OK Bluedevil I have 3 pages of info I will try to condense for you. I made this tidbit of info for my brother who is going in july. we go every year. Some of the info deals with the time share my mom has but If you are staying in a disney resort I can help you out there too.
I go there every year in October, here is something I typed up for my brother who is going in July, some of it references that Time share my mom owns let me know where you are staying though and I can help you out more. Or if you have any other questions I know the place pretty well.
Tips for a more enjoyable and cheaper trip to Disney.
If you are thinking King Island or cedar point get that thought out of your head. You will not see many rides outside, except for Magic kingdom. In all parks if you see a building you should enter the rides are all inside the AIR CONDITIONED buildings. Consult you maps to better understand.
The resorts will give you a schedule of shows and how late the parks are open each day and what shows are on which days. To plan your trip better. Key things to look at what time is Fantasmic and what day. What time is Illuminations and what day. What time does the park close.
Disney is 4 different parks each requires it’s own admission ticket. How the tickets work.
You can buy just theme park tickets. That gets you 1 theme park a day. Nothing else. (note the more you buy per person the cheaper the ticket cost is)***** If you go to a park then back to you room you can return to the same park that day later. So if someone needs a nap you can return to that park only.
Ticket plus water parks and more- gets you your park tickets plus for every day you buy a park ticket you can get into the water parks and Disney quest. Thewater parks are separate admission from the parks. So say you buy 4 days worth of tickets for the parks and you add water parks and more to them you get the 4 days of them parks and 4 admissions to use at either the water parks and/or Disney quest. (Note if you are planning on Water parks and/or Disney quest this is the cheapest way to do it because adding it to your ticket just cost $7 something to add whereas if you get the water parks separate it cost $40 something per admission)
Ticket plus park hopper- what this does is allow you to go to more than one park per day. You can start your day at Hollywood and leave and go to epcot later in the day. This cost $7 something to add to your ticket per day.
Ticket,park hopper and water parks and more- gives you everything mentioned above
DO not buy tickets just anywhere especially on the internet or from a billboard advertisement saying tickets for $25.00. Buy from Disney online, buy at the resort, or at the park. I suggest the first 2 options. Cost at the resort you are staying at is the same cost as at the park or online and you don’t have to wait in line or depend on the mail.
BUS: The bus takes you to all the parks get the schedule and keep it with you always you DO NOT RIDE THE DISNEY BUSSES to get back to the resort. You can do it if you are park hoping but only the bonnet creek bus takes you back to the resort you are staying in. Bus does go to Downtown Disney. Bus does NOT go to water parks, special arrangements can be made at the concierge desk for this transportation, usually a Taxi. Parking at water parks and downtown Disney is FREE. Arrangements also have to be made to anything off Disney property.
Get on the first bus every morning to your park. Mickey and Minnie open the parks with a show type thing every morning at every park. After you go in the park keep walking til you can’t go anymore and put the little ones on your shoulder to see over the crowd.
If you drive to the parks, it is $14.00 to park. However, it is good if you leave and come back or if you go to another park. You just show them your parking pass and they wave you through.
When you get to the Parks: you will go through the bag check area, have your bags open. After that you walk up to the ticket gate. each person puts their ticket in then place their index finger on the print scanner, when the light turns green your ticket comes out the other side and you can proceed. KIDS under 10 do not need to finger print. After you enter the park look for the board with maps and show schedules to get you around and help plan you time in the park.
Money saving tips: Everything in the park is WAY OVER PRICED. Adults take your kids backpacks that fit you of course.
Food: Now this is just a suggestion but if you like spending $5.00 for a bottle of water and $10.00 for a hamburger then by all means go for it. However if you like saving money then you go to Walmart and get a couple cases of water, Kool aid singles, Bread, PB&J, gummie snacks, cereal bars. They sell some individual chicken and ham salad in a can with crackers for like a dollar at walmart that also makes a great lunch, things like that. Make your own trail mix and put it in zip lock bags. you pack that backpack as full as you can handle carrying and that is what you eat in the parks. All backpacks will be searched before entering the park but for weapons and such the food and drinks is fine to carry in. to keep water cold put some in the freezer take a mixture of frozen water and other water. It is Florida it will keep the other water cool for you and by the time that runs out the frozen water will be thawed. If you run out of water all restaurants are supposed to give you free cups of water However, remember when traveling with kids sometimes something as simple as changing their water source can cause diarrhea. *** In animal Kingdom you cannot have any straws. So no juice boxes or fruit drinks with straws on them
Backpacks can go on all rides they have pouches for things and they can sit on the floor of the ride just put your foot the strap to keep them secure so they don’t fall out.
Strollers- go to Walmart buy a cheapo umbrella stroller. Put your name on it though lots of people do this and many end up with the same stroller. Even if you get it at the walmart there for $10.00 and throw it away when you leave it is better than paying $15.+ a day to rent one. Strollers do not go into the shows or ride lines but the between time makes thing easier than carrying a kid.
Pictures: when Disney offers to take you pictures this is a good thing to do. The first time you tell them you need a picture card. It looks like a credit card. All you pics are scanned onto this card. You can bring it home to view them and order only what you want. They randomly offer to take pics or you can stop them to take you pic. They take pics at every meet and greet.
Pin trading: again Walmart is best pricing to start this. You get your kid a sash, hat something to put different mickey pins on there are all kinds. Get them like 4 or 5 different ones then all Disney staff have something with different pins on it you can walk up to any staff member and ask to see their pins and you get to trade any pin you want with any pin they have and you want.
Souvenirs - Again go to WALMART. They have an entire section dedicated to Disney. Lots of different stuff. Pay $10.00 for a shirt at walmart or $30.00 on Disney property. Your choice. Don’t believe me go to wal-mart when you get there then go to Disney find the same shirt, you will return to walmart I promise you. There is also a store in the Wal-mart parking lot that say gifts starting at 1.99 they have kool stuff too.
Dress the girls like a princess - Almost every girl that goes to magic kingdom dresses like a princess or tinkerbell to meet the characters’. If you think your little girls are going to want to do this then Go to WAL MART now. Get it in the Halloween costume section. Pay $20.00 NOW OR $60.00 AT DISNEY. Something kool to do is keep it hidden and surprise them that morning before you go. If they do this take a change of clothes do the meet and greets first then change to the dress or take the dress and change before and after the meet and greets. Later int eh day you do these meet and greets the LONGER THE LINES.
Directions to Wal-mart- turn right out of the resort. Turn right at the light. Get on the first exit ramp. Got 2nd stoplight turn right. Go to second stoplight turn right, get into left turn lane. turn left into Walmart shopping center you will not see walmart or a sign until you turn in. Takes about 10 minutes to get there.
Yes at Disney WAL-MART really is the savings place……………………………………………
ON things like Rock nRollercoaster, Mt everest all the big rides always look for the single rider lines. If you are riding it again say tom and Anthony and the other three are going to wait. Chey and I always did this, your in line like 10 minutes and we usually ended up on the same ride just different seats. If we were separated we would meet at the picture section where our ride ended. All rides exit into the building right beside where the ride pics are displayed then into the store.
Fast passes: you put your ticket in a fastpass terminal at a ride it give you a ticket with a time to return to the ride you ten return and go through the fast pass line. Make sure you get your park ticket back. You can only hold one fast pass at a time so decide where you want to get it wisely.
Heres a little time saving tip. Go to a Disney vacation club station. Agree to go on the tour and insist they pick you up and drop you off either at the park or they will pick you up at the wyndham and drop you wherever you say. Take the kids with you. Ask to see Animal Kingdom resort it is really kool. They take the kids to play supervised you listen to their sales pitch and get a short tour, tell them you only have one hour. They do not insist you buy into the timeshare but to go home and discuss it and some info to read. Anyways for everyone in your party that goes you get a card worth 3 fast passes each. Able to use immediately not waiting on a certain time. Chey and I did this, got a total of 6 fast passes we rode everest 3 times each in like 20 minutes. Wait time for the ride was 60 minutes at that time. They ask no personal financial info.
Hollywood Studio’s
RIDES: Rock –Rollercoaster- Must be at least 48in(2 per car) to ride very popular ride. Get the fastpass and come back at your time so you don’t spend a long time in line. You will go upside down on this ride, it is very fast and fun to ride. Ride is dark with black lights.
Tower of terror- must be 40 in to ride) Family rides together) this can be very scary most of it is in the dark. You ride slowly through a maze to the front of the building. Then your car rises and drops very quickly with elevator type doors opening and closing with a nice quick view of the park outside.
Toy story – for all ages (2 per car)VERY VERY POPULAR fast-passes go quick on this one either get the fast pass first thing or plan on making this one of the last things you do with at least a 2 hour wait in line.
Back lot tour- (family rides together) see how a scene for peral harbor was made then off to a tram ride through the back lot seeing production lines for princess dresses and costumes, movie props and then an little action for the tours on the tram with some shaking and waterfall. You will NOT get wet on this just a fun thing to do.
Great movie ride- a nice slow ride for all going through movie history and a little action when your ride gets hijacked by bonnie and clyde.
Star tours- ride in a simulator (family rides together) a star ship guided by R2D2 and another robot. Kinda kool.
Shows: (note that in almost every 3-D show you will see on screen, hear, smell and feel everything)
Indiana Jones- Awsome show must see LIVE
Light camera action- stunt car show Really cool will see cars drive on 2 wheels, jumps, and fire.
The mupetts- great show in 3-D
Little mermaid- show in 3-D
Beauty and the beast
Block party/parade at like 3pm very fun
High school musical 3 several time during the day in front of big blue hat
Other kids shows I have mot seen.
Meet and greets- Lightning Mcqueen and tow mater behind muppet building , Monster inc. after getting off back lot tour area.
Fireworks- check schedule for Fantasmic. Must see. There is a stage show Led by Mickey. Screen show on water.Fireworks/laser and finally a boat parade with many characters’. (mickey saves the cartoon world.
Animal Kingdom
Rides:
Mt. Everest-Roller coaster forwards and backwards must be 48in to ride. MUST DO. 2 per car. Ride is faster and more fun in the back seat request it.
Kalahari River - you will get wet family will rode together, there is place to store stuff but no guarantee it will stay dry unless it is in a zip lock bag (CAMERAS)
Safari- you will ride as a family on an open bus and see the African animals roaming freely. DO THIS FIRST as it gets hot out the animals hide in the shade, also LONG lines at this one. Great picture taking opportunity.
Train ride- there is a train ride back to a small zoo area I have not been there but told it is great for KIDS to enjoy.
Dino land- like 2 small kid rides and a roller coaster (primevil whirl must be 48in to ride it,it sucks really) jerks you around a lot. There is a bone yard to hunt fossil and stuff for kids to do and parent rest.
Dinosour- kinda cool ride, dark loud dinosaur sounds,bumpy. Family rides together.
Walking trails:
In Africa with animals, in asia with animals, and around the tree of life. Entering and exiting the park.
Shows:
Lion King- MUST SEE FOR ALL live show
Nemo- MUST SEE Live show
Bugs life: Must see 3-D inside the tree of life
Flights of wonder- a bird show (have not seen)
Meet and greets: Mickey, minnie,Donald, goofey, chip and dale,pocahomtas and more at camp Minnie mickey. Some others on the walk between Africa and asia to you left and right you have to look for them. Pooh and tigger and eyore on discovery island.
There is a parade, I have not seen it.
Magic Kigdom
*after the bus drops you, you either have to take the monorail or boat across to the park. This is the original park you will have rides outside and inside here.
The most kid friendly park. I suggest once you get down main street to the circle you turn left and make your way around. There are all kinds of rides at this park to many to list For everyone to enjoy. There are 2 kids sections one where the dumbo ride is and toon town is kinda hidden in the back right. That is where you can meet tinkerbell and friends and the princess’ and other characters’ NOTE: you can meet the princess’ in the castle but the line is twice as long there. DO NOT DO THE LILO AND STICH it is not a ride or a show. Except for space mountain I think all rides are for everyone space mountain may have a height requirement.
Must Do: space mountain Roller coaster and Buzz light year, Pirates of the carribian and the water ride through Bear brier patch.
Parade
Fireworks great show and Tinkerbelle flies from the castle
Epcot:
Rides: when you exit the rides there is lots to see and do inside there. Expecially Under the sea
Nemo(under the sea) – cool ride then you come out into the aquarium with dlopins manatees and other fish.
Sorin’ – MUST DO kinda like a hang gliding ride simulated through California. Family rides together.
Fast track- MUST DO family rides together .
Universe of energy- kinda cool, a moving theater relaxing but loud and some dinosaurs It takes 42 minutes educational to.
Mission space: not for the faint of heart. In a simulator I would suggest maybe Tom and anthony rode it first and let the rest know. I think tha they are the only 2 who will like it there are 2 versions of this simulator normal and extreme and the mormal is pretty extreme. You will feel like you lifted off to space and there is a lot of G-force.
The big silver looking golf ball- it is a very relaxing ride to the top and back down. Slow movin through time of the earth. At the top you seat turn around and you ride back down looking at the stars. Family ride for sure.
Walk through the different countries- almost every country has a show and/or a ride in it. Look around to see. Usually boat rides of some sort In the back of the inside of the building. Beer runs about $8.00 a cup $12.00 for a keeper cup.
Fireworks: ILLUMINATIONS nightly get a good seat on the waters edge EARLY about an hour before the show starts. Watch the center of the lake. Fireworks and a world globe, also watch the building around the lake as the light up at different times and such.
Waterparks: If you go to a water park there is a stand to get life jackets at for the little ones, THEY ARE FREE to get.
The best way to see what you want to do is get in the lazy river and float to the area you want to do.
ALSO have water shoes the walking paths and pool bottoms are rough and get HOT.
Typhoon Lagoon: is OK, but you have to carry your tubes up to every slide. Best slide there crush and gush and it has a height requirement. This is the park with the huge tidal wave in the pool. And there is an area where you Swim with the (small) tiger sharks and other fish .
Blizzard beach: THE BEST WATERPARK kool slides and you don’t have to carry your rafts up. Also for the family slide and the really tall water slides there is a ski lift so you don’t have to climb the stairs. Great kids area with little slides and training camp for kids. Really kool areas for kids.
Downtown Disney: full of shopping areas, restaurants, and bars. Stuff to draw kids in and get them begging you to buy. NOTHING is FREE here except a boat ride. This is where Disney quest is. Once inside Disney quest lots of games and stuff to do free of charge. Also build your own roller coaster and rides it in a simulator(they now have one of these at Epcot but I don’t know where).
Ciquse de le is located in downtown Disney too EXPENSIVE tickets, I have not been.
I am going to Disney World soon.
Take a lot of money for food....if you are staying in the resorts and have no way of leaving. Character breakfasts are expensive, but some of the best breakfast food I have ever had.
Go to Universal Studios instead.
i literally just got back from d world this past weekend...go to Epcot and drink 8 dollar beers and eat a bunch of food, it's fun...
this is the one in florida? I don't know.
"Take a lot of money for food....if you are staying in the resorts and have no way of leaving."
Disney to me is no fun but then again I have no kids, they rape you on the $$ though! Islands of Adventure and Universal are great in Orlando, Fl. There is tons to do in Orlando with Tampa just an hour up the road too.
Downtown Disney had some fun stuff to do down there. Definitley get the park hopper tickets as it's much more convenient than getting seperate tickets to different parks.
Our family loves DW. We've been there 3 times with the kids, and enjoy it everytime we go. We've always stayed at Port Orleans. To save on meals, we ate a big breakfast at the resort, then waited till we got back late at night to eat again. The prices were usually better than out on grounds, but we saved some $$$$.
Walk around and look for hidden Mickeys.
Take out a hefty loan from your bank! Just got back a few weeks ago, And holy cow I thought Cedar Point Raped their custumers, Disney didnt use lube.
