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PRINCESS. LEIA. GOLD. BIKINI.And as I said above, there is no chance we go near Studios for awhile once that thing opens. It's just not worth it.
PRINCESS. LEIA. GOLD. BIKINI.And as I said above, there is no chance we go near Studios for awhile once that thing opens. It's just not worth it.
"Large" is relative.rascal said:Thinking of going late September and take advantage of free meal plan. My wife's friend, who is a travel agent, warned us to expect large crowds due to the free meal plan. That doesn't sound right to me.
can you leave the bag in the car, at least until you ride the ride? Bag check can be a huge PIA. Or at least let her go to bag check with all the carried items and meet you in line after—you and the others go straight to no bags and to the entry gate.As expected, struck out on Flight of Passage FastPass for 2/19 (we are staying off property), so I am resigned to the rope drop fight by probably showing up at 8 for a 9:00 opening. Any tips? Will we fall way back if wife has a bag that needs to be checked? Do they normally open all the gates at once? I know I need to veer left to get in the next line to wait to get into Pandora, but it looks hectic and I’m not sure how far ahead to push with the line for FOP forming on the “right”. Has anyone done this?
Thanks; do you think 8:00 is early enough? The line hugs the right hand side right? Will definitely look for the sign! I didnt know you could go back to your car actually, will keep that in mind.can you leave the bag in the car, at least until you ride the ride? Bag check can be a huge PIA. Or at least let her go to bag check with all the carried items and meet you in line after—you and the others go straight to no bags and to the entry gate.
once inside, look for the CMs and ask where the line ends....dont follow the crowd...most of them are stupid and are following the wrong people. There should be a CM with a sign signaling the end of the line. The one time i waited on line, the line began on the other side of the bridge into Pandora up by Pizzafari. People were walking by saying "Nahhh....FoP is this way. IDK where they are waiting for?" only to see the same people walking back with their mouths open (esp since the line grew since they got to the ride and were turned around.)
8 is fine...earlier is always best, but really how early can you get there? maybe 7:30 but it is what it is.Thanks; do you think 8:00 is early enough? The line hugs the right hand side right? Will definitely look for the sign! I didnt know you could go back to your car actually, will keep that in mind.
I followed this video and wait was about a half hour. One piece of advice is to not go on extra magic hour day if you aren't able to get in the park when they do since you are staying off sight.As expected, struck out on Flight of Passage FastPass for 2/19 (we are staying off property), so I am resigned to the rope drop fight by probably showing up at 8 for a 9:00 opening. Any tips? Will we fall way back if wife has a bag that needs to be checked? Do they normally open all the gates at once? I know I need to veer left to get in the next line to wait to get into Pandora, but it looks hectic and I’m not sure how far ahead to push with the line for FOP forming on the “right”. Has anyone done this?
Cool thanks to you both. No extra magic hours that day so hoping we’ll be ok!I followed this video and wait was about a half hour. One piece of advice is to not go on extra magic hour day if you aren't able to get in the park when they do since you are staying off sight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc3E4QhOgCg
Good luck. Another option if possible is waiting until park closing time. They will not kick people off. The fast pass people are done so it goes quick. We waited 45 mins or soCool thanks to you both. No extra magic hours that day so hoping we’ll be ok!
lol...the sped up version of the line is what I waited in. was about 2+ hours, but it was cool.I followed this video and wait was about a half hour. One piece of advice is to not go on extra magic hour day if you aren't able to get in the park when they do since you are staying off sight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc3E4QhOgCg
You rope dropped and waited 2 hours?lol...the sped up version of the line is what I waited in. was about 2+ hours, but it was cool.
I like his version better but we were not that early.
no...not quite rope drop...we got there pretty much at opening, just slightly before AND it was an Extra magic hour. So going through bag check and turnstiles backed us up a bitYou rope dropped and waited 2 hours?
zero, there is no cost to you. i can recommend a few if you want.Thinking about going in August, staying on site for the first time and taking advantage of the free meal plan.
Can someone tell me the cost of using a Disney travel agent?
bringing whole new meaning to Fat Tuesday!!Going for Mardi Gras, but the wife only let me book Ohana twice.
Why do you hate yourself?Thinking about going in August, staying on site for the first time and taking advantage of the free meal plan.
Can someone tell me the cost of using a Disney travel agent?
I had it booked 3 times, but the third was the night before a 10 hour drive. I let me wife win that one.glvsav37 said:bringing whole new meaning to Fat Tuesday!!
The prices on that page are different than what's on the WDW page itselfFloor plans, concept art, and pricing is out for the rooms at the new Riviera Resort.
ok, can we talk about the "Tower Studio"? Idk if my claustrophobia can take that room??!!
higher or lower? I didn't look them up, just posting what I sawThe prices on that page are different than what's on the WDW page itself
The page you posted is significantly higher. They aren't close.higher or lower? I didn't look them up, just posting what I saw
Thanks for this. Do TA's book and use pricing only from WDW online? Or do they also consider other sources, like Undercover Tourist (for tickets)? Airfare seemed more expensive through Disney than a quick check with Orbitz, though that seems to be more intuitive to book separately than tickets. I believe the free meal plan promotion requires park hopper tickets, so discounted tickets may not be eligible to get the deal.zero, there is no cost to you. i can recommend a few if you want.On a call,i'llfill in more after
its very easy to book a WDW vacation online, almost too easy. So why are there still travel agents? Simple fact, inside knowledge. If you book with an official TA, there is no cost to you, none. Disney pays their commission. Where they are worth their salt is in discounts—they have programs running all the time and their ears open for hidden or little-publicized discounts. And a good agent will find them and apply them to your booking. It saves you the hassle of calling every week and asking "are there any discounts....zzzzzz"
Now TAs have other values, they can make you FP and dining reservations for you, this saves you the trouble of getting up early and all the dance that goes with it. But if you enjoy that part, then you can do it and tell hem it's not needed. TA's do work on commission, so the higher overall cost of your vacation helps their bottom line. So know what upgrades or extras you want or not. Know what meal plan you are comfortable with. I had a friend who booked with a TA and she sold them the super deluxe dining plan and they spend every waking minute in a restaurant.
Also, a TA might throw in some goodie bags, gift cards or other small perks as good customer service and retain your future business. This depends on the agency and how much magic they care to spread around. I was on a flight once and the family next to me had a personalized, laminated flip book of their daily itinerary, tips and maps provided by their TA.
I use a TA friend whenever I book the Universal part of my trip. Not for any other reason than they can get a quick commission. I could easily book it, but why give Universal all the beans. He can get me the exact same price as well as get his beak wet a bit.
Let me know if you need any recommendations.
Yes, I know.That one guy said:Why do you hate yourself?
yes, if you want free dining, its the whole package that you need to buy.....room and tickets. TAs will basically use the same resources you do to book, but they will get daily updates on other discounts that you wouldn't without asking every day. I've mentioned in the past, that WDW will usually offer a room discount that is even if not greater then the value of free dining. So its worthwhile to look at that as well. What you save in free dining is really a reflection of how your family eats. Even with paying for the dining package, we normally have credits left over at the end of the trip. If you book a FD package and don't use all the credits, WDW Wins. If you book with a room discount, that $$ is in your pocket regardless.Thanks for this. Do TA's book and use pricing only from WDW online? Or do they also consider other sources, like Undercover Tourist (for tickets)? Airfare seemed more expensive through Disney than a quick check with Orbitz, though that seems to be more intuitive to book separately than tickets. I believe the free meal plan promotion requires park hopper tickets, so discounted tickets may not be eligible to get the deal.
I may ask for a recommendation later. I think my wife has someone she would like to use if we decide to go that route.
oh hell no! I love Disney but I would stay away from there Xmas week if you are just a casual guest. Thats hardcore Disney to the max, and I'm not even man enough to brave it.Yes, I know.
It's really the only available weekend my wife can get out of work, other than Christmas week.
A few years ago, we were able to go the week before Xmas. We left Christmas Eve (which was a Saturday), so we were able to enjoy the Xmas setup at the park, have comfortable weather and missed most of the heavy crowds. We also happened to be able to secure first class tickets on the flights, so it was a fantastic trip all around.oh hell no! I love Disney but I would stay away from there Xmas week if you are just a casual guest. Thats hardcore Disney to the max, and I'm not even man enough to brave it.
August isnt a bad time to go. Yes it's hot, and its a bit rainy, but if you do some stuff in the AM, then bounce to the resort, relax, hit the pool, eat, and then out at night, its a really great trip. We normally only travel in the summer, and that's what we do. That is however where good resort location is at a plus.
I've been comparing options for the basic trip with options available to me (TA may have other discounts as you said):yes, if you want free dining, its the whole package that you need to buy.....room and tickets. TAs will basically use the same resources you do to book, but they will get daily updates on other discounts that you wouldn't without asking every day. I've mentioned in the past, that WDW will usually offer a room discount that is even if not greater then the value of free dining. So its worthwhile to look at that as well. What you save in free dining is really a reflection of how your family eats. Even with paying for the dining package, we normally have credits left over at the end of the trip. If you book a FD package and don't use all the credits, WDW Wins. If you book with a room discount, that $$ is in your pocket regardless.
If say the Dining Plan is a fixed cost at $2,000, opting for Free dining will theoretically be saving you $2000, but paying full price for the room.
However if the room discount is $1800 w/o free dining, and your family only eats $1500 worth of food (not using the dining plan) over the course of the vacation, you actually come out ahead.
Now lets say the room discount is $2300, you can still add the dining plan and still be saving money.
Now, now say you use a TA, book the room discount, but the dining plan and then they find out an even greater discount is available, they apply it and you megga-win.
I can't guarantee any of that to be true or likely, i'm just saying that you need to weight all options.
As for airfare, you can book that yourself. IDK if TAs have any inside track to better deals, but it can't hurt to ask. Where a TA and airfare is a better option is when you are booking in the winter and coming from a snowy location. If your plane is grounded or canceled due to weather, instead of fighting the masses at the airport, you call your TA and its their job to straighten out for you.
I would never use Disney for airfare. They always seem higher.
Yeah....that would be a death sentence...melting is far more enjoyable than the week of hell.Dragons said:Yes, I know.
It's really the only available weekend my wife can get out of work, other than Christmas week.
the last line is very telling. I admit I've looked at the size of SW land in relation to other parts of the park and I've said, "Dahmmmm that land is really huge for only having 2 rides." Maybe now it's because of a 28-minute show building.In Stella’s podcast, she says that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge guests will board a transport that will take them into space and look through virtual windows revealing their journey to the Star Destroyer. Once aboard the trackless ride vehicle, riders will be taken as prisoners before they are rescued by the Resistance. Stella states that the ride vehicles will weave through two six-story AT-ATs while dodging laser blasts. The ride ends with a daring escape to the planet surface. Stella also mentions in her podcast that Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is located in Disney’s largest building ever constructed for a dark ride.
a 28 minute ride is something I wouldn't mind waiting a couple of hours for.Take this as pure speculation at this point, but it makes some interesting observations. A source is claiming that SW Rise of the Resistance ride could be 28 minutes long.
now to be realistic, Avitar's Flight of Passage is officially 20 minutes according to the post because of the 2 video rooms you enter before the actual ride. So with this, it may not be one continuous 28-minute ride, but a series of shorter rides which sounds really cool if the source is accurate.
the last line is very telling. I admit I've looked at the size of SW land in relation to other parts of the park and I've said, "Dahmmmm that land is really huge for only having 2 rides." Maybe now it's because of a 28-minute show building.
Its funny, WDW had the Kuka arm right in its backyard...there was a ride in Innoventions in Epcot where you could design your own roller coaster then jump in a Kuka and virtually ride it. I didnt know about the 10 year thing, but if true, then Disney has some serious egg on its face b/c that harry potter ride is freaking awesome.a 28 minute ride is something I wouldn't mind waiting a couple of hours for.
I was reading about the use of Robotic Kuka Arm yesterday. I had never heard of it, but I guess its the main tech used in one of the HP rides at Universal. Part of what I was reading was that Universal had a 10 year lease on that particular tech, but that 10 year window is about to come to an end. You think thats something Disney is going to use now? Or have you heard about the 10 window year thing? It seems like speculation on what I read. Looks pretty cool though.
Universal Orlando > Disney > Universal CaliforniaSo, Im not going to lie, Disney>>>>Universal and its not even close.
Almost every ride in Universal is motion video movement stuff like Avatar. I really hope Disney does not go this direction with all their future rides. It just got boring after a while. I also dont feel like I ever need to go back to Universal. While my kids are still talking about how awesome Incredicoaster, Matterhorn Bobsleds and Guardians of Galaxy were.
Just one mans opinion. Not really worth much.
Idk. Our family is at prime universal age. They dig more thrill right now then historic. But we do both, bc we love both.So, Im not going to lie, Disney>>>>Universal and its not even close.
Almost every ride in Universal is motion video movement stuff like Avatar. I really hope Disney does not go this direction with all their future rides. It just got boring after a while. I also dont feel like I ever need to go back to Universal. While my kids are still talking about how awesome Incredicoaster, Matterhorn Bobsleds and Guardians of Galaxy were.
Just one mans opinion. Not really worth much.
Video based, yes. However not motion based. You are really moving up and down.Idk. Our family is at prime universal age. They dig more thrill right now then historic. But we do both, bc we love both.
You're right. Universal is 90% screens, and there is an audience for that. But there is no reason that wdw can’t bring in “some” screen based rides. I think it would do the Parks good to diversify and bring in those audiences who like that.
Funny thing thogh you mention GoG in DCA, isn’t that screen based? Screens wrapped around a free fall type ride. Rattatoue coming to Epcot will be a screen based trackless ride. And if i won lotto the first thing i would do is fly to Shanghai so I could ride their version of PotC. It’s a boat ride that goes through rooms mixes with real props and screens
more info in the link.Earlier today, the brand new $800 million Margaritaville Resort Orlando officially opened its doors and welcomed guests to the latest resort destination in Central Florida.
Located just a few minutes away from Disney's Animal Kingdom along Route 192, the resort destination spans over 300-acres and includes four main components: Margaritaville Hotel, Margaritaville Cottages, Sunset Walk shopping, dining and entertainment district and Island H2O Live! Waterpark.
I have not ridden that ride at Universal. Our only universal trip was pretty half assed. We only did and afternoon at the original Universal. Our next theme park trip will be there.Its funny, WDW had the Kuka arm right in its backyard...there was a ride in Innoventions in Epcot where you could design your own roller coaster then jump in a Kuka and virtually ride it. I didnt know about the 10 year thing, but if true, then Disney has some serious egg on its face b/c that harry potter ride is freaking awesome.
Have you been to Universal yet and ridden it? Hands down one of my fav rides b/c you move through the ride so effortlessly. Here is an animated video on how its done at HP.
Edit: forgot the link, sorry
https://youtu.be/Kz2zSdCQCcg
As for SW—no, I do not believe they are using the Kuka. This ride will be a trackless vehicle while I expect the Millennium Falcon ride to be more of a centrifuge or simulator like Star Tours
Ok, so family is vaguely thinking of a trip to LA in the future. We would likely spend a week in LA/Cali and was thinking we add Disneyland as part of the trip. So wondering if anyone has been to Disneyland? Done the Disney World thing multiple times so feel like I know it well and this thread is so focused on Disney World. A couple of quick questions.
- How many days do you need? Was thinking you need three days but was wondering if you could do in 2.
- Is it worth staying on property? We usually stay at Deluxe resorts at DisneyWorld but other than location I don't think those properties are really that nice for the money. Imagine it would be good to be close to property and could envision staying at top hotel in LA proper for at least party of the trip.
Assume a rental car is a must on any trip to LA and since we will be visiting friends as well we plan to do that.
hey guys.Don’t mean to step on your toes @Redwes25, but was just going to post (nearly) the identical thing! Except, I’d like to not spend more than a day there with my wife and two daughters (7 and 3). We’ll be in the area in mid-March. Thinking about Dl on a Thursday.
So adding on a question for those with DL experience, if we’re dojng just a single day, what should our itinerary be and or what would you recommend we do/avoid. Thanks for any and all advice.
Definitely do Disneyland over California Adventure. All of fantasyland would be awesome for them.SayWhat? said:@AcerFC Awesome insight, many thanks! A couple quick follow up questions:
- Considering DL wasn’t the basis for this trip, we were hoping to give our 3 and 7 year old daughters their first taste of Disney with just a single day there. They’re more into the princesses and well known characters, probably not so much into Guardians of the Galaxy, Pirates, Indiana Jones, etc. Not saying if those things are incredibly cool that they wouldn’t enjoy, just full disclosure. Would you recommend one of the parks over the other if we’re doing just one day? Anything in particular we need to be sure they see/do that one day?
- What’s the crowd calendar?
Thanks again!