Originally Posted By WDWdreamin Can you believe it, I am going to a continuing education conference in Orlando in January? Well, I hardly can. DH will not be joining me at all, but I'm so excited. Conference is 1/14-1/18. I'm flying back Tuesday 1/24. Plans so far include: Artist Point dinner on 1/18; DAK 9-5 on the 19th, and dinner at Sanaa; Epcot 9-midnight (EMH) on the 20th with dinner at Teppan Edo; Mears to Universal IoA on the 21st; DHS starting at 9 on the 22nd and park hop to MK (EMH til midnight); open day on the 23rd. DHS/MK should work because I don't want to go on their Space or POTC, ToT or F!, too cold for Splash, and BTMR will be closed for refurb. Any suggestions? FYI: I am the park commando type, and an obssessive (i.e. spreadsheet) planner. I've been to WDW once before (October 2010). I'm not getting the dining plan. I don't want to eat at Grand Floridian restaurants, California Grill, Coral Reef, the castle, Epcot France or Canada etc. alone. I do want to visit the Grand Floridian and Wilderness Lodge. We loved Boma and I don't want to repeat the 50s Diner or Brown Derby. Also not going to do alone: Gatorland, Nasa, Leu Gardens, or Sea World parks. I'll probably go to Epcot or DAK on my free day. For IoA, I am a bit nervous about Mears since I haven't done that before. I'll be at Pop so I figure it will be straight-forward? Also, I don't know what I'll really spend my day there doing, besides hanging out in "Potterland". I'm worried the Hulk and Dragon Challenge may both be too much for me. It's the heights and jerkiness I mind, not spins/loops. I don't want to get too wet in January probably = Ripsaw Falls, Bilge Rat Barges, and Jurassic Park. It looks like the Hippogriff ride is for little kids? I believe that leaves Spider Man, and Poseidon's Fury, and HP and the Forbidden Journey, and The Cat in the Hat.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb I just got back from my FLA trip which included IoA. Let's see if I can help some. Hulk and Dragon Challenge ARE high, but I found them to be quite smooth, try DC first and if you like it go on Hulk. Flight of the Hypogriph is a kids' coaster, but an excellent one and a hoot. It's somewhere between Gadget's Go Coaster and Big Thunder. One bit of advise for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, we found it to be crazy busy during the day but as the evenings wore on the lines went from ridiculous to walk on. Do not miss Spiderman or Harry Potter's Forbidden Journey! You are correct about the water rides, they will soak you to the bone (although Jurasic Park isn't too bad). If it's warm enough, or you bring a change of clothes you might want to try Ripsaw Falls, it is an excellent example of a flume ride with a story, very enjoyable. Posiden's Fury is a good show, much better than Sinbad, so fit it in if you can. I also recommend eating at Mythos which is right across from the PF show. It's one of the best theme park meals I've ever had, certainly the best "bang for the buck".
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb One thing you might want to try if you want to spend time at The Grand Floridian is having afternoon tea in the Garden View Room. They have a range of things to eat and drink so you can get away with only spending a relatively small amount for a very pleasant experience. In fact, you can even get a hot cocoa if you don't like tea.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub Hi AutopiaDeb glad you are home safe and sound. Sounds like you had a great trip! I am guessing you will post a trip report for us soon?
Originally Posted By tashajilek Hey Deb, welcome back i hope you had a great trip! WDW, if you are worried about the water rides and still want to ride them i suggest a poncho. I went to DL during the worst rain i have ever seen and i live in Vancouver. Anyways i didnt want to miss Splash mountain so we wore our heavy duty Disney ponchos and we were fine. I hope you have a good time and hopefully the weather will be decent for you.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb Oh yeah one more thing about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, both types of Butterbeer are yummy (I like frozen, my son prefers the draft) but the pumpkin juice is just nasty. It tastes like over spiced apple cider with a slight pumpkin flavor. The first few sips aren't too bad, but the more you drink the worse it gets .
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb Thanks guys! We had a wonderful time. I'll try to get a TR in soon, but I'm notoriously bad at getting around to them
Originally Posted By WDWdreamin Thank you so much for the advice. I hope my weather is good too. I will have a poncho, but I hate having wet anything (feet/butt/etc) and I get really cold, so I'll see how it is that day temperature-wise. I definitely have to have Butterbeer and I am glad to know that I can avoid the Pumpkin Juice. I have also heard about WWoHP being busy early, but I don't know that I'll have so much to keep me busy other places. I'll try. Afternoon Hot Cocoa does sound nice, but I think a drink at the lobby lounge, esp. since I'm alone, might fit me better. And, Deb, I'd love to read the trip report. I'm looking forward to the Discovery Cove part a lot.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo IOA is good, and I am sure there will be plenty to keep you busy. If you don't like getting wet, avoid their raft ride, it was wetter than taking a bath with your clothes on, no poncho would ever protect you. Jurassic Park, if you are in the middle is no worse than pirates of the Caribbean however. But I agree, dragon's challenge is not high really, I think flight of the hypogriff is (and fun too). Spiderman, cat in the hat, and poseidon's fury are excellent. Also I like the sinbad stunt show. Check out the hands on exhibits at Jurassic park, and the X men themed tea cups are ok. Or maybe get a hopper and enjoy the studios as well.
Originally Posted By WDWdreamin Thanks for the info about the rafts. Since I will have crazy long days on either side, I'm hoping IoA can be a shorter more relaxing day.
Originally Posted By WDWdreamin I showed DH youtube videos of the three coasters in question and he said he didn't think I would like any of them. When I said that left me with four attractions at the park just to see WWOHP he suggested I try the Hungarian Horntail. Per Wikipedia, it's drop is 20ft shorter (95ft vs 115ft) and it is 5mph slower at max (55mph vs 60mph) than the Chinese Fireball. Anyone able to think of other coasters to come these to? Maybe at Magic Mountain or Cedar Point? Dave, now I'm thinking I should've considered a hopper, but I don't like that many attractions at the Studios either, and don't want to walk too much on my "slow day". I've heard conflicting reports on SRLs in WWoHP. Does Forbidden Journey have one? Because that would be great for after my first time. I can't wait for my first Butterbeer. I'm also super excited for WDW, but since I've been there I have less questions. I'm most excited about leisurely exploring World Showcase.
