WDW Must-Sees for an (almost) First-Timer

Originally Posted By Dole_Whip_Adventure

Hello, all!
I'm a newcomer to this section of the boards, as I usually lurk amongst the DL threads. However, next year, I am heading East with my momma for Disney World!
The last time I had a proper WDW vacation, I was probably 8...so that makes it 11 years ago. (And I hardly think 3 days to experience all of WDW could be considered sufficient...) This time, we are going for a whole week (1/6-1/13) so as to be completely immersed in Disney magic!
My question to you, lovely LPers, is:
What are the must-sees in WDW for someone who has really only experienced DLR?
This could include rides, attractions, shows, food, anything!
Also, are there certain rides (particularly in MK) that I can probably skip? I know that some rides have unique versions in different parks, so which ones are worth comparing, or worth passing?

 

Originally Posted By Dole_Whip_Adventure

Hello, all!
I'm a newcomer to this section of the boards, as I usually lurk amongst the DL threads. However, next year, I am heading East with my momma for Disney World!
The last time I had a proper WDW vacation, I was probably 8...so that makes it 11 years ago. (And I hardly think 3 days to experience all of WDW could be considered sufficient...) This time, we are going for a whole week (1/6-1/13) so as to be completely immersed in Disney magic!
My question to you, lovely LPers, is:
What are the must-sees in WDW for someone who has really only experienced DLR?
This could include rides, attractions, shows, food, anything!
Also, are there certain rides (particularly in MK) that I can probably skip? I know that some rides have unique versions in different parks, so which ones are worth comparing, or worth passing?

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

Well it sounds like you'll be there in a pretty slow time, so you should be able to get just about everything in, but here are a couple highlights from each park. For the most part, the things that are copies are similar, but different, so I would not skip them if time allows (and it sounds like you'll be fine with time).

Magic Kingdom:

Take a boat or monorail to the entrance (if you're staying on property, they'll drop you off right next to the gate, but you can parkhop from Epcot via monorail)
Hall of Presidents
Carousel of Progress
Tomorrowland Transit Authority
Country Bears

Epcot:

Spaceship Earth
American Adventure (make sure to catch the Voices of Liberty singing too!)
Illuminations
Just spending time wandering around the park. Getting lost in the various pavilions in both World Showcase and Future World is really a unique-to-WDW experience. Also, take some time to check out how Innoventions should be done!

Studios:

Great Movie Ride
Tower of Terror
One of the stunt shows (either Indy or Lights Motors Action, you pick, or do both if you like that kind of thing)

Animal Kingdom:

Safari
Everest
Dinosaur

 

Originally Posted By standor

Before you go,get to a book store and get the official guide by Birnbaum and also get the unofficial guide. Read as much as you can so you get an idea of what you want to see.
If possible, stay in a hotel on the grounds so you have the Disney magic all through your stay.

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

Also, keep in mind how much bigger WDW is than DLR. Park hopping can be done, but you really don't want to go back and forth like you can with DCA and DL. Plan at least 30 minutes transportation between parks if (when) you parkhop, and don't try to fit too many parks in one day (2 is fine, 3 can be a stretch).

 

Originally Posted By Disneymom443

Its fun to hear someone so excited about going to WDW. Please don't compare DL to MK it is a big difference. I hope that you will love Epcot, it is my favorite. DHS and AK are fun too.
I've had guest ask if they can walk from one park to another, that would be a big no. WDW is very big and you will need to use Disney trans or a rental car to get around.
I also agree with standor, buy books on WDW. It will help and it's fun to read. Also allearsnet.com has great info, on just about everything. From hotels n and off prop. to whats on the menu. Lots of pictures too.
Have fun planning and welcome to the WDW side.

 

Originally Posted By FenwayGirl

Definately do your research!

 

Originally Posted By markymouse

Forget park hopping. Don't pay extra for it. And know you're not going to do it. We left Epcot to meet up with family in Downtown Disney for supper. The amount of time we spent traveling was a huge waste of time. Choose where you want to be that day, and stay put. There are a few exceptions, maybe, but I don't know what they'd be.

Animal Kingdom and Epcot seem the most unique.

Certainly take the ferry over to Magic Kingdom once if that fits your needs and your schedule.

Look into the dining plan, dining reservations, etc., WAY in advance. There are plenty of counter service restaurants, and you may never do a table service meal. But if you do plan on a table service meal, you have to be prepared, much more in advance than you would possibly imagine. You may not have anything to do with the dining plan, but look into it so you aren't caught with unpleasant surprises.

Enjoy a Yesterland approach in the Magic Kingdom. As much as people compare it unfavorably to Disneyland, it does have the special appeal that there are several older attractions that have left Anaheim -- Carousel of Progress, Country Bear Jamboree, the Peoplemover and Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse come to mind. Enjoy the blast from the past.

Do the Seas at Epcot. Don't think it's like Nemo at Disneyland. It's isn't. Skip Soarin' -- it is JUST like Soarin at Disneyland -- except much more crowded. Wave bye to the enormous crowd headed to Soarin as you turn right to have the Seas nearly to yourself.

If you find yourself being overwhelmed by too much input, remember one word for a Disneyland fan who wants to see the best that WDW has to offer -- Epcot.

 

Originally Posted By WDWdreamin

I pretty much recommend it all. I’m a DL native. My husband and I went to WDW for the first time in Oct 2010. We did not park hop and are so glad we did not. We got restaurant reservations as soon as we could. We went commando, please do as you like. The unofficial guide was the most help.

Our first day: Epcot. We saw : TT , MS:O, SE, Energy, MS:O, Mexico, Mariachis, Gran Fiesta, Norway, Maelstrom, China, Chinese movie, Germany, Italy, USA, American Adventure, Fife & Drum, Japan, Drummers, Morocco, France, IdeF, UK, British Invasion, Canada, Oh Canada, Soarin, Illuminations. We should have only done Mission Space (at least orange) once. Energy was so-so. We like all the country videos and really enjoyed exploring. We were not that impressed with Illuminations. Second day: DHS. We saw: TSMM, GMR, DA, VLM, RnRC, LMA, Backlot, AFI, Sounds, B&B, TSMM, Indy. TSMM is the same as in Anaheim, but we love it. The shows are fun. RnRC was SO fun. I think it is important to see LMA and Indy, both. The backlot was kind-of boring to us. Sounds Dangerous was a complete waste of time, and I even like him. Third day we went to NASA and then saw Fantasmic!. F! is very different in Florida, and we felt inferior. Fourth day: Epcot again. We saw: LwtL, JiI, EO, Crush, Aquarium, Soarin, Club Cool, Maelstrom, Oh Canada, Off Kilter!, British Invasion, Voices of Liberty, Sergio, Acrobats. We really like LwtL. JiI was not that great and EO is the same as Anaheim. Crush is always unique, if you like it. Soarin is the same as Anaheim, as has been said before. My husband really liked Maelstrom and Oh Canada but there is no need to go a second time. Voices of Liberty are so wonderful. We didn’t really like the mime in Italy, but the Chinese acrobats are very impressive. Fifth day: DAK. We saw: D!, D!, EE, KRR, MJT, FoW, Trail, FotLK, Safari, Safari, Parade, ITTBAB. My husband loves Dinosaur and I love EE. The trails are great. We also loved the bird show and the safari. ITTBAB is the same as Anaheim. Day 6: MK. We saw: Space, Buzz, Splash, BTMR, POTC, Tiki, Treehouse, band, HM, Phil, Country Bears, Splash, JC, WTP, MILF, Space, Buzz, Peoplemover, Stitch, Toontown, MKRR, BTMR, HoP, MSEP, Wishes. We thought Space was inferior to DL. Splash was wonderful, as was BTMR. POTC was appalling, as was the new Tiki. Treehouse was nostalgic. HM and JC each were a nice twist. Pooh and Laughing Floor and Peoplemover were cute. Stitch was a complete waste of time. The electrical parade and Wishes were great. Day 7: DAK. We saw: PWhirl, D!, Nemo, MJT, FoW, EE, Safari. We LOVED primeval whirl and the Nemo show.

Sorry for the likely overload.

 

Originally Posted By juicer

I always like starting my WDW vacation by going to Fort Wilderness Campground and seeing the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review - Love those all you can drink sangrias and ribs!

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

Hmmm, a lot of good ground covered. A lot depends on time. But for me, here are the amazing highlights I recommend:

MK - spend the least amount of time here. But be sure to enjoy a ferry or monorail ride to the park. Then prioritise:

Country Bears
Liberty Square including the Hall of Presidents and the twists on Haunted Mansion
Philharmagic (I am not a fan, but many are)
Carousel of Progress
The Lounge singing alien in Cosmic Ray's
The People Mover

And there are unique experiences, but skipable unless you are a completist - Stitch Encounter, Monster's Inc Laugh Floor, and Tiki Room under New Management

Wishes is quite good, with some epic pyro.

Epcot - this is the gem of the resort, as many have said, and I recommend a minimum of 2 days to get the most out of it. If you are short on time, then the do not misses are Spaceship Earth, Listen to the Land, the American Adventure and Illuminations Reflections of Earth. I recommend you make table dining restaurants for one of the World Showcase restaurants, they are all good.

Disney Hollywood Studios

Hmmmmm, this park is my least fav, but there are some outstanding attractions here. Tower of Terror is different enough from DCA's to warrent trying it. Personally I prefer the DCA version, but I am in the minority on this one. Rock n Roller Coaster is fun if you like coasters.

The Great Movie Ride is fun, and a signature attraction (though in terrible need of maintenance)

One Man's Dream is a must if you are a disney historian in anyway (my fav attraction at the studios).

and to be honest, you can pretty much happily skip the rest of the park if short on time (Indy is ok, but not great save the opening and closing scene).

The Sci Fi Dine In and 50's Prime Time are both very unique restaurants worth trying.

Fantasmic is not great at WDW, only bother if you have time IMHO, but it pales in comparison to DL, like so many things at WDW. The rule of thumb is, if they do not have it at DL, try it, if they do, only do it if you have time (the only exceptions are the Haunted Mansion and maybe Splash Mountain).

Disney's Animal Kingdom - this is my second fav park at WDW (though for animal experiences, San Diego Zoo is much better). But of course I ighly recommend the Safari, the two animal walking trails, Expedition Everest, and I am one of the few who really likes Kali River Rapids, it is short, shorter than Grizzly, but it has a great ambiance. Also the Flights of Wonder bird show is excellent too. The Nemo show is well done (though not one of my favs), and the Lion King show is very popular (though it reminds me of a pep rally, not my thing either). Dinosaur is fun, though not as good as Indy in DL, it uses the same ride system. For dining, I recommend Yak and Yeti or perhaps hop by bus to the nearby Animal Kingdom Lodge for dinner at Boma or Jiko, both excellent.

Be sure to visit the deluxe resorts near the MK - Polynesan (the Luau and Ohana are both excellent food choices), the Grand Floridian, the Contemporary (California Grill is one of the best meals on site - think Steakhouse 55 meets Yamabuki), and Wilderness Lodge (great dining choices, Whispering Canyon gets my vote for the most fun restaurant in WDW, and Artist Point is sublime).

also Boardwalk resort near Epcot is fun to visit too, and if it is just adults, then Jellyrolls Duelling piano bar is great, and if you like beer, there is a microbrewery next door.

For ICe Cream fans, beaches and cream at the Beach Club across the water is fun.

Also, do not discount the Disney Waterparks and mini golf courses, there is nothing I have seen on the same level on the west coast.

Downtown Disney is largely forgettable unless you want to go out at night. La Nouba by Cirque du Soliel is very special, and if you are gamers, Disneyquest can be fun. I like House of Blues, but there are several in Ca. T-Rex looks like it could be fun (have yet to try it), it is like Rain Forest Cafe but with dinos.

 

Originally Posted By avimagine

I can't see post 10 is this thread stuck?

 

Originally Posted By avimagine

Nm unstuck sorry for the extra posts

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

Oh, at DHS, I thought I mentioned Light Motors Action, sorry, for me this is one of Disney's finest. I prefer the original in Paris, but this is still great, and very worth while.

 

Originally Posted By Dole_Whip_Adventure

Wow! Thanks, everyone! Especially davewasbaloo, particularly your info about the microbrewery and the mini-golf courses! (My mom loves to try new beers (same way people go wine-tasting haha), and I LOVE mini-golf despite being horrible at it.

I'm also DEFINITELY going to check out T-Rex (big dino fan...)

Are there any other recommendations as far as food spots? (quick service, table service, etc) Oh, and I can still get a dole whip in Adventureland, can't I? (*coughcough, points to username* :] )

 

Originally Posted By HokieSkipper

<<The Great Movie Ride is fun, and a signature attraction (though in terrible need of maintenance)>>

People always say it needs maintenance, and I don't agree at all. It needs some AA upgrades, but other than that, everything on the ride basically works all the time.

<<and to be honest, you can pretty much happily skip the rest of the park if short on time (Indy is ok, but not great save the opening and closing scene).>>

No way. You're missing possibly one of the best things in all of WDW:

Citizens of Hollywood. They're streetmosphere characters that are the funniest thing in WDW.

Also, One Man's Dream is very good, as well.

 

Originally Posted By HokieSkipper

<<The Great Movie Ride is fun, and a signature attraction (though in terrible need of maintenance)>>

People always say it needs maintenance, and I don't agree at all. It needs some AA upgrades, but other than that, everything on the ride basically works all the time.

<<and to be honest, you can pretty much happily skip the rest of the park if short on time (Indy is ok, but not great save the opening and closing scene).>>

No way. You're missing possibly one of the best things in all of WDW:

Citizens of Hollywood. They're streetmosphere characters that are the funniest thing in WDW.

Also, One Man's Dream is very good, as well.

 

Originally Posted By HokieSkipper

<<Oh, at DHS, I thought I mentioned Light Motors Action, sorry, for me this is one of Disney's finest. I prefer the original in Paris, but this is still great, and very worth while.>>

I can't agree here.

If you're going to see a stunt show, see Indy.

 

Originally Posted By HokieSkipper

<<Are there any other recommendations as far as food spots? (quick service, table service, etc) >>

Quick Service in MK is basically devoid of anything special. I usually just grab Casey's Corner hot dogs or something. A good, and fairly cheap, sit down at the MK is The Plaza. Simple menu with sandwiches, but they're very good.

Epcot has so much food it isn't even funny. My favorite sit down there is the German Biergarten. It's a very fun meal. Counter service standouts are the Yakatori House in Japan, or the Sunshine Seasons food court in The Land.

DHS's best sitdown is 50's Prime Time Cafe, and for a counter service I would recommend the Backlot Express, where the buffalo chicken sandwich is particularly good.

DAK's food is the worst, IMO. Other than Flame Tree Barbecue, which is a counter service, nothing really stands out.

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

>>> Oh, and I can still get a dole whip in Adventureland, can't I? (*coughcough, points to username* :] )<<<

They do all you can eat self service dole whip at the counter service at the Polynesian resort. I gave my tips for fave table service, for counter service, the best are:

MK - none, though cosmic ray has an aa alien lounge singer. Columbia Harbour House does ok fish and chips, though only ok.

Epcot - best dining in resort. 6or counter service, the one in the Land Pavillion is excellent.also I like the ones in Mexico and Japan

DAK - Flame Tree BBQ is probably the best quality and priced counter service in WDW.

If seeking counter service is resorts, the Mara at Animal Kingdom Lodge and the one at the Poly get my thumbs up.

Oh, and like the corn dog cart on boardwalk.

If your mom likes beer, the biergarten restaurant in epcot does a beer flight that is very good too