WDW tips? - Page 3

Sheila · 05-03-2005, 04:09 PM

As a grizzled (I must get some depilatory!) old veteran of WDW, here are my suggestions:

1. IMO, I think you have too many sit-down dinners scheduled. You're going to want to get Priority Seatings for many of those restaurants and when you do, a serious chunk of park touring time will then be devoted to the dining experience. I've eaten at most of the restaurants listed and they are all great. You'll enjoy 'em! But you may want to consider sacrificing the grand dining tour since this is your first trip to WDW. Consider counter service for dinner more often; plus with the time you've just freed up, you'll be able to go back to the hotel during the hottest part of the afternoon, cool off then come back for evening festivities.

2. Since you'll be going during peak season, get to each park at rope drop! I kid you not. You can get more done in the first two hours while the rest of the families straggle in. I know it's rough being from the left coast and getting to the parks at 8:00-9:00 a.m., but it's totally worth it! Showing up at 10:00 or 11:00 a.m. means standing in lots of lines. Ugh.

3. Consider following (maybe not to the letter, but take their advice) the Unofficial Guide touring plans. Even as a DLR veteran, it's a good thing to at lease have a plan of attack.

4. Buy bottled water offsite and bring with you every day. You'll save a ton of money.

Prudence · 05-03-2005, 04:30 PM

Yay tips!

Re: the dining madness

For us, dining is a vacation priority. I swear there's somewhat of a method to our madness. (No, really!) Liberty Tree is our one character meal 'cause dammit, we like that sort of thing. In theory, Tuesday's lunch is buffet so we can eat as quickly as we can chew (and my husband can have his fill of his favorite food group: meat.) Also in theory, we'll be eating at Rose and Crown during Illuminations and if I get lucky, we'll have a patio table. If I'm moderately lucky, they'll at least let us go visit the patio. If I have zero luck, it's only Tuesday so I can try again later in the week.

Wednesday and Thursday I had to eat outside the parks so that if desired my relatives, who live in Orlando, that I haven't seen in years, who I was planning to visit the 14th & 15th before checking into AKL, and who knew of my plans since last August, decided last month to spend that weekend in New Mexico so my cousin, who already got married so his "wife" wouldn't have to live in sin, but didn't tell anyone until just a few weeks ago, can have the big fancy wedding in her family's orchard, because the new already-wife thinks the date 5-15-05 is cool and couldn't imagine having her big fake wedding any other day, and registered for an $80 toaster... I'm off track. Anyhow, I have to leave a few evenings for them to come visit us. So I made those our half-day park days, scheduled meals outside the park, and we can maybe have dessert or something with family. (And the night they don't come, we scamper over to MK.)
I'm rather ambivalent about our Thursday PS at Brown Derby. I kind of made it in case I wanted it. Might change my mind.

Thursday, our sole purpose in eating as Chefs de France is to have the lunch combo meal thingy. Hence the lunch not dinner. And we chose the first PS of the day in hopes of speedier service. The thinking behind Marrakesh is that a) he wants to see the belly dancers and b) we'll be exhausted and they're not known for speedy service (and I have unfortunate "commando" tendancies) so it's an enforced rest break. And early enough to afford another shot at Illuminations.

See, warned you. Meal planning is by far the most important part of any trip for us. Every variable is carefully weighed. We might not be right, but we sure did think about it a lot!

Oh, and the husband ix-nayed California Grill because he felt it might sully his memory of Napa Rose (yes, I did mention the fireworks). And I'm saving V & A for my graduation victory vaction. And I don't like fish.

Name · 05-03-2005, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mousepod

watch one or two classic Disney movies projected on an outdoor screen.

When I was a youngun I saw sleeping beauty and song of the south there. good stuff.

Sheila · 05-03-2005, 05:00 PM

Pru, you so goofy! In a good way, of course....

You are a woman after my own heart. I love visiting WDW for three reasons: the atmosphere of no longer being in the real world, the rides and the FOOD!!

Since there is method in your madness, I'll just offer one more piece of gratuitous advice: I think most folks find they need to take a mid-day break and go back to the hotel to nap/shower/swim. You may be able to go a couple days from sun-up to fireworks, but not every day. Scheduling all those lunch and dinner time meals means hustling back to the parks when you may not feel up to it, kwim?

Plus, for those who are not used to the Florida humidity, it's a killer. And if you're overweight like me, it's really tough sledding. My body has problems throwing off all the heat.

So in a nutshell, plan on being prepared to throw your planning to winds if need be. And all those fabulous restaurants will be waiting for you on your next trip.

Not Afraid · 05-03-2005, 11:08 PM

Ummmmmmmm. Candy at the Japanesse Pavilion............

Prudence · 05-03-2005, 11:16 PM

But if I throw my plans to the winds that means...I get to make new plans! Because the only thing better than months and months of detail-obsessed plan-making is getting to rearrange it on the fly!

Did I mention I probably have the Unofficial Guide memorized by now?

Sheila · 05-03-2005, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prudence

But if I throw my plans to the winds that means...I get to make new plans! Because the only thing better than months and months of detail-obsessed plan-making is getting to rearrange it on the fly!

Did I mention I probably have the Unofficial Guide memorized by now?

LOL! Pru, I'd mojo you again if I could. But, alas, I must spread my love around first. It's hard being a mojo ho.

You have exactly the right attitude to enjoy your trip to WDW. Have a blast, girlfriend!!

tracilicious · 05-04-2005, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prudence

But if I throw my plans to the winds that means...I get to make new plans! Because the only thing better than months and months of detail-obsessed plan-making is getting to rearrange it on the fly!

Did I mention I probably have the Unofficial Guide memorized by now?

Lol, I was just going to say to get the Unofficial Guide. I'm working on it for our December trip.

The only thing I really have to add is that extra magic hours are different now. Sometimes it's an hour extra in the morning, sometimes it's three extra hours at night. Go to the Unofficial Guide's site, www.touringplans.com for a list of what is open when. www.allearsnet.com also has tremendous tips. I wish I were going this week.

mousepod · 05-04-2005, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

Ummmmmmmm. Candy at the Japanese Pavilion............

On a trip to a couple of years ago, I shot a ton of video. I originally posted it only for Prudence, but since NA brings it up...

CANDY!

Not Afraid · 05-04-2005, 07:08 PM

I could've watched the candy makers all day long. As a matter of fact, I could just move into World Showcase and be perfectly happy.

05-03-2005, 04:09 PM	#21
Sheila Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 148	As a grizzled (I must get some depilatory!) old veteran of WDW, here are my suggestions: 1. IMO, I think you have too many sit-down dinners scheduled. You're going to want to get Priority Seatings for many of those restaurants and when you do, a serious chunk of park touring time will then be devoted to the dining experience. I've eaten at most of the restaurants listed and they are all great. You'll enjoy 'em! But you may want to consider sacrificing the grand dining tour since this is your first trip to WDW. Consider counter service for dinner more often; plus with the time you've just freed up, you'll be able to go back to the hotel during the hottest part of the afternoon, cool off then come back for evening festivities. 2. Since you'll be going during peak season, get to each park at rope drop! I kid you not. You can get more done in the first two hours while the rest of the families straggle in. I know it's rough being from the left coast and getting to the parks at 8:00-9:00 a.m., but it's totally worth it! Showing up at 10:00 or 11:00 a.m. means standing in lots of lines. Ugh. 3. Consider following (maybe not to the letter, but take their advice) the Unofficial Guide touring plans. Even as a DLR veteran, it's a good thing to at lease have a plan of attack. 4. Buy bottled water offsite and bring with you every day. You'll save a ton of money.
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05-03-2005, 04:30 PM	#22
Prudence Beelzeboobs, Esq. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Gavel - I haz it Posts: 6,287	Yay tips! Re: the dining madness For us, dining is a vacation priority. I swear there's somewhat of a method to our madness. (No, really!) Liberty Tree is our one character meal 'cause dammit, we like that sort of thing. In theory, Tuesday's lunch is buffet so we can eat as quickly as we can chew (and my husband can have his fill of his favorite food group: meat.) Also in theory, we'll be eating at Rose and Crown during Illuminations and if I get lucky, we'll have a patio table. If I'm moderately lucky, they'll at least let us go visit the patio. If I have zero luck, it's only Tuesday so I can try again later in the week. Wednesday and Thursday I had to eat outside the parks so that if desired my relatives, who live in Orlando, that I haven't seen in years, who I was planning to visit the 14th & 15th before checking into AKL, and who knew of my plans since last August, decided last month to spend that weekend in New Mexico so my cousin, who already got married so his "wife" wouldn't have to live in sin, but didn't tell anyone until just a few weeks ago, can have the big fancy wedding in her family's orchard, because the new already-wife thinks the date 5-15-05 is cool and couldn't imagine having her big fake wedding any other day, and registered for an $80 toaster... I'm off track. Anyhow, I have to leave a few evenings for them to come visit us. So I made those our half-day park days, scheduled meals outside the park, and we can maybe have dessert or something with family. (And the night they don't come, we scamper over to MK.) I'm rather ambivalent about our Thursday PS at Brown Derby. I kind of made it in case I wanted it. Might change my mind. Thursday, our sole purpose in eating as Chefs de France is to have the lunch combo meal thingy. Hence the lunch not dinner. And we chose the first PS of the day in hopes of speedier service. The thinking behind Marrakesh is that a) he wants to see the belly dancers and b) we'll be exhausted and they're not known for speedy service (and I have unfortunate "commando" tendancies) so it's an enforced rest break. And early enough to afford another shot at Illuminations. See, warned you. Meal planning is by far the most important part of any trip for us. Every variable is carefully weighed. We might not be right, but we sure did think about it a lot! Oh, and the husband ix-nayed California Grill because he felt it might sully his memory of Napa Rose (yes, I did mention the fireworks). And I'm saving V & A for my graduation victory vaction. And I don't like fish. __________________ traguna macoities tracorum satis de
	Submit to Quotes

05-03-2005, 05:00 PM	#24
Sheila Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 148	Pru, you so goofy! In a good way, of course.... You are a woman after my own heart. I love visiting WDW for three reasons: the atmosphere of no longer being in the real world, the rides and the FOOD!! Since there is method in your madness, I'll just offer one more piece of gratuitous advice: I think most folks find they need to take a mid-day break and go back to the hotel to nap/shower/swim. You may be able to go a couple days from sun-up to fireworks, but not every day. Scheduling all those lunch and dinner time meals means hustling back to the parks when you may not feel up to it, kwim? Plus, for those who are not used to the Florida humidity, it's a killer. And if you're overweight like me, it's really tough sledding. My body has problems throwing off all the heat. So in a nutshell, plan on being prepared to throw your planning to winds if need be. And all those fabulous restaurants will be waiting for you on your next trip.
	Submit to Quotes

05-03-2005, 11:08 PM	#25
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	Ummmmmmmm. Candy at the Japanesse Pavilion............
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05-03-2005, 11:16 PM	#26
Prudence Beelzeboobs, Esq. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Gavel - I haz it Posts: 6,287	But if I throw my plans to the winds that means...I get to make new plans! Because the only thing better than months and months of detail-obsessed plan-making is getting to rearrange it on the fly! Did I mention I probably have the Unofficial Guide memorized by now? __________________ traguna macoities tracorum satis de
	Submit to Quotes

05-04-2005, 07:08 PM	#30
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	I could've watched the candy makers all day long. As a matter of fact, I could just move into World Showcase and be perfectly happy.
	Submit to Quotes