Silly questions from Disneyworld first timer

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Sudcaro- Sudcaro

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I'm sure they have been asked a million times but there are so many threads on this forum, I'm lost...
1- Do you need a special ticket to go from one park to another on the same day? Say you want to visit MK in the morning but have lunch at a restaurant which is in AK. Sounds possible?
2- Are parking lots safe (MK)? We should be in Orlando mid morning on arrival day and don't want to miss on the fun, but hotel check in is at 3, so our car will have all our belongings in it... Bad idea?
Thank you
 
Chef Mickey

Chef Mickey

Well-Known Member
1) The only thing you need to jump from park to park is the "Park Hopper" option on your ticket. It costs extra. Well worth it.

2) I'm sure there is some theft, but I'd say you're pretty safe in WDW - Safer than other major cities. Just use due diligence and hide valuables if leaving them in the car.
 
Gig 'Em Mickey

Gig 'Em Mickey

Well-Known Member
As stated, you need a the park hopper option on your ticker.

Many hotels will allow you to go ahead and check in early and they will hold your bags for you until you return. Every on property resort will do this and many off property will as well, just call and ask what they have available.

I've never had a problem but last time we went one evening 8 cars around us were broken into and had items stolen out of them. This was later at night after fireworks. I'd say the lots are more secure than many lots, but it's still a parking lot and that's going to attract thieves sometimes.
 
BrianV

BrianV

Well-Known Member
Sudcaro- Sudcaro said:
Say you want to visit MK in the morning but have lunch at a restaurant which is in AK. Sounds possible?
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While doable, this particular example could be tight timing wise. Factor in minimum of 45 minutes from the time you leave the MK to the time you get to the restaurant at AK. Might be faster, but the buses might conspire against you. And if driving you have to get to the parking lot and then drive over. Might take even longer.

If you plan to do this, plan on a late lunch at AK otherwise you'll feel really rushed at MK. Just my opinion,
 
JillC LI

JillC LI

Well-Known Member
If your tickets are part of an onsite package, you will not be able to get into the parks until you check in and get your park passes. If you purchased your tickets independently, ignore this response. Also, if you are staying on property, you can park for free at the parks after you check in.

Oh, and we have kept our luggage in our rental car at a park on the day we check out before heading to the airport, and never had a problem.
 
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Disnee4Me

Disnee4Me

Well-Known Member
I say depending on what time you are arriving, and how many days you are staying, you might just want to explore Downtown Disney the day you arrive. This way you can be all rested and ready to start early in the a.m. the next day at whatever park you choose to visit. That's what we usually do. Why use a whole day ticket when you get there say at 2 p.m.??
 
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Sudcaro- Sudcaro

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
OK, really silly question here... How long does it take to walk from the MK entrance gate to new Fantasyland (average, just to get an idea of how big the place really is - I'm aware it's huge!)
 
ratherbeinwdw

ratherbeinwdw

Well-Known Member
MK really isn't that huge. The design makes it easy to cut through from one land to another. It does seem huge the first time, but after that, you learn where to cut though etc. It's a breeze. I ordered the free maps the first time we went and pretty much knew where everything was and how to cut through before we even got there. That saved us so much time and frustration. I also bought a Passporters at Barnes & Noble. We loved reading it every day. We learned so much with that and a couple of other books.
As to how long it takes, we usually turn right at the ice cream parlor and follow the walkway to Tomorrowland, curve a little to the left and go by Cosmic Rays, then straight up ahead to Fantasyland. We do it in about five minutes or less if there's no crowds as we have no small children with us.
 
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Sudcaro- Sudcaro

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
More questions... sorry I don't ask all of them at once but I'm asking them as they come to mind!
- Can you take your backpack on rides? We will try for it to be as light as possible, but with our little girl we will need quite a few essentials , moreover we don't want to leave potential purchases in the stroller when we ride. Anyway, what do you do with your bags when you're on a ride? It would bug me if only my husband or I went on the ride with our daughter while the other babysits the bag... Any tips?
- Is it true that you don't access MK straight from its parking lot but need to ride a shuttle? Is it a nuisance or does it work well? I was afraid of shuttles from the hotel at first because of potentially long wait times, but if we end up having to wait for a shuttle anyway... ;)
 
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Goofyernmost

Goofyernmost

Well-Known Member
Sudcaro- Sudcaro said:
More questions... sorry I didn't ask all at once but I ask as they come to mind!
- Can you take your backpack on rides? We will try for it to be as light as possible, but with our little girl we will need quite a few essentials , moreover we don't want to leave potential purchases in the stroller when we ride. Anyway, what do you do with your bags when you're on a ride? It would bug me if only my husband or I went on the ride with our daughter while the other babysits the bag... Any tips?
- Is it true that you don't access MK straight from its parking lot but need to ride a shuttle? Is it a nuisance or does it work well? I was afraid of shuttles from the hotel at first because of potentially long wait times, but if we end up having to wait for a shuttle anyway... ;)
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Almost anything that is within reason for size, will usually fit on the ride with you. There might be one or two that do not allow it, but, otherwise it's OK. Please be mindful that it can get very hot in Florida and having a backpack strapped to you can be uncomfortable. The second, but certainly not the smallest thing to consider, are the crowds. Most people don't think about the fact that when they turn their body the backpack takes a pretty violent swing in the opposite direction. I have seen people make sudden body turns and literally knock people down when the backpack went the other direction. (especially when in a queue line, but a thing to remember all the time) That is a very good reason to keep it's size to a minimum. Creative packing helps!

Another suggestion is to limit your shopping, whenever possible, to the end of the day so you don't have that much more to carry around with you all day. Hope that helps.

The parking lot for MK is almost a mile from MK itself. There are trams that run almost bumper to bumper most of the day that take you to the Ticket and Transportation Center which is connected to the parking lot. Then you have a choice, usually, to either take the Monorail or the Ferry to MK. It takes some time but I have always found it to be a wonderful part of the visit. Whether it's riding the Monorail or the scenic view and pleasant ride to MK via the ferry. It, to me, has never been the amount of hassle that I have experienced riding and waiting for a bus to the onsite hotels. If you are staying offsite, which you might have said, but, I didn't see it, you definitely want to use you car even though there is a $17.00 all day parking fee (one time pay no matter how many parks you drive too). Using the shuttles from an offsite hotel run on certain schedules so it drastically limits your freedom to come and go as you please. I surely wouldn't do it.
 
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Sudcaro- Sudcaro

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Thanks for your reply. Our backpack would be carried by the stroller, so we should avoid being a nuisance for other guests. ;)
Good to know about the parking lot too. Sounds fun to take the ferry or the monorail. I'm sure our daughter will enjoy it.
We are actually going to stay at an onsite resort, so WDW buses are still an option. We'll see what we decide to do once we're there - maybe take a resort shuttle one day, and take the car another!
 
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GrammieBee

Well-Known Member
Check with Disney's customer service about the hotel where you are staying. If you arrive early, many hotels have a place (usually somewhere near the bellman's station) where they will keep your luggage until you can officially check in. Then you can park the car and take the resort's bus directly to the park saving yourself the $17.00 parking fee since you won't yet be officially checked in. Once you are a Disney resort guest your park parking is free. Personlly, we do not like to keep luggage in the car, although if it is locked in the trunk it should be OK.

Unless this has changed since our last visit, purchases made in the park can be sent to a purchace pick-up location near the park entrance. They can then be picked up when you leave the park. This is arranged where you make the purchase.
 
Disnee4Me

Disnee4Me

Well-Known Member
If you are staying at an onsite resort, than any items you purchase, can be sent to the resort and picked up the next day at the resorts gift shop. Saves carrying them around.
 
CAPTAIN HOOK

CAPTAIN HOOK

Well-Known Member
Sudcaro- Sudcaro said:
2- Are parking lots safe (MK)? We should be in Orlando mid morning on arrival day and don't want to miss on the fun, but hotel check in is at 3, so our car will have all our belongings in it... Bad idea?
Click to expand...
Years ago we had a car full of luggage in the EPCOT parking lot before going to the airport. I was concerned (we kept our tickets and passports with us) but needn't have been - everything was all in order when we returned to the car around midday
 

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