Disney World Vacation Help/ Recommendations please!!

[SB621]

DH and I are taking off for Disney for 3n/4d in the Fall. We are leaving our little ones at home so I'm looking for some recommendations on what to do while there. DH and I have been to disney but it was in the 80's when we were little. Definitely looking for some adult fun but still want to go to the parks etc. There is so much information on the www but I was hoping some PSer's could give me some advise to help me tunnel through everything.

Thanks!

 

[vc10um]

I haven't been to Disney as an adult, so I can't really speak to that in particular, but my favorite park has always been Epcot Center, and I know as an adult you have the opportunity to drink your way around the world at the World Showcase. (If you're interested in this, just google "drinking around the world epcot" and you'll find plenty of blogs/websites with drink suggestions and estimated costs for this undertaking...)

MY favorite thing at Disney, and I hope to take my (not yet a twinkle in my eye) future children someday, is the Hoop-De-Doo Musical Review at Fort Wilderness. The show is PHENOMINAL and FUNNY and the food is tasty! I've been twice (at ages 11 and 15) and everyone, from my grandmother down to my younger sister (who is SUPER hard to please!), enjoyed it. I made sure friends who Honeymooned at Disney booked tickets and they said that, aside from a fantastic dinner at the Contemporary, it was their favorite part of the trip. We also at at the restaurant at The Living Seas, which is really cool because there's a giant aquarium there.

Have a blast! I am hoping my husband and I can take a trip to Disney at some point soon, before there are kiddos in the picture!

 

[armywife13]

I haven't been there in about 8 years, but I do know that the boardwalk and downtown Disney have more adult entertainment. I agree with vc10um about the Hoop-De-Doo Review, I have been to it and it was a great show!

Depending on the resort you stay at(if you are staying at a Disney resort) some of them also offer additional activities such as spas, jet skiing, ect.

 

[glitterpants]

1. I really like the dinner buffet at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Grand Floridian breakfast, Boardwalk hotel dinner buffet, Le Cellier in Epcot canada and the Sci Fi dine-in theater is really fun.

2. Favorite alcoholic drinks: Plum cooler at the kiosk right outside Epcot China and the Grey Goose lemon slush at the kiosk outside Epcot France, tropical drinks at the Polynesian

3. The photopass is nice....sometimes you're just not in the mood to ask a stranger to take your photo as a couple together- and the photopass photographers do a great job of getting you to pose.

4. Not sure when you're going but Epcot has a food & wine festival in the Fall.

 

[geckodani]

I was there last December with DH and will be going back this year as well with my Mom. Happy to answer any questions! Off the top of my head:

* I'd pay the $10 to sign up at touringplans.com and use the crowd tracker - it's usually spot on and can help you pick the best park to visit.
* If you're staying at a Disney resort and will be using the bus system, budget $10-$15 a day to take a taxi back from the parks at closing times. The buses are generally pretty decent during the day, but at closing time they are madness. There is nothing worse than being exhausted and crammed onto a bus with standing room only, IMO.
* Don't try to do it all. Pick 2 things each at whatever park you're at that are must do attractions, and then go with the flow for the rest.
* Glow sticks from the dollar store are a riot at night.

Um. That's all I've got off the top of my head, but I can answer questions!

ETA: If you want an awesome souvenir, on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom are artists who will do silhouette cut outs of you and your DH. We had them done and they are AWESOME. You can even tell that he has facial hair, LOL!

 

[iLander]

I've been to Disney at least a jillion times. Seriously. I used to live an hour away.

Best hotel is the Swan or the Dolphin, they're not owned by Disney but are 5 star and adjacent to Epcot. You can take a boat right to Epcot from the lobby level. Very cool.

Once you are in Epcot, you can take the monorail all over (magic kingdom, etc), or a bus to Downtown Disney. I like to eat at the Japan pavilion, upstairs, there is a sushi and Benihana-type steak house. I also like to eat in France, for the prix-fixe dinner, or in China at the fancy restaurant there. Make dinner reservations first thing in the morning for that night.

At Downtown Disney you should see the Cirque de Soleil show, in their own specially built theater. It's beyond awesome. Get tickets early, like now. If you want to go inexpensive, but elegant, stay at the Lake Buena Vista Palace, near downtown Disney. It's newly-renovated, and the little suites are very cool. There are buses that will take you around if you don't want to rent a car.

Orlando is a huge outlet mall area, and the Mall at Millenia is also very nice, Tiffany's, etc. STAY off International Drive, it's a madhouse. If you have an iPhone or access to Google Maps, you can plan routes that keep you out of crazy traffic (sand lake road is your friend).

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Good tips! I am going in a little over a week with my sister and our teen daughters! Can't wait! We are staying at the Holiday Inn in downtown Disney. Very good ratings: #2 on TripAdvisor for DW Hotels (and #11 out of more than 300 in Orlando). I'll be able to report back on our favorites once we return. I last went when out older kids were young, so I am looking forward to doing things for adults!

 

[Deactivated member 42515]

Aww, I could totally help of you said Disneyland! We were just there end of last year.

 

[SB621]

Thanks for the replies everyone!!!

I guess I should give some more details. Since we only have 2 full days there I wanted to do HP world one day @ Universersal Studios Island of Adventure. Universal offers a pass to IOA and/ or the regular park. I was wondering is it realiastic to see both parks in one day? Or should I just stick with IOA?

We don't need a hotel as we are using a timeshare at the Hilton Grand on International Drive. It's free so I'm happy to save a little bit of money and use it in other places.

1- Since we will be at Universal for one day, what would be your vote on the next park? We plan on taking our kids to Disney in 2013/ 2014 so we want to save the family stuff for them. We love to go on thrill rides so since we can't do that with our kids (who are infants) we want to try to hit them on this go around.
2- Has anyone since La Nouba, the Cirque Du Soleil show, in Orlando? I have never been to a cirque show but always wanted to go. Would love to hear your recommendations.
3-Where did you buy Disney tickets? Is there a discount place on line? We are military so I'm trying to find out if we can get a military discount at the parks or if my husband's FL residencey is cheaper (i'm not a FL resident).

Thanks!

 

[sonnyjane]

Thanks for the replies everyone!!!

I guess I should give some more details. Since we only have 2 full days there I wanted to do HP world one day @ Universersal Studios Island of Adventure. Universal offers a pass to IOA and/ or the regular park. I was wondering is it realiastic to see both parks in one day? Or should I just stick with IOA?

We don't need a hotel as we are using a timeshare at the Hilton Grand on International Drive. It's free so I'm happy to save a little bit of money and use it in other places.

1- Since we will be at Universal for one day, what would be your vote on the next park? We plan on taking our kids to Disney in 2013/ 2014 so we want to save the family stuff for them. We love to go on thrill rides so since we can't do that with our kids (who are infants) we want to try to hit them on this go around.
2- Has anyone since La Nouba, the Cirque Du Soleil show, in Orlando? I have never been to a cirque show but always wanted to go. Would love to hear your recommendations.
3-Where did you buy Disney tickets? Is there a discount place on line? We are military so I'm trying to find out if we can get a military discount at the parks or if my husband's FL residencey is cheaper (i'm not a FL resident).

Thanks!

When exactly are you going? This military deal is good through Sept. 30th : http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Disney-Armed-Forces-Salute.html

It's 4-day parkhopper tickets for $138, which even if you only go for a day and a half is a great deal.

 

[armywife13]

Thanks for the replies everyone!!!

I guess I should give some more details. Since we only have 2 full days there I wanted to do HP world one day @ Universersal Studios Island of Adventure. Universal offers a pass to IOA and/ or the regular park. I was wondering is it realiastic to see both parks in one day? Or should I just stick with IOA?

We don't need a hotel as we are using a timeshare at the Hilton Grand on International Drive. It's free so I'm happy to save a little bit of money and use it in other places.

1- Since we will be at Universal for one day, what would be your vote on the next park? We plan on taking our kids to Disney in 2013/ 2014 so we want to save the family stuff for them. We love to go on thrill rides so since we can't do that with our kids (who are infants) we want to try to hit them on this go around.
2- Has anyone since La Nouba, the Cirque Du Soleil show, in Orlando? I have never been to a cirque show but always wanted to go. Would love to hear your recommendations.
3-Where did you buy Disney tickets? Is there a discount place on line? We are military so I'm trying to find out if we can get a military discount at the parks or if my husband's FL residencey is cheaper (i'm not a FL resident).

Thanks!

When exactly are you going? This military deal is good through Sept. 30th : http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Disney-Armed-Forces-Salute.html

It's 4-day parkhopper tickets for $138, which even if you only go for a day and a half is a great deal.

Yes, definitely look into this deal. Also, if you go to the travel agency on Bragg, they would be able to get you the military rates on Disney and might also have something for Universal and the hotels.

 

[geckodani]

Thanks for the replies everyone!!!

2- Has anyone since La Nouba, the Cirque Du Soleil show, in Orlando? I have never been to a cirque show but always wanted to go. Would love to hear your recommendations.

Thanks!

Yes, and it is FANTASTIC and well worth the cost.