Iam taking my child to disney world next week,I already have the park tickets but does anyone have any advice?

Question

to make this a better trip. Are there shops or resturants that are cheaper or better than others, any short cuts or other "dont miss" places to see at disney world or close to disney?

Answer 1

We have traveled to Disney World with our five kids about 10 times over the last 10 years or so. We have learned what works well for us and what doesn't. Remember, Disney World is huge, and even if you stay for two weeks, you won't see it all, so don't even try. The thing I see that makes it so people don't have a good time is because of lack of planning and trying to do everything and not enjoying anything. Make sure you are up early, and you are at the park you want to go to 5 - 10 minutes before it opens. Stay through lunch or early afternoon, whenever everyone is feeling a bit tired. Head back to your resort, take a nap, swim or just relax, then you can go back to the parks later in the afternoon, after everyone is refreshed and ready to go. This will allow you to stay until the park closes, and no one will be grumpy or tired.

All the shops on property are the same price, if you see an item you want, just buy it there, you won't find it cheaper elsewhere. If you are looking for Disney stuff, head to the World of Disney store in Downtown Disney (no passes required), they have just about everything there, it is huge.

As for restaurants, all of the counter service restaurants are about the same price. Some are much better than others (I am not a hamburger kind of guy). Some of my favorites are Columbia Harbour House in the Magic Kingdom, Tusker House in Animal Kingdom and Tangierine Cafe in Epcot. For the most part, all the restaurants in Disney World are pretty good. Find something that is of interest to you, take some chances in Epcot to try foods you normally don't have access to, and you will have a great time. Check out WDW menus here:

http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm

Depending on the age of your daughter, the "don't miss" things will be different. If she is young, don't miss Mickey's Philharmagic, Turtle Talk, Buzz Lightyear or the new Nemo ride in Epcot and Nemo show in Animal Kingdom. If she is older, she will enjoy these places, but don't miss Tower of Terror, Test Track, Rock N Roller Coaster and Expedition Everest.

Just relax, don't be affraid to ask any cast members questions, and you will all have a great trip.

Answer 2

There are literally THOUSANDS of tips!

Something to take a chance on...when you go to Magic Kingdom, get there when it opens. Immediately get a map (at the entrance) and then hop on the train (not the monorail- the train inside the park) . Stay on it until you get to ToonTown. (this is at the back of the park). It will be roped off. All the characters will come out and shake hands with the kids. If you are lucky (my niece was), Goofy will choose your child to ride on his Barnstormer Roller Coaster---WITH HIM!!! It is a great photo op. The child Goofy chooses rides in the front car with Goofy himself. Even if your child isn't chosen, this is the place to go to get a lot of Character photos. There is a building there that has lines to separate rooms where you can get your photo with the characters. If you go through Mickey's house to the back and into the Judge's Tent you have your photo taken with Mickey. You can purchase these photos, but you can take your own camera and the cast member will also take a photo with your camera.

If you want to save some money, you can share some meals. Quite often my son and I have done this. (I am 44 and my son is 25 and there is plenty of food for us both.) We usually will purchase a more expensive meal-since we are getting only one, and we usually have room for a dessert! Saves money and some calories!

There are many "don't miss" places and things to do. You will never get to DO and SEE everything. I would advise you get a guide book before you leave that you can look through and get a bit of an idea of something you wouldn't want to miss.

Also, don't just judge a ride or show by the description. Some things you have to simply experience them yourself. What might not be interesting to you could be one of my favorites!! Everyone is different. I do agree that Mickey's Philharmagic is a definite DON"T MISS. It is a 3-D show.

Most of all, relax, and enjoy what you do get to see. Often I see people yelling at each other or running to try to "catch" the parade or a show. That is no fun. If you miss something, "oh well." Find something else to do. I learned this the hard way. My husband and I went in 1987 with our then 5 year old son. My sister lived in Florida at the time and she took us to all the "MUST-SEE" things in Disney World. (one thing we had to do was wait on the curb for over an hour so we could have a good "spot" to view the parade) I had a miserable time. I never wanted to go back. Finally in 2004, I went with my other sister. We were relaxed, whatever we came across, we explored. if we didn't see something, it didn't matter because we REALLY enjoyed what we DID get to see.

Now I go every year, and this year I will be going twice. (going back in Dec)

Just have a great time!

Answer 3

Go off Disney property for meals. On Apoka-Vineland road and international drive there are all the restaurants that you could possibly want. Disney restaurants are overpriced and sometimes not the best. If you don't have transportation mears transportation will take you. They are reputable and all over the theme parks.
I would check out the different attractions on international drive because there are restaurants and reasonable priced attractions like putt putt golf to do and interesting scenery.
I would also go to a dinner show. The best ones in Orlando are Slueths, Arabian Knights, Medieval times, and Dixie Stampede. Again mears transportation can take you if you don't have transportation.
I would also go to www.tripadvisor.com to see what others have said about the hotel you are going to stay at and the attractions / shows you want to go to. You will find some very honest opinions at that site.

Answer 4

how we made the best of it was go there before the park opens. when you go just go to the most popular rides and get a fastpass ticket. once you get that ticket go on other rides that doesn't have a long line. and continue doing this. when i went there we basically finished riding all the rides and everything in less than 2 hours. and then the rest of the day we re-rode all the good rides and just strolled around and watched the shows. you will be super tired by the end of the day, but it's worth it. and don't forget to go to downtown disney for one night and have dinner there. i wish i can go again! my favorite place in the world~!!

Answer 5

I have been to Disney World four times and it is absolutely wonderful. One of the best ways not to wait in line for things is to get a fast pass. They are free. Go to the attraction and get a fast pass then come back within the allotted time and go straight on the attraction without any wait. My favorite place to eat is the Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom. It cost about $15 per person, but it is a buffet and you can get almost anything. My favorite attraction is the Great Movie Star Ride at MGM. Please just enjoy, for this is a once in a lifetime experience. This a great opportunity to make great memories for your child. GO WITH GOD!!!!!!!!!

Answer 6

food in the park is pretty awful -- but kids are usually fine with bad hamburgers. if you are going to magic kingdom -- the best bet for kids -- there is enough to do that you can spend a few days and still not see it all. depending on the age of your child there are rides and things to do in all of the areas -- currently a can't miss would be the new updated pirates of the carribean with movie characters added in. that and the haunted mansion were always my favorites anyway. the coasters at magic kingdom are fun and scaled down to more family oriented coasters -- not big thrill rides. splash mountain would be on my list of can't miss rides. its a water flume ride with song of the south animatronics along the trip. characters are everywhere. different characters are usually in different parts of the park so not knowing your childs favorites its hard to guide. mostly just have fun and let your kid help make decisions on where to go and what to ride. food is plentiful and not that great so one place is just as good as the other. always feel free to ask disney employees aka "cast members" for their ideas on what to do -- most are so overly friendly its almost scary. they will provide all kinds of schedule information for shows and characters and let you know what their favorites are and when the best time for shortest lines is. you have a park full of guides that will know more than anyone on here -- all you have to do is ask.

Answer 7

Go to the Port Orleans hotel on Disney Propery and get an order of Beignets from their food area. So delicious! Also they have great coffee, and around the holidays amazing decorations. You can also take a boat ride from Port orleans to Downtown Disney.

Answer 8

It is under 3 years old that they don't have to pay. My daughter was 2 weeks away from her 3rd birthday when we went - we took her passport but nobody asked to see proof of her age - the ticket clerk did glance over at her though though so maybe they only ask if they think you might be trying to cheat your way in with a 4 year old !

Answer 9

ohh yea i lived out here for a few years. You have to go to Rain Foerest. Its a little expensive but really worth it for the kids. and make sure you dont buy anything at the shops in the park. Just about anything that you can buy there you can find for half the price at one of the gift shops on the street. take a look at John Young PKWY. there are alot of gift shops that sell cheap things. Also if your gonna do regular shoping the millinium mall is great for window shoping but you can find anything there at the Bells out lets for half the price ... Good luck.

Answer 10

Go on the rides when the parades and other events are going on. That way there are no lines.
Just let your child have fun. Don't try to wear him/her out by trying to do everything. Relax, and let things move at his/her pace.
If you child is into this, I also suggest Gatorworld. It's very close.