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Walt Disney World

The TVClubHouse: Archives: 2004 January - Arpil: Walt Disney World users admin

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Deesandy
Member

09-27-2003

Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 7:45 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I am loving this new look!

We are going to Walt Disney World next week. Does anyone know any secret things to do there or recommend anything that we should not miss? Our daughter is 3 years old.

Thank You!


Upstate
Member

01-16-2004

Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 11:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
we found the (sp?) birnbaum travel disney book helpful. it lists all the restaurants, times of parades, the hours of operations for all the theme parks. i guess since your daughter is so young i would stick to magic kingdom more then the other parks. but other then that all i can say is have a great time. we really enjoyed it at disney. we've graduated to the bahamas now. but we have to wait till april!

Twiggyish
Member

09-15-2002

Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 5:59 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
If you go to Epcot, do not go into the ball first. Everyone heads there and it can be a long line. We always ride on our way out.

At the Magic Kingdom..take the path to the right..counter clockwise. You can sort of avoid SOME of the crowds. Be sure to ride the Buzz Lightyear. (It's a favorite with my family)

While there look for hidden Mickeys. Disney has them everywhere. The Micky Mouse logo is hidden in wall paintings and in all sorts of hidden ways. It's a fun game to spot them.

http://www.hiddenmickeys.org

We found one years ago in the haunted mansion which we posted at the hidden Mickey site. If you look back at the piano on the ride, the seat forms a Mickey ear shadow. =)




Not1worry
Member

09-15-2002

Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 8:07 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Dee, some of the rides can be a bit scary. I grew up in FL and been to Disney lots of times. We went a year ago with my 7 & 5 yr. old. The Haunted Mansion had them both in tears, they didn't like Pirates of the Caribbean, and Snow White was a little on the creepy side. They are a little sensitive, but I was still surprised that they got upset. When you get tired, ride the trains.

If you can, make a reservation at Cinderella's castle for lunch. It was very good and quiet and pleasant. We enjoyed it and we got to see several princesses on the way out.

Just from my experience, don't eat at Planet Hollywood, it was awful, overpriced, and ridiculously crowded. Even for Disney!

We stayed at the All Star Sports resort and it was a good deal for us. No frills, but we didn't need any. Very close to the buses, restaurants and shops.

Come back to this thread and tell us how your trip was! We plan to go again this spring, whenever DH returns. This time we are going to stay for 3-4 days.

Twiggyish
Member

09-15-2002

Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 8:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
When our daughter was small... she loved all the rides except the Snow White ride.

Cinderella's castle is cool. We've been there, too.

Just thought of one more thing..
There is a restaurant in MGM which is called the Sci-Fi Drive-in. Once seated, you are in a car facing a drive-in screen. The waitresses look like car hops. The food is great, too.

Purplecow
Member

12-08-2003

Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 9:45 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
If you want to visit MGM or Epcot, go to Magic Kingdom in the morning. Don't miss Mickey's Starland where all the characters hang around. Good rides for 3 year olds are the carousel, Dumbo and the new Winnie the Pooh ride. After lunch, head over to the other park you want to visit. Figure a minimum of 45 minutes to travel between parks. Your daughter will fall asleep in her stroller and you can enjoy the more adult oriented exhibits in peace.

January is one of the "slow" months so you probably won't have to deal with crushing crowds.

Do lunch at Cinderella's Castle as has been suggested. Cinderella appears downstairs while you are waiting to go up and chats with the youngsters.

The Polynesian has the most wonderful banana stuffed French toast for breakfast. The monorail goes there so it's not really out of the way.

The character meals are great but see how your daughter reacts to the characters in Starland before signing up for one (or more). Some of the little ones get frightened when a huge Chip or Dale or Donald swoops down on them. The revolving restaurant in the Land at Epcot has Chip and Dale and, I think, Goofy. My other favorite is the restaurant in the Wilderness Lodge. The Lodge is like an attraction in itself. I think Pluto is at that one, but I can't remember who else. The SciFi Drive In is lots of fun, as recommended above. For a classy meal at MGM I like the Brown Derby. It's not a budget restaurant, though.

It there's a long, unending line for something you really want to ride or see, try during the parade. The crowds at the rides thin down a bit then. For a curbside view of the parade at Magic Kingdom, park your daughter at the curb about an hour before parade time. We like to park near the ice cream shop which is across the street from the hot dog place. One adult can go for food while the other stays with the stroller.

I don't know whether they run the night parades during the "off" season, but if they do, go. If you want to see the fireworks sow at Epcot you'll probably have to grab a place well ahead of time. We like to park ourselves at the best viewing spot closest to the entrance so we can be among the first to get out.

The employees will give you good advice about where to go, what to see and when is the best time.

If you don't already have reservations, the All Star hotels are very nice and the least expensive. Staying on property is worth the extra bucks and you save $6.00 (maybe it's $7 now) on parking each day. Plus, usually hotel guests can get into the parks an hour before the general public.

Wear comfy shoes and have fun. It's a bit chilly here right now so be sure to check the weather before you pack.
tigger

Colordeagua
Member

10-31-2003

Friday, January 30, 2004 - 2:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Is this the first trip there for all of you? I've been there twice -- both times while in my 50s. I loved it. Nothing is like your first time there -- not even the second time. Take it all in and enjoy it. Be a kid again!

Deesandy
Member

09-27-2003

Friday, January 30, 2004 - 4:07 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
HELP!

We have found out that it is likely to rain the entire day we are planning to go...this sunday. Yes, that is super bowl sunday but we do not watch football and thought it would be a great time to go. We were going to go to Disney. Which of the parks are the best to go to on a rainy day?

Twiggyish
Member

09-15-2002

Friday, January 30, 2004 - 4:17 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Color, we live 2 1/2 hours away from DW..so we've been many times. We've stayed in many of the Disney hotels and in many outside Disney hotels, too.

Karuuna
Member

09-10-2003

Friday, January 30, 2004 - 4:48 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Deesandy -Disneyquest. do you have a park hopper pass? Disneyquest is an interactive arcade on 3 floors located in downtown Disney and it's entirely indoors.

If you want to do Epcot or Disney, Disney will have more rides closed in the rain since it has more not-enclosed attractions. However, there are still quite a few things at DW too that are open in the rain as well, so if you'd really rather go there, by all means do! Much of Epcot is enclosed, but there is still the walking around part. Get some rain slickers. We wore those lovely Disney ones when we were there and had a grand time.

Colordeagua
Member

10-31-2003

Friday, January 30, 2004 - 5:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Twiggy, I should have specified I was addressing my question to Deesandy.

I was there twice -- both times in early part of November. As I remember, the weather during the first trip was exceptionally warm for that time of year. It was beautiful. My second trip -- it was rainy and kind of chilly for a number of the days. Again, nothing like the first time there.

Twiggy, do you have a favorite resort / hotel within Disney World?

Deesandy
Member

09-27-2003

Friday, January 30, 2004 - 5:33 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
We have reservations at one of the resorts. Do you know if they have indoor pools? We cannot cancel due to the 6 day prior policy. We have been to Disney in the past but taking a toddler is a whole different ball game!

Colordeagua
Member

10-31-2003

Friday, January 30, 2004 - 5:40 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Deesandy, This Disney site Disney Resorts should give you a good description with amenities of each.

Konamouse
Member

07-04-2003

Friday, January 30, 2004 - 7:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
With a 3 yo, skip Epcot (it is better for older kids and adults). If you have a babysitter for a day, then go to Epcot and do the Mission to Mars - awesome ride!
'squeek'

Not1worry
Member

09-15-2002

Friday, January 30, 2004 - 7:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Dee, I don't think any of the hotels have indoor pools, maybe the really posh ones. We went the last week in Jan. last year and my Michigander husband insisted on taking his Floridian wife swimming. Too cold for me, but he didn't seem to mind. The weather was cool in the mornings and warm in the day. We took a backpack with light sweatshirts. I think in spite of the rain, you should do Magic Kingdom. You could ride Small World all day! Between the Super Bowl and the weather, at least you won't have to stand in too many lines. Last year, it was very uncrowded.

Deesandy
Member

09-27-2003

Saturday, January 31, 2004 - 7:46 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
The weather report has changed...again! Now it is only supposed to rain in the morning. I can handle that!

Not1worry, I have heard that this is the best time to go to Disney. We are excited!

Not1worry
Member

07-30-2002

Saturday, January 31, 2004 - 10:33 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
That's great, Dee! I hope you have a wonderful time. Tell us all about it next week.

Deesandy
Member

08-12-2003

Saturday, January 31, 2004 - 2:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Just booked reservations to have lunch with Winnie the Poo! We are leaving in one hour so if anyone has last minute advice...

Deesandy
Member

08-12-2003

Saturday, January 31, 2004 - 2:36 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
By the way, I am printing this and taking it with me. Thank you to everyone for your kind help!

Nancy
Member

08-01-2000

Saturday, January 31, 2004 - 4:32 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
hi dee i'll be in disney starting tomorrow--yeah mickey :-)

Colordeagua
Member

10-25-2003

Saturday, January 31, 2004 - 5:28 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Dee and Nancy, you could run into each other. My first trip to Disney World, I went alone. I knew an attorney from work was going to be there about the same time with his family. That's all I knew. So one day I'm looking around at movie memorabilia at Sid Cahuenga's (sp?) just inside MGM Studios park. I thought I heard a familiar voice behind me. Turned around -- Steve from work!! Work was in Chicago.

Deesandy
Member

08-12-2003

Monday, February 02, 2004 - 9:11 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Nancy, Hi! Sorry I didn't get your post before we left or I could have looked for you.

We had a blast! We got there at 8:00am and stayed until 7:30pm. I am very tired and will write details of the day later.

My daughter cried when we had to leave. The first thing she asked this morning is if she could go back today!



Yuhuru
Member

09-27-2001

Monday, February 02, 2004 - 5:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Deesandy,
We had breakfast with Pooh at the Coronado Resort and Dinner with Chef Mickey at the Contemprary (?)Resort-all you can eat buffet with many characters, even Chip and Dale. We found that to be more economical than finding a place to eat in Orlando, plus the characters are really good at giving every child(and parent) in the restaurant plenty of attention. My son was 2 and a half the first time, and he loved it. We went last spring and even my 5 month old loved the character dinner. Minnie made her smile the biggest smiled we had ever seen. You don't have to be a guest at the Disney Resorts to go. Just call WDW-DINE. Although the first time, we went we stayed at Disney's Carribean Beach, and we enjoyed it. My son loved feeding the turles.

I didn't have a good time at Disney Quest with my 2.5 year old. There weren't nearly as many games for his age as we thought, and he's really tall for his age (and I think pretty bright). I think a kid needs to be at least 5 to enjoy that. That was the only regret we had when we went.

We spent all of our time at Magic Kingdom.

Have fun !!!!

Yuhuru
Member

09-27-2001

Monday, February 02, 2004 - 5:37 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Oh, I'm so on the late show I'm embarrassed.

Deesandy
Member

08-12-2003

Monday, February 02, 2004 - 10:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Yuhuru, actually we will be going back next year too and I appreciate knowing all of the options! There is so much that it is awesome to draw from other people's experiences.

Thank you!

Deesandy
Member

08-12-2003

Saturday, February 07, 2004 - 1:01 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Here is the link to the page which has photos and details of our Disney day!

http://cassiopeia-.diaryland.com/index.html

Gidget
Member

07-28-2002

Saturday, February 07, 2004 - 1:08 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
self delete... didn't catch the expiration date... hope you had fun

Nancy
Member

08-01-2000

Saturday, February 07, 2004 - 8:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
dee i had a blast--got home at 5 tonight--exhausted and achey from walking sooo much

Deesandy
Member

08-12-2003

Monday, February 09, 2004 - 5:59 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
One thing I would suggest is to go see Mickey Mouse first...we did not and therefore missed out n getting our photo at pick up time because it takes over 90 minutes to process...next year we will go there first!

Not1worry
Member

07-30-2002

Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 8:50 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I'm reviving this thread, since we'll be going again the 3rd week of April. I am going to call the military travel agency and see what kind of ticket deal I can get. I also want to see if the military resort, Shades of Green, is re-opened yet. We plan to stay 3-4 days and would like something slightly nicer than the All Star resorts, but not if it's going to eat up all our budget.

We do want to stay on Disney, so if you've stayed in other resorts on Disney, please tell me which one and your opinion of it! Thanks!

Nancy
Member

08-01-2000

Saturday, March 27, 2004 - 12:30 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
hi not1--just saw this post of yours--

I stayed at the newly opened all-star pop century resorts(opened in dec). its similar to the other all-star hotels in layout but its really cute with themes of the diff decaded--my building had two huge duncan yoyo's on it-(60's unit) the 80's unit had cell phones--50's had hula hoop --really fun place :-)

Not1worry
Member

07-30-2002

Saturday, March 27, 2004 - 2:59 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks, Nancy! We did get Shades of Green rooms, and it opened in March, so I'm hoping it's quite nice. Tickets for 4 days for the 4 of us cost twice as much as our rooms will! We can't wait to go.

Nancy
Member

08-01-2000

Saturday, March 27, 2004 - 4:30 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
cool not--and yes tickets are xpensive--for me i got discount tickets thru where i work but even so its not cheap--have a blast--i love it there :-)