2015 Trip Planning

[osucbsb]

We are heading back to Orlando/Disney World the end of May 2015. We were last there for Christmas 2009. We will be in Orlando for about 9 days. We are planning on going to Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. We didn't go to Animal Kingdom in 2009. Our kids will be 12 (girl) and 9 (boy). We are staying at Orange Lake Resorts. I was just wondering what has changed at the parks since then. Any tips, pointers, etc would be great for Disney and Orlando. We are in the planning stage. We have the resort and plan on flying into Florida.

 

[luv]

I don't keep up on when everything changes and don't know what is new since 2009. I think the pre-show before Wishes is new. The American Idol thing? There's a new section in Fantasyland with a Little Mermaid ride (which I think is a really good little ride), a new restaurant - "Be Our Guest" - which is the new Most Popular place to eat, a new location for Dumbo and a couple meet and greets. By then, we hear a new kiddie coaster to have opened - The 7 Dwarfs Mine Train. Snow White closed.

That's all I can think of. I'm sure there are other things.

The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World is a really great book for Disney planning. If you don't want quite so large a book, they have a Color Companion that gives you a lot of info and some really nice, colorful pictures, too. I tell people I know IRL to get that Color Companion book first and then get the big one if they want more!

There is a lot of info here, too, if you just browse around the site. It's pretty well organized! All the My Magic and wristband stuff (which is constantly changing) is updated.

Someone who keeps better track of dates will know more than me. Have fun planning!!

 

[osucbsb]

Thanks for the information. I will have to check out the Ultimate guide. I found it on Amazon, is that the best place to get the guide?

 

[osucbsb]

We are only planning on doing only the Disney parks, but what are some other suggestions for things to do? In 2009, we went to the World Golf Hall of Fame. We plan on playing some golf at the resort we are staying at (Orange Lake Resort), but I would like to find some other things to do. What about Kennedy Space Center? Which beach is the best? Any other ideas would be great. We will have 4 open days. Thanks

 

[osucbsb]

Are there any suggestions for really good golf courses in the Orlando area (we will play at Orange Lake also)?

 

[osucbsb]

As I mentioned we are staying offsite when we go, but I am interested in maybe staying one night at a Disney Resort. We will arrive on a Saturday but can't check into our offsite resort until Sunday and be there until the following Sunday. I thought about booking Saturday night at a Disney resort. We haven't ever stayed onsite, do you think this is a good idea? If so, which Disney resort would you suggest (price for this night isn't too big of a deal)?

 

[KCheatle]

I don't know if it's worth the hassle to stay one night. Plus, you may be sad when you have to leave the hotel but aren't actually going home yet.There's something very "magical" about staying on a Disney property that makes you forget about reality. To have to be thrown back into reality the next day would be painful for me.

That being said (and do this at your own risk), my favorite is Wilderness Lodge. I doubt my family will ever stay anywhere else when we go down there.

As far as golf courses are concerned, I'm not your gal. But, I do know that Disney has several, and that they are some of the best in the country.

Your kids are at the age that they may like Universal Studios and/or Islands of Adventure. We are taking my kiddos there this year (DD 8, and DS 4).

As far as beaches are concerned, again, I don't have any specific names for you, but my personal preference is to go to the gulf instead of the Atlantic.

Good luck!

 

[osucbsb]

Thanks for the response. If we decide to say one night night I will have to check out the Wilderness Lodge. I was looking at the Caribbean Beach resort as well.

We haven't stayed onsite and I thought about trying it out to see what it was like and do a little research for another trip to Disney in the future.

We actually enjoy staying offsite because we can get rooms with separate bedrooms, a living area, kitchen, and laundry.

 

[CheshireCat12]

Thanks for the information. I will have to check out the Ultimate guide. I found it on Amazon, is that the best place to get the guide?

I would try the library first...then you don't have to spend the $$$

 

[osucbsb]

Trip is all booked except for the flights (waiting on SW to release dates for May 2015). We are staying our first 2 nights at Port Orleans French Quarter and then we move to Orange Lake for the next 7 nights. We are surprising our kids DD 12 and DS 9 with the first 2 nights at POFQ.