WDW Questions and Hotel Recommendations?

[No Name]

I believe all the moderates are outside motel-style entry too, no? I can't think of one that isn't. Really the only difference between value and moderate resorts are proximity to the parks, the classiness of the theming, and the on-site amenities/dining options. The actual room buildings and room interiors aren't going to be significantly different, especially with the recent updates/upgrades at Pop Century.

Correct, excuse my mental fart.

 

[dweezil78]

Do you mean for FOP and the other hard to get FPs or FPs in general? I was thinking of just booking at exactly the same time with my uncle and selecting FPs together.

FPs in general. If you can make it work, great! But you're finding it difficult to get a batch of 5-6 at the same time for the same attraction, try spacing them out and ride them separately -- or you may even be able to get them within windows that are 5 minutes apart (i.e. 2 of you have 10am to 11am, the others have 10:15am to 11:15am) and still be able to go on together. But each specific window only has a set # of passes alotted for it, you know what I mean?

 

[mickEblu]

Wow lots of solid answers so far. I'll add what i can and keep it short.



The value resorts have a unique style courtesy of the 90s, so just make sure you don't dislike the look. Pop Century sounds like a solid choice! Tim has a nice video tour of the resort.



For Epcot, DHS, and DAK, by bus or by car. For the Magic Kingdom, you go to the Ticket and Transportation Center and then take a monorail or ferry across the Seven Seas Lagoon.
As for park-hopping, if you have a car you might as well drive. If you don't have a car and you're going from Epcot to DHS or vice versa, you can take a friendship boat. For MK to Epcot or vice versa, you can take the Epcot monorail.
I've never had a problem without a car but certainly having one makes things easier.



You're a quick planner! I think it'll be fine.



I'm more of a quick-service person, but when I do table service I usually go for something that's unique or a buffet. So I like the Mexico restaurant at Epcot, with a nice ambiance and walk-on boat ride that passes by. At DHS, I like the 50s Prime Time Cafe and Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater. I've rarely eaten table service at DAK because it used to close before dinner time! At the Magic Kingdom, I like the Crystal Palace character buffet. I also like Chef Mickey's character buffet at the Contemporary. Disney Springs has a place called T-Rex which is like the Rainforest Cafe (owned by same company). Of course, meal reservations opened 180 days in advance, so some things will be taken regardless of whether you postpone a month, but there are plenty of good options.



The Magic Kingdom monorail loop is one of my favorite places in the world. But don't take my word. Even @George Lucas on a Bench called it "f***** epic"! Please bask in the beauty of the MK area. Ride the monorail. Also visit Disney Springs. If you like mini golf then check those out.



That's pretty accurate and fortunate for you. Enjoy your trip!

Thank you for the solid tips. I feel like you came through with that clutch recommendation on how to get to MK. Is that like the sexier way to get to MK? Can I do it with a stroller?

I definitely want to do the Sci Fi dine in. Anything that is unique. My dining preferences at WDW would be unique ambiance over food quality. Both would be ideal. The Brown Derby seems kind of cool too as well as Tiffins and Be Our Guest. Hows the restaurant in the castle? Is Crystal Palace like the Plaza Inn of MK?

 

[mickEblu]

FPs in general. If you can make it work, great! But you're finding it difficult to get a batch of 5-6 at the same time for the same attraction, try spacing them out and ride them separately -- or you may even be able to get them within windows that are 5 minutes apart (i.e. 2 of you have 10am to 11am, the others have 10:15am to 11:15am) and still be able to go on together. But each specific window only has a set # of passes alotted for it, you know what I mean?

Gotcha, thanks!

 

[mickEblu]

Almost forgot would be dumb not add one day for Universal Orlando? Not a fan of screeeeenz, have been to USH many times and I’m pretty sure Diagon Alley is coming to USH. So basically I’d be going for Spider-Man and to live my youth by riding ET?

 

[dweezil78]

Thank you for the solid tips. I feel like you came through with that clutch recommendation on how to get to MK. Is that like the sexier way to get to MK? Can I do it with a stroller?

Noooo... that is the way you do it if you park there (but yes, stroller is ok). You essentially park at the giant parking lot (not a garage, not covered), then take a tram to the Transportation and Ticket Center, and then from there you have to take either the monorail or ferry to get to the MK. And then you do all of that in reverse on the way out with the masses of people all trying to do the same. Bus is not great, but the station is literally feet away from the MK gate and you just walk over there and queue up for it.

All that said, doing the TTC/Monorail/Ferry is a distinctly WDW experience and kinda cool if you've never done it before. Very time consuming though!

 

[dweezil78]

Almost forgot would be dumb not add one day for Universal Orlando? Not a fan of screeeeenz, have been to USH many times and I’m pretty sure Diagon Alley is coming to USH. So basically I’d be going for Spider-Man and to live my youth by riding ET?

Keep in mind, it's two separate parks -- Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. If you could only pick one of the parks to do, I'd go with IOA in a heartbeat as there is far less crossover with USH attractions there and it is a beautiful, unique park.

 

[mickEblu]

Keep in mind, it's two separate parks -- Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. If you could only pick one of the parks to do, I'd go with IOA in a heartbeat as there is far less crossover with USH attractions there and it is a beautiful, unique park.

Oh ya I know. I was thinking of maybe doing a one day park hopper to hit the highlights. Is that not a good idea? IOA has Diagon Alley and Spider-Man right?

 

[dweezil78]

Oh ya I know. I was thinking of maybe doing a one day park hopper to hit the highlights. Is that not a good idea? IOA has Diagon Alley and Spider-Man right?

The only thing you're really going to care about at Universal Studios is Diagon Alley I think -- all the other attractions are more or less the same, even if the park itself is totally different. You can easily do a day at IOA without touching the other park. But if you need the whole HP experience, park hopper is a must!

 

[mickEblu]

Noooo... that is the way you do it if you park there (but yes, stroller is ok). You essentially park at the giant parking lot (not a garage, not covered), then take a tram to the Transportation and Ticket Center, and then from there you have to take either the monorail or ferry to get to the MK. And then you do all of that in reverse on the way out with the masses of people all trying to do the same. Bus is not great, but the station is literally feet away from the MK gate and you just walk over there and queue up for it.

All that said, doing the TTC/Monorail/Ferry is a distinctly WDW experience and kinda cool if you've never done it before. Very time consuming though!

Hahah thanks maybe I’ll do it on my miscellaneous day. Probably the same day I get on the monorail to see the MK resorts. Good idea or no?

 

[dweezil78]

Hahah thanks maybe I’ll do it on my miscellaneous day. Probably the same day I get on the monorail to see the MK resorts. Good idea or no?

Yeah, true, if you're going to monorail resort hop anyways, probably not the end of the world. I used to love the whole experience as a kid, it does a great job of building up the suspense in getting to MK and unveiling the park in different layers as you pass by it.

 

[mickEblu]

Yeah, true, if you're going to monorail resort hop anyways, probably not the end of the world. I used to love the whole experience as a kid, it does a great job of building up the suspense in getting to MK and unveiling the park in different layers as you pass by it.

As someone who has never been to WDW, the image of the Monorail coming out of the Contemporary is almost as iconic as Cinderella’s Castle and Spaceship Earth. I think it’s literally those 3 images that come to mind.

 

[dweezil78]

As someone who has never been to WDW, the image of the Monorail coming out of the Contemporary is almost as iconic as Cinderella’s Castle and Spaceship Earth. I think it’s literally those 3 images that come to mind.

Yeah man... I wasn't thinking clear. Do the TTC/Monorail experience, just make sure you give yourself some padding on the timing to deal with it all!

 

[Little Green Men]

Lol, looks like I messed up the numbering. It has since been fixed. Thanks for taking the time to respond and for the advice! Would you do the 3 monorail resorts on the MK day or just on a rest day?

It's up to you honestly. You might be better off to save it for an off day to give you something extra to do, plus you can still be close enough to the park to see the fireworks. But it's also easier to do it while at the Magic kingdom so you don't need to make another trip over

 

[Little Green Men]

As someone who has never been to WDW, the image of the Monorail coming out of the Contemporary is almost as iconic as Cinderella’s Castle and Spaceship Earth. I think it’s literally those 3 images that come to mind.

it sure is! Make sure to ride the monorail through (and stop too)

 

[mickEblu]

Yeah man... I wasn't thinking clear. Do the TTC/Monorail experience, just make sure you give yourself some padding on the timing to deal with it all!

Lol. It’s ok I think we can look past one small hiccup in this vast encyclopedia of WDW knowledge you have graced me with.

 

[Travel Junkie]

Oh ya I know. I was thinking of maybe doing a one day park hopper to hit the highlights. Is that not a good idea? IOA has Diagon Alley and Spider-Man right?

You can do both in one day if you are hitting the highlights. Head into 1 park then take the Hogwarts Express to the other park. If you are looking for the best/and or unique from WSH I would prioritize the following:


USH - Diagon Alley, Men in Black (best shooter game I've been on) ET, Jimmy Fallon Ride and depending on what you think of roller coasters rip ride rocket. RRR was a 1 and done for me, but you may like it.

IOA - Spiderman, Hulk, Kong, Potter, Suess Landing. If you want to get not only wet but soaked the water rides in Toon Lagoon are well done. The Jurassic park discovery center could have been so much more than it is, but you can kill some time in there.

City Walk has plenty of places to eat that are unique to USO.

 

[mickEblu]

You can do both in one day if you are hitting the highlights. Head into 1 park then take the Hogwarts Express to the other park. If you are looking for the best/and or unique from WSH I would prioritize the following:




USH - Diagon Alley, Men in Black (best shooter game I've been on) ET, Jimmy Fallon Ride and depending on what you think of roller coasters rip ride rocket. RRR was a 1 and done for me, but you may like it.

IOA - Spiderman, Hulk, Kong, Potter, Suess Landing. If you want to get not only wet but soaked the water rides in Toon Lagoon are well done. The Jurassic park discovery center could have been so much more than it is, but you can kill some time in there.

City Walk has plenty of places to eat that are unique to USO.

Thanks! What is the line like for Gringotts these days?

 

[Travel Junkie]

Thanks! What is the line like for Gringotts these days?

When I last went it was 30-45 minutes. It was a fairly slow day though. If you rope drop it you can get on pretty quick. The queue is amazing so there is plenty to absorb while waiting. Gringotts has single rider if you just want on the ride.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

The Magic Kingdom monorail loop is one of my favorite places in the world. But don't take my word. Even @George Lucas on a Bench called it "f***** epic"! Please bask in the beauty of the MK area.

I was referring to the approach to The Magic Kingdom from the ferryboat. The Monorail is alright, but they're kinda ghetto compared to Disneyland.

That being said, the entrance to Disneyland is just as great, if not better. You know, walking through the station and suddenly being transported to another universe. TMK leaves little to the imagination when you approach it. You can see what you're in for.