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first trip in 15 years

TiggerDad

Well-Known Member
Is Star Wars supposed to be done by 2019? That would be great, but I could have sworn I read by 2021 (in time for the 50th). Maybe I misunderstood. While I'm asking, what about all the other new stuff? 2019 or later?
At D23 this year they announced it would open in both parks in 2019. Construction photos indicate Florida is about 6 months behind California, so likely late 2019 for Florida. Which would mean it was open "by 2021" so the other thing you heard is also technically accurate.
 

John park hopper

Well-Known Member
I know you are asking about the DP which I can't comment on as we used a disney gift card for all our meals and it worked out well. It was 17 years between our last visit, I was shocked at how much had changed; things I remembered were gone, a little disapointing. My point is be prepared for big changes a lot of the old stuff is gone but a lot of the new is great.
 
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DfromATX

Well-Known Member
At D23 this year they announced it would open in both parks in 2019. Construction photos indicate Florida is about 6 months behind California, so likely late 2019 for Florida. Which would mean it was open "by 2021" so the other thing you heard is also technically accurate.

Cool, thanks. Maybe, just maybe, by the time I go in 2021, the newness will have worn off some so it won't be too crowded? Maybe... :rolleyes:
 

DfromATX

Well-Known Member
I know you are asking about the DP which I can't comment on as we used a disney gift card for all our meals and it worked out well. It was 17 years between our last visit, I was shocked at how much had changed; things I remembered were gone, a little disapointing. My point is be prepared for big changes a lot of the old stuff is gone but a lot of the new is great.

Like when tips were included. That was nice
 

ppete1975

Well-Known Member
How much do you eat? When I go to Disney I usually go to the riverside breakfast place eat a cheap breakfast, (mickey waffles eggs and I think bacon), sometime during the day I get a small meal or snack, then a small dinner usually all quick service I recommend the lands quickservice and for a nice meal I like mexico, just because the ride goes near you and its cool. I could never eat enough to justify the meal plan, I don't know if its the weather or constantly moving, I just don't get hungry when I'm there. If you think youll eat three big sit down meals
OH TIP OF THE DAY... get popcorn.. I never knew this until I got back the last time.. refills are like 1.50 (I don't know all the facts so I might be off a little)
 

NickMaio

Well-Known Member
Get yourself and your group camel packs - backpacks with a liquid pouch and a drinking straw - gatorade crystals and water = great way to beat the heat. Many places to refill your drinks.
Save some dough on the expensive drinks.
We do this every year!!!
 

danyoung56

Well-Known Member
...but lets say the two of you think dinner at California Grill and watching the fireworks afterwards would be a great time - that needs to be set up well in advance.

Actually, this isn't true. You can go up to the bar, where you can eat off of the full menu, and then walk out on the balcony to watch fireworks, all without doing an advance rez. If you want a table, now - well, yeah, you need to do that 180 days in advance. But that bar thing has worked very well for me several times now!
 

JIMINYCR

Well-Known Member
DW and I began going to WDW when our DS was young and after he grew up weve continued doing adult only trips. We will be returning next May with DS once again sharing a vacation with us as an adult. We stay at POFQ because weve found it to be a much quieter, smaller laid out, adult friendly resort. You can look at www.portorleans.org to get a lot of information about both resorts. PORS is within a 10-15 min walking distance. And both resorts have boat service to DS which is very convenient.
Youll find going without children along is much more relaxing, less pressure trying to keep kids happy and controlled. You and your DH will have more opportunities to enjoy a romantic side of Disney that you may not have had the chance to before. Yes... geting a good guide book and familiarizing yourselves with all Disney has to offer will ensure a better trip. You may also want to look at youtube videos of ride throughs and disney events to give you and DH a look at what might suit you better.
We have sometimes taken the DDP and other times decided not. You can access Disney menus and by viwing your choices decide what you may be ordering, total up the costs and then weigh it against the DDP price. Sometimes we made out better just paying out of pocket. Our trips usually fall in the $6k range and we add in some extra events or special things to add to our experience. We add in budgeting for souvenirs because you always find a Disney thing that you cant go home without... but its always good to have extra funds along just in case anyway.
Youre planning well in advance, have plenty of time to save, you will be well prepared to chose things wisely, make the most of your trip and hopefully your DH will enjoy it enough that he will want to go back many times throughout your lives.
 

Minnesota disney fan

Well-Known Member
Actually, this isn't true. You can go up to the bar, where you can eat off of the full menu, and then walk out on the balcony to watch fireworks, all without doing an advance rez. If you want a table, now - well, yeah, you need to do that 180 days in advance. But that bar thing has worked very well for me several times now!

Thanks for that advice, Dan. I think my husband and I will try that. Not interested in a sit down dinner, but that sounds perfect!
 

Phonedave

Well-Known Member
Thanks for that advice, Dan. I think my husband and I will try that. Not interested in a sit down dinner, but that sounds perfect!

Well, it may or may not work out. It has for Dan, but it depends on how many people are at the bar. Things like this start appearing on planning sires "Want a great view of the fireworks for CG but dont want to pay for dinner, just have a drink at the bar" Next thing you know, the bar is 4 people deep, then WDW does something the cut it off. Lots of little "secrets" or hidden perks have gone away because all of a sudden 1,000 people started trying them. It's like the flag family at Wilderness Lodge.

Honestly, I have never seen the bar full, but you never know.
 

danyoung56

Well-Known Member
Well, it may or may not work out. It has for Dan, but it depends on how many people are at the bar.

This is actually true. I showed up one time and was told that there'd be a wait of about 20 minutes. Hmmm - the monorail takes about 20 minutes to make a full revolution. Deal - I took the monorail, came back to the Contemporary, and they let me right up. You also don't want to go too close to fireworks time, as the bar will fill up pretty solid. With fireworks at 9pm, you should arrive around 7pm. That'll give you plenty of time for a nice dinner.

Good luck!
 

BigMac74

New Member
Lots of good advice. My wife and I have been a number of times without kids (grown, at the end of a business trip). So some quick tips.
1. Unofficial Guide is a great starting point. BUT you will likely be overwhelmed with information. Try to decide on some basic boundaries such as; do we want luxury, moderate or value resort; what parks to we want to visit and what do we consider the "must do" at each one? Then take it from there. Are you planners or do you wing it? Planners usually make out as they are aware of all the deadlines and when to make reservations, etc. But try not to be obsessive.
2. Try to pick a time that is less busy. (Hotels will be cheaper and parks less crowded) Try "Undercover Tourist" web site for metrics on least busy months, weeks, days, down to the day of the week on the week you will be there. Some of the extra's might not be on (Jazz Band) but it will be much less stressful.
3. If your husband has never been, consider EPCOT, AK for more "adult" experiences. BUT, they don't call it the Magic Kingdom for nothing. They have the best coaster rides, and it is fun to watch all the kids.
4. If you really want to go cheap, try one of the time share resorts around (but you will need a car), especially if you are going for a week or more. But you give up the DDP and extra magic hours. If you are only going to WDW stay at a Disney Resort, use the Magic Express and Disney transportation and forget the hassle.
5. DDP is not worth it unless you are eating a lot. It can also be less flexible. But you will have to keep telling yourself you are saving money without it each time you get the restaurant bill. Best advice, eat a good breakfast (cheapest meal of the day) and then eat a sit down meal in the late afternoon. Snack if you have to in-between. But you likely will not be hungry.
6. If you don't like soda, best discovery I made is that you can get ice and water at any counter service, with or without your own cup. You don't have to buy bottled water.
7. Carry as little as you can get away with. With the new security, you will wait in longer lines before entry. Without any but a small pouch, you can bypass the bag check and got straight through. While a camel back is a great idea, if you are younger and have kids, I try to keep my load to whatever fits in my pockets (cargo shorts). At the end of a long day, you will be glad you did. BUT don't skimp on sun screen (pocket carry extra with you), a hat and comfortable shoes. You will not need to "work out". You will not need fancy clothes unless doing a really fancy restaurant like Victoria and Albert's or you just want to dress up.
8. That said, treat yourself to at least one really good restaurant if you can. It will make memories for you and your husband that are worth their weigh in gold. Later times are usually available. And your walk out of the park after most have departed can be very relaxing. Just don't miss the last bus out.
9. Try to take a "special tour". If you can do only one, the best I've found is the "Wild Africa Trek". Read here; https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/animal-kingdom/wild-africa-trek/
10. One of the more helpful sites I've use is: MouseSavers https://www.mousesavers.com/ you can reach Undercover Tourist from there. Also the Disney sites.
11. I have stayed at POR, but not POFQ. It is very quiet, and stately (not sure what it looks like after the hurricane). There are several bus stops around the resort, not just at the lobby, but you can also be a long way from the lobby.
This could have been a lot longer than it already is. Have fun planning, it can be overwhelming at first, just one thing at a time. Making the big decisions (When, flights, hotel, park days, times) will help you lead you make the other decisions (restaurants, fast passes, etc). Take every negative review with a grain of salt. You just cant make some people happy. Highly recommend the My Disney Experience to keep everything straight, otherwise you need a spreadsheet :).
 

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