Originally Posted By Bolna Mike, thanks for all the replies! I am really looking forward to explore something new! And I even finished reading the first item of the suggested reading for IoA: Cat in the Hat! Very cute book.
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>...it will be a Tuesday in October... I am aware that we won't be able to see everything and that it will just be a first taste...<< Actually, I am inclined to believe that on the date you have selected, you should be able to see just about everything. I agree with the two park hop. Specifically, I'd arrive as early as possible at the gate for IOA, head straight to WWoHP and experience FJ. If Olivander's isn't already crowded, go through. Otherwise, Dueling Dragons. Leave WWoHP (which will be stacking up) and head to Spiderman. If the line is manageable, experience Spidey, then go to the Studios. Great list of recommended attractions-- I would choose ET over T2 (if you HAVE to choose). Jaws, for me, isn't that great. If the line isn't long, do experience it. (The ride itself doesn't last all that long.) After the Studios, head back to IOA and take in anything you have missed, ending up at WWoHP for the evening. Since when can you stay dry on the JP river ride??? I am most familiar with the Hollywood version-- is Orlando's that different? Regardless, any water ride MAY get you wet, so be prepared. And have a great time at Universal Studios Florida. IOA is a wonderful park, and WWoHP is amazing (albeit rather small, for now).
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>But one wonders who in their right mind thinks that making hotel reservations and buying airlines tickets and then calling 180 days out to plan meals on a spread sheet and the like is somehow more enjoyable than actually enjoying a vacation?<< I have friends who have just as much, if not more, fun planning their WDW vacation. It's just a mindset, and has nothing to do with being in or out of their "right mind." Alfred Hitchcock was once asked if he enjoyed making films. He admitted that he enjoyed all the planning-- script writing, story boarding, casting-- and found the actual process of shooting the film something of a bore. For him, the process of creation was in the planning, and the execution was the work. So maybe some WDW guests find the planning more creative, and the actual trip to Orlando something of a chore...
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Since when can you stay dry on the JP river ride??? I am most familiar with the Hollywood version-- is Orlando's that different? Regardless, any water ride MAY get you wet, so be prepared.>> If you don't sit in the first 2 rows, you won't get wet. <<So maybe some WDW guests find the planning more creative, and the actual trip to Orlando something of a chore...>> That's pretty sad. Why bother going?
Originally Posted By markonefive I think the point is, planning is imagining all you might be doing, visualizing it, decision making, the anticipation. Actually being at the parks is the final chapter, so to speak,when reality has to be dealt with (like bathroom breaks) but also the actual vacation is where all the "work" is also happenning that has to be done e.g. daily routines, fatigue, weather, crowds, travel to and from the parks. Especially for moms, who end up doing most of this work - I'm a dad, I know --(like getting young kids up and dressed, getting kids in bed at night, dealing with over-excited kids outside of their usual routine who maybe didn't have enough rest, keeping track of reservations, keeping an eye on kids in the park, dealing with fussy eaters, making sure everything gets packed, unpacked, repacked, etc). Ultimately, the fun is all worth it, but nothing worthwhile happens by magic, even in Disney World. Successful vacations take a lot of work both before and during the trip in order to have a good time.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>I think the point is, planning is imagining all you might be doing, visualizing it, decision making, the anticipation.<<< I agree. But excessive choice making, planning to the last detail, and general absurdity concerning things like ADRs and Fastapasses boggle me. How much fun can you have if all you do is make sure you stay on a schedule? I'm all for planning. I'm currently planning a week in NYC. But I'm not obsessing over what restroom I'll use when at the Statue of Liberty, and what exhibits I'll see first at the Queens Art Museum. Spontaneity helps with the fun.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> But I'm not obsessing over what restroom I'll use when at the Statue of Liberty. << All you had to do was ask. I'll send you my list of the Top Ten Restrooms in NYC free of charge.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>All you had to do was ask. I'll send you my list of the Top Ten Restrooms in NYC free of charge.<<< HAAAA! You caught it!!! Yes!
Originally Posted By leobloom >> HAAAA! You caught it!!! Yes! << Like the Bat Signal or Spidey Sense, my Restroom Radar tells me when people are posting about my favorite pastime.
Originally Posted By markonefive >>> I agree. But excessive choice making, planning to the last detail, and general absurdity concerning things like ADRs and Fastapasses boggle me. How much fun can you have if all you do is make sure you stay on a schedule? <<< Actually, I do plan in advance which parks we're going to on each day, and a plan for what order we'll try to see things in the park. But rather than binding, it takes away a lot of anxiety and decision-paralysis at the park itself. And it is less stressful when we do deviate from a plan, because we know how the rest of the week fits in. The challenge for me is that, coming from central Canada, it is quite the expedition and cost for us to have a Disney World vacation. A plan ensures we see our "must sees", make the most of the limited time we have in the park (I like fastpass, I admit it), make choices that build in relaxation time instead of panicing to make sure we don't miss anything, and makes the most of what will be at best a once a decade trip for us. By making the major decisions in advance, knowing what to expect, it allows us to more easily adjust and make good decisions when we do decide to be flexible. Believe me, I wish I could be an AP holder and visit the park every few months to just wander, take in a few attractions at a time, have time to just absorb, but it's a luxury I don't have. It's also why I really appreciate this site, because I learn about the hidden gems one might overlook, to appreciate more of the background and neat things about WDW and DLR, and to have as best a vacation as I can.
Originally Posted By Bolna <<And have a great time at Universal Studios Florida. IOA is a wonderful park, and WWoHP is amazing (albeit rather small, for now).>> Doug, thanks for the input! We are definitely planning on arriving early (maybe the only advantage of jet-lag when travelling from Europe to the US is that getting up in the morning isn't difficult at all, 6 am feels like 12pm ).
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub ? for UK VIRGIN HOLIDAY TOURS Could anybody discuss the cost for those people that literally enjoyed the HPLand one hour before the US Universal Resort Guests? Because the amount of money my family of 8 just spent flying from California and the cost for 3 rooms at the Hard Rock was outrageous...just to be jealous of that small group walking right past us early early morn!!! I did not realize early entry advantage for all 3 resorts meant only entry to HP so it was actually crowded and both trips first hour was spent standing in a non moving line waiting for Forbidden Journey to re-boot the opening due to mechanical BS...So the first hour early entry was not worth the cost! Anyway if you are flying VIRGIN consider the package!
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Like the Bat Signal or Spidey Sense, my Restroom Radar tells me when people are posting about my favorite pastime.<<< Very impressive. So, which one SHOULD I use?
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Actually, I do plan in advance which parks we're going to on each day, and a plan for what order we'll try to see things in the park. But rather than binding, it takes away a lot of anxiety and decision-paralysis at the park itself. And it is less stressful when we do deviate from a plan, because we know how the rest of the week fits in. The challenge for me is that, coming from central Canada, it is quite the expedition and cost for us to have a Disney World vacation. A plan ensures we see our "must sees", make the most of the limited time we have in the park (I like fastpass, I admit it), make choices that build in relaxation time instead of panicing to make sure we don't miss anything, and makes the most of what will be at best a once a decade trip for us. By making the major decisions in advance, knowing what to expect, it allows us to more easily adjust and make good decisions when we do decide to be flexible. Believe me, I wish I could be an AP holder and visit the park every few months to just wander, take in a few attractions at a time, have time to just absorb, but it's a luxury I don't have. It's also why I really appreciate this site, because I learn about the hidden gems one might overlook, to appreciate more of the background and neat things about WDW and DLR, and to have as best a vacation as I can<<< I hear ya, and I do much of the same. Build a plan to walk through the park, but we don't have to stick to it, and we almost never rush. And nope, I'm not a AP-er, or do I go exceedingly often.
Originally Posted By GOB EE, when you head to NYC, consider taking a ferry to Sandy Hook in NJ. It's a 40 minute ride, but the views are astounding, SH has some great beaches, but what I think you'd like most is that it's an old Army fort with lots of fortifications, gun batteries, barracks, America's oldest lighthouse, etc. Also, stay away from Times Square as much as humanly possible.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>EE, when you head to NYC, consider taking a ferry to Sandy Hook in NJ. It's a 40 minute ride, but the views are astounding, SH has some great beaches, but what I think you'd like most is that it's an old Army fort with lots of fortifications, gun batteries, barracks, America's oldest lighthouse, etc. Also, stay away from Times Square as much as humanly possible<<< Did that on past trips... It's incredible, yes. ...and I'm staying in TS! Why would I want to stay away? It's amazing. LOL
Originally Posted By dshyates EE, I agree about Times Square. Last time I was in NYC, I stayed at the Marriott Marquis in TS, and it was pretty darned cool. Especially since we were in the city to see some plays. Every thing was in walking distance.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer ^ That's a fantastic hotel... and theater. We saw Beauty and the Beast there! And yes, the location is paramount. Empire State Building, Central Park, 30 Rock... All there. And the main subways are close, too.
