Disneylander worried about doing the World

andpugs · May 7, 2016

This is my first post. I've really enjoyed reading other posts and have been "lurking" for a few months. I've been to Disneyland many times (5-6) and to Disneyworld once (2009 during slow time). I always travel with my DS my DSis & her DD18. My sister and niece and I love Disney. My DS not so much. Last year he refused to go to Disneyland so we ended up not doing our family vacation. He's 17 now so is at the point where he can stay home but we all love having him along because he is so fun loving. We all want one last vacation with him before he goes off to college. He agreed to go to Disneyworld because he loves water parks and there are rides he never tried at DW.
My concern is the negative reviews and posts I read. We're going last week of July. We're used to riding our favorite rides multiple times a day. Taking a break and closing the parks. We're not interested in parades, characters or shows. It's rides, rides, rides. We usually go this same time in Disneyland but have the system worked out. Will we be able to ride SM,BTMRR,TT,ToT more than just once a day? I know using FPP we can do once a day but we are used to multiple times. Should I just cancel my DW vacation and try to convince my son to do DL or should I give DW a try?

Barbydoll8 · May 11, 2016

I would tell you no, don't cancel the trip and don't listen to the boards to closely. Haters are gonna hate so don't let that influence you. Since you are from Washington and coming in July, I will warn you, it's 2 degrees cooler than walking on the sun here. You MUST be prepared for that. It gets hot in southern cal but not with the humidity we get. If you prepare though, you can do it.
Definitely use FP to your advantage. If you want to do these rides more than once, early (rope drop) and very late (hour before closing) or during the parades are the best times to do stand by. It can be done but they won't be "fast" lines.
I recommend downloading My Disney Experience app. It helps for managing FP etc.
Do note that some rides that are "the same" in DL are really not the same in WDW.
I would also rethink shows. The fireworks shows at WDW are like none other and things like Illuminations in Epcot really are worth watching and the Star Wars show in HS is too (should be the new show by then).
The waterparks are a different story. They do get packed but if you plan for mid day away you should be ok. Go early. FL gets afternoon T storms just about everyday starting from 3/5 for at least 30 min. If you are in the water parks they will close when this happens. Also, out door rides like SDMT will close if there is lightening within I think it's 15 miles.
I have spoken to many DL veterans at WDW and as much as they love DL, they all have stated they love WDW better. It's better organized, more open and easier to get around in they say.
Go and have a great time. Mind the heat and the fact that you WILL wait in line for rides. Use FP. Plan to attack early & late and you should be fine.

andpugs · May 11, 2016

Thank you so much for your reply. Your absolutely right. I should go and enjoy it and try new things. I was reading the "advice for newbies" by mm6mm6 post this morning and it also helped me change my mind. He was talking about enjoying what you can do and not worrying about the perfect vacation. I think I was completely in the wrong mindset.
I will make sure we watch those fireworks and I've never given Fantasmic a chance. My son might even enjoy the star wars show.
I really appreciate you taking the time to offer me such great advice. You really did make me feel better. I'm getting super excited. Only73 days to go!!

TGM · May 11, 2016

Hello, and welcome to the DIS!

Yes, definitely come to WDW. How long are you staying?

If you want to ride SM, BTMRR, TT, ToT more than once a day, rope drop and FP+ are your friends.

Here's a tip: you can make 3 fastpasses in advance, but once you have used them, you can make more, that day.

Contact me with any questions about anything, and good luck!

andpugs · May 11, 2016

TGM said:
Hello, and welcome to the DIS!

Yes, definitely come to WDW. How long are you staying?

If you want to ride SM, BTMRR, TT, ToT more than once a day, rope drop and FP+ are your friends.

Here's a tip: you can make 3 fastpasses in advance, but once you have used them, you can make more, that day.

Contact me with any questions about anything, and good luck!

Thank you for your kind advice. We will be there for 8 days. So should have plenty of time. Just 13 days before I make my fast pass selections. I think our plan will be rope drop for rides then fast passes as you suggested. On the water park days we will make late day fast passes. I'm a little worried about using up all the FP's in the morning and only having the less desirable FP left for the eve. But, we'll survive.
I'm also worried about the park hours when we go. 10pm closing seems so early. But, then again, we're 3 hours behind your time zone so fo us it'll be 1am.
Thanks again

andpugs · May 11, 2016

andpugs said:
Thank you for your kind advice. We will be there for 8 days. So should have plenty of time. Just 13 days before I make my fast pass selections. I think our plan will be rope drop for rides then fast passes as you suggested. On the water park days we will make late day fast passes. I'm a little worried about using up all the FP's in the morning and only having the less desirable FP left for the eve. But, we'll survive.
I'm also worried about the park hours when we go. 10pm closing seems so early. But, then again, we're 3 hours behind your time zone so fo us it'll be 1am.
Thanks again

Oops I did my time zone math wrong!! It would be like 7pm for us. Never mind that!

JulieNMM · May 12, 2016

Welcome andpugs!

We are also from the West Coast and DL veterans and will be going to WDW at the end of July. I do not do well with heat or humidity but it doesn't seem to bother the rest of the family. My DS is 16 and will go off to college in a year and I wanted to take him to Europe for a nice vacation, but he said no! He is at the age where he doesn't really like hanging out with the family. I asked where would he like to go instead and the only place he could think of was WDW. He won't even go to DL anymore! So off we go....

As for the heat, I am planning to go early in the morning and do a lot of indoor attractions. I'm not a big ride person but do like the shows. I am also going to drink lots of ice water and get some cooling towels. Hopefully that will work for me.

rof · May 13, 2016

Thank you for all of the input. I also will be fairly new to Florida. Can we anticipate rain on most days in the first part of June?

Hisgirl · May 13, 2016

There can certainly be some strong showers late in the afternoon but they pass, a blanket of sweltering humidity sets in and you move on. Florida weather can be unpredictable and you may even encounter some fall out from hurricanes and tropical storms. We did Universal as a hurricane was moving up the Gulf and we nearly died from the hot humidity. But..we didn't die, we had fun, and you will too!

Bring some female wipe downs, a travel size deodorant, even some fresh panties and refresh mid day. It's a great way to manage the heat in the summer.

Stephanator · Jun 16, 2016

Welcome! I'm a west coast gal who was a little nervous the first time I did WDW, but I'm so glad I did. Florida heat and the *humidity* take some getting used to, but take breaks (maybe see an indoor show like Hall of Presidents for some A/C) and stay hydrated. Also, many of the rides have at least part of their queue covered and/or inside to give you a break from the sun. We always take inexpensive ponchos in case it rains and then toss them later. Have a trip filled with pixie dust!

andpugs · Mar 26, 2017

I'm sorry this is so late but I wanted to give an update for anyone worried about this type of trip. We did end up going to Disney World in July 2016.
It was hot for sure! There is so much air conditioning and ways to keep cool so it was tolerable. The one thing that suprised me is that it never cools down there. California cools down at night and in early AM. No such thing as cooling down in Florida in July,I think.
We did plenty of rides and never felt shorted out of rides. Yes, we could of done more rides in a day at Disneyland but we enjoyed taking more times for meals and touring places we couldn't do at DL.
Our last day we did all four parks and hit our favorite rides. It was a magical experience and never regretted our choice to go to Disney world or the land.
Thank you all for your kind responses. They helped us have a great vacation.

GeorgiaHoo · Apr 1, 2017

We've done both, Disneyland most recently on a weekend 2 years ago, same year we last went to Disney World. I find Disneyland to be a good weekend park but we think Disney World is MUCH better. You can ride most rides multiple times over the course of the trip but the key is going to be getting to the parks for rope drop (and morning EMH if available). I'd also certainly purchase park hopper tickets.

RFrendt · Apr 12, 2017

We also consider DL a great weekend park, but usually devote at least a week when we go to DW (once every few years). With some planning, DW is completely manageable.

Disneylander worried about doing the World

andpugs

Earning My Ears

Barbydoll8

Offical Disney Dork

andpugs

Earning My Ears

TGM

Tour Guide

andpugs

Earning My Ears

andpugs

Earning My Ears

JulieNMM

Mouseketeer

rof

Earning My Ears

Hisgirl

DIS Veteran

Stephanator

Mouseketeer

andpugs

Earning My Ears

GeorgiaHoo

DIS Veteran

RFrendt

Earning My Ears

Share this page

DIS NEWS & UPDATES

New DISboards Threads

Latest posts