NEWS . PROFILE
Archive through June 12, 2005

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2005 Jun. ~ Aug.: GOING TO DISNEY! ~tips needed~ (ARCHIVES): Archive through June 12, 2005 users admin

Author Message
Lurkin
Member

02-15-2002

Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 2:59 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
We go 2-3 times a year , it is the only place we all get to do what we enjoy on vacation and make everyone happy.

Just to add my 2 cents if anyone else is going My main tips are:

It is worth it to stay at the resorts the parks. The interior transportation makes it easy to make rest stops during the day and get the most out of our vacation. Plus for teenagers it is great. We feel safe splitting up and letting them freedom within the resort & parks

A lot to do by staying a day early or late without being in parks. Riding boats, monorails, visiting the different hotels alone is an attraction, downtown disney, movies etc.

Our kids are older teenagers now and we have always done scavenger hunts of sorts we make up. But now everyone has a digital camera, they both take friends with them so we each have a group of 2, we have lists of people or places to make pictures of and get together and compare It is a great way to bond with older teenagers. We look for the most outrageous and give each other points, stuff such as families dressed alike, people with most collector pins on bodies, best t shirt sayings. It can get mean but hysterical

Cheaper to eat Big meal lunches at nice restaurants and smaller meals at dinner time. Plus gives a nice air conditioned break in between.

We always go new Years and the old parents here hate fighting crowds and bus stops. The past 2 years we stayed at the Pop, we brought a little bottle of champagne, bought snacks in food court sat by the lake and could see fireworks from all three parks. It was great

My best tip of all is mousesavers.com. they post codes for resorts cheaper rate. We have saved thousands

Visiting Mickey July 1st-6th!!!

Reader234
Member

08-13-2000

Friday, April 15, 2005 - 8:01 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks Lurkin, I'm hooked!! I'm planning a trip for the Food and Wine Festiveal and MNSSHP in October!

Right now a good tip to get others excited, that may not have that "Disney Fever" is to watch for the Travel Channel's specials on Disney, yesterday they had I think 4 hours (4 shows, one was on DisneyLAND - awesome, all I kept thinking of was Egbok!) one show was on the Imagenneers behind the scenes - they showed the Tower of Terror behind the scenes, how that elevator moves it was cool!! etc...

I called my mom, its the 2nd time they've run these shows - finally my mom is now on board with me, she wants me to book my dad into the Richard Petty Driving experience (2hours $400! eek!) and she was so funny trying to tell me about the fire work shows - she's never scene them and has been twice in the last 5 years! (once with my brother his wife and 2 teenagers, I think they stayed somewhere at All Stars - couldnt tell you

Anyway, I'm more excited than ever. I promised my mom I would make her her very own 3 ring binders with a daily schedule, our Resteraunt Priorty Seating ( a must have - I'm hoping to eat in the castle with my mom!) and pictures to help my mom tell the difference!! lol

Not that I'm obsessive in my planning! *grin

Lurkin
Member

02-15-2002

Friday, April 15, 2005 - 10:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Reader, I get a little let's call it enthused rather than obsessive also

I have compiled a folder or 2 , sure they all laugh and mock me but when they need to know something they use the info

I go on all ears.net, read over and over the menus , make the priority seatings and plan other places to eat and put all the times and places in the teens cell phone reminders so they can meet us. Just to p"o them I will add ringtones such as Jungle music for Rainforest, Italian for Momma Melrose.

Another game we played one time was like an amazing race type deal where we collected the smushed coins from different hotels and parks and raced to get back

New Year's my son did the Dive Quest at Living Seas and it was expensive but really cool and gave us a memory for a life time. Was thinking about the Petty thing for my husband. Please let me know if you do it.

I'm getting excited again about going, going to have to go check out some menus....

Twiggyish
Member

08-14-2000

Saturday, April 16, 2005 - 11:38 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Lurkin, sounds like fun ideas!! We'll have to try them next time we go.

Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Saturday, April 16, 2005 - 8:43 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Did Space Mountain at Disney World have the chocolate chip cookies in space like we did at Disneyland? They were hard to "see" but people get so excited when they finally do see them.

Used to have season passes for about 5 years and went to D-Land really often but never had to consider hotels and stuff like that.

Gina8642
Member

06-01-2001

Sunday, April 17, 2005 - 9:17 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
It's been ages since I've been to Disney, but I remember one of the best things my family did was go out to eat in the fancy restaurants that are part of Epcot. That is, where the countries each have their own area around that giant lagoon. You can make reservations to eat dinner there - very nice.

Just visiting Epcot in general is fantastic!

Taking the boat to enter Disney (my family has a thing about boats!)

Gina8642
Member

06-01-2001

Sunday, April 17, 2005 - 9:23 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    

quote:

9. DON’T DRESS FOOLISHLY: It rains in short spurts there, plus you’ll be walking — a lot. Wear good, sturdy shoes or sneakers and dress in layers like you would when hiking.


LOL - totally reminds me of one of my family vacations to Disney as a kid. It actally SNOWED at the magic kingdom! No one was dressed appropriately. Everyone was running around the place in Micky mouse sweatshirts and goofy mittens. I'm sure the retailers did a booming business that day!!! But, it wasn't crowded and with no lines - we got to see a TON!!!

Favorite Junk Food - In the magic kingdom there was a Tiki food stand (near the pirtates of the carribean ride) and they sevred Orange Vanilla swirl ice cream drinks/shakes! Yummy! (I have no idea if it is still there)

Twiggyish
Member

08-14-2000

Sunday, April 17, 2005 - 12:18 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Oh yes, I've been there when it's been cold. We had to buy sweat shirts while there.

Ddr
Member

08-19-2001

Friday, May 20, 2005 - 10:11 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Son and I are going to Disneyworld June 1st!

Mocha
Member

08-12-2001

Saturday, May 21, 2005 - 7:23 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
My boys are going Aug 1st.

Ddr
Member

08-19-2001

Sunday, May 22, 2005 - 10:56 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Okay, somebody tell me to get away from the computer, lol. I spent all day reading the hotel reviews at trip advisor and ended up cancelling one reservation and making another one.

Have decided to stay off the main drag from Disney/Universal at a smaller (100 rooms) suite hotel. I don't mind driving in as I think I'll need away time from mouse ears and such each night. Picked a hotel with a more business oriented atmosphere at a pretty great price, $85 a night with liv room/kitchen/separate bedroom.

Mocha
Member

08-12-2001

Sunday, May 22, 2005 - 11:12 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Lol D! The boys et al are staying within the main drag cause they aren't renting a car. Staying at the Caribbean Beach something something I think. Mom said that the park tickets cost as much as the airfare though so they'll be eating pb&j. :-)

Ddr
Member

08-19-2001

Sunday, May 22, 2005 - 11:44 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
LOL Mocha. That resort has over 2000 rooms, I was having an anxiety attack just thinking about parking!

I did find great airfare from New Orleans on Southwest (under $250 for both of us, non stop!), but decided to drive. I always like to get off the interstates and get lost in little towns. Rock is excited to take his turn driving , ummm, not so sure how I feel about that one, lol.

Karuuna
Member

08-31-2000

Sunday, May 22, 2005 - 12:08 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Caribbean Beach is a great resort. We stayed there two years ago and loved the service. They also have a "fast food" court that's kind of pricey, but offers great variety (pizza, burgers, chicken, etc); and shuttles to all the attractions.

One nice deal they had when we were there is that if you buy one of their Carribbean travel cups, you get free refills of any drinks at the fast food court during your entire stay.

Reader234
Member

08-13-2000

Sunday, May 22, 2005 - 1:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
If you're flying Southwest, hope you downloaded Ding!! They had a "Ding" fare from Chicago to Orlando round trip - $115!!

Me? I had already bought RT from AA for $120, but now I found out AA decided to cancel their early out flights, late night in... grrrrrrrr!!

CBR (Caribbean Beach Resort) Is wonderful, they have a "caribbean feel - Aruba, Jamaica... nice hammocks to relax in...

Not1worry
Member

07-30-2002

Thursday, June 09, 2005 - 5:28 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Aha...I was just coming here to see if anyone had opinions about the Caribbean Beach Resort. We are thinking of going in early October, but I want to check and see what the Disney schedule if for then. We have previously stayed at All Star Sports and Shades of Green. We really wanted to stay at the Polynesian (my heavens, the stuffed french toast in their breakfast cafe is out of this world!), but for 6 nights, it was almost $1700!!! Caribbean was only about $750. I am hoping the shuttle buses will be convenient and we won't have to wait too long.

We have been watching the travel channel stuff too. We are really excited and hope that 2nd week in October, the week before Columbus Day, will work out.

Reader234
Member

08-13-2000

Saturday, June 11, 2005 - 5:30 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Funny Fact Warning!! Remember Annette Funicello? Remember when she was a mousekeeter on the Mickey Mouse Club, well at MGM Studios there is a tribute to dear Annette in the Muppet 3D theatre - know what it is??

Give up>>???

a net full of jello come on ROFLOL say it real fast.... (Highlight to see)

lol

Reader234
Member

08-13-2000

Saturday, June 11, 2005 - 5:40 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Cast Members use other "codes" when speaking in front of guests. Especially with the popularity of walkie talkies in the parks, it's very possible for guests to be on the same channel as CMs calling for help.

For instance, if you hear someone needs help due to a "protein spill" its someone that lost their lunch!! (ewww)

There are AFR's - usually used by lifeguards to order a pool shut down until sterilized. That would be an "Accidental Fecal Release"

If you hear about an attraction going '101' is has broken down.

And if you hear about an attraction being e-stopped, then it has been manually shut down for one reason or another.


Ddr
Member

08-19-2001

Saturday, June 11, 2005 - 9:15 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Reader, you would have loved it with us last week! We had a cast member with us the 4 days we were there. It was a blast hearing all the inside information.

MGM just started a stunt car show in May. Last Saturday when we were there, two cars crashed into each other. Thankfully, the drivers were not injured.



Reader234
Member

08-13-2000

Saturday, June 11, 2005 - 9:25 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Hope you do a detailed trip report Ddr!! I want to live it thru you!! Wow, you had a CM with you?!! How'd you like your hotel? I know you went back and forth...

Only 4 more months till October!!

Pamy
Member

01-02-2002

Saturday, June 11, 2005 - 10:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
DDR!! you were out here and didn't go to the SO cal meet??? I woulda loved to meet ya

Pamy
Member

01-02-2002

Saturday, June 11, 2005 - 10:01 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
LOL I just realized you might have been at the one in FL!

Karuuna
Member

08-31-2000

Sunday, June 12, 2005 - 8:46 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
NotOne - The shuttles from the CBR were pretty timely. The only complaint I had was that sometimes the shuttle would get to our stop, and already be full, so we'd have to wait for the next one. We stayed in the 'island' closest to the fast food court; but the shuttle stops at all the other 'islands' first. So that might be one thing to keep in mind if you're going at a busy time of year.

And as always, if you beat the 10 am rush, you usually don't have any problems. But around 10 every morning seems to be when the biggest crowds are trying to get on shuttles and get into the park. Go early and take a nap in the afternoon. :-)

Bob2112
Member

06-12-2002

Sunday, June 12, 2005 - 12:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Not1worry: Late September/Early October is the least crowded time to go to WDW, so you should not have any trouble with the buses and the parks will not be crowded at all. We always go at that time of year and the temps are anywhere from the mid 70's to the low 80's.

Ddr
Member

08-19-2001

Sunday, June 12, 2005 - 3:22 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Reader, we had a great time!

We left here on Wednesday at 6:00 am. I brought my favorite cousin's 19 year old son with us, which was great for my 17 year old. They have the same interests and really got along well together. LOL, once they hooked up the xbox and gameboys, I really didn't hear anything out of my son in the back seat until we got to Orlando.

Ended up staying in the Maingate West area. Got a family and friends rate at Quality Inn for $39 a night, lol. Best part was the hotel's back entrance was one and a half blocks from Cast Member's office so it was really convenient for everyone involved. We'd take a shortcut into DisneyWorld each morning, avoiding a lot of traffic that way.

On Thursday, we went to Magic Kingdom. Had a great time there as always. I really enjoyed the newly renovated "It's a Small World". DID NOT enjoy humming that song the rest of the day though, lol. Highlight of Magic Kingdom was the fireworks. What a beautiful display! We stood where we could see Tinkerbell fly from the castle. I never realized that. Did you know that she lands on a building out of view, where two men are holding a mattress up to stop her? LOL, we even saw her drop her wand to start the landing.

Friday was Epcot. Loved the new rides Mission to Space Center (or whatever it's called) and Test Trac. Rain was heavy on Friday, so we ended up leaving around 4, going buy my son a pair of tennis shoes (he forgot to bring his, lol), supper at Olive Garden and got to bed relatively early around 9:30.

Saturday was MGM Studios where it was Star Wars Weekend. So much fun to see all the people dressed up in their favorite Star Wars Characters. Cousin waited in line to have his picture taken with Darth Vader. Their session was a hoot! Loved the Aerosmith Rollercoaster!

Sunday was Animal Kingdom and back to Epcot that evening. They are building a new rollercoaster at AK, I think will be open in 2006. I enjoyed the safari ride but we didn't see any giraffes out that morning. Back at Epcot, we went to the World Showcase, ate Chinese, then just wandered around each country until fireworks.

All in all, a great time for all of us. But it was exhausting, lol. Out of the hotel room by 7:30 in the morning, not getting back until 10 or so at night.

Now I'm looking for a quick jaunt to the beach with friends. Have been looking at Gulf Shores, Navarre (my fav beach) area. Not really wanting to go into Destin, which is too crowded for my tastes. A few days of vegging out with a good book is what I need, lol.