I am going to disney for the first time 3 weeks from tomorrow. My boyfriend of 10 years has been a bunch of times when he was a kid. My best friend and her husband are going too. We are staying at the Coranodo Springs resort. i am so excited to be going. I am obsessed with Mickey Mouse. I have a Sorcerers Apprentice tattoo in purple.
Is there any advce you all can give me? What to do, what not to do?
Thanks
Welcome Mkylvr and fellow Massachusetts person. (I used to go to summer camp in Georgetown and grew up in Saugus.)
You are going to have the most amazing time! Welcome to the boards!
Coronado Springs is a great hotel--you will love it...
My first advice would be to look at a map of the hotel and put in a room request for a building that best meets your needs related to proximity to El Centro, the main part of the hotel, and also bus stops and either the main pool or quiet pool.
Since you are going with out children... I'd say stay near the Main Pool so you can take advantage of the spa at night.... it's quite large and it's fun to hang out there and meet other adults.
There is also a nice bar at Coronado Springs....so that's a fun place to walk to for a drink if you are having a more relaxed evening....
I dont know if you are on the dining plan or not...but if so...congratulations because the counter service restaurant, The Pepper Market, is a fantastic value...the meals are all made to order and there are some pretty pricey things on the menu...so you can really make the most of the meal plan eating there... If you are NOT on the meal plan, eating there can be a bit spendy...
Regardless of whether you are on the meal plan or not...if you wish to eat at any sit down restaurants during your stay... I recommend you make some advanced reservations now...as the more popular eateries tend to fill up quickly and you may not be able to eat there...
I always look at the disney site to figure out in advance which days the parks are open for extra magic hours each morning and afternoon and plan my touring accordingly... I figure out which days I'd like to be at which parks... and then make dining reservations at each or the parks.
While the Magic Kingdom is always great.... my husband and I especially enjoy EPCOT... The eateries there are quite good... My favorite restaurant there is Le Cellier... I was unable to get a reservation there last time...
IT is a steakhouse inside Canada. The food is great... While visiting Canada, check the performance marquis at Canada Stage and see when Off Kilter is playing--they put on a good show.
I also like to eat at San Angel Inn at Mexico's Pavilion... it has great authentic Mexican food and the ambiance is great. Ask for a seat by El Rio (The river)....it's worth the wait...you can take the ride and shop the indoor market while you wait for your table... Don't skip the margaritas, they are pricey, but worth it.
When trying rides with long lines like Mission Space, Test Track, Soaring and Everest....if you don't mind riding in a separate car from your friends, try the single rider line...you'll get through the lines really quickly....
Try to be at the parks when they open--you'll accomplish much more if you are there at the turnstyles when they open... before the crowds get there....
I find it's helped me to have a touring plan... so that we don't spend the first hour of every morning discussin where we are going and when we are leaving... If you've got maps already.... look at the maps of each park and figure out what things you want to do each day...so you don't criss cross the parks too much... It can be a lot of walking and doubling back...
We usually start out our MK days at Adventureland... then over to Frontierland...
Oh...for eateries.... the California Grill can not be beat--it's at the top of the Contemporary and has a great view of MK... the food is top notch, it's a lovely place.... Other more upscale places to dine include Narcoose's at the Grand Floridian, and Artists Point at the Wilderness Lodge (take monorail to either Contemporary or Grand Floridian for the first two, and the boat to Wildnerness Lodge for the latter).
I also REALLY like the Kona Cafe at the Polynesian...it's a great lunch destination...take the monorail over and eat a nice table service meal in air conditioning vs. standign in line at MK and eating in a crowded place where it is hard to find a table... great place to recharge your batteries...and the Poly is a gorgeous hotel to visit. It's not going to cost you much more to eat there vs. a counter service at MK... and they have fantastic burgers and great coffee.
Are you taking Disney's Magical Express...pack a day bag for things you need upon arrival...
If you get a chance to do Typhoon Lagoon--do it...it's really worth doing...and is a great place to relax and have fun...
Avoid MK on the weekends unless you want crowds.
Check out Pleasure Island...worth going to.... make sure to see the show at The Adventurer's Club library....and the Commedy Warehouse Show...
Raglan Road...the Irish "Pub" at Pleasure Island has great food, a beautiful decor, live band, and is very reasonably priced. The entertainment begins at 8PM, I believe...so plan accordingly...
I was at WDW last month...and Pleasure Island was under construction and didnt look as good as it normally does...hopefully the construction will be completed before you get there...
Have you gotten tix for the Mickey's Christmas Party thingy? I've never been to that myself...but I would definitely go if I were going at the right time of year... It's a separate ticket...but I bet it is totally worth going to....we do the Hallowen party every year... totally worth it...
Just a few top of mind things.... happy to dicuss more if you PM me.
You can also feel free to IM me...
April