Orlando Trip - Disney Parks / Universal Parks - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Waats · 06-06-2007, 10:41 AM

Hey guys,
My girlfriend and I trying to plan a trip to Disney World since she has never been. I also thought it would be nice to be there for New Years so the dates we both have off from work are December 28 - January 3rd. The only problem is that both of us are on a lower end budget. We both have college debts, car payments, ect. But we have 6 months to save so I think I can make this work.

Anyways, can you guys give me any tips or know of a "hidden" site that can help me plan a cheap, but nice trip to the Disney World area?

lankrypt0 · 06-06-2007, 11:11 AM

Unfortunately, that is peak a time down there, I believe the rooms are bit more expensive, and it is crowded.

I would recommend calling Disney and booking through them, personally, I haven’t found any way that’s cheaper.

With that said, there are some tips I can offer, as a Disney fanatic, to make the most of your stay.

* I would recommend staying on Disney property and using their transportation; it’s very convenient and eliminates the need to rent a car.
* I also recommend park hopper ticket so you can go from park to park. (Animal kingdom and MGM can be done in 1/2 days, and epcot if you don’t want to do the country stuff).
* Your tickets also come with the "FastPass" ability, which is wonderful. Basically you put your park ticket into a machine and you receive another ticket that tells you when to come back. During that window when you can come back, you are able to go on the FastPass line which is normally no more than 10-20 minutes. Best to use these on the big attractions.
* Never eat lunch at the normal lunch times (1130-1) everyone does that. You will only have to wait to eat, and then wait again on lines to get on rides. Instead, head to lunch @11ish and split a meal (cheaper that way too). Then when you are finishing, people are heading TO lunch, shortening your wait times.
* Same thing with dinner.
* Learn about "Extra Magic Hours", you can ask at the front desk. That is when a park stays open later.
* If you don’t like parades or fireworks, those are also good times to hit up attractions. Though I HIGHLY recommend watching Wishes at the Magic Kingdom, especially with a girlfriend. I recommend standing ON Main Street, a little more than halfway up.
* Buy one souvenir mug in their cafeteria, I think its $10-$12, but you can get unlimited refills at ANY resort (not the parks). We normally get a cup of coffee in the AM and drink that in the room while we are getting ready. Fill it up with Iced Tea as we get on the bus to a park. When we get back to the hotel, fill it up again with another drink and head back to the room. Can save a decent amount of $$$ doing that.
* Avoid their alcohol; it tends to be really overpriced.
* Bring comfortable shoes.
* Bring a backpack to put small items/bottles of water in.
* If you are on a line and there is a choice to go right or left, choose the left. Most people, for some weird reason, choose the right (probably because we drive on the right). You can cut out some time doing that as well.

hmm, thats about it for now, maybe ill think of some more later =)

Redlemon · 06-06-2007, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lankrypt0

hmm, thats about it for now, maybe ill think of some more later =)

Thanks, and I look forward to the rest of your tips. I probably have an Octoberish trip with my 5 year old, his first time.

Waats · 06-06-2007, 11:29 AM

That is a lot of great tips. Thank you so much!

lankrypt0 · 06-09-2007, 06:03 AM

Just thought of another little tip to share. Really look at the themeing that Disney does on its lines and on the rides themselves. They put a lot of effort into immersion on the rides, much better than other places IMHO.
Now the second reason I tell you to look closely is to find hidden mickeys. Hidden Mickeys? What are those you ask? Well those are Mickeys (ears, face silhouteet) found on rides or in lines, or in the park itself. More info here on Wikipedia
Also ,to get you started, I will give you a hint to find one. On Haunted Mansion, look at dinner plates.

And here is my favorite, one we found on the ground in Animal Kingdom (they used the cracks in the concrete to form it)

06-06-2007, 10:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
Waats Upright	Orlando Trip - Disney Parks / Universal Parks Hey guys, My girlfriend and I trying to plan a trip to Disney World since she has never been. I also thought it would be nice to be there for New Years so the dates we both have off from work are December 28 - January 3rd. The only problem is that both of us are on a lower end budget. We both have college debts, car payments, ect. But we have 6 months to save so I think I can make this work. Anyways, can you guys give me any tips or know of a "hidden" site that can help me plan a cheap, but nice trip to the Disney World area?

06-06-2007, 11:11 AM	#2 (permalink)
lankrypt0 Crazy Location: Aberdeen, NJ	Unfortunately, that is peak a time down there, I believe the rooms are bit more expensive, and it is crowded. I would recommend calling Disney and booking through them, personally, I haven’t found any way that’s cheaper. With that said, there are some tips I can offer, as a Disney fanatic, to make the most of your stay. * I would recommend staying on Disney property and using their transportation; it’s very convenient and eliminates the need to rent a car. * I also recommend park hopper ticket so you can go from park to park. (Animal kingdom and MGM can be done in 1/2 days, and epcot if you don’t want to do the country stuff). * Your tickets also come with the "FastPass" ability, which is wonderful. Basically you put your park ticket into a machine and you receive another ticket that tells you when to come back. During that window when you can come back, you are able to go on the FastPass line which is normally no more than 10-20 minutes. Best to use these on the big attractions. * Never eat lunch at the normal lunch times (1130-1) everyone does that. You will only have to wait to eat, and then wait again on lines to get on rides. Instead, head to lunch @11ish and split a meal (cheaper that way too). Then when you are finishing, people are heading TO lunch, shortening your wait times. * Same thing with dinner. * Learn about "Extra Magic Hours", you can ask at the front desk. That is when a park stays open later. * If you don’t like parades or fireworks, those are also good times to hit up attractions. Though I HIGHLY recommend watching Wishes at the Magic Kingdom, especially with a girlfriend. I recommend standing ON Main Street, a little more than halfway up. * Buy one souvenir mug in their cafeteria, I think its $10-$12, but you can get unlimited refills at ANY resort (not the parks). We normally get a cup of coffee in the AM and drink that in the room while we are getting ready. Fill it up with Iced Tea as we get on the bus to a park. When we get back to the hotel, fill it up again with another drink and head back to the room. Can save a decent amount of $$$ doing that. * Avoid their alcohol; it tends to be really overpriced. * Bring comfortable shoes. * Bring a backpack to put small items/bottles of water in. * If you are on a line and there is a choice to go right or left, choose the left. Most people, for some weird reason, choose the right (probably because we drive on the right). You can cut out some time doing that as well. hmm, thats about it for now, maybe ill think of some more later =)

06-06-2007, 11:29 AM	#4 (permalink)
Waats Upright	That is a lot of great tips. Thank you so much!

06-09-2007, 06:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
lankrypt0 Crazy Location: Aberdeen, NJ	Just thought of another little tip to share. Really look at the themeing that Disney does on its lines and on the rides themselves. They put a lot of effort into immersion on the rides, much better than other places IMHO. Now the second reason I tell you to look closely is to find hidden mickeys. Hidden Mickeys? What are those you ask? Well those are Mickeys (ears, face silhouteet) found on rides or in lines, or in the park itself. More info here on Wikipedia Also ,to get you started, I will give you a hint to find one. On Haunted Mansion, look at dinner plates. And here is my favorite, one we found on the ground in Animal Kingdom (they used the cracks in the concrete to form it)