WDW General Questions

[DisneyCrazyGirl]

NEWBIE HERE!!!
I am the biggest Disney freak I know! I am taking my boyfriend down there in Septmeber. He is 30 years old and has never been! However, it has been a LONG time since I was a "tourist" in Disney and I am afraid I will neglect him of experiencing all the Magic! If I go I will not be heartbroken if I miss the parade, but do I have to see it this time around? In other words, what is the "must list" for a First Timer (please keep in mind he is 30 -- he will be 31 when we go!)
I have never been in September so I have a few questions. What's the weather / crowds like in September? We are going September 11-18. I am not sure when the Jewish holidays are but I think they are around that time, are there usually crowds?
We are staying at Coronado, because I heard it is not as family oriented but I have also read on allearsnet.com that the food court is bad! Has anyone stayed there? Opinions or comments welcome!
We are really not into the romantic mushy mushy stuff. We are definitely looking forward to having a fun time!

 

[zjer]

I go to Coronado every September (Or C.B.) I love it there in September. Hot enough for water parks but not too hot. Crouds are good, especially if you are there during the only hurricane that doesn't make it inland. C.S. has a good food court, everyones complaint is that tips are included in your meal when you pay. I think it's one of the better food courts inside a hotel. The Lounge accross the Food Court is the cheapest place to get a drink I found. Make sure you see Illuminations and Wishes. Ummmm... Make sure you see everything and dont miss a single event or attraction.

 

[Atta83]

I would say everything but that would take weeks :lol: I would suggest getting the Brinbaum book and ride the best rides caues those are the good ones. It doesnt matter how old he is just make sure you both have fun! Ask him what he wants to do and if you get that book have him read it as well. I have never been September so I cant help ya there. We stayed at the Coronado a few years ago and my family didnt care for it that much, they like Caribbean Beach much better and this summer they are staying at port orleans french quater. Just remebmer to have fun!

 

[ImaginEAR]

Get and Unofficial Guide or a Passporter. Great books, you'll love them.


Attractions... SOARIN'! It's from California, and honestly, it's one of the BEST rides I've ever been on. Anyone of any age will love it, as long as you aren't deathly afraid of heights. It's located at Epcot

Lights, Motors, ACTION! Extreme Stunt Show from Paris is coming as well. Never seen on it, but it looks really cool. It's located at Disney-MGM Studios

If you or your boyfriend love thrills, you'll love Mission: SPACE. Really, this is so much fun, and cannot be missed by me. It's a really unique, one of a kind attraction. It's located at Epcot.

Kilomanjaro Safaris at Animal Kingdom is amazing. All REAL animals! You'll love it!

 

[DisneyCrazyGirl]

I go to Coronado every September (Or C.B.) I love it there in September. Hot enough for water parks but not too hot. Crouds are good, especially if you are there during the only hurricane that doesn't make it inland. C.S. has a good food court, everyones complaint is that tips are included in your meal when you pay. I think it's one of the better food courts inside a hotel. The Lounge accross the Food Court is the cheapest place to get a drink I found. Make sure you see Illuminations and Wishes. Ummmm... Make sure you see everything and dont miss a single event or attraction.

I am sorry you said the crowds are good? does that mean crowded or not crowded? Better question... how are the lines on major attractions like TOT and Splash Mountain?

 

[KaliSplash]

Never stayed at Coronado, my group prefers Caribbean among the mid-range hotels. Coronado is newer!
As to the Must Sees. The advice to get Birnbaum is probalby good to whet your appetite!
My suggestions would be:
Magic Kingdom: Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Mickey's Philharmagic, Hall of Presidents, Haunted Mansion, Country Bears, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Pirates of Caribbean, Jungle Cruise and Wishes (the fireworks at end of day). I'd also suggest Carosel of Progress and Timekeeper if they're open (unlikely).
Epcot: Spaceship Earth, Soaring, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, Test Track, Mission Space, Ellen's Energy Adventure, Body Wars and Cranium Command (if these two are open, unlikely), the Maelstrom, Wonders of China, American Adventure (including the Voices of Liberty pre-show), Impressions de France and Oh Canada.
Disney MGM: Tower of Terror, Rockn Roller Coaster, Great Movie Ride, Lights Motors Action, Star Tours, Indy Jones (if still running), Muppet Vision 4D, Backlot Tour and absolutely Fantasmic!
Animal Kingdom: Dinosaur, Kali River Rapids, Kilamanjaro Safaris, It's Tough to be a Bug, Festival of the Lion King, Tarzan Rocks.
This may look like everything in the parks, I assure you it's not. Enjoy!

 

[DisneyCrazyGirl]

Soarin' is open? My mom when to California Adventure and rode it out there. She is going to Disney World next week but I did not think it was open.
I have the Birnbaum's 2005 already (please I was like the FIRST one to get it -- told you I was crazy!!) Now I have to make him sit and read it!

 

[MKCP 1985]

If he is 30 years old, grew up in the USA, and has never been then I am assuming he may be a bit of a skeptic, so with that in mind, here's a suggested list of "must do's" to make sure he has a good time.

First, September is usually not "crazy-busy," so it is a good time to go.

Walt Disney World all starts with the Magic Kingdom, so maybe start there. Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Disney-MGM Studios are all oriented more toward adults, but none have the "Disney Magic" the same way the Magic Kingdom does.

Once in the park, take some time to make your way up Main Street. Try and set a pace of relaxed exploring, and not "gotta do this, check, gotta do that, check, hurry up we're falling behind."

Let one of the photographers snap your photo with the Castle in the background. There is no obligation to purchase the photo, and you can check it out at the end of the day, on your way out of the park. Often, that photo is the most memorable souvenier of a trip.

For a 30 year old who's never been, which ride do you start with? You want to make a good impression, and see the Disney difference between, say, a six flags park. I'd take him to Splash Mountain, then Thunder Mountain. The Magic Kingdom can't compete for thrills with a roller coaster park, but Splash Mountain combines all the theming with the classic fun of a log flume ride. If he doesn't like Splash Mountain, he isn't going to enjoy the Magic Kingdom.

After that ice breaker, you can introduce traditional Disney attractions - Pirates & Haunted Mansion - before arriving in Fantasyland. I'm going to be honest with you here - most 30 something guys I know are not going to be bowled over with Fantasyland. I'd recommend selling him on the special effects of PhilharMagic, sweet talk him into indulging you on Peter Pan, maybe, then get out of Fantasyland.

If you've made it this far and he's having a good time, you know Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear are sure bets. Anything else is a gamble, and if the day has gone well, you should consider Jungle Cruise and maybe the Country Bear Jamboree.

As far as other parks, the attractions on Sunset Blvd are a must for the Disney-MGM Studios and Mission:Space is a must for EPCOT.

Finally, as for Coronado Springs, yes - I've stayed there. It has the best bus service to the other parks, bar none. The resort dining is not the main attraction, true. The biggest problem with the food court is not the food itself, but the built in gratuity when you might be getting food to take back to your room, or to eat on the go. If you are actually going to sit down and eat in the food court, the gratuity is no problem. I liked Coronado Springs and would stay there again in a heartbeat.

 

[Atta83]

Soarin' is open? My mom when to California Adventure and rode it out there. She is going to Disney World next week but I did not think it was open.
I have the Birnbaum's 2005 already (please I was like the FIRST one to get it -- told you I was crazy!!) Now I have to make him sit and read it!

Soarin wont be open until later this spring.

 

[tink38]

We've stayed at Corondo Springs twice in the past 4 years and I have always enjoyed it. The food court is NOT bad! They have a large variety of foods, so even those with picky tastes will find something that will suit them. The crowds in late September and October are not bad AT ALL. (Actually my favorite time to visit.) Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[Disneydreaming]

You have been given some great suggestions about which rides to take him on, so I'll skip that.

I've stayed at the Coronado and its beautiful. Its the newest of the moderates, too.The only suggestion I have is that you might want to try to get a room close to the food court, so he won't gripe about a long walk to get breakfast, as it is a pretty large resort.

I have been in September and I think that is a great month to go. Its not crowded like other times of the year, and the water parks are also not as crowded. Its still hot, but not like July and August, plus kids are back in school.

And keep in mind, inside every 30 year old man is a little kid :animwink: .

 

[Merlin]

I tend to agree mostly with the advice that MKCP1985 gave you. Except that I probably would not recommend trying to get him on Peter Pan Flight. I'm also not too sure he'd be that impressed with Space Mountain. Space Mountain is popular with Disney fans due to the sentimental value. In actuality, it's not that impressive of a roller coaster and the "special effects" are really kind of laughable. I would tend to think that ride would leave him with a poor impression of Disney. I agree with the advice to take him on Splash Mountain first. That attraction would make an outstanding first impression and set the tone for the rest of the day.

As far as Coronado Springs is concerned, I think it's a great choice. If you like the freedom of being on the go whenever you want, however, I'd strongly consider renting a car. With regard to the food court, I personally love it, but I can understand why a lot of people don't. My wife is a picky eater and she can NEVER find anything at that food court. By contrast, that's where I've had some of my best meals on property. But I'm also someone who's always willing to try new foods and I'm not picky at all. The hotel is quite spread out, so you may have to walk a ways to get to your room. That can be frustrating for some.

Coronado Springs also happens to have my favorite swimming pool on property. It's got a cool waterslide down a Mayan pyramid. Also, one of my favorite "hidden Mickey's" is at Coronado Springs. Here's a hint: It's on one of the big wooden double doors at the entrance to the hotel.

 

[zjer]

I am sorry you said the crowds are good? does that mean crowded or not crowded? Better question... how are the lines on major attractions like TOT and Splash Mountain?

Not Crowded. I've done it three years in a row and we've never had a line over ten minutes. The average is five minutes and we've had many many walk-ins. Don't be fooled though, the big shows, like fantasmic and ilumination will still fill up fast, still get to those a bit early. You lucky dog, I have to skip a year this year because of a new puppy we won't be able to leave by herself by then. Oh well, at least we'll have a ton of new stuff the next year.

 

[MKCP 1985]

I tend to agree mostly with the advice that MKCP1985 gave you. Except that I probably would not recommend trying to get him on Peter Pan Flight. I'm also not too sure he'd be that impressed with Space Mountain. Space Mountain is popular with Disney fans due to the sentimental value.

Ha! I may have made the mistake of thinking DisneyCrazyGirl wanted to go on Peter Pan, and she would have to talk him into going on it with her. Sorry that wasn't clear! NO, Peter Pan's Flight is probably not for "most" 30-something boyfriends.
I may also be guilty of thinking of thinking Space Mountain is a good "date" ride, harking back to the days of when one person would sit "in the lap" of the other, but the ride isn't situated like that any more! I still think it is a good time had, even if it isn't currently cutting edge.

 

[ImaginEAR]

If your BF doesn't want to go on, say, Peter Pan's Flight, tell him it's a dark, DARK ride. *wink, wink* *nudge, nudge*

 

[zjer]

Go To The Adventure Club At P.i.

 

[Laura]

If I could pick a time to go to Disney it would be September. We went September 2003 and there were no lines at all and the weather was gorgeous!!! Have fun!

 

[colliera]

September Magic

The wife and I when last Sept. and managed to dodge hurricane Charlie and Jeanne with the week inbetween the time they came ashore. It is near peak hurricane season but I really think the five that made it to central Florida was the exception rather than the rule.

Lines were 5-10 waits.

The frist time I when back in '76 and rode Pirates I was totally blown away. I was 29 at the time. I bought into all the effects. How amazed I was when I looked up and couldn't see the ceiling of the show building but saw clouds passing over with the moon behind it. And the fire scene with the buildings on fire. Wow!

I know how the visual tricks are done now but thinking back to when I didn't have a clue how amazing the show presentation was. It isn't your average coaster ride. Nope it's much more. That's the Disney difference.

SpectoMagic wasn't my favorite night parade but I'm a Main Street Electrical Parade die hard. Even so the direct light bulbs as the source of light is more jewel like that the fiber optics. Specto has grown on me over the years.

When I took my daughter and her family back in '99 I took her husband, 27 at the time, and flatly told him Epcot's Reflections of Earth was the single best fireworks show on the planet. Then I explained the story line of what he would be seeing without giving too much away. Just enought so he'd understand what he was seeing and how the segments transitioned. By the end of the display he had tears going down his cheeks. (The big baby).

Even so, I'm now also a big Wishes! fan. But for my taste the right viewing spot is critical. If you are off axis of the castle it just doesn't hold together. I like the middle of Main Street between Casey's and the Ice Cream Parlor.

Here's to you two having a great time.

 

[Merlin]

If your BF doesn't want to go on, say, Peter Pan's Flight, tell him it's a dark, DARK ride. *wink, wink* *nudge, nudge*

That's probably not going to work on him since she made a point of saying they are not into the "romantic mushy stuff". Of course, it would work on ME in a heartbeat!

 

[longfamily]

Welcome to the boards! You really shouldn't worry about only focusing on certain rides during this time of year. In other words, you don't really need to plan rides out.The crowds are so light that you guys can easily see/do everything in the parks.