NFT: Disney recommendations?

just magic kingdom? 7 and 8 year old girls will like that the best.

My recommendation is lunch with the princesses if they still have reservations. my kids liked it.

Also, you can only have one ride at a time booked with fast pass as far as I know.

if you go to epcot, fast pass soarin, it's good for all ages, but they might not be that into epcot at that age.

a lot of the information you are looking for.

The following advice is for maximizing the number of attractions you see, minimizing waiting on lines, and avoiding Disney meltdowns.

1) Get your asses out of bed early, eat a quick breakfast in your room and be at the park before it opens. This is one of the most important tips for enjoying Disney. If you wanted to sleep in, you should have gone to the beach.

2) Have a plan. If you show up and wander aimlessly you will end up waiting on huge lines in Florida heat. Whining will ensue. Plan the popular and slow loading attractions for first thing in the morning, and the other stuff for later.

3) Take a siesta. You can't drag kids around for 14 hours a day. You'll both end up hating your vacation. Assuming you followed tip 1, you'll be hungry for lunch late morning when the masses arrive. Have your lunch before the lunch crowds descend, hit a couple of more easy rides after lunch, and then head back to the hotel for an afternoon break. Return in the early evening when everyone else is leaving.

4) the book linked below is the Disney bible. Buy it, read it, live it.


The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World - ( New Window )

Are you staying in Disney or getting a hotel?

If you're staying in Disney check out the Dining Plan and it's variations. If used correctly and to it's fullest it's well worth it. The biggest drawback is you need to make reservations which makes you committed to times so you may not be as flexable as you may like to be. But as I said if used correctly it saves a lot because everything is costly. You can use it for Character meals and I believe the Princess Breakfast is included. There is also a thing where they can get all made up as a princess. Make up and all.

You can make fast passes ahead of time but there is a limit. Magic Kingdom is the best park for your girls. You said you were going in a month or so. It's not at busy latter in August because a lot of states start school earlier then in the NY Metro area. Jersey usually goes back right after labor day.

How long are you staying? Might want to think about a day at Universal. They just expanded the Harry Potter exhibits/ area and it's pretty cool!

Best advice was to get out of bed early. If you sleep in an extra 30 min you run the risk of ruining your whole day. With fast pass you get 3 a day just getting there early and beating lines you can save fast passes for when the park starts to fill up. Epcot my boys love test track just got to park early raced over line was 10 min and set up my 3 fast passes for later in the day

Every time i read disney dos and donts it just seems like a giant hassle.

early, we weren't the first ones at any parks, I had three kids all under 10, one 4 year old and we had a great time.

We stayed at a disney property, but when we left the parks the kids wanted to hang out at the hotel pool.

or walk around the boardwalk and do other things.

I would stress having fun and not trying to go on every single ride, especially if you have small children.

waiting sucks, and the heat sucks, but this isn't vacation and you're not the griswolds, just have fun.

I think it's actually hard to have a bad time unless you're very anal about stuff.

we will do often, if ever again.

mu daughter is 9 and my son is 6. Haven't been there in 30 years, i'm sure its changed a bit ha ha. The wife has taken care of the booking with the meals and fast pass stuff. we are staying on site at the Art of Animation. We are not early risers, but we booked early breakfasts to get going early.We will definitely do the siesta thing and then go back in the early evening.

Get there when the park opens. If you can get into the epcot resorts you will avoid buses to Epcot and hollywood studios. unfortunately lines in the summer can be long. Best advice is to take kids out of school post labor day through January. Shorter lines. Early May is good. Avoid all three day weekends.

The Lua dinner at the poynesian resort. You will have to make reservations asap, but its a good family friendly show and fantastic food. Definitely a nice break from the parks for an evening.

In comment 11786009 pjcas18 said:

Quote:

early, we weren't the first ones at any parks, I had three kids all under 10, one 4 year old and we had a great time. We stayed at a disney property, but when we left the parks the kids wanted to hang out at the hotel pool. or walk around the boardwalk and do other things. I would stress having fun and not trying to go on every single ride, especially if you have small children. waiting sucks, and the heat sucks, but this isn't vacation and you're not the griswolds, just have fun. I think it's actually hard to have a bad time unless you're very anal about stuff.

THIS!
Do what's in your character. Getting up early will maximize opportunities to do everything, but if it's not something you are very comfortable doing, then its too much like work.

We always got up whenever, had a leisurely and enjoyable breakfast and enjoyed the rest of the day. I definitely do recommend breaks back at the hotel.

During the slower weeks you can get away with a more leisurely approach. Flexibility also helps: if you're happy to pass on rides with big lines, it makes things easier. Not always a palatable option with kids.

Your kids will love that. Stick around for the fireworks and parade in Magic Kingdom. It's the one they won't forget. And if you're staying in the park, take note of the extra magic hours. Each day, one park has either early or late hours open only to people staying in the park. Obviously, there are fewer people present. During those periods and you can really cover a lot of ground and get on rides with much shorter wait times.

Be aware not all rides are open then. Generally it's the really popular ones.

so if Moondwg knows the difference, then he is going to California and not Florida. That would chance most of the responses above.

i know see the "florida" Way too much to drink tonight.

The parks themselves are well designed and fun toi stroll through. If you worry about just hitting all the "must do" rides, you'll mis some of what makes Disney great imho. There are parks that are a lot closer with better rides if that's your thing.

Now, having said that, there are some really great rides at Disney that fill up fast. Soar'n at Epcot, splash mountain and all of the 'coasters at Magic Kingdom, Everest and the Dinosaur ride at Animal Kingdom, and Rock n Roll rollercaster and Tower of terror at Hollywood studios are all rides I would fast pass early .

Have fun!

In comment 11786272 EricJ (formerly Tyleraimee) said:

Quote:

so if Moondwg knows the difference, then he is going to California and not Florida. That would chance most of the responses above.

This was my fault for using the wrong name. Sorry.

...e-mail me at pabange@yahoo.com. My tips are too long for a post.