Help - planning Disney holiday of lifetime

[KinkyDorito]

Hi all

I have booked for us to go to Disney in Florida next August. There will be DH and I, and DD (14) and DS (4) - ages for next year.

I want to make this holiday as special as possible. I have been to Florida once, but I didn't organise it. I want to create something very magical. It was DDs request to go there; she has leukaemia and she is due to finish chemotherapy in April 2013. This holiday is to celebrate the end of it, and to give us all something to look forward to.

What I'm after are insider's tips - best places to go, things to see, ways to get best service. We will be staying in the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Currently, I don't plan to drive, so we will be using local transport (I am a big wuss, and I want to enjoy myself and relax after what has been the most difficult time of all of our lives). We have park tickets for all the big ones - Universal, Seaworld and Disney. I think we will also book Discovery Cove.

Any tips would be very gratefully received. I'm working a year in advance so plenty of time.

I'm not having any of that! She will be going on. Even if she cries.

Ive been on the Aerosmith one at EuroDisney. I shit myself it was well quick.

I lurrrve roller coasters.

Kinky! When I get back I'll tell you all about it! Sorry I've hijacked your thread a bit sweetie!

No worries Shirley - your need is more urgent!!

Gordon Bennett! 2 days! This time next week I'll be there! I'll be doing whatever I've planned to do on Sunday! Heh!

You lucky lucky thing Shirley. Best pack some huge ass tena lady. I chickened out of the forbidden journey, am really pissed off that I didn't go on it.

Haha! I'm terrified of the flight though, so even though I'm excited I'm also v scared! Hence the leaving the planning til the last minute, it's a weird procrastinating thing I do in order to forget that I've got to get on a plane and sit on it for an entire day. Oh god oh god oh god.

It will be fine. Virgin do free alcoholic drinks!

I can't be pissed for the entire flight though Bella, I'll be poorly ill.

I'm contemplating night nurse.

OP I hope you all get excited about the planning and have a fab, and well deserved, time at Disney next year.

We have been a fair few times with DC the ages of yours. Some suggestions - find out how far out booking times are for any meals or other Disney events and get on the phone pronto - remember the time difference - as some sell out in minutes.

Some suggestions

Hollywood Studios - Phantasmic (Show on a lake, special effects, fireworks, great music) can combine with a meal (Mama Melrose is great) to ensure entry without queueing.

Epcot - Soaring (get fast pass first thing in the morning), Test Track, Mission Space (two levels of intensity), Living Seas
Meals - the countries are good: France, Mexico, Canada, Japan (Teppanyaki restaurant)

Magic Kingdom - Night time parade I think is better than daytime. Wishes Fireworks - stand at station end of Main Street.

Animal Kingdom - Everest, Bug's Life, Safari - There is also a walking safari that you can book separately (expensive but we enjoyed it)

Restaurants we have enjoyed
Breakfast - Character at 1900 Park Fare Grand Floridian, Chef Mickey's Contemporary, Character at Yacht and Beach Cape May Cafe
Lunch - to be honest we just have a light snack (not the turkey leg they seem to eat like a chicken drumstick), Earl of Sandwich Downtown Disney
Dinner - Jiko (Animal Kingdom Lodge), 1900 Park Fare, Brown Derby (Hollywood Studios), Narcoosees at Grand Floridian

Discovery Cove - a must - well worth the money.

Universal - Hogwarts Ride - need to use locker.

Kennedy Space Centre

Both Disney Water Parks are great fun and make a change from the Parks

Thank you JWIM - those suggestions are fantastic .

Shirley if the Night Nurse does the trick, let me know. Not only will it haze me out for the flight, but it will leave DH to deal with DS. I see this as a win-win.

The only problem with this thread is that it will go poof in 88 days as it's in chat! Could it get moved?

Good idea groovee

MNHQ cooooeeee, over here!

Do we need to report and ask?

HARRY POTTER WARNING: when we went to Islands of Adventure over the Easter holidays we arrived at opening and went straight up to HP (it's at the top of the park and more or less the furthest point from the entrance). Even then, it was so busy that they were giving out tickets for a time slot to come back. There were 4 of us and we had split off into pairs and both ended up with a 4 person slot. When we came back for our allotted time slot around midday there was a couple with two young children who had just come up to HP and were told that all the slots were gone. Luckily we had our spare tickets so they were ok but otherwise they wouldn't have been able to go in at all so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make sure you head straight up there as soon as you get in as it is absolutely amazing and no one should have to miss out!

FYI if you want to eat in one of the HP restaurants book in advance. And make sure you have a butter beer - it is the most delicious thing ever!

Someone also mentioned Cheesecake Factory - definitely the most amazing food and an incredible choice but make sure you save room for dessert! There's one at the Mall at Millennia (although the Florida Mall is, imo, better for shopping).

Definitely second JWIM's Epcot meal suggestions and there is a really sweet little boat ride next to the indoor restuarant in Mexico. But do book for any meals you fancy. My sister is in Florida at the moment and they tried to book a character breakfast a couple of weeks ago but they were all booked up.

Another tip for the Magic Kingdom fire works: just before they start make a dash for the ferry. If you stand at the back of the ferry you not only get an amazing view of the fireworks but you miss the final rush out of the park.

Yes if you really don't want to queue you have to get to thearls for rope drop, even with teens shirl, they will thank you later when you are leaving after lunch and other people are in 80 minute queues.

HP absolutely has to be done first thing or last thing at night. Or you need to book 1 night on site to get two days early entry and front of the line passes.

If you are in a free dining period and want any character meals then these need to be booked when your 180 day window opens.

Thanks for the tip about HP

Hi all,

We have moved this thread over to Longhaul so that it doesn't disappear.

Lots of really interesting and useful stuff.

Thank you sooooooo much Rebecca xx

My big tip is do tell Disney the reason for your trip. You may get some nice little surprises, also if there is any help you need do discuss it with them.
Finally if anything does happen to spoil your stay (Yes I mean you Wayne on the Tower of Terror) do go and talk to customer services they can really turn a bad day around.

Oh and take plenty of plasters, as we got a lot of little cuts/grazes at the water parks. Odd!

Panda, I second the Cheesecake Factory, food was delish.

OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos seems to have been ignored, so I'll voice again concerns for the dolphins and whales. Please please read the following: liberationbc.org/issues/aquariums, there's a section on performing dolphins and whales, please know what you are supporting when you go to places like Sea World.

Other than that, have a great time on your holidays, sounds wonderful.

I'm intrigued now about Wayne on Tower of Terror!!

Rock n Roller Coaster is AWESOME as they say over there.
Everest at Animal Kingdom was like having teeth pulled - only went on it to not disappoint my son. Thank god we were back on the ground when they had a tech malfunction and some poor sods were stuck 100 feet up for ten minutes.

Second Soarin' fast pass as soon as you get to Epcot and don't miss the interractive Crush turtle chat in the Nemo bit too. Epcot is more laid back and spacious - we really enjoyed it. Magic Kingdom is the busiest of everywhere and you need to purchase a fan in there or it's hell We loved a little ride tucked away near Dumbo which is a Goofy mini rollercoaster.

Favourite ride was the Runaway Train in Frontierland in Magic Kingdom. We went on it so many times the assistants chatted to us.

Oh Fantasyland will be bigger and better by the time you get there, and I don't think that little Goofy Rollercoaster will be quite as little or hidden (it was shut for the big re-build when we were there).
We loved the Kim Possible adventure at Epcot, and I think there will be a similar one at the Magic Kingdom. At Epcot don't miss the Coke a Cola place were you can try drinks from around the world, we loved the Watermelon one from China.

I am sure you will find your own secret attractions. If you have a Kindle I downloaded a book on "Hidden Disney" that also added to the attraction a bit.

The Brits Guide to Orlando 2013 is available for pre-order from Amazon for £10.49.

The Unofficial Guide is available to preorder too for a similar price

i wanna know what Wayne did at the tower of terror???