Florida --the touristy bit - Page 2

Kitsune · 10-02-2009, 11:39 AM

It is Food and Wine Festival time at EPCOT. Take a big wad of singles with you and eat/drink yourself around the world.

Chocolatl · 10-03-2009, 08:07 AM

To clarify, Food & Wine is going on now. Last I remember there are no special events going on in Feb.

allears.net is a great website with lots of advice and money saving tips.

One of the best money savers would be to bring snacks from home. While the food IS one of the best things about Disney, it can all cost quite a bit. The meal plan is a good route if you're going to go to the parks for a few days. When I was a kid and we used to go once or twice a year, someone would bring a backpack full of snacks from home. Pretzels, some apples, etc. Just so that when the kids were clammoring about hunger, no one had to shell out $4.50 for Mickey-shaped pretzels.

monster · 10-03-2009, 05:08 PM

Are there "no outside food" rules? and if so, are they easy to violate? we always bring our own -either openly or stealthily- because no-one likes they stuff you buy, rip-off or not.

Kitsune · 10-03-2009, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monster

Are there "no outside food" rules?

Nope, but there are container rules.

monster · 10-03-2009, 05:28 PM

That's an excellent link, thank you.

Kitsune · 10-03-2009, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monster

That's an excellent link, thank you.

Choco and I often consult allears.net for other info when trying to plan. I think Choco knows of even more links to good info sites -- hope she will share them.

Chocolatl · 10-04-2009, 06:45 AM

Actually, I rely primarily on memory and allears.net for our planning.

Since Kitsune and I don't have kids (yet), we don't have to worry so much about logistics and are able to just pick up and go.

Monster, if you and your family DO decide to eat at a table-service restaurant within the parks, I'd recommend making reservations in advance. Waiting for a table can often take a ridiculously long time -- time that could otherwise be spent running around and having fun. It can be pricey, but a lot of the food is so good it might be worth it to plan at least one nice dinner out.

Are you staying at a Disney villa, or one off-property?

Pico and ME · 10-04-2009, 08:05 AM

I don't know if this is viable for Disney or not, but when we took the boys (and their friends) to Cedar Point, we filled two huge coolers with drinks and food and kept them in the trunk of the car. We just met out there for for our midday meal.

Sundae · 10-04-2009, 08:58 AM

Answer from my bro, multiple-Floridian-holidayer:

Quote:

Blimey - that's a real loaded question! Before I could even start on this, there are a couple of things I'd need to know, because it will dramatically affect the advice I would give.

1) Are they only interested in doing Disney, or do Universal, Seaworld and any of the other attractions locally stand a chance? With us, we go everywhere and anywhere, but I know a lot of people who basically spend their whole holiday with the mouse and won't do anything else.

2) What would be their typical theme park strategy/experience? Do they tackle them commando style (and I don't mean without underwear!), charging from one attraction to the next, trying to get everything they can done; or do they prefer to take their time even if it means missing out on certain things due to a lack of time.

3) On a similar sort of note, are they planning to spend most of their days in the parks, or are they there to relax and might spend every other day relaxing by the pool in the villa or shopping etc.

4) Rollercoaster junkies, or scaredy cats? Obviously with a six year old in tow, I would probably try to steer them to some of the more tame stuff and the kid-friendly attractions (like meeting characters) that I'd normally not bother with, but they might surprise me.

As a warning - there are so many variables in an Orlando holiday (it's a huge place - 8+ theme parks, 4 water parks and so much more entertainment) and everyone's idea of fun is different, so it can be hard to give advice. As I've found out on various Disney message boards, everyone thinks they are right, but most of the time no-one is (mainly because what works for their family ain't necassarily going to be right for someone else). I can try and give general advice, but sometimes it's easier answering specific questions or reading what someone has put as their tentative plan and then making your recommendations on what to change from there.

I will state "The Golden Rule" however: Get to the parks for opening. Actually scratch that - BEFORE opening. So many people turn up from 10/11am onwards - if you've already been in the park for an hour or two by then, you could have done half the big rides with little wait and then you get to watch while they have to queue for ages to get on them and laugh!

He came round today (before I'd had a chance to read his mail) and said he's more than happy to advise if you are willing to provide info as per questions above. Ste is like me - a planner and a pedant. Of course we agreed you might not be arsed about detailed advice, but if he's going to give even general advice, he likes to to get it right

monster · 10-04-2009, 03:34 PM

staying in a villa off-disney. No, no expensive Disney restaurants for us.

No, not detailed planning, usually we pick up and go. This only has any element of planning due to rendezvous with rellies.

yes, other parks.

more commando than placid, but is not necessary to do absolutely everything. maybe some chillin' by the pool, but not much as we swim every day anyway

Deffo no shopping for us ugh, prolly some for the visitors. perhaps do two park days, one day off....then two more. s/t like that.

mix of roller-coaster junkies and fraidy-cats, but we can probably figure that part out thanks. I guess we mostly want to know where to find good deals on tickets etc.

monster · 10-04-2009, 03:38 PM

Oh and the get there before opening is noted and taken on board, thanks. We tend to do that just to get the most out of the day but it does have the advantage of stuff being quieter at the start so we usually head straight for the biggies rather than build up to them because that's when lines are shortest.

appreciate input on which are the long-wait things in any park -sometimes things we don't think will be popular are and those we expect long lines for are not.....

Chocolatl · 10-04-2009, 03:53 PM

A lot of the more popular rides at the Disney parks have a feature called FastPass. (Universal Studios has these too, but I can't remember what they call theirs.) You put in your ticket and it gives you a time to return to go through a shortened line. These are incredibly valuable for getting through the most popular attractions without wasting three hours of your life waiting in the Florida sun.

Allears.net has a list of which attractions have FastPass lines here. Most of the rides also have a clock at the front which'll tell you right off the bat how long the wait is, so you can decide whether you really want to wait 2 hrs for Splash Mountain before hand.

monster · 10-04-2009, 04:36 PM

cool thanks

Queen of the Ryche · 10-09-2009, 03:23 PM

We really liked Discovery Island too. And add my vote for Epcot.

Juniper · 10-09-2009, 10:29 PM

The travel agent (AAA) tried (sort of) to talk us into the park hopper deal - you pay extra and can visit more than one park per day. We opted not to get it, and I think that was wise; there's certainly more than enough to see in one park to spend a whole day there without getting bored.

I want to go Baaaaaaaaack! ::sob::

10-03-2009, 05:08 PM	#3
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	Are there "no outside food" rules? and if so, are they easy to violate? we always bring our own -either openly or stealthily- because no-one likes they stuff you buy, rip-off or not. __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

10-03-2009, 05:28 PM	#5
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	That's an excellent link, thank you. __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

10-04-2009, 03:34 PM	#10
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	staying in a villa off-disney. No, no expensive Disney restaurants for us. No, not detailed planning, usually we pick up and go. This only has any element of planning due to rendezvous with rellies. yes, other parks. more commando than placid, but is not necessary to do absolutely everything. maybe some chillin' by the pool, but not much as we swim every day anyway Deffo no shopping for us ugh, prolly some for the visitors. perhaps do two park days, one day off....then two more. s/t like that. mix of roller-coaster junkies and fraidy-cats, but we can probably figure that part out thanks. I guess we mostly want to know where to find good deals on tickets etc. __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

10-04-2009, 03:38 PM	#11
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	Oh and the get there before opening is noted and taken on board, thanks. We tend to do that just to get the most out of the day but it does have the advantage of stuff being quieter at the start so we usually head straight for the biggies rather than build up to them because that's when lines are shortest. appreciate input on which are the long-wait things in any park -sometimes things we don't think will be popular are and those we expect long lines for are not..... __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

10-04-2009, 04:36 PM	#13
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	cool thanks __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

10-02-2009, 11:39 AM	#1
Kitsune still eats dirt Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 3,031	It is Food and Wine Festival time at EPCOT. Take a big wad of singles with you and eat/drink yourself around the world.

10-03-2009, 08:07 AM	#2
Chocolatl Glutton for Gluttony Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 1,409	To clarify, Food & Wine is going on now. Last I remember there are no special events going on in Feb. allears.net is a great website with lots of advice and money saving tips. One of the best money savers would be to bring snacks from home. While the food IS one of the best things about Disney, it can all cost quite a bit. The meal plan is a good route if you're going to go to the parks for a few days. When I was a kid and we used to go once or twice a year, someone would bring a backpack full of snacks from home. Pretzels, some apples, etc. Just so that when the kids were clammoring about hunger, no one had to shell out $4.50 for Mickey-shaped pretzels.

10-04-2009, 06:45 AM	#7
Chocolatl Glutton for Gluttony Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 1,409	Actually, I rely primarily on memory and allears.net for our planning. Since Kitsune and I don't have kids (yet), we don't have to worry so much about logistics and are able to just pick up and go. Monster, if you and your family DO decide to eat at a table-service restaurant within the parks, I'd recommend making reservations in advance. Waiting for a table can often take a ridiculously long time -- time that could otherwise be spent running around and having fun. It can be pricey, but a lot of the food is so good it might be worth it to plan at least one nice dinner out. Are you staying at a Disney villa, or one off-property?

10-04-2009, 08:05 AM	#8
Pico and ME Are you knock-kneed? Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Middle Hoosierland Posts: 3,549	I don't know if this is viable for Disney or not, but when we took the boys (and their friends) to Cedar Point, we filled two huge coolers with drinks and food and kept them in the trunk of the car. We just met out there for for our midday meal.

10-04-2009, 03:53 PM	#12
Chocolatl Glutton for Gluttony Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 1,409	A lot of the more popular rides at the Disney parks have a feature called FastPass. (Universal Studios has these too, but I can't remember what they call theirs.) You put in your ticket and it gives you a time to return to go through a shortened line. These are incredibly valuable for getting through the most popular attractions without wasting three hours of your life waiting in the Florida sun. Allears.net has a list of which attractions have FastPass lines here. Most of the rides also have a clock at the front which'll tell you right off the bat how long the wait is, so you can decide whether you really want to wait 2 hrs for Splash Mountain before hand.

10-09-2009, 03:23 PM	#14
Queen of the Ryche is fleeing the scene Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Beautiful CO Posts: 1,510	We really liked Discovery Island too. And add my vote for Epcot. __________________ Once, in an interview, Chuck Norris admitted that he was not the most awesome thing ever. He declined to elaborate; but I believe we all know that he was referring to the existence of chocolate covered bacon. I'd rather be judged by twelve than carried by six.

10-09-2009, 10:29 PM	#15
Juniper I know, right? Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,539	The travel agent (AAA) tried (sort of) to talk us into the park hopper deal - you pay extra and can visit more than one park per day. We opted not to get it, and I think that was wise; there's certainly more than enough to see in one park to spend a whole day there without getting bored. I want to go Baaaaaaaaack! ::sob::

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)