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When I've been down there they do this stupid "quasi tv show" shtick while the games are going on and it gets in the way of enjoying the game. I'm not a fan of the place but when I stay at Swan it is the closest place within walking distance. Since you are a bit on the outside at the Hilton you may want to investigate other places on International.
You can actually access them online and copy them, leaving behind their phototags if you know what you're doing.
Go to any Miller's Ale House location. Good, inexpensive food, cheap beer and all the games. There's one just north of International at the corner on Kirkman, and one in Lake Buena Vista near Disney.
Quality isn't that good though. For computer viewing, they are OK, but that is it.You can actually access them online and copy them, leaving behind their phototags if you know what you're doing.
We go Thanksgiving week every year, and while crowded, it isn't unbearable.
I was going to post the same thing. If you're staying at the Hilton near Downtown Disney, you can drive out to CR 535, take a left, and an Ale House will be on the left at the next light. This is where I often went when I lived in the area.
If crowds are a concern then you probably can't beat October. January and February are usually pretty empty, but this is when all the major rehab projects are done. The first couple weeks of May are also pretty good, right after all the springbreakers are gone but before kids get out of school.
I know a lot of people do this, but I feel like they're missing out. There's something for all ages at every park.How old are the kids? My son was just short of 5 when we went in Feb. He loved all the parks. I think Epcot was his favorite.Disclaimer: he's pretty tall for his age, so there were very few rides he couldn't do.
I've been to MK twice and feel like I'm just getting comfortable enough there that we can optimize our time. Which would you consider the most fun. We've got an even blend of adults to kids...hubby and I, my mom and dad and 4 kids, 14, 9, 6, 3.
my son is 5 and epcot is his favorite too.I like this, cuz epcot is my favorite also.
Just one day? Will the group stick together the whole time or "divide and conquer"?
It's looking more like the week of Thanksgiving. We're trying to minimize the time we have to take the kids out of school. We have a fall break the first week of October but Mrs. Chumley can't get off work.
We are big park hoppers, but we always seem to close out the day at the Magic Kingdom. While each of the 5 of us rank the parks completely different, the Magic Kingdom is on the top of each of our lists. We have never gone for as short of a period of time as Horses Mouth, but if we did, it would probably be spent exclusively at the Magic Kingdom.
At roughly a $1000 a park out of my pocket, probably just one disney and then Busch Gardens. We;ve got some smaller parks slated like Wikiwaki (sp?) World and Adventure Island. Welcome any and all input on the cheapest routes there in. My parents are covering airfare so all the entertainment/event tickets are on my dime.
We'll likely go altogether for the parks but divide up for some other things. Example - the little kids want to go to the aquarium but my oldest son, hubby and pop have no interest in it so mom and I will take the 3 youngest.
Through their price structuring, Disney really encourages people to stay more than 3 days. You can get a 7 day pass for only $5 more than a 3 day pass. I'm not sure how the exact breakdown would work out for your trip, but a bunch of small parks can add up. You may figure out that you're saving little, if any, money.
ticket link
I was thinking more along the lines of once you're in the park. Will the older kids be able to go off with one of you to hit the big rides? Or will they be anchored by the 3 year old and the grandparents? Honestly that's a pretty big group to keep together for long in a crowded park. Makes it tough to get anywhere. We had seven (only two kids) for my most recent trip and split up quite a bit. We did a few rides together and almost always met for meals and shows, so it still felt like a big family trip... just without most of the asspain that can come with that.
WTF is Wikiwaki World? You can probably get some kind of decent deals on Sea World and Aquatica (SW's water park) with the purchase of a BG ticket. I have passes to all 3 plus free parking and 10% discount on all purchases and it costs me less than $25/month for myself and my very soon-to-be wife. Wet & Wild on International Drive usually has pretty good mid-week deals too.
Oh, I'm sure we'll each take turns bringing the youngest boys on the kiddie rides while we wait for our turns on the bigger rides. I expect hubby and my 14 yr old will break from the group to do the their own thing. Even when we went with just my parents and our one son back when he was 4, we split up regularly. We're renting a great house with a pool so I expect there will even be days when my parents stay at home with the kids in the pool and we go out and then vice versa. Thats why I don't really want to overbook days at parks. We're only going for 9 days (my parents are going for 14...they get there a day ahead of us and leave 3 days after us). By the time we take a day at the beach, a day or two just hanging out at the pool, etc. I've been compiling a list though with prices to see if I was better off buying a 5 day park hopper Disney pass or checking out some of the smaller parks. Wikiwaki is only $25/adult and $17 a child, Florida Aquarium is $18/$13 vs Sea Worlds $55, Central Florida Zoo is $10/$6. We don't have a zoo or aquarium here so the kids will be impressed enough with the actual animals.I'm leaning towards 1 Disney ($570 for 8), Busch and Adventure Island ($70 a person combined), probably WikiWaki for a second water park and then the state zoo and aquarium.I was thinking more along the lines of once you're in the park. Will the older kids be able to go off with one of you to hit the big rides? Or will they be anchored by the 3 year old and the grandparents? Honestly that's a pretty big group to keep together for long in a crowded park. Makes it tough to get anywhere. We had seven (only two kids) for my most recent trip and split up quite a bit. We did a few rides together and almost always met for meals and shows, so it still felt like a big family trip... just without most of the asspain that can come with that.
Don't know how much you can save on a 3 day stint. The deals are designed to have you stay there longer. And the Contemporary is expensive to being with. I think you are seriously selling your family short limiting it to just the Kingdom, but to each his own.If I were you I'd check out the various websites that have been linked in here to see if there is a DVC member selling some unused points. You don't need a ton for 3 days and you might find someone who has some left, but enough for a week long visit. Can probably get a decent deal there. The dining plan is a waste of your money for three days.You didn't ask, but with a short time, and since you are focusing on only one park:Attractions:You really can't go wrong anywhere in the Kingdom. Good family fun all around. I'd highly recommend Mickey's Philharmagic show, all the stuff in Mickey's Toon Town Fair and Pirates. No matter your level of love for the place, those are really good shows/rides that everyone should enjoy.Food:Stay away from Tony's in the opening of the park. The bakery on the right side of Main Street is awesome. Try to get a reservation for lunch or dinner at Crystal Palace so the kids can meet Pooh and his friends. Also, or in the alternative, get a reservation at Goofy's Liberty Tree Tavern which has great American food and Goofy, Pluto, Minney, and Chip & Dale. Make sure to save room for the candy store and the fudge there, as well as the treats all over the place for the fireworks. There is a place across from the Liberty Tree that has awesome stuff including massive ice cream cookie sandwishes on huge chocolate chip cookies. Can't miss those things.Stores:Since you aren't hitting Downtown or Epcot you aren't hitting the bigger stores down there, but the left side of Main Street has a string of stores. They are all decent. The sports themed stuff by Casey's is pretty good.Pictures:Mickey's Toon Town Fair - Mickey and Minney are usually in their houses taking pictures. In the big tent behind Mickey's house there is a picture area as well. Most of the time I've been there the choices were either Princesses (expect the line to be at least 30 minutes long) or Mickey, Pluto and Minney. Pooh and his friends come out for pictures across from the Pooh ride fairly regularly. The princesses can be found near their home base rides and attractions if that's who you want to see. Woody and Buzz can usually be found by Buzz's ride, although there is a new Toy Story based ride at the Studio's so I don't know if they focus them over there now.If a ride line is 20 minutes or under you will be on it pretty quick. 5 minutes means it's walk on. Anything over 30 starts to eat into play time. Stay away from any line that is 45 minutes or more - it's not worth it.If you are looking for a ride that can double as relax time, there is the Transportation station in Tomorrowland that has a slow moving coaster that goes around Tomorrowland - about 10 minutes long, quiet, easy. The Jungle Cruise is also a fairly calm ride that can double as some down time. Good hint - when you are done, go to the Dole Pinapple stand across from the Robinson Family Tree (which was closed when I was there in Sept.) for some cool down stuff - good stand there. The Tiki Room is a show, fairly funny, and you get to sit and relax for a few. And of course, Small World - except for the song. Over and over and over.Even with 3 days or so in only one park, you aren't going to hit everything there, so don't try. Have fun.
I feel that the Kingdom doesn't have much to offer with the food compared to the other places. If you are able to leave the park and come back it might be worth a a monorail or boat ride to one of the resorts. Also, use the fastpasses on the longer waiting rides and by the time you stand in one ride the time should be up to return. For example. Fast pass jungle cruise then depending on return time, do the carpets, tiki room and/or Pirates. Pirates line is inside and moves along faster then jungle cruise, so the wait is not that bad. I could do the haunted mansion an entire day. You figure out something new everytime.
I would love to see something like this for the other parks if /when you have time.Thanks
Yes, fastpass is greatness. Don't pay attention to the end of the "window" for you using the fastpass. If it says 11:30-12:30 it's actually good from 11:30 until park close. And once it hits 11:30 you can get a fastpass for another ride.Buzz Lightyear and Space Mtn were two of my son's favorites and are right next to each other, so we'd get the fastpass for Space Mtn than get in line (usually short) for Buzz. We rode those two at least 6 times each.Good stuff from Yankeefan. One thing I'd add especially since you're staying at the Contemporary, is the character dinner at Chef Mickey's. The food is actually pretty good for a character buffet. And Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy > Pooh and friends at the Crystal Palace. I prefer lunch (no characters) at the Liberty Tree Tavern to dinner. At lunch you order off a menu. The pot roast is good.Compared to the other parks food options are pretty limited at the Magic Kingdom. Plenty of good snacks (Dole Whip, Cinnamon Roll from the Bakery, Hot Dog at Caseys, etc) but meals aren't great. The Rotisserie chicken at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe (Tomorrowland) is by far my favorite counter service option. Much better than some sad burger or slice of pizza.I feel that the Kingdom doesn't have much to offer with the food compared to the other places. If you are able to leave the park and come back it might be worth a a monorail or boat ride to one of the resorts. Also, use the fastpasses on the longer waiting rides and by the time you stand in one ride the time should be up to return. For example. Fast pass jungle cruise then depending on return time, do the carpets, tiki room and/or Pirates. Pirates line is inside and moves along faster then jungle cruise, so the wait is not that bad. I could do the haunted mansion an entire day. You figure out something new everytime.
Good info here....Thanks! I'll be at WDW in two weeks.Yes, fastpass is greatness. Don't pay attention to the end of the "window" for you using the fastpass. If it says 11:30-12:30 it's actually good from 11:30 until park close. And once it hits 11:30 you can get a fastpass for another ride.Buzz Lightyear and Space Mtn were two of my son's favorites and are right next to each other, so we'd get the fastpass for Space Mtn than get in line (usually short) for Buzz. We rode those two at least 6 times each.Good stuff from Yankeefan. One thing I'd add especially since you're staying at the Contemporary, is the character dinner at Chef Mickey's. The food is actually pretty good for a character buffet. And Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy > Pooh and friends at the Crystal Palace. I prefer lunch (no characters) at the Liberty Tree Tavern to dinner. At lunch you order off a menu. The pot roast is good.Compared to the other parks food options are pretty limited at the Magic Kingdom. Plenty of good snacks (Dole Whip, Cinnamon Roll from the Bakery, Hot Dog at Caseys, etc) but meals aren't great. The Rotisserie chicken at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe (Tomorrowland) is by far my favorite counter service option. Much better than some sad burger or slice of pizza.
Out last 2 trips, EPCOT would not honor this anymore. Last trip, Animal Kingdom wouldn't. Not sure if it was parkwide or just the cast members we dealt with but based on what I've read on some disney boards, it seems they are beginning to enforce this time frame more.Yes, fastpass is greatness. Don't pay attention to the end of the "window" for you using the fastpass. If it says 11:30-12:30 it's actually good from 11:30 until park close. And once it hits 11:30 you can get a fastpass for another ride.
Also, use the fastpasses on the longer waiting rides and by the time you stand in one ride the time should be up to return. For example. Fast pass jungle cruise then depending on return time, do the carpets, tiki room and/or Pirates. Pirates line is inside and moves along faster then jungle cruise, so the wait is not that bad.
I could do the haunted mansion an entire day. You figure out something new everytime.
Wow. That sucks. When was this? We were there in Feb and never had a problem at any of the parks.
early June.
I can do a write up for Epcot...Future WorldI would love to see something like this for the other parks if /when you have time.Thanks
Yeah, they're really cracking down on this ever since they started using the newer fast passes. Back in the day, they never cared when you used them as long as it was after the start time. Truth is they never bothered to check which day it was supposed to be for either. Back when I was a college student working there, my friends and I would collect fast passes to use whenever we wanted. We really knew how to work the system and hardly ever had to wait more then 5-10 minutes for anything.That said, if you use them smartly you can still avoid having to wait for too many rides. Each fast pass will tell you when you can get another one. This is usually either when your current admission time is reached or 2-3 hours after getting your last one, whichever comes first. For instance, say I get a fast pass at 12:30 for Splash Mountain that is good at 1:45. I can get another fast pass at 1:45. Lets say I get one at 1:45 for Thunder Mountain that isn't good until 4:30, I can probably get another fast pass at 3:45. If you're efficient you should be trying to get fast passes as soon as new ones are available.
Seems like others have beat me to EPCOT, but I'll give it my $.02 based on the same foundation - 3 day stay and only use the one park.AttractionsUnlike Magic Kingdom, you can probably hit everything in EPCOT in 3 days without rushing too much. The monster must see stuff, Mission Space and Test Track will have long lines at pretty much all times. Remember now that Mission Space has a non-G-force ride which is basically the same ride without the simulator spinning creating forces. That line is always shorter then the main line. Soarin will also likely have a long line, but the entire Land pavilion is fun all around. Grab a fast pass for it and hit the Living on the Land ride through the disney aqua farm and lab and see the fruit they are growing.A good tool in EPCOT is the time screen on the front of the Pin Trader stand right as you walk in. It gives wait times for all major rides there. Hit the rides that have 5 minute waits and pla accordingly. Beyond the big three above, you also need to hit the aquarium, which has a Nemo ride and Crush interactive movie, and Spaceship Earth - which has recently been renovated. The only other must see ride I would make sure I hit there with limited time is the boat ride in the Mexico pavilion. FoodGood food abounds at EPCOT. In the initial part of it, Future World, there isn't anything great. There is a coffee place to the right of the huge fountain behind Spaceship Earth that has good stuff, and the Land Pavilion has a nice place if you like a more organic type of experience. But the motherload of EPCOT food is the World Showcase. The steak house in Canada is fantastic, though a bit pricey. Reservations are usually necessary. The fish and chips stand in England is, I hear, I must for anyone that likes that cuisine, which I don't.Next comes France with a bakery that is fracking heaven on Earth. Don't get too filled up there, though, because walking out you immediately hit a wine stand and a crepes stand that you have to sample. Have to. No excuses. After France is Morocco which has standard fare there and though I'm not a fan, everything I've there is very good. Japan is next and has two sit down places, both of which get very good reviews. REservations are usually necessary.You will come to the American Adventure pavilion next, but before you do, there is a Funnel Cake stand on your right hand side (if starting the way I am here - you can also start from Mexico, but I have to have France early on or you might as well shoot me). Make sure you get the funnel cake. America only has a counter service place so you can avoid it though there is a Turkey leg stand and those things are money.Italy is next. There is a wine store that has samples. You can get drunk there. The women are usually stunning and the alcohol is there to be tested. Bad combination. The sit down restaurant recently changed hands. The old place had the best Italian food outside of North Jersey/New York. The new place is very good but not that good. After Italy you hit Germany which has standard food and it's all good, China whose counter service is light years better then the sit down place (don't know why but it's true) and Norway which has a bakery that isn't France, but it's good. You finish up with Mexico which has a stand and a sit down place. Sit down place is next to the boat ride, so the atmosphere is cool. The stand has better food and more alcohol choices nearby.Eating in EPCOT is a job, and responsibility. You fail if you do not travel the world, heartburn and all.StoresMouse Gears is the biggest one there and a must hit. There are smaller stores throughout, including twin stores by the lake, and each pavilion has at least one, and usually as much as 4, stores as well. But Mouse Gears is second only to the store in Downtown which is the biggest Disney store in the world. Make sure you let your kids be aware of the ceiling and gears in the store. It can entertain a 3 year old for an hour.PicturesEPCOT helps you out here a lot. Immediately to the right of Spaceship Earth as you exit is a photo center. Always on, so to speak. Mickey, Minney, Donald, Goofy, Pluto and sometimes Chip & Dale are there. Easy, all together, done. The line can be non-existent or 45 minutes long.Overall, the biggest thing to remember about EPCOT is that it is two parks in one. Treat it that way. Do FutureWorld, The Land, and the rest of that part of it as one day, and make dinner reservations for the Aquarium or the eatery in the Land Pavilion - which is a character meal in a room that spins around (very veyr very slowly, you'll do one rotation in a meal) it's neat.Give yourself a whole day in the World Showcase. Take it all in. There is a Beatles cover band that plays in the England pavilion. See them. There is a Canadian band that plays in the pavilion there named Off Kilter which is a really good show. See them as well, and grab a beer from the stand across from them. After your done, go see the Canada movie on the 360 degree tv screen. The room doesn't move. Just your brain. Talk to the women in France. Make sure wife is doing something else. Don't miss the crepes stand. If Italian food isn't your thing, but you want a taste of the country, there is a gellatto stand. Go through the store in Japan - it's amazing. And check out the bonzai trees and pond there as well. There is a ritualistic japanes drum band that plays there as well. Can't miss show. Try to catch the American show as well in the theatre, talk to the women in Italy. Plan an hour there. Make wife go to jewerly store in Germany. Finish up with a ton of good food and drink in Mexico. It's a full, well worth it day. I usually do it twice while there.And none of this even gets into the stuff in Future World like the exhibits and whatnot.Finally, Illuminations. A must see. Grab a seat at least an hour before the show (8ish, 7:45 if your smart - grab little stuff from the bakery in France, and the stand in Mexico (yes, again) for the show). There are two schools of thought with the show. Watch from the pavilion side of the lake so that you can see the laser show on Spaceship Earth, or watch from the opposite side of the lake to see the lighting of the pavilions. To each his own, but we always watch from the opposite side of the lake. And always roughly the same spot - in between or right off to the side of the sister stores smack in the center. Close to the exit upon show's end and perfectly center to see the lighting of the pavilions. It is very very very very loud. And you will feel the fire.EPCOT is a must, really, for everyone. There is something for everyone in the Kingdom, but EPCOT takes it to another level. Enjoy.
Wow...we were thinking about going in 2010 (little girl is just 9 months old now).Next year may just be too early to go back. But man that is a nice deal.
I wouldn't sweat it, the next deal is just around the corner.
Where did you hear this?
Mission Space messed me up...I had to sit for a half hour afterwards.
My mother works there.Native said:
We are heading down next week and I heard this place was great, do you need to make ressies to get a table there?
