Disney World

Demyx wrote:

I'm currently trying to plan the best Disney trip EVER since it's Shop's second time going with me. This time we're doing Food and Wine, which I love dearly, and staying in Bay Lake, my second favorite DVC resort (last time we stayed at my favorite, Boardwalk). I like any place with easy access to EPCOT and Bay Lake has monorail access, so... We've got reservations for California Grill and Boma, both of which will be new to me and places I've wanted to try for a long time after hearing stories on many Disney sites.

California Grill is awesome, and Boma is great (especially a Boma breakfast). If you're adventurous and like ethnic foods, the best buffet anywhere in the parks is at Tusker House. It's a character meal now, but still worth it IMO.

The West Side of Pleasure Island is getting a Splitsville 2-story bowling alley very soon. We'll see what happens with erstwhile PI.

I'm a little disappointed that apparently New Fantasyland won't be open at all when we visit in October. I was hoping for at least part of it would be open, but alas :(

You never know when there might be soft/test openings. Check just in case. We plan on being at Disney for two weeks starting October 20.

EDIT: Has AllEars been mentioned? It's my favorite place for pure planning purposes. Mostly because they have every menu.

Good add! Deb Wills (founder) is one of our favorite people. She's taken us on tours in the past.

Mmm jello shots.

groan wrote:

So my 8 yr old has never been on any of the more active rides (except the GM test track) so this year I want to introduce him to something with more movement than the Dumbo and Small world rides (They are crazy scary, though!). Any suggestions of a ride that is not so crazy that it will throw our lunches out the side? I suspect Splash Mountain is a safe one. Any other suggestions?

I took my 7 year old son on almost everything. We didn't ride the roller coaster at Hollywood Studios (line was too long), but everything else he loved -- except for Space Mountain. The darkness freaked him out, and I can certainly understand that. We rode the Everest ride in Animal Kingdom 4-5 times.

I CANNOT handle spinny motion at all (I get crazy motion sick), but was fine on all of these with him.

sheared wrote:
groan wrote:

So my 8 yr old has never been on any of the more active rides (except the GM test track) so this year I want to introduce him to something with more movement than the Dumbo and Small world rides (They are crazy scary, though!). Any suggestions of a ride that is not so crazy that it will throw our lunches out the side? I suspect Splash Mountain is a safe one. Any other suggestions?

I took my 7 year old son on almost everything. We didn't ride the roller coaster at Hollywood Studios (line was too long), but everything else he loved -- except for Space Mountain. The darkness freaked him out, and I can certainly understand that. We rode the Everest ride in Animal Kingdom 4-5 times.

I CANNOT handle spinny motion at all (I get crazy motion sick), but was fine on all of these with him.

Sweet!
I haven't been on a roller coaster in ages. Maybe it's about time to change that.

Just don't do Space Mountain first. You might think that Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is more intense because it goes much faster and has inversions, but it isn't. Space Mountain is the jerkiest, most nausea-inducing roller coaster I've been on. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is butter smooth in comparison.

Demyx wrote:

Just don't do Space Mountain first. You might think that Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is more intense because it goes much faster and has inversions, but it isn't. Space Mountain is the jerkiest, most nausea-inducing roller coaster I've been on. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is butter smooth in comparison.

Yup. Space Mountain is a Wild Mouse style coaster, which is based on herky-jerky motion. Didn't do anything nausea wise to me, but I got a nasty headache from it.

The wife just booked our third Disney trip with the girls, in early November. Definitely our favorite time to go. I'm really looking forward to it this year, as the little one should finally be big enough to ride everything she wants to ride. Last time we had to sneak her onto the Mission: Space ride with the late evening aid of a sympathetic line attendant (she was less than a quarter inch shy). This time she'll be able to proudly stroll into line, something she's really excited about!

After I could barely get my 6'-3" frame into/under/around the lap bar for space mountain, I slouched in fear for the whole ride as I watched the shadows of scaffolding, of unknown location whizz by, fully expecting to be decapitated.

Also worth noting, is that a slouched posture is not a good one for resisting G forces. Particularly in the neck-al region.

I like all kinds of roller coasters. I did not like space mountain.

Ghostship wrote:

After I could barely get my 6'-3" frame into/under/around the lap bar for space mountain, I slouched in fear for the whole ride as I watched the shadows of scaffolding, of unknown location whizz by, fully expecting to be decapitated.

Also worth noting, is that a slouched posture is not a good one for resisting G forces. Particularly in the neck-al region.

I like all kinds of roller coasters. I did not like space mountain.

It's an illusion, and it's deviously purposeful. Your arms would need to be freakishly long to injure yourself on Space Mountain. The ride also travels at a max of 28mph.

I don't put my hands up either though.

I love Space Mountain, but only when I don't have to wait 2 hours to get into it. I learned to love those speedpass things, and with a large group, you can really play the system well.

Demyx wrote:

Just don't do Space Mountain first. You might think that Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is more intense because it goes much faster and has inversions, but it isn't. Space Mountain is the jerkiest, most nausea-inducing roller coaster I've been on. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is butter smooth in comparison.

Dang. Now I really wish we had been able to do it. It was the one that we just could not time correctly to get into. With so few rides in Movie Studios, we did not spend a lot of time there.

the R&R roller coaster is actually my favorite coaster of all time -- even though its about 10 seconds long. Neither one of my kids will do any inversions in any other rides, but we've ridden that thing at least 50 times (a few good days of early access with zero crowds). Butter smooth is right!

Nevin73 wrote:

But now that my wife (who is a Disney fanatic) and I have a son...it seems that it is a fate I cannot escape. I have refused to go there with her when it was just us (there are too many places I would rather go see and experience). But when he is ready, I fear I will be forced to go.

So how do I change my attitude so negativity isn't hanging over me like a thundercloud? What is there to look forward to for a guy like myself?

Disney World is a place of unashamed fantasy, imagination, and escapism. Everything lends itself to this, even if the veneer is thin in some places.

The rides (for adults) aren't great. Universal has better coaster rides overall. But Disney World is better at transporting you into a place of make believe. Or in the case of Epcot, to different countries around the world.

If you don't like rides, then the comparison to Universal is even less important.

Yeah, it'll be crowded, but instead of looking at the people, try to soak up the scenery and atmosphere they've crafted to try and convince you that you're somewhere else entirely.

Tanglebones wrote:

Yup. Space Mountain is a Wild Mouse style coaster, which is based on herky-jerky motion. Didn't do anything nausea wise to me, but I got a nasty headache from it.

Wild Mouse rides are the worst. Lateral G's, as anyone who's played a Roller Coaster Tycoon game can tell you, are the worst kind of G's! Bad for your back, neck, head, and stomach.

Actually in my opinion, any steel coaster older than 20-25 years is probably garbage. Older coasters didn't have the buttery-smoothness that make modern steel coasters so great. You can actually appreciate the G-forces without having your bones shaken loose from your ligaments.

Nevin73- You just have to resign yourself to the fact that it will be crowded and expensive. To help get past the doomed feeling think about the look of wonder and joy on your kid's face and feed off of that. I'm married to a Disney freak and we seem to always end up vacationing with the mouse every year. (I'll be there at the end of August running the 1/2 Marathon) When the vacation is over and years after you had so wait in line and navigate the crowded parks the things you remember the most are the magic moments you created for the family.

Spoiler:

Takes another sip of Kool-aid.

Coasters aren't fun unless they kick you around a little bit.

We went to Hershey Park for my birthday this year. Turns out the place is like mini Cedar Point, with tons of coasters, and these are some mean suckers. Awesome mix of great old wooden coasters and brand new extreme steel ones. The new steel ones may be smooth, but they love to do a lot of sharp rolls and quick counter-rolls at really high speed.

The wild mouse they have there is particularly fun. No track jittering, and the lateral g's aren't even extreme, but it does an awesome job making you think that car's coming off the track on the 180s. I was nervous, and coasters never make me nervous, but it was a very good thing.

I'm more of a ride guy, but I was surprised how much I enjoyed Disney. They do an awesome job of theming EVERYTHING. Just looking at it from a technical perspective is impressive. The fast pass system is extremely handy, and cuts out a lot of the line waiting if you do it right. For extreme sneakery, bring some people who don't like rides, and use their tickets for bonus fast passes!

Just checking in as another Disney fanatic to say thanks Demyx for the links to Disney geekery. I mean, I would have posted sooner but I've spent the last month just browsing through all the Disney arcana. Passports to Dreams Old and New had two insanely long posts just on the detailing of Disney theme park lampposts! http://passport2dreams.blogspot.com/...

Awesome! I love Passports. I wish I could articulate my thoughts on theme park criticism half as well as she does.

My wife and I both love Disney World! I guess it's been a little over two years since we were last there with some family friends. As always we had an amazing time! Of course now that we have a 20 month old daughter we cannot wait to take her, too, in a year or so. Yeah, she'll be too young to really remember much. But, hey! It's really all about an awesome photo op for mom and dad, right? I really can't wait!

As for travel tips, I don't think anyone has mentioned it, but the Apple and Android app stores both should have some pretty great apps that provide real-time info on restaurant and ride wait times. There are several apps out there doing much the same thing so I'm not going to plug any particular one. I will say that having access to wait times on my phone, combined with wise use of Disney's "fastpass" service, allowed us to do everything we really wanted to do without dealing with long lines.

yup
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...

BUT
I had to find a sideways way of getting the app so I have an older version because I guess you have to be a US user. Stupid really.

Bell Samsung SGH-I747M
This item cannot be installed in your device's country.
shoptroll wrote:

Demyx and I are leaving on our trip this weekend! Anyone have recommendations on counter-service places we should try/avoid while we're there? We have dinner reservations made at a couple of places (Boma and CA. Grill? Demyx listed the names up-thread) but I think we primarily left breakfast and lunch open most days. Also, are there any "must-have" drinks I should try while we're at Epcot?

Dunno about drinks, but the Moroccan restaurant at Epcot was quite good when we went there in 2005.

Demyx and I are leaving on our trip this weekend! Anyone have recommendations on counter-service places we should try/avoid while we're there? We have dinner reservations made at a couple of places (Boma and CA. Grill? Demyx listed the names up-thread) but I think we primarily left breakfast and lunch open most days. Also, are there any "must-have" drinks I should try while we're at Epcot?

EDIT: I swear this thread bump didn't cause a spambot to bump this old article

Tanglebones wrote:
shoptroll wrote:

Demyx and I are leaving on our trip this weekend! Anyone have recommendations on counter-service places we should try/avoid while we're there? We have dinner reservations made at a couple of places (Boma and CA. Grill? Demyx listed the names up-thread) but I think we primarily left breakfast and lunch open most days. Also, are there any "must-have" drinks I should try while we're at Epcot?

Dunno about drinks, but the Moroccan restaurant at Epcot was quite good when we went there in 2005.

Almost all of the counter service locations are good, and Morocco is one of my faves (they have baklawi! - Lebanese pistachio baklava).

As for counter service, I recommend:

At EPCOT (Everything is great here. Seriously. There are a few standouts though.)
Tangierine Cafe (Morocco)
Boulangerie Patisserie (France) for desserts or croissant sandwiches.
Yorkshire County Fish & Chips (England)
Any of the booths during the food and wine festival. Good stuff.

At the Magic Kingdom (Counter service here tends toward traditional park fare, but good quality food.)
Columbia Harbor House - If you want something different. Seafood (mostly) counter service.
Aloha Aisle in Adventureland - There are only 4 places on earth where you can get a real Dole Whip. This is one.

At Hollywood Studios (Once more, tends toward traditional park fare but good quality food.)
Studio Catering Co. - Good sandwiches/wraps.

At Animal Kingdom (Everything is great here.)
Flame Tree BBQ - Love their stuff. Find a quiet corner and eat by the water!

I would avoid:

At Hollywood Studios
ABC Commissary - My most dreaded counter service place of all time. Never had a good meal there, but I keep hoping Disney changes that.

At the Magic Kingdom
Pecos Bill's toward the end of the night. They have decent stuff, but things can get a bit disgusting around the toppings bar late.

Man it's like Shop doesn't even trust my taste in Disney counter service restaurants :p

Lou, totally agree with your choices. I don't know what it is about ABC but it's the worst of all of them. And I'm totally going to be getting a Dole Whip :p

Demyx wrote:

Man it's like Shop doesn't even trust my taste in Disney counter service restaurants :p

I do! I was just looking for an easy way to show my excitement for the trip :p

We will have to try the Moroccan place and Flame Tree (I don't think that's where we ate in AK last year) this time. I think we hit the rest (if not most) of Lou's list last year?

Demyx wrote:

And I'm totally going to be getting a Dole Whip :p

If I don't come back alive you all know it's because she didn't get a Dole Whip

That's not true! There's other reasons you might not come back alive :p

Eating at Morocco this trip will require tearing me away from the Food & Wine booths in World Showcase though.

Demyx wrote:

I'm totally going to be getting a Dole Whip :p

By the way, TWO of the four places on earth that serve Dole Whip are right there. The other is Captain Cook's Snack Co. at the Polynesian. There, they give you a cup and it's self-serve. Pile it up high!

The other two places to get one: Disneyland, and the Dole plantation in Hawaii.

The problem with Captain Cook's is you can't get the floats there. Or at least I couldn't last time I checked.

That being said, we're in Bay Lake this year and on the monorail line, so the Poly is easily accessible!

LouZiffer wrote:
Demyx wrote:

I'm totally going to be getting a Dole Whip :p

By the way, TWO of the four places on earth that serve Dole Whip are right there. The other is Captain Cook's Snack Co. at the Polynesian. There, they give you a cup and it's self-serve. Pile it up high!

The other two places to get one: Disneyland, and the Dole plantation in Hawaii.

I have eaten it at the Dole Plantation in Hawaii.....

We liked the food at the Hat at Disney MGM and the service was great. That's about the only place I remember from 2000 when my wife and I went to the parks on our honeymoon.

Demyx wrote:

The problem with Captain Cook's is you can't get the floats there. Or at least I couldn't last time I checked.

That being said, we're in Bay Lake this year and on the monorail line, so the Poly is easily accessible!

Yeah. They still don't have the floats. Still, my wife used to work at Dairy Queen and has expert soft serve skills. She builds a spiraling tower of Dole Whip just to the point where she'd feel bad if it were bigger. Two are enough to give ice cream headaches to the whole family.

Awesome that you're staying in the new DVC property. I haven't read any detailed trip reports from there yet. Would love to read your take on it after you're back.

[EDIT: I liked "Diary Queen"]

Rainsmercy wrote:

We liked the food at the Hat at Disney MGM and the service was great. That's about the only place I remember from 2000 when my wife and I went to the parks on our honeymoon.

The hat is just a pin stand (and an unholy abomination that blocks my view of the Chinese Theater) so I'm not sure what you mean. The Brown Derby?

LouZiffer wrote:

Awesome that you're staying in the new DVC property. I haven't read any detailed trip reports from there yet. Would love to read your take on it after you're back.

I actually stayed there before a couple years ago and could write more about it later. Obviously I liked it well enough to book it again, this time with Shop!

I mean the main highlight is the location and being a monorail resort, as well as the rooftop view of the fireworks. The room itself is fairly standard for DVC.