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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Disney Orlando help!

63 replies

Goose22 · 27/12/2023 17:07

Hi MNetters,

I’m hoping there are some seasoned Disney fans out there that can help.
Me, DH & two sons (4 & 1) will be going to Disney Orlando in September 2024. I realise some people think this age isn’t ideal for Disney, but it’s a great opportunity so we’re going & we would love to know how to make the most of it! We’re staying at Loews Portofino Bay hotel for a week.
which restaurants should we book? Which resorts should we visit/avoid? Any general Disney tips?
TIA!

OP posts:
x88mph · 28/12/2023 15:56

If you're on Facebook, join a group called It's Orlando Time. You will get so much good advice and tips there.

Quartz2208 · 28/12/2023 15:59

60 days in advance for restaurants

fireworks are everyday. Epcot can be seen from some restaurants others are not

also go to thedibb

ReindeerShelter · 28/12/2023 16:16

Yes, you need to book restaurants. A huge majority of them are booked up 60 days in advance when bookings go live.

You need to book a lot of what you want to do. WDW is not a wing it kind of holiday and with only a week you’re already cutting yourself extremely short on time.

Original poster
Goose22 · 01/01/2024 13:13

Thanks everyone, this has been super helpful!
Does anyone have any opinions on the dining plan, is it worth it? What is the average cost for food/snacks on a pay as you go basis?
also looking at genie+ to skip the queues, again is this worth it?

OP posts:
Oppositioblue · 01/01/2024 13:24

OP, I second any of the huge Facebook groups for Brits planning trips. Get a note pad and a pen and a couple of hours of quiet and start to research and take notes. It’s all changed since we were last year but dining plan was most definitely worth it. We’ve not been since 2019 though.

froomeonthebroom · 01/01/2024 13:27

I would recommend you watch Tim Tracker on YouTube. They have detailed walkthroughs of all the resorts and parks and also have small children so will often give info relevant to that.

If I was only doing a week I think I'd stay in a skyliner resort and plan one day in each of the four Disney parks.

Original poster
Goose22 · 01/01/2024 13:30

Amazing, thanks so much! Pen, paper, Facebook and YouTube videos at the ready :)

OP posts:
TomAllenWife · 01/01/2024 13:39

We stayed budget in all star movies in January and it was great.
Free bus to all the parks, rooms were recently refurbished and spotless.

We had a deal with our tickets where we had spending for dining and extra for gifts/food.

IMHO the dining at Disney is AWFUL, we got a lot of Uber eats to the room and ate out

ItsVeryHyacinthBucket · 01/01/2024 13:40

Not Orlando, but we did Disneyland (California) in a day. I know some love it but I can’t really see why, it doesn’t compare well against other theme parks I’ve been to. There’s purposely no shade and nowhere to sit down - no benches, picnic tables, even fences and ledges are designed so you can’t sit. This is of course unless you’re paying through the nose for a stressful, pre-booked meal. It’s rammed, roasting hot and queues everywhere. Honestly if you want a theme park you’re better staying home and going to Paulton’s Park! Go for the day, enjoy the bits you see then get out and enjoy a few bits of the rest of Florida. With kids that small you’ll be exhausted by the jet lag both ways, so prioritise rest while you’re there!

ItsVeryHyacinthBucket · 01/01/2024 13:41

sorry just to add yes Genie+ is 💯 worth it!

YaraRocks · 01/01/2024 16:35

Definitely get on the thedibb, loads of info there.I think as a first time visitor and given the age of your kids, stick to Disney. Stay on property and you can use Fisney’s free transportation to and from the parks. Note that if you stay at at Disney resort and you have a car, they have reinstated free parking so you don’t have to worry about parking fees at the parks. We always rent a car but have done many trips without a car too.

For a good mid range (moderate) Disney hotel, I would recommend Port Orleans -I prefer French Quarter to Riverside (mainly because of the beignets, nom!) It’s quite a small resort and the buses to the parks are very regular. You can also get the friendship boat to Disney springs. If you can stretch to deluxe, Beach/Yacht club is great, and you can walk to Epcot. It also has one of the best pools on site. We also like Contemporary and the Poly (Polynesian). If you manage to get a table at Ohana’s at the Poly at the right time, you can watch the fireworks at Magic Kingdom. Failing that, if you stay at the Contemporary, there used to be a walkway to Bay Lake Tower that you could watch the fireworks from but not sure if that’s still the case. I believe you can also see the fireworks from California Grill. Disney also do Desert parties where you can get preferential seating for the fireworks at Magic Kingdom and Epcot.

Dining plan was great when it was free! Now it’s back but paid for so it does depend on whether you want a more all inclusive experience or not. Eating onsite can be very expensive but having the dining plan is very liberating as it gives you loads of options and choice, including at Disney Springs.

Have an amazing time.

EvelynBeatrice · 01/01/2024 16:41

I disagree a bit. Disney is a nightmare now with queuing. Universal has some great stuff for little kids. There's a whole Dr Seuss themed bit which my kids loved at 4.

doggiedude · 01/01/2024 16:47

We stayed at wilderness Lodge. Close to Magic Kingdom on a boat .

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