First Timer Headed to WDW

[wawa]

We're taking the kids to our first family Disney trip in June.  8 days, early flight in, late flight. we know it'll be hot.  Trip was originally scheduled for 2020, so this is a loooooooong time coming and I can't believe it's only a monthish away now. It's very likely our only trip here...we keep choking on general prices. we can afford it, but daaaaaaamn even a cheap trip is pricey, so we're just going all in on this one. 

We're going with one of my best friends who is an expert Disneyier and her kids. Splitting a 2 BR villa at Beach Club that she got with DVC points, kids in one BR together, she's claimed the couch, gave the other BR to MH and I.  Park Hoppers. We've already got the big picture stuff filled in - generally the plan is rope drop because we're all early birds and it'll be hot, for MK and AK days sit down lunch to rest midday and then head back for the pool or room late afternoon when we run out of steam. On epcot and HS days head back to the resort for a pool/lunch/nap break and get in some later hours back at the parks, some days with a sit down dinner reservation.  We've got our sitdown dining reservations and park reservations all lined up.  

And she's treating us to a GIANT splurge and we're doing a VIP tour too. She really wanted to do it and when we asked how much it was (this was in a group text with me and her and MH) her answer was, "Oh you don't want to know.  I'm paying. Please don't look up the price and please don't argue."  So....we're doing that. 

So I'm curious about people's recommendations for the smaller stuff.  What quick-serve or snack stops are can't miss items?  Special focus on anything in/near Beach Club, but we'll be hitting all the parks twiceish, so lots of food/drink opportunities in there. 

Any tips for A/C access, shade, shows and resting places, etc? 

We'll also have the opportunity for two grownups to slide out sans kids on an evening or two for a nice quiet grownup drink while the third adult hangs in the room with the snoozin' kids. Any recommendations for that?

What about fireworks?  Not sure we'll want to stay up that late very often if we're rope dropping, but any recs for where to watch either show?

Aaaand finally - Genie+/LL - I'm following BFF's lead on this generally...some days we're going to pay for it to make sure we make the most of the day, I think there might be a few lazy days where we just hit stuff with shorter lines?  Does that seem reasonable? Kids are 6 and 9 (both sets) and mine haven't seen any stars wars anything and refused when I asked if they wanted to, so though I want to see that stuff, it's lower on the priority list. Big fans of pretty much every other disney/pixar feature length everything. Love Mickey and Co still, but princesses are probably our biggest excitement.  Both of my kids like roller coasters and more turbulent rides, no motion sickness to date.  One of her kids is a bit more of a chicken, but the other one LOVES fast rides. My kids also love music.

[Patsy Baloney]

You are going to have such a good time!!!

I’m not an expert by any means and I don’t have any experience with Genie+ (last time we went it had *just* been rolled out and info on usage strategies was pretty scarce) but I can tell you about stuff I love!

Dole Whips for life! It’s our tradition to enjoy the a/c and kitsch in The Tiki Room in Magic Kingdom and then grab a Dole Whip from Aloha Isle that’s right by the exit there. You can mobile order now, too, so it’s ready for you as you walk out.

My mom always has us get crepes in France in Epcot. Very yummy! There’s some good booze options around the world, too, with lots of great snacks. Check out the Karamel Kuche in Germany if you like sweets!

The last time we were there, my friends showed me a little Kawaii art exhibit in Epcot that was oh so adorable - it’s in Japan. A good a/c stop off place.

Your kids sound like my ride-kindred-spirits! They will love Rockin’ Rollercoaster in Hollywood Studios. Tower of Terror is my absolute favorite heart-out-your-butt thrill ride, too. When you’re there, the Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind will finally be open in Epcot - from what I’ve seen in previews, it’s a fantastic thrilling ride with a fun soundtrack. Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom is another one that makes me loopy in a good way.

Lots of great snacks in Animal kingdom, too. I was just reading this post about them this morning. It doesn’t mention one of the quick service places (Mr. Kamal’s) having the best fries and dumplings everrrr: www.disneyinsidertips.com/best-snacks-at-animal-kingdom/?fbclid=IwAR3N3EHANxBuzIpdlnzXVTgtBmdURE8hp-DRTi42Ee_haJ9VZiEwExKwy70

For shows, I love the Indiana Jones stunt show in Hollywood Studios. Pixar has a movie show in Epcot that might be a good place to absorb some a/c. And Mickey’s Philharmagic would be another fun one to enjoy while cooling off in Magic Kingdom.

For adults, my H and I usually head to Disney Springs. We do some shopping, see a movie, do some drinking, lol. There’s a newer Cirque show over there, too.

You’re going to have an awesome time with the VIP tour. I have a friend whose family did it over their spring break vacation and they got to do/see so much. If there are any *major* rides anyone is wanting (like Rise of the Resistance which is a GREAT ride) that will be a fantastic opportunity to knock those out.

What a fun trip you’re going to have!

[Patsy Baloney]

Oh, and to add - my kids aren’t Star Wars people either. My big kid went to Disney with my mom and aunt and came back with a Porg that talks and was full-on ready to fight Darth Vader, so I don’t think familiarity with the property is particularly needed to enjoy that area. It’s really amazing and immersive. Pandora is similar in Animal Kingdom (Flights of Passage another fantastic ride)

[wawa]

May 11, 2022 14:32:20 GMT -5 Patsy Baloney said:

 little Kawaii art exhibit in Epcot that was oh so adorable - it’s in Japan. A good a/c stop off place.

Thank you for all the tips!  but especially for this, because this is super random, something we might not have found on our own, and Shorti (my daughter) WILL LOVE IT.  
She's obsessed with Kawaii stuff. Everything she draws has giant big shiny eyeballs. 

[Patsy Baloney]

May 11, 2022 14:43:05 GMT -5 wawa said:

May 11, 2022 14:32:20 GMT -5 Patsy Baloney said:

 little Kawaii art exhibit in Epcot that was oh so adorable - it’s in Japan. A good a/c stop off place.

Thank you for all the tips!  but especially for this, because this is super random, something we might not have found on our own, and Shorti (my daughter) WILL LOVE IT.  
She's obsessed with Kawaii stuff. Everything she draws has giant big shiny eyeballs. 

I just checked my app - it’s the Bijutsu-kan Gallery. It’s tucked out of the way by one of the larger shops in Japan. If I’m remembering correctly, it’s at the exit of a shop, and the foyer of the checkout area has a second door, and that’s where you go to get inside. Definitely ping it on a park map if you’re flying blind! It was really cute (obviously) when we went, and empty and cold and had lots of bench seating. It’s just a large room and at the time had a home setup behind the glass with cute stuff and some history of Kawaii. Even the toilet was adorable.

[sparty04]

My kids favorite part was the cheap popcorn refills. We never made it to rope drop but the mornings were always insanely busy with people everywhere and it was just so hard to get anywhere. I much preferred the 10am and on time period where people were dispersed and I could actually see where I was going. We were there 2 weeks ago with 4 kids ages 2-9 and we did mostly everything we wanted. DH bought 2 LL for himself and the kids (pandora and rise of resistance) and got genie plus once just so they could do Haunted Mansion (we left afterwards so they didn't use it on anything else). The rest of the time we just did standby lines which was a lot of waiting but my kids were troopers.

Lunch was all quick serve restaurants and nothing amazing. We just ate at places that had either chicken strips or pizza everyday (picky eaters). Definitely do mobile order. That was so convenient.

You can get free cups of water from any quick service walk up. Kind of a waste of cups but saved a bunch of $ on bottles of water.

ETA: my kids aren't super into Star Wars but they loved ROR. I have no interest in Star Wars either but I think that area was one of the coolest parts of any of the parks we were at.

[nicolewi]

We liked the Dole Whips with rum in Animal Kingdom for grown-ups. You can get a break in the shaded outdoor area right behind the food stand that sells them. Near an open plaza thing on the way to Safari...can't remember name of it.

I love Dole Whips but I think the orange frozen treats at Sunshine Tree Terrace near the Swiss Family Robinson treehouse are even better!

We got the Mickey Bar ice cream bars and they were really great. Thick chocolate. I was impressed. I thought they were actually more worthwhile than the ice cream in France at Epcot, which was mostly just a melty mess after a long wait (I'm sure someone will want to fight me).

I had a mango margarita at Sana'a at AK Lodge that was fantastic.

Seeing Pandora at night is pretty cool if you can make it that long (or go back).

The MK fireworks show (circa 2019) was AMAZING. I would definitely try to view it from somewhere.

Also, I want to be friends with your friend and go on this trip.

[EloiseWeenie]

Your trip sounds awesome! I would love to do a VIP tour, please let us know all about it.

I was at Yacht Club 2 weeks ago, and we had a wonderful time. My family loves the pool. We spent hours in the lazy river. We loved getting ice cream from the Beaches and Cream ice cream window (just ice cream at window). We loved the Minnie sink sundae. Pool chairs can be difficult to secure. We spent most of our time in the pool, so we only needed 1.

For Epcot, we left our room 30 minutes before early entry, and walked easily through security and and entrance into World Showcase. They held us off on the bridge into France. We were towards the front of the pack, and did Ratatouille (walk on), Frozen (10 mins), and Test Track (15 mins). We did Mission Space, Spaceship Earth, Soarin', and Bambi's Butterfly House (Flower & Garden, and so pretty) all before our 12:00 lunch. The kids just wanted to swim the rest of the afternoon. I love the herbed goat cheese croissant at France's festival booth. We are going again this weekend, and I plan to eat more of them! I love Epcot's nightly show, it's really great. I could see the fireworks from my room at Yacht Club, but you need to be in Epcot to see the whole show. It's projection focused, and can be hard to find a good spot around the lake where the kids can see well. Japan still has the Kawaii exhibit, and the shop in Japan has the most adorable stuff. We found if you wind back through Morocco, it's pretty deserted. There were so many empty table and chairs, and very few people roaming around.

For HS, we took the boat and arrived about 10 minutes before early entry started. My son wanted to do Rise of the Resistance, so we headed over there. It too was walk on, but between walking the queue, the pre shows, and ride, that ate up the whole half hour. We scooted over to Toy Story land to do Slinky Dog and Toy Story Mania. I don't love the food at Hollywood Studios. I like the fried boursin dish at 50s Prime Time. Hollywood Brown Derby made me and my daughter sick, so we have no interest in going back there. Sci Fi is a fun experience, but really hard to get reservation. I would go back to 50s Prime Time just for the cheese dish.

I love the quick service place in Pandora part of Animal Kingdom. Flame Tree is always recommended, but I didn't love it. There's several places you can get dole whips in AK, so we just do lots of those. My favorite experience in AK is the Animation Station at Rafiki's Planet Watch. You get a comfy chair, AC, and an animator teaches a different character every 45 minutes. You take a train out past the safari areas to get there. There is a petting area, and windows into a surgical area. It's great, and I've yet to see it super busy. I love the Lion King show. I've seen a few times where the 11 and 12 shows have no standby, just Genie +.

Magic Kingdom is another food meh for me. We like Skipper's Canteen (cheese bread is delicious), but rarely can get a reservation. I like the chicken strip salad at Columbia Harbor House. There's usually a lot of seating upstairs. We did Peco's Bill a ton, which is usually ok. I made a mistake and got a salad with their shredded chicken on it, and it still grosses me out thinking about it, LOL. Should've stuck with nachos.

Since you guys are good with waking early, make a plan for how you want to use it. It's not a lot of time, but you can absolutely avoid paying for the Individual Lightning Lanes. We rarely buy Genie +, so we try to be choosy with what we'll do, because we don't like being at the parks all day long. My kids prefer swimming in the afternoons. If you use Genie +, check the app for a few days leading up to your visit. Certain rides quickly sell out of earlier times, and then will sell out of times all together by late morning. Hollywood Studios always seems to sell out of ride times early on.

[wawa]

This is all awesome info! thank you everyone. And yeah, nicolewi, she's pretty amazing. Crazy to think we've been friends for 21 years.

EloiseWeenie, your list is making me feel good about our dining reservations! we've got 50's prime time, Sci Fi, and Skippers Canteen on our list so far.

[Wines Not Whines]

You’ll have a great time, especially with your Disney expert friend to lead you around. I echo the other recommendations for Dole Whips. For your adult-only escape, I really like Trader Sam’s, which is an interactive tiki bar at the Polynesian. The orange vodka slushes at the kiosk in France in Epcot are a must. The margaritas at the small bar inside the Mexico pavilion are also very good. They are legit, not watered-down wanna-be margaritas you may expect from a theme park. I also really like the gelato in France, and the fish and chips from the UK.

MK probably has the least interesting food. I like Bengal BBQ for a semi-healthy option.

I love the MK fireworks. They’re worth doing at least one night.

[mrsslocombe]

I actually like Epcot's nighttime show better than the current MK fireworks. I like to watched from the bridge between England and France because you are right by the exit so you can beat the crowds leaving the park.

For MK fireworks, I think this show is better a little further back-near Casey's Corner or the Ice cream pavilion. Or, it's actually really fun to ride Autotopia, the People Mover or Big Thunder during the fireworks and see them from the rides.

For Quick Service-Woody's Lunchbox at HS (the brisket sandwich is good, also the raspberry tart), Satuli Canteen at AK. The second floor of Columbia Harbor House at MK is the best kept secret-there's no one there, and it is VERY quiet. It's my favorite place to sit in the a/c and detox from the noise. The food's fine, it's nice to be able to get just some simple grilled salmon or shrimp. My favorite thing to eat in all of WDW is the nutella waffle sandwich at Sleep Hollow in MK but they only have it for breakfast now.

Also a tip for the a/c-if you want to order food at an outdoor quick service (like Woody's Lunchbox, Flame Tree BBQ, etc) order your drinks on the mobile app at place with indoor seating-that way you can sit inside in the a/c. Last time I was in Disney they were only allowing people inside with orders, they may have changed that though.

[wawa]

Another specific question - BFF hasn't been with whole family since they got rid of the magical express. 

What's your opinion on the transportation options? All our kids big enough to be ok with a booster, but I wasn't planning on bringing those with us.  should I be??

[Patsy Baloney]

We’ve taken Lyft/Uber with smaller groups and done fine.

My mom, when she took my oldest for spring break, did the Sunshine Flyer service. Said it was great. Busses are themed to look like trains. It is basically a paid Magical Express.

[twilightmv]

I used sunshine flyer to and from the airport. It was clean and reliable and the kids got cute hats. Once we were there, I preferred to Uber everywhere except MK, since they can only take you to the transportation and ticket center at MK.
I actually liked genie plus and LL and used it more than I thought I would on my recent trip. However, if you're doing the $$$ tour, does that mean they will take you to the front of the lines anyway?

[curbsideprophet]

Sounds like you have a great trip planned.

June is hot. I would be prepared to bail on the parks early if that is what your kids want to do. Mine are often ready to go swimming before some of the adults.

I would also try to look at the things you want to do and try to mix indoor things every couple of stops.

Nomad Lounge in AK is a great place to recharge. We request an outside table, get drinks/snacks and watch the character boats go by.

If your friend has access to the DVC lounge in Epcot that is also a nice place to cool down.

The walk to Epcot is easy from the Beach Club DVC Villas. Epcot might be my top choice for adults going out on their own given your location.
Lots of good food and drink options there.

I assume your friend is handling the VIP tour details but you may want to discuss any must do items ahead of time. VIP is a fun but long day.

[taratru]

You're doing a 2br at Beach Club Villas AND a vip tour on your *first* visit? I hope this is your only visit, because there will never be one as good.

You've gotten all the good advice. I'll just repeat the "parks in the early morning, back to hotel for swimming, parks at night" in June. It is so damn hot.

[wawa]

May 22, 2022 4:36:14 GMT -5 taratru said:

You're doing a 2br at Beach Club Villas AND a vip tour on your *first* visit? I hope this is your only visit, because there will never be one as good.

You've gotten all the good advice. I'll just repeat the "parks in the early morning, back to hotel for swimming, parks at night" in June. It is so damn hot.

Yep, that's the plan. Both that this is prob our only visit and also that we're hitting parks early and back to the pool for the afternoon. That was part of the big appeal to beach club too. Especially now that both my kids can swim well enough that I can safely blink while they're in a pool.

Though I sat this is our only visit, but my sister is a Disney person too. So...at some point she's going to make me go back.

[georgeglass]

wawa, we are big disney people and did a VIP tour last summer (gifted by a friend). It was amazing. We had the meet us in a park so as not to waste travel time. Plan a low-key day after, because it's a little exhausting.

As for transportation to the hotel, we booked Orlando Transfer www.orlandotransfer.net/ and they were great. It was nice to have a car there ready and waiting and we liked their covid protocols.