# Disney Resorts - which one and why? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 31, 2009, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-resorts-which-one-and-why/508324 "2009-08-31T04:12:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![TheMadHun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@TheMadHun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMadHun)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-resorts-which-one-and-why/508324/21 "2009-09-01T18:53:58Z")
I won’t go again until I can face buying an express pass that puts you in a shorter line. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-resorts-which-one-and-why/508324/22 "2009-09-01T21:15:44Z")
> [@congodwarf](#): > > …We will be spending the vast majority of our time in the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Epcot will be our main destination for at least 2 of the 5 days we’ll be there. The only country we got to see last time was the Netherlands. I thoroughly enjoyed it. But, I want to see them all. We also missed at least half of the rest of the park. Actually, there is no Netherlands at Epcot. You might be thinking of Norway. > [@congodwarf](#): > > I’m not sure if we’ll go to any of the other parks. We’re both kids at heart and could spend the whole week in the MK. The MK is the best, I agree. However, Animal Kingdom is absolutely gorgeous. Hollywood Studios is neat, too, but probably ranks last for me. I would at least visit all of the parks. If you haven’t been in a while, or have never been to one, you might be surprised. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-resorts-which-one-and-why/508324/23 "2009-09-01T21:26:32Z")
> [@congodwarf](#): > > I doubt we’ll be eating at the resort. We’ll probably just nibble our way through the parks. It doesn’t sound like you’re going during the Free Dining Plan promotion (which really ties up the restaurants), but you still want to make reservations for any table-service restaurants. I made reservations at 90 days out, and still couldn’t get into some of the places I wanted. You will likely be disappointed if you try to walk in to a table service restaurant without a reservation. Personally, I think the restaurants are the best part about WDW. We ate like kings last week. Two of the restaurants were some of the best restaurants I’ve ever eaten at (Jiko and California Grill). Here’s some great advice on this thread: [Top 10 Disney Tips for Noobies](http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2144510#1) ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-resorts-which-one-and-why/508324/24 "2009-09-01T21:30:54Z")
> [@TheMadHun](#): > > I won’t go again until I can face buying an express pass that puts you in a shorter line. There’s no such thing to buy at WDW. Instead, there is a “Fastpass” system that everyone can use…but you can only get another Fastpass at the return time for the previous one, or after two hours (whichever is less). It’s quite a nice system. See the link in my previous post. ---
**Author:** ![shantih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@shantih](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shantih)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-resorts-which-one-and-why/508324/25 "2009-09-02T20:57:04Z")
> [@congodwarf](#): > > There was this pineapple/ice cream drink that I had in the MK. I really want to get another one. A Dole whip! Nom nom nommy nom! Good for you! You’ll have a fabulous time at POR and January is the best time to go – low crowds and pleasant temperatures. Look for the frowny face in the fireworks show ‘Wishes’ just after the Evil Queen says ‘Let me see thy face!’ to the Magic Mirror. ---
**Author:** ![shantih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@shantih](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shantih)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-resorts-which-one-and-why/508324/26 "2009-09-02T21:09:31Z")
Oh! I knew I was forgetting something: Souvenir-wise, something I did on one trip was buy a white Disney t-shirt with the year in the logo, and take it around to as many characters as I could get to. I had several Sharpies in different colors with me (I had villians sign in red, for example), and by the end of the week, I had a shirt that was covered with colorful autographs. Fun! ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-resorts-which-one-and-why/508324/27 "2009-09-02T21:19:37Z")
You’ll have a great time–you chose a fantastic resort (even if you’ll almost never be there). Let us know how it goes! ---
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-resorts-which-one-and-why/508324/28 "2009-09-02T23:54:19Z")
> [@robby](#): > > Actually, there is no Netherlands at Epcot. You might be thinking of Norway. You’re right! My mistake. [quote=“robby, post:23, topic:508324”] It doesn’t sound like you’re going during the Free Dining Plan promotion /QUOTE] Adam insisted on taking me for a real sit-down meal in a real restaurant on the 13th, since it’s the big 3-0 for me. He promised not to have them sing but I said that at Disney, I would be ok with it. > [@shantih](#): > > Oh! I knew I was forgetting something: Souvenir-wise, something I did on one trip was buy a white Disney t-shirt with the year in the logo, and take it around to as many characters as I could get to. I had several Sharpies in different colors with me (I had villians sign in red, for example), and by the end of the week, I had a shirt that was covered with colorful autographs. Fun! This gave me a great idea. My stepfather is a huge WDW fan. He hasn’t been in a very long time. The last time we went, he asked me to get him something from Epcot, since it wasn’t there the last time he went. I might steal your idea and give it to him for Christmas. He would love that. He’s always so hard to shop for. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-resorts-which-one-and-why/508324/29 "2009-09-03T00:51:31Z")
Cat Cora has a new restaurant open at the Boardwalk. If your friend wants to splurge, there are some good restaurants on property. I’m assuming that you are two grownups without kids in tow. I’d be really tempted to do a lounge hop - assuming you drink. Start at the Wilderness Lodge and see the resort and have a drink. Hop the boat over to the Contemporary, have a drink. Take the monorail to the Grand Floridian, have a drink, finish at the Poly with a drink - take a cab back home. Its a good way to see the resorts, and if you appetizer your way along with the drinks (and maybe skip some of the alcohol for a non-alcoholic beverage) get “dinner” too. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-resorts-which-one-and-why/508324/30 "2009-09-03T01:02:42Z")
We went last year, and my advice is to skip Downtown Disney, which is basically an open air mall, with a couple of big Disney-theme stores (albeit with merchandise not available elsewhere), an ESPN store, a Lego store, etc. ---
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-resorts-which-one-and-why/508324/31 "2009-09-03T01:08:39Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > I’m assuming that you are two grownups without kids in tow. I’d be really tempted to do a lounge hop… We are both adults with no kids. But, I rarely drink and he drinks even more rarely. He’s more excited at the idea of going to the Lego store. lol ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-resorts-which-one-and-why/508324/32 "2009-09-03T01:42:50Z")
> [@congodwarf](#): > > We are both adults with no kids. But, I rarely drink and he drinks even more rarely. > > He’s more excited at the idea of going to the Lego store. lol You might still want to resort hop. But without the hangover. I like checking out the resorts… ---
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-resorts-which-one-and-why/508324/33 "2009-09-03T01:44:13Z")
It is a good idea. I’d like to see what they look like. ---
**Author:** ![\_len](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/c0e974/32.png) [@\_len](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_len)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-resorts-which-one-and-why/508324/34 "2009-09-03T01:57:46Z")
If you do decide to have a sit-down dinner somewhere, **robby’s** advice about getting reservations 90 days out is key. January 9-10, 2010 is the weekend of WDW’s half-marathon and marathon. Len ---
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-resorts-which-one-and-why/508324/35 "2009-09-03T02:01:58Z")
Disney has marathons? We’ll be there from the 11th to the 15th. Will it still be bad the week after the marathons? ---
**Author:** ![\_len](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/c0e974/32.png) [@\_len](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_len)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-resorts-which-one-and-why/508324/36 "2009-09-03T02:06:25Z")
We’ll know more once Disney posts January park hours (sometime next month), but for now, no, it looks like crowds will be about average, maybe slightly below. ---
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-resorts-which-one-and-why/508324/37 "2009-09-03T02:08:53Z")
Do you work there? Oh, and thanks for the info. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-resorts-which-one-and-why/508324/38 "2009-09-03T02:19:30Z")
**_len_** is one of the authors of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. ---
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-resorts-which-one-and-why/508324/39 "2009-09-03T02:22:34Z")
ooohhhhhh. Cool. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-resorts-which-one-and-why/508324/40 "2009-09-03T07:53:14Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > **_len_** is one of the authors of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. Also a contributor to the [WDW Today](http://www.wdwtoday.com/) podcast. I found it a neat resource when planning my last trip. And a great way to help build excitement. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-resorts-which-one-and-why/508324.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-resorts-which-one-and-why/508324.md?page=3)