Mr. X and his grand return to WDW...advice please?

Originally Posted By Mr X

Okay folks, so I *might* be returning to WDW for a couple of days in December (probably early December).

Likely will only have 2 days or so in the parks, maybe three, but I'll have park hopper passes for the entire stay so I can hop here and there all I want.

So, what I need to know is...what's new since 1998 (my last visit)??

Please tell me all the stuff that's worth seeing at the resort, all the new stuff especially (I already have Mission Space and Everest high on the hit list, of course)...anything new and cool at the hotels would be great to hear about too.

So, what's new in the past 10 years? Which park should I spend the most time in (considering my time will be limited).

Any and all advice appreciated.

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

Have you seen DAK yet Mr X? I would say the must sees in the last 10 years are:

MK - nothing to see here (except maybe Wishes) or Jack and co on PotC, but you now have these in Tokyo don't you? HM may have new effects.

Epcot - Nemo dark ride is cute, and Mission Space is OK. Illuminations Reflections of Earth is AWESOME though, and a do not miss.

Disney's Hollywood Studios - Lights Motors Action - this is a fantastic import from WDS if you like cars. One Man's Dream is a great exhibit dedicated to Walt Disney (some fab Disney artefacts in here).

Have you done Rock n Roller Coaster? If not, worth a shot.

Everest is a defo. Also, check out the Nemo show. Still not quite as good as the Paris offerings IMHO, this is a pretty good show with fab effects.

Check out Animal Kingdom Lodge - this is a pretty awesome hotel with great restaurant choices.

Those for me are high point new additions in the last 10 years (post DAK opening).

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

I helped open DAK actually, Dave.

Love the place (I was working for the Vista United phone company at WDW at the time, so I spent a TON of "pre-opening" time in the park, just like DisneySea).

I agree about MK...I can get my "fix" in Tokyo so I don't plan to spend a ton of time there, if any. But what about Stitch and all that? Plus my girl hasn't seen Philharmagic yet (I enjoyed it in hong kong)...so we'll most likely "stop by" anyway.

I actually saw the debut of "Reflections of Earth" before it was even announced back in 1998 (has it been changed?). Love it, will catch again if possible. Nemo sounds cute, plus the little one LOVES fish so that's a must see (and SeaWorld as well).

Thanks for pointing out those highlights. Forgot about LMA...gotta see that! Yes, I've been on RnRC a million times but I'm game for a million and one (love that ride too!). PLUS, I really want to go back on ToT now that I have Anaheim and Tokyo to compare it to!

And thanks for the reminder on AKL...dang, I should just book a night there huh? That wonderful resort I've never seen and everyone raves about (seen all the rest, I think).

Thanks for the reminders bro!

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

No probs - if you have the family, then Philharmagic is defo. Stitch - Sarah and I like it, but we are in a definate minority. If you love AA's and don't mind lame back stories, you'll enjoy - may be too fierce for the little one though.

MILF is also open, but I'll let you make up your own mind.

Since you have the wee one, they have also reworked Imagination for the 2nd time since your trip, El Rio now has the 3 cabs - Donald, Panchito and the gang. Also China and Canada have new films.

 

Originally Posted By MPierce

AK has added a lot since 1998. I'm sure it will feel completely different to you now. Since you seem to like roller coasters Expedition Everest is a must do. AKL is a must see, a treat all on it's own, along with a dinner at Bomas.
Epcot..what Dave said plus SSE will be open, and I think very much worth seeing. Also the new little ride in Mexico, just because it will be something new for you, and will not consume much time. It's a shame you won't get to see the WAND (dodges all the rotten eggs being thrown at me)!
MK, Stitch, and Philharmagic, POTC, because they will be new for you. A train ride around MK, and a trip on TTA, just because I love them.
DHS, the rides you enjoy, and LMA, just because it would be new. Definetly the Osborne lights.
Downtown Disney, and PI have changed a lot since then also, but with your limited time I wouldn't bother, unless your girl is into shopping.

 

Originally Posted By Bob Paris

I LOVE that the crappy new Monsters Inc "attraction" gets shortened to MILF. Perhaps, because it is so bad it should be called MIDLF.


LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I listen to a particular sycophantic WDW podcast and it's funny to hear the guy skate around it by calling it "MLF".


; )

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

Um, yeah. I enjoy LP acronyms as much as the next guy, sometimes they're even a fun game (figuring out exactly what HMHTTSVS means lol).

But we REALLY need to not use "milf".

K, folks? ;p



And yes, Dave, fam will be in tow. At this point though, honestly the ONLY real reason for us to hit the MK is cause of Philharmagic, and the little one doesn't really care for 3D movies too much (she always takes the glasses off!), so I think with the limited time available we might just skip the MK altogether.

We'll see though.

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

>>Since you have the wee one, they have also reworked Imagination for the 2nd time since your trip, El Rio now has the 3 cabs - Donald, Panchito and the gang. Also China and Canada have new films.<<

This is the kind of good info I was looking for, thanks!

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

MPierce, also great info thanks. Philharmagic I did see in HK, but enjoyed it very much so I'll TRY to catch it if we hit the Magic Kingdom at all.

Forgot all about the Osbourne Lights! Cool! Something else to look forward to!

DHS and LMA? (speaking of acronyms!) What are those?

Train and TTA are must do if we go to the Magic Kingdom, for sure.

We probably WILL hit DTD on an "off day", we'll actually be in Orlando for 6-10 days or so but it's a family thing so that's why I'm assuming park time will be limited. Plus my little one loves fish, so SeaWorld is probably gonna be part of the plan (looking forward to Living Seas too, since she loves Nemo as well!).

 

Originally Posted By TDR_Fan

<<DHS and LMA? (speaking of acronyms!) What are those?>>

Disney's Hollywood Studios and Lights, Motor, Action (the stunt show)!

 

Originally Posted By Great Stone Dragon

LOL Mr X.

Maybe we should just refer to it as LF for Laugh Factory - I was trying to figure out what it stood for and just couldn't get it. I thought "There's no way I've been away from the parks for THAT long."

We will be there in just a few weeks now after a 6 year break. Any major updates or activities at the different resorts that are worth the trip? We try to set aside a day or two to check out a couple of the other hotels (besides pool time & DTD).

 

Originally Posted By fkurucz

<<But we REALLY need to not use "milf".

K, folks? ;p>>

I suspect that said slang word is not used in the UK.

WARNING: Some will find the description in wikipedia to offensive and vulgar.

<a href="http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/MILF" target="_blank">http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/
MILF</a>

 

Originally Posted By RoadTrip

You might want to spend part of an evening at the Boardwalk. It was there in 1998, but it is MUCH more lively and fun now. There is all kinds of entertainment during the evening... from musicians to magicians to sword-swallowers to jugglers to almost anything else you could imagine. Some is really impressive, some is really cheesy, but all of it is fun.

 

Originally Posted By danyoung

If no one's mentioned it yet, the newly refurbished Haunted Mansion should be worth a look.

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

>>I helped open DAK actually, Dave.<<

Who is "Dave" and isn't his name in CT actually Dennis?

Anyways... Mr X, I think you should take the "Walk in TDLFAN's Footsteps" guided tour. It would be quite an eye-opening experience.

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

**WARNING: Some will find the description in wikipedia to offensive and vulgar.**

What's so offensive about the Moro Islamic Liberation Front?

**Who is "Dave" and isn't his name in CT actually Dennis?**

I was replying to DavewasBaloo there, unless I'm mistaken.

**Mr X, I think you should take the "Walk in TDLFAN's Footsteps" guided tour.**

I dunno. I was actually considering going to the parks to just have fun and enjoy myself.

 

Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct

I would say - enjoy the fact that MAIN STREET is not under some god-awful canopy

 

Originally Posted By TDR_Fan

<<enjoy the fact that MAIN STREET is not under some god-awful canopy>>

I think World Bazaar is very lovely and pretty.

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

Thank you. Ignorance is bliss.

>>I dunno. I was actually considering going to the parks to just have fun and enjoy myself. <<

Yeah.. I dare you to leave the child behind and come alone. You see? Most parents love WDW because their kids love it. Not really because they do or even enjoy visiting the place.

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

I can't speak for everyone, but I do love the place and very much enjoy visiting. In fact, Epcot is probably my favorite Disney park of all!