Walt Disney World Vacation

Updated on August 11, 2011
L.L. asks from Freeport, MN
14 answers

My husband was asked to go to a union confrence in Orlando in Disney world. All exspence paid trip for my husband. All we have to do is pay for my plane ticket and food, and park tickets everything else is taken care of. We we were going to make it a family vacation and take our son who will be 11 1/2 months. But my mother in law had offered to watch him if we wanted. And that got us to thinking that maybe it would be fun to make it a second honeymoon for my husband and I then we can really enjoy the rides and nightlife. Ok after giving you all the details, my question is this is our first time ever going and dont know anyone who has goon in recent years and really know nothing about the parks. So Im wondering which parks are better then others, which rides to do, what to pass up, which restraunts to eat at and which ones to pass, where to shop, and also other tourist places in Orlando that we should try to see. I remind you, we are only going to be there for 5 days. Thanks so much for the help!

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K.S.

answers from Miami on

Well adult only will probably enjoy epcot. I second the Floridian if you can afford it. Can't stress enough you must make dinning reservations now not when you get there. Also downtown disney is open late and is great for adults only. Now i'm a big kid so I can enjoy all the parks and rides also lol.

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M.G.

answers from Kansas City on

Don't miss O'Hana Resturant in the Polynisian Hotel, it is FABULOUS!! You have to make reservations way in advance. I would suggest EPCOT and the Magic Kingdom as must sees.

Have Fun!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.M.

answers from Washington DC on

When the warnings on the ride say "if you are claustrophobic or do not like closed spaces do not ride." Heed these warnings.
I am usually OK with rides until you get me in one that closes me in. There is one that is a gyroscope type that sends you to the moon, it is in Futureland, in Magic Kingdom.

I loved the safari in Animal Kingdom. It was so peaceful. Even getting stopped by the white rhino and having giraffes peer into your buggy, it was so very cool.

Without kids I would go to Epcot Center. There is a ride there, Test Drive or something like that. Very fun.
Then there is the whole World that I didn't get to go to because when you are 7, 10 and 13 that part isn't fun, so says the peanut gallery.

Love the Pirate ride in Magic Kingdom and Peter Pan's ride, and Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain.

We did the character dinner and then dinner at the hotel so I am no help there.

1 mom found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

We've been at least 8 times & we only stay at the Polynesian, love that place!!!

Never been without kids. Epcot is more adult, luau at Polynesian and all food at Polynesian is great.

I could go stay a week at Polynesian and never go to a park and be
happy!!

The Grand Floridian is awesome as well. Country clubish nice hotel. We took the boat taxi between the Floridian, Polynesian and MK a lot.

We had a private safari ride ( 10 People ) which was awesome at Animal Kingdom. We had a private your guide and some behind the scenes things. We got this through our concierge at Polynesian because it was a perk to concierge guests. I'm sure there are deals

We're not big on rides, love the daily parade and fireworks.

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A.D.

answers from Minneapolis on

Buy the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World book. Decide what rides and attractions you want to see and follow a touring plan. Most important is to get to the parks early. It will save you tons of time in lines for the most popular rides. Use Fast Pass. They may have a version of the book, or at least a good section that advises on trip for adults. I also like their new book with pictures. All the parks are fun, in my opinion! Do not spend all day open to close in the park, or you will burn out after 2 days. Take a rest/swim break in the middle of the day when the parks are the most crowded and most hot. The best park for restaurants is Epcot, World Showcase. Visit the official WDW web site and make some advance dining reservations when you decide what parks you will visit on what days. Except for a few specialty dinner shows, there is no penalty for canceling, but you will absolutely need to have those made if you want to enjoy any table service restaurants, especially during any busy season. Have fun, you will LOVE it!

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S.T.

answers from Des Moines on

skip animal kingdom. my mom, sister, and I went a few years ago, and we went to every park, but after only an hour or two at animal kingdom, we were bored and had seen most everything. the only decent thing there was the safari ride.

Epicot was amazing though, with all the different countries having their own little section, and lots of awesome rides and things.

M.H.

answers from Raleigh on

We go to Disney every year, so if I don't answer any of your questions fully (or you have more) feel free to PM me for more info.

All of the parks will be fun for you and your hubby. Epcot will probably be the most enjoyable since it always feels the most romantic to me and my hubby. The countries, flowers, fireworks...it just makes for really memorable evenings! Each park has its benefits and cool things to do though. Magic Kingdom has Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Haunted Mansion, and Big Thunder Railroad as it's "thrill" attractions. Even the "kiddie" stuff is tons of fun thought (who doesn't love It's a Small World?)! Animal Kingdom's safari is one of the neatest experiences and the shows there are really good. Hollywood Studios (used to be MGM) has Tower of Terror, Rockin' Roller Coaster, Star Tours, etc. It's probably the second best park for older kids/adults.

There really aren't any rides that I recommend you pass up. Without kids you should be able to get through the parks fairly quickly especially if you use fast pass (PM me for more info if you need it on that).

As for restaurants...it really depends on what you like to eat. We LOVE eating at the different countries in Epcot. Japan, Morocco, France, and Canada are all REALLY good. We were highly disappointed with Mexico this past year (which is a shame because it used to be quite good). The Coral Reef restaurant is neat, but I have been nothing but disappointed the past few times we have gone there.

There really aren't any great places in the Magic Kingdom, at least none that would blow your socks off and make it worth your while (most are great for kids, but since you will be by yourselves, I wouldn't do it). Close to the Magic Kingdom is the Polynesian Resort. They have an AMAZING dinner at O'Hana. It is similar to a Brazilian steakhouse and will be one of the meals where you feel like you got the most bang for your buck.

Hollywood Studios has Sci-Fi (you sit in a "car" at an old drive in movie theater). The food is decent (American style cuisine) , but the atmosphere is fun. More enjoyable with kids, but it wouldn't be bad without your son. Mama Melrose's is also there. It's pretty decent Italian food and very reasonably priced!

Animal Kingdom is rarely open past 5, so there aren't tons of good dinner places there.

Other places we have really enjoyed are the Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club and the California Grill at the Contemporary. Cape May Cafe is a New England style clam bake buffet, and the California Grill has elegant American cuisine. If you do the California Grill, make a later reservation so you can watch the fireworks go off at the Magic Kingdom while you eat!

Shopping can be done at Downtown Disney or any of the parks. If you are staying on Disney property you are able to send your purchases that you make in the parks directly to your hotel's gift shop. It makes it really convenient to shop throughout the parks without having to carry anything around.

Other than that, enjoy! There is enough to do just within Disney that your 5 days will be packed! Again, feel free to PM me with any questions. I LOVE talking Disney (if you couldn't tell!)!

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C.F.

answers from Milwaukee on

Check here www.disboards.com. There is everything you ever wanted to know about Disney. My favortie parks are Epcot and Magic Kingdom. We try to eat somewhere new evertime we go. Some of my favorite restaurants are Jiko's and Narcoosee's. We've got Cape May scheduled for this next trip and Wolfgang Pucks. But you can find more about the restaurants on the disney.com site.

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J.G.

answers from Raleigh on

I LOVE Disney! Have you taken the vacation yet, or are you still looking for advice. I am currently here 10 minutes from Disney World (moving next week). I have a 4 and 5 year old and we try to do disney 3X a week. Everything depends on when you are going. The heat and humidity is so crazy here that if you are coming this month you will want to plan most things inside.

There is plenty of stuff to do here with your son if you want to take him. Plus he could get his hair cut at the Barber shop in the Magic Kingdom and then get these cute little mouse ears. So, if you choose that, I can tell you where to go.

For you if you are going to be alone, well there is tons of stuff here for adults. Epcot for the food, definitely. I too like Hollywood Studios for food though, but look them up to see if it's what you want. Definitely see Fantasmic while you are there. LOVE that show, it's definitely my favorite.

Here is my favorite site though and check out the crowd calender for the month you are going (on the right hand side) easywdw.com

Also, I have eaten at most places here and I have not needed a reservation or have made the reservation same day. Usually I walk up and they will say it will be a 45 minute wait. So keep that in mind if you want to be carefree.

I have a lot more I can tell you/help you with if you would like. Feel free to PM me.

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M.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

There are 2 restaurants at the Floridian that I would definitely check out if I didn't have the kids: Narcoosees sits right on the water with a wonderful view of the Kingdom and Albert & Victorias which is the only restaurant in Disney that does not allow kids. I would also watch the Fireworks from California Grill on top of Contemporary. While I love Ohana for my family its not at all something I would do with just me and DH...very crazy and kid-filled atmosphere. In Epcot I would definitely have a drink at the Tequila bar in Mexico-they made the best margaritas I have ever had. Downtown Disney seemed to have a lot of nightlife going on there.
Epcot would be my favorite park without the kids...but I hate to ride rides like coasters.

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L.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

Disney has so many choices for all ages/interests. I recommend spending some quality time on the allears.net site. It's an independent website with TONS of information on all the parks, restaurant menus, plus stuff about transportation between parks etc. I believe they even have different sections based on what kids, couples, seniors, etc will enjoy. They will also have a list of what is closed for refurbishment while you're there. I also recommend Disney's website itself, it will provide park hours, access to dining reservations, and, if you ever do go back with your son, a great Mom's Panel that provides all sorts of advice.

As far as dining recommendations, if you don't mind eating on the run, we enjoy stopping at all of the 'snack vendors' at the World Showcase in Epcot. There's fish & chips in Britian, authentic pretzles in Germany, pastries in France/Norway and so on. We took our three year old last time so spent most of our nights dining with characters but we've also heard good things about Le Cellier steak house in Canada (Epcot) and Boma (Animal Kingdom Lodge).

Finally, outside of Disney there is the new Harry Potter park at the Universal Studios Park (hoping to do this someday when we go back), Sea World (on our list too), and the coastline isn't that far away of you want to get in some ocean time.

Have a great trip!

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A.R.

answers from Omaha on

It's been a while since I've been to Disney. However, outside of Disney we loved Sea World. We spent an entire day there. We had a great time. I know they have Universal Studios, too, but last time I was there I was a little kid. Also, you may want to check online. We found discounted tickets to Sea World when we went there. You may be able to find some for things you want to do.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Just look up their Website.

Then, look up Orlando's website.

Every State, has a 'tourism' website.
Chock full of information.

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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

We went a lot and then skipped a lot of years and then went again 3 years in a row. we love Disney lol. our favorite places to eat are the German place in Epcot and the brown derby at MGM, the 50's prime time cafe is good also. there is not a lot of great places to eat in magic kingdom but we did like the Cinderella's castle food and there is a place at town hall that's based on lady and the tramp. if your going without kids you can skip a lot of the magic kingdom. i would skip the animal kingdom altogether. go to downtown Disney, and make a trip to universal to harry potter if you like harry potter that is lol

magic kingdom has some rides you will want to do. pirates of the caribbean, haunted mansion, great thunder mountain I personally love the hall of presidents
mgm studios the back stage tour ride is great, the great movie ride and we love the sci fi theater.
epcot we love it all. plan a whole day there.

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