Off to Disney

[Larry]

Arrived at Disney. And they upgraded our room. We're on the top floor. The "you need a key to get here, and there are only like two rooms on this floor that aren't suites, and all that" floor.

It's also handicapped accessable, which I never request. (Because I know from experience that the standard room works for us).

[Larry]

Breakfast with Mickey at Chef Mickeys this morning. And a pretty pleasant breakfast, too.

Normally, what really makes our meals enjoyable, is the presence of some cute, hyperactive, kids at the next table. A kid or four who are fidgeting and jumping up and down every time Donald gets closer to their table. Often, the MIT entertaining part of the experience isn't the characters, it's the kids who are seeing the characters.

Well, there weren't any kids on either side of us, at breakfast.

Instead, on our left, we had three women, I'd say age 20 or so, who looked like they were from France. And on our right, two women who are about to be freshmen roommates at UCF, this year. And all of THEM were really happy.

That was OK, too.

[skinfan2k]

larry are there adult only hotels at disney?

[chipwhich]

larry are there adult only hotels at disney?

There aren't adult only, but there are adult "like" hotels. It's a kids resort.

[skinfan2k]

There aren't adult only, but there are adult "like" hotels. It's a kids resort.

haha i know that, but not like little kids. we are fine with teenagers.

[Larry]

larry are there adult only hotels at disney?

Certainly none that I know of. Or would want to stay at.

I agree with my Brother's comment on his last visit: At Disney, kids are part of the entertainment.

Just my opinion, but if you don't like being around kids, then Disney isn't for you. (Which doesn't mean that you can't get away from them, ever.)

[skinsmarydu]

If I win the lottery, all of us and the grandkids are going on the Disney cruise. I have a friend on one right now, and they're having the time of their lives. Darren says there are so many things to keep the kids occupied, that if you feel the need to engage in "adult activities", you have the time!

[skinfan2k]

Certainly none that I know of. Or would want to stay at.

I agree with my Brother's comment on his last visit: At Disney, kids are part of the entertainment.

Just my opinion, but if you don't like being around kids, then Disney isn't for you. (Which doesn't mean that you can't get away from them, ever.)

Well kids are fine, just not babies lol

[Dictator]

My family and I leave on Saturday. Our kids won't know until we wake them up at the crack of dawn that morning.

[grego]

My family and I leave on Saturday. Our kids won't know until we wake them up at the crack of dawn that morning.

ha. they'll be thrilled.

i recommend getting the fast passes for rides you want to go on, such as the animal kingdom safari thingy. i waited from probably 90 mins when i could have gotten a fast pass and waited like 10 minutes.

oh, and dont be surprised when you see cars going 55 in the left lane. or not turning right at a red light.

orlando. worst drivers ever.

[Dictator]

ha. they'll be thrilled.

i recommend getting the fast passes for rides you want to go on, such as the animal kingdom safari thingy. i waited from probably 90 mins when i could have gotten a fast pass and waited like 10 minutes.

oh, and dont be surprised when you see cars going 55 in the left lane. or not turning right at a red light.

orlando. worst drivers ever.

I'm bummed about the whole fast past thing now. They've changed the way you can use them. They used to let you use them past the window printed on the ticket. Earlier this year, they started enforcing the times. The trick with the animal safari is to go early. The lines are shorter and the animals more active before the heat of the day really picks up.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

My family and I leave on Saturday. Our kids won't know until we wake them up at the crack of dawn that morning.

That's awesome!

[Grumpy Vet]

Bringing this back instead of starting a new thread. My wife & I, daughters (5) and (9 1/2) and are headed to Disney for the first time end of this week. We leave Thursday early and plan on a relaxing Thursday - no real plans. Friday, Saturday, Sunday we are planning parks. Monday mid-am we return home.

We are staying at a value resort (Art of Animation) and are doing our best to have a good time. Work has been crazy for me and my wife has run w/ planning this vacation. She's done a great job. We have the Bibbidy Bop scheduled and Bfast w/ Mickey. We have 3 days of passes. The more people I talk to - the more I hear that we should do Magical Kingdom 2 of the days and another place the third. I have people I trust tell me Animal Kingdom is the way to go...then I hear Hollywood Disney something is awesome.....and then today I was thrown a curveball with someone telling me Epcot is a must see.

I went to Disney many...many years ago. I don't know how often we'll get to go as a family and I'd like this to be fun for the kids....so any thoughts on another park to see would be appreciated. We do not have a "hopper" pass.

Thanks,
GV

[DM72]

Have fun, we're going Christmas of this year. If I had three days, I'd do Animal Kingdom, Disney Studios (just because of the end of the night show. You and the youngins will enjoy that) and of course Magic Kingdom. You can't do Disney without seeing the castle. Even though I left out my personal favorite Epcot, you can't go wrong with that either.

Again, have fun.

[rictus58]

Bringing this back instead of starting a new thread. My wife & I, daughters (5) and (9 1/2) and are headed to Disney for the first time end of this week. We leave Thursday early and plan on a relaxing Thursday - no real plans. Friday, Saturday, Sunday we are planning parks. Monday mid-am we return home.

We are staying at a value resort (Art of Animation) and are doing our best to have a good time. Work has been crazy for me and my wife has run w/ planning this vacation. She's done a great job. We have the Bibbidy Bop scheduled and Bfast w/ Mickey. We have 3 days of passes. The more people I talk to - the more I hear that we should do Magical Kingdom 2 of the days and another place the third. I have people I trust tell me Animal Kingdom is the way to go...then I hear Hollywood Disney something is awesome.....and then today I was thrown a curveball with someone telling me Epcot is a must see.

I went to Disney many...many years ago. I don't know how often we'll get to go as a family and I'd like this to be fun for the kids....so any thoughts on another park to see would be appreciated. We do not have a "hopper" pass.

Thanks,
GV

My advice would be to upgrade to a park hopper. You can do it when you get there. Each family is different, and mine goes nearly every year, but here's my advice:
Magic Kingdom:
With the anticipated crowd levels this time of year, you SHOULD be able to do all of the Magic Kingdom in one day (again depending on your family likes/dislikes). IF you get to the park at opening, start by going towards adventure land first. Hit splash mountain and big thunder mountain first. Then make your way to space mountain. Those are the rides which typically have the longest lines. Use Fastpasses. There are other popular attractions like Pirates or Haunted Mansion, but even if the line looks long it moves very quickly.
Since you are staying at a Disney Hotel, you are able to take advantage of the extra magic hours. Each day a park is open early or late if you are staying on property.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/calendars/2013-01-18/
I haven't been since they opened the new fantasy land expansion, so I can't say if that will add a significant amount of time to the day.

I say upgrade to park hopper if you can so that you can knock out two parks in one day. I'm not a huge fan of Animal kingdom. I do a handful of rides then we move on. IF you go, make sure you go early and ride the safari first thing in the morning. That's when the animals are most active. Last year we made it there at opening, and it's the only time I've seen the lion on the safari.
If your kids like thrill rides, Expedition everest is a great ride. as is Dinosaur. kind of scary depending on the age though.

Go to Epcot. It's a lot of fun. make sure you go on Soarin'. And make sure you get fast passes for it. The lines are ridiculous for this ride and they move slowly. Even if you have fast pass.

Based upon the way my family goes, we could knock out Animal Kingdom and Hollywood studio in 1 day. Hollywood studios does have the Rock N Roller coaster which is a lot of fun, and the Tower of Terror. Toy Story Mania is the Hollywood Studio's "Soarin'" ride. Also VERY LONG lines which move slowly.

Now, if you are at Epcot, you can leave at the back of the park (between france and england) and take a boat to the studios if you want. That save a lot of time in traveling.

I'd recommend www.allears.net for some help in figuring things out.
Are you doing the Chef Mickey Breakfast? Will you have access to a car?