While I haven't looked at any roadmaps, if what I saw over the last two days is any indication, Disney is going to start surpassing these places in the rides department as well.We go to Disney quite often but I have to say I found a new appreciation for it this weekend. We spent yesterday at Busch Gardens in Tampa, and while they certainly had more fun rides the place was an absolute sty. Trash everywhere, bathrooms had piss on the floor and smelled awful, 45 minute waits for hot dogs, no staff anywhere, bird crap ALL over the grounds. I mean everywhere. Just a thoroughly disgusting experience. I know it’s not apples to apples with Disney but it was really eye-opening.
I know it’s not the same, but my grandfather, who was a railroad foreman was part of the team that built the Monorail around Disneyland. He was always so proud of that when he took me there as a kid.I want to be the engineer that invented the trackless ride system when I grow up.
You should buy him one of those Monorail parts for sale listed previously. A piece of track or wheel would be coolI know it’s not the same, but my grandfather, who was a railroad foreman was part of the team that built the Monorail around Disneyland. He was always so proud of that when he took me there as a kid.I want to be the engineer that invented the trackless ride system when I grow up.
He passed away when I was 12 but that’s still a fantastic idea and would be a cool piece of memorabilia. 👍You should buy him one of those Monorail parts for sale listed previously. A piece of track or wheel would be coolI know it’s not the same, but my grandfather, who was a railroad foreman was part of the team that built the Monorail around Disneyland. He was always so proud of that when he took me there as a kid.I want to be the engineer that invented the trackless ride system when I grow up.
shhhhhhh dont tell her about the WDW College Program. lol@AcerFC saying he created a monster in his daughter; I can relate. Our daughter is 20 and a sophomore in college, and going on her first Spring Break trip with her roommates. To Florida. But not to Panama City or wherever the Spring Break party spots are, but to WDW for four days. It will be her 6th time there, and I think her two roommates have been there more than that. She gets to stay in a deluxe for the first time (despite me being a FBG, I'm a teacher with 5 kids) at Old Key West, and they're doing one of the After Hours Parties at MK next week. She's beyond excited, and, consequently, my 18 year old son and 15 year old daughter are insanely jealous, and that's why we're trying to see if we can swing a Disneyland trip out west at the end of the summer.
Her roommates wanted to skip Epcot and she told them to suck it, as she hasn't done Ratatouille or GOTG:CR and those are on the top of her list. Splash Mountain has always been her favorite, so she's bummed about the closure there, and naturally wishes Tron opened a month earlier. They're flying into Sanford and getting a car service to property, so I just hope all the transportation goes off without a hitch.
Thanks. That sounds great. Bus wise I'm not a COVID worrier, but I spent a LOT of my 25 Army years time being crammed en-masse and shuttled around on various modes of travel and I'm spending a week doing more of it. If I can avoid kicking things off with one, I I'd prefer that. Besides no one runs to Shades of Green, so it's hope we can catch the golf cart shuttle from the Polynesian or hoof it bag and baggage in the Florida heat from there.Your best bet would be to arrange a private car service then. Or take the bus (even though you hate them) to the resort and then do a quick Uber and back to the stores. The resort will hold your luggage if you can’t check in yet, then you can go shop at your leisure. That might work out cheaper in the end even though it’s multiple trips.Any transportation recommendations? I loath busses. Only did Uber/Lyft twice in San Francisco and it was a get us from A to B gig. I was wondering if there was a service that'd allow for a 30 minute food stock up enroute to the hotel. We did the stupist thing possible last time, years ago and got off the bus at the transport station and took the monorail to the Polinysain. Then hoofed the last quarter mile from there to the SOG
If you need a good private car recommendation, I can give you my friend Cliff’s number and he includes a store stop.
Yeah, she already knows and has discussed it with us as a must-do.shhhhhhh dont tell her about the WDW College Program. lol@AcerFC saying he created a monster in his daughter; I can relate. Our daughter is 20 and a sophomore in college, and going on her first Spring Break trip with her roommates. To Florida. But not to Panama City or wherever the Spring Break party spots are, but to WDW for four days. It will be her 6th time there, and I think her two roommates have been there more than that. She gets to stay in a deluxe for the first time (despite me being a FBG, I'm a teacher with 5 kids) at Old Key West, and they're doing one of the After Hours Parties at MK next week. She's beyond excited, and, consequently, my 18 year old son and 15 year old daughter are insanely jealous, and that's why we're trying to see if we can swing a Disneyland trip out west at the end of the summer.
Her roommates wanted to skip Epcot and she told them to suck it, as she hasn't done Ratatouille or GOTG:CR and those are on the top of her list. Splash Mountain has always been her favorite, so she's bummed about the closure there, and naturally wishes Tron opened a month earlier. They're flying into Sanford and getting a car service to property, so I just hope all the transportation goes off without a hitch.
you can def get them on site...they are a huge part of each gift shop. They will be able to link them to your account right there.Can I buy a magic band on-site or do I need to order it ahead of time?
Thinking of getting one for my youngest, the rest of us have phones so I assume we can just link tickets / memory maker to those?
Thanks. We leave next Friday so wasn’t sure it would ship on time. Ill plan on just getting thereyou can def get them on site...they are a huge part of each gift shop. They will be able to link them to your account right there.Can I buy a magic band on-site or do I need to order it ahead of time?
Thinking of getting one for my youngest, the rest of us have phones so I assume we can just link tickets / memory maker to those?
Used to be my families favorite. After last year we can't justify $400 for the quality of the main course stuff. Steak whether cooked medium or medium rare was like shoe leather, chicken was dry with a nasty sauce, shrimp was dry and flavorless. That first course with the wings and noodles and dumplings is amazing but not worth that price. And I'm pretty sure they changed the bread pudding sauce. It's not bananas foster anymore.Seems like ‘Ohana is as hard a reservation to get as ever. Seems like quality has dropped but if they are constantly booked I guess they don’t have an incentive to change.
Pro Tip: You can get the same dumplings, wings and bread pudding right next door at Kona CafeUsed to be my families favorite. After last year we can't justify $400 for the quality of the main course stuff. Steak whether cooked medium or medium rare was like shoe leather, chicken was dry with a nasty sauce, shrimp was dry and flavorless. That first course with the wings and noodles and dumplings is amazing but not worth that price. And I'm pretty sure they changed the bread pudding sauce. It's not bananas foster anymore.Seems like ‘Ohana is as hard a reservation to get as ever. Seems like quality has dropped but if they are constantly booked I guess they don’t have an incentive to change.
There is a lot of good dining, really depends on what you are in the mood for, and the ambiance.Finally heading back at the end of April. Having to get up to speed on Genie+ but I’ve been using the MDE app for a long time so assume I’ll figure it out quickly.
Think I’ll have a several questions but just a few for now:
- Recommendation for best dining experience on property currently - planning to have date night with the wife one night and want to hopefully head somewhere we haven’t been but is awesome- cost not really a factor. No strictly seafood place please.
- Is parking hopping still not open until 2pm?
- Staying on property but splitting the stay between two resorts - never done that before but just wondering if there’s any tips and tricks to it
- Is the food stuff at Flower and Garden worth carving out time for? We live Food and Wine and while it seems like a scaled back version of it I’m not seeing anything that jumps out as a must do.
There is a lot of good dining, really depends on what you are in the mood for, and the ambiance.
TBH everyone sleeps on the restaurants over at the Swan & Dolphin. Technically they are still "on-property," but don't suffer from the Disney craziness. They also have great lounges and then you can take a nice romantic stroll down the boardwalk afterward.
What resorts? I have not done it in a while, but it was pretty easy last time. I would check but I'm pretty sure bell services will still transport your luggage for free between resorts. So you just drop them off in the AM and they should be at your 2nd resort by 5. The downside is that you're homeless for a few hours, so you wont have a resort to go back to mid-day.
Shula's over there is the best steakhouse in Disney.TBH everyone sleeps on the restaurants over at the Swan & Dolphin. Technically they are still "on-property," but don't suffer from the Disney craziness. They also have great lounges and then you can take a nice romantic stroll down the boardwalk afterward.Finally heading back at the end of April. Having to get up to speed on Genie+ but I’ve been using the MDE app for a long time so assume I’ll figure it out quickly.
Think I’ll have a several questions but just a few for now:
- Recommendation for best dining experience on property currently - planning to have date night with the wife one night and want to hopefully head somewhere we haven’t been but is awesome- cost not really a factor. No strictly seafood place please.
- Is parking hopping still not open until 2pm?
- Staying on property but splitting the stay between two resorts - never done that before but just wondering if there’s any tips and tricks to it
- Is the food stuff at Flower and Garden worth carving out time for? We live Food and Wine and while it seems like a scaled back version of it I’m not seeing anything that jumps out as a must do.
Do you guys hit Disney Springs?Right now my plan is Shula's so fits this idea - and we love Shula's but thought about branching out a little.
Have you tried the Yachtsman over at the Yacht Club? I've never been, but I've heard their steak is pretty darn good. IDK if its Shula's good...but its a different place. esp if your wife likes a good steak
Right now my plan is Shula's so fits this idea - and we love Shula's but thought about branching out a little.
Do you guys hit Disney Springs?Right now my plan is Shula's so fits this idea - and we love Shula's but thought about branching out a little.
California Grill in Contemporary could be date night option. Steaks are about what expect and not as good as something like Shula’s, but view is pretty spectacular — it is on the rooftop of the Contemporary and can catch the fireworks from there.
calif grill is a great idea. If you can get it during fireworks its even betterCalifornia Grill in Contemporary could be date night option. Steaks are about what expect and not as good as something like Shula’s, but view is pretty spectacular — it is on the rooftop of the Contemporary and can catch the fireworks from there.
Like this idea. We’ve skipped the fine dining over the years due to the kids so wanted to do something special since we can get out on a “date”
I just found out that a brand new Mexican restaurant is opening tomorrow at the Swan & Dolphin called Rosa Mexicano....its the same one as we have here in NYC and its amazing.calif grill is a great idea. If you can get it during fireworks its even betterCalifornia Grill in Contemporary could be date night option. Steaks are about what expect and not as good as something like Shula’s, but view is pretty spectacular — it is on the rooftop of the Contemporary and can catch the fireworks from there.
Like this idea. We’ve skipped the fine dining over the years due to the kids so wanted to do something special since we can get out on a “date”
So our 2 day trip is coming up (Mon&tues). It won’t stop raining here in SoCal so it’s going to light rain Monday afternoon and heavy rain on Tuesday. We’re pot committed at this point so bought some ponchos today. Despite living here my whole life I’ve never been to Disney in the rain (probably BECAUSE I’ve lived here my whole life) but had a bunch of people over the past week tell me it’s actually great (because it’s not crowded). Anyone here with experience?Doing Disneyland back to back days in a little over a week. First time back since preCovid so first time with the new system too. 8th old is over the moon excited. Despite living just over an hour from the park we got a hotel close by so we can maximize the days. Looking forward to it.
Magic Kingdom is by far the worst since you hoof it or tram it just to get to a conveyance to take you to the actual entrance to the park. The other 3 parks each have their own parking lot and you can walk to the entrance of the park.Do all the parks have a wildly inefficient parking experience or just Magic Kingdom?
Magic Kingdom is by far the worst since you hoof it or tram it just to get to a conveyance to take you to the actual entrance to the park. The other 3 parks each have their own parking lot and you can walk to the entrance of the park.Do all the parks have a wildly inefficient parking experience or just Magic Kingdom?
Dont wait...go see the guest experience CMs under the blue umbrellas at all the parks. Tell them you are having syncing issues and they will fix it for you. Don't waste valuable park time or experiences you could be missing out on.Magic Kingdom is by far the worst since you hoof it or tram it just to get to a conveyance to take you to the actual entrance to the park. The other 3 parks each have their own parking lot and you can walk to the entrance of the park.Do all the parks have a wildly inefficient parking experience or just Magic Kingdom?
Thanks. You forgot to add that just got us to the monorail / boat launch
Anyway this place is Hell personified. Ended up getting the lightning pass which is confusing as hell
And can’t figure out how to properly sync family members that have their own app
Making the best of it
Also one thing universal does wat better is having those Coke Freestyle machines everywhere where I can just refill my water. Here I gotta go ask a quick serve for 10 Dixie cups of water
not to get all historic or storybook, but blame Walt.Do all the parks have a wildly inefficient parking experience or just Magic Kingdom?
We still love hitching a ride on the Steamboat and have the anticipation of arriving at the Happiest Place On Earth. Of course by 11PM we are ready to hop on the monorail and pass out......not to get all historic or storybook, but blame Walt.Do all the parks have a wildly inefficient parking experience or just Magic Kingdom?
the lake crossing from the parking lot to the theme park is meant to simulate you leaving your regular world issues behind and crossing over to a fantasy place. I know... cheesy. But, while expansion was always on their minds, I don't think they realized how large or congested that property would get, and how many on-property resorts would be built.....and now people just need to "be there" and dont care about "the story"
Flash flash 100 yard dashDon’t think you could pay me to come back to the magic kingdom
Hopefully I will have a better time at Hollywood and Epcot. Think we are just past the age where Magic Kingdom is enjoyable for us and our kids
Pretty sure they hired those zootopia sloths for all their food service too
I hear yea....the feeling of watching everyone cram on the boat or monorail after fireworks, while we walk the 3-minute path to the Contemporary, is unmatched.We still love hitching a ride on the Steamboat and have the anticipation of arriving at the Happiest Place On Earth. Of course by 11PM we are ready to hop on the monorail and pass out......not to get all historic or storybook, but blame Walt.Do all the parks have a wildly inefficient parking experience or just Magic Kingdom?
the lake crossing from the parking lot to the theme park is meant to simulate you leaving your regular world issues behind and crossing over to a fantasy place. I know... cheesy. But, while expansion was always on their minds, I don't think they realized how large or congested that property would get, and how many on-property resorts would be built.....and now people just need to "be there" and dont care about "the story"