tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post5536465842887475986..comments2024-03-28T15:36:02.733-04:00Comments on EPBOT: Mailbag: "What Should I See At Walt Disney World?"Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11888187687405622408noreply@blogger.comBlogger124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-64684956027648291402013-04-12T15:23:36.396-04:002013-04-12T15:23:36.396-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04093157531253103874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-38115190578203934832013-03-16T10:00:34.128-04:002013-03-16T10:00:34.128-04:00I'm like a billion years late to this but just...I'm like a billion years late to this but just wanted to chime in. We've been to Disney...gosh, I've lost count. We don't have kids so we're usually there in October (Food and Wine, MNSSHP) or January (Marathon). We're darn near 40 and just LOVE Disney. We have very grown up stressful jobs so going there just makes us chill out and have fun.<br />I second all of Jen's tips, most especially BOMA. Breakfast buffet is fantastic and the AK Lodge is just beautiful. I actually really like AK but, again, not ever been there in dead of summer/crowds. My husband just said this morning that he wants a jalepeno cheddar pretzel from AK! <br />Epcot is by far my favorite. The country pavilions are just fantastic. <br />at MK Pirates is an Absolute Must. It's not a visit to WDW if we miss that. I love taking pics along Main Street. Since this was first posted in August, New Fantasy land has opened. It's lovely but very crowded, even off-season, because it's so new. The Little Mermaid ride is ok, kids will like. Fast Pass if you can...like feels like an eternity. Gaston's Tavern is so nice! We didn't do Be Our Guest as the line was enormous but would love to give it a try on a later visit. <br />HS: Rockin' Roller Coaster is a must. Sci-Fi Drive-In is a lot of fun. I think HS is my least-favorite park. half day usually for us.<br />You can walk from HS to the "back door" of Epcot along the riverside path, by Swan and Dolphin and around the Boardwalk/Beach Club. On a cool day, it's a nice stroll if you're legs aren't too tired! <br /><br />If you have the luxury of going off season, do...hotels are cheaper, crowds less frustrating. If you have a car, use it everywhere but MK. So much faster than waiting for the busses....which are a source of MAJOR frustration for me. <br />If you have kids consider staying at one of the new Art of Animation suites. If you don't, just go check the hotel out...the theming is amazing. We stayed there in January at the Little Mermaid section...it was nice but too far from amenities. <br /><br /><br />klavoiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08221710643300221915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-57119108291589680902012-08-25T02:25:22.547-04:002012-08-25T02:25:22.547-04:00My favorite restaurant experience by far was Cat C...My favorite restaurant experience by far was Cat Cora's place Kouzzina at the Boardwalk resort. I have a lot of food allergies and I was so impressed by how they handled this. I'm used to places accommodating me by removing ingredients I can't eat but here the CHEF actually came to my table to ask what she could substitute and create for me instead. I really felt this was going the extra mile.Caroline Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-19798706029682396492012-08-21T10:49:44.840-04:002012-08-21T10:49:44.840-04:00We went to EPCOT in February of 2011; 3 (sort of) ...We went to EPCOT in February of 2011; 3 (sort of) adult women and three of my children--an adult son, teen son and teen daughter. We were in line to buy tickets before it opened, and when we got them, our ticket seller told us to go to Soarin' (Shelby at My Year with the Mouse would add "over California" LOL) first thing, so we hoofed it directly over there as soon as we entered. We were in the second or third group of the day to ride it, and had a very short wait.<br /><br />A few years before that, we attended a conference where the attendees got to go to DAK for a special event, where only certain areas were open. We rode Everest (in fact, it was the most popular ride of the night, and one group "broke" it and had to walk down. SO glad that I wasn't on it then.) Anyway, I am sensitive to strobe lights; I can get a migraine if lights hit my eyes at the right--or wrong, I guess--time, so I spent much of the ride with my eyes closed. Ditto the dinosaur ride, which you didn't mention...but I thought I'd throw that out there if anyone else has similar issues. I can't remember if the rides have warnings on them, although they probably do.<br /><br />I've been to DL twice, and to EPCOT twice, but have not made it to WDW yet. We'll be going back to Orlando in February for that conference again, so maybe this time we'll get there.Melindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06208122459939892231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-38750323035868922262012-08-18T19:59:28.059-04:002012-08-18T19:59:28.059-04:00My husband and I went to Orlando for our anniversa...My husband and I went to Orlando for our anniversary this year, mostly to go to Universal Islands of Adventure because we are huge Harry Potter fans. As a side trip though we went to Disney Quest because it was about 1/2 the price of going to one of the main parks for a day. We weren't sure what to expect, but we LOVED it! The best part was definitely the designing and riding your own rollercoaster. My husband refuses to ride real coaster (which I love) but had a great time making the scariest coasters we could and then riding them virtually. The only downside is that they made me a little kind motion sick, so I couldn't ride the coasters as many times as he did. I still had fun designing them for him though.ncsudanceloverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06807985506929599368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-20148015645681964922012-08-16T07:31:32.175-04:002012-08-16T07:31:32.175-04:00We are currently at WDW now...did Epcot yesterday ...We are currently at WDW now...did Epcot yesterday and your list was spot on! Thank you so very much!!!!<br /><br />Doing Magic Kingdom today. We were able to get a park map already and are marking it with all your suggestions. <br /><br />We've been to Disneyland 2x and some of your misses I remember being duds from there. :D<br /><br />We would LOVE to run into you today, but I know that's impossible and would probably FREAK OUT my husband big time. LOL!<br /><br />Thanks again and really wishing you were my skipper for the Jungle Cruise! <3Renee Nefehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-21488023984854534202012-08-15T15:53:53.236-04:002012-08-15T15:53:53.236-04:00My husband and I went there for a week in July for...My husband and I went there for a week in July for our honeymoon on 2007. I agree with your opinion on Dinosaurs. That ride was easily one of my favorite, and easily the most TERRIFYING ride I've ever been on in my life. <br /><br />GO TO TYPHOON LAGOON'S WAVE POOL. This is unlike any wave pool I've ever been to. My husband and I didn't discover it until our last day a few hours before we had to be back to the airport. We only got to play there for a couple of hours and we could have easily played in the wave pool for double that. <br /><br />I also loved The Land at Epcot. the food was good and surprisingly "cheap" for Disney.<br /><br />I was extremely disappointed in The Great Movie Ride and actually renamed it the "Not So Great Move Ride" when we scrapbooked our trip...<br /><br />Beauty and the Beast show=I agree, MUST SEE. <br /><br />Finding Nemo at Epcot was wonderful because the line went quick, it was very cool and air conditioned, and the ride itself was fun. <br /><br />If you've been to the Space Mountain ride a lot at California's Disneyland since they redid it for one of their anniversaries, you might be disappointed in the one at Magic Kingdom. Unless they've changed Magic Kingdom's Space Mountain since 2007. My husband and I were so disappointed, we gave away our second set of fast passes for it. <br /><br />I absolutely LOVED Fantasmic, but you are right about the bottleneck. Waiting to get in to the seating area was terrible. We were all squished in and, seeing as how it was the middle of summer, extremely humid. I could barely breath. <br /><br />In regards to the weather, I don't know how it is year round, but when we went in July, it was extremely humid and hot. Coming from Las Vegas where I'm well accustomed to dry dry heat, the humidity made me fairly miserable physically. You can buy spray bottles with fans attached at the parks to keep cool, but they are pretty expensive. My husband and I had little hand held fans (we got at walmart for a few bucks) that we attached to our belt loops and broke out when the weather go unbearable. We were so sweaty from the humidity/heat that a spray bottle was not necessary. <br /><br />There were also a few of big flash rainstorms that came and went quickly, so it's handy to carry a couple of rain ponchos in your bag...<br /><br />My suggestions are pretty unorganized....I hope theyr are helpful to someone. :) Courtney Colverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08527994390466455053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-12984642183234620792012-08-15T14:14:23.483-04:002012-08-15T14:14:23.483-04:00Haha My family uses the Universe of Energy as a t...Haha My family uses the Universe of Energy as a threat when the kids are misbehaving. LOL Although, I will say, if it's a hot day and you need a nap (but don't want to go back to your resort), it's dark and air conditioned and will do in a pinch! :DAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-31356651788428160742012-08-15T00:26:28.651-04:002012-08-15T00:26:28.651-04:00What?! No love for the Grand Marnier slushier in F...What?! No love for the Grand Marnier slushier in France? I am SO taking a detour during The Goofy. Maybe I should up my pace for the half to earn a pit stop! Come cheer! January Marathon weekend. Pretty Little Nesthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02236183051077998865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-46206807901691500552012-08-15T00:18:26.535-04:002012-08-15T00:18:26.535-04:00I just went to Disneyland and California Adventure...I just went to Disneyland and California Adventure for the first time, and Space Mountain CHANGED MY LIFE. It is the best coaster in the entire world. No big drops that make me sick, super beautiful, amazing music. I bought the tee shirt and everything. I highly recommend it if you're planning to Disney on the West Coast.KLnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-40397415792232089362012-08-14T14:37:37.309-04:002012-08-14T14:37:37.309-04:00@TravelGoddess - the castle walkway is only closed...@TravelGoddess - the castle walkway is only closed off before and during the castle forecourt shows & before and during the fireworks, so you just have to catch it at the right time! Even when it's closed on the forecourt side, you can often still walk up from behind the castle to see the murals in the interior. Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11888187687405622408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-1131171544428676982012-08-14T11:32:03.385-04:002012-08-14T11:32:03.385-04:00Your timing couldn't have been better with get...Your timing couldn't have been better with getting around to this! My hubs and I are going in 11 days, eek!! I've been about 4 times, but he has only been once, and his family hardly did anything, as in, they didn't even go on HM, Pirates, or to some of the other parks, sadness! I can't wait to share with hi MY favs, and some of yours I've never experienced either! Thanks! :)Hayley Fortnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02494350001882014493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-48571660890683383832012-08-14T09:07:14.585-04:002012-08-14T09:07:14.585-04:00Jen, How on earth do you get to see the Castle mur...Jen, How on earth do you get to see the Castle murals? they are closed off to civilians and have been for years. I really miss them as they are very beautiful. You aren't allowed to ride with the monorail drivers anymore. I've asked as that is my fav. spot to ride in and I'm ALWAYS told not any more! <br /><br />I like the German caramel shop the chocolate covered soft caramel with sea salt is PERFECT. for WDW I like to eat at cosmic ray's. it's affordable and the food is better than the usual disney fare. I also like Geppetto's as if you time it right you can get a table right over small world's boat entrance. I've loved that spot since the park opened. I've always wanted to keat at King Stephen's in the castle, before it was to expensive and now it's a character meal. ah well. I also hear canada's restaurant is supurb but I've never eaten there.<br />one thing I ALWAYS get to eat is ice cream.TravelGoddesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07128711970872917570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-3512608449251160502012-08-13T23:33:18.395-04:002012-08-13T23:33:18.395-04:00Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club hotel (you don...Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club hotel (you don't even need park admission for this one!) Very good hamburger and onion rings for dinner and the No Way Jose for dessert (think huge sundae with hot fudge and melted peanut butter, yum!) They don't take reservations so you may have to wait but it is worth it. This is also the home of the Kitchen Sink as seen on Food Network.Melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05756603114962562469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-81448180988232148142012-08-13T22:53:48.705-04:002012-08-13T22:53:48.705-04:00Jen,
I have to say that your picks are great! I l...Jen,<br />I have to say that your picks are great! I live in Tampa and have had resident passes since I was 13 so I'm a huge dis geek, too! I want to throw in a few comments. First of all- Sea World is the hottest place on Earth- not AK. It's entirely outside and all concrete. We nearly died last summer until we went into Wild Arctic and rubbed up against the ice floes. Now for some Disney comments:<br /><br />Try to get there at park opening. There are ceremonies at the parks and the one at MK always makes me tear up. Also, lines are MUCH shorter before lunch, so get there early, leave early for a nap or a swim, and come back for the fireworks at MK and Illuminations at EPCOT. If you have little kids bring things to amuse them in line (wedding bubbles, angry birds on the cel phone, their own camera, a small pad and crayons, etc. Our daughter learned to play 20 questions and rock, paper, scissors in line at MK). Also, take the time to see the beautiful details and play in the water. Truly, that's the stuff the kids remember about Disney.<br /><br />MK: I love Casey's for hot dogs (they have a dispenser of plastic cheese!)and then we carry our food down to the little platform that used to have the swan boats and eat by the water. I have to put in a plug for It's a Small World. My daughter (almost 6) LOOOOOOVVVVES that ride. Also, the people mover is one of my faves.<br /><br />EPCOT: Hands down my favorite park. The street performers in the lands are great! Take the time to stop and watch the acrobats in China, the statues in Italy, and the balancing guy in France! For food, I love the fish and chips in England and we take them into the cool little maze behind the tea store. It's really quiet there and the benches always have space to sit. There's a Pooh meet and greet in the toy store back there that is so out of the way that Pooh comes out and walks around to try to find kids to take a picture with him-seriously. I also love the Japanese restaurant, the Joy of Tea in China, and no visit to EPCOT is complete for my family without a visit to Cava Del Tequila inside of Mexico's pyramid. They have INCREDIBLE margaritas and my daughter loves the queso dip and smoothies while I love that it's perfectly acceptable to bring a small child into a bar at Disney. <br /><br />We'll probably be going sometime in October for MNSSHP and the food and wine festival in EPCOT and then we're spending a week with the whole family at Wilderness lodge the week after Thanksgiving (parents are vacation club members, yay). Maybe we'll see you there!Teresanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-70061295429640022502012-08-13T20:12:57.222-04:002012-08-13T20:12:57.222-04:00Space Mountain, the Tiki Room, and Splash Mountain...Space Mountain, the Tiki Room, and Splash Mountain are my three favorite attractions in the park. For me, the attraction of Splash Mountain is the animatronics -- they've created an extensively detailed little world in there. But what I enjoyed even more was Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba over in Downtown Disney. It is definitely one of Cirque's best shows. Downtown Disney also has what I remember as a wonderful magic shop. There was a really charming guy there demonstrating the tricks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-22307630518904241822012-08-13T18:09:32.176-04:002012-08-13T18:09:32.176-04:00I know I'm a little late here, but I have to j...I know I'm a little late here, but I have to join those who are warning against seeing It's Tough to be a Bug if you are at all squeamish. I think I saw it in middle school, and my parents convinced me - in spite of the warning posted in the ride! - that I would be fine. I was literally cowering on the floor when the spiders came down from the ceiling, spent the end of the show (when the "bug guests" exit) on my dad's lap, and was practically in tears by the time we got out. It was pretty traumatic, as evidenced by my visceral reaction some 12 years later. Basically, if the posted warning sets off alarms for you (or your kid!), skip this one!<br /><br />I'm not sure if someone mentioned this already, but if you are going with kids and can make your own schedule, get to the park early, take a break around lunch or early afternoon, then go back in the evening. This was the strategy my parents used with my sister and me (we've been every few years for as long as I can remember) to prevent crankiness and tantrums. And it's actually pretty nice as an adult, getting to take a nap in the middle of the day and feel refreshed for more rides and fireworks in the evening.<br /><br />Other than my own issues with bugs, this list really just makes me want to go to Disney again! Think I can convince my parents to take their almost-25-should-be-able-to-take-herself daughter next time? :-DKatherine G.https://twitter.com/klafwinnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-90359172835262965302012-08-13T15:57:24.930-04:002012-08-13T15:57:24.930-04:00We are coming to the World in 17 days- and reading...We are coming to the World in 17 days- and reading this post has me SO excited! I think if I actually met you there, I would probably pass out- or be too tongue tied to actually speak to you! Thanks for reminding me that the 22 hour car ride with 3 kids is ALL going to be worth it!<br /><br />O'hana is our favorite- because grilled meat with scrumptious dipping sauce? Pretty much our idea of the perfect food! I am a little concerned about my diet this time around though- as I gave up refined sugar and diet products about 5months ago. Being there in the September heat, without being able to cool down with a slushie is going to be a challenge. Also- we got the free dining plan- so hoping that the restaurants will be able to accommodate me with some fresh fruit as a substitute for dessert. We have food allergies in our family- and they were great about it- so I am hoping the same will be repeated with the sugar thing. Any suggestions?WendyMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16532397240548847613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-6654611519801383922012-08-13T13:57:11.540-04:002012-08-13T13:57:11.540-04:00My family and I just went to Disney this past June...My family and I just went to Disney this past June, with my two girls ages 6 and 4. I have to say if you have little girls that are into princesses (or just yourself) :) You have to go eat at the Royal Table. It is inside the castle! All the Princesses come up to your table to sign autographs, take pictures and talk to your kids. It's expensive but totally worth it. It's not rushed and you are not standing in line for hours just to get your picture taken with your favorite princess. Unless you have a huge Tinkerbell fan don't bother standing in line for that either. It takes FOREVER because they only take one or two kids in at a time. It is at least air-conditioned, but your time could be better spent elsewhere.<br /><br />If there is some place that you really want to eat (that is a sit down meal or character dining) you want to make reservations online in advance. One of the best places we went was the Liberty Tree Tavern at MK. It is a Thanksgiving type meal that you eat in an old colonial looking house. I really recommend that character dining as opposed to the quick service meals. We did not have one good experience with the quick service meals. You have to stand in line with lots of rude people for a long time to eat crappy fast food. <br /><br />I do have to say that the Disney World workers are some of the nicest people in the world! They were all so friendly and nice. Brandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03252696834207616217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-23760656368168837322012-08-13T13:41:17.641-04:002012-08-13T13:41:17.641-04:00Jen,
Have you guys tried the new(ish) restaurant ...Jen,<br /><br />Have you guys tried the new(ish) restaurant in the Mexico pavilion, La Hacienda de San Angel? It's the one on the lagoon side. Two years ago, my wife and I were there during the Food and Wine Festival (can't recommend this event enough, it is fabulous), celebrating our anniversary, and stumbled upon it while it was in its soft opening phase. It is now our "must have" whenever we are there.The food, staff, and decor are all excellent. Plus, you can get a table near the windows overlooking the lagoon and watch Illuminations from there while enjoying one of their amazing desserts (try the empanada, trust me).<br /><br />Oh, and allow me to second your mention of the egg rolls and other Asian dishes from Yak & Yeti. We have an Asperger's child who is normally very picky about his food choices, but one day decided he wanted to try the counter service restuarant in Asia. Now, we always have to stop by for a couple orders of egg rolls and some honey chicken, regardless of the time of day or the weather. We have even ventured into the sit-down version a few times, but the quick service is still our favorite.Shane Knightonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06232950357580791698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-57901681177128766122012-08-13T13:13:39.590-04:002012-08-13T13:13:39.590-04:00You need to come to Europe and see Disneyland Pari...You need to come to Europe and see Disneyland Paris! You'd love our Jules Verne inspired Discoveryland and the new night time show Dreams is meant to be the best found in any park!Mummy Bearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15534084698107609150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-22445695856688416822012-08-13T10:02:10.183-04:002012-08-13T10:02:10.183-04:00Ditto-ing what Hazel said - Sum of All Thrills in ...Ditto-ing what Hazel said - Sum of All Thrills in Innoventions at Epcot was really cool. We skipped most of Innoventions, but sought this one out & it was well worth it. We also really liked Turtle Talk with Crush in Epcot. Kids and adults both thought Crush was super cool!Jenn T.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08144588537414187636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-56325126162909447432012-08-13T00:38:39.685-04:002012-08-13T00:38:39.685-04:00Wow! Very wonderful! Thanks for sharing Disney wor...Wow! Very wonderful! Thanks for sharing Disney world, reading your post makes me more excited of my Disney trip on Christmas.Janehttp://www.babywheelsorlando.com/blog/stroller-rental-orlando-an-introduction-to-the-city.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-16566309076787827162012-08-12T23:31:58.019-04:002012-08-12T23:31:58.019-04:00Even though previous comments already mentioned ea...Even though previous comments already mentioned eating gluten-free, vegetarian and with food allergies, I have to add that for kids with food allergies, Disney really is the happiest place on earth.<br /><br />This week we will be making our annual trek from the gulf coast to the T Rex Cafe for my son's birthday lunch. They send a chef out to the table who prepares a safe meal from beginning to end. I can't even tell you how much he loves being able to eat in a restaurant, let alone one with DINOSAURS.<br /><br />Bonus, it's right next to the LEGO store. For him it's a little slice of heaven.Libbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00581761828143139038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-83651887537862192252012-08-12T23:24:09.623-04:002012-08-12T23:24:09.623-04:00Mission Space is basically a really big gravitron ...Mission Space is basically a really big gravitron with video and buttons and individual seats. So basically it spins you really fast mimicking G-Forces. I can ride some of the biggest and baddest roller coasters in the land without qualms, but this ride (or any ride that primarily just spins you) makes me absolutely green.Yotahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15858884729075098261noreply@blogger.com