"Official" Walt Disney World & Disneyland Thread

[4NDR01D]

Heading to Walt Disney World tomorrow, I've never been to Disneyland but would love to go some day, I know there's some other members on here who are fans and I don't remember a thread ever being dedicated to it before. Post your opinions or your trip photos here.



Favorite resort? : We really like Port Orleans Riverside since we don't spend too much time at/in our room. We've also stayed at the Caribbean resort and Polynesian resort, which I loved, but didn't spend enough time at to justify the extra cost.

Favorite restaurant? : I think that's one of the things that really blew me away on our first visit was how good the food can be at some of the restaurants. If your going to stay at Disney I can't recommend getting the "dinner plan" enough. It's crazy not to get it really. And while it will cost you 2 dinner points, the Hollywood Brown Derby (at MGM studios) and Le Cellier (Epcot) are completely amazing. But for quick service we always get a lobster roll at Colombia Harbour House (Magic Kingdom) or a burger at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe (Also Magic Kingdom) always making sure we try to sit up nice and close to Cosmic Ray himself. Geez, really there's so many places to go and eat I could probably talk about it all day.

Favorite ride? : Of course there's so many to choose from but if I narrow it down I'm riding, from..

Magic Kingdom- "It's a Small World" (proposed to my wife on this ride, it was really impromptu), Haunted Mansion (I think if anybody who know's me would have guessed what ride I proposed on it would have been this one, lol), Peter Pan's Flight (the best dark ride IMHO)

Epcot : Spaceship Earth, The Seas with Nemo, and probably The Land (it's so relaxing)

Hollywood Studios : Toy Story Midway Mania (simply the best most fun ride ever, although it really is more of a game than a ride), The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (ok, I really really hate this ride, but I do it every time)

Animal Kingdom : Expedition Everest (of course, as there's not really many rides at AK) and the Dinosaur Adventure


Favorite Other: Lots of other stuff other than rides to do, I'm picking, Nemo: the Musical, the Bugs Life It's Tough to be a Bug 3D show and the boat ride from Port Orleans to Downtown Disney.


Any other WDW or Disneyland fans? let's here what you like the best.

[Hedji]

I'm crazy over Epcot. I love the atmosphere of that place. It's like they built a futuristic city as depicted in 1970s scifi book covers. The music they play over the speakers in the public areas is great too. I love how it's really two parks in one also. I have an unhealthy obsession with Club Cool for some reason! As a huge Jerry Goldsmith fan, I love Soarin'… moves me to tears.

Magic Kingdom is all it's cracked up to be, and more. I love Carousel of Progress to the moon and back. Favorite ride would have to be Splash Mountain. It's like some awesome animatronics, followed by the best flume ride ever, and just when you think it's over… they throw this amazing showboat production at you. Again, tears.

Haunted Mansion… what can I say? It's just a masterpiece. Can't believe after all these years they never put the Hatbox Ghost in there. Perhaps he's better as a legend though. Pirates is just a delight also. Anyone who doesn't "get" It's a Small World cannot be my friend. People who make fun of the repetitive song are completely missing the point. I am amazed they are able to synch the different audio as you pass from room to room. Love the new stuff at Fantasyland, especially the Little Mermaid ride. Those new animatronics are so lifelike, its scary.

Animal Kingdom… I can take or leave. The problem with it, is nothing there has that Disney Magic. The Dino Land feels like an import from a Bush Gardens. Everest is okay, but again, lacking something. Kali River Rapids again feels like something you'd find at any Six Flags. Just not special.

Hollywood Studios is the park with incredible potential that is squandered. I would love to see that park focus on the history of Disney's live action films. Give us a Tron light cycle ride. How about an Into the Black Hole experience? 20,000 Leagues belongs there. Rip out all the Aerosmith stuff and make the Rockin' Roller Coaster into the Rocketeer's Roller Coaster. Star Tours is great, but they need more planet combinations.

[boss]

We just got back from Disney World last week. We loved it. The only bummer was that Splash Mountain is closed for renovations.

[drquest]

We've been to Disneyworld at least once a year, sometimes twice a year since my daughter was 2, and that was in 2001. So yeah, we've seen a done a lot there. Each trip we stayed on property.

We were there over Thanksgiving last November, and will be there again this March. My daughter, now in Highschool, will be marching with her band on Main Street in Magic Kingdom and she is so excited!

We've stayed at all of the resorts on the monorail route, Grand Floridian, Polynesian and Contemporary. We've also stayed at Wilderness Lodge, and my son and I stayed at the Beach Club(near Epcot) last May when we were there for Star Wars weekends. I will say my favorite is the Contemporary(we've stayed there 10+ times), tower room, Magic Kingdom view. Going to sleep looking at the castle, and waking up to the views out the window is worth the money and being able to walk over to Magic Kingdom is very cool, not to mention having the monorails gliding through the resort is awesome!

Disney has changed quite a bit the past few years, Magic Bands and having to schedule your fastpass times is tough for new people and even for veterans.

Epcot tends to be one of my favorites. The park is so big, even if it's busy, it doesn't feel crowded. My older son and daughter really enjoy Hollywood Studios.

Be aware Hollywood Studios has some attractions that have closed. Backlot tour is gone, and American Idol. The big Sorcerer's hat is being removed right now. There's a rumor that the Indiana Jones attraction will be closing soon as well. What I've heard is Disney is planning on expanding the Pixar world, and a Star Wars Land is being planned for Hollywood Studios as well.

Rides:
MK, Haunted Mansion, or Pirates, or Space Mountain, haha..
HS, Tower of Terror, could ride it over and over
Epcot, Mission Space
AK, Expedition Everest

Restaurants:
Teppon Edo(Japanese Steak House at Epcot)
O'Hanas(Polynesian)
SciFi Drive In (Hollywood Studios)
Cosmic Ray's(Magic Kingdom)
Le Cellier(Epcot), but it's too pricey


We like Disneyland as well, and my my and I got engaged at Disneyland 20 years ago this June.

Got any questions, feel free to ask, as I have lots of opinions about Disneyworld

[4NDR01D]

I'm crazy over Epcot. I love the atmosphere of that place. It's like they built a futuristic city as depicted in 1970s scifi book covers. The music they play over the speakers in the public areas is great too. I love how it's really two parks in one also. I have an unhealthy obsession with Club Cool for some reason! As a huge Jerry Goldsmith fan, I love Soarin'… moves me to tears.

>Epcots the coolest because of it's retro-futuristic designs. And the restaurants and stuff. Epcot's the place where my wife doesn't mind if I have a few drinks, It seems a bit more adult I guess. I probably never have a drink with dinner at MK (even though I hear the do serve alcohol there now). And yeah, that futurist electronic music totally does it for me. I always wind up feeling a little queasy after club cool, but I still love it.

Magic Kingdom is all it's cracked up to be, and more. I love Carousel of Progress to the moon and back. Favorite ride would have to be Splash Mountain. It's like some awesome animatronics, followed by the best flume ride ever, and just when you think it's over… they throw this amazing showboat production at you. Again, tears.

>Carousel of Progress is kinda creepy cool. It's one of those things that's a bit outdated, but becomes cooler because of it imho. I like Splash Mountain but the line up can really wear out my patience, also It closes around this time so since this is time of year we usually go it's usually closed.

Haunted Mansion… what can I say? It's just a masterpiece. Can't believe after all these years they never put the Hatbox Ghost in there. Perhaps he's better as a legend though. Pirates is just a delight also. Anyone who doesn't "get" It's a Small World cannot be my friend. People who make fun of the repetitive song are completely missing the point. I am amazed they are able to synch the different audio as you pass from room to room. Love the new stuff at Fantasyland, especially the Little Mermaid ride. Those new animatronics are so lifelike, its scary.

>agreed. And yeah new Mermaid ride was excellent (only got to do it once so far) and we've yet to do the Snow White and 7 dwarfs mine train. I think it has a size requirement so if my 2 year old can't get on I might have to do it by myself)

Animal Kingdom… I can take or leave. The problem with it, is nothing there has that Disney Magic. The Dino Land feels like an import from a Bush Gardens. Everest is okay, but again, lacking something. Kali River Rapids again feels like something you'd find at any Six Flags. Just not special.

>I think AK has lots of great stuff going for it, but could really be so much more. The dinosaur land is totally lame (except for the ride which is pretty fantastic), hopefully Pixars new dino movie is a massive success and they can freshen it up.

Hollywood Studios is the park with incredible potential that is squandered. I would love to see that park focus on the history of Disney's live action films. Give us a Tron light cycle ride. How about an Into the Black Hole experience? 20,000 Leagues belongs there. Rip out all the Aerosmith stuff and make the Rockin' Roller Coaster into the Rocketeer's Roller Coaster. Star Tours is great, but they need more planet combinations.

>Yeah lots of big changes for the better coming to that park. The back lot tour was really pretty boring and 80's feeling. I'd really like them to put in a better prop and movie museum. of course more star wars stuff, maybe lose the indiana jones stuff.

sorry, having problems editing

[MIB41]

I went to Disney World back in 1973. Space Mountain was still being built. It was a magical experience for me as a kid. I can only imagine it today. Enjoy your experience!!

[4NDR01D]

We've been to Disneyworld at least once a year, sometimes twice a year since my daughter was 2, and that was in 2001. So yeah, we've seen a done a lot there. Each trip we stayed on property.

We were there over Thanksgiving last November, and will be there again this March. My daughter, now in Highschool, will be marching with her band on Main Street in Magic Kingdom and she is so excited!

We've stayed at all of the resorts on the monorail route, Grand Floridian, Polynesian and Contemporary. We've also stayed at Wilderness Lodge, and my son and I stayed at the Beach Club(near Epcot) last May when we were there for Star Wars weekends. I will say my favorite is the Contemporary(we've stayed there 10+ times), tower room, Magic Kingdom view. Going to sleep looking at the castle, and waking up to the views out the window is worth the money and being able to walk over to Magic Kingdom is very cool, not to mention having the monorails gliding through the resort is awesome!

Disney has changed quite a bit the past few years, Magic Bands and having to schedule your fastpass times is tough for new people and even for veterans.

>I think the whole experience of Disney can be tough for people who haven't been before. There's so much to do if your not super organized you're going to miss out on a a lot. My wife likes to be the one to plan everything out which works for both of us, but can still get pretty frustrating when you want to just chill and not HAVE to be anywhere at a specific time.


Epcot tends to be one of my favorites. The park is so big, even if it's busy, it doesn't feel crowded. My older son and daughter really enjoy Hollywood Studios.

Be aware Hollywood Studios has some attractions that have closed. Backlot tour is gone, and American Idol. The big Sorcerer's hat is being removed right now. There's a rumor that the Indiana Jones attraction will be closing soon as well. What I've heard is Disney is planning on expanding the Pixar world, and a Star Wars Land is being planned for Hollywood Studios as well.

>This is all good news to me


Rides:
MK, Haunted Mansion, or Pirates, or Space Mountain, haha..
HS, Tower of Terror, could ride it over and over
Epcot, Mission Space
AK, Expedition Everest

Restaurants:
Teppon Edo(Japanese Steak House at Epcot)
O'Hanas(Polynesian)
SciFi Drive In (Hollywood Studios)
Cosmic Ray's(Magic Kingdom)
Le Cellier(Epcot), but it's too pricey


We like Disneyland as well, and my my and I got engaged at Disneyland 20 years ago this June.

Got any questions, feel free to ask, as I have lots of opinions about Disneyworld

How long does it take to do everything they have at Disneyland? could you do it in a day? we're interested in going but since WDW has so much more we always go there. I'd love to visit the original park though.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Went for the first time in 2012, and went back in fall 2014. We LOVE it, and are already talking about going back.

We too loved Port Orleans Riverside. We stayed at French Quarter the first time (and it wasn't bad at all) but really enjoyed the Riverside resort. The food court there has surprisingly good food and great atmosphere. Plus, you can ride the ferry over to Downtown Disney from the resort.

Favorite rides: Magic Kingdom -Haunted Mansion, without a doubt. But we really had a blast on the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. That's a great ride! Also really dig Peter Pan's Flight as well.

Epcot - Soarin' or Test Track. Test Track was down the first time we were there, so we were glad to get on it this time.

Hollywood Studios - Star Tours. No question!

Animal Kingdom - We didn't go to Animal Kingdom this time, instead taking in a day at Downtown Disney. And we only went half a day the first time. I'll get back to you on that.

Restaurants - Magic Kingdom: Be Our Guest. We did the lunch version, and I can honestly say it was as good or better than most of our table service meals. Liberty Tavern and it are tied, really. If you walk away hungry from Liberty Tavern...you have a tape worm!

Epcot: Akeruas; I know I mispronounced that, but I love their Norwegian meatballs and mashed potatoes. Plus, the girl gets to meet the princesses!

Hollywood Studios: We ate at Prime Time Cafe this time, and really enjoyed it.

Animal Kingdom: I can't recall the name, but that quick-service BBQ grill is really good.

I could go on and on, but I'll spare you the details. We can't wait to go back!

Chris

[huedell]

My family at DISNEY WORD in 1978:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HmZpR26tzc

Not a lot of people have films from their childhood time in the park---so, I feel blessed my Dad lugged the dang camera-thing around!

My advice?

I know that at ANY age---I'd regret not going on the "famous" rides----

HAUNTED MANSION, SPACE MOUNTAIN, PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN----heck, even the "annoying" one SMALL WORLD, and the very child-geared DUMBO RIDE are big "do's" for me, 'cause I just gotta have the most "generic" Disney experience. But a generic Disney experience isn't a bland experience---it's a GREAT TIME to me....

Ya won't find me at the Egyptian pyramids, or the Grand Canyon, or even the Empire State building---but, MR. TOAD'S WILD RIDE? If it's still open, you can bet I'm takin' that classic "wild ride"! It's a magical time!

Enjoy the magic of YOUR Disney trip!

[thunderbolt]

Used to really love Epcot, but the character-ization of it is starting to really suck the fun out of it. They recently shut down the Norway ride to repurpose it to a Frozen ride. March 5th I will be there volunteering for the Flower and Garden show so I will check it out again.

[Nostalgiabuff]

love WDW. have brought the family there many times. My wife and I had our honeymoon there

I have stayed in many of the resorts as well. as a couple, I loved Beach Club. with the family on a budget, the animation resorts are really nice.

favorite rides? too many to choose from and I have not even see any of the new ones they built at Magic Kingdom a few years back. but space mountain is a fun ride, pirates, splash mountain, expedition Everest, dinosaur, star tours. I am looking forward to the Star Wars land.
my wife and I love epcot. we would spend more time there than any other park but the kids get bored. we like to just walk around the "world" sampling the beer and wine in each country and always spend at least one night there for the fireworks over the lake

[drquest]

How long does it take to do everything they have at Disneyland? could you do it in a day? we're interested in going but since WDW has so much more we always go there. I'd love to visit the original park though.

Disneyland is quaint compared to Disneyworld and my family loved it too. We stayed at the Grand Californian resort, so you can just literally walk out from it and your in the park which is awesome. The crowds are less than Disneyworld and lines are shorter etc... They have the new Cars Land there and that's pretty cool. If you spend two days there you can do everything you wanted to do. 1 day will get you the highlights, and keep in mind Disneyland still uses the older Fastpass system, so it's less stress in my opinion.

[drquest]

Any frequent visitors have thoughts on the new Fantasy Land at Magic Kingdown? It took Disney several years to get that done, and quite a number of things were lost to make room and to be honest, I'm sad to see some of the changes. The new Dumbo ride is fine, but it's not he old one. Mickey's Toontown fair my kids loved and we always spent fun times there, and it's gone. The new 7 Dwarves ride is ok, it's not amazing, and Disney could have thrown any theme at it in any park I think.

My kids still love going over to Tom Sawyer's island, it's never busy there. The People Mover and Carousel of Progress are always on their todo list as well.

[4NDR01D]

My family at DISNEY WORD in 1978:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HmZpR26tzc

Not a lot of people have films from their childhood time in the park---so, I feel blessed my Dad lugged the dang camera-thing around!

My advice?

I know that at ANY age---I'd regret not going on the "famous" rides----

HAUNTED MANSION, SPACE MOUNTAIN, PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN----heck, even the "annoying" one SMALL WORLD, and the very child-geared DUMBO RIDE are big "do's" for me, 'cause I just gotta have the most "generic" Disney experience. But a generic Disney experience isn't a bland experience---it's a GREAT TIME to me....

Ya won't find me at the Egyptian pyramids, or the Grand Canyon, or even the Empire State building---but, MR. TOAD'S WILD RIDE? If it's still open, you can bet I'm takin' that classic "wild ride"! It's a magical time!

Enjoy the magic of YOUR Disney trip!

I watched both your clips and they are amazing!! that's so very cool. A lot of that stuff is long gone (chair lifts, 20,000 leagues..., mr. toads wild ride, and they just recently removed the water fountain in the lobby of Polynesian resort). And I'd never use the term "generic" or even "cliche" to describe any of the old rides, they are quite simply "CLASSIC".

[4NDR01D]

Used to really love Epcot, but the character-ization of it is starting to really suck the fun out of it. They recently shut down the Norway ride to repurpose it to a Frozen ride. March 5th I will be there volunteering for the Flower and Garden show so I will check it out again.

We did the Norway ride once and for whatever reason never did it again in all our visits to Epcot. I have a little girl who at the age of 2 is already obsessed with Frozen (Ive seen it at least 100 times and wake up with the songs already in my head) so I think the added character might be a good thing for it. We always miss the F&G show, which sucks, and we've only made it to the Food and Wine festival once which is too bad since it was a lot of fun. What do you do there when you volunteer?