My family and I are leaving for Disney in less than 2 weeks and are ever so excited!
What are the must-sees for older-adults? It's just my husband and I going, along with my mother-in-law.
My mother-in-law is wonderful, but decided she wanted to come along last minute. We are on the dining plan and all of our dining arrangements/reservations are for 2 people. I called Disney and they said all restuarants are full. Do you think if we show up they will be accomodating to the extra guest?
It's our first time in Disney World and we really don't know what to expect.
Would you recommend we take a day to see Sea World? Universal?
Thanks in advance!
2007-11-27 03:59:51 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Orlando
There is a ton to do at all of the parks, the Magic Kingdom included, for adults. There are some great shows, some rides that everyone should check out at least once, plus tons of other attractions. Here are a few of our favorites for the "older" crowd:
Magic Kingdom - Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, the Hall of Presidents, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Disney's Philharmagic, It's A Small World ( currently closed from what I hear, might not be open), Spectromagic night time parade, Wishes Fireworks show.
Epcot - Soarin', Test Track, Spaceship Earth, Take a nice stroll through all of the countries in World Showcase, The Land exhibit (a short tour called "Living with the land").
MGM - Indiana Jones Stunt Show, Extreme Stunt Show, Beauty and the Beast live, Star Tours, The Great Movie Ride, Fantasmic night time spectacular, Who Wants to be a Millionaire, Sounds Dangerous starring Drew Carey.
Animal Kingdom - Kilimanjaro Safari, It's Tough to be a Bug, Maharaja's Jungle Trek, Dinoland USA.
There are also some thrill rides I am sure you will enjoy, like the Rock 'N' Roller Coaster in MGM, Space Mountain, Thunder Mtn. Railroad, and Splash Mtn. in Magic Kingdom, and Expedition Everest in the Animal Kingdom. Plus don't forget Downtown Disney and the Disney Marketplace, some of the best places to eat and shop in all of WDW.
I hope this helps. If you want more info there are a few places I would recommend. First, go to the Disney website. You can get pics and descriptions of every attraction in WDW. Next, check out the disboards. The disboards is a message boards website that is dedicated to all things Disney travel. You can get trip reports, resort reviews, restaurant reviews, travel tips, and much more. Finally, I would go to the bookstore and pick up the Birnbaum's Guide to WDW. There are a ton of guide books out there but that is the one that has worked best for us.
If you have the time, I would take a day and go over to Sea World. Honestly, you won't even need a full day. Sea World is nice, the shows are pretty cool as are the exhibits. Universal is a different story. You need much more time for Universal, and honestly the last visit I had there I was dissappointed. It seems they have stared to go after the teens and younger crowd, so many of their rides and attractions are thrill oriented. Just a thought.
As for the restaurants, I would try again to call Disney Dining and explain the situation. Disney is usually pretty accomodating for stuff like this, and in all honesty you are adding one person, not a whole family.
Have a great trip!
2007-11-27 09:59:38 · answer #1 · answered by Natterjack9 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Excellent site you should definitely check out:
http://www.allearsnet.com
I would strongly suggest getting a guidebook you can read up on before you go and keep in the room or even with you when you go. Disney is huge, 4 theme parks. It can be overwhelming to a first-timer, so do a little research before you go!
As far as what to do, I have gone several times with all-adult groups. We basically do everything! I think that these rides are must-see.
Magic Kingdom:
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Haunted Mansion
Pirates of the Caribbean
Epcot:
Spaceship Earth (but it won't be open while you are visiting)
Test Track
Mission: Space - personally, not a fan but a lot of people love it
Soarin'
the World Showcase countries - take the time to walk around and explore
Studios:
Great Movie Ride
Tower of Terror
Rock n Roller Coaster
Muppets 3-D
Animal Kingdom:
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Expedition Everest
It's Tough to be a Bug
Be sure to check Disney's website for hours of all the nighttime shows and fireworks. They are the best you will ever see!
Sea World - not a fan. Universal - ok. The second park, Islands of Adventure, is way better than Universal Studios if you like thrill rides.
2007-11-27 08:00:20 · answer #2 · answered by Lilli 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definately get Birnbaum's Unofficial guide to Walt Disney World, that book has everything under the sun about Disney. When we travel there, that becomes my bible. As for your dining question, the time of year you are going, it will probably be very hard to add onto your reservation. It is easier to take a person away rather than adding on because their tables are set up for parties of 2, 4, 6, and so forth. However, you may get lucky and be able to add on once you get there. Call Disney Dining and tell them your situation, they are very accomodating to their guests, but make sure you are flexible with your times and days. Also, you may not be able to get into the more popular restaurants like Cinderella's Royal Table in the Magic Kingdom or Le Cellier in Epcot because a lot of these restauarants do fill up fast. Good luck.
2007-11-27 08:49:25 · answer #3 · answered by Andrea S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll be honest with you, showing up last minute with an extra person to a dining arrangement/reservation could be disappointing. If they say the restaurants are full than they mean it. You can always try it and there are some restaurants who will do their best to accomodate you although you may have to wait longer than you would have hoped. I definately wouldn't tell someone to "try" and see what they say. If you've already been told the restaurants are full than it's very unusual for them to be taking any walk ins or walkups which is what they consider any extra guest in the party.
If you have the time to explore, check out sea world and/or universal they are lots of fun!
2007-11-29 11:42:58 · answer #4 · answered by ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your group is all adults (and since you'll be there for the holidays), be sure to visit the Disney Resorts, specifically the Beach Club Resort and Grand Floridian. There, you can see a life-sized gingerbread house and chocolate carousel and even purchase holiday goodies from the marketplace! Pleasure Island is a lot of fun if you enjoy dancing and all of the parks are so much fun! For a non-Disney day, I recommend Islands of Adventure, Sea World, or an airboat ride in Kissimmee's Boggy Creek Airboat rides and hungle tours!
Be sure to check out http://www.easybreezyplanning.com
There you can sign up for a free Disney E-newsletter, read up on fun tips and advice, watch fun Disney movie previews, purchase discounted Disney park merchandise and receive assistance with planning your Disney vacation! Have a wonderful trip!
2007-11-30 16:46:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok....The "Un-official Guide to Walt Disney World" book is a must they had some really good tips and ideas & (unfortunately I forgot the name) there is a website by a former VIP Disney Tour guide ( I think its Tour Guide Mike something like that...try google) started this website and for a lousy $20 you can subscribe & it was FULL of really good ideas as well as, some stuff that even regular Disney employees didn't know about.
2007-11-27 04:38:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here are the must sees:
Magic Kingdom-
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Pirates of the Carribean
The Hanted Mansion
Philar Magic
Epcot-
Test Track
Soarin
MGM Studios-
Tower of Terror
Rockin Roller Coaster
Fantasmic!
Animal Kingdom-
Expedition Everest
Kilamanjaro Safaris
If you go to either one of those other parks, go to SeaWorld.
Universal is kinda stupid.
And the reservation thing would be no prob. Tables most of the time can hold more than two people.
HAVE FUN!
2007-11-28 08:24:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
everything is great at Disney and I do recommend 1day at universal/islands of adventure and another day at sea-world. leave the mother in the hotel.. this was a vacation for you and your husband.
2007-11-28 06:49:42 · answer #8 · answered by huskydog2001 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you'll have a great time! dont miss seaworld, its a fantastic day out and universal is just as fantastic! i prefer universal studios which is another great day out. animal kingdom is brilliant but the others i could live without. i'm sure you're mother in law can be put on your table but maybe be prepared for the worst and have a plan 'B' anyway.
2007-11-27 04:35:20 · answer #9 · answered by sue brew 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's a book by Birnbaum, "Walt Disney World Without Kids" that has lots of info.
2007-11-27 04:11:47 · answer #10 · answered by MomSezNo 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋