Just let me say this before I comment on some quotes. I have just spent an hour of my life that I will never get back reading through this entire thread. While what has been said for the most part could apply to a lot of people it will not apply to everyone. There is only one way to know for sure what you best way to tour WDW is and that is to go there and find out for yourselves. Some of the advice, like make ADR is you are staying on site and want something more than fast foods and make your FP reservations ahead of time is good advice. You don't know what is going to be best for you until you actually get there. In that case it is better to have that in place then wonder about trying to eat and get to as many rides as you can without them. The next time you go you will know what you wish to do, and can make your own decisions.
Amen to this.
1) wifi sucks in the parks and I've been to the world twice now that fp+ has been implemented and sorry switching times is a pain in the $%#^
2) I've yet to get a second fp for soarin, test track, space mountain, rock n rollercoaster or kilmanjario so I guess their idea of headliners and mine are two different things.
1) I found that Wifi works really well. One of the biggest problems I saw was people were leaning against or along side buildings cursing about not getting Wifi. Radio signals will not necessarily go through solid buildings. What you think is faulty Wifi is usually just interrupted signals. Step out in the open and you will be amazed at how much better it works.
2) Headliners are always hard to get. Possible? Absolutely depending on the day you are there, the crowd size, etc. One size does not fit all.
People who told us to stay off site!
I've been going to WDW since 1983. 45 different trips and all but one of those has been offsite. The one time I stayed onsite was a disaster. It just isn't for me. I would not enjoy myself knowing that I spent 3 or 4 times more to get second rate accommodations. With the difference between paying onsite rates, staying offsite enabled me to rent a car, pay parking fees and still have hundreds left over. I sleep when I am not in the parks so any recollection of onsite magic is lost to unconsciousness. When I stayed onsite I did the bus thing and frankly to climb on board (eventually) at the end of the day with elbow to elbow sweaty people was not exactly magic. I've had friends that stayed onsite and we left the park at exactly the same time. I was at my car, off property and in my room before they were able to even get on the bus. So, to me staying offsite is great advice. Again, one size doesn't fit all.
I can see that. We've only visited in January, October and November.
That said, the advice needs to be different for an afternoon shower vs. all day thunderstorms.
I'm going to get hate mail for this but, in all the years of going there that I just mention, I have only been in rain once. That was an evening cloudburst and all the ponchos in the world would have been useless. I do bring 4 or so of the cheapy Walmart ones ($1.00) and have only used one in all those years. It's always a gamble in Florida any time of year. I've been lucky, I realize!
Anything that falls into the category that makes you believe your trip (and by extension, you) is/are a failure unless you are in an elite (read expensive) group: BOG reservations; fireworks cruise; Dessert party; Victoria and Albert's; the Poly; concierge; 1000 point club; signature restaurants 2 x day!
Just going on vacation is a magical treat! Another State (bonus!); WDW (outstanding!)
No truer words have been written. Not everyone can afford everything. When I lived in Vermont it was such a joy just to get out of the deep freeze, see some sunshine and palm trees that everything else was just a bonus.
Its so funny how widely that varies. I've come off soaked to the bone, and I've come off with just a few sprinkles. The front seat is the worst though, and there is no way to prepare for it or combat against it.
Again, I cannot even count how many times I have ridden Splash Mtn. over the years. I have never had more then a few random drops of water hit me.
A matter of opinion for sure, but the advise to stay off-site to save money. With the extra cost of gas, parking, and lost time, we will never do it again.
See above (second quote). Staying onsite is a desire, but, don't ever try to convince me that it is cheaper or even more convenient to stay there then offsite. It just isn't true. But, I do understand why many like to stay on property.
So true! Many folks don't know this. One trip last two weeks of August (we were off site, went for 15 nights) we made a couple trips to Target & bought hoodies! We needed them in the evenings, as well as in many attractions and restaurants.
I never get advice from anyone. When my extended family hears I'm going back, they just roll their eyes now!
I have heard I must do this or that extra tour, or get up and out early in the morning. It's my vacation; I also want to come back a bit rested. If we don't make it out until noon, so be it! In all my trips, I've made it to a park opening only on one morning (and I don't think it was really planned)!
All I can imagine is that you actually live on the surface of the sun. I've never found anything that cold at WDW, but, like I said, I used to come from Vermont in the winter.
