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Original poster

Anyone else got a Disney Florida trip planned? Want to get excited together and share plans?

998 replies

PaintingTheFlowersRed · 30/09/2012 19:03

We are off to DisneyWorld next year and I am already really excited about it. Anyone else? I'd love to compare notes on what you are doing to prepare. I'm starting to think about how to do a big surprise for the DC when we tell them we are going.

OP posts:
googlyeyes · 13/08/2013 14:35

We're flying off first thing next Thursday...and inexplicably time seems to have slowed down so it feels like aaaaages away Grin. Even taking into account the fact that we booked the holiday in Feb 2012! Have had enough of the anticipation now and want to get on and enjoy the real thing.

We're taking ds1, who has severe autism, so hoping all will be ok. Although tbh he loves disney/ theme parks so much that (assuming we are able to get the access pass thingie that avoids him having to queue) it's only really the flight out there that I'm getting cold sweats about...

Groovee · 13/08/2013 15:29

I'm sure things will be fine Googlyeyes. Just take each moment at the time and do what suits you all.

TheHumancatapult · 13/08/2013 18:22

Googly be aware wdw do not do the no queue card .they moving to a card with time come back or suggest one member queuing and you joining queue later and or using fast pass

PickledMoomin · 14/08/2013 01:25

We have arrived. We're all shattered! The flight was fine (bit bumpy) but the children behaved beautifully.
Didn't have plans for tomorrow but they want to go to Magic KingdomGrin

Groovee · 14/08/2013 06:51

Glad you have arrived and enjoy MK

AnneEyhtMeyer · 14/08/2013 07:01

You'll be up early anyway so make sure you get there for rope drop. Great to see all the characters arrive on the train.

googlyeyes · 14/08/2013 07:48

Thanks Groovee

Humancatapult do they not have the Guest Assistance Card anymore? We had a brilliant experience at Disney Paris with one of those.

Groovee · 14/08/2013 07:52

They do have the Guest Assistance Card but they'll explain how it works when you get one at Guest Relations.

MOSagain · 14/08/2013 07:54

2 more sleeps

mummytime · 14/08/2013 08:02

The guest Assistance Card at WDW is based on individual need rather than just "queue jumping". However a) the queues are part of the experience, b) when we went at this time of year with no guest relations card we barely queued c) their guest relations staff are excellent (guest care is generally pretty good compared to UK, but some are just OK, the guest relations staff are superb).
The new Guest Assistance card is good as it can give you extra things rather than a one size fits all, and it does involve thinking about issues that could arise at the start of the trip. (Eg. Fireworks etc.).

Groovee · 14/08/2013 08:03

We're back to full normality today, the schools are back. Florida seems a distant memory now.

googlyeyes · 14/08/2013 13:17

Thanks mummytime. Will investigate further just so we're prepared.

I completely agree with you that queuing is part of the experience. I was there 2 years ago in April (without ds1) and queuing never bothered me. However ds1 is incapable of waiting more than a short while. It's just an inherent part of his disability and he has no comprehension of the need to wait.

I have heard rumours that the GAC was being routinely abused, which is very sad. Pre autism being in our lives I a) never cared about queuing, it built up anticipation v nicely b) never would have considered begrudging a disabled person the extra help they may need. I would take the queuing every time over the alternative!

mummytime · 14/08/2013 20:06

I found using he flexipasses really reduced our queuing, and if you do swaps (needed as we had a child who didn't like any scarey rides, now diagnosed) you usually get extra fast passes. We had one issue but got an apology and lots of extra fast passes when we complained.
If you have a GAC card, it could help alert staff that you need help if for example you need to get out during a parade.

I would also prepare well use the Brit site and the unofficial guide. Be prepared for the rides that are very difficult to get on, and the latest ways fast passes etc. work (you can hold more than one for example, just you can't request more than one in a certain time). Do also build in time to destress for everyone.

PickledMoomin · 15/08/2013 00:41

MK today which was fairly busy. We arrived just in time to see the characters arrive which made the day.
DS was allowed to go on the Stitch ride (102cm) even though I measured him as 101 but not splash or thunder mountain.
Crazy storm this pm/eve. We stood outside Wallmart for half hour waiting for it to stop.
Character meal in Downtown Disney tomorrow. Any tips?

PickledMoomin · 15/08/2013 00:42

Have fun Mos!

MOSagain · 15/08/2013 06:21

Thanks pickled. Which character meal do they do in downtown Disney? We've booked rainforest cafe there for next week. Enjoy

MOSagain · 15/08/2013 06:22

Thanks pickled. Which character meal do they do in downtown Disney? We've booked rainforest cafe there for next week. Enjoy

Tiredemma · 15/08/2013 06:25

Queuing for the Harry Potter ride at universal was an adventure alone!

Groovee · 15/08/2013 07:34

They don't do any character meals in DTD. But the rainforest cafe and the T-Rex one is there.

I wished the queue hadn't gone so fast in Harry Potter.

MOSagain · 15/08/2013 07:40

groovee thats what I thought but pickled said she is going to one. We'd checked a month or so ago and couldn't find anything so booked the rainforest.

Am so looking forward to a bit of relaxation by the pool, weather permitting. We've decided not to do Seaworld Universal or IOA this year and are going to do a few days at legoland and their waterpark and only one disney day, probably Hollywood Studios as not been for a few years. It all gets a bit much otherwise (for DH)! Wink

Looking forward to Old Town on saturday night (just off 192 a mile or so from Celebration) they have their classic car show night which is always good and the kids love the Pirates golf next to it. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO looking forward to dinner at Kobe, our favourite restaurant

Groovee · 15/08/2013 08:58

We enjoyed chilling by the pool. A few fanatics who think Florida is all about parks were horrified we did 6 parks/2 water parks and quite a few rest days.

My dd's godparents go to Florida every year and stay in Sarasota and have a ball. There's so much to do in and around Florida it's a fab place.

PickledMoomin · 15/08/2013 12:15

Just checked and it's in contemporary resort. Thank god for you ladies. Need to try and sort transport... Had booked to go to downtown

PickledMoomin · 15/08/2013 12:17

It's the TRex cafe that we have booked in Downtown

Groovee · 15/08/2013 12:26

Whoops Pickled at least you've checked. Have fun. My tip is stay at your table and wait your turn. It ruined it for us at Chef Mickeys when the american mother kept trying to push her daughter in to our time. Have autographs books open and camera's at the ready and enjoy the interaction.

PickledMoomin · 15/08/2013 13:40

Thanks Groove. Will do.
Changed transport to MK. Can you then get the monorail to contemporary? How long does that take?