Need Ride/Show Recommendations, Please

[HolySchmoly]

Greetings,

Our family will be making a trip to Orlando's Disney World Parks and was wondering if someone who's been there or is familiar with the Parks would be kind enough to list the recommended rides and the shows in each of the Parks?

My girls are 13 & 11 and we'd like to know which rides or shows can be skipped over the better, more fun rides and shows at those Parks for our daughters. We have purchased the 4 day Park Hopper tickets, so basically, we'll spend a day at each of the Parks. Thank you for your time and courtesy!

 

[Jenna]

Magic Kingdom-Doesnt matter if your daughters are 11 and 13 or 111 and 113 they will want to do everything in this park! It's where magic lives! I'd recommend that you definitely do Haunted mansion, Big thunder mountain, Splash mountain, Mickeys Philharmagic. Pirates of the caribbean and Space mountain-basically those are the big names but there are many many other fantastic rides. Having been on all the rides except the monsters inc ride on my next trip I will definitely be riding those along with Peter pans flight, Buzz lightyears spaceranger spin and the teacups-its a must! To be fair though your kids won't mind what they get on-walking up Main street usa and seeing the castle will be the best part of their day! I'd save the Magic Kingdom until your last day!

Epcot-Spaceship earth, Test Track, Soaring (fastpass this ride early in the day to avoid MEGA queues and possibly not getting to ride), Spirit of Norway. I'd suggest making Epcot the first stop on your trip, I'm assuming just by the age of your girls they will find this park the least entertaining but definitely still worth a visit!

Animal Kingdom-Dinosaur-Amazing ride although it still scares me lol!, Everest-a must ride, Kili safaris, Kali river rapids-fastpass this (if there is a fastpass-i cant remember) and Tough to be a bug. All great rides which I think your daughters will definitely love. You must go to watch the festival of the lion king!

MGM-This parks the smallest but probably the hardest to get round in one day due to its layout. Tower of Terror and Rockin rollercoaster-definitely ride these. I'd suggest fastpassing one and queuing for the other-I tend to queue for ToT and fastpas RnR. Other rides that are great-The great movie ride, backlot tour, muppets 3d. Show wise-Beauty and the beast is just beyond BRILLIANT and you should also watch the little mermaid.

Don't know if you're going to the waterparks or not but I strongly recommend you do. If you can only go to one I'd say Typhoon lagoon due to the wave pool and what I think is superior theming.The wave pools great for parents to, you can lie on the beach and know that your kids having a blast rather than having to trek round all the slides with them. Blizzard beach is good to but Typhoon lagoon is awesome!

Hope I've helped. Sorry for the essay!

 

[Ilovewishes]

Although I love the rides, I adore the shows and if I could only do one thing in each park, I would catch one of the shows.

The daytime shows are amazing and the parades are fab. The characters have a way of interacting with you from the floats that makes you feel special, even if they are on a float and can't get to you! Donald blew me a kiss on my last visit and I was beaming all day!

But the night time shows are what makes my holiday. My favourites are Wishes (MK) and Fantasmic (DHS) and I would really recommend that you see them. They give me goosebumps and bring tears to my eyes everytime and I've seen them so many times I'm word perfect!

Also, Spectromagic is like nothing I've ever seen before in my life!

I have to say I'm not as keen on Illuminations at Epcot but it is still something that you should see, just for the sheer spectacle and the sight of the world showcase all lit up at night is amazing! The night shows really do give your day the perfect end and leave you with goosebumps, a tear in your eye and a huge grin on your face!

 

[Chape19714]

Here's my Favorites List, Rides with an FP following the name indicate fastpass service.

MAGIC KINGDOM
Jungle Cruise FP
Pirates of the Carribean
Splash Mountain FP
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad FP
Haunted Mansion
Peter Pan's Flight FP
it's a small world
Mickey's Philharmagic FP
Snow Whites Scary Adventure
Mad Tea Party
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin FP
Space Mountain FP
Monster's Inc Laugh Floor
Tomorrowland Transit Authority
Dream Along with Mickey
Wishes
SpectroMagic Parade

EPCOT
Soarin FP
Test Track FP
Mission:Space FP
Spaceship Earth
The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Gran Fiesta Tour
American Adventure

Disney's Hollywood Studios
Tower of Terror FP
Rock n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith FP
Star Tours FP
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular FP
The Great Movie Ride
Fantasmic!
One Man's Dream
Block Party Bash (Daily at 3:00pm)
Toy Story Mania! (opening late May 2008) FP -NOTE I AM ONLY PREDICITING THIS, have yet to ride it.

Disney's Animal Kingdom
Finding Nemo the Musical
Expedition Everest FP
Kali River Rapids FP
Kilmanjaro Safaris FP
Festival of the Lion King
Dinosaur FP
Primeval Whirl FP
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade.

 

[RachelP6877]

DONT i repeat DONT go on stich great escape its AWFUL:hurl:

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

Hi! Please note that my list of shows is limited, as I have not seen them all, so I can't comment on all of them. However, here are my picks (in no particular order):

Magic Kingdom:
Rides:
- Splash Mountain
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Space Mountain
- Haunted Mansion
- it's a small world
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority
- Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin

Shows:
- Mickey's Philharmagic (3-D Show)
- Dream Along with Mickey (Live Stage Show)
- Wishes (Nightly Fireworks)

Parades:
- Disney Dreams Come True Parade
- Spectromagic (Night Parade)

Epcot:
Rides:
- Test Track
- Mission: SPACE (Orange Team if you can do it)
- Soarin' (Front row if you can manage it)
- Spaceship Earth
- Living with the Land
- Maelstrom

Shows:
- Turtle Talk with Crush (Interactive Show)
- Honey, I Shrunk the Audience (3-D Show)
- The American Adventure (Animatronic history of the U.S.)
- World Showcase Players (Found in Italy and U.K.-Live comedy act w/audience participation)
- Any country film in World Showcase
- IllumiNations, Reflections of Earth (Nightly Fireworks)

*Note that most countries in World Showcase have their own live entertainment beginning each evening around 6 PM. See as many as you can-it's what makes Epcot special!

Disney's Hollywood Studios:
Rides:
- The Twilight Zone-Tower of Terror
- Rock n' Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith
- Star Tours
- The Great Movie Ride

*Toy Story Mania-opening around June 2008. However, it may be open for soft previews before this date. If you're there and its open, give it a try.

Shows:
- Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular (Live Stunt Show)
- Muppet Vision 3-D (3-D Show)
- Fantasmic (Nightly Special Effects Show)

Parades:
- Block Party Bash (Found in 2 locations-more of a show than actual parade. Its worth a look.)

Disney's Animal Kingdom:
Rides:
- Kilimanjaro Safaris
- Expedition Everest
- Kali River Rapids
- Dinosaur

Shows:
- Festival of the Lion King (Live Stage Show)
- It's Tough to be a Bug (3-D Show)
- Finding Nemo: The Musical (Broadway like show featuring actors and puppets-Arrive Early! Lines form quickly for each performance)

Parades:
-Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade

There you have. When you go, remember to keep it relaxed! These lists may seem a little daunting, and the urge to rush to do everything is there. Realize now that you're probably NOT going to be able to see everything. Just plan out your day, use Fastpass when possible, and take it easy. Oh, and HAVE A MOST MAGICAL TIME!

 

[JennyTablina]

4 days is fine but a tip: dont go expecting to ride everything, even all the good stuff in this trip

Anyways

Magic Kingdom

*Pirates of the Carribean
*Splash Mountain (log flume ride)
*Great Thunder Mountain (runaway train ride)
*Space Mountain
*Tikki Room
*Jungle Cruise
*Pretty much all of Fantasyland with the exception of Dumbo possibly
*Haunted Mansion
*Buzz Lightyears Lazer Blast (great ride, dont be surprised if you find you and your girls wanting more than one go on this)
*Monsters Inc Comedy Club

(also; be sure to catch the Castle show during the day and the fireworks at night)

Epcot

*Spaceship Earth
*Innoventions (if you or your girls like interactive gadgets you'll love this)
*Soarin
*Honey I shrunk the Audience
*Test Track
*Mission Space (only if you are daring enough to do red team, green team is a bit dull without the extra stuff in my opinion)
*Tour all of World Showcase, Do Grand Festa in Mexico, Melestrom in Norway and American adventure. Be sure to pick up a passport each for your girls, they can get stamps in each country and theres special activities in each country if you have the time to do that


Disney Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM Studios)

*High School Musical Pep Rally
*Little Mermaid show
*Beauty and the beast stageshow
*The animation tour
*MuppetVision 3D
*Rock and Rollercoaster (if your girls are thrill ride fans)
*Indiana Jones Stageshow
*Star Tours
*Tower of Terror ( only for the really brave IMO)
*Fantasmic- this is the night show but is an absolute must, this show is amazing and awes everyone who watches it. Even in youtube form I've known people to be stunned by low rez footage of this show

Animal Kingdom

*Kilmanjaro Safaris (do this *first thing* in the morning on entry, the animals are generally sleepy in the day otherwise)
*Tough to be a Bug 4D show
*Finding Nemo the Musical
*Kali Rapids
*Expedition Everest

 

[Norm The Skull]

Good Times

Well the last time we where there my daughter was 10 and she loved everything so did we.

So whatever you decide to do you will have a great time.

If you are only going for 4 days I would decide on one dont miss attracion each for each park and whatever time you have left just go with the flow.

But do try to see the parades and night time shows because that is what makes DISNEY WORLD

Enjoy

We still have 251 days to go

 

[NadieMasK2]

I would highly recommend getting a copy of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. It rates each attraction, giving a description, appropriate age category, and also makes a point of saying which attractions are "not to be missed". For a first timer it's a great resource. You'll have a blast!:wave:

 

[XaiChai]

DONT i repeat DONT go on stich great escape its AWFUL:hurl:

What about it don't you like? If you enjoyed Lilo and Stitch, I don't see why you wouldn't enjoy this ride

 

[InfernalPenguin]

Yeah, I second this.

It's a different show than ExtraTERRORestrial... I wouldn't know because when I was a kid I was too scared to go in... but it's still cool.

So it's not like you're gonna need a change of underwear... that part with the blasters shooting everything is awesome!

 

[DizneyPryncess]

Others have posted the good rides & shows, so I'll give you something different. Here's some ideas for you to try that are unique things I never miss!

Magic Kingdom
-Take the girls to Cinderella's wishing well, and let them throw in a coin and make a wish. It's to the right of the castle if you're looking at it, up a pathway.
-Have one of them ride Cinderella's horse on the carousal. It's the only horse w/a gold ribbon on it's tail. If you ask the cast member working the ride, they will point it out for you. It makes you feel special =)
-Hunt for paintbrushes on Tom Sawyers Island. Around 6 are hidden everyday, and if you find one, turn it into the raft driver for a special prize. Be there as soon as the island opens, usually around 10:00 AM.
-Have each of them try to pull the Sword from the Stone, a few times a day it actually pulls out for someone with "A Special Touch" - fun for kids!
-Show them the Rags to Riches fountain in fantasyland. You can see the crown behind Cinderella on the mural will sit on her head when looked at from a child's angle.

Epcot Center
-Take them to a character dinner at the rotating restaurant "The Garden Grille". The characters come to the table and get pictures, the food is good, and it's fun for kids that the restaurant spins. (Make reservations)
-Don't miss Soarin! Head straight for that ride if you can, the line backs up. It's IMO, the best ride in Disney World.
-Get a times guide to see when Mikiyuki is making candy in Japan. She will let your girls pick an animal and will make candy that looks like that animal and they can keep it for free. It's pretty cool.
-Definitely stay for Illuminations, it's spectacular.

Hollywood Studios (MGM)
-The new Block Party Bash is an interactive parade, and I've not yet seen it, but it sounds really cool.
-When you do "Muppets 3d", look for a door that says "Key Under Mat" before you go into the show. If you lift the mat by the door, you will find the key. Sometimes there will be a magic certificate there congratulating you for finding the key but I think that might be only the first time everyday.
-In the back of the park is an umbrella connected to a pole, you can hold onto it, just like in "Singin In the Rain", and if done right, it will create rain around the umbrella.
-Pull the rope outside the Indiana Jones show, you get a funny response.

Those are some of my fun sort of secrets! I'm a big kid, so I get a kick outta these things! If you ride the monorail, ask to sit up front w/the conductor - great view! Have a great trip!

Jamie

 

[lisak09]

I would highly recommend getting a copy of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. It rates each attraction, giving a description, appropriate age category, and also makes a point of saying which attractions are "not to be missed". For a first timer it's a great resource. You'll have a blast!:wave:

I agree, it goes into great detail for every ride so you know exactly whats in store. Also i would think about seeing La Nouba in DTD. If you could only see one show this is it.

 

[RachelP6877]

thats Snow Whites wishing well

 

[Mr Ferret 75]

How exciting. My biggest tip is don't panic, there's alot to see but getting flustered won't help. Make a list WITH your girls of what you REALLY want to see/do and tick them off as you do them, that way your must see's are seen and everything else is a bonus.
I recommend:

MAGIC KINGDOM:
splash mountain
big thunder mountain
the haunted mansion
pirates of the carribean
mickeys philharmagic

ANIMAL KINGDOM:
kilamanjaro safari (first ride)
expedition everest
dinosaur

EPCOT:
maelstrom
soarin

HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS:
tower of terror
voyege of the little mermaid
the backlot tour
muppet vision 3d
(the warm up act for the beauty and the beast show is great)


If you find one park doesn't appeal as much (eg some people go to a park and are done very quickly) go back to your favourite park and do it again.

Have a great time:wave:

 

[KingStefan]

Welcome to these boards! I hope you like it here. I'm very happy you found us. As you can see, there are many enthusiasts here who will offer a wealth of advice and opinion on all things WDW. I hope you find it helpful.

I would highly recommend getting a copy of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. It rates each attraction, giving a description, appropriate age category, and also makes a point of saying which attractions are "not to be missed". For a first timer it's a great resource. You'll have a blast!:wave:

I agree, it goes into great detail for every ride so you know exactly whats in store. ...

For a first timer, or anyone else, for that matter, the UG is an invaluable asset. I highly recommend getting it. Don't try to read the whole thing, but get it for the advice on rides and shows for sure!

Also, you don't say when you are going. If there is time, get the official WDW planning DVD, and watch the parts about the parks together. Mark down when someone says "Wow, I wanna do that", or "No way I'm doing that". It will be very helpful in planning your "must do" list, possibly planning a split-up for a while, and knowing what not to waste time on.

I can't tell what part of the world you are in. If you have a US or Canadian address, you can get the planing DVD by visiting http://disneyworld.disney.go.com. There is a link near the top of the home page that will take you to a page where you can request it.

Have a magical trip!

 

[KingStefan]

Also, are the girls into High School Musical? If they are, you don't want to miss the HSM2: Schools Out show at Disney Hollywood Studios!

 

[HolySchmoly]

Wow, this is fabulous, people! Thank you so much for your replies and input. I managed to post the question during my break at work yesterday, then was asked to pull a double shift. So, I came home dog tired earlier this morning at dawn and was pleasantly surprised to wake up to this wealth of information.

I'm sure our trip to the Parks will be more enjoyable with this bevy of information. Thanks again and I'll be sure to take a print out of the replies and use it to plan our rides/shows list. Thanks again, ladies and gents!

This board truly rocks!!