Going to WDW for the first time... in a while...

[thmprkinsder]

Hey everyone,

Long time lurker and occasional poster over on the DLR side of the boards.

I am taking my girlfriend on her first trip to WDW April 9-16.

I visited way back when I was like 6 years old, and I am now 23. So its been awhile for me also.

We will be staying at the Pop Century for 7 days. I just had a few questions?

How busy will the parks be during these days.. I know we are going during Spring Break season, but as I'm not a regular WDW visitor im not used to the crowds there.

Also anyone have any suggestions on fun things to do? We are sort of taking this trip on a shoestring budget. Any suggestions would be GREAT!

Thanks Alot!

thmprkinsder

p.s if this post is in the wrong forum, feel free to move it for me... sorry!

[MJMcB]

How shoestring?

Try a romantic dinner like at the San Angel Inn

go to the Boardwalk and walk around. Have a drink at the Adventurer's Club.

Oh yeah. And go on some rides

[SummerInFL]

Well first off, have a great time.

Regarding things to do that are low priced or free, I have a few suggestions.

1. Go to the Polynesian one night and watch the fireworks from the beach, they pump the music around you, it's romantic and free.
2. Go explore one of the deluxe resorts, take a boat from the MK to any of the MK resorts and take photos.
3. Walk from WS to the Beach Club and have some ice cream at Beaches and Cream.
4. Ask to sit in the front of the monorail.
5. Play Twister at Pop Century. They have one built in the ground there.


That's all I have for now, if you have anymore questions, feel free to ask!

[Nutz4Disney]

How shoestring?

Try a romantic dinner like at the San Angel Inn

go to the Boardwalk and walk around. Have a drink at the Adventurer's Club.

Oh yeah. And go on some rides

EXACTLY what I was thinking!!!!

Oh, if you do stroll the BoardWalk you might want to stop in Jellyrolls for a drink. Fun place!

The Polynesian is a nice spot to walk around at night too! The tiki torches that line the grounds at night are so pretty. If you time it right, you could watch the fireworks at MK on the beach.

[thmprkinsder]

Thanks so much for the replies so far...

As far as how shoestring, well we are both broke college students who decided sort of last second that we wanted to go to WDW. So some saving and tax refunds later and we are stimulating our economy....lol

I am open to any other suggestions that are out there... like I said I am a beginner when it comes to WDW, and any and all suggestions would be GREAT!

Thanks so much!

[Micoofy Duck]

Hey everyone,

Long time lurker and occasional poster over on the DLR side of the boards.

I am taking my girlfriend on her first trip to WDW April 9-16.

I visited way back when I was like 6 years old, and I am now 23. So its been awhile for me also.

We will be staying at the Pop Century for 7 days. I just had a few questions?

How busy will the parks be during these days.. I know we are going during Spring Break season, but as I'm not a regular WDW visitor im not used to the crowds there.

Also anyone have any suggestions on fun things to do? We are sort of taking this trip on a shoestring budget. Any suggestions would be GREAT!

Thanks Alot!

thmprkinsder

p.s if this post is in the wrong forum, feel free to move it for me... sorry!

Pop Century is a great hotel. Always Fun and filled with people around the clock. Buy the POP CENTURY refillable mugs and they will save you money, only problem is you'll have to lug it around everywhere, if you got a backpack or large bag then just throw it in there.

It seems the parks are getting busier and busier as the year's continue so expect crowds, waiting in line and waiting to buy items at gift shops.

Learn all about Fast Passes and how often you can get them. Ask any cast member at any Fast Pass entrance on certain attractions and they should be able to explain it to you in great detail.

If you really are short on time for some reason know ahead of time which rides at which parks have SINGLE RIDER LINE. I know Hollywood Studios has one for their Aerosmith roller coaster, Animal Kingdom has one for Expedition Everest, Epcot has one for Test Track and I don't think Magic Kingdom has one.

If you've waited in an actual line for over an hour for some reason and you want front ride on "the next one" then ASK for it. You will get it, just let the cast member know. Some of them may be a dck about it but most are pretty cool about it. They can't say no. Front row on dark rides are always so romantic-ish.

If you're looking for low priced "clearanced" Disney theme park gifts and items then head to Downtown Disney and look for Mickey's Mart - "Everything Ten Dollars and Under" store. Lots of good low priced deals there for quick gifts for friends and family members back home.

Drink more bottles of water rather than soda in the parks, keep yourself hydrated and with sodas you'll end up spending more to quinch your thirst. I usually only drink a soda with a meal and the rest of the time it's bottled water. Last time I got one of those filtered bottle waters at the sporting goods stores in my state before heading to Disney World. It worked! Saved tons of money!

Bottled water in the parks really really adds up. 3 bucks a pop, lets say you both buy 3 bottles each a day. That's 126 bucks just on bottled water. I saved 100 bucks on water for me and my brother last time i went with those filtered bottled waters. You may have to make sure the bottle is empty before entering the parks.

I also eat a light breakfast, banana, crossiant, water that I get at the hotel dining places, then I eat a big lunch at the parks or resort hotels and then a light dinner at the counter service areas. I save money that way as well.

When in Epcot don't forget about the FREE FREE FREE FREE drinks over at the Cool Station near Spaceship Earth. When traveling around SSE stop in to quinch your thrist and then head back out.

If you get into the Pin Trading then look for really cheap low cast pins at the shops, the lowest I believe is $5.95 or $6.95 then start checking every cast member's lanyard's where they display their pins up for trade and maybe you'll get an even nicer more expensive one but they are hard to find. Keep trading the entire stay but don't let the trading obsession take over your every waking moment, it can get addicting for some. Remember green lanyards on Cast Members are only for trading with kids, you're both too old for the green lanyards.

This advice is actually for anyone passing through and reading this. Learn to love saving money at WDW!

[Chickles]

If you get into the Pin Trading then look for really cheap low cast pins at the shops, the lowest I believe is $5.95 or $6.95 then start checking every cast member's lanyard's where they display their pins up for trade and maybe you'll get an even nicer more expensive one but they are hard to find. Keep trading the entire stay but don't let the trading obsession take over your every waking moment, it can get addicting for some. Remember green lanyards on Cast Members are only for trading with kids, you're both too old for the green lanyards.

This advice is actually for anyone passing through and reading this. Learn to love saving money at WDW!

If you're on a budget, don't get into pin trading, it's better just not to start! It's a dangerous and quite addictive habit!

Anyway, as far as cheap but yummy food goes, here's my recommendations (including links to the menus) for in each park:
Animal Kingdom
Flame Tree Barbecue http://www.allears.net/menu/menu_ftb.htm
It’s all good, but I especially like the sandwiches.
Yak and Yeti Counter Service http://www.allears.net/menu/menu-anad.htm
New and supposed to be good

Hollywood Studios
Don’t go to the ABC Commissary
Pizza Planet http://www.allears.net/menu/men_tspp.htm
Just like the restaurant in Toy Story. I get the pizza…

Epcot
Sunshine Seasons at the Land http://www.allears.net/menu/men_ssff.htm
Variety of different food, sorta like a buffet
Yakatori House – Japan - http://www.allears.net/menu/men_yth.htm
The udon soup is good, but the curry is awesome!
Kringla Bakeri og Café - Norway - http://www.allears.net/menu/menu_k.htm
The deserts here are great!
Boulangerie Patisserie –France - http://www.allears.net/menu/men_bps.htm
The pastries here are good and so are the ham and cheese croissants

Magic Kingdom
Enchanted Grove http://www.allears.net/menu/menu_eg.htm
Strawberry Swirl - vanilla soft serve with strawberry sherbet
Columbia Harbor House - http://www.allears.net/menu/men_chh.htm
Good New England Clam Chowder
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn http://www.allears.net/menu/men_pec.htm
Burgers and free freshly sauteed mushrooms and toppings bar (silly reason to like it)



Hope this helps!!

[MJMcB]

Strawberry Swirl - vanilla soft serve with strawberry sherbet

Nothing beats the Dole Whip though

[Nutz4Disney]

Nothing beats the Dole Whip though

I second that!!!

[magical01]

There is always pleanty to do! If not already purchased get the Disney Dining Plan will save you money in the long run!

[TDLFAN]

Nothing beats the Dole Whip though

That's for sissies.
Try the Kitchen Sink at the Beach Club.

[MJMcB]

That's for sissies.
Try the Kitchen Sink at the Beach Club.

Sure. Does it come with an echocardiogram?

[TDLFAN]

Does the Dole Whip come with a Cardio workout video for the hips?

[MJMcB]

Does the Dole Whip come with a Cardio workout video for the hips?

It should

As for the kitchen sink, I don't like all of those ice cream and topping flavors mixed together. If I had a sink of ice cream, it just be vanilla, hot fudge, butterscotch, and whipped cream. mmmmmmmmmmmm

[SkittleKicks]

Does the Dole Whip come with a Cardio workout video for the hips?

Sure, you just race an ECV from one end of the park to the other.