Have You Been to Disneyworld?

[robby]

@Dangerosa

Disney is way more enjoyable if these sorts of ‘surprises’ don’t surprise you. There are people who put more planning into Disney than was put into the invasion at Normandy. That isn’t necessary, but things like knowing Future World attractions close early helps alot.

Exactly. People like me.

I make our Advance Dining Reservations (ADRs) for the sit-down restaurants as far in advance as possible, because I don’t want to be eating overpriced theme park fast food all week. (This was more of an issue when you could only make ADRs 90 days in advance of the reservation, but the window was recently expanded back to 180 days in advance.) The sit-down restaurants are also expensive, but at least you get excellent meals, if you pick the right restaurants. Of course, these are also the most popular ones, so you can’t wait until the last minute to get a reservation.

Incidentally, some of the finest restaurants I’ve ever eaten at are at WDW. The food is one of the best parts of the vacation for us. In this particular aspect, going to WDW today is a lot less like a day at Six Flags, and more like a cruise.

You don’t want to be one of the many non-planners I’ve seen at restaurants being told that the restaurant was completely booked. And with the information available in books (like the excellent Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World) and online information, there’s no excuse for not planning ahead.

In August, we saw someone walk up to the front desk at the California Grill, a particularly popular restaurant at WDW. The guy asked the host if there was any availability, and was told the restaurant was completely booked. He asked when there was availability, and was told, “mid-November.” :eek:

We’ve also got our days planned out and have park touring plans made up in advance. If you’re standing around in one of the parks wondering what to do next, IMHO, you’re wasting precious vacation time. Worse, if you’re part of a group and don’t have a plan, you’ll spend more time arguing about what to do next than anything else.

[robby]

@Pleonast

Voted “US: No - It just doesn’t appeal to me”. I survived childhood without going to any amusement parks and I see no reason to take my own kids. There’s enough museums, public parks, and other interesting locations in the world that I have no interest going to a commercial venue.

You might be surprised at what there is to offer at WDW. It’s not really fair to characterize it simply as an “amusement park.”

Particularly at Epcot (one of the parks at WDW), there are a number of educational attractions and exhibits, many of which are quite elaborate and rival what you’d find in some museums.

Animal Kingdom (another one of the parks at WDW) has some of the most beautiful natural exhibits I’ve ever seen, most of which have an educational aspect. Animal Kingdom is a lot like an interactive zoo in a (faux) natural setting.

FWIW, I didn’t initially want to take my kid there, either, but my wife talked me into it. I’m glad she did, because it’s one of the best vacations we’ve ever had. We’ve gone back since, and are planning another trip.

[Ranchoth]

@Pleonast

Voted “US: No - It just doesn’t appeal to me”. I survived childhood without going to any amusement parks and I see no reason to take my own kids. There’s enough museums, public parks, and other interesting locations in the world that I have no interest going to a commercial venue.

You’ve never been on a roller coaster, then?

[tacoloco]

Twice in the last 5 years. My wife has been a few more times, since she went with her sister once and her girlfriends another time.

[Pleonast]

@Ranchoth

You’ve never been on a roller coaster, then?

Just the small ones at county and state fairs.