disney world

sg516 · 02-13-2008, 03:48 PM

i have never been to disney world or disney land. my wife and i are going to be in florida for our triathlon and are thinking about staying an extra day to check it out. but then i started wondering is one day enough to really get a chance to enjoy the themepark? it seems like ther eis so much to do that it would take a couple of days. any thoughts? i don't think we will be able to stay more than one extra day bc i believe my wife has to get back for a meeting. anyway any input is welcome. thanks.

Phaedrus49er · 02-13-2008, 03:52 PM

Screw Disneyworld. Go to Worlds of Discovery. More parks, less fluff

Mahler · 02-13-2008, 05:19 PM

Hit Epcot. You can do that in a day.

Cynic · 02-13-2008, 07:10 PM

Busch Gardens!

I so love Busch Gardens, but I like critters.

sg516 · 02-14-2008, 10:02 AM

yeah we went to busch gardens in florida last year. we are going to go to the one in Va this year. we can go to one of their parks per year for free so we decided not to go to the same one twice. and btw the one in florida is awesome. i got to feed and pet a full growth giraffe while drinking copious amounts of beer.

Phaedrus49er · 02-14-2008, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sg516

i got to feed and pet a full growth giraffe while drinking copious amounts of beer.

That's either a great story or a Darwin Award waiting to happen. Or both

JavaJunkie · 02-14-2008, 04:44 PM

I'm a disney-aholic so for me, one day is NOT enough time tor enjoy disney, let alone get a good feel for the parks. If you want to do something disney-ish for free, you can go to the boardwalk and to downtown Disney and shop around and stuff. They have a million and one little shops, restaurants, and things to see. I had to be in orlando for work, and was jonesing to go to the parks, but it's not fun by yourself - so I went down to the boardwalk and wandered around and had a great time. They have a rainforest cafe (put that into your GPS and you won't get lost like I did - cause Disney is a HUGE maze) Emeril's, House of Blues, and some more little cafe's and such.

If you DO go to the parks: as an adult I'd recommend
Epcot - it's got a few decent rides (get fast passes EARLY in the day or else you won't get on), amazing food, and you can drink your way around the world.
My favorite is the magic kingdom, but that's mainly for sentimentality although it does have some good rides and mainstreet usa is so much fun. Plus, who doesn't like Dumbo?! If you go, do the 3D mickey thing that's across from mr. toad's wild ride -it was cute.
Disney's Hollywood Sudios - formerly known as MGM is a bunch of fun even as an adult - they have a great little cafe I think it's called "Mom's" or something like that. It's a throwback to 1950's america, they have tv's at each booth that only play things like leave it to beaver, and i love lucy. The food is basic americana and the staff will hound you like a "mom" if you don't 'clean your plate.' You can see how the movies are made as well.
For me, animal kingdom was cool but I've been to SO many zoo's I wasn't really interested. My 6 year old sister LOVES going to the animal kingdom cause she's an animal junkie.
Personally, it's too cold for me to even think about water parks but Blizzard Beach is a bunch of fun when it's warmer - unless you're from Canada then go for it! (As kids we could never figure out why people were swimming in jan/feb when we would go to disney and my Mom's excuse was "they're from canada")

If you stay in the park (which I highly recommend), you get free transportation to and from the parks non-stop (VERY much worth it after a day of running around), they give you a bit of a discount on the tickets, and each night one park stays open later, so you can go on the rides when MOST little kids are asleep.

IF you go, pack snacks and drinks (just make sure that they are sealed containers) - they'll look in your bags but let you through with no problem. I took my 6 year old sister 2 years ago (yeah what was I thinking taking a 4 year old on my own?!) and they let us in w/ snacks, which was great cause inevitably she'd be hungry after we've been standing on line for a while. They didn't say anything about it.

Also, I don't know if you have kids but playing "count the hidden mickey's" is fun too - and FREE!! There are a million hidden mickey's throughout the parks, and for kids it was so much fun to find them and Liv loved keeping track of them. They also have 2 "talking" trash cans throughout each park that are radio controlled. You can tell which they are by the cords hanging out the back - but again, kids find them so funny - and Liv had fun looking out for them.

The parades are free, and tons of fun. OH! and have your picture taken when they ask if you want them taken - they're pictures/keep sakes that you can log online to see, and then if "steal" them from the websites. (they're not too secure)

whew! anything else, just let me know!!

Phaedrus49er · 04-20-2008, 06:52 PM

Yes, I know the thread title is old and says otherwise, but I didn't feel like starting a new thread

I'm trying to use up these VIP passes I have for Busch Gardens, Seaworld, et al, and do so on a shoestring. Driving won't be that expensive (plus I love road trips), but any past experiences for suggestions on where to stay and/or eat? I'm not above going to a grocery store for a couple days' worth of supplies, either. It'll be a marathon four-day trip (1. drive down, 2-3. parks, 4. drive back).

Chiron · 04-20-2008, 10:55 PM

I agree with Java Junkie. I too am a Disneyholic. lol You can't even do Disneyland in one day so there's no way you can do Disneyworld.

I am also a dumbass that doesn't check the dates of posts.

chris_f · 04-21-2008, 09:53 AM

Know this is just a bit old, but the lady friend and I were just talking about Disney the other day, and how I'd love to go with her (we went all the time when i was a kid - practically every year, but she's never been). She feels its something we should wait to do until we have kids, but I think she should enjoy the magic on her own just once before worrying about making it a great experience for someone else.

Lost Dog · 04-21-2008, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shark

Know this is just a bit old, but the lady friend and I were just talking about Disney the other day, and how I'd love to go with her (we went all the time when i was a kid - practically every year, but she's never been). She feels its something we should wait to do until we have kids, but I think she should enjoy the magic on her own just once before worrying about making it a great experience for someone else.

Go now! Think of all the fun rides that you won't be able to go on with kids. Not until they are 7 years old or so, at least.

The Disney parks have enough stuff for you guys now and with kids.

laxcdn · 04-21-2008, 11:02 AM

If you just do one day, go to Universal or Seaworld. The rides at US are better than Disney if you like rides. SW is good if you like animals. We did 10 days in Jan of SW, US and DW.

chris_f · 04-21-2008, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lost Dog

Go now! Think of all the fun rides that you won't be able to go on with kids. Not until they are 7 years old or so, at least.

The Disney parks have enough stuff for you guys now and with kids.

Thanks Roland - I know they've added a lot more "adult stuff" in the last few years, and from what I remember, my parents always liked the international section of Epcot WAY more than I did!

Universal is friggin awesome too, though. When we plan our trip, I should try to squeeze them all in.