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Frodo Lives
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 1548
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 8:00 am: |     |
Taking kids to Disney for the first time next week. We are visiting my folks in Boca, and they had the idea to run up to Disney for two days. Having never been near the place, could someone help me strategize how to have a good trip in only two days?
I have read all about FastPasses and getting there early, etc. But what are the "must see/must do" things?
I will be with my three sons, ages 13, 11, and 9, and they have never really been heavily into roller coasters, etc but are excited to try some out.
Should we stay only in the Magic Kingdom for the two days, or Frontier Town? I know we are having dinner in the MK the one night we are there, and will watch the fireworks that night, but what else should we be thinking about?
Tnanks in advance for any tips. |
The Oracle of MOL
Supporter
Username: Oracle_of_mol
Post Number: 9
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 8:20 am: | |
Immediately run to a boostore and purchase one of the "Unauthorized" Disney guidebooks, which are loaded with useful strategies, attraction info, timing tips, lodgings suggestions, etc.
Your trip is not far off, so you need to plan and act with boldness and speed, then pass your time there with patience and fortitude.
Best wishes to you and your family for a safe and sunny trip.
-The Oracle of MOL
BTW: Where in Boca do your parents reside? Have I met them? Do they ever bet on shuffleboard? |
Amie Brockway-Metcalf
Citizen
Username: Amie
Post Number: 201
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 8:28 am: | |
An excellent resource is the site
http://www.mouseplanet.com/
which has itineries for all ages. |
Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 267
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 9:04 am: | |
These message boards are great. Very helpful and experienced "Disney Freaks" there.
http://www.intercot.com/boards/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi
Used them a few years back to plan a trip to the Vero Resort and a one-day trip to the Magic Kingdom.
My advice would be to take it slow. Don't try to jam a lot in. 2 days isn't much time, and if you try to do everything, you'll end up needing a vacation from your vacation. |
algebra2
Supporter
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 3235
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 9:23 am: | |
OK -- Obviously you must do the Magic Kingdom and hit Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, the river Railroad ride, and I'll have to ask hubby and son what else. We are sort of "take it fast" sort of people -- we'll go to three parks in a day. The BEST ride is at MGM Studios and that's the Rock n' Roll Rollercoaster. I used to hate roller coasters before I went on that one -- it is awesome. Also at MGM -- Space Wars was cool, and Tower of Terror, those are the ones which stick with me.
The ticketing system at Disney is now that you can have two day park hopper passes. Personally I would find a way to MGM, Epcot and Magic Kingdom. Mission Space at Epcot was very cool and Test Track was cool.
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ML
Supporter
Username: Ml1
Post Number: 2398
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 10:03 am: | |
We've been to Disney a few times, and I have similar advice to Yossarian's. Do some research ahead of time -- the books and websites will tell you which parks tend to be crowded on what days of the week. And it does vary, because they have "early openings" for guests at the Disney hotels on specific days at specific parks.
But beyond that, get to the park early. If you're there when they open it won't be too hot, and you can move around more freely before it gets crowded. Also, don't try to do everything. It's not possible, and trying to do too much will stress all of you out.
My other advice would be to let your kids decide where to go. Must see/must do rides and shows are different for everybody. If you feel like you've absolutely got to go and do something, but your kids don't want to, it's best to let go and just let them do their thing. 'Cause I'm assuming if you're an adult and you've never felt the need to go there before, this trip is entirely for the kids, and not you.
That said - the rides I enjoyed the most were the Haunted Mansion at MK (very cool to stand on line at night and then go in), and the Tower of Terror at MGM (but if your kids don't like roller coasters, they may also not go for a 100+ ft free fall). |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 2051
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 12:05 pm: | |
I highly recommend "The Unofficial Guide to Disney World". We took much of their advice, and benefitted greatly from it. In at least one case we did not take their advice (book a lower end resort and then upgrade) and then wished we had when we watched someone else checking in to our hotel based on a reservation at one that was quite a bit less expensive.
Yes - go early and then take a break in the afternoon to relax, swim, nap, whatever. Then go back, perhaps to a different park if you have the flexible tickets (recommended!) that allow that. I think they are called Park Hoppers. We went to Epcot almost every night of our visit while enjoying the other parks in turn each morning/early afternoon. |
algebra2
Supporter
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 3237
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 12:48 pm: | |
We've been to Disney twice with our soon-to-be six year old. Both times we stayed at a Value Resort. This past time at Pop Century and it was really great. Clean and the pool was nice -- a bit overheated. The food court was ok. Most everything was too fattening for us. We ate tuna salad, cereal, and PB&J's and that was fine.
We did go back to the pool mid day and then to Epcot for dinner/drinks. We are a small family so it's easier for us to run through the parks (we move like the wind!)
Don't let the kids chicken out on Tower of Terror, Space Mountain or Rock n Roll rollercoaster. I used to be such a scaredy cat but I had so much fun. When my son was 3 he went on the Tower of Terror and he laughed the whole time -- at 5.5 he was a bit more scared but still -- you have to do it!
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ffof
Citizen
Username: Ffof
Post Number: 3619
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 1:12 pm: | |
With 13, 11 and 9 I would forego Magic Kingdom. Tooooo crowded.
We loved the water park that looks like a ski resort (I forget the name). There is a great high drop and the tube rides are fun. We had that place practically to ourselves the time we went (overcast day in September).
Arriving very early is the best advice. Also, check the daily park openings. Some days some parks are opened an hour earlier than usual.
Another alternative...we went to Universal Studios and stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel. That hotel gives you passes to cut every line all day long. That's the way to do it! |
mooewe
Citizen
Username: Mooewe
Post Number: 245
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 3:26 pm: | |
I have to (respectfully) disagree with ffof on the Magic Kingdom. If your kids - whatever age - have never been to Disney, then to skip the Magic Kingdom would be to miss the main attraction. Yes, it's crowded, but pick a day when it's open late. Sometimes it's open until 10:00 pm, and is considerably less crowded at night. And during the evening parade, which your kids might want to skip, the rides are that much less crowded. We were able to go on Splash Mountain several times with no lines at all.
I do agree with ffof on the Hard Rock, though - fabulous hotel with a pool and water slide that's to die for. And hotel guests just wave their room keys at the Universal and Islands of Adventure rides, and go right to the front of the line.
Damn, I want to go back! |
SO Refugee
Citizen
Username: So_refugee
Post Number: 210
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Friday, April 15, 2005 - 3:51 pm: | |
You have to go to the Magic Kingdom and be there when the gates open. The "opening" ceremony is such a cool tradition - Mickey riding in on the train, pixie dust thrown into the crowd, etc. - and a nice experience for kids of all ages. |
twig
Citizen
Username: Twig
Post Number: 149
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 20, 2005 - 7:08 pm: | |
As a certifiable Disney nut, I would recommend the following website: http://allearsnet.com/index.html
If you are staying overnight, stay on-site. Almost every day, one park opens an hour early or stays open up to 3 hours late for resort guests only. It's a huge plus.
For what it's worth..here are a few other thoughts.
Perhaps the most popular attractions at Magic Kingdom for the 10-13 set are Space Mt., Spash Mt., and Big Thunder Mt. Railroad. The Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Carribean, and Philharmagic are popular but aren't really rides in quite the same way. At night, the fireworks show "Wishes" is spectacular.
Epcot is great. If you head there, check out Mission Space, Test Track, and the newest Disney attraction, Soarin'. The World Showcase is really nice but teens may not be impressed. At night, Illumninations is the laser & fireworks show...it's great.
Animal Kingdom doesn't seem to get as much respect as the other parks but try Kilimanjaro Safari (go on this first thing in the morning), Kali River Rapids, and "It's tough to be a bug" (okay, this last one isn't a ride but it's fun)
At MGM/Disney Studios, Rock-n-Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror are the big attractions. Those who prefer not to toss their cookies may prefer "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" or "Back Lot Studio Tour", or the "the Great Movie Ride". If you are around at night, Fantasmic is pretty impressive.
The Water Parks, Blizzard Beach and Tyhoon Lagoon are fun. A new water propelled ride called "Crusher Gusher" was just put in Typhoon Lagoon. It is supposed to be the waterpark equivalent of a roller coaster. Also at Typhoon Lagoon is the wave pool. Every 90 seconds, a wave that is 10-15 ft. high is generated. Loads of fun!
Downtown Disney also can be fun. Le Cirque "La Nouba" is a wonderful show but I doubt that tickets would be available this late. DisneyQuest is five floors of interactive (and some regular) video games. A hoot on a rainy day. Check out the virtual roller coaster attraction. You use a terminal to design your own roller coaster, then go into a simulator and "ride" it. Teens seem to love it.
I didn't mention the many shows or other attractions that are available at WDW. Some are well worth it if you have time.
Lastly, be sure that you want to go. I have friends who can't understand why anyone would go to Disney World. Those are folks who are saddened by the fact that Times Square has been cleaned up and feel that it has lost it's luster. They see Disney World as corporate mind-pulp. If you fall into that group, you will not enjoy Disney World. Yes, it's fake, it's saccarine, it's not real, it's commercial, and it's not about issues of social justice. But, sometimes it's nice to just let go and have fun.
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Frodo Lives
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 1576
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 21, 2005 - 2:44 pm: | |
Thanks for all your advice. I did read the Unofficial Guide and got lots of tips. Because of our time restrictions (including dinner at Crystal Palace) we will have to brave crowds, but I am sure it will be great. Plan to do MK the first day, and perhaps the water park the second day. |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 459
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, April 21, 2005 - 3:08 pm: | |
Since your time is short, I'd suggest letting the kids look at the guides etc., and each choose a couple of }things they really want to do. Then if (most of) those things get done, it's a success, regardless of how much stuff there is out there that you never got to.
I'd say your sons are the ideal ages for this stuff, so take along sunscreen, allow for some down-time, and have a blast!
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gemini
Citizen
Username: Gemini
Post Number: 401
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 7:31 am: | |
Disney is the bastion of capitalism and ripoffs, but it's heaven for the kids. DOn't try to overkill on the research, it'll drive you nuts. Just really try to enjoy it (you will) and like someone said above, relax. Don't try to do too much, or you'll miss the fun (esp. w/ more than one kid). Have a safe trip, it's really magical. |
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