Disneyland/Disney World thread

[Anoat]

Got a weird package from Disney World. It’s Christmas gift wrapping paper. They sure know their audience. The patterns have the Orange Bird, Figment, Oswald, Dumbo, Mickey & Minnie and the little honeybee whose name escapes me but he’s the mascot for the flower & garden festival. Kinda cute and all but weird marketing strategy. I believe it’s only for APs so check your mailbox in the coming days if you are one!

[Ksandra]

Just got back from our two week trip to WDW (kids first time). We stayed at: Kidani, Boardwalk, Grand Floridian, and Riviera.

All of them were awesome, but our two favorites were Kidani and Riviera. My kids liked Boardwalk more than GF, because they felt there was more to do. Hubby and I liked GF more than Boardwalk due to location.

Overall though the kids had a blast, thank God, since we are DVC members and plan to go once every two years. I was also super proud of them. When I was their age I’d be whining about the walking, but they were real troopers.

Trying to convince our friends to come with us in 2025 and book a 2 bedroom (lockoff or not, whichever is available).

We also did the following restaurants:

50s Primetime Cafe: It’s always been my fav since it first opened, and is a family favorite now.
Beauty and the Beast’s Castle: Worth it to do once, but with a $300+ price tag, probably won’t do it again.
Toy Story bbq (forget the name): Cute but will probably not do it again. All you can eat, so come with empty stomachs. Better for young-aged kids.
Wiley Canyon Cafe: would go again. Also all you can eat bbq, but better recipes. Yells at you like 50s prime time so best of both worlds.
Topolinos breakfast: Would do again. Delicious food and amazing views. Kids loved it.

[Outlaw]

You are making my mouth water. A major reason to go to WDW is because of the food.

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[Anoat]

Damn y’all went balling

I’m happy getting the cheap ass All-Star rooms lol, but I don’t spend much time at the resorts truthfully. For me it’s just a bed and a shower. But that’s just me solo and not a whole family outing. I’m going for three days at the end of January and I’ll usually treat myself to one or two nice meals but otherwise I’m pretty thrifty on my trips. Well unless I’m boozing, then that plan gets shot to hell.

[Melena]

Toppolino is always good.

I love Woody's round up just for the biscuits and jam. Everything else is a bonus there.

For quick service, Harbor Gallery is probably my favorite over in Magic Kingdom.

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[Ksandra]

Damn y’all went balling

I’m happy getting the cheap ass All-Star rooms lol, but I don’t spend much time at the resorts truthfully. For me it’s just a bed and a shower. But that’s just me solo and not a whole family outing. I’m going for three days at the end of January and I’ll usually treat myself to one or two nice meals but otherwise I’m pretty thrifty on my trips. Well unless I’m boozing, then that plan gets shot to hell.

To be fair, we balanced it out by making basic sandwiches, spaghetti, etc. for the rest of the meals. I did make a roast for Xmas day though.

I also made breakfast every morning and we brought snacks into the parks.

We laughed because the last day we ran out of food (goals), so we grabbed some frozen pizzas and a soda from the hotel market. It was $14. Cheapest Disney meal I’ve ever had. XD

I couldn’t snag Cinderella’s castle which is why we did Beast’s. Going to try and shoot to get it the next trip before my kids get too old to care.


I also want to take them to the 50s Drive-in for the atmosphere.


We did the Disney cirque soliel show, too, which was fun. I’m glad we got to do that one as I would always see the outside growing up but my parents never wanted to pay for it.


Def not going to be doing all that going forward. I wanted my kids to really experience everything the first time around so they’d know what they like and don’t like.

We won’t do that much resort hopping as well. It was cool, and I was able to mostly pair the resort to the closest park (ie. Went to Epcot when staying at the boardwalk, etc.). It definitely helped us get a feel of the resort zones. But it was a lot of packing/unpacking. Bell services will transfer your luggage (not food) for you, but the day we were going to Epcot they got backed up and it took them about 30 minutes to show up. I think we will always hop at least once, though. Riviera is our home resort, but more expensive on points than say Kidani. If we split between those two, we can stretch out our vacation a bit. We did 14 days this time, but going forward we’ll probably do 10 days. Allows us a rest/water park day in between park days.

[Anoat]

The original Country Bear Jamboree at Magic Kingdom goes away on January 27th for its update/rework, set to reopen sometime this summer. Glad I got to see the original on my last visit because it’s closing two days before I arrive at the end of the month.

[Anoat]

Was leaving Epcot kind of in a pissy mood because Guardians was down and I had to stand in line to get my lightning lane refunded. As I’m literally walking out the park they started one of the new light shows on Spaceship Earth playing the Kermit & Miss Piggy version of “Rainbow Connection” and damn it I can’t be mad anymore

[Anoat]

Disney Parks announced yesterday for Mardi Gras that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open this summer at Magic Kingdom and this fall at Disneyland

Coincidentally got my next trip booked for the week of Labor Day and the timing worked out that my current annual pass will expire on my checkout day. Going with Pop Century again for the Skyliner. Honestly, the Skyliner has spoiled me so much, I don’t know if I ever want to stay at a non-Skyliner resort again.

[Buffy]

We are going to do a big Disney blowout for my wife’s 50th and daughter’s 5th.

Having only gone to Disney once when I was a pre-teen I have no idea what to do.

We’re willing to spend up to 15k and want to be there a week and stay in one of the fancy Disney hotels in the park.

Who can point me towards some resources regarding what to do/how to plan/etc?

[archibaldcrane]

You should blow that 15k on a 529 college savings account for your 5 year old instead of a trip she won't remember when she's 18

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[archibaldcrane]

But then again shout out to your wife for having a baby at 45 maybe she deserves it

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[Salodin]

15k on a vacation for a 5 year old? I mean good for you but yikes, that's obscene. But also good for you.

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[Outlaw]

You should blow that 15k on a 529 college savings account for your 5 year old instead of a trip she won't remember when she's 18

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My parents took me to Disney World for the first time when I was 4 and I remember it. They never spent that much because they are cheap.. I mean frugal. >.>

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[Melena]

Disney Parks announced yesterday for Mardi Gras that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open this summer at Magic Kingdom and this fall at Disneyland

Coincidentally got my next trip booked for the week of Labor Day and the timing worked out that my current annual pass will expire on my checkout day. Going with Pop Century again for the Skyliner. Honestly, the Skyliner has spoiled me so much, I don’t know if I ever want to stay at a non-Skyliner resort again.

I'm there the 15th-28th of August as my pass expires then as well

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[Melena]

We are going to do a big Disney blowout for my wife’s 50th and daughter’s 5th.

Having only gone to Disney once when I was a pre-teen I have no idea what to do.

We’re willing to spend up to 15k and want to be there a week and stay in one of the fancy Disney hotels in the park.

Who can point me towards some resources regarding what to do/how to plan/etc?

Astylla is an expert on planning Disney trips. Shoot me a message and I can PM you her email.

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[Ksandra]

We are going to do a big Disney blowout for my wife’s 50th and daughter’s 5th.

Having only gone to Disney once when I was a pre-teen I have no idea what to do.

We’re willing to spend up to 15k and want to be there a week and stay in one of the fancy Disney hotels in the park.

Who can point me towards some resources regarding what to do/how to plan/etc?

If you want to stay at a Disney resort check out some DVC rentals. They are usually cheaper than a direct stay because it’s people who have extra points that they are going to lose and are looking to make some money back on them.


With that being said, you will want to price compare. Right now Disney plus people get a free dining plan if they directly reserve a hotel through Disney. I would look into to see if that saves you anything (I actually doubt, but it is not something I looked too hard into).

[Buffy]

You should blow that 15k on a 529 college savings account for your 5 year old instead of a trip she won't remember when she's 18

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There is already 30k in her 529

[archibaldcrane]

Proceed

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[Anoat]

Guests staying at WDW resorts in 2025 now get free admission to Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon on their check-in day

Gotta say that’s a pretty surprising free perk I wouldn’t expect, I’m hoping just the first of many that Disney is feeling the pressure from Universal’s Epic Universe