Returning to WDW since 82'

[richxr7]

My fiance and I are going to WDW in late August 2006. I haven't been there since 82 when Epcot just opened:sohappy: . Plus, I was 4 at the time and I am 28 now. So you know I can't remember a thing if I tried. My fiance was there in 89. So basically, I wanted to know of any tips or major things to hit while we are there. We are there for 8 days, so I think its a pretty decent amount of time. So, any advice is appreciated. Thanks

 

[RedGear]

My advice is to relax and Have fun because you have more then enough time to see it all. Don't try to cram everything into 1 day, spread it out over a couple. My suggestion is to get the park hopper opition added to your ticket. That way you can go to a different park at night then you were in the morning. GO back to the hotel and take a break if you are close enough too. And some of the best moments I found are taking your time to enjoy, espeically at Animal Kingdom because you can see some neat animals if you are patient enough, and people watching is always an added bonus.
Try to eat at all the parks, we usually do 1 sit down meal per day, but thats up to you (if you are staying at disney you have the free dinning plan!)

Good luck and have fun, because I know you will!! :wave:

 

[brertigger]

My fiance and I are going to WDW in late August 2006. I haven't been there since 82 when Epcot just opened:sohappy: . Plus, I was 4 at the time and I am 28 now. So you know I can't remember a thing if I tried. My fiance was there in 89. So basically, I wanted to know of any tips or major things to hit while we are there. We are there for 8 days, so I think its a pretty decent amount of time. So, any advice is appreciated. Thanks

8 days is a good amount of time for touring the parks. That is how long I usually stay at WDW. You should certainly be able to hit most of the highlights during the 8 days. Recently, I went with some friends. We only had 4 day park hopper tickets. We managed to hit almost every major attraction on property.

Make sure you do not try to rush around (like I had^). It will make you very tired by the end of the vacation. Also, make sure you drink plenty of water.

Anyway, the must sees:
Magic Kingdom:
-Splash Mountain (ride first thing in the morning, or late at night for short wait)
-Big Thunder Mountain
-Space Mountain
-Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
-Small World (You haven't been to Disney until you've been on it)
-Aladdin's Magic Carpets (like Dumbo, but less than 1/2 the wait)
-Jungle Cruise (another Disney classic)
-Pirates (the newly refurbished ride will have opened less than a month before)
-Wishes (the fireworks show): you have to see this! One of my friends said it was the best fireworks show she had ever seen. I think it is certainly the best show on property.

EPCOT:
-Soarin (ride early or get a Fastpass if possible. Line gets up to 3-4 hours. It is worth waiting for, if you have to though. It is an AMAZING ride.)
-Test Track (get a Fastpass if possible, line gets up to an hour. One caution, sometimes the Single Rider line is longer than the Standby line, as I discovered.)
-Misssion Space (not sure if y'all would like this one or not, if you get motion sickness, ride the GREEN side. If just one of you want to ride, the other can wait in the postride area: walk through the giftshop into the next room and there are video games you can play while you wait--they really make the time go by fast

Disney-MGM Studios:
-Fantasmic
-Muppet Vision 3D
-Tower of Terror (if y'all like dropping rides, that is)
-Rock N Roller Coaster (only go if you like big, fast, looping roller coasters. The takeoff is amazing, from what I have heard. Then you have several loops, finishing up with a corkscrew).

Animal Kingdom:
Both lines below get long, so try to get a Fastpass for one and Standby the other.
I will warn you- it gets VERY hot here in the afternoon (it feels about 15-20 degrees hotter here, because of the vegetation). You might want to leave after lunch.
-Expedition Everest
-Safari

 

[Beuford]

Well Im glad you are going back. There is nothing better than going after a long time away. And in your case it will be like going when you were as inoscent as at 4. My recomendation, see everything you can, even the small stuff. Learn how to use fast passes and take advantage of extra magic hours if possible, (I hope you are staying on site). Also, dine at some of the themed restaraunts they are awsome. Whatever you do, act like a child with fascination and wonderment, remeber this is the place where magic lives and dreams come true.

 

[LaughingGravy]

I say print our BrerTiggers plan and keep it with you.
If you'll be there end of August and have the free dining plan, make reservations as soon as possible for any place you want to eat if you have not already done so. As soon as possible meaning NOW.

What I would suggest is one table service per day in each park based on availability.
For example, say you want to eat dinner at 50's Prime Time at the Studios on a Thursday, but nothing is available except for Wed. at 4:30. Snap that up and plan on spending that day at the studios. Planning table service meals with reservations and being in said park the same day eliminates a lot of lost time. Transferring from one park to another, or even going to a resort from a park for a meal can really take a long time. There's also the travel time back.

 

[brertigger]

You might also want to go to one of the water parks. Typhoon Lagoon has a little bit tamer rides. Blizzard Beach has some larger slides. Both parks have wave pools, but Typhoon Lagoon has the huge waves that will go over your head, while Blizzard Beach usually just has bobbing waves.

However, the water parks do usually close by about 10:30 on hot summer days due to capacity. You will want to get there by about 9:30 (or earlier) for best chances of getting in. Otherwise, they will probably reopen about 2PM.

Also, one of the best snacks available is at both parks: Mini-Donuts. You have to try these! They are delicious.

 

[Since1976]

I'm so jealous. First, because you're going practically as a newbie. Second, because you've got 8 days there by yourselves (no kids or whatever).

If I were in that situation, I would get parkhopper passes and pack in as much freewheeling Disney park madness into the week. Jump from park to park as much as you can. If you're up for it, try fitting all four parks into a single day. Go back to your hotel whenever you feel like it. Treat the World as your playground. When you come back from vacation, your memories of WDW will be a whirlwind of sights, sounds, and music!

I say this because if children are in your future, you probably won't have the same carefree experience then as you will now. This is not to say that bringing kids to WDW is bad -- it just allows for a lot less spontaneity.

Enjoy your trip!!

 

[eroyee]

Disney new since 82?

:wave: Buy guidebooks, surf the websites and just enjoy. theres lots of info. out there. Lucky you, seeing everything new. Next trip Jan. 2007. 13th time. yaaay!!:sohappy:

 

[poohbear6103]

For me planning is half the fun. Taking the time to research what is out there and getting excited to see the days unfold as you plan. Maybe do some not so obvious things as well (speed boating on the lagoon/lake, shopping at Downtown Disney, swimming at night). You have plenty of time in 8 days to see all 4 parks and go back to your favorites. I love going in August because low crowds, but don't assume that for restaurants. I would definitely do dinner reservations now.

Enjoy!!!!!

 

[Epcot82Guy]

Just to second everyone. It's a whole new World. Just go in and have fun. My biggest advice: LET YOURSELF BE A KID. What I mean by that is let yourself get lost in a story and add to it yourself. It's not meant to be real; it's meant to invoke the imagination.

 

[Eljay]

http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/apass.htm

Have you considered an Annual Pass? Sometimes the Annual Pass (known as AP) discount on a Disney resort accomodation justifies the AP! Plus, you just might want to come back before the year is up, like maybe in October for the fabulous Food & Wine Festival, or for Christmas, or even next years Flower & Garden Festival!
BTW, only the person who reserves the room needs the AP in order to get the discount. Check out the link above for all of the info.
Have a wonderful time!