Moose
I dont care about any other Disney theme parks, just the one in Orlando.
Answer
If you can afford it, the "A" hotels are truly dreamy -- great service and great views. Savannah view rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge let you see wildlife while enjoying breakfast in bed. The Polynesian is within walking distance of Magic Kingdom and the nightly fireworks are visible from the lake shore behind the hotel.
The "C" hotels are the lowest price, and get you all the perks and privileges of being a WDW guest, but I think it's a better value to pay a little more for a "B" hotel and have more amenities (like water slides and hot tubs, bigger rooms with fridge and microwave) OR bring my tent to Fort Wilderness and enjoy really low prices AND be able to set up a camp kitchen. (Disney food can be VERY expensive.) If you are bringing kids, there is more for them to amuse themselves with at Fort Wilderness (especially if you bring or rent bikes) so they're not underfoot in your hotel room all the time. Choose a hotel in your price range by location, something adjacent to the park you visit most often.
Best rides:
Animal Kingdom. Take the safari ride http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/attractionDetail?id=KilimanjaroSafarisAttractionPage first because the animals are most active in the early morning unless it's an unusually chilly day. Then do the time travel dinosaur ride (forget the name) and Everest Expidition coaster. Make some time to see some of animal shows too. The bird show is especially amazing, with trained birds interacting with audience members and an after show opportunity to see the birds up close and ask questions of the handlers. AK restaurants are nothing special, mostly snack bars with astronomically priced 'bronto burgers & T-rex fries,' but the Rain Forest Cafe is delighful, if pricey. If there is RFC near your home, it will be identical except for lower prices and no Disney theme items in the gift shops.
Epcot. A great mix and match of things. My favorite is Ellen's Energy Adventure, a must for fans of Ellen Degeneres, Jeopardy, or Dinosaur animatronics http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/attractionDetail?id=EllensEnergyAdventureAttractionPage. There are quite a few hi-tech interactive playrooms for kids; some kids could spend hours at this and others get bored quickly. The Epcot World Village area is an assortment of complexes within the park, each with a national theme such as Japan, Norway, France, or Morroco. Most have a gift shop with authentic items from the host nation, a restaurant or two serving the national cuisine, and some also have a ride or presentation about the host nation. There are usually dance and music troops giving sidewalk entertainment at each pavillion. On my last visit, I was trying to imitate and Irish dance step, and dancer stepped out to give me an improptu private lesson!
The Norway ride is really exciting (compared with the other pavillion attractions, that is) and the French Bakery serves a reasonably priced, delicious sandwish and desert with a small bottle of wine or 'sidewalk' dining. If dining and shopping are important to you, Epcot is your place. Make sure to take advantage of 'will call' for your purchases; pick the up at guest services as you leave the park or have them delivered to your (on campus) room. If The Living Seas restaurant is still serving, invest in at least one day of Disney Dining Plan to have dolphins, giant rays, and huge sea turtles swimming past your table. Make reservations way in advance to get 'aquarium side' seating.
My MGM favorites are http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/attractionDetail?id=IndianaJonesEpicStuntSpectacularAttractionPage, http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/attractionDetail?id=TheDisneyMGMStudiosBacklotTourAttractionPage, which includes Catastrophe Canyon, http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/attractionDetail?id=TheGreatMovieRideAttractionPage, where the Wicked Witch of the West plunges you into a movie magic dimension that includes Wild West Gun Fights, Scarlette O'Hara's Tara, and other classic film scenes. http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/dining/diningDetail?id=PrimeTimeCafeDiningPage is a Fifties Diner with the world's freshest, snarkiest waitersses; be prepared for a lecture on finishing your vegetables! Toy Story Pizza Planet is favorite with children. It's been many years since my last visit to MGM, and there are a lot of new rides and shows I'm not familiar with.
Magic Kingdom. The first and still the best. This is where you'll find the iconic Cinderella Castle, Mad Teaparty (ride a whirling tea cup), and Flying Dumbos. http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/attractionDetail?id=JungleCruiseAttractionPage, http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/attractionDetail?id=TheHauntedMansionAttractionPage, http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/attractionDetail?id=PiratesoftheCaribbeanAttractionPage, http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/attractionDetail?id=TheEnchantedTikiRoomUnderNewManagementAttractionPage, http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/attractionDetail?id=CountryBearJamboreeAttractionPage, and http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/attractionDetail?id=BigThunderMountainRailroadAttractionPage sound like a lot to cram into one day, but you want to stay late to see the fireworks show anyways, right? MK has the best parades, real 'must see' shows with amazing special effects floats and "real live" Disney characters. It's an easy walk from MK to The Polynesian Resort, for relaxed poolside dining. (Visit the hotel convenience store for a box of crackers, pound of cheese, jug of a drink, and a few apples to create an picnic meal economy meal. You can also watch the MK fireworks from the lake shore behind The Polynesian.
Indulge in at least one Character Dining experience to get the best photo ops with Mickey. Since rides 'conveniently' disembark within gift shops, start training your family right now to don't touch, don't even look, just walk by. Those $8 Mickey shoe laces and $12 'ear' hats can add up in a hurry.
If you're spending more than 4-5 days at WDW, you might want to plan a relaxing afternoon at Typhoon Lagoon. Kids can slide and surf while adults veg in lounge chairs or float round and round the circular Lazy River. Last time I was there, we were permitted to bring in a small picnic with ice chest and igloo jug of screwdrivers. Relaxed parents indeed! Thank Goodness for the WDW transportation system.
Give WDW a call right now at Guest Information
(407) 939-6244. These agents are knowledgable and helpful, very active in suggesting you most economical option rather than (like some other major Orlando attaction that I won't name) constantly urgint you to upgrade and spend more. Skip the cost of Park Hopper, unless you want to visit another theme pard after Animal Kingdom, which closes early so the animals can sleep. Any one park has plenty to keep you amused all day long, and you want to spend in the park, not spending 60-90 minutes getting from one park to another. If someone in your party would enjoy (not need, just enjoy) a wheelchair, rent one off campus for a week for about the same price you'd by the day at WDW. It won't let you skip lines, but it will give you a cart to carry your stuff on and a handy place to give your feet a rest. Everyone should have a compact rain poncho and dry sox (quick drying synthetic, not cotton) as Florida rains are very sudden and very hard, but short.
Have fun and tell Pluto (my favorite) that I'll be seeing him in December.
If you can afford it, the "A" hotels are truly dreamy -- great service and great views. Savannah view rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge let you see wildlife while enjoying breakfast in bed. The Polynesian is within walking distance of Magic Kingdom and the nightly fireworks are visible from the lake shore behind the hotel.
The "C" hotels are the lowest price, and get you all the perks and privileges of being a WDW guest, but I think it's a better value to pay a little more for a "B" hotel and have more amenities (like water slides and hot tubs, bigger rooms with fridge and microwave) OR bring my tent to Fort Wilderness and enjoy really low prices AND be able to set up a camp kitchen. (Disney food can be VERY expensive.) If you are bringing kids, there is more for them to amuse themselves with at Fort Wilderness (especially if you bring or rent bikes) so they're not underfoot in your hotel room all the time. Choose a hotel in your price range by location, something adjacent to the park you visit most often.
Best rides:
Animal Kingdom. Take the safari ride http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/attractionDetail?id=KilimanjaroSafarisAttractionPage first because the animals are most active in the early morning unless it's an unusually chilly day. Then do the time travel dinosaur ride (forget the name) and Everest Expidition coaster. Make some time to see some of animal shows too. The bird show is especially amazing, with trained birds interacting with audience members and an after show opportunity to see the birds up close and ask questions of the handlers. AK restaurants are nothing special, mostly snack bars with astronomically priced 'bronto burgers & T-rex fries,' but the Rain Forest Cafe is delighful, if pricey. If there is RFC near your home, it will be identical except for lower prices and no Disney theme items in the gift shops.
Epcot. A great mix and match of things. My favorite is Ellen's Energy Adventure, a must for fans of Ellen Degeneres, Jeopardy, or Dinosaur animatronics http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/attractionDetail?id=EllensEnergyAdventureAttractionPage. There are quite a few hi-tech interactive playrooms for kids; some kids could spend hours at this and others get bored quickly. The Epcot World Village area is an assortment of complexes within the park, each with a national theme such as Japan, Norway, France, or Morroco. Most have a gift shop with authentic items from the host nation, a restaurant or two serving the national cuisine, and some also have a ride or presentation about the host nation. There are usually dance and music troops giving sidewalk entertainment at each pavillion. On my last visit, I was trying to imitate and Irish dance step, and dancer stepped out to give me an improptu private lesson!
The Norway ride is really exciting (compared with the other pavillion attractions, that is) and the French Bakery serves a reasonably priced, delicious sandwish and desert with a small bottle of wine or 'sidewalk' dining. If dining and shopping are important to you, Epcot is your place. Make sure to take advantage of 'will call' for your purchases; pick the up at guest services as you leave the park or have them delivered to your (on campus) room. If The Living Seas restaurant is still serving, invest in at least one day of Disney Dining Plan to have dolphins, giant rays, and huge sea turtles swimming past your table. Make reservations way in advance to get 'aquarium side' seating.
My MGM favorites are http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/attractionDetail?id=IndianaJonesEpicStuntSpectacularAttractionPage, http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/attractionDetail?id=TheDisneyMGMStudiosBacklotTourAttractionPage, which includes Catastrophe Canyon, http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/attractionDetail?id=TheGreatMovieRideAttractionPage, where the Wicked Witch of the West plunges you into a movie magic dimension that includes Wild West Gun Fights, Scarlette O'Hara's Tara, and other classic film scenes. http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/dining/diningDetail?id=PrimeTimeCafeDiningPage is a Fifties Diner with the world's freshest, snarkiest waitersses; be prepared for a lecture on finishing your vegetables! Toy Story Pizza Planet is favorite with children. It's been many years since my last visit to MGM, and there are a lot of new rides and shows I'm not familiar with.
Magic Kingdom. The first and still the best. This is where you'll find the iconic Cinderella Castle, Mad Teaparty (ride a whirling tea cup), and Flying Dumbos. http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/attractionDetail?id=JungleCruiseAttractionPage, http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/attractionDetail?id=TheHauntedMansionAttractionPage, http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/attractionDetail?id=PiratesoftheCaribbeanAttractionPage, http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/attractionDetail?id=TheEnchantedTikiRoomUnderNewManagementAttractionPage, http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/attractionDetail?id=CountryBearJamboreeAttractionPage, and http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/attractionDetail?id=BigThunderMountainRailroadAttractionPage sound like a lot to cram into one day, but you want to stay late to see the fireworks show anyways, right? MK has the best parades, real 'must see' shows with amazing special effects floats and "real live" Disney characters. It's an easy walk from MK to The Polynesian Resort, for relaxed poolside dining. (Visit the hotel convenience store for a box of crackers, pound of cheese, jug of a drink, and a few apples to create an picnic meal economy meal. You can also watch the MK fireworks from the lake shore behind The Polynesian.
Indulge in at least one Character Dining experience to get the best photo ops with Mickey. Since rides 'conveniently' disembark within gift shops, start training your family right now to don't touch, don't even look, just walk by. Those $8 Mickey shoe laces and $12 'ear' hats can add up in a hurry.
If you're spending more than 4-5 days at WDW, you might want to plan a relaxing afternoon at Typhoon Lagoon. Kids can slide and surf while adults veg in lounge chairs or float round and round the circular Lazy River. Last time I was there, we were permitted to bring in a small picnic with ice chest and igloo jug of screwdrivers. Relaxed parents indeed! Thank Goodness for the WDW transportation system.
Give WDW a call right now at Guest Information
(407) 939-6244. These agents are knowledgable and helpful, very active in suggesting you most economical option rather than (like some other major Orlando attaction that I won't name) constantly urgint you to upgrade and spend more. Skip the cost of Park Hopper, unless you want to visit another theme pard after Animal Kingdom, which closes early so the animals can sleep. Any one park has plenty to keep you amused all day long, and you want to spend in the park, not spending 60-90 minutes getting from one park to another. If someone in your party would enjoy (not need, just enjoy) a wheelchair, rent one off campus for a week for about the same price you'd by the day at WDW. It won't let you skip lines, but it will give you a cart to carry your stuff on and a handy place to give your feet a rest. Everyone should have a compact rain poncho and dry sox (quick drying synthetic, not cotton) as Florida rains are very sudden and very hard, but short.
Have fun and tell Pluto (my favorite) that I'll be seeing him in December.
What is the best family friendly campground you have ever visited (tent camping but not totally roughing it)?
Q. We are a family of 4. The kids are 2 and 5. We love to camp, but like bath houses nearby...and electricity for a fan on hot nights. We live in VA...so either here or a state close by. Links would be awesome.
Answer
Fort Wilderness Disney World
Fort Wilderness Disney World
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