Walt Disney World

[Brianfo]

My wife and I will be taking 2 small children to Walt Disney World in Florida in 2 weeks. I get to go as a bonus thru my work. We are staying at the Hilton. My question is what is the weather like down there in January? Any good ideas on what to see and do with twins that are 2 years old? I am kind of looking forward to it. A chance to get out of Iowa in January. Oh well, enought blabbing. Any responses are greatly appreciated.

[The Bad Guy]

I want to go to Disney in September for our 10 year anniversary with the wife. I’m kicking around buying vacation club points points to use for the week at Bay Lake, Polynesian or Beach Club.

Is there any real minuses to going this route? Last 2 years I’ve used a travel agent. Can you still get 60 day fast pass window and 180 day dinner reservations? Does it link to magic band like everything else?

[alpha_omega]

Originally Posted by JD10367

Mexico. Again, I've eaten inside; great atmosphere, food is very decent but not earth-shattering. Haven't tried the place outside.

It's been a while, but we thought the food was in the good to very good range....

The atmosphere in there however....outstanding.

[Great Expectations]

This place at Epcot was very good, I had a bison strip steak. Moose for desert was outstanding.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/di...akhouse/menus/

[Silock]

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

I want to go to Disney in September for our 10 year anniversary with the wife. I’m kicking around buying vacation club points points to use for the week at Bay Lake, Polynesian or Beach Club.

Is there any real minuses to going this route? Last 2 years I’ve used a travel agent. Can you still get 60 day fast pass window and 180 day dinner reservations? Does it link to magic band like everything else?

September is a little late to start planning it, but if you start today, you'll be okay.

You will get access to FP at 60 days. You can book dining at 180 days out even without a reservation. You could do it today.

Yes, it links to your magic band.

[dpg4zombie]

We did the Beach Club a few years back on points and loved it. It's amazing to be able to walk to two parks. Especially after having a few beers at Epcot and walking out of the World Showcase entrance/exit.

[The Bad Guy]

Originally Posted by Silock

September is a little late to start planning it, but if you start today, you'll be okay.

You will get access to FP at 60 days. You can book dining at 180 days out even without a reservation. You could do it today.

Yes, it links to your magic band.

What are the minuses to going with DVC? My only holdup is my school year. We are supposed to start 3rd week in September due to renovations, but the calendar hasn't been finalized yet.

[The Bad Guy]

Originally Posted by dpg4zombie

We did the Beach Club a few years back on points and loved it. It's amazing to be able to walk to two parks. Especially after having a few beers at Epcot and walking out of the World Showcase entrance/exit.

It sure is. We stayed there last year. Was thinking to try Polynesian as something different.

[dpg4zombie]

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

It sure is. We stayed there last year. Was thinking to try Polynesian as something different.

Not a bad idea at all! The wife and I have wanted to do that as well.

[Silock]

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

What are the minuses to going with DVC? My only holdup is my school year. We are supposed to start 3rd week in September due to renovations, but the calendar hasn't been finalized yet.

None, really. You won't get the DVC perks without ownership (like DVC discount rates on tours and stuff or access to DVC-only lounges), but otherwise, there's no downside.

[The Bad Guy]

Originally Posted by Silock

None, really. You won't get the DVC perks without ownership (like DVC discount rates on tours and stuff or access to DVC-only lounges), but otherwise, there's no downside.

Yeah that's no problem. Is there a good site to use to purchase that's better than others?

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by alpha_omega

It's been a while, but we thought the food was in the good to very good range....

The atmosphere in there however....outstanding.

Especially the sweet, sweet air conditioning inside the pyramid. That's a godsend any time between May and September.

Originally Posted by NJChiefsFan

I'm down here for spring training coaching the HS baseball team. First time down here since I was a kid so I'm not an expert at all and I had the whole trip paid for by the district. From what I can tell fast passes are free, so why would anyone not use them? Am I wrong?

Going to Epcot tomorrow before we leave Sunday. Any food recommendations?

Sorry, brother. Just now seeing this; hope you figured it out.

Fast passes are free. Some people don't use them because they don't know. Also, sometimes it just doesn't fit your schedule. Maybe the fast pass for Tower of Terror is at 5:00 but you'd rather hit something else at that time. Downloading the Disney app helps a shit ton.

In February and even bits of early March we just say **** it and wait. Lines for most rides aren't too long. We're in "peak season" basically all year except like late January, February, late September and bits of October and November. Spring break is in full swing now so I'll avoid any of these parks like the plague until fall.

[Gravedigger]

Go to Ohana in the Polynesian Resort and thank me later.

[dpg4zombie]

Just make sure to budget for resort parking now. Surprised it took them this long to start charging for it.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Randallflagg

My God - I'll never forget that place. Took our kids there in like 1977-78....We walked up to the gate (day tickets) and I like to fell over when the girl told me $390 for the day..

The only "ride" if you will, that we walked right up to was the haunted mansion. Everything else was (at the least) an hour wait. Hotter than hell and humid as the rain forest.

Didn't bother me a great deal - I had went to SERE school at Eglin - but the kids and my Wife were dying - spent a small fortune on water, slushies, and other drinks staying hydrated.

Never again.....never again

June/July is when most people take their vacations. Its not actually the hottest part of the year. It "feels" like it is a sauna because of the humidity. Here in St. Pete we have the ocean breeze, pools and the beach to cool down if we are outside. Orlando was a stagnant swamp in the 50's. Disney and others drained the swamps but the weather that created them still exists.

Jan and Feb are the best months to visit. Low 70's temps and cool into the low 60's after sunset.

When I was in KC, we went to Disney in late July 2005, spent 4 days there one day at each part of the park. Spent 4 days at Universal. 1 day at Sea World. I think I lose 20 lbs just from sweating.

[JD10367]

Disney requires two tactics based on when you go.

1) Any month other than July and August: parks are open until 5pm-9pm give or take. Go in and stay all day.

2) July and August: parks are open until 11pm or later and it’s ball-roasting hot. Go in early at rope-drop, run around until noon. Just as it’s getting crowded and hot as hell, leave. Get lunch, swim in your hotel pool, **** like a newlywed, take a nap, go for dinner. Go back into the parks around 5 or 6 when it’s starting to cool off and empty out, and stay til midnight.