Tips for Disney

[Pizzaslut]

Also, we were really excited for breakfast with the characters at 1900 Park Faire but the buffet food was just okay. Aladdin did teach my daughter a new handshake and it is her favorite thing ever so worth it I guess.

[fancynewbeesly]

Thanks! Being the reservation person is just stressful enough.

My parents, DH and DD1 LOVE Epcot. The only reason they are willing to do Magic Kingdom is for DD2 who has never been. (except as an infant so it doesn't count). DD1 is set in her ways, especially with restaurants-my parents (especially my mom are food snobs). So trying to incorporate DD1s favorites and my parents which is not super easy.

Right now tentatively DH, DD1, DD2 and I arrive on Sunday. We booked Wilderness Cabins for the night. Also going to the Irish restaurant in Disney Springs (DD1s favorite). The next morning we are eating breakfast at O'hana which is another favorite--since has been Lilo and Stitch obsessed since she was 3. We will meet my parents, brother and nephew at MK that day. I did book reservations at Be our Guest for dinner-but a later dinner so that if they wanted to, we could go back to the hotel for a few hours and rest. The nice thing is because DD2 has never really been, she has no expectations of WHAT it will be---and we tend to just be low key not have to do everything family---so she will be happy seeing the castle and going on some rides.

The next day I figured we will be in Epcot. DD1 and DH's FAVORITE restaurant is the German buffet. So I was thinking maybe doing that for lunch when everyone else is relaxing at the pool, etc. Then having a later dinner at the Yacht club steakhouse (my parents request) and walking back to Epcot that night.

The next day going to Hollywood studios-DD1 LOVES Toy Story land and both girls love the Muppets. We would be leaving from there and driving to my parents place in Florida and then relaxing for the next three days before coming back home

[abs]

Jun 18, 2024 10:47:40 GMT -6 fancynewbeesly said:

Thanks! Being the reservation person is just stressful enough.

My parents, DH and DD1 LOVE Epcot. The only reason they are willing to do Magic Kingdom is for DD2 who has never been. (except as an infant so it doesn't count). DD1 is set in her ways, especially with restaurants-my parents (especially my mom are food snobs). So trying to incorporate DD1s favorites and my parents which is not super easy.

Right now tentatively DH, DD1, DD2 and I arrive on Sunday. We booked Wilderness Cabins for the night. Also going to the Irish restaurant in Disney Springs (DD1s favorite). The next morning we are eating breakfast at O'hana which is another favorite--since has been Lilo and Stitch obsessed since she was 3. We will meet my parents, brother and nephew at MK that day. I did book reservations at Be our Guest for dinner-but a later dinner so that if they wanted to, we could go back to the hotel for a few hours and rest. The nice thing is because DD2 has never really been, she has no expectations of WHAT it will be---and we tend to just be low key not have to do everything family---so she will be happy seeing the castle and going on some rides.

The next day I figured we will be in Epcot. DD1 and DH's FAVORITE restaurant is the German buffet. So I was thinking maybe doing that for lunch when everyone else is relaxing at the pool, etc. Then having a later dinner at the Yacht club steakhouse (my parents request) and walking back to Epcot that night.

The next day going to Hollywood studios-DD1 LOVES Toy Story land and both girls love the Muppets. We would be leaving from there and driving to my parents place in Florida and then relaxing for the next three days before coming back home

FYI Yachtsman is pretty terrible. I’ve had better steaks at Texas Roadhouse. If they want a good steak I highly recommend Narcoose’s, Jiko, or Citrico’s. Narcoose’s is our very favorite restaurant on property and the view can’t be beat.

We are here now. It’s hot but honestly not nearly as bad as I was expecting. It’s less humid than Texas at least. Just drink a lot of water. I don’t love Genie+ but do agree with others that it’s necessary anyways. The ILL where you pick your ride time is much better and we have bought either Guardians or Tron every day. Crowds haven’t been too bad. Summer is the slow period now. HS is always a train wreck no matter what so definitely rope drop and get there for resort guest early entry.

Have a great time!!

[fancynewbeesly]

abs

Thanks!

We are staying at the yacht club for two days which is why I made the reservation there-that night trying to make a reservation in the Epcot area so it is easy to go back too.

[brux]

Jun 18, 2024 12:00:09 GMT -6 fancynewbeesly said:

abs

Thanks!

We are staying at the yacht club for two days which is why I made the reservation there-that night trying to make a reservation in the Epcot area so it is easy to go back too.

look into restaurant options at the Swan or Dolphin too. It’s all walking distance from Yacht and/or Epcot.

I think there’s a Shula’s but I know there’s lots of good food at Swan/Dolphin.

[fancynewbeesly]

Jun 18, 2024 12:38:32 GMT -6 brux said:

Jun 18, 2024 12:00:09 GMT -6 fancynewbeesly said:

abs

Thanks!

We are staying at the yacht club for two days which is why I made the reservation there-that night trying to make a reservation in the Epcot area so it is easy to go back too.

look into restaurant options at the Swan or Dolphin too. It’s all walking distance from Yacht and/or Epcot.

I think there’s a Shula’s but I know there’s lots of good food at Swan/Dolphin.

I have been trying. I can easily get reservations for 4 people. But it is definitely slim pickings for 8. I am also trying to get into one of the places at Grand Floridian instead of Be Our Guest--but again, the size of our party is the one thing that is giving me trouble. I am ready to just do two reservations of 4

[brux]

Jun 18, 2024 15:07:12 GMT -6 fancynewbeesly said:

Jun 18, 2024 12:38:32 GMT -6 brux said:

look into restaurant options at the Swan or Dolphin too. It’s all walking distance from Yacht and/or Epcot.

I think there’s a Shula’s but I know there’s lots of good food at Swan/Dolphin.

I have been trying. I can easily get reservations for 4 people. But it is definitely slim pickings for 8. I am also trying to get into one of the places at Grand Floridian instead of Be Our Guest--but again, the size of our party is the one thing that is giving me trouble. I am ready to just do two reservations of 4

One tip I found for Disney Springs (and liekly for Swan/Dolphin) is make reservations thru OpenTable vs. thru Disney.  There was a lot more availability for me on my last two trips that way.

But if that doesn't work, I would just call and ask a human to help you with a party of 8 reservation.

[Cher]

Jun 18, 2024 12:00:09 GMT -6 fancynewbeesly said:

abs

Thanks!

We are staying at the yacht club for two days which is why I made the reservation there-that night trying to make a reservation in the Epcot area so it is easy to go back too.

Do the steakhouse in Canada, Le Cellier. I offended people last time I said Disney has mediocre food. But Disney has mediocre food and I will vouch that Le Cellier is the best restaurant in Disney, not including Victoria and Albert’s.

[joy]

Jun 18, 2024 15:07:12 GMT -6 fancynewbeesly said:

Jun 18, 2024 12:38:32 GMT -6 brux said:

look into restaurant options at the Swan or Dolphin too. It’s all walking distance from Yacht and/or Epcot.

I think there’s a Shula’s but I know there’s lots of good food at Swan/Dolphin.

I have been trying. I can easily get reservations for 4 people. But it is definitely slim pickings for 8. I am also trying to get into one of the places at Grand Floridian instead of Be Our Guest--but again, the size of our party is the one thing that is giving me trouble. I am ready to just do two reservations of 4

I found Be our Guest to be lovely. Stay with it.

[fancynewbeesly]

Jun 18, 2024 16:17:54 GMT -6 joy said:

Jun 18, 2024 15:07:12 GMT -6 fancynewbeesly said:

I have been trying. I can easily get reservations for 4 people. But it is definitely slim pickings for 8. I am also trying to get into one of the places at Grand Floridian instead of Be Our Guest--but again, the size of our party is the one thing that is giving me trouble. I am ready to just do two reservations of 4

I found Be our Guest to be lovely. Stay with it.

The only thing that is giving me pause about it is that it is price fix. With the group of 8 of us, I definitely am looking more for a la carte for dinner--especially because my brother AND my nephew are super picky eaters so the price tag isn't worth it. If it was just 4 or 6--it would be a different story, but I'd rather not book a meal where the kid price is 40 dollars and I know that my nephew won't eat anything on it. 

[lizblue]

Pizzaslut I loved Animal Kingdom too- cooler, less people, gorgeous.

HS was packed with no shade anywhere and it was not my fave. H is a big Star Wars fan so he did enjoy HS.

[Pizzaslut]

Jun 19, 2024 7:46:41 GMT -6 lizblue said:

Pizzaslut I loved Animal Kingdom too- cooler, less people, gorgeous.

HS was packed with no shade anywhere and it was not my fave. H is a big Star Wars fan so he did enjoy HS.

Yes the two men did love their light sabers and the kids loved Slinky Dog and Mickey’s Railway but Animal Kingdom was just much more chill and relaxed.

[AnnPerkins]

Animal Kingdom sux.

We're going in October for the first time since 2020. These Genies and Lanes are giving me anxiety.

[beepers]

I just found out they’re closing the Frontierland shootin arcade and DS will be so sad.

[coffeecake]

It seems to be an UO, but we’re not big Animal Kingdom fans. It’s okay, but on trips when we don’t have time for every park, AK gets cut every time. Epcot is our favorite.

[kittyriot]

We’re going in January! I booked the hotel today!!

We booked with our friends DVC points, so we were waiting for the 7 months out timeframe to not have to book at their home resort.

Our options were limited so we’re at Animal Kingdom Lodge. I don’t have much to compare it to seeing we were there in 2021 and Disney still had a mask mandate. No judgment there, just don’t think we got a true experience while there. I might cry when I hug Winnie the Pooh.

[marsinvestigations]

Jun 19, 2024 14:37:55 GMT -6 AnnPerkins said:

Animal Kingdom sux.

We're going in October for the first time since 2020. These Genies and Lanes are giving me anxiety.

we always combine animal kingdom and HS on a day. Feels like a waste to do a full day at each.

We went last October and did not get genie plus or buy lightning lanes and it was completely fine. We did rope drop every day to make sure we got our top ride done early though.

We went to magic kingdom on a Halloween party day (so park closed at 6 I believe). It was so dead, we rode almost everything twice by the time we had to leave. A lot of people go to the other parks on party days.

[fancynewbeesly]

Jun 19, 2024 15:35:24 GMT -6 coffeecake said:

It seems to be an UO, but we’re not big Animal Kingdom fans. It’s okay, but on trips when we don’t have time for every park, AK gets cut every time. Epcot is our favorite.

That is literally us. We did Animal Kingdom once when DD1 was 3. Not a huge fan then. 

For the most part (minus that trip) when we did Disney it was always a side trip--so usually 2 days. Magic Kingdom always gets done (even though I feel like we could skip it--except that DD2 the last time was there was an infant, so she really needs to see MK)-Epcot is our favorite. 

This time it is Monday at Epcot. Tuesday Magic Kingdom. Wednesday since it is 1/2 day and we are leaving to visit my brother we are doing HS. 

[joy]

Jun 19, 2024 14:37:55 GMT -6 AnnPerkins said:

Animal Kingdom sux.

We're going in October for the first time since 2020. These Genies and Lanes are giving me anxiety.

Nah. Don’t stress or make it hard. Book a ride, set a timer for the next time you can book and move along. We wait in regular lines like regular people, too.

I was there in April and waited in The Little Mermaid ride for 45 min. My kid freaaaaaked at the front and refused to get on. Then the ride was stopped anyway because some kid got off and wandered around the animatronics. Cast member let us out and we got lunch. Lol. Roll with it.

My daughter wanted to do Lightning Lane for the parade. Okay. Honestly? Best view I’ve ever had of that parade and didn’t need to stake out a spot an hour ahead.

[AnnPerkins]

Twist

disneyparksblog.com/wdw/plan-ahead-with-lightning-lane-entry-at-walt-disney-world-starting-july-24/

[dc2london]

Jun 19, 2024 14:37:55 GMT -6 AnnPerkins said:

Animal Kingdom sux.

We're going in October for the first time since 2020. These Genies and Lanes are giving me anxiety.

Well they just changed a bunch of stuff so, buckle up! ;-)

[leahcar]

fancynewbeesly, does your DD still have any restrictions on what she can do? If so, Disney's disability services are AMAZING.

My middle DD has autism and she just cannot handle lines. This was 5 years ago so it's possible things have changed. But they tagged her ticket with something similar to the old versions of Fast Passes. She could scan in for a ride and they would give us a time to come back. We could watch a show, eat, or ride a ride using a normal wait lane (or with our regular Fast Passes) during that time. Once we rode with her "special" pass, she was immediately eligible to do it again.

I was so impressed. They handle special requests so, so well.

[fancynewbeesly]

Jun 28, 2024 15:00:22 GMT -6 leahcar said:

fancynewbeesly, does your DD still have any restrictions on what she can do? If so, Disney's disability services are AMAZING.

My middle DD has autism and she just cannot handle lines. This was 5 years ago so it's possible things have changed. But they tagged her ticket with something similar to the old versions of Fast Passes. She could scan in for a ride and they would give us a time to come back. We could watch a show, eat, or ride a ride using a normal wait lane (or with our regular Fast Passes) during that time. Once we rode with her "special" pass, she was immediately eligible to do it again.

I was so impressed. They handle special requests so, so well.

I have to call tomorrow. Unfortunately they literally JUST changed the program to make it super restrictive (not a lot classifies anymore) so we will see. 😬

[fancynewbeesly]

Another question. My dad purchased the tickets etc for all nine of us. I have the Disney app so obviously I can input the reservations and tickets for us but how would I link everyone else in the non immediate family. I want to start making ride decisions once we get down to our time frame.

[Wtfshouldmynamebe]

Jun 29, 2024 18:10:48 GMT -6 fancynewbeesly said:

Another question. My dad purchased the tickets etc for all nine of us. I have the Disney app so obviously I can input the reservations and tickets for us but how would I link everyone else in the non immediate family. I want to start making ride decisions once we get down to our time frame.

Everyone needs to have their tickets inputted and then you need to become “friends” on the app. The permission they give needs to say that you can make (not just view) plans for them.