Planning a Disney trip - basic questions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
To any posters looking for information on Disney's restaurants and menus, I recommend this site:

http://allears.net/dining/menu

They have listings for each restaurant at Disney parks and resorts, including menus. This gives you a good idea of the variety of food and prices at different locations so that you can plan according to any dietary preferences or restrictions.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you, PPs! This is really helpful. Like I wrote initially, it's hard to plan the details when you don't even have the big picture. We'll be looking to go the end of August (perhaps the week before Labor Day). We'd rather spend more money on a shorter trip with less commuting than a longer trip with hours spent in bus lines. I think. Maybe I'll feel differently when I start to price it out. I love the idea of staying at the animal lodge but looking at the map (and a comment from a PP), it looks like it might be a pain to come and go to MK. I'm currently thinking of the Contemporary with a suite or 2 rooms. (We all sleep poorly, so we can't all be in one studio room.) I don't care about the food so much, so I'm fine with the kids eating chicken fingers for three days. I'm a vegetarian but I usually can find something edible. I know the heat will be brutal, but I'm more anxious about waiting hours in lines for rides. I guess this is where fast passes come in. I will return with more questions when I start getting into the details. However, if you have more wisdom to share, please do! Thank you!

You don't spend hours in bus lines if you stay in an on property hotel. Seriously, I wouldn't factor the inconvenience of Disney inter-park transportation into your planning. It is generally pretty convenient.

Op here. Thanks. Having never been, and hearing about endless lines, I don't know what is a minor inconvenience and what is a gigantic pain.

The lines issue is if you went 20 years ago. Disney has worked hard to make it so, if you plan, you don't wait on lines. What do you consider a long line?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At least two days for MK and one for Animal Kingdom, those are our favorite. We usually rent a car for the convince. If you stay on property, you get free parking. Personally, I'd stay close but off property. The food at Disney is terrible so we'd often go offsite or to the McDonalds (and we are vegetarian, so it is that bad).

I'd actually 100% disagree. The food at Disney is very good. Also there are so many things you can't take advantage of if staying off property, including airport transportation so you don't need a car, being able to book reservations and fast passes early, getting to take advantage of extra magic hours and having purchases sent back to your hotel. Disney is actually GREAT with dietary challenges. They have a special menu at every location for all sorts of dietary restrictions.

+1

We have dietary restrictions in our family and have always been able to find good options for food. If you want to find fried food and burgers at Disney you can. If you want to find healthier or more varied options, they're available too.

You don't have a food allergy or picky kid then.

Actually I have both. I'm sorry you had a bad experience, but I'm clearly not the only one who raves about Disney accommodating dietary restrictions and in general having better food than most theme parks (albeit expensive).

OP - both of my SILs are also vegetarian and we've had good experiences finding things that they have enjoyed. In MK I'd recommend Columbia Harbor House as somewhere that usually has an interesting salad option, though they are available at most places. We also had a good meal recently at the Jungle Navigation Company Skipper Canteen.

The Liberty Square Market in MK also has fruits and veggies, pickles, corn on the cob and baked potatoes.

I am a vegetarian and their veggie burger was pretty gross and dried out. They do have veggie choices but not picky veggie like my kids. The Liberty Square does have fruits but 1/3 went bad in the container we have. Compared to other theme parks it may be good, but given its Disney I expected much better. (Thankfully we learned from our last experience and rented a car to go out).

You must have had bad luck because I never had that issue.

[Anonymous]

PP who gave the Contemporary prices here.

OP, did you have a specific budget in mind for your resort? Maybe if you told us your price point, we can suggest resorts that will work for you, and also help ease your mind about the transportation to/from the parks with that resort.

I have stayed at all of the moderates and most of the Deluxe resorts, and never really felt like transportation to the parks was a major inconvenience with any of them. The only place I felt was a pain to get to/from is Disney Springs (formerly known as Downtown Disney.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP who gave the Contemporary prices here.

OP, did you have a specific budget in mind for your resort? Maybe if you told us your price point, we can suggest resorts that will work for you, and also help ease your mind about the transportation to/from the parks with that resort.

I have stayed at all of the moderates and most of the Deluxe resorts, and never really felt like transportation to the parks was a major inconvenience with any of them. The only place I felt was a pain to get to/from is Disney Springs (formerly known as Downtown Disney.)

+1 agreed on the last part! Getting to the parks is easy. Why are you so spooked?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP who gave the Contemporary prices here.

OP, did you have a specific budget in mind for your resort? Maybe if you told us your price point, we can suggest resorts that will work for you, and also help ease your mind about the transportation to/from the parks with that resort.

I have stayed at all of the moderates and most of the Deluxe resorts, and never really felt like transportation to the parks was a major inconvenience with any of them. The only place I felt was a pain to get to/from is Disney Springs (formerly known as Downtown Disney.)

+1 agreed on the last part! Getting to the parks is easy. Why are you so spooked?

French Quarter and Riverside both have boats that go directly to Disney Springs. We did not go this time as its just tons of Disney shops but its a nice boat ride if you stay at those resorts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP who gave the Contemporary prices here.

OP, did you have a specific budget in mind for your resort? Maybe if you told us your price point, we can suggest resorts that will work for you, and also help ease your mind about the transportation to/from the parks with that resort.

I have stayed at all of the moderates and most of the Deluxe resorts, and never really felt like transportation to the parks was a major inconvenience with any of them. The only place I felt was a pain to get to/from is Disney Springs (formerly known as Downtown Disney.)

I thought the value hotels were fine. Not fancy but fine. I prefer the moderate. Anything higher than that seems like a waste of money as you're only sleeping in the room, not spending a huge amount of time there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you, PPs! This is really helpful. Like I wrote initially, it's hard to plan the details when you don't even have the big picture. We'll be looking to go the end of August (perhaps the week before Labor Day). We'd rather spend more money on a shorter trip with less commuting than a longer trip with hours spent in bus lines. I think. Maybe I'll feel differently when I start to price it out. I love the idea of staying at the animal lodge but looking at the map (and a comment from a PP), it looks like it might be a pain to come and go to MK. I'm currently thinking of the Contemporary with a suite or 2 rooms. (We all sleep poorly, so we can't all be in one studio room.) I don't care about the food so much, so I'm fine with the kids eating chicken fingers for three days. I'm a vegetarian but I usually can find something edible. I know the heat will be brutal, but I'm more anxious about waiting hours in lines for rides. I guess this is where fast passes come in. I will return with more questions when I start getting into the details. However, if you have more wisdom to share, please do! Thank you!

You don't spend hours in bus lines if you stay in an on property hotel. Seriously, I wouldn't factor the inconvenience of Disney inter-park transportation into your planning. It is generally pretty convenient.

Op here. Thanks. Having never been, and hearing about endless lines, I don't know what is a minor inconvenience and what is a gigantic pain.

The lines issue is if you went 20 years ago. Disney has worked hard to make it so, if you plan, you don't wait on lines. What do you consider a long line?

There were some two hour lines when we went (a week ago) for some of the rides like the Dwarf Mine Train. Others were 30-50 minutes and a few 20 minutes. Last time we went in September or Early October and the lines were generally 15-30 minutes. One day we were only able to go on a few rides.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you, PPs! This is really helpful. Like I wrote initially, it's hard to plan the details when you don't even have the big picture. We'll be looking to go the end of August (perhaps the week before Labor Day). We'd rather spend more money on a shorter trip with less commuting than a longer trip with hours spent in bus lines. I think. Maybe I'll feel differently when I start to price it out. I love the idea of staying at the animal lodge but looking at the map (and a comment from a PP), it looks like it might be a pain to come and go to MK. I'm currently thinking of the Contemporary with a suite or 2 rooms. (We all sleep poorly, so we can't all be in one studio room.) I don't care about the food so much, so I'm fine with the kids eating chicken fingers for three days. I'm a vegetarian but I usually can find something edible. I know the heat will be brutal, but I'm more anxious about waiting hours in lines for rides. I guess this is where fast passes come in. I will return with more questions when I start getting into the details. However, if you have more wisdom to share, please do! Thank you!

You don't spend hours in bus lines if you stay in an on property hotel. Seriously, I wouldn't factor the inconvenience of Disney inter-park transportation into your planning. It is generally pretty convenient.

Op here. Thanks. Having never been, and hearing about endless lines, I don't know what is a minor inconvenience and what is a gigantic pain.

The lines issue is if you went 20 years ago. Disney has worked hard to make it so, if you plan, you don't wait on lines. What do you consider a long line?

There were some two hour lines when we went (a week ago) for some of the rides like the Dwarf Mine Train. Others were 30-50 minutes and a few 20 minutes. Last time we went in September or Early October and the lines were generally 15-30 minutes. One day we were only able to go on a few rides.

That's why you need to plan and utilize fast passes. I went last moth and never waited. That said, op seems preoccupied by transportation lines not ride lines.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you, PPs! This is really helpful. Like I wrote initially, it's hard to plan the details when you don't even have the big picture. We'll be looking to go the end of August (perhaps the week before Labor Day). We'd rather spend more money on a shorter trip with less commuting than a longer trip with hours spent in bus lines. I think. Maybe I'll feel differently when I start to price it out. I love the idea of staying at the animal lodge but looking at the map (and a comment from a PP), it looks like it might be a pain to come and go to MK. I'm currently thinking of the Contemporary with a suite or 2 rooms. (We all sleep poorly, so we can't all be in one studio room.) I don't care about the food so much, so I'm fine with the kids eating chicken fingers for three days. I'm a vegetarian but I usually can find something edible. I know the heat will be brutal, but I'm more anxious about waiting hours in lines for rides. I guess this is where fast passes come in. I will return with more questions when I start getting into the details. However, if you have more wisdom to share, please do! Thank you!

You don't spend hours in bus lines if you stay in an on property hotel. Seriously, I wouldn't factor the inconvenience of Disney inter-park transportation into your planning. It is generally pretty convenient.

Op here. Thanks. Having never been, and hearing about endless lines, I don't know what is a minor inconvenience and what is a gigantic pain.

The lines issue is if you went 20 years ago. Disney has worked hard to make it so, if you plan, you don't wait on lines. What do you consider a long line?

There were some two hour lines when we went (a week ago) for some of the rides like the Dwarf Mine Train. Others were 30-50 minutes and a few 20 minutes. Last time we went in September or Early October and the lines were generally 15-30 minutes. One day we were only able to go on a few rides.

That's why you need to plan and utilize fast passes. I went last moth and never waited. That said, op seems preoccupied by transportation lines not ride lines.

We did utilize fast pass but you only get three. It helped, but even then we had 20-30 minute waits for each ride for the fast pass.

Transportation is not a big deal. Either rent a car, which gives you lots of flexibility and if you stay on property there is free parking or use the shuttles, boats or monorail. Its not that complicated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you, PPs! This is really helpful. Like I wrote initially, it's hard to plan the details when you don't even have the big picture. We'll be looking to go the end of August (perhaps the week before Labor Day). We'd rather spend more money on a shorter trip with less commuting than a longer trip with hours spent in bus lines. I think. Maybe I'll feel differently when I start to price it out. I love the idea of staying at the animal lodge but looking at the map (and a comment from a PP), it looks like it might be a pain to come and go to MK. I'm currently thinking of the Contemporary with a suite or 2 rooms. (We all sleep poorly, so we can't all be in one studio room.) I don't care about the food so much, so I'm fine with the kids eating chicken fingers for three days. I'm a vegetarian but I usually can find something edible. I know the heat will be brutal, but I'm more anxious about waiting hours in lines for rides. I guess this is where fast passes come in. I will return with more questions when I start getting into the details. However, if you have more wisdom to share, please do! Thank you!

You don't spend hours in bus lines if you stay in an on property hotel. Seriously, I wouldn't factor the inconvenience of Disney inter-park transportation into your planning. It is generally pretty convenient.

Op here. Thanks. Having never been, and hearing about endless lines, I don't know what is a minor inconvenience and what is a gigantic pain.

The lines issue is if you went 20 years ago. Disney has worked hard to make it so, if you plan, you don't wait on lines. What do you consider a long line?

There were some two hour lines when we went (a week ago) for some of the rides like the Dwarf Mine Train. Others were 30-50 minutes and a few 20 minutes. Last time we went in September or Early October and the lines were generally 15-30 minutes. One day we were only able to go on a few rides.

That's why you need to plan and utilize fast passes. I went last moth and never waited. That said, op seems preoccupied by transportation lines not ride lines.

We did utilize fast pass but you only get three. It helped, but even then we had 20-30 minute waits for each ride for the fast pass.

Transportation is not a big deal. Either rent a car, which gives you lots of flexibility and if you stay on property there is free parking or use the shuttles, boats or monorail. Its not that complicated.

You get three initially and when those are done you can get more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you, PPs! This is really helpful. Like I wrote initially, it's hard to plan the details when you don't even have the big picture. We'll be looking to go the end of August (perhaps the week before Labor Day). We'd rather spend more money on a shorter trip with less commuting than a longer trip with hours spent in bus lines. I think. Maybe I'll feel differently when I start to price it out. I love the idea of staying at the animal lodge but looking at the map (and a comment from a PP), it looks like it might be a pain to come and go to MK. I'm currently thinking of the Contemporary with a suite or 2 rooms. (We all sleep poorly, so we can't all be in one studio room.) I don't care about the food so much, so I'm fine with the kids eating chicken fingers for three days. I'm a vegetarian but I usually can find something edible. I know the heat will be brutal, but I'm more anxious about waiting hours in lines for rides. I guess this is where fast passes come in. I will return with more questions when I start getting into the details. However, if you have more wisdom to share, please do! Thank you!

You don't spend hours in bus lines if you stay in an on property hotel. Seriously, I wouldn't factor the inconvenience of Disney inter-park transportation into your planning. It is generally pretty convenient.

Op here. Thanks. Having never been, and hearing about endless lines, I don't know what is a minor inconvenience and what is a gigantic pain.

The lines issue is if you went 20 years ago. Disney has worked hard to make it so, if you plan, you don't wait on lines. What do you consider a long line?

There were some two hour lines when we went (a week ago) for some of the rides like the Dwarf Mine Train. Others were 30-50 minutes and a few 20 minutes. Last time we went in September or Early October and the lines were generally 15-30 minutes. One day we were only able to go on a few rides.

That's why you need to plan and utilize fast passes. I went last moth and never waited. That said, op seems preoccupied by transportation lines not ride lines.

Maybe I am (OP here). I've just heard people say they waited two hours for this line, 90 minutes for that ride, etc. To me that's not worth it. So I trying to get a sense of how I can maximize time and experiences if I plan well. Meaning, if I can spend a little bit more and stay in a hotel that's one stop from MK and be at a very popular ride early, that seems to make sense. I'm not picky about food or hotels, so I'm valuing my time and experiences more than good dining options or hotel amenities. i love the ideas of some of the theme hotels, but I'm not sure its worth choosing a specific hotel. It sounds like some people just go to their rooms to sleep while others spend time enjoying the hotel amenities. I love what I've read about the animal lodge with the savannah views, but it seems like it might only be worth it if we plan for some time to relax at the hotel. Basically, I've just dipped my pinky toe into the Disney waters (bad metaphor, sorry), and I'm just learning how it all works. So thank you for the helpful information. Youve all given me places to start.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP who gave the Contemporary prices here.

OP, did you have a specific budget in mind for your resort? Maybe if you told us your price point, we can suggest resorts that will work for you, and also help ease your mind about the transportation to/from the parks with that resort.

I have stayed at all of the moderates and most of the Deluxe resorts, and never really felt like transportation to the parks was a major inconvenience with any of them. The only place I felt was a pain to get to/from is Disney Springs (formerly known as Downtown Disney.)

Thanks, PP (OP here). I don't have a budget yet. I am starting from scratch and don't know if this is a $4,000 vacation, a $10,000 vacation, a two-day vacation, or a six day vacation (with ample time to relax). I definitely can't afford $1,000/night. That I know for sure. One of the reasons I've posted here is I don't know who to ask. My friends haven't done Disney and our family is newish to the area, so i can't yet grab one of my kids' classmates' moms and ask them 1,000 questions including budget.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you, PPs! This is really helpful. Like I wrote initially, it's hard to plan the details when you don't even have the big picture. We'll be looking to go the end of August (perhaps the week before Labor Day). We'd rather spend more money on a shorter trip with less commuting than a longer trip with hours spent in bus lines. I think. Maybe I'll feel differently when I start to price it out. I love the idea of staying at the animal lodge but looking at the map (and a comment from a PP), it looks like it might be a pain to come and go to MK. I'm currently thinking of the Contemporary with a suite or 2 rooms. (We all sleep poorly, so we can't all be in one studio room.) I don't care about the food so much, so I'm fine with the kids eating chicken fingers for three days. I'm a vegetarian but I usually can find something edible. I know the heat will be brutal, but I'm more anxious about waiting hours in lines for rides. I guess this is where fast passes come in. I will return with more questions when I start getting into the details. However, if you have more wisdom to share, please do! Thank you!

You don't spend hours in bus lines if you stay in an on property hotel. Seriously, I wouldn't factor the inconvenience of Disney inter-park transportation into your planning. It is generally pretty convenient.

Op here. Thanks. Having never been, and hearing about endless lines, I don't know what is a minor inconvenience and what is a gigantic pain.

The lines issue is if you went 20 years ago. Disney has worked hard to make it so, if you plan, you don't wait on lines. What do you consider a long line?

There were some two hour lines when we went (a week ago) for some of the rides like the Dwarf Mine Train. Others were 30-50 minutes and a few 20 minutes. Last time we went in September or Early October and the lines were generally 15-30 minutes. One day we were only able to go on a few rides.

That's why you need to plan and utilize fast passes. I went last moth and never waited. That said, op seems preoccupied by transportation lines not ride lines.

Maybe I am (OP here). I've just heard people say they waited two hours for this line, 90 minutes for that ride, etc. To me that's not worth it. So I trying to get a sense of how I can maximize time and experiences if I plan well. Meaning, if I can spend a little bit more and stay in a hotel that's one stop from MK and be at a very popular ride early, that seems to make sense. I'm not picky about food or hotels, so I'm valuing my time and experiences more than good dining options or hotel amenities. i love the ideas of some of the theme hotels, but I'm not sure its worth choosing a specific hotel. It sounds like some people just go to their rooms to sleep while others spend time enjoying the hotel amenities. I love what I've read about the animal lodge with the savannah views, but it seems like it might only be worth it if we plan for some time to relax at the hotel. Basically, I've just dipped my pinky toe into the Disney waters (bad metaphor, sorry), and I'm just learning how it all works. So thank you for the helpful information. Youve all given me places to start.

If there is one thing I've learned in my travels, it's go with your gut. If you keep coming back to how great the Animal Kingdom Lodge would be with the Savannah views, then stay there. Have no regrets.

[Anonymous]

You can save a ton of cash by renting a house off property. Look around the area of Celebration. It has grocery stores, restaurants and easy access to Disney. You can save yourself a boatload by eating a real meal at the house, instead of $15 chicken nuggets.

This 3 bedroom is $87 per night:
https://www.vrbo.com/193887

There isn't a lot of traffic. The only thing that I don't like about staying off property is paying $20/day for parking. Car rentals at the airport are cheap too. I got a car for $15/day last time I was there.