Need help planning 1st trip...

[latina44870]

We are taking our first disney world trip april 19th-24th. Staying at movies resort. I have a few questions and would appreciate some opinions. thanks in advance!

1. Movies resort- what is the difference between standard and preferred rooms? are preferred better? Are they decorated in more character? We would like the toy story section if possible will theyhonor our request?

2. our first day there we are going to magic kingdom. Would like to do chef mickeys for dinner. how do we get there? is there a bus? would it be too time consuming to leave MK to go there and come back?

3. I'm taking a tote bag to carry around will I be able to take it on rides? or will I have to stay off and wait? I cant just sit it down somewhere as it will have my camera, wallet , etc. in it.

4. When we are in Epcot.. for lunch we want to go to downtown disney to trex cafe. it was the only time we could get for reservation. do you think it will be too hard to leave epcot and go to downtown disney have lunch then come back? Too time consuming? how do we get there, is there a bus? I'm really lost on the bus system. like how long to leave to make sure we make our reservations.

5. Has anyone done the Aloha Dinner Show? How was it? :wave:

 

[melmood2000]

#1 preferred rooms are just closer to the Main building and bus stops. I haven't stayed at All star movies so I'm not sure what category the Toy Story building is.

#2 Have you made Advance Dinner reservations for Chef Mickey's it is a popular place. To get there from Magic Kingdom you have the option to walk over to the Contemporary Resort or you could take the monorail resort line.

#3 You will be able to take the bag on all rides, some of the higher speed rides have a mesh bag to put your belongings in so they don't fall out. I haven't been on Rocking Roller Coaster in a few years that is the only roller coaster I'm unsure of the bag storage.

#4 The bus system has the possibility to eat up a lot of time. From Epcot to Down Town Disney I think you would take the monorail to the Ticket and Transportation Center and then From there you would take a Bus to Down Town Disney. Someone els might have a better suggestion for this route?

 

[latina44870]

Yes I did make the dining reservations but was really unsure if they were time wasting or what not. I tried to stay within the theme parks we were going to be at (we arent doing park hopper) but really wanted to do a few that were outside the parks.

Also wondering if we got a good deal? It is 2 adults, 2 kids ages 10 and 3. 5 nights 6 days. movies resort. deluxe dining. $2700 (plus $900 for our 4 plane tickets)

 

[melmood2000]

In all the years that I have been going I've only used the dining plan once, so I can't comment about the deluxe dining, However Chef Mickey's is always on our list for sit down meals and it is very easy to get there from Magic Kingdom.

I wouldn't worry about the bus system it is VERY easy to use, Disney is very good about proper signs to help you get around and if you ever have a question just ask the driver they are very helpful.

I'm excited for you it being your first visit, I have been visiting Walt Disney World since I was 5 I can't count how many visits but I have been visiting for 23 years.

Check out the Restaurant and Dining Forum page for the snack credit post. There is a link with a VERY Long list of the snacks you can get with your credits.

Have a Great First Visit I hope you have a Magical Time :sohappy:

 

[melmood2000]

I'm sorry I was wrong about your Travel from Epcot to Down Town Disney. There isn't a Bus from the Ticket and Transportation Center to Down Town Disney I just saw this link on another post This will help with your bus travel questions.

http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/aspx/twiz.aspx

 

[Rob562]

I'll chime in on a couple points:

-If it were me, I would not do the T-Rex lunch. The transportation is going to eat up a lot of time. I'd say that the side trip, including time spent eating, would take up a minimum of 2 1/2 hours if you get great bus timing, more likely 3+.
If you still go with it, exit out the BACK gate of Epcot (International Gateway between UK and France), walk to the Beach Club, go through the lobby to the bus stop out front and get on a bus to Downtown Disney.

-Unless your bag is giant, you can take it on all the rides, including the coasters. But I wouldn't suggest taking anything bigger than a large purse or medium-sized backpack. Some rides have a small storage net, others you just put them at your feet (put your leg through the bag's shoulder strap on thrill rides)
Larger bags than those you'll have a problem on a couple rides, mostly because of limited space around your legs or limited storage area size. The ones that come to mind are Space Mountain, Mission Space and Dinosaur.

If you need to bring something the size of a duffel bag, rent a locker at the front of the park.

-Rob

 

[latina44870]

Would it be easier to go from movies resort to downtown disney? our t rex cafe reservation is at 1pm. could just sleep late go to lunch then to epcot. can you see epcot in the time frame from like 3pm til close or is that too late of a start?

 

[hiptwinmama]

1st trip

Hi ... I was a cast member back in the mid 90's so I know a little. I also grew up only and hour from Disney and had been there over 50 times before I was and adult. I am a little bit of an expert. Now I take my kids for an all out Disney Trip for 1 week every year. As soon as we get home I start planning again.


We are taking our first disney world trip april 19th-24th. Staying at movies resort. I have a few questions and would appreciate some opinions. thanks in advance!

1. Movies resort- We actually stayed at the All Star Movies last year in the Toy Story Building. Parking was close to our room and the food court/Pool/Buses were an easy walk. That is why they are prefered rooms. The actual rooms are not Toy Story themed inside, just a generic movie theme.

2. When the kids were 5 we did Chef Mickey's the first day. I think that is a great idea. It is a quick monorail ride from the Magic Kingdom, not a big deal at all to get there.

3. Most rides you should be able to take it on.

4. EPCOT to downtown disney then TREX and then back to EPCOT could take 2-3 hours. So be prepared. Last year we couldn't get the reservation at TREX that we wanted, but a week before our trip there were cancellations and we got a good time. I would keep checking for a dinner reservation. Downtown Disney is fun at night. You need to give yourself almost and hour. It takes about 10 on the bus but you may have to wait for one. Then you have to walk to TREX when you get there. You might try exiting EPCOT from World Showcase (next to France) and catch a bus from the Boardwalk hotels.

5. Never done it... always wanted to. I've heard good things.

 

[ThinkTink721]

1. Preferred rooms are usually closer to the lobby/food court.

2. Chef Mickey's is at the Contemporary Resort which is right next door to the MK - just take the monorail & you are there!

3. I always take a bag - just make sure it zips up well so that nothing will fall out.

4. I would recommend walking from Epcot to the nearby Beach Club resort - from there you can take a bus to DTD. Allow yourself enough time to get there (at least 1.5 hrs prior to your reservation - or longer).

5. Never done the Spirit of Aloha - but, have done Hoop Dee Doo Revue - it's great!

 

[HumblePirate]

Would it be easier to go from movies resort to downtown disney? our t rex cafe reservation is at 1pm. could just sleep late go to lunch then to epcot. can you see epcot in the time frame from like 3pm til close or is that too late of a start?

I'll just comment on the Epcot portion, since most everyone else has commented on other parts pretty well.

I think a lot of this depends on what you want to do at Epcot and what day this is all happening - whether you can hit up some extra magic hours. I do think you need to leave a large amount of time in there for getting from Epcot to Downtown Disney. I personally always like to get to all the parks early because there are no crowds at all and I can hit up all the popular rides without a wait. If you're looking at going directly from the movies resort to downtown disney and then doing Epcot after that you will be looking at long lines for certain attractions (test track and soarin). You could get there at 9 (or 8 if it's the same day as extra magic hours) do a bunch, leave by 11:30 to go to downtown disney, and get back in the afternoon and hit up some less popular attractions and Illuminations and 9, if the kiddos are still awake.

It's really all about timing.

 

[vcstr]

Seconding what everyone else has said.

I agree you might want to change that T-Rex reservation as it will cost you quite a bit of time. Maybe you could go to Rainforest Cafe while in AK instead?

Also if the monorail line is long when trying to get from MK to the Contemporary for lunch at Chef Mickey's, walking is usually faster. There will be a sign post with arrows at the exit or you can ask a CM. It's a very short walk.

 

[Mimi]

#1 I'm not sure what category the Toy Story building is but if it is within the same category that you are staying in they will try their best to honor your request. If it is preferred and you paid for standard I would not hold my breath. Preferred means nothing more than location (closer to the lobby) the room size/decor is the same.

#2 The monorail is your best bet. It won't take real long but I would give at least a half hour between exiting the MK gate and your reservation time. This will be a nice little break in your day and definitely won't be too time-consuming.

4. I agree with the other posters that you should take the back exit and hop on a bus at the Beach Club. This will take a large bite out of your day tho, I personally would not do it - you're paying a lot for that park ticket. I really would not recommend sleeping in and going to the park after your lunch - so many good times wasted! If you can't get a reservation at T-Rex any other time I would just try to walk-in on another day. There are some amazing dining experiences to be had in EPCOT you won't regret trying one!

 

[Patrick_Ears]

We are taking our first disney world trip april 19th-24th. Staying at movies resort. I have a few questions and would appreciate some opinions. thanks in advance!

1. Movies resort- what is the difference between standard and preferred rooms? are preferred better? Are they decorated in more character? We would like the toy story section if possible will theyhonor our request?

2. our first day there we are going to magic kingdom. Would like to do chef mickeys for dinner. how do we get there? is there a bus? would it be too time consuming to leave MK to go there and come back?

3. I'm taking a tote bag to carry around will I be able to take it on rides? or will I have to stay off and wait? I cant just sit it down somewhere as it will have my camera, wallet , etc. in it.

4. When we are in Epcot.. for lunch we want to go to downtown disney to trex cafe. it was the only time we could get for reservation. do you think it will be too hard to leave epcot and go to downtown disney have lunch then come back? Too time consuming? how do we get there, is there a bus? I'm really lost on the bus system. like how long to leave to make sure we make our reservations.

5. Has anyone done the Aloha Dinner Show? How was it? :wave:

latina44870 i hope you all have a wonderful time!! You are about too see things that will amaze you! Yeah lot's of people will give you great info on this site, but remember a few things. Have good shoes, take your time and last of all enjoy the memories!! :wave:
:wave:

 

[JillC LI]

Yes I did make the dining reservations but was really unsure if they were time wasting or what not. I tried to stay within the theme parks we were going to be at (we arent doing park hopper) but really wanted to do a few that were outside the parks.

Also wondering if we got a good deal? It is 2 adults, 2 kids ages 10 and 3. 5 nights 6 days. movies resort. deluxe dining. $2700 (plus $900 for our 4 plane tickets)

Would it be easier to go from movies resort to downtown disney? our t rex cafe reservation is at 1pm. could just sleep late go to lunch then to epcot. can you see epcot in the time frame from like 3pm til close or is that too late of a start?

You seem concerned - rightfully so - about losing too much time in the parks to reach your dining destinations. Given that concern, you probably don't want to take the Deluxe Dining Plan (unless you plan on eating at a lot of Signature restaurants). The Deluxe Dining Plan without Signature meals will require you to eat a LOT of sit-down meals to make it monetarily worthwhile, which will take a lot of time from the parks. If you want to consider changing your reservation to the regular Dining Plan, you might want to talk to Kingdom Konsultants. They have helped many people on this board - myself included - to get the best possible prices.

As for ASMovies to Downtown Disney, yes you can take a bus directly there, but I do not think that 3pm til close is enough time to really experience EPCOT on your first visit ever. EPCOT has so much to offer - both in Future World (Soarin' is our family's favorite ride) and in the World Showcase. Can you switch your reservation at T-Rex to dinner so you could spend the day at Epcot and go to T-Rex and enjoy Downtown Disney at night?

 

[latina44870]

Thank you everyone is so helpful on this board! My family and I are so very excited to go to disney! 72 days and counting!

I have asked the travel agent the price difference if we did reg dining vs. the deluxe dining and since we had a pin to use the savings was only $10
So we kept the deluxe dining.

Hubby loves dinosaurs and I really wanna have lunch for him at the trex cafe since he is willing to eat at cinderellas castle.

This is our dining plan:

4-19-12
arrive at disney about 2pm going to Magic Kingdom park
dinner at chef mickeys 6:55pm

4-20-12
Epcot
breakfast at resort
lunch trex cafe 1pm
akershus- 6:55pm

4-21-12
hollywood studios
breakfast hollywood and vine 9:05am
lunch was thinking of doing pizza planet
dinner- aloha dinner show

4-22-12
Magic Kingdom
breakfast crystal palace 9:25am
lunch cinderellas castle 1:30pm
dinner crystal palace 7:10pm

4-23-12
Animal Kingdom
breakfast tusker house (;10am
lunch ?
dinner rainforest cafe 6:45pm


I thought the aloha show would be neat but no one has any good reviews about it. So now I'm worried about doing it.

 

[latina44870]

Also- we wont be doing any of the *big rides* as our daughters are 10 and 4 and both are scared of heights. So any roller coasters or scary attractions we wont be doing. I'm sure that will cut down on some time.

 

[melmood2000]

With girls that age make sure that you see the Beauty and The Beast show at Hollywood Studios a great show, Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom comes in a close second.

 

[vjgraham]

Yes I did make the dining reservations but was really unsure if they were time wasting or what not. I tried to stay within the theme parks we were going to be at (we arent doing park hopper) but really wanted to do a few that were outside the parks.

Also wondering if we got a good deal? It is 2 adults, 2 kids ages 10 and 3. 5 nights 6 days. movies resort. deluxe dining. $2700 (plus $900 for our 4 plane tickets)

Sounds like you got a great deal on your trip. If you want to save more money I would suggest changing the dining plan from Deluxe to the regular. Not as much food but still get the sit downs as well as snack and quick service restaurants. Being your first time you may just want to see if you need the deluxe, but its all up to you. Enjoy yourselves.

 

[CaptainShortty]

1. Preferred rooms are closer to the lobby and thus the buses. They're not necessarily better unless you want to do less walking but even so I'm not sure it's worth the extra money. That being said I believe that Toy Story is in the preferred building category so for them to honor your request you would need to have a preferred room. If you call the reservation line they'll be able to verify that for you.

2. You can get to Chef Mickey's from MK one of 2 ways. You can walk via the path. Walk out of the Magic Kingdom gates and turn left (if you're staring at the lagoon). Walk past the buses and across the street to the Contemporary. You can also take the resorts monorail and get off and the Contemporary. The pathway is faster IMO but if you want to ride the monorail you of course can go that way too. It's definitely not to time consuming although be sure that you leave enough wiggle room between your meal and any parades/fireworks, etc. that you want to see to make sure you don't miss it!

3. You will be able to take the bag with you on most rides. There are some exceptions (Rockin' Roller Coaster, Expedition Everest to name 2). Other than that, you should be fine.

4. Unless you absolutely have your heart set on eating at T-rex, I would skip it and eat in Epcot or on the boardwalk that day. There are so many great restaurants there and the trek to DTD and back does take a considerable amount of time. Try getting a restaurant in World Showcase for lunch or if you're looking for a good QSR, Sunshine Seasons is delicious and offers some great selections.

5. I've never been to the Aloha dinner show so I can't really comment.

Have a great trip!!

 

[vcstr]

I thought the aloha show would be neat but no one has any good reviews about it. So now I'm worried about doing it.

Forgot to mention that! We did the Aloha dinner show and quite enjoyed it. I think it would probably be fun for your daughters!