Originally Posted By dshyates Maybe try calling the airlines with the best rates now, and see if they can give you a rate for next year? It could work.
Originally Posted By cherna-bog-vmk >>I can't imagine people saying that WDW is awful. It's a truly amazing place. There are parts of the Magic Kingdom and maybe the Studios that are getting a little stale, but aside from that there's plenty to see and do. And 8 days is just about the perfect length for a first WDW vacation. You'll have 2 days at the Magic Kingdom, 2 days at Epcot, a day each at the Studios and the Animal Kingdom, and enough time to explore some of the hotels or maybe spend 1/2 a day at a waterpark.<< I agree. I have been to WDW once, we went for 4 days and we all agreed that was not enough! Everyone I have asked says DL is just like WDW, but much smaller. GO TO WDW!!!!!! HUGS AND DISNEY DREAMS KISSES, cherna-bog-vmk
Originally Posted By danyoung >Everyone I have asked says DL is just like WDW, but much smaller.< Well, this isn't true either. DL is of course the original, the one Walt designed and built and spent 10 years plussing. There's a lot of charm that's lacking in the MK. And many of the duplicated attractions like Pirates are simply better in DL. And sadly these days the MK is suffering from more wear & tear than most other parks. It's getting better with the recent refurb of the Haunted Mansion, but it's got a ways to go yet. Oh, and then there's DCA, California's 2nd gate. It's been a little less than wonderful since it opened in 2001, but it has some great attractions like Soarin' and the Tower of Terror. And it's getting an influx of many many millions of dollars over the next few years, so we'll see if it can be more successful in the near future.
Originally Posted By cherna-bog-vmk <<sadly these days the MK is suffering from more wear & tear than most other parks. It's getting better with the recent refurb of the Haunted Mansion, but it's got a ways to go yet.>> The MK is just perfect, no fuss about it!
Originally Posted By danyoung Seriously? You think it's perfect? Don't get me wrong - I still have a terrific time at the MK. But it's got a lot of problems.
Originally Posted By jonvn It was good enough for me to have an enjoyable time at. I'm sure it has problems, though. I just didn't really stop to notice them all that much.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Except that their TL really has nothing to do with the future any more and has been more toon'd up than DL's.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Hmmmm, how to answer this. Having lost a lot of faith in Disney on our last WDW trip to have it restored on our last DL trip this week. I would say go, but be prepared that it is different. As a native Californian living in Europe, having been to Florida a few times, in the future we will save our money and go to California or Tokyo instead. But as you have never been to WDW before, go. As a Disney fan you owe it to yourself. Let me get the bad out of the way first - we do not like the weather or a number of the people we have encountered in Florida. We prefer Sea World in San Diego to Orlando's version, and I would rather go to Universal Studios in California than Florida (we prefer a real studio to a theme park). Also, I get depressed at the MK because it is not DL or DLP. And the dining plan has dumbed down dining at WDW. Also, we did often have 30 - 70 min waits for buses which really brought our trip down. But that is all the negatives out of the way. Now to the positives: Epcot is AMAZING!!!! It can easily fill several days if you like the entertainment, attention to detail, dining and shopping. This and DAK are the reasons we go to WDW. DAK - if you love animals, you will love this park. It is like taking the San Diego Zoo, SD Wild Animal Park and infusing it with Disney magic. It is truly awesome for animal lovers. add in the ethnic musical groups, the best counter service restaurants, and some amazing attractions, we love it!!!! The variety or resorts and restaurants are excellent. We feel the Grand Californian and some of the good restaurants at DLR are better in quality, but the choice at WDW is superb. Having a monorail and ferries as real transportation systems is very cool indeed. Mix in the difference of a Liberty Square, Cirque du Soliel and the very funny Explorer's club, there is a lot on offer. Also, WDW has the best water parks and minature golf courses I know. And the fireworks offerings are impressive. Off site, IOA is good if you like theme parks. Kennedy Space Center is amazing, and a must visit. And St Augustine may be of interest to you. Also seeing gaters in the wild is cool and scary. I think WDW plays well to those not in California or Europeans. And there are some things there worth travelling for as illustrated above. As a Disney fan, you must go at least once. But having been a few times, we will go to California instead. For me, I'm a Disneylander! I am a Californian! And I will go where the magic lives - DL. Have a great time though, and I cannot wait to read your trip report.
Originally Posted By danyoung >...and the very funny Explorer's club...< That would be the Adventurer's Club on Pleasure Island.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Ooops sorry, I get confused sometimes. The DLP counterpart used to be called the Explorer's Club.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <Having lost a lot of faith in Disney on our last WDW trip to have it restored on our last DL trip this week.> Glad to hear that was the case, Dave. Looking forward to YOUR trip report. Did you see the Remember fireworks?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo We had a huge meet for remember (see the meets section for some of reports) We were blown away. As much as I love Illuminations at Epcot, the nostalgia element of remember blew me away. The Indy, HM, PotC and Tomorrowland elements were incredible. And yes, I did have to wipe tears away. I want to book our next trip soon if we can. I want to go to DL again!!!
Originally Posted By Bob Paris "Epcot is AMAZING!!!! It can easily fill several days if you like the entertainment, attention to detail, dining and shopping. This and DAK are the reasons we go to WDW." Indeed mate. MGM/whatever REALLY sucks, doesn't it?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Well I would still rather go to DHS than the MK. The MK really depresses me.
Originally Posted By danyoung Oh please, dave, for the love of God, STOP!! There's plenty of great stuff to do in the MK.And as one who grew up with DL, the similarities (Main Street, a train surrounding the property, etc.) create a really good vibe. They've just redone the Haunted Mansion to great success, and they still have a working Tomorrowland, what with the Peoplemover and the AstroJets up on top of the pylon where they belong. Maybe there's another thread for you to go head to head with everyone about why you hate parts of WDW so much. But seeing it everywhere, in every thread, almost every time you post, is really getting difficult to read. I don't think things have to be all rosey & sunny, but people do come to forums like these to discuss a place they love. Everyone pretty much knows by now that you don't like WDW anymore. Let it go.
Originally Posted By Mr X He's entitled to his opinion (and I've had plenty of discussions with him about it, believe you me!). ***they still have a working Tomorrowland, what with the Peoplemover and the AstroJets up on top of the pylon where they belong*** No way can I allow this to go without comment. The WDW Tomorrowland is a horrific abortion, nothing less. Stitch? Buzz? Sully and Mike? Yuck. Sorry, but...yuck. A "working" tomorrowland? Try Paris? Or better yet, Port Discovery at DisneySea.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub To Ploeb909, have you registered for DING on Southwest Airlines? WHat airport will you be flying from?
