Walt Disney World Trip Planning
Topic: Never been to WDW...need advice on where to stay.

#	Author	Message
1	Pollyana Fri 1/4/2008 1:33p	We are considering a trip to WDW in 2009. I know it is early, but I need some kind of idea about WDW as I have never been. Places to stay, eat, and so on. We will be flying in from AZ. Thanks LPers.....
2	RoadTrip Fri 1/4/2008 6:21p	WDW is so huge and has so many options that the folks here will need a lot more information to come up with suggestions. How many people in your group? What ages are they? What is your budget like? How long do you plan to stay? For dining do you want table service, counter service, or a mix of both? Do you have any interest in the water parks or other non-theme park activities? There are so many decisions to be made that you may want to narrow it down and ask for answers in a specific area... lodging or dining for instance. If you provide a little more detail I'm sure LP'ers will be glad to give you advice. :-)
3	Pollyana Fri 1/4/2008 7:01p	Let me see..... No water parks...just two of us...semi-retired... Would like moderate price range. Seven days, Disney World, Epcot Center, Universal, things like that. I was checking into the dining cards. I would like one meal a day in a sit down restaurant. The others can be fast food. I am very nervous just thinking about this, as my world consists of many trips to Disneyland, my home away from home. I will talk to AAA and get some ideas there. We want to be in the park hotels, if possible. No car, unless we rent one to do outside stuff. Thanks roadtrip for leading me in the right direction. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
4	RoadTrip Fri 1/4/2008 9:35p	OK... I think I might know what you would like. I'm guessing we are similar in age, though I am not lucky enough to be semi-retired! Most people think that Port Orleans is the best Moderate resort and I agree. Some people prefer PO - French Quarter because it is a smaller and more intimate resort. Others prefer PO - Riverside because of the wonderful landscaping and theming. You really can't go wrong regardless of which part of the resort you choose. For great information about the resort go to: http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/ faq_hot.htm Check out information on Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside, as well as any other resorts you might be interested in. I think your plan for one meal a day in a sit-down restaurant is a good idea. We usually do that... more than one big meal a day like that is just too much food!! Moderately priced table service restaurants that we enjoy include: Liberty Tree Tavern (MK) Dine at lunch on traditional choices such as turkey, pot roast, etc. Dinner is a character dinner so I would avoid going there then. Sci-Fi Dine-In (MGM) Not great food, but a very fun atmosphere. You sit at tables made to resemble cars at a drive-in movie. They show clips from cheesy sci-fi films of the 50's on the big screen. I've found that the Ruben Sandwich is really quite good, as is the artichoke dip appetizer. Spoodles (Boardwalk) A moderately priced Mediterranean menu. In my opinion the best mid-price table service restaurant at WDW. Kona Cafe (Poly) A Polynesian inspired menu at a very pleasant restaurant. 'Ohana (Poly) A unique Disney experience. It may not be the best food at WDW, but there is plenty of it and it is a fun place to dine. View across the Seven Seas Lagoon to the MK is fantastic. Rose & Crown (Epcot) Basic British fare which isn't terribly creative (sorry LP Brits) but is well prepared and filling. The service and location are great... especially if you are lucky enough to be seated in the outdoor section during Illuminations. Biergarten (Epcot) A German Buffet... you share a long table with other diners. We didn't try this for a long time because of uncertainty about the food and not knowing if we would like being seated with others. The food is fantastic and being seated with others is no problem. Sometimes you are seated with folks who are fun to talk with; other times you can tell they want to keep to themselves and that is OK too. Either way is quite comfortable. Le Cellier (Epcot) Essentially a steakhouse with very good food. I'm not sure if you can still consider it moderately priced. The cost keeps going up and the quality, sadly, seems to be going down. Still worth a try though. When it is good it can be very, very good. You should have no problem seeing what you want to see in seven days. Since you see Disneyland all the time I wouldn't spend more than a day at the Magic Kingdom. Allocate two days for Epcot, and one day each for MGM and Animal Kingdom. That leaves you two days extra for other activities. One day at Universal Studios would be fun. I don't advise Islands of Adventure unless you like Roller Coasters and rides where you get wet. You can use your seventh day to give yourself a break somewhere along the line. Seven days non-stop in theme parks is just too much in my opinion. Have fun! :-)
5	davewasbaloo Sat 1/5/2008 2:54a	Not much to add because I agree with Rodtrip's assessment in almost every way. For me, I prefer Riverside Mansions - it reminds me of staying in the Haunted Mansion at DL which is too cool. But either way, Riverside is great. My fav table service restaurants: MK - Liberty Tree Tavern Epcot - Any in World Showcase, especially Le Cellier, Teppan Edo, or the Biergarten. MGM - Sci Fi Dine In or the Brown Derby, 50's Prime time is fun, but we were a little disappointed. DAK - Yak and Yeti is new and the reviews seem pretty good. Hotels - almost all the deluxe hotels have great offerings, but the California Grill is my favorite restaurant in Florida and is like a cross between Hook's Point and Napa Rose. For old school Disneylanders, consider either the Luau at the Poly (very much like the old Tahitian Terrace) or the Hoop Dee Doo Review - similar to the Horshoe Review in humour. Also, as an adult couple, do not miss the Adventurer's Club and Pleasure Island, it is totally Disney all the way. Also the Comedy Warehouse is very much like Who's Line is it Anyway. Personally, if you have been to USH, there is little point going to USO - only Twister and Men In Black offer anything you've not seen before (unless you miss ET). I would say stay with Disney longer. Or if you like Waterrides and Coasters, IOA is great for those (and the Spiderman ride is awesome). If budget is not a huge issue, a day at Sea World Discovery Cove swimming with the Dolphins is very special. Also, if you have never been to Florida and like to learn, I would say a day at Kennedy Space Center is a must. Either way, I am sure you will have a great time.
6	davewasbaloo Sat 1/5/2008 2:56a	Oh, and you will be overwelmed with the resort. A day of resort hopping, nice dining in a Disney deluxe, and some shopping at DTD makes for a great relaxing day. Disney's Fantasia Gardens Mini Golf is a great diversion. And the entertainment at Boradwalk including Jelly Rolls Duelling Piano bar, or maybe the Cirque Du Soliel are fantastic too.
7	Mr X Sat 1/5/2008 4:25a	Borad is my favorite place in the resort too! :D
8	Mr X Sat 1/5/2008 4:25a	j/k
9	davewasbaloo Sat 1/5/2008 4:37a	Oppps, is he from Kazahkstan as well? Darn typos
10	Pollyana Sat 1/5/2008 5:10a	Wow,,,thanks a lot. I will print this page and keep it for reference. I knew someone would help the newbie. I have a very hard time with new things, and your help will get me through this. Just from the little research I did, PO looked like the place for us. The trip is still a while away, but I will be well informed. Thanks again fellow LPers. You never let me down!

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