- Jul 7, 2003
- 47,624
Oh, and don't neglect Universal at the expense of Disney, the rides are awesome.
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Disneyworld Florida
- Thread starter Giraffe
- Start date
Perry Milkins
Just a quiet guy.
Fill up on a massive all you can eat breakfast at one of the many chain restaurants on I Drive etc before going to the parks, thus avoiding having to spend too much on Disney's overpriced junk food at the theme park concessions.
Exactly!
Most reasonable steakhouse = Logan's Roadhouse. (Try the one on the Osceola Parkway)
An Aston man, you say? Curious how my particular 'Skoda' preference will cost a fair bit more than yours...
I jest of course. In and around Orlando there is a wide range of accommodation options of all styles and for all budgets. None are right or wrong - just different and catering to differing wants.
Me -> on-site for all the perks and atmosphere it entails. No-one has to drive 'home' from the parks so everyone can have a drink, big themed pools.
You -> more space, less cost, private pool.
When Madison is older, I'm sure I will consider villas again although not to save money, but for the space/extra bedrooms element. Although, again, I think I'm more likely to buy into DVC.
Fill up on a massive all you can eat breakfast at one of the many chain restaurants on I Drive etc before going to the parks, thus avoiding having to spend too much on Disney's overpriced junk food at the theme park concessions.
Again, something of a misconception I think...
Disney has made huge strides in the offering of healthy food in the parks over recent years. You really can eat as healthy or unhealthy as you want from the many counter service offerings.
As for cost, a counter service meal for an adult is likely to cost something like $8-10. Given the exchange rate, this really is not that expensive. More expensive than off Disney property, sure, but for the quality of service provided - it still represents decent value I think.
And beyond the typical counter service 'eat and dash' places, there is a huge number of decent table service restaurants both in the parks and in the neighbouring resorts. We have ADRs at places like Teppan Edo (EPCOT), California Grill (Contemporary), Coral Reef (EPCOT) and The Wave (Contemporary) on our upcoming trip.
I've tried a couple of the off-site buffets before and confess to finding them quite depressing affairs - morose Brits stuffing their faces with cheap 'pile it high' food. I'd much rather pay C$20-25 for a Disney buffet - the excellent Boma (Animal Kingdom Lodge), Chef Mickey (Contemporary), Crystal Palace (Magic Kingdom) or Cape May Cafe (Beach Club) than $8 or whatever for the offsite places I experienced. The one exception I'd make is Sweet Tomatoes which is excellent fresh and healthy fare for a stupidly low price.
Papa Lazarou
Living in a De Zerbi wonderland
Interesting 'article' on DVC here:
http://www.mylifeoftravel.com/ViewJournal.aspx?ID=f80f9c25-d1ff-41ef-b1e5-0f0d383cfe51
If you're into Disney - this seems just perfect.
http://www.mylifeoftravel.com/ViewJournal.aspx?ID=f80f9c25-d1ff-41ef-b1e5-0f0d383cfe51
If you're into Disney - this seems just perfect.
- Aug 8, 2005
- 27,189
- Thread starter
- #46
Thanks everyone some really useful tips. Plan plan plan is something that seems to be universal so we are on to that. We are staying at the Polynesian.
Any more tips re eating? We could have gone for the dining plan but decided that was too restrictive. We're going to hire a car so offsite dining is an option if we want.
Do you think it is worth booking any restaurants in advance on some of the days to save looking every day?, assuming we can book this late?
Bozza you are a disney legend!!
So anyone ideas on must see rides or events? The type of thing that if we come back someone might say "what you didn't go and see/do x?"
Any more tips re eating? We could have gone for the dining plan but decided that was too restrictive. We're going to hire a car so offsite dining is an option if we want.
Do you think it is worth booking any restaurants in advance on some of the days to save looking every day?, assuming we can book this late?
Bozza you are a disney legend!!
So anyone ideas on must see rides or events? The type of thing that if we come back someone might say "what you didn't go and see/do x?"
SpidersLegs
Member
You can't sell them anymore as they require finger print identity at the gates now. If the print doesn't match the pass you wont get in.
http://www.orlandovacationvilla4rent.com/
We stayed here and i would highly recomend it if you are looking for a Villa close to Disney, Universal e.t.c.
We stayed here and i would highly recomend it if you are looking for a Villa close to Disney, Universal e.t.c.
Staying at the Poly - very nice indeed! A first trip won't get much better than that.
Have a look at Deb's Unofficial Walt Disney World Vacation Information Guide - WDW Planning Guide - Walt Disney World, go to Dining and look at the menus. If anything appeals try and make an ADR (Advanced Dining Request) - this is the equivalent of a 'booking' at a Disney restaurant. For most of them you won't need to pay nor leave card details. If you decide not to go or it doesn't suit your plans on the day when it arrives you'll lose nothing, but without an ADR you may find you can't get in as a walk-up. It will be difficult to get some of the more popular places at this short notice but trying costs nothing bar a few pence on a phone call.
At the Poly itself Ohana is great fun for both breakfast and dinner but staying at the hotel is worth nothing when it comes to getting a table - you might not be able to walk up for a meal so, again, if it appeals - call them ASAP.
Perry Milkins
Just a quiet guy.
Restaurants
Logans Roadhouse - There 3 try the one on the Osceola parkway
Perkins - for brekker
Cheesecake factory - The Mall of the Millennia. It is much more than cheesecakes btw.
Carrabas - Italian many locations
Othet things to do
Horseriding - Stables at the bottom of Poinciana
Boggy Creek Airboats
Check out Celebration for a morning.
Hope this helps
SpidersLegs
Member
Definately recommend the Boggy Creek airboats. Have a your own boat with a guide instead of the bigger group ones. It's more personal & they go faster! Also try the indoor sky diving at the top of I drive opposite wet & wild. Great fun.
Gazwag
5 millionth post poster
Jungle Jims , next door the the biggest mini golf I have every played on (Pirates Minigolf I think). Huge selection of burgers and massive portions. But like everywhere esle over their really
Skint Gull
New member
Something to bear in mind (cant be arsed to read the whole thread to check if its been posted) is that at this time of year you will encounter thunderstorms most early evenings. Its not really a problem as its so humid out there anyway, just might have come as a bit of a surprise if you didn't already know!
Papa Lazarou
Living in a De Zerbi wonderland
- Aug 8, 2005
- 27,189
- Thread starter
- #55
A lot of people have recommended Universal as being brilliant. However we have two kids who are relatively timid (aged 6 and 10). Is it still worthwhile going to Universal for a day, or is it best for just older kids and adults?
Fab tips by the way. Only a few days to go now!!
Fab tips by the way. Only a few days to go now!!
pasty
A different kind of pasty
I concur. We totally splashed out this year and went for Christmas and it was still in the 80's (f). We spent Christmas Day at Blizzard Beach, and The Magic Kingdom at Christmas was one of the most wonderful things I have ever seen, in a vomit-inducing-sickly-awwww-pass-the-bucket-I'm-gonna-be-sick kind of way.
I did actually discover what "The Magic of Disney" is. When you walk round the different parks (but The Magic Kingdom especially), you simply cannot help yourself but be in a wonderful mood and end up grinning like an idiot all day long. I have photos of all of us with Mickey Mouse and we each have really stupid soppy grins on our faces.
I BLOOMIN LOVED IT
pasty
A different kind of pasty
You MUST MUST MUST go to Fultons Crab House in Downtown Disney. Mrs P had a 2lb Maine Lobster which cost about $50, and their Clam Chowder was like sex in a bowl
It's Tough to be a Bug, in Animal Kingdom.
Mickey's Philharmagic (in the Magic Kingdom) is the newest, I think, and is very good.
I love the Universal area and tend to do a split stay - we're doing an 11 night trip in a few weeks and having 7 nights at Wilderness Lodge and then 4 nights at the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal.
Madison loved Universal last year, she was 4 1/2 at the time, and I know she will this year.
What I would encourage you to do is book a single night over at one of the 3 Universal hotels - the cheapest tends to be the Royal Pacific. I know this will feel slightly strange as you have booked, and paid for, 14 (?) nights at The Poly, but hear me out...
On your chosen day, just pack an overnight bag, and leave the Poly early, heading over to Universal.
Check-in to your hotel. You may not be able to go to your room, but you will be given your room card keys there and then.
Head to one of the parks, say Universal Studios, either taking a short stroll or a boat ride. When you get there, here's the good bit - your key card gives you 'Front of the line' (FOTL) access to all the rides and attractions. This means you get to walk pretty much straight on with minimal/no queueing. You'll be able to ride whatever you want, whenever you want, how many times you want.
At the end of the day, stroll back to your hotel but stop in City Walk. Maybe grab some seats in the outside bar of Margaritaville, have a beer or a cocktail and watch the world go by. Maybe have some dinner at one of the many restaurants.
Head back to the hotel (which are all excellent in their own right) and maybe use the fab pool. If you're lucky, they'll have a 'swim-through' movie showing on a big screen beside the swimming pool.
On day 2, check out in the morning, but keep you keep your key-cards. Head off to the other park, ie Islands of Adventure and, again, take advantage of FOTL access to ride everything with minimal waiting.
When you're done, head back to your Disney hotel. It's like a holiday-in-a-holiday.
(I started my Universal stays with the above, which is the 'classic' 1 nighter to get FOTL access at both parks but they really are such good hotels that we seem to keep getting slightly longer - 4 nights this time)