Any insider tips about disney world?

Question

We are going on a family trip to Disney World this July. Its my first time so I don't really know what to expect. My husband and daughter (8 yrs) will be going. We are staying at the All Star Music Resort and have passes for: Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, MGM, and SeaWorld. I'm trying to see if anyone has any cool ideas or insider tips (i.e. things a little off the beaten path, or perhaps things most tourist miss out on). I want the trip to be a memorable one for all of us.

Answer 1

I just got back from All-stars Music this week. Its a WORLD of difference from All-stars Sports which was filled with teenagers making noise throughout the night. Music was quiet and very enjoyable.

Make sure that you book reservations for dinner NOW. They fill up fast, especially for the nicer places (Try Canada in Epcot's World Showcase!) Also you may want to consider disney's meal plan which gets you a counter service meal, a table service meal and one snack for 40bucks/day. You can eat cheaper than this if you do just counter service but the table service meal includes a drink (non-alcoholic), appetizer, entree, and dessert. You wont go hungry and wont have to worry about how much each meal costs...you can pick anything from the menu! Also if you want to see Fantasmic at MGM, which i HIGHLY suggest, you can guarantee yourself a seat by booking a dinner for the same night as the show at Mama Melmroses (also in MGM) which would count as your table service meal of the day.

Other tips:
Take a small bag and put bottled water and snacks in it, this will save you a small fortune. Its HOT in Florida in July and you dont want to dish out 3 bucks or so everytime your kid is thirsty (not to mention you will have to toss it out if you dont finish it before your next ride/show if its in a paper cup as opposed to a bottle)

Be sure to see Philarmagic in Magic Kingdom, its an awesome show

What worked for us was to rush into the park and get a fastpass for one star attraction and then wait in line for another. By the time we worked our way through one line, it was time to fastpass the other. Epcot's Fastpasses will go FAST as there arent many thrill rides there. (Test-track and soarin were all gone for the entire day by 2 pm, mission to mars lasted a bit longer) Another fast one is Aerosmiths rockin rollercoaster, be sure to fastpass this one.

If you have the park hopper option, you can do Animal Kingdom in just half a day so this is a good day to go back to the hotel in the middle of the day and relax at the pool and just take it easy as Disney is the kind of vacation where you will be tired from all the walking and will want days like this.

One other thing...if you havent done so, call Disney and tell them you want the Magical Express service. Its FREE and what they do is send you these yellow tags that you attach to your luggage and Disney will take care of it for you! They take it from the airport and drop it off in your room (you need not be present - you can hit the parks, just make sure if you need anything shortly after arriving, you take it as a carry-on). They also pick you up from the airport and to the resort and give you the trip back. Did this for the first time on this trip, it was very nice.

Answer 2

You will be going to Disney, that by itself will make it a memorable vacation. You are already ahead of the game, since you are wise and staying on property, and have passes to all the parks. I would recommend that if you haven't yet, add the park hopper option to your passes for Disney. It gives you the ultimate in flexibility. If the Magic Kingdom is crowded, you can always jump on the monorail and go to Epcot. Without that option you can't shift gears like that. Also, we always like to do two different parks in a day. We might go to the Magic Kingdom in the morning, then hit another park in the evening to see the night time show. We like to be able to bounce around and see what we missed.

One good strategy for avoiding the crowds is to get to the parks early. Make sure to head for the BACK of the park first, since most people usually go to the attractions up front first. Stay at the park until just after lunch, then head back to the resort. Take some time to swim and relax, eat an early dinner, then go back to one of the parks while everyone is coming back for dinner. Basically stay opposite of the crowds. It is pretty simple and outlined in many guide books, but I rarely see anyone use it.

Make any dining reservations you can now. Most reservations can be taken up to 180 days in advance. Also, I would highly recommend the Character breakfast at Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary. I have been to a couple different ones, but I found that the Contemporary is the best. Not only is the food outstanding, but Chef Mickey's has the fab 5 at that breakfast (Mickey, Minne, Goofy, Donald, Pluto) and usually Chip and Dale or another character. It will guarantee that you get some great shots with Mickey himself, since he makes the rounds and comes right to your table.

For more info, I would pick up two books. Birnbaum's guide to WDW, as well as the Birbaum's guide to WDW For Kids by Kids. There are tons of guidebooks out there, but those have worked best for us. They give good descriptions of all of the rides, attractions and shows. What we usually do is let the kids have the Kids version, then make a list of some of the "must see" attractions for them. When they are involved in the planning, the trip is that much more fun. Also, go to the disneyworld website, I put the link below, and check it out. You can register for free, and then you can make a list of your favorites, plan an itinerary, and even have free customized maps sent to you with your favorites listed. Well worth the time to check out.

Have a great trip!!

Answer 3

that's where i stayed the first time i went to disney! of course now i work for the company :) depending on how long ur staying, u want to get the meal plan when u check in at the resort. it's a meal package that lets u have a snack, quick service, and table service everyday. it will save u a lot of money on food if u want to eat in the parks. if u guys rather eat outside the parks, there are plenty of places on hwy 535 (apopka/vineland) in crossroads. there is a chevy's, uno pizzaria, taco bell, red lobster, TGI friday's, buffalo wildwings.....
if u DO decide to have dinner in the parks though, make sure u make reservations!!!! too many guests complain that there aren't enough places to eat because all the restaurants get booked up. call (407)WDW-DINE, ur meal plan also works for restaurants in the resorts. so ur not restricted to just the parks.

another thing is that u want to get to the parks early to get fastpasses for the rides u want. u can only get one, then wait an hour, then get another. but it's the only way to do it. get a fastpass, wait in a few short lines, go on the rides, and before u know it, time to get another fast pass. the passes ur really worried about is Soarin' in EPCOT. they go quickly, i mean QUICKLY. the fast passes for Soarin' is usually gone anywhere from 30mins to an hour within the park opening. another that goes fast is expedition everest in animal kingdom.

i hope this helped u a little bit, if u have more questions, feel free to email me :) have fun on ur vacation!!!

Answer 4

When you enter the park immediately head to the left, Adventureland and work your way around in a clockwise direction. People tend to automatically go right, Tomorrowland, so by going left you can miss some of the crowds. If this is your first time you should focus on what is at the parks, not what is on the beaten path; there is too much to see as it is. Have a great time.

Answer 5

Well you are staying at the all star music resort which is my favorite resort. You sould buy hidden mickeys feild guy it is geared to save time in the parks and have fun looking for hidden mickeys. If you dont know wht they are then go to the website. You can buy the book on the website and you can also buy the book in the park at MGM. On the website you can look a pictures of hidden mickeys.

Answer 6

Have comfortable shoes, I was exhausted after walking and standing up in Magic kingdom. Get fastpasses, and drink plenty of water ( you can refill your bottles in the water fountains). Oh and arrive there early, as soon as the park opens.
In Epcot don't miss Soarin, I was there at 9 a.m and was lucky didn't wait long in line. But cast members told me, the lines are huge (75 min.) during busy hours.
Good Luck.

Answer 7

I have been to Disneyworld several times and I will tell you what you need to do for each park you go to, you did pick a very good hotel though. Those hotels are themed so well, so remember to check out the pools at the hotel, they have there own water slides (granted there not big, but they do have there own water slides).

Magic Kingdom - at Magic Kingdom there is this ride that most people surpass because from the outside it looks like it is just stupid and boring, but it isn't once you go on it and realize how cool it really is, Tom Sawyer ride--you take a boat to an island and get to tour what it was like to live in that movie, play on the tree houses, swing, it is really cool and fun
**also eat in a restaurant in cinderellas castle, pricey but worth every penny

Animal Kingdom-alot of people don't know this, but there is actually a ride under the tree at animal Kingdom, most people just pass the tree and take pictures, never paying attention to whats underneath... it is a 3D show of A Bug's Life and so amazing for people of every age, you have definately got to check that out.

Epcot-epcot can be a little bit for the older kids, or kids who are really into science. it is so amazing how you can go from world to world just by walking, you can visit Japan, Paris, china, switzerland, all of the worlds you could imagine and each world has there own trademark, such as Paris has the Eiffel Tower, at epcot you have got to go into this store, called the coke store, you get to samples cokes from all around the world, you would be surprises what some really taste like

MGM -- I have never been to MGM so I am just going to be completely honest and tell you that I have never been, my sister went though and said that all of the rides must be ridden because it is something that you don't want to miss

SeaWorld is amazing in itself, you get to interact with so many amazing sea creatures, I would definately go watch shamoo, some people want to skip him to go ride the rides, but I would enjoy him and just watch it, remember youre going to get wet.

Have fun on your vacation and be safe.

Answer 8

I just answered this question and it disappeared!! Let me try again! Be prepared for long lines, very hot weather and cranky kids. Summer is not the best time to go.

Check out www.mousesavers.com
Books:
Hidden Mickeys
Disney on A Dime
Frommers Guide To Orlando/Disney

Also do a Google search on Disney World Secrets and you will find all kinds of interesting tips and tricks! Have fun!

Answer 9

make sure you utilize disney's fast pass and early hours for resort guests...i find if i go to the ride i want to do twice if i get an early fast pass i can then wait in line a save time. look at the maps of the park and head to the back and work your way to the front...if you can, eat at the sit down resturants in disney....a little more but worth sitting in a/c with a waitress, especially in summer.

Answer 10

They give samples of the frozen drinks if you ask.They have sour watermelon flavor which will make you pucker up.Ask them to top up the drinks at the counter service places because they do not fill them completely.I do not purchase draft beer anymore because there is too much foam on top.During rush hour they make many drinks in advance and the ice was already melted in my ice tea.If you like ice that is another reason to remove the lid and complete the last mile of quality.