Disney & Florida

[warlord 73]

Oh but I suggest doing ONE day at Epcot for a nice dinner and to eat at the Japan pavilion. It is SO good!

I'd stay away from the Canadian Pavilion though. It's somewhat cheesy.

Why am I picturing a bunch of mounted police with beavers standing there going "Good Day Eh to the Canadian Pavillion, oh sorry I was in your way eh?". I'm just picturing the worst of the worst stereotypes in my head.

I've never been to Disney World, only Disney Land as a kid. Never had a desire to go back, but do drive by it all the time as my friends live an hour or so from Orlando and I visit them at least once a year or more.

Time Shares? Simple. Time Share = Herpes of the real estate world. Worst possible investment (which it isn't an investment at all) a couple could ever make. There are many shows and sites that talk about this being the most legal scam out there. Doesn't matter what type you get from who, it's always going to be one of the worst things you could ever pay money into...

[CBR 0]

Advanced Dining Reservations can be made before your visit by calling 407-WDW-DINE Or you can make them once you are in the world by pressing *88 at any Disney payphone or *55 from your hotel room (as long as it's a Disney resort). They start taking "reservations" 180 days in advance, so it may be difficult to get your top choices (depending what they are). I'd call asap. Some top choices are O'hana (at the polynesian...bus to MK, then monorail to the Poly), Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom has Winnie the Pooh characters roaming & it's a pretty good buffet for breakfast or dinner, I hear the Chef Mickey character breakfast is a favorite with kids (at Contemporary Resort...bus to MK then monorail to Contemp). Ooo another one that's fun for kids is the Whispering Canyon (at Wilderness lodge...bus to MK and take the boat or another bus to Wilderness Lodge). If you go there, make sure you ask for a straw and ketchup!!

One thing you should know...learn how the bus system works before you go! You'll be fine if you're ONLY going to the parks or downtown disney from your hotel, but if you want to get to another resort for a meal you'll need to go to a park first, then take a bus to the resort you want. They don't go resort to resort. We stayed at All Star Movies (I think that's where you meant you're staying (?) and they have one big location where the busses stop. There was a line for MK, a line for Epcot, a line for Disney Studios/downtown disney. The lines may look overwhelming at first, but the upside is that they have the most frequent busses and you'll have less stops on the way to and from parks.

Another fun tip...if you ask the monorail people if you can "please" ride in the front, they'll let you (if nobody else is also waiting). You get an awesome view (pics turned out great) and your son may be given a monorail license (silly, but fun). They tease some people if they don't say please, that's why the "warning" lol. It's a really fun way to travel from Magic Kingdom to Epcot (Polynesian, Contemporary, Grand Floridian and the ticket/transportation center can all be accessed via monorail). Just make sure you get on the correct one (there's a resort line and a ttc line).

Bandaid brand special blister bandaid things are a lifesaver for your feet! I usually end up with at least one little one and those bandaid things work very well. Others prefer moleskin (that's gotta hurt coming off?). Regular bandaids are ok if you catch it early, but they usually just rub off for me.

There are family restrooms in MK and Epcot (just ask a cast member where). Handy if you're not comfortable taking your son in the ladies room or sending him into the men's alone.

I'm getting carried away again. Have a GREAT trip!!

[CBR 0]

The Canada pavillion has a really beautiful cliff/waterfall area. Excellent photo site. The movie O Canada is entertaining...hosted by Martin Short. The restaurant Le Cellier has excellent steak (difficult to get seating here as they book up close to the 180 days out). And no, there are no mounties or ppl in beaver costumes or anything like that lol.

[JillA 2]

The Canada pavillion has a really beautiful cliff/waterfall area. Excellent photo site. The movie O Canada is entertaining...hosted by Martin Short. The restaurant Le Cellier has excellent steak (difficult to get seating here as they book up close to the 180 days out). And no, there are no mounties or ppl in beaver costumes or anything like that lol.

We tried to get a reservation in Canada but it was booked and we called 6 months in advance! So we ended up eating in France

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

Thanks for the heads up! They had a standard room, then they had coastal rooms and bay rooms. I chose the coastal, as it said to have a partial view of coast? It cost a bit more. U would never hear the end of it by my mother if we were above the AC units. Don't they have just pure ocean front rooms? I booked through Expedia. Wonder if I should try calling hotel and making request?

Thanks for the heads up. Do you know if there is generally families staying there? Is the beach populated? I want my son to have kids to play with, if it's real quiet, he'll get bored. And do you know anything about the playground and pier across the road? Thanks OBX!!!!'

[OBX 51]

Thanks for the heads up! They had a standard room, then they had coastal rooms and bay rooms. I chose the coastal, as it said to have a partial view of coast? It cost a bit more. U would never hear the end of it by my mother if we were above the AC units. Don't they have just pure ocean front rooms? I booked through Expedia. Wonder if I should try calling hotel and making request?

Thanks for the heads up. Do you know if there is generally families staying there? Is the beach populated? I want my son to have kids to play with, if it's real quiet, he'll get bored. And do you know anything about the playground and pier across the road? Thanks OBX!!!!'

We booked on Expedia the first time, the next two we went directly through the hotel. The first year we thought the same as you...of course the coast view would be better. Well, if we could have seen over the AC units and twist over the edge of the balcony we might have been able to see a speck of water. That year we were unable to change rooms as they were fully booked but we did get a bottle of champagne out of the deal! You definitely do not want the third floor as some of those rooms look directly onto the AC units and do not have full windows or balconies.

The only views directly facing the ocean were the suites at the end of the building. I would call the hotel and request a room that overlooks the pool and parking lot. As I posted earlier you will still see the gulf, the bay and beautiful sunsets. Ask for a room as high as possible.

We always travelled President's Day weekend. There was a mix of families and couples. The hotel does charge for beach chairs and cabanas but it is worth it. They will set them up for you and you have them all day. The pier is on the same side of the road and you can see it from the rooms facing the parking lot. We were there on an "away from the kids and sports" weekend so I can't tell you much about those facilities but they did always look busy.

Hope this helps. The beach is beautiful, I am sure your son will have qreat time!

Edited May 21, 2009 by OBX