Please go easy on me.....Disney question.....

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by milt

Everyone should have had a chance to see Disneyland in 1956.

I first went in 1959. My aunt worked for Walt in the early 50's.

Ian

[VaSteve]

I didn't read all this, but I was there in January with the family.

I would recommend looking really close at the meal plan. I found it to be too expensive for how I eat. I'm not a fan of huge meals. Ever night is a sit down dinner with dessert, etc. I found it to be just too much food so I was sorry I paid for it all. We actually scheduled a second character meal just to use it up. I did enjoy the "southern plantation" type reasturant in the Magic Kingdom. I liked the cornbread casserole or whatever it was. My wife said I was nuts. Mmmmm... (I typically don't eat southern fare.)

I'm not a big fan of the character stuff but the kids like it. I like to see how the park operates. They don't want the kids to see 2 tiggers so they take him away and the next guy comes out in the suit. The buildings are actually smaller/shorter than they look since the force the perspective (upper floors are shorter than real height would be). Cinderella's castle is under the height that would need a blinking red light for airplanes. They have build in other transitions between sections like "tomorrowland" and the main section for example. Check out the Monsters Inc laugh floor. It's some kind of live action cartoon that interacts with the audience. Not sure how it works, but it's cool.

The whole thing is so staged, that once you realize it, you can't not be fascinated by it. PLus, everyone (that works there) is nice, there's no trash, no gangbangers/crime, etc. It's a vacation from reality (until you get your Visa bill anyhow).

[Hugh R]

If you want a really good and expensive restaurant, try the one on the top of the Contemporary Hotel and stay for the fireworks. I go to a Disney Risk Management Symposium every two years at WDW and love it. The fact that I don't pay a dime for the week there makes it even better.

[artplumber]

Originally Posted by Jims5543

I am a SPG also and the Swan and Dolphin are great Hotels. You will not be disappointed. The restaurants inside them are VERY good and not Disney run.
The Dolphin is the bigger Hotel with more shops and restaurants. The Swan is smaller and easier to get around in. Both are the same as far as points are concerned.
.....

As far as tricks for the parks, I'll leave it to the experts. If your there for 5 days you should be able to cover the parks well if you plan your days. I think on property Hotel Guests get early admission to certain parks on certain days, this is your golden hour to get to the rides with the long lines. Also use the fast pass as much as possible.
...

Jim,
Gotta disagree with you on this one. Stayed at both and spent couple hours each when the rooms sucked (not clean - poop still in the toilet, sheets dirty, smoking room-we requested nonsmoking, staring at the loading dock, etc) trying to change rooms (once we went through three rooms to find a clean one), all with poor service (eg/room not clean, we have to journey back down to the main desk and stand in line to get new cards after they said a bell would bring the cards).

We liked the Animal Kingdom lodge a lot more. Nicer surroundings and more services to the airport etc. For my family, it allowed us to go back to the lodge after the crowded hot day, watch the animals get fed from the room and get recharged for any nighttime park visits (some of which were limited to resort guests). No meal plan since we are pretty much not burger/fries people, and there are restrictions to the plan. If you want to eat at a Disney restaurant, being a resort guest does help. Make reservations now for dinner months from now, cancel if you decide against it. Fast pass as much as possible.

[glewis80SC]

My family does the year pass to Disneyland/California Adventure, we get the lower priced with the summers blocked because it is too crowded and hot in summer time. We go alot on Fri. nights and Sundays, eat before getting there and pack snacks for the kids. If it is too crowded we take off, but between Disneyland and Ca. Adventure we always have a great time, being from So. Cal i went a lot as a kid and it always brings back great memories plus it is great to see the kids having a great time. The whole park around Halloween and Christmas is the best.

[azasadny]

A few years ago we stayed at the "Swan and Dolphin" at Disneyworld and my wife and kids had a great time. I was in class all day, but joined them every evening for fun and food.

[Jims5543]

Originally Posted by artplumber

Jim,
Gotta disagree with you on this one. Stayed at both and spent couple hours each when the rooms sucked (not clean - poop still in the toilet, sheets dirty, smoking room-we requested nonsmoking, staring at the loading dock, etc) trying to change rooms (once we went through three rooms to find a clean one), all with poor service (eg/room not clean, we have to journey back down to the main desk and stand in line to get new cards after they said a bell would bring the cards).

We liked the Animal Kingdom lodge a lot more. Nicer surroundings and more services to the airport etc. For my family, it allowed us to go back to the lodge after the crowded hot day, watch the animals get fed from the room and get recharged for any nighttime park visits (some of which were limited to resort guests). No meal plan since we are pretty much not burger/fries people, and there are restrictions to the plan. If you want to eat at a Disney restaurant, being a resort guest does help. Make reservations now for dinner months from now, cancel if you decide against it. Fast pass as much as possible.

I am surprised by your bad experience. Since I live 1.5 hours away from the Dolphin and Swan, I use them frequently. Like when BHT passed through town I stayed there for the night, we have taken the kids to Disney quest, or just up to Orlando to do other things. In the last 8 years I have probably been to the Dolphin/Swan once a year and never a single problem. The rooms have always been very tidy. I found my experience there no different than any other SPG property. Plus I like the price of my room. Free.

To the OP there is also a Boardwalk recreation area next to the Hotels with various restaurants and shops including a sundries shop and a little breakfast cafe.

When we stayed we would do that for breakfast on our way to the park it was decently cheap. We also did dinner there for a night or 2, there is a Ale house type of sports bar and a ESPN place that were not over the top expensive.

Also, in Animal Kingdom there is a food court that serves breakfast and its actually pretty good and pretty cheap.

One last thing, if you are a fitness type, the Swan has a gym (I am not sure if the Dolphin does) it was always pretty empty when we were there and it is well appointed. Also, a lap around the lake where the boardwalk is IIRC is about 1 mile. This was also very quiet in the morning, maybe 5 or so joggers on any given morning.

[Monza_dh]

Wow, this post has created a life of its own. Love to see the Disney fans and foes all conversing at the same time. Never thought there's be 4 pages of input. Though I am not a fan, I do not like theme parks in general, I do want my kids to have a blast and enjoy the stay. Not sure why the Dinsey poeple take it so seriously and are so sensitive to people who question the place but I guess its ths same for those who love Nascar, Bullriding or watching golf, people have their likles and dislikes.

After all the input and research I still will be NOT staying at a Disney hotel but staying for free at the Swan (I am told it was just done over). I will miss the meal plan promo anyway since we now decided to not go in the Summer because of the heat. As one of the poster commented above I too thought the meal plan was ok a last time and I think I can save or at least spend the same for the food as the plan. I will take all the recommendations for dinners and sort through them. I can say that this will be my last Disney trip as I do not enjoy theme/amusement parks and would prefer to be seeing other sites in the US or Europe. There are also enough local spots for the kids to get the rollorcoaster thrill from time to time.

[RKC]

Just think of Disney as a younger person's Las Vegas - America, only more so!

I'm a hiker/bicycle camper from the 70's, and I get all the hatred of the plastic qualities of Disney. Too much is definitely bad; but I think no appreciation of it at all is bad too. Lots to see in this world, and I personally have enjoyed both Macbeth and the Marx Brothers in the same weekend. Hard core, Disney only fans need to open their eyes; but hard core, Disney haters need to lighten up and have a little fun.

If you get tired of the park and the people and the hawking of merchandise, relief is in Tomorrowland at the Carousel of Progress - one of the few things actually still from Walt and not blown up all out of proportion by Eisner and modern marketing. Sitting in the hokey, tired little show last New Year's, I felt uplifted & plugged into my grandfather's vision of a deeper meaning to material progress than we see now (now that many physical worries have been allieviated here in the US) - a just slipped away world where clean, running water was a new and welcome blessing; where electric light, private personal transportation and artificial refrigeration were life-changers....it was pretty clear that Walt would have been a fan of engineering along the lines of a 911, and that the original idea of these parks was quite sound - sort of a Buckminster Fuller type of utopia - though more Republican than Fuller's liberal leanings.

Don't fear the mouse! Just see these parks as a capstone to a true century's worth of progress, when the majority of people finally had the money, the time and the health to play a bit. If it has taken on a life of it's own, if since 1955 people have lost a reason for their daily struggle except as in comparison with their neighbors, that is not the mouse's fault...

A few days there can be fun, even for a modern cynic.

[RKC]

And for food? Had pretty good meals at Coral Reef at Epcot and the Brown Derby at Disney Studios. Had fun, light lunches at the 50's Prime Time Cafe and the Drive-In place at Disney Studios too (Prime time cafe is like Ed Debevicks here in Chicago - surly, angry waitstaff and old 50's/60's suburban decor. Kids saw a dial phone, and we said "that is why we say dial the number" When they tried to dial our number, and missed a number, they said 'this is going to take forever!") And, as I said earlier, that Whoop-de-doo review was really fun for all ages....

[vash]

i would go if i had kids, or nieces and nephews. hell, i bet even the holidays would cheer up.

i would get a kick out of making the kids happy. they serve alcohol there, right?

[JavaBrewer]

Well several of our friends and some of the posters here have made it clear that we are INSANE for attempting this in late June/early July. Back to the drawing board.

[RKC]

Well, yes...I would avoid the summer. Have spent some time on business in Houston, Atlanta, Miami and Charleston, SC in August. Would not recommend the American South in summer!

[GH85Carrera]

My wife and I went for a week last November. No kids just two 50 something adults to ride the rides. There are some fantastic roller coasters there. We stayed at the Stars resort and did the meal plan. Everything is expensive down there but it was a blast. The meal plan is worth the money if you plan to eat at the park. I had to pay six bucks for a Bud Light. The last day we had some food plan money left so I got a five dollar muffin!

[Christien]

Many people keep saying it's so expensive - I beg to differ. Maybe you just have to know when to go and get the package deals. Our package included:

-return flights (2 adults, 1 child with seat, 1 infant in lap)
-7 nights accomodation in standard room at All Star Movies (cheapest on-site)
-2 7-day park hopper passes (children under 3 get in free)
-2 adult meal plans
-Disney Magical Express transfer to/from airport
-$200 USD gift card (good for anything you pay cash for, incl. alcohol)
-$40 arcade card
-some other small things we didn't use, eg. round of mini golf for 2

Including all taxes, airport charges, etc. the total price was $3000 CDN, which is about $2600 US. We spent about $50-75 cash, including tips, snacks at the airport, etc.

Admittedly it will be more expensive next time we go because our eldest daughter will need a park pass and a meal plan, though we won't pay extra for the hopper passes, because we didn't use them at all - it was too much for the kids to go from one park to the other in one day.

I don't know of any other vacation you could do that cheap, outside of spring break Cancun packages, which are hardly family vacations.

[GH85Carrera]

Overall the vacation was not that super expensive. We have taken cruises that cost more, that is for sure. Even on a cruise a simple domestic beer did not cost six bucks. Including airfare and everything we spent about $900.00 per head for fun vacation. The food plan is a good deal. We had some meals that would have been $85.00 for two if we paid full price. The food was excellent.

[berettafan]

Don't forget the Hall of Presidents and Haunted Mansion. Those places bring back memories for sure. The coasters are mild at best but are definitely nicely themed.

The only thing I dislike about Disney is the food quality. Such a great opportunity to serve fantastic food in a fantasy atmosphere and they can't quite reach the quality of a high school cafeteria (with a very few exceptions). It's mostly buffet/banquet type food to facilitate production line efficiencies and this is simply not appropriate for anything but a cafeteria type place.

Por favor mentanges alejado de las puertas.

Wife got me a t shirt with that on it last time!!! My favorite Disney shirt by far.

[Rick Lee]

Couldn't pay me anything to go there, even if I didn't hate kids. Last time I went was before they built Epcot and I don't remember the rides being as good as Six Flags in TX in 1979. I'm just gonna buy another National Park annual pass for $80 and will be content to hit a few more of them this year. Going to eastern UT for Mem. Day.

[bell]

Hop is closed until the 4th, alcohol is served everywhere but the magic kingdom.....

[Monza_dh]

Originally Posted by Christien

Many people keep saying it's so expensive - I beg to differ. Maybe you just have to know when to go and get the package deals. Our package included:

-return flights (2 adults, 1 child with seat, 1 infant in lap)
-7 nights accomodation in standard room at All Star Movies (cheapest on-site)
-2 7-day park hopper passes (children under 3 get in free)
-2 adult meal plans
-Disney Magical Express transfer to/from airport
-$200 USD gift card (good for anything you pay cash for, incl. alcohol)
-$40 arcade card
-some other small things we didn't use, eg. round of mini golf for 2

Including all taxes, airport charges, etc. the total price was $3000 CDN, which is about $2600 US. We spent about $50-75 cash, including tips, snacks at the airport, etc.

Admittedly it will be more expensive next time we go because our eldest daughter will need a park pass and a meal plan, though we won't pay extra for the hopper passes, because we didn't use them at all - it was too much for the kids to go from one park to the other in one day.

I don't know of any other vacation you could do that cheap, outside of spring break Cancun packages, which are hardly family vacations.

Christian, your post hits the spot as far as all the North American resort packages go. It seems like any package or special is geared to the 4 person family. I have three kids and the oldest is 12 so I cannot stay at a Disney value resort without getting a suite or two rooms. My 12 year old calso annot eat of the kids menu and gets no kids discounts. It can be expensive place for 5 people families.