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efk1
![]() 3 Posts
Joined: 23 Apr 2008
Status: offline |  Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 20:18:43  
| Hello
Firstly want to say what a great source of information this site is, thnx a million!
1) We are planning to spend 8 days in Orlando in June. Was planning to spend 4/5 days at the parks. 1 day at Seaworld (if you think its worth it?) & 3/4 days at Disney World(maybe 2 at magic kingdom, 1 at Hollywood Studios). Not sure if 1 day is enough at magic kingdom, some people on here suggested starting and ending with magic kingdom. What do you think?
2)Is it worthwhile to stay in the Disney World Resort for some of our time? What are the pros and cons ?
3)Quick question regarding hopper tickets. I understand you can move from one park to another with these tickets. Are they valid to use over a week or do you have to decide on your days in advance?
I have booked Dinner at Cinderellas Castle for one of the days but apart from that our itinery is open.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Elaine | | Report this post to a moderator |
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ellie
 United Kingdom
5754 Posts
Joined: 31 May 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 20:53:12
| Hi Elaine, and welcome.
It is wonderful to have your own little princesses to take to the parks - they will love it, and you will enjoy seeing it all through their eyes. Disney is, indeed, magical, and will thrill even the oldest of us.
I would definitely say that you need at least 2 days at Magic Kingdom, but don't forget Animal Kingdom, too. The new Nemo show is fantastic, and so is the Lion King show. I never miss either when we are out there and it is just as good each time we go.
Hopper tickets are brilliant as you can visit more than one park in a day - for instance, you may like to go early to Animal Kingdom to see the animals when they are at their most lively, and then you might like to finish up at Magic Kingdom or Epcot for the wonderful fireworks. That will only use up one day of your tickets. If you buy the standard tickets (Base tickets) they normally expire after 14 days from the first day of use, but you can pay a little more and get the non-expiry option, which means they can be used at any time in the future if you don't use them up the first time. This takes the pressure off you, as if your tickets expire you often feel that you must go to the parks just to use them up, whereas if you take the non-expiry option and you decide to do something else on a couple of days you have not lost the days.
I would suggest that you might like to consider a villa for your stay rather than a Disney hotel, simply because you get so much more for your money, as well as it giving you loads of space, freedom to come and go as you please, and a fantastic pool all to yourselves. With children it is great to have several bedrooms, each with its own TV, more than one bathroom, plus your own pool deck and no vying for the sun loungers as they are all yours! Having had 3 children ourselves I know from experience how difficult it is trying to all live and sleep in one cramped bedroom - no privacy, everyone has to go to bed at the same time, or you have to tiptoe around when the children are tired. Sharing a bathroom is not the best thing either, especially when you all want to get ready early to go to the parks. I am afraid I cannot think of any real benefits of staying in a Disney hotel, as most villas are an easy drive from the parks, and it is nice to get away from the hurly burly sometimes.
I hope you have a great time, and if you decide to look for a villa then you will do no better than to take a look at the Orlando Villas sites.
Happy holidays!
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Ellie
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Mrs Brizzle
 United Kingdom
182 Posts
Joined: 26 Aug 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 21:23:07
| Hi Elaine,
I would suggest Magic Kingdom is magical for little girls and there are lots of dedicated princess meet and greet opportunities.
A little tip is if your girls are keen to meet a particular princess you can ask at guest services when you enter any of the parks and they will look it up on the computer and tell you where in any of the parks you can find them. Also get the guide map and times on the way into the parks and that will help you locate and plan for meeting the characters.
We once monorailed it from Magic Kingdom to Epcot and all the way across the Lake to Morroco just so Sydney (probably about 5 at the time)could get Jasmine's autograph!
If your girls like to dress up take your own princess dresses with you as they are expensive in Disney and in my opinion not as good quality as UK versions.
I would say with your tickets try and plan your days so that you get the most out of your time but don't forget to build in a rest maybe in the afternoon and then return for the fireworks in the evening. Trying to do a 12 hour non stop day with kids in the parks in June would be madness.
As for accomodation, whilst it is infinately better to have the space and all the benefits of a villa that Ellie mentions, we do like to mix it up and have stayed in several Disney resorts.
The main pros are early/late magic hours for resort guests. The transport system as this allows you both to have a drink with your meal without anyone having to drive. The magical theming of the rooms and the resort. A room key you can charge stuff to and free shipping to your room of any purchases.
Another thing to think about for Princess mad girls is Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique - there is lots of info and pictures (including mine) on this site if you do a search. My girls did this about 2 years ago.
Have Fun! |
Heidi | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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sammibabe
United Kingdom
281 Posts
Joined: 19 May 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 24 Apr 2008 : 18:57:28
| | I would agree with what has previously been said with regard to MK and villas. Sea world is great and mine have to be soaked by Shamu at least once during our stay! Before you go for your meal at the castle you will get to meet Cinderella and have 2 different poses with her. I was snapping away at the same time because we were not going to buy the official photos. When we were having our meal we were given 2 presentation folders containing 1 large and 4(?) small pics of each pose and a photograph of the castle. They are gorgeous and included with the meal as is the gratuity. | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Val
 United Kingdom
487 Posts
Joined: 30 Aug 2002
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Paula D-S
 United Kingdom
4440 Posts
Joined: 18 May 2005
Status: offline | Posted - 25 Apr 2008 : 22:34:24
| I'd suggest Magic Kingdom and MGM for little princesses. The Bibbity Bobbity Boutique is a lovely experience for them and mine loved it two years ago, after having their makeovers we spent the day at MGM and the staff at the park really made lot's of fuss over them. When we walked into a shop someone would announce that Princesses have arrived and they spent the day signing autographs for cast members. This really was the best day we have ever spent at a Disney park and to top it off they were asked to join in the parade.
My little princesses also loved Cypress Gardens (they got dressed up as Southern Belles), which is a much quiter park and well suited for the younger members of the family. |
Paula
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efk1
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Joined: 23 Apr 2008
Status: offline | Posted - 30 Apr 2008 : 20:26:18
| Many thanks for all the responses !! All that info is great food for thought.
So I think I'm going to do one day at MGM & 2 at Magic Kingdom. And then decide between Animal Kingdom, Cypress Gardens & Seaworld?. We will most likely do 4/5 days at the parks
many many thanks again!
Elaine | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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ShirleyCottam
 United Kingdom
2298 Posts
Joined: 10 Jun 2005
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Milly
 United Kingdom
263 Posts
Joined: 16 Oct 2005
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efk1
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Joined: 23 Apr 2008
Status: offline | |
MTP
 United Kingdom
1394 Posts
Joined: 17 May 2003
Status: online | Posted - 07 May 2008 : 23:09:17
| while I wouldn't disagree with any of the advice, the only thing I would consider is if SeaWorld would be best, or would you be better adding in an additional Disney Day. The problem is that all the parks will have one or two things to attract you. For that age group I would suggest there are bits of MGM that are really good, Playhouse Disney Live, if the new Toy Story ride is open????? Muppets 3D (maybe a little scary). Magic Kingdom is obviously classic and Animal Kingdom is excellent. There is also a lot in Epcot. Spaceship Earth, Living Kingdom, perhaps Soarin' for the 5 year old, Nemo. Then the lands themselves are really good.
I really love Seaworld, but given the trip duration, I think you may get really good value focusing on Disney, with some of the tickets available above, and obviously combining it with a villa (need I mention it?).
This may also mean that you could schedule slightly less hectic days, which at that age may be best. |
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Which parks for princesses? (4.5 & 2years old)
