Disneyworld - 1st timers. Please advise.
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Anonymous
| PP, I suspect the world may divide between Disney enthusiasts and Universal enthusiasts. |
Anonymous
| To the person who likes Epcot restaurants -> where do you recommend with small kids. They will eat anything but was there a few places you enjoyed over others? Thanks! |
Anonymous
That is exactly how my 5 yo daughter reacted. She's a girly girl, so she ate up the princesses, but also a speed freak - if I never ride Space Mountain again, that's fine with me. If you don't have fun in Disney, you just don't want to. OP, if at all possible, I suggest going at an off time. I know that's often not possible, but smaller crowds make a huge difference. We went off-season, and were able to get to the parks right when they opened, and coudl knock out a bunch of rides with no lines at all. And even in those less crowded times, Fast Passes for some of the more popular rides were gone by 11:00. |
Anonymous
We did Coral Reef (not exceptional food but nice atmosphere with an entire wall aquarium), Tappan Edo (Japanese steakhouse, like Benihana), and a date night without kids at Le Cellier (which was out of this world). I've heard La Hacienda is good. If you Google "Best Epcot restaurants" you come up with a lot of information. |
Anonymous
I'm not the one who said she likes Epcot restaurants, but there are some I like. If you are interested in a character meal, maybe try Garden Grill. This is located in "the land" area and it is a revolving restaurant (very slowly) so your scenery will change throughout the meal. Mickey, Pluto, and Chip and Dale will come to your table. The food also comes to your table (as opposed to buffet style, which a lot of the character meals are). It is turkey, fish, and beef, with sides of vegetables, salad, etc. We thought it all tasted pretty good. It is served family style, so they will bring a large platter or bowl of the foods for you table to share...and you can request as much more as you want. There is also a berry cobbler for dessert. It is a much more laid back style than other character meals like Tusker House in the Animal Kingdom, which is a buffet. I think the fact that you are not constantly getting out of your seat to get food, for the kids to get up and dance with the characters, etc. just makes the meal seem more calm and relaxed. |
Anonymous
Le Cellier is indeed awesome. |
Anonymous
| I like the French place with the character Remy. Akershus always used to have a character b'fast w/princesses. Agree that Le Cellier is good. |
Anonymous
| Thanks for the restaurant advice! |
Anonymous
Please try to lighten up and not be so negative. I grew up with parents like you and it really sucked, they took the fun out of everything with constant complaints. Having just been there, I don't even think your complaints are in the least bit valid, but, even if they are you should zip it up because these are things kids don't even notice unless their complainer parents point it out and ruin it for them. |
Anonymous
| It's OK not to be such a corporate shill for this multiple-billion dollar boon-doggle. Really. |
Anonymous
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Kids love it- my dd, 6, isn't a bit into the princess theme, or the Disney characters, but she loved every parade, show, walking the beautiful grounds, especially epcots flower and garden show, going to the the boardwalk at night seeing magicians, we had great meals at califonia grill, narcesses, The pool at the resort was amazing and they had counselor/cast members entertaining the with games. She loved the kids pirate adventure from the hotel. Hollywood studios had fantastic stunt shoes that were amazing, a safari ride in AK, and two broadway worthy shows-lion king and finding nemo. Anyone can have fun there! There's no reason not too. OP enjoy your trip and don't let the naysayers ruin your experience!
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Anonymous
| We're going in April, Disneyworld for one day, Universal Studios IOA for one day, Universal Studios for one day, wet & wild if the weather permits. Looking forward to USIOA the most - I was there 10 years ago and it was fantastic! The rides were great, the scenery was super-fun (matching the theme of each island) and we were really impressed. My 7 year old son can't wait for Harry Potter world and my little son (5) can't wait for Jurrasic Park. Hope we all have fun! |
Anonymous
Disney World is comprised of 4 different parks; Magic Kingdom (with the Cinderella castle), Epcot (with the big "golf ball), Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. You won't be able to do all 4 parks in one day--which one do you plan to visit? |
Anonymous
| what are the resorts that you can walk to epcot? I am thinking that might be a nice area to stroll around at night and then put baby to bed. Also what is considered off season? Just winter or maybe some parts of april or may? Many thanks! |
Anonymous
The Disney owned resorts are Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Boardwalk Inn. The Beach Club and the Yacht Club are almost like two side of the same HUGE resort. They share a pool and other facilities. The Beach Club side also includes "Beach Club Villas" which are part of the Disney Vacation Club (Disney's time share) so those rooms will have kitchens and stuff. I stayed at the Yacht club for a few days in September. I really liked it there, but at the time the fitness center was closed, and also the slide on the pool was closed. Kind of a bummer. The Boardwalk Inn also has Vacation Club villas, as well as a regular inn side. I stayed there for a few days in May. Personally, I liked it better than the Yacht club. It was smaller and felt more cozy, and it was closer to the "action" of the Boardwalk--though I've heard rooms that overlook the Boardwalk are kind of loud at night--our room faced away from the boardwalk so that wasn't an issue for us. It's themed pool has a waterslide where you go out of a clowns mouth---so if you have a clown fear, it might not be for you. All 3 hotels offer a "club level"--though only for the regular hotel-not available if you are staying in the vacation club villas. In addition to those three, there is also the Swan and Dolphin. The Swan and Dolphin are in the same prime location as the above three, and also share transportation to the parks. Swan and Dolphin resort guests are also elligible for "Extra Magic Hours" at the parks. The difference is, since they are not owned by Disney -you will not be eligibile to purchase a dining plan -you will not be eligible to use the "Magical Express" transportation from the airport to your resort -Swan and Dolphin charge for parking at the resort, even if you are staying there |