Disney World

[BFinnsUp]

We went Presidents' day week this year. We had a great time. It is fun to take an evening and walk around the International Showcase trying the beer and wine from the different countries. The irish pub in Downtown Disney, Raglan Road, was a ton of fun.

Finally, we had a lot of success dealing with the crowds and taking advantage of as much of Disney by following the advise of Tour Guide Mike - http://www.tourguidemike.com/. I get no kick back or benefit of any kind from this guy, it was just really good advice for us.

[bufitonmybmw]

Yay! April 5th-15th!

[Hoosier PH]

Just got back from Orlando and had a great time. We did decide to skip Disney and do other things. Although we did go to Downtown Disney for shopping.

One thing we did and I would recommend to others is go to Discovery Cove. Its not cheap (289$ to swim with the dolphins, 189$ not to swim with dolphins per person) but that price includes swimming in the coral reef pool with all kinds of tropical fish, swim with the string rays, breakfast, lunch, snacks, and all the beer you can drink. They also have a lazy man river and swimming pool. To me it was well worth it.

www.discoverycove.com

[Staredge]

One month out!!!!! Will be there the first week of Feb. Going to hit Margaritaville for the first time as well.

[luvinlife]

Musts with the mouse....
#1 You MUST go on the SOARING ride.
#2 Please do yourself a favor and have a drink at sunset a the top of the contemporary resort at the California Grill " If they ask you if you have a reservation, just tell them you are meeting someone upstairs for a drink. Also a great place to watch the fireworks!
#3 Go get on the bus line and go to the carribean resort and go to the main pool, they will never ask if you are staying there if you walk in like you own the place.

Have some fun...

[gottagofishin]

We just got back from a week at Disney (12/26 to /1/2). It was great to see at the holidays but I woudn't do it again. It was PACKED!!! This was our 5th trip there in the last 8 years so we wern't pressed to do everything. We did get on all the rides except the new Toy Story ride in Hollywood Studios (3 hour wait and fastpass's gone for the day) and Test Track. We had to decide between a fastpass for either Soaring or Test Track and we picked Soaring. It is a much better ride than Test Track. Even the parking lots at Downtown Disney were full by 3pm. We actually had to park across the street in the parking lot for the Disney Casting office building. All in all it was a great trip and Disney is amazing to see at Christmas.

[Staredge]

Go the first full week of December. That's when we usually go. All of the Christmas decorations are up, but it's actually a low volume period.

[lilsalty]

My mom and I are headed down together for a few days in February. We've been down there tons of times, but it is always so much fun. Last night we were just talking about hitting the California Grill early in the evening (around sunset) for drinks and some appetizers at the bar. I'm also thinking about trying the new restaurant downstairs at the Contemporary called the Wave. We'll be staying at the Polynesian on the Concierge Level! Woo hoo! Breakfast, snacks, hors d'oeuvres, wine/beer, dessert and cordials all included I also can't wait to hit up the Rose & Crown pub in Epcot!

[CTParrothead763]

Ever notice how the Key West travelers feel compelled to start a new thread every other day, while this one endures? Wonder why that is?

(Me thinks I have too much time on my hands to ponder questions like this )

[Seas in my veins]

We are heading down 1/21-28, unfortuently the weather looks a little fridged at 72. Beats the 21 degree weather I am in right now!

[lilsalty]

Ever notice how the Key West travelers feel compelled to start a new thread every other day, while this one endures? Wonder why that is?

(Me thinks I have too much time on my hands to ponder questions like this )

I've been posting for KW and Disney, since I'm hitting Diz in Feb and KW in April.

[LIBuffettFan]

I am curious where some of you Disney fans have stayed (on property) and what your favorites were, below is my list:

Carribean Beach Resort: Nice place but its so huge the bus ride around the resort alone was like 10 minutes.
Dixie Landings (Now called Port Orleans Riverside) I liked this resort, very quiet when I was there and they were decorating for Christmas.
Dolphin - Not a true Disney reosrt but you wouldn't know it, short boat ride to MGM and EPCOT, bus ride to the MK was long as it was the same bus that hit the Swan, Yacht and Beach Clubs and Boradwalk. Short walk to Jelly Rolls though ..wooohooo!.
Boardwalk Resort - Probably so far this was my favorite, you have things right at there, can walk to Epcot and short boat ride to MGM. Same thing with the buses though for the MK and AK. Oh yeah did I mention Jelly Rolls!!
Wilderness Lodge - although a beautiful resort, kind of out of the way and off the beaten path.

I am curious tio hear others resort favs.

[lilsalty]

I have stayed at the follwing:
Old Key West (our 'home base' for the vacation club)
Polynesian
Boardwalk
the old (like early 80s) Lake Buena Vista resort
Port Orleans
either the Swan or the Dolphin...can't remember; it was only one night

My fave is definitely the Polynesian..we went each April as I was growing up and I just love it there...OKW has the best rooms (HUGE!!) and a fun bar (the Gurgling Suitcase). Boardwalk Villas are great for access to Epcot and the Bellevue Lounge, but the rooms at OKW are better. In 10 days, I'll be at the Polynesian! Woo!

[UpstateNYPH]

Stayed at Old Key West last year and loved it. I think we will stay at Boardwalk next year for a change of pace.

[Seas in my veins]

It all depends if you are going to be in your room that much. We are on the go, basically out of the room at 7am and not back until 10pm or later. Being that we are never there we like to stay at the All Star properties. They are the cheapest that Disney has to offer, averaging $82.00 a night but it's still Disney. the rooms are regular rooms with 2 queens or one king, clean and decorated based on which property you are at.

[UpstateNYPH]

It all depends if you are going to be in your room that much. We are on the go, basically out of the room at 7am and not back until 10pm or later. Being that we are never there we like to stay at the All Star properties. They are the cheapest that Disney has to offer, averaging $82.00 a night but it's still Disney. the rooms are regular rooms with 2 queens or one king, clean and decorated based on which property you are at.

Well, you can pay that price for a villa resort too, if you know how

Those in the DVC know what I'm talking about.

[Seas in my veins]

It all depends if you are going to be in your room that much. We are on the go, basically out of the room at 7am and not back until 10pm or later. Being that we are never there we like to stay at the All Star properties. They are the cheapest that Disney has to offer, averaging $82.00 a night but it's still Disney. the rooms are regular rooms with 2 queens or one king, clean and decorated based on which property you are at.

Well, you can pay that price for a villa resort too, if you know how

Those in the DVC know what I'm talking about.

My parents were looking into the DVC, is it worth it?

[UpstateNYPH]

It all depends if you are going to be in your room that much. We are on the go, basically out of the room at 7am and not back until 10pm or later. Being that we are never there we like to stay at the All Star properties. They are the cheapest that Disney has to offer, averaging $82.00 a night but it's still Disney. the rooms are regular rooms with 2 queens or one king, clean and decorated based on which property you are at.

Well, you can pay that price for a villa resort too, if you know how

Those in the DVC know what I'm talking about.

My parents were looking into the DVC, is it worth it?

I dont own. I just rent points from DVC members. A lot of people do this.
Lowest season - Deluxe villa resorts I can get around $90 a night
Highest season - Deluxe villa resorts I can get around $150 a night

It's kind of the best kept secret in Disney lodging. If you want more info just PM me.

[Tropic_Al]

It all depends if you are going to be in your room that much. We are on the go, basically out of the room at 7am and not back until 10pm or later. Being that we are never there we like to stay at the All Star properties. They are the cheapest that Disney has to offer, averaging $82.00 a night but it's still Disney. the rooms are regular rooms with 2 queens or one king, clean and decorated based on which property you are at.

Well, you can pay that price for a villa resort too, if you know how

Those in the DVC know what I'm talking about.

My parents were looking into the DVC, is it worth it?

It's worth it, if you love Disney & go every year. We don't go enough to make it worthwile.

[LIBuffettFan]

It all depends if you are going to be in your room that much. We are on the go, basically out of the room at 7am and not back until 10pm or later. Being that we are never there we like to stay at the All Star properties. They are the cheapest that Disney has to offer, averaging $82.00 a night but it's still Disney. the rooms are regular rooms with 2 queens or one king, clean and decorated based on which property you are at.

My most recent trips down there I have approached them with a much more laid back attitude. Go in for the early opening and as it starts to get crowded leave and go somewhere for breakfast, good breakfasts at the restaurant upstairs at the Polynesian, can't remember the nameor at the Contemporary. Back in at our own pace, hit the key attractions, not trying to hit everything in the park, then out for lunch, back to the hotel, swim on the pool, get some sun poolside, maybe a water park. Grab an early dinner or once in a while book into one of the in park restaurants, some are pretty nice. Then back in the late afternoon or early evening, catch some of the night time shows or fireworks, but don't do this everynight. Then your rested enough to enjoy the night life..oh did I mention Jelly Rolls!!..I love that place