We have been to DisneyWorld so many times, as most of our friends know, and therefore know most of the "ins and outs" of the Magical Place. Many of our friends are getting to the point in their lives where their kids are ready for their first experience...and recently, we have been asked for advice. I thought, how fun would it be to blog it for all to see and reference whenever you want. When I told Korey about this, he Jumped at the chance to write down his favorites!
Here is the beginning of our Tips and Top 10 Lists. We will update this as new rides/adventures open up.
So Here goes:
Where to Stay
On the Property for sure! - gives you access to Early & Late entrance to the parks (we've stayed at 2 of the places below...each one for different reasons and going to a 3rd in Jan). Also, they will send you luggage tickets in advance, so all the luggage you check at the airport will go from your departing airport to your hotel room (w/in 3 hrs of your hotel arrival)(I do suggest you try and carry-on anything you might need the 1st 3 hours though).
If you want to spend $$$ on hotel, stay at the Polynesian - Kid friendly, and transportation to the parks is easy via the Monorail (which makes for easy naps during lunch time). - Monorail goes to Magic Kingdom and Epcot - the Polynesian is also within 1 block of the Transportation Center which has buses that will take you Anywhere (MGM, Animal Kingdom, DownTown Disney, etc).
If you want to go Middle of the road $$ with some convenience I suggest Port Orleans- French Quarter. We haven't stayed there yet, but plan to this Jan. It's very close to Epcot, and Epcot has the Monorail to Magic Kingdom - somewhat convenient.
Also, Middle of the road $$ - Animal Kingdom Lodge - It's just really cool for kids. We haven't stayed there yet, but plan to when Berkley and Beckett are a little older, I do think most kids will find it awesome to wake up and see a Giraffe or some other Safari Animal outside the window! Plus, you're right next to the Animal Kingdom (however, somewhat far from the other parks).
If you want to go low cost on the hotel - one of the All Star Resorts ($89/night) - Very Kid Friendly, great pools, but these are the least convenient. You must take buses to all parks, and usually the bus stops are far away.
If you want to spend $$$ on hotel, stay at the Polynesian - Kid friendly, and transportation to the parks is easy via the Monorail (which makes for easy naps during lunch time). - Monorail goes to Magic Kingdom and Epcot - the Polynesian is also within 1 block of the Transportation Center which has buses that will take you Anywhere (MGM, Animal Kingdom, DownTown Disney, etc).
If you want to go Middle of the road $$ with some convenience I suggest Port Orleans- French Quarter. We haven't stayed there yet, but plan to this Jan. It's very close to Epcot, and Epcot has the Monorail to Magic Kingdom - somewhat convenient.
Also, Middle of the road $$ - Animal Kingdom Lodge - It's just really cool for kids. We haven't stayed there yet, but plan to when Berkley and Beckett are a little older, I do think most kids will find it awesome to wake up and see a Giraffe or some other Safari Animal outside the window! Plus, you're right next to the Animal Kingdom (however, somewhat far from the other parks).
If you want to go low cost on the hotel - one of the All Star Resorts ($89/night) - Very Kid Friendly, great pools, but these are the least convenient. You must take buses to all parks, and usually the bus stops are far away.
Tickets
I recommend getting the Hopper Passes (so you can -for example- go to Animal Kingdom in the morning, and then MGM at night). There are plenty of things for kids to do at all 4 Parks. They've added a lot in the last 5-10 years.
Ahead of time, check and see what parks open early & close late and plan your day/night trips accordingly. (We like to Hit the Animal Kingdom in the Morning as early as possible-the animals are out and there's not too much of a crowd) (We also like to hit Magic Kingdom 1st thing in the morning - we're there for the Opening, It's neat, the Characters come out riding a train and singing, and then it opens. - Great way to start your trip!)
Ahead of time, check and see what parks open early & close late and plan your day/night trips accordingly. (We like to Hit the Animal Kingdom in the Morning as early as possible-the animals are out and there's not too much of a crowd) (We also like to hit Magic Kingdom 1st thing in the morning - we're there for the Opening, It's neat, the Characters come out riding a train and singing, and then it opens. - Great way to start your trip!)
Best Places to Eat
Our Top 3
1. Mickey’s Character Breakfast at the Contemporary Resort
2. Japan – Teppan Edo(World Showcase, EPCOT)
3. Ohana (Polynesian Resort)
A couple that we would like to try:
1. Garden Grill - Epcot (Dinner with Mickey, Chip N Dale, Pluto - Family Style Grill - On a Rotating Restaurant)
2. Play House Disney Play "n" Dine - Hollywood Studios - Eat Breakfast/Lunch with Leo & June from Little Einsteins, and JoJo & Goliath
Call 407-WDW-DINE (Make Reservations in advance - to get your preferred time)
1. Mickey’s Character Breakfast at the Contemporary Resort
2. Japan – Teppan Edo(World Showcase, EPCOT)
3. Ohana (Polynesian Resort)
A couple that we would like to try:
1. Garden Grill - Epcot (Dinner with Mickey, Chip N Dale, Pluto - Family Style Grill - On a Rotating Restaurant)
2. Play House Disney Play "n" Dine - Hollywood Studios - Eat Breakfast/Lunch with Leo & June from Little Einsteins, and JoJo & Goliath
Call 407-WDW-DINE (Make Reservations in advance - to get your preferred time)
Top Attractions for Kids
1. Finding Nemo Clamshell ride & aquarium (EPCOT)
2. Playhouse Disney (Hollywood Studios) – especially if your kids watch this every morning!
3. It’s a Small World (Magic Kingdom)
4. Kilimanjaro Safari (Animal Kingdom) – in the morning!
5. Festival of the Lion King show – (Animal Kingdom)
6. Indy Speedway (Magic Kingdom) – early in the morning, line gets long and hot!
7. Philharmagic 3D show (Magic Kingdom)
8. The Dumbo Alternatives – TriceraTops Spin (Animal Kingdom) or Aladdin’s Magic Carpet Ride (Magic Kingdom) – see “Do Not” list for explanation
9. Buzz Lightyear ride (Magic Kingdom)
10.Peter Pan (Magic Kingdom)
11.Pirates of the Caribbean (Magic Kingdom) – only if your kids aren’t scared of dark
2. Playhouse Disney (Hollywood Studios) – especially if your kids watch this every morning!
3. It’s a Small World (Magic Kingdom)
4. Kilimanjaro Safari (Animal Kingdom) – in the morning!
5. Festival of the Lion King show – (Animal Kingdom)
6. Indy Speedway (Magic Kingdom) – early in the morning, line gets long and hot!
7. Philharmagic 3D show (Magic Kingdom)
8. The Dumbo Alternatives – TriceraTops Spin (Animal Kingdom) or Aladdin’s Magic Carpet Ride (Magic Kingdom) – see “Do Not” list for explanation
9. Buzz Lightyear ride (Magic Kingdom)
10.Peter Pan (Magic Kingdom)
11.Pirates of the Caribbean (Magic Kingdom) – only if your kids aren’t scared of dark
Top Attractions for Adults
Use Early Entrance or fast pass/parent swap for all of these for best use of time
1. Soarin’ (EPCOT)
2. Rockn’ Rollar Coaster (Hollywood Studios)
3. Tower of Terror (Hollywood Studios)
4. Expedition Everest (Animal Kingdom)
5. Splash Mountain (Magic Kingdom)
6. Kilimanjaro Safari (Animal Kingdom) – see note in kids section
7. Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom)
8. Thunder Mountain (Magic Kingdom) – best at night in the dark
9. Buzz Lightyear ride (Magic Kingdom)
10.Light, Motors, Action Stunt Show (Hollywood Studios)
1. Soarin’ (EPCOT)
2. Rockn’ Rollar Coaster (Hollywood Studios)
3. Tower of Terror (Hollywood Studios)
4. Expedition Everest (Animal Kingdom)
5. Splash Mountain (Magic Kingdom)
6. Kilimanjaro Safari (Animal Kingdom) – see note in kids section
7. Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom)
8. Thunder Mountain (Magic Kingdom) – best at night in the dark
9. Buzz Lightyear ride (Magic Kingdom)
10.Light, Motors, Action Stunt Show (Hollywood Studios)
Long, Air Conditioned, Rest & Cool-off Rides
If you need a little cooling off break, find one of these rides (usually short lines). (there are others, but these are our favorites)
1. Maelstrom at Norway (World Showcase, EPCOT)
2. Grand Fiesta ride at Mexico (World Showcase, EPCOT)
3. It’s a Small World (Magic Kingdom)
4. Pirates of the Caribbean (Magic Kingdom)
5. Spaceship Earth (the big ball at EPCOT)
6. Tomorrow Land Transit Authority (Magic Kingdom)
1. Maelstrom at Norway (World Showcase, EPCOT)
2. Grand Fiesta ride at Mexico (World Showcase, EPCOT)
3. It’s a Small World (Magic Kingdom)
4. Pirates of the Caribbean (Magic Kingdom)
5. Spaceship Earth (the big ball at EPCOT)
6. Tomorrow Land Transit Authority (Magic Kingdom)
Shouldn't Miss including some Disney Classics
These are other things you just shouldn't miss including some long time Disney Classics!
1. Lightning McQueen & Mater (real life, full sized cars) come out 2-3 times a day at Hollywood Studios
2. Turkey leg – yummee! – FrontierLand in Magic Kingdom and outdoor restaurant by Tower and Rockn’ Rollar Coaster in Hollywood Studios has them
3. Haunted Mansion (Magic Kingdom)
4. Mad Hatter’s Tea Party (Magic Kingdom) – could be a “Top Kid Attraction” if your kid likes spinning around a lot
5. The Monorail (ride it from Magic Kingdom to EPCOT)
6. Eating in Cinderella’s Castle (Magic Kingdom) – look out for dudes proposing to their lovely (or not-so-lovely) girlfriends
7. Hall of Presidents (Magic Kingdom) – if you’re a nerd and love history (like me)
8. Wine Tasting – Germany, Italy, and/or France (World Showcase, EPCOT)
1. Lightning McQueen & Mater (real life, full sized cars) come out 2-3 times a day at Hollywood Studios
2. Turkey leg – yummee! – FrontierLand in Magic Kingdom and outdoor restaurant by Tower and Rockn’ Rollar Coaster in Hollywood Studios has them
3. Haunted Mansion (Magic Kingdom)
4. Mad Hatter’s Tea Party (Magic Kingdom) – could be a “Top Kid Attraction” if your kid likes spinning around a lot
5. The Monorail (ride it from Magic Kingdom to EPCOT)
6. Eating in Cinderella’s Castle (Magic Kingdom) – look out for dudes proposing to their lovely (or not-so-lovely) girlfriends
7. Hall of Presidents (Magic Kingdom) – if you’re a nerd and love history (like me)
8. Wine Tasting – Germany, Italy, and/or France (World Showcase, EPCOT)
Musicals, Parades, Light & Water Shows
I've listed these in order of what we like the best!
List of Musicals: (these are full of high energy, singing & dancing)
1. Festival of the Lion King – Animal Kingdom
2. Finding Nemo – Animal Kingdom
3. Beauty & the Beast – Hollywood Studios
4. Voyage of the Little Mermaid – Hollywood Studios
List of Parades, Light, & Water Shows:
1. Fantasmic – Water show after Dark (Hollywood Studios)
2. SpectroMagic Parade – NightTime Parade (Magic Kingdom)
3. IllumiNations – Water Show/Lazer Show (Epcot)
4. Disney Dreams Come True Parade – DayTime Parade (Magic Kingdom)
5. Wishes Nighttime Spectacular - Fireworks (Magic Kingdom)
6. Block Party Bash – Parade – Daytime (Hollywood Studios)
7. Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade (Animal Kingdom)
8. Disney Stars & Motor Cars Parade – Daytime (Hollywood Studios)
List of Musicals: (these are full of high energy, singing & dancing)
1. Festival of the Lion King – Animal Kingdom
2. Finding Nemo – Animal Kingdom
3. Beauty & the Beast – Hollywood Studios
4. Voyage of the Little Mermaid – Hollywood Studios
List of Parades, Light, & Water Shows:
1. Fantasmic – Water show after Dark (Hollywood Studios)
2. SpectroMagic Parade – NightTime Parade (Magic Kingdom)
3. IllumiNations – Water Show/Lazer Show (Epcot)
4. Disney Dreams Come True Parade – DayTime Parade (Magic Kingdom)
5. Wishes Nighttime Spectacular - Fireworks (Magic Kingdom)
6. Block Party Bash – Parade – Daytime (Hollywood Studios)
7. Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade (Animal Kingdom)
8. Disney Stars & Motor Cars Parade – Daytime (Hollywood Studios)
"DO NOT" List
These are things that we have experienced and suggest you avoid!
1. Get a crepe at France (World Showcase, EPCOT) – they are not like the ones in France!
2. Eat at Morocco (World Showcase, EPCOT)
3. Stay at a hotel off Disney property – the extra hours and free transportation are huge benefits
4. Wait more than 45 minutes for a ride – utilize early hours and fast passes for all major attractions – this goal is easily accomplished with proper planning
5. Jungle Cruise (Magic Kingdom) – unless you like ridiculously fake animals and terrible jokes
6. Wait in line for 30 minutes to meet Winnie the Pooh (Mickey or Snow White, maybe, but most of you know how I feel about Pooh….)
7. Wait in line at Dumbo - Go on Aladdin's Magic Carpet Ride (Magic Kingdom) or TriceraTops Spin (Animal Kingdom) Instead. It's the exact same ride - minus the wait!
1. Get a crepe at France (World Showcase, EPCOT) – they are not like the ones in France!
2. Eat at Morocco (World Showcase, EPCOT)
3. Stay at a hotel off Disney property – the extra hours and free transportation are huge benefits
4. Wait more than 45 minutes for a ride – utilize early hours and fast passes for all major attractions – this goal is easily accomplished with proper planning
5. Jungle Cruise (Magic Kingdom) – unless you like ridiculously fake animals and terrible jokes
6. Wait in line for 30 minutes to meet Winnie the Pooh (Mickey or Snow White, maybe, but most of you know how I feel about Pooh….)
7. Wait in line at Dumbo - Go on Aladdin's Magic Carpet Ride (Magic Kingdom) or TriceraTops Spin (Animal Kingdom) Instead. It's the exact same ride - minus the wait!
Extra Info/Tips
Fast pass - these are free. When you enter a park (for example Magic Kingdom) and you want to go on a popular ride like Space Moutain, but not wait in the 60-90min line, you can take your park ticket to a kiosk outside that ride, insert your park ticket, and it will give you (your ticket back) & a fast pass with a time frame on it (ex. you can ride from 2:30pm-3:30pm). Their are now 2 different lines at Space Moutain, a fast pass line, and the regular line. They only issue a certain number of fast passes for a time specific frame, therefore, the fast pass line is very small/short, and usually takes under 20 minutes (sometimes, you walk right onto the ride). These are very nice, and to be effecient...Korey and I never wait in the long lines, we always have a fast pass for any popular ride. One thing you need to know, is that you can only have 1 fast pass at a time or at least until it is your time (2:30pm in the example above). Once it is 2:30pm, you can take your ticket to another rides fast pass kiosk and get another one.
Parent Swap (pass/ticket) - these are for a ride like Space Moutain too: if a child is too small, or doesn't want to ride it, you can ask the cast member in line at Space Moutain for a Parent Swap pass/ticket. So, (for ex.) Korey would wait in the line (either fast pass line, or regular line), Go on the ride, and then when he is done, he watches the kids and then you take your parent swap ticket, give it to the Cast Member, and they will let you get into the Fast pass line (even if you don't have an actual fast pass) If you do have a fast pass, then you could just use it. The reason I tell you about the Parent Swap, is because sometimes you won't have a Fast pass, or you might want to go on the ride more than once, and the Parent Swap doesn't expire like the Fast pass. - it's a little more efficiency. ;)
- Why this is an advantage? The Parent pass doesn't have a time frame on it and one pass allows for 3 adults to get in the fast pass line. So you could use it right then, or you could take the kids somewhere else, have your hubby meet up with you and then go back. (like a fast pass - but with no time limit). When you're there... ask any Cast member working on the rides about it, they'll be glad to explain.
Parent Swap (pass/ticket) - these are for a ride like Space Moutain too: if a child is too small, or doesn't want to ride it, you can ask the cast member in line at Space Moutain for a Parent Swap pass/ticket. So, (for ex.) Korey would wait in the line (either fast pass line, or regular line), Go on the ride, and then when he is done, he watches the kids and then you take your parent swap ticket, give it to the Cast Member, and they will let you get into the Fast pass line (even if you don't have an actual fast pass) If you do have a fast pass, then you could just use it. The reason I tell you about the Parent Swap, is because sometimes you won't have a Fast pass, or you might want to go on the ride more than once, and the Parent Swap doesn't expire like the Fast pass. - it's a little more efficiency. ;)
- Why this is an advantage? The Parent pass doesn't have a time frame on it and one pass allows for 3 adults to get in the fast pass line. So you could use it right then, or you could take the kids somewhere else, have your hubby meet up with you and then go back. (like a fast pass - but with no time limit). When you're there... ask any Cast member working on the rides about it, they'll be glad to explain.
Safety Tatoos
You might want to order Safety Tattoos for Children - if they are too young to know your information. (I thought of this as Berkley was running around crazy) He doesn't know his full name or our first names, or our phone numbers - and if someone asked him what our names were he'd probably say...Mom & Dad, how many Mom's and Dad's are there! seriously. Next time we'll have these . http://www.safetytat.com/
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