re: First time Disneyworld family trip - HELP NEEDED!

I know but u need to go to universal to get fricking breaking from disney and that fricking Moose. Disney is stressful, Universal is relaxing

Wut? Universal is way more hectic than Disney. Less space with tons of people cramped in.

Just got back
Stayed at Hilton Lake Buena Vista on my AMEX points, free room for 8 nights

We did park hopper but it was a waste, we did a park a day

We went to universal, I didn't like it too much. Too much Harry Potter and some of the rides and traffic areas have terrible designs. I hated the locker BS

we made the trip mostly about rides during the day and a great dinner at night. Spent more but had a great time.

We would ride the busses in and took a cab home at night. Cost about $25 per trip but was soooo worth it. We used the monorail to get around to the resorts.

We ate at: Citrico's in Grand Floridian, the cafe in The contemporary, Tony's in MK, Bongo's in Disney Springs, Cowfish at Universal, watched LSU vs Ole Piss at ESPN Zone and the highlight was Le Cellier in Epcot

My kids are teens so this trip was their Christmas present

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1 - It's going to cost money, just accept that. There's some good advice about means/drinks etc. that will help.

2 - You're stupid if you stay off site. People will say you can get a cheaper room, and that's true. But what do you lose by doing it? TIME, which is far more valuable. The All-Star resorts are nice, and the buses run every 20 min going to the parks. The time you save there is invaluable, not to mention you have young kids. They'll get tired, you get tired. Get up early and go, head back to the room in the middle of the day, get a nap, hit the pool, and head back in the afternoon for more.

3 - Character Breakfast, do one. I recommend Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary Resort. If you have twin girls, there's one in the Norway section I think they still do that's princess themed. It's been a long time since my girls were little so I can't speak to how that one is done these days.

4 - Don't try to do it all at once. Relax, you'll enjoy it a lot more. Use the apps, fastpass. You'll be glad you did.

5 - I'm sure the guides are great. Best advice I can give you really though, is look online at the park maps. Get an idea how you want to move through the park. Where the restaurants you might want to eat at are, restrooms, etc. And of course what rides you want to make sure you don't miss.

6 - On the Kali River ride in Animal Kingdown...wear a swimsuit and a shirt/top that dries pretty easy. Put your shoes/socks in the center. You'll hate yourself if you don't. Somebody on that ride isn't just going to get wet...they're gonna get soaked. It might be you. It's usually me

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This man knows what he is talking about!

This guy knows his shite. I'm a veteran, being going since the place opened and know what an E ticket ride was.

Some good advice to enjoy the trip.

1 - It's going to cost money, just accept that. There's some good advice about means/drinks etc. that will help. Agree, 1000%. Try to eat at California kitchen or whatever it is called on top of Contemporary. Also the pineapple ice cream thing in Adventure land is good and the little food deal right when u cross over into Liberty square has funnel cakes etc that are actually eatable and used to have fresh kettle corn that was great.

2 - You're stupid if you stay off site. People will say you can get a cheaper room, and that's true. But what do you lose by doing it? TIME, which is far more valuable. The All-Star resorts are nice, and the buses run every 20 min going to the parks. The time you save there is invaluable, not to mention you have young kids. They'll get tired, you get tired. Get up early and go, head back to the room in the middle of the day, get a nap, hit the pool, and head back in the afternoon for more. Never stayed at allstar suites but people seems to be ok with it.

3 - Character Breakfast, do one. I recommend Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary Resort. If you have twin girls, there's one in the Norway section I think they still do that's princess themed. It's been a long time since my girls were little so I can't speak to how that one is done these days. I have done them all at least twice and I agree that is best one.

4 - Don't try to do it all at once. Relax, you'll enjoy it a lot more. Use the apps, fastpass. You'll be glad you did. Try is operative word. U are going wait hours in line, just accept it. Get that Heads up app, kids hand held games etc and u can play games with kids while u want. Yes people at first will stare at u, and then with twenty minutes everyone else will ask you where to get it.

5 - I'm sure the guides are great. Best advice I can give you really though, is look online at the park maps. Get an idea how you want to move through the park. Where the restaurants you might want to eat at are, restrooms, etc. And of course what rides you want to make sure you don't miss. I think they will mail u actual guidemaps for free Maybe PDF emailed now.

6 - On the Kali River ride in Animal Kingdown...wear a swimsuit and a shirt/top that dries pretty easy. Put your shoes/socks in the center. You'll hate yourself if you don't. Somebody on that ride isn't just going to get wet...they're gonna get soaked. It might be you. It's usually me. He isnt kidding. I was so pissed first time I remember saying i might as well just jumped in teh damn river.

It is for the kids, and they will remember it forever. Get your wife some xanax etc and relax. When i was young we would light a J on the people mover and really relax but I don't think they let u do that anymore. Good ole days. That and the trains are great time wasters and places to relax.


If u go to epcot do not do that damn space ride with 2x-4x gravity or u may be sorry, the food there can be awesome btw if you mother in law will keep the kids. I used to love to go to France and eat there and watch the fireworks.

Also they use to have these Kim Impossible GPS scavenger hunt deals there. i think they were free but my kids were just talking about how much fun they were if they still have that. I think it was free or cheap

Touring plans is the goat

We went in July and saw and rode everything we wanted and never waited in line more than thirty minutes

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We went in July and saw and rode everything we wanted and never waited in line more than thirty minutes

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I'm not sure if you saw my last post.....

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We went in the middle of July and the longest we ever waited was 20 minutes. Rope drop is the key, though.

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Oh and this is crazy, but it looks like it is a crowed time. Book that character breakfast asap. Those damn things are very very popular. If u cant get, just keep trying we have walked into crystal palace several times and the castle at least three times when they told me they were booked for months. People get tired, kids get sick etc. Always cancellations but best to book Early. I have gotten into the damn California Kitchen to watch fireworks twice out of probably 15 visits.

Not so subtle brag with the Amex.

Those lockers are a disaster. They don't work. If you don't time it right, you have to fork up money. There's no system eo get in and out without running over people. No one thought that out.

I could see how a taxi is worth it if your staying out a non Disney resort. We typically stay on property and I've never had a problem with Disney transportation. And we've been multiple times with my wife's grandmother who requires a scooter. Our next trip will be at a monorail resort. I have a feeling I won't be able to stay at any other place after this.

Citricos and Le Cellier are two really good places. I also love California Grill, Tepan Edo (Japan), and O'hana at the Poly. Other places we like more for the experience than the food are breakfast in the Castle, Hoop-Dee-Doo Review, and Sci-Fi.

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6 - On the Kali River ride in Animal Kingdown...wear a swimsuit and a shirt/top that dries pretty easy. Put your shoes/socks in the center. You'll hate yourself if you don't. Somebody on that ride isn't just going to get wet...they're gonna get soaked. It might be you. It's usually me. He isnt kidding. I was so pissed first time I remember saying i might as well just jumped in teh damn river.

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If you didn't go in over your head jumping in the river...you'd have probably been drier. I swear I was completely submerged the last time.

First time I didn't know better either, I spent 10 minutes wringing out my clothes so they didn't weigh an extra 20 pounds.

And of course we said heck with it, we're already wet, and rode it again.....Yep, got soaked again, but not quite as bad. My eldest daughter got the worst of it that time