I'm going to Disney World

[Fantasmickey]

Hi, I'm new here. My friends and I are planning to visit the the parks Jan 22-29, 2004. We're from California and are near by the Disneyland Resort. We're gonna stay at the Pop Century Hotel. I here that place is awesome. I've seen the pictures and they have blown my mind! We're getting discounts through the entire trip through, errhhmm... connections. Anyway, this is my first time going there. I'd like some advice or suggestions for you guys if you will. I've heard about Mission: Space and heard it's really out of this world. How is the weather there around that time of year. How far apart are the parks; is it a long distance? What places to you guys reccomend to eat? Should we get reservations for some places? I'm not going to ask which are must see's, because I've already read most of them on this board. I will ask, however, what is the most efficient way to see/visit all these great attractions and parks. Thanks for all your help in advance. :wave:

 

[ladydancer]

Congratulations on your up coming trip. I won't be going until next Nov 2004

First let me say, you can get the averages for that time of year at www.weather.com

Yes, the parks are far apart. You will either have to take the disney transportation or a car.

You need to make your reservations now for any special places you would like to eat. I highly recommend Chef Mickey's breakfast but please do at least one charactor meal and as I said do it now!

I know you will have a great time!

 

[disneydawg]

Congratulations on your first trip to WDW. You wont be disappointed. Here are some suggestions for restaurants.

Epcot: Coral Reef, Restaurant Marakkesh

Animal Kingdom: Tusker House

Jiko, Boma (Animal Kingdom Lodge)

California Grill (Contemporary)

O'Hana's (Polynesian)

You need reservations at all of these places except Tusker House.

 

[PixyDust]

If you're up for a dinner show, you would love the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue. It's pricey, but good "southern" food, and the show is hilarious. You'll need to make reservations now, and will have to give a credit card number.

I think 1900 Park Faire has a great breakfast for everyone. Lots of meats, potatoes, etc. But also yogurts, fruit, pastries for those who can't handle heavy foods in the a.m. And the characters for the most part are "people", so you can actually talk to them. My husband makes me get a pic of him and Mary Poppins everytime we go there.

I also think Boma's is a good choice.

I ran across a website somewhere that has the menus of every restaurant in all the parks and resorts. Can't remember where it is located, but it would be a great place for you to check out prices and if the restaurant offers what you are looking for.

Also, I don't know about the other members here, cause I'm kind of new too, but I always buy the Birnbaum guide. It is updated each year. You can get it at any book store. It will have your average temps, which days to go to each park (and which days to stay away), reviews of resorts and rides, etc, etc. Its pretty good. There are other books out there, and they are probably just as good, I've just never tried them.

 

[Tower/of/Terror]

Oh wow.. have an excellent time! I recommend doing these things.......


Cirque du Soleil: This is a FABULOUS show. You will be blown away, you cant miss it! It is the best show Ive seen in my entire life. You cant buy tickets online, so you either have to call or buy them there. It is in Downtown Disney, btw. Dont miss it! You'll have a great time!

Wolfgang Pucks Restaraunt (Sit-down part, not the express): The food is wonderful, and it's right beside the lil lake in downown disney. You'll have a great time, it's coloruful, energetic, and just fun.

DisneyQuest: It might not look like a lot of fun from the outside, but this thing rocks!!! Especially the Buzz Lightyear's Astroblasters, and Cyberspcae mountain. Prices are reasonable, and it is loads of fun. I highly recommend it.

Other than that, go to AKL (Animal Kingdom Lodge) You will be amazed!! It is a beautiful resort, and lots of things to do!

Have an awesome time! You are going to discover what magic really is by the time your vacation is over

 

[DisneyPhD]

Congrats on you trip. We will be there a bit earlier (Jan 1 to 7)

The time of year that you are going is a slow tim (good planning on your part.) The only real problem with value time is often the parks close early. I think the hours for Jan is listed now.

PS shouldn't be as important that time of year, unless you have big groups (even then the new Magical gatherings should help the planning.)

I recomend getting 1 or 2 PS for the places you want to eat at most, then be flexible with the rest and get them when you get there and can get a better feel of what people want to do. (and how much $ they have left over. )

Have a great trip.

 

[MichRX7]

Originally posted by Fantasmickey
How is the weather there around that time of year. How far apart are the parks; is it a long distance? What places to you guys reccomend to eat? Should we get reservations for some places?

I was there at that time when the super bowl was that weekend in Tampa (3 years ago?).

The crowds are very small so the reduction in park hours is actually nice. You still see everything, and get free time in the evenings to do other things (and get some rest).

The weather can fluxuate, I recommend you bring coats, and possible rain gear. During our trip it was on/off drizzly some days and quite cool in the high 50's. But, a few days it was beautiful and in the 70's. So be prepared for both.

The parks are much further apart than DL and DCA and with the shortened hours your hoppers won't allow jumping parks as easily as in DLR.

I recommend California Grill one night to coincide with the MK fireworks. And any place you can get reservations I recommend you get them in advance just to be safe. 1-407-WDW-DINE is the # to call.

HAVE A GREAT TIME!

 

[HM999thGhost]

Congratulations!!
<P>I would have to say you should make a stop at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, to see that 7 story lobby, its huge!! A restaurant I DO NOT recommend is Coral Reef at EPCOT. When I was there it was louder than my high school cafeteria, and we had to share a table, of which we didnt stay, we left. But I do recommend the Garden Grill in The Land pavillion, the "eatery" itself spins (slowly). Also Electric Umbrella, not a sit down but its great, its not a Disney Trip with out a stop there. Also Crystal Pallace, thats great too, (Magic Kingdom), we went to the Character Breakfast, for Disney Studios you should really go to Sci-Fi Café its wonderful, and ask about their light up ice cubes, I got mine in April of 2003 (Green) and it still works!! I haven't used it much though, I dont want to kill the battery. I don't really know about the AK, I never stay long enough to eat there, not my favorite park...

 

[mkymaus]

Congrats!!

You will love it and if I may say so without sounding one sided...you will never look at Disneyland the same again!

Pop Century is suppose to be awesome, great choice, financially and also cause it will be BRAND NEW!!!

Eating...well, my fav's would be Coral Reef in Epcot
Spoodles @ the Boardwalk Resort (easily acessed through the Internation Gateway at Epcot)
California Grill @ Contemporary
Artist Point @ Wilderness Lodge
House of Blues @ Downtown Disney
Brown Derby @ MGM
Tangerine Cafe for lunch @ Epcot - Morocco
OH god..there are soooo many awesome places, you really wont do wrong.
I have done the Luau @ Poly, its okay, Dinner at Chef Mickey's ok too, characters make the meal.

January is a great time...not crowded (fingers crossed) and weather well it does get iffy....so bring a coat...not sure about the swim suit though...but heck...bring it anyways!!!
Have a great time!!!!!
:sohappy:

 

[tigsmom]

Welcome! :wave:

I have to agree with everyone else about the timing of your trip. The weather should be nice and the low crowds will offset the shortened hours.

We always have at least one skillet breakfast at the Wilderness Lodge (no ps required). Dinner at the Concourse Steakhouse in the Contemporary is a must for us (we have eaten there both with and without PS). Love the Hoop Dee Doo , but you need ps for them and they should be made now. Dinner at Ohana in the Poly is another great choice (ps needed).

I think there are as many opinions on a good meal as there are people here. :lol:
We have never had a bad meal at WDW so no matter what you choose you should make out fine. Have a great trip and bring back some pics for us.

 

[Mickifan17]

WOW. You must be so excited for your first trip to WDW. I'm leaving on 12/4 for 9 days and being a veteran of WDW (over 30 trips) the only words of advice I can give are GOOD LUCK. :lol:

You are going to have the time of your life down there, but you won't be able to see everything, unfortunately.

As far as advice, have a great time and try not to push yourself too much!! I also recommend a character meal. Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary is great. As a personal favorite, I always recommend to anyone going to WDW, that they must eat in The Crystal Palace in MK. In my personal opinion, I think it's some of the best breakfast food WDW has to offer.

Have an excellent time. You will return sooner than you think.:sohappy:

Mickifan17

 

[Fantasmickey]

Wow, thank you so much for your suggestions. I'll definitely have to eat at some of thses places. Oh, and thank you
MichRX7 for the phone number. It came in very handy. From the info I gathered about the weather, 72 is the ave. high, 49 ave. low and about 2 in. of rain fall that time of year. It's looks like it's gonna be a fun trip. I'll be sure to put in a report when we get back. I'm so excited!