Anyone got a Disneyworld / Florida holiday planned - Part 4

[ChippyMinton]

Hope no-one minds if I start another thread as the old one is full?

Or are you all in Orlando now?

www.dmv.org/fl-florida/safety-laws.php only 5 and under need car seats.

Boat and monorail (when it's running) will get you to Magic Kingdom from the Transportation and Ticket Center.

It's about $300 for a private cabana or about $40 for a "premium" shaded spot at both Disney water parks, but these go super quick so best to pre-book. FWIW I've travelled with a non swimming adult and they've still gone on the slides as the water is shallow at the end. The lazy river is a definite must-do!

Can you pre-book the premium umbrellas/shaded seating areas in Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach in advance? I had a look on the websites but can't see how to do it online?

You can prepare book by calling the recreational number which I think is 407-939-1929 if you're in the US. If you want to pre-book from the UK just call the UK reservations line and they should be able to put you through to someone to avoid international calls charges. Their number is 0800 1690 743. If they put you on hold you get to listen to Disney music

Thanks Booph

We're off to Florida for the first time in July. The kids like rollercoaster a up to a point but I really don't like them at all. DH will be happy to go on rides with them but I was wondering how it works if I don't go on. Can I queue alongside them and then sort of sidle off? Is there plenty to do that doesn't involve rides?

You can stay with them on most, if not all, and I would definitely encourage you to on most Disney rides as the queues are often immensely detailed and interactive. That said, there aren't actually many big coasters, especially not in Disney, so you may find yourself surprised at what you enjoy.

Brilliant, thanks so much for the reply! I was hoping I'd be able to do that. I don't like even little fairground tides but no doubt I'll have to try something! I liked the sound of Splash Mountain until I heard about the drop at the end. Whatever the opposite of thrill seeker is, I'm it. Nice cup of tea and a sit down seeker maybe.

My mum was like that the first time she took us in our teens but she is now a ride convert so never say never..! We tried her in Rock n Roller Coaster first as it was indoors so she couldn't see what was coming

Sitting on Main Street with a cookie and a tea is the best way to spend any evening!

resurgo I'm exactly the same. Not a ride person at all and definitely nothing thay spins as I feel ill for the rest of the day. DH isn't a huge ride fan and neither are DCs so will be interesting to seenwhat we end up on .

Going in september, 3rd year in a row and 5th time overall. Can not wait.

We've been back a few weeks now but have already booked again for October 2018 (did it 2 days after getting back home whilst still jetlagged ) . Am hoping the temperature is a bit more manageable that time of year - we had a mini heatwave while we were there and even the locals were complaining it was too hot. Had a wonderful time but it did slow us down a bit!

It's ages away but does anyone know when the reservation can be put into the My Disney Experience app? I have seen under 500 days / under 200 days / under a year when I've googled but nothing definitive. Have tried doing it on the website as well and it's saying it can't find it. No idea when I put it in the app last time but it was definitely way more than 200 days before.

We usually go end of september/early october and its still quite hot but with the odd thunderstorm in the afternoon (and the thunderstorms over there are epic)

Hi all - 6 weeks to go for us and we're trying to put together a plan.

What are your must-sees/dos for the different parks? Kids are 1, 6, 14, 15 (& several big kids!)

Ooo I haven't heard of that app. Sounds good though. We are off in 8 months so wonder if it would work for us. Although i won't be taking my usual mobile with me and am going to get a cheap one with a 3 card as it has something like 25gb data (saw it recommended on The Dibb, can't remember the exact details now).

Patronus the Disney app is excellent, really easy to do Fast Passes and book dining etc. Also has wait times and locations for everything. We lived by it and found it much easier to plan on the hop as well as changing the stuff I'd booked in advance. Also, all the parks have WiFi so we didn't need any data. Some people have reported it to be unreliable (probably when it's very busy) but we never had any issues and used it daily.

Going to Disney in August! 🌞 how do the fast passes work? Does it mean you have a 'slot'? Can you pitch up last minute or do you have to queue for an hour? I am very unorganised and haven't booked or planned anything! Have a week on the beach after.....and have looked more into that 😳

stupid fast passes give you a one hour slot. You can turn up at any point within that hour to join the fast pass queue. Sometimes the fp queues can actually be quite long but they will move quicker than the regular queue. And sometimes you'll be luck and the fp queue will be lovely and short!

Also......how do you actually book restaurants in the parks? Kids desperate to have sushi in "Japan" Epcot. Any good?

Stupidphone if the restaurant does reservations you can either make them through the app/website or calling Disney direct.

If you're staying on property you can make dining reservations up to 180 days from the day you arrive.

stupid there are a few sushi options. California Grill in the Contemporary Hotel is the best (and most expensive) as it has a dedicated sushi bar. Tokyo Dining in Epcot does sushi and has great views. There's a also a Japanese restaurant in the Swan Hotel near Epcot which is highly rated.

Our favourite was Teppan Edo in Japan though which is an amazing teppanyaki restaurant. You share the grill with 8 people and watch the chef prepare the food in front of you. You get a choice of meats served with noodles and veg.

Teppan Edo is fabulous but very pricey.

We're trying a Moroccan restaurant this time.

Yes fair point, we always have the dining plan so honestly have no real idea of the cost..!

Remember Teppan Edo, 3adults and 2 kids being about $100 2 years ago.

We ate at teppan edo in Feb, my daughter was 7 and even though she chose from the kids menu they gave her an adult portion - didn't realise as all cooked in front iyswim.

I payed as don't like confrontation but if eating with children make sure you say from the kids menu!

I was talking to a friend today who went to Florida a couple of years ago. She said there are loads of toll roads, they don't take cash so unless you buy a pre- paid pass the hire car companies will hit you with a big fine.

Anyone come across this?