ThatSuzyGirl

Give us your reviews of WDW hotels, shows, restaurants, etc. Anything you would do again? Something you're kicking yourself for missing? Tips on reservations?
Maybe if we get enough information going on this thread we can make it a sticky.
Thanks!
Suzy

Gatsby

We stayed at the French Quarter hotel the last time we went, and we loved it. Very kid-friendly, fun pool with a slide. Also, it is a ferry stop to get over to Disney Village, which is a fun outing.

KeriKadi

Have you bought any of the books? We bought The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2008 and it has all kinds of good tips & tricks.

Ken has also talked to some guys he works with this is what we have learned:

Rent strollers at Disney and keep your receipt in case someone takes yours by accident you can get a replacement. Mark yours with a ribbon or bandana and take a small towel to wipe it down in case it rains or gets spilled on.

If you have little kids don't plan on going to the closing parade unless they take a big nap during the day. It isn't over until 10PM and then everyone is leaving at once, the exit gates and shuttles are packed so you won't get back to your hotel until midnight-1am.
But rides are less busy during the parade time because everyone is watching.

If you are going to visit other parks don't start with Magic Kingdom because everything after that will be a let down.

One day is plenty for Animal Kingdom.

You need at least two days for Magic Kingdom

Buy meal passes - we are still looking into this but the meal tickets are MUCH cheaper than paying in cash for each meal.

Check out MouseSavers.com - Disney Discount Source - Disney .

If you stay on property and buy stuff at DW you can have it delivered to your room.

MissPitchy

This book is great!

cece

Ditto on the Disney Dining cards.You get lots of food for each person and the food is delish.It even includes the really nice places to eat like Coral Reef.i've stayed at the French Quarter before and the All Star Music.Disney is just wonderful about making things easy with things ,like Keri said,having stuff you buy delivered to your room.Also,if you don't want to carry around cash or anything,you can use your room key as a charge card and they just bill your room.I love MGM.My favorite park other than MK,of course.They have this awesome Narnia tour and a cool restaurant that is basically like stepping into a 1950's kitchen.I forget what it's called.But def worth looking up.Also,when you stay in the park, you get in earlier than people who don't stay in the park.The water parks kick booty too.They have the lazy river which I could've floated on for hours.Hey,can I just come with you?I promise I won't get in the way

cece

Ditto.My mom used it the first time we went to Disney.It is dead on.

Bensmom

Last time we went we stayed at Pop Century. It is one of the value resorts...but totally fine for our needs....We're waiting at the gates of whatever park opens early for onsite guests and we don't leave until the parks close so all I really need a hotel for is sleep and a shower. There are a couple of pools there and a sort of fast food cafeteria though, which might be handy for little ones. The only drawback is that is one of the furthest stops on the shuttle from the parks. I've never been with kiddos, but I second what Keri said about hitting rides during the parades...so much faster. And I can't remember what they call it, but you can also now get time slips to come back and jump the line at the most popular rides if you have the parkhopper ticket (I think that's what allows you to do it) That is WONDERFUL!

widdlelou

See... Magic Kingdom is not my favorite b/c its so freakig hot and always always crowded to the max. My favorite is Animal Kingdom and Epcot. I love Epcot. I think the Nemo ride there is entertaining (provided you don't get stuck on the part with the bubbles b/c let me tell you that will totally give you a migraine). But the best part is actually Turtle Talk with Crush. Totally awesome interactive thing where the kids can actually talk to Crush and ask him questions and he answers. Its really cool, and Reagan just loves the aqarium part. She could spend hours there.

A great place to rack up on tons of autographs is Animal Kingdom. THey have characters EVERYWHERE. I mean sometiems they are the lesser known ones like the ones from Ants or some of the other animal movies, but they are everywhere including before you even walk into the gate sometimes. espeically at the end of hte day and the beginning of hte day. THey will have like Mickey, Minnie and Donald there right at the gates. Totally cool. ANd then just all around the park, but when its crowded there its really crowded. Also note the Dinasour ride is scary, but totally cool.

Good attractions... hmmm the parades are really good. Its worth it to sit and wait for one to see, and it is worth it to get a good seat. At Magic Kingdom I like to go over by the .. oh I forget what they call it, its like the old America part with the Hall of Presidents (I still love that show)There is a Christmas shop and where you can buy funnel cakes. Great place to stop and watch the parade. Not as crowded as Main Street.

Oh if you are like really into gardening and stuff. there is another little lesser known thing at Epcot that isn't very expensive and pretyt darn cool. Well Cyrus and I loved it, and REagan did too but maybe you kids would find it boaring... I think its great though, its the Behind the Seeds Tour. Its at The Land (GREAT place to eat for pick up -- btw Epcot as all the really good resturants) And they changed where you can buy the tickets but their customer service area/guest relations whatever would be able to tell you. BUt in the Land the boat ride goes through these really cool experimental gardens a lot of hydroponics and stuff and stuff and even cloaning and sutff they work with with NASA and all. Anyways you walk all around the area with a tour guide and tis cool b/c the ride is going on and you see the boat go buy and you are there int he garden. I thought it was neat nad not too many poeple know about it.

Resturants: At Magic Kingdom-- Liberty Tree. Its a family style and has characters. I lvoe the food but its been awhiel so I odnt' know if anything has changed

Epcot: REally anywhere but I have speical love for the San Angle Inn in Mexico. It feels like you are eating at night in a really cool outdoor resturant by the river and its inside and can be any time of daya nd the food is very good. Canada is pretty good $$$ but good. And Italy is pretty good too. Okay almost all hte places there are. OH and if you like middle eastern food you have to go to Maracco's b/c its really fun. Belly dancers and just a totally experience. For cheaper bites there do either the Land which is my fav I've not had smoething I didn't like there.... OH and get the times for the Nestle kids cookie thing. Its fun kids get to make cookies and wear chef hats and its cute. Also I like the outdoor Mexico place, also good for staking outs eats for the show at night.

For the night shows: You need to go to at least one b/c they are totally worth it! Fantasmic at MGM is really cool and its not like you ahve to stand up unless you go late, there are seats like at a stadium. Its floats goign by with lights and a cool Mickey as the wizard good vs evil theme (it freaks Reagan out though). The fireworks at Magic Kingdom are good and its neat to see TInker Belle but its not the best. Epcot's is totally by far the best. Totoally cool and I"m really corney but the song at the end always makes me cry... I know I'm a sap but if you were there and heard it after 911 and the parks were all empty b/c eveyrone was scared to travel and I'm always super homonal and I swear I tear up every time I see that darn show. Totally spectacular!

Okay thats just my opinion.

MissPitchy

MouseBuzz.com

This is a great Bulletin Board for traveling to DW. I get a little freaked out when I see the Disney-mania some of these people have. koo-koo krazy.

cece

Yeah!Linda just made me remember how much I loved Epcot.I loved the ride in the Epcot ball that goes through progression of life(inventions,etc)Really cool.Also you can go to all the different 'countries' and buy things that are really from there.Food,clothes,etc.We went once before Christmas and I bought candy from all the different countries for DH's stocking.And the Nemo ride is really cute.The Coral Reef restaraunt there is soooooooo good.And the Behind the Seeds tour is really neat.