|
The best thing Disney has for parents with kids (besides child care and things like that) is Child Swap. It allows parents to take turns on the rides. First one waits in line like normal, but gets a ticket for the other one to fastpass the line when they get off. My first trip was when I was around 6 years old, and my sister was less than a year. My parents took turns watching her, which meant I got to ride most things twice in a row. That was rad as gently caress. I am going on my first solo trip in December, and I am extremely amped to be headed down without the addition of a family. I'll actually be meeting family there, but I'll be staying in a different resort, and will only catch up with them for a few hours at a time. The last trip I took was fustrating as hell because my family didn't want to wait in any lines, yet they chose to go during Spring Break, so we sat around looking at things we could be doing, rather than doing things. None of that this time around.
|
#
¿
May 16, 2013 16:24
|
|
|
|
| # ¿ Apr 27, 2024 18:46 |
|
|
Lincoln posted:Hadn't been here in a couple of weeks, so I was re-reading the OP to see if there was some glaring omission I needed to address, and I started thinking that one of the big questions my wife and I always get is, why do you guys go to Disney World all the time? Well, we don't go all the time. We've averaged about once every two years since our first visit in 1999. But I usually do the regular song-and-dance routine: great service, attention to detail, etc. I mean, my biggest suggestion is, if you can afford it, stay on Disney property. Even the Value resorts are really nice places to stay (even if they aren't as intricately themed as the Moderate and Deluxe) My last trip, I ended up in a condo (a very nice one) just outside of the parks near Animal Kingdom, and while the condo itself was lovely (and my parents nabbed it for a cheap price due to their timeshare) we were in the middle of Tourist Trap Alley. Just lots of tacky things to distract people from spending money at Disney. We went into a store in one strip mall that you could just feel the sleeze. Disney may be a corporate giant, but at least, inside their parks, they try to make their invasion of your wallet seem less garish. Most nights, we also ended up parking next to the tackiest looking medieval dinner show and if that isn't hell on earth, I don't know what is.
|
|
#
¿
May 26, 2013 06:17
|
|
|
skipdogg posted:We've never done the DDP, and I'm personally on the fence about it. I don't like to eat when I'm hot/sweaty/active and will go most of the day just snacking on granola bars and drinking Gatorade. I think we would have to work to use all the credits on the DDP. My wife's cousins though go and they get their moneys worth out of the DDP. The Dining Plan is really all how you use it. I know people who swear by it, and others who wouldn't ever dream of doing it. Perhaps the Quick Service Dining plan may be an option. It gives you two Quick Service (over the counter stuff rather than sit down) credits a day and a snack credit a day. It's the cheapest dining option, and there are so many quick service options it's insane (especially in Epcot.) You won't be getting the fanciest food in the parks (although the new Be Our Guest restaurant in the MK does Quick Service for lunch and some of the food is worthy of a sit down dinner) but you get to feed the kids at places that are easy to get into, and are usually pretty good, even the fast food fare stuffs. You could also supplement this with paying out of pocket for select meals on the trip. My next trip in December is my first solo experience with the Dining Plan, and I am just going with the Regular Plan, which gives one of each service a day and one snack, and I'll be honest, I am not sure if I'll even end up using the Table Service credits for the trip. I have three reservations booked now, and am sort of at a loss for what to do for the rest, so the plan isn't for everyone. I'd say, look at the money you'd spend for food vs. how much the plan will cost, then make your decision from that.
|
|
#
¿
Jun 7, 2013 01:33
|
|
|
The DISboards also run the DISUnplugged podcast, which is super informative, and they do topics episodes. This month they are going over 7 of the resorts (which they stayed in over a period of 7 nights.) The guy who runs it owns a travel company, so they are also pretty good about giving tips to plan. I have a question for those more versed in the Dining Plan than I am (which is funny, considering my last post is about the plan) This trip is the first time I'm going solo, so I just went with the basic 1 TS, 1 QS, 1 Snack plan. The last time I used the DP, it was Deluxe, so I got all the fixings, an appetizer, entree, and desert (plus beverage) where as I saw that the basic plan is only the beverage and the entree. Can I supplement my meal with a dessert or a appetizer out of pocket, or would i just have to pay for the meal out of pocket for that?
|
|
#
¿
Jun 8, 2013 07:43
|
|
|
Remulak posted:Is this a Disney timeshare or something else? Yes. They have select resorts at the parks that have Vacation Club sections that DVC members can rent exclusively. Most of the Deluxe resorts, and some of the moderates. They also have spaces at their Non theme park resorts like Aulani in Hawaii and Vero Beach. You can also use DVC Points towards Non-Disney vacation spots. AND some non-Disney Timeshare companies, like the ones my parents use, can finagle a stay at a DVC condo, but you have to plan super far in advance because they only have a small selection of rooms open to do that.
|
|
#
¿
Jun 12, 2013 21:47
|
|
|
I've always wanted to go to the Food and Wine festival. The Flower and Garden festival is wonderful (but be wary, the end falls around Spring Break/Easter time, so it gets crowded in a matter of days) This year they introduced food and wine kiosks into the festival, and they've been doing topiaries and flower displays for Food and Wine for a while now, so Epcot is trying to bring a bit of each to the other, which is fine by me.
|
|
#
¿
Jun 14, 2013 04:38
|
|
|
President Ark posted:Also if there's an unexpected all-day rainstorm stopping you from enjoying the rides, go to Downtown Disney. Disneyquest there is basically a 3? story, gigantic arcade in which everything is free beyond admission. There are also some pretty great Arcades in many of the on-site Resorts. The All Star and other values have really nice ones since they are more aimed at families. They do cost money, but It's impressive. Art of Animation's even has pinball machines, I'm told!
|
|
#
¿
Jun 16, 2013 04:55
|
|
|
Disney is letting DQ die a long and slow death, I think. The idea started out as a concept to bring Disney Park style experiences to places that don't have them. The DTD one opened first as a test pilot, then one opened in Chicago. It didn't prove a successful buisness model, so Disney scrapped the project, closing the Chicago one, scrapping construction on a Philiadelphia one, and ceasing planning on one for Disneyland and one in Toronto. Now all that remains is Florida's, and it's just sort of a thing Disney keeps around because it gives people something to do on rainy days (or on days that some parks close early for events, like the Halloween and Christmas parties) Kind of a shame. Edit: If you want to try an updated version of DQ's signature attraction Cyberspace Mountain, go to Epcot and try Sum of all Thrills in Innoventions. Same basic concept using far better technology (mainly a robot arm most famous for being the ride mechanic for the Harry Potter ride over at Universal) TheBigBudgetSequel fucked around with this message at 19:57 on Jun 16, 2013 |
|
#
¿
Jun 16, 2013 19:54
|
|
|
Gin_Rummy posted:If they still have their virtual reality games (it's been about ten years since I've been), I could see that as PRIME loving real estate for use of the Marvel ownership. Who the gently caress wouldn't want to play one of those if it was Avengers themed? Disney needs to get the ball rolling and remember that DQ still exists. Disney isn't allowed to design or make attractions featuring Marvel characters in any location in Orlando, due to their outstanding contract with Islands of Adventure. They can do Marvel at any other DisneyParks location around the world, just not WDW. They skirted this to have Avengers and Iron Man themed monorail wraps on the Resort track rather than the Epcot track, because if it entered Epcot, that would be considered breach of contract. Disney needs to man up and tell Universal "Here's a poo poo ton of money, re-name everything except the properties Fox/Sony owns, then gently caress off" and then make an Avengers attraction.
|
|
#
¿
Jun 18, 2013 18:59
|
|
|
If you can get a reservation to Le Cellier in Epcot, that's the best place I've eaten on property. I have heard great things about Artist Point, Narcoossees (at Grand Floridian), and Victoria and Alberts. Sometimes I wish WDW had it's own version of Club 33. Not that I'd ever be able to get in, but that'd be a prime spot for some anniversary magic.
|
|
#
¿
Jun 21, 2013 05:15
|
|
|
If I ever hit the jackpot, I want to go to the the Chef's Table at Victoria and Albert's just to say I did it. I just booked some dining for my December trip, and it's pretty simple, but I am excited. I am trying out Be Our Guest (got lucky and got added to a reservation thanks to my Aunt who will be there at the same time as me. I also booked a reservation on my own, but at 9pm the night before I leave. That seems like it might be depressing) and I decided to try out Kona Cafe for dinner and Via Napoli in Epcot for lunch. I am looking for other table service suggestions actually, since I'll have seven credits, and only four planned uses of them.
|
|
#
¿
Jun 21, 2013 06:11
|
|
|
Paul Allen posted:drat, you all are great! As for food: My meal was excellent. The Cheddar soup (made with beer) and Pretzel Breadsticks alone are worth it for me, but the steak I had was wonderful. The atmosphere is cozy and secluded. It's smaller than the outside would have you believe. I think it could work well for a romantic setting quite well. as a heads up it is Signature, so if you are on dining plan of sorts, it will cost you 2 Table Service credits per person instead of the usual 1. If you are paying out of pocket that won't be an issue. Otherwise, make sure you reserve. It fills up fast.
|
|
#
¿
Jun 21, 2013 18:18
|
|
|
Paul Allen posted:Cozy and secluded sounds nice, especially since we'll be coming off a day or two of being around throngs of people constantly. You are basically in the wine cellar of this building.  Except that it's also a gourmet steak house. The architecture inside is gorgeous if that sort of thing matters.
|
|
#
¿
Jun 21, 2013 18:31
|
|
|
Today I nabbed a resevation at Jiko: The Cooking Place, mainly as an excuse to go over to Animal Kingdom Lodge. I will say the Filet looks pretty goddamn spectacular.
|
|
#
¿
Jun 21, 2013 22:31
|
|
|
Lincoln posted:Wow I was about to ask you what in the world you were talking about and then you posted the diagrammed space photo from space. Is this route only available after fireworks? I knew nothing about it until now. They use it whenever the park is abnormally full. A good example is when they shoot the Christmas parade (which I just found out is going to be when I am down for my next trip. Sarcastic Hooray) they let people not interested in the parade in through there, because Main Street is blocked off for filming. mearn posted:Tip: Never leave after the fireworks. Magic Kingdom is almost always open a couple of hours longer and thousands of people are leaving at that time. This means a much emptier park and not having to wait in a ridiculous line to get on a monorail or ferry when you leave. This. Often the fire works are a few hours before official close time. If you head off and do some rides or some shopping, you'll find leaving much easier. Sometimes, the park closes directly after the fireworks, but in this case, the stores on Main Street will be open until the moment when they tell everyone to actually get the hell out. Window shop for a bit, grab a Mickey shaped sweet or something, then catch a much less crowded trip to your hotel/parking lot. TheBigBudgetSequel fucked around with this message at 20:20 on Jul 7, 2013 |
|
#
¿
Jul 7, 2013 20:14
|
|
|
From what I've gathered, working The Great Movie Ride is something people want to do because it looks to be a different job than it actually is. A lot of people think it's like the Jungle Cruise, only for movie nerds instead of animal lovers. Thing is, Jungle Cruise skippers have some leeway, they can improv a bit, and can pick and choose what they say and don't say. GMR has a very strict script that has to be adhered to properly or it throws timing all of. Also when it's very busy and they are running cars back to back, the scene with the Wicked Witch sucks if you are in the back car. Our host just let the host in the car ahead of us do all the talking to the witch, so it didn't seem intereactive, it seemed boring. It's a huge roll of the dice if you get a good show or a bad show.
|
|
#
¿
Jul 10, 2013 15:54
|
|
|
Roar posted:Definitely MK, you can tell by the costumed CM in the back. They also have more sodium that a loving salt mine in them.
|
|
#
¿
Jul 11, 2013 04:30
|
|
|
Lincoln posted:So I hear the final retail store at Downtown Disney closed today (Apricot Springs). What's the state of Downtown Disney now? Is it completely shut down, or are parts still open for business? Uh, World of Disney is still kicking, as is pretty much every retailer who has moved in in the last several years. The nightculbs are almost all torn down (except The Adventurer's Club, which sits there, sadly awaiting the day.)
|
|
#
¿
Jul 28, 2013 02:43
|
|
|
While not a question about a specific travel, I am headed down in December, and I booked everything directly through Disney. Would I have saved money going through a travel agency?
|
|
#
¿
Jul 28, 2013 04:45
|
|
|
Well, my trip (six nights at a value, park hopper tickets) is costing me around 1500 without travel. I find that okay (and if I were a reasonable person would have gone for less time and saved even more money, but it's Disney so I'm not reasonable.) but I am not shy about my desire to stay at places like the Polynesian or Contemporary, which I know would rack up the rate. So hearing about room discounts is certainly intriguing.
|
|
#
¿
Jul 28, 2013 18:46
|
|
|
KittyEmpress posted:Okay, this is kind of a large thing to ask, but the subject came up today for me, when I learned about Shades of Green. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuDYON2zYgw this is a good overview of military stuff at Disney World.
|
|
#
¿
Jul 29, 2013 07:18
|
|
|
Malt posted:I've stayed at Shades of Green three times over the past 10 years . You will get a pretty nice room and all the perks of staying at a Disney Resort for a fraction of the price. I would say the rooms are about the same quality as a mid range resort. Its missing the shopping, restaurants, and themes of the other hotels, but its extremely easy to get to them if there is something you or she wanted to do. While the fan in me say "Day of shopping? PFFT" I do agree that's a solid plan. If you do try to cram in Animal Kingdom into a day, I recommend squeezing it in first in the morning, since the cool things to do there tend to get long lines later in the day.
|
|
#
¿
Jul 29, 2013 19:03
|
|
|
KittyEmpress posted:Hopefully the four day parkhoppers are still around next year, which is likely what I'd end up getting if so. That'd let me do the five day thing, with four days of parks and the last day for shopping at Downtown Disney. That depends on where and what you want to eat. If you are fine with just getting burgers and fries, you may not want or need the plans, but if you want to do some sit down dining, they could be a help. Dining plans allow me to eat at some placed I wouldn't otherwise due to the price.
|
|
#
¿
Jul 29, 2013 22:29
|
|
|
Fejsze posted:To clarify, AFAIK they don't actually take a fingerprint scan, just a scan of the outline of your finger. People freaked out back when they implemented it. They are slowly rolling out MyMagic+ which intergrates RFID chips into both the normal hard tickets and a bracelet that guests can wear that acts the same as their ticket (as well as their room key, charge card, reservation keeper, ect)
|
|
#
¿
Jul 31, 2013 17:12
|
|
|
Yeah, kind of pissed they aren't offering it at Art of Animation. That's kind of bullshit, and it'd save me some money.
|
|
#
¿
Aug 2, 2013 04:07
|
|
|
I could switch hotels feasibly, yes, but I had chosen AoA to try it out. It looks like a cool colorful fun resort, and I know it's still got that New Resort smell, but I can't see the sense in telling certain guests "Oh no, you don' qualify." I mean, I'd even still be paying money because I'd pay the difference to upgrade from the Value Resort "Quick Service" plan to a Regular plan. TAKE MY MONEY, DISNEY. I SWEAR, I WANT YOU TO!
|
|
#
¿
Aug 2, 2013 17:19
|
|
|
Braksgirl posted:My boss went to an agent training program at Disney a month or so ago and the official Disney word on My Disney Experience is "We're running a bit behind" which I take to mean "This is a giant clusterfuck." I have noticed on the My Disney Experience part of the website that they had a place for getting FastPasses to quick service restaurants, which is pretty crazy, I think. Looks like it's been removed, though. The new MDE site makes paying vacation payments to Disney quite the clusterfuck. I had to do an online chat with a Disney agent just to get a url to give them money.
|
|
#
¿
Aug 4, 2013 21:20
|
|
|
Braksgirl posted:People get really mental about free dining. I didn't have any clients run off to book themselves, but some of my colleagues did. When you use a TA to make an initial reservation, the client can't come in and change anything, only the TA can. What happened is that people went ahead and made their own reservations and then cancelled the ones with the TA which is a pretty lovely thing to do. The Disboard is a scary daunting place. I post on a few Disney World forums, and goddamn, I have no idea where to even begin there. I am considering attending an event they are throwing at Hollywood Studios that happens to be when I'm down there, but man, I have no idea what to expect. I do like all the people on the DIS podcast though.
|
|
#
¿
Aug 5, 2013 07:49
|
|
|
demonR6 posted:The new fastpass options for Disney guests that are booking and staying at their resorts thereby creating yet another level or priority fastpass. As if the fastpass wasn't a stupid clusterfuck that screws people who did not arrive first thing to claim them or have the time to run from attraction to attraction and collect them. The grand vision was to speedily move people through attractions and has become reviled because if you and your family have been in line for an hour and you watch people fly by you are naturally going to become even more upset sitting there. For the most part the desirable attractions now have absurd wait times. We were at the park for the 24-hour event and the fast pass was not being used and even though the park was packed the wait times were 30 minutes or less. FP screwed the pooch in my opinion and this new iteration is going to make people even more angry. Well, it seems as if FP+ once it is fully integrated will be offering a more limited amount of passes than the current system, which will mean a slight decrease in Standby time. It won't be guaranteed short waits or anything, but it should help to ease the backup that FP can cause One thing I do like is FP+ limits how many passes you personally can have out (currently 3, probably will change to 4, at least for Magic Kingdom) and when you make your reservations they will often give you an extra Fastpass to a specific attraction. So, you book Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain and a spot at the Parade, and it may spit out a Haunted Mansion to you for fun. That's kind of cool. It will be weird to see rides that have never needed FP use the system though.
|
|
#
¿
Aug 8, 2013 05:03
|
|
|
Fish Of Doom posted:Plus Splash Mountain is around 12 minutes in length at Disneyworld and is far superior to the one at Disneyland, having more scenes and more drops, so it's a good ride to just chill on at the end of the day. In fact, now that I think about it, almost every doubled attraction at WDW is better and/or longer like Haunted Mansion, Tower of Terror, Jungle Cruise, Space Mountain. The only one I can think of where Disneyland's is better is Pirates. DL's Space Mountain seems like less of a death trap from what I hear, but having never been there, I don't know. I do like that WDWs Tower of Terror is the best of the bunch by virtue of being built differently, and Disney realizing it was far too complicated and expensive to duplicate, so they just redid the experience for each park that has gotten it since.
|
|
#
¿
Aug 10, 2013 19:54
|
|
|
Nathilus posted:What do you mean by WDW's Space Mountain being a death trap? Like all other rides there, it was designed and is operated with safety in mind above everything else. I only know of one death in the history of the ride. Oh, whoops. I just checked that and there have been two more since I worked there, both due to natural causes and not any kind of ride issue. Cancer and a heart attack, in case you're curious The one I knew about happened decades ago and involved a dude standing up during the ride. I can't find this documented anywhere at the moment but I'm pretty sure it actually happened, vs. just being one of the dozens of cast member rumors. It was kind of a joke. I find the ride in WDW to be rickety and I know for a fact how close the beams are over head and it always feels a little treacherous. That said, I know it's the safest coaster of it's kind because it's on Disney World property.
|
|
#
¿
Aug 11, 2013 03:06
|
|
|
Roar posted:
Unless your name is Primeval Whirl, which means you are a lovely off the shelf carnival coaster co-opted to be a Disney ride. and people fall off you frequently.
|
|
#
¿
Aug 11, 2013 07:47
|
|
|
It's funny to see people think they can game the system by using the Single Rider line. "Oh, they'll let us sit together." Nope. You are going to get split up. It's gonna happen.
|
|
#
¿
Aug 13, 2013 03:03
|
|
|
Braksgirl posted:The new refillable mug program is live. Basically, you pay $5.99 for a plastic mug with an RFID chip in it. For $3 per day you can refill it with as much soda as you want in any resort quick service restaurant. Once your prepaid days have passed, your mug will deactivate. On the one hand, yeah, it seems like overkill, but on the other, I do like that it makes the mug cheaper for people with shorter stays. It used to be like, what, 15 bucks flat rate? Now you pay for the mug and only the amount of time you want to use it (unless you have a dining plan, where it'll be good for the length of your stay) The mug has a chip in it, and the soda machine reads the chip before it dispenses liquid. If the chip is not active, the machine won't give you soda. There is also a 5 min. window after you use the mug before you can use it again.
|
|
#
¿
Aug 15, 2013 04:25
|
|
|
Braksgirl posted:Just found out I got selected to test Magic Bands when I go in October. I'll report back after my trip. How far in advance to they normally give notice for that. I am hoping that it extends to AoA for my December trip (Probably not)
|
|
#
¿
Aug 22, 2013 03:28
|
|
|
It seems as if the issues are all in the hardware (which is kind of silly. You'd think a billion would buy you better stuff or at least the chance to fix it before letting people try it) but the actual concept seems to be working well. I read some people who were testing who said once they got the bands working properly, they were able to reserve FastPasses with ease and even change them on the fly based on a whim or changed plan. It just seems that the readers and the bands take some tinkering with.
|
|
#
¿
Aug 22, 2013 15:28
|
|
|
Happitoo posted:YAY! Magic Bands and Fastpass+ became available today to set up for my October trip! I know Illuminations is testing FP+ seating areas in certain sections of of World Showcase lagoon.
|
|
#
¿
Aug 23, 2013 16:06
|
|
|
The pool is also pretty goddamn bitchin' at Coronado.
|
|
#
¿
Aug 31, 2013 06:07
|
|
|
mearn posted:It's not the easiest site to navigate, but I've found http://www.easywdw.com/ 's crowd calendars to be great. They've also got live wait times for the four parks, which come in handy. The guy who runs easywdw is also pretty goddamn funny. His park updates are also great.
|
|
#
¿
Sep 6, 2013 03:53
|
|
|
|
| # ¿ Apr 27, 2024 18:46 |
|
|
demonR6 posted:or ask one of us locals who have annual passes and go almost every weekend. drat, Blackfish seems to be causing more of a problem than I thought for them.
|
|
#
¿
Sep 6, 2013 18:09
|
|
