What is a popular thing you refuse to do in the park regardless of how much free time you have?
AskWDWSame goes for the parades. Watching it over a crowd still feels magical to me. Maybe it’s different if you have kids?
When my kid was small it was worth waiting 20-30 mins to get a front row on the parade because she LOVED it. And it gave us a chance to sit on the kerb and have a little snack and drink
It's different if you're short too lol. If I watch over a crowd, I'm just watching the back of people's heads. So it's either show up super early or just don't warch the parade, and it's very often don't watch the parade.
Yup, luckily I’m not a parade person, but I would have no choice but to try and stake out a spot if I was. And I’m not even that short, (5’2) I’m just shorter than most adults lmao
Yup! If I’m in the mood or it’s a special event like not so scary I may head to the area sooner than usual but it’s still fun no matter the place
Definitely different when you have kids. Pre-kids, parades were mainly an afterthought for us or something we'd stop to watch if we come up on one between attractions. Now we stake out spots since our oldest loves the parade and the interactions with some of the characters that walk right up to you during it.
Man. People get stupid aggressive about parade spots too. I usually put my kids on my shoulder, but the last time we were there the perfect storm of my wife wanting to shop and the kids taking a snack break a half hour before the parade meant I parked us in a prime spot on Main Street.
I then spent the next half hour refusing to budge me or my kids for a lady who kept trying to wedge her way in front of us despite cast members telling her to get out of the street. Then she tried using her stroller to push me out of the way, but I refused to move.
We were there first. People are crazy entitled when it comes to that stuff. Kids had a great time watching the parade though.
Maybe just a tad different since kids aren’t tall enough to see over people. Lol
Plus if they dress up as as certain character, that float might give them a little extra interaction if spotted. My daughter got a twirl and a bow from prince Phillip because she was dressed as aurora a few months ago.
I love hitting ride during the fireworks. Riding Astro Orbiter as the fireworks started was one of my favorite memories from MK
The Matterhorn at Disneyland is so fun during fireworks because you're between the castle fireworks launch and the main launch at the back of the park, so you're just surrounded by fireworks as you get your back cracked all the way around the mountain.
I have never had an issue either. I can get a great spot in the main hub in front of the castle 25 minutes before the fireworks start. I don’t ever push people out of the way or cut into their space either.
Exactly! I’d rather spend my time doing things than sitting and waiting any day
When we visited last year, we could ride three rides in our free time after dinner and before the fireworks.
I highly recommend everyone go get a spot 2-hours before so that we can do that again in the winter.
The fireworks are cool. But yeah, I'm not camping out on the sidewalk or whatever just to see them.
The fireworks are so high in the air, it’s always pretty easy for me to see. I actually prefer trying to ride Thunder Mountain during fireworks than standing in front of the castle anyway. Watching Epcot fireworks from the skyliner is great too.
Agreed! I’d much rather have a comfortable, obstructed view than stand for that long.
Last time I watched from the Casey’s Corner patio sitting and eating … it was very nice!
We got a crystal palace reservation and soon as we were done dessert, it was fireworks time. We stood on the porch to see them. It was awesome.
For my family the best place to catch the fireworks is on the parking lot side of the ferry docks. Those ferries usually have 20-30 people, and the ones just after are max capacity. It's worth beating the crowd.
Also, first ones in first ones out, Rusty.
Best experience watching the fireworks was back in May when I went with my wife, toddler son, and in laws. While the in laws went back to the room, we hoped on the people mover before the fireworks started. Barely anyone was getting on so we didnt have to get off and my son got to fall asleep in my wife's arms while we watched the fireworks on the people mover. Best experience ever.
Some people act like they never seen fireworks before
I don’t exactly “refuse” to do it but neither me and my husband, nor my son care about meeting characters/character dining. We avoid it because the lines are long and take up a lot of ride time and the meals are extremely expensive and long for not much added value for us.
That having been said, we plan to do a Christmas trip and will be staying at Wilderness and doing Storybook Dining because somehow that one seems like it’s a bit more of an experience than just a character meet-and-greet.
Same. We waited 40 minutes to meet Princess Tiana and Rapunzel, and while they were great, I doubt my daughter would want to do that again.
I think it's way more fun to bump into characters. Like when Jack Sparrow was making his way through the gift shop at Pirates, or when Aurora was waving to everyone leaving after fireworks. It makes the "world" feel more lived in, as opposed to a place where the characters work haha
We met our first character this year. I accidentally stumbled upon Cinderella getting ready for a meet and greet while I was nursing my babe. Finished up right as she was ‘ready’ and now have photos of me and my baby (who was completely comatose 🤣) with Cinderella. It was a fun accident!
Had a similar surprise interaction with Cinderella recently. I had just gotten off Seven Dwarfs right as the fireworks started (best time to ride it btw if you don’t care to see the fireworks in front of the castle) and decided to watch them from the area behind the carousel. In the middle of the show, suddenly Cinderella is walking through the crowd and watching the show with everyone and talking with kids. Nice little surprise to make up for not being able to see the projections lol. Also enjoyed watching the show from there since the fireworks are going off all around you.
My adult family went last visit and found it quite enjoyable...definitely enjoy your banter and time with the Evil Queen.
I didn’t realize the face characters actually talked much! I feel like it would be so hard to carry on a conversation “in character”. How does the Evil Queen act when she’s just having a casual convo?
I know some people love the banter and like to play with the characters (who are usually very talented improv actors) but I just find it awkward and uncomfortable to be honest. Not what I come to theme parks for really.
She's never having a casual convo, lol. She speaks with a certain amount of disdain and commanding force. Lean into it, you kind of have to play along in her world. Maybe mention how lovely Snow White was when she came around to your table and wait for her reaction. Ask her about her Magic mirror or if she knows where to find the best apples. I found Snow White to be a very vacant interaction but Dopey, Grumpy and the Evil Queen were quite fun. You're paying a lot to be there, so you might as well have fun with it!
My fiancee and I did storybook dining and it was one of my favorite things from our tip.
We did character dining and my dad was dead against it. It ended up being one of his favourite things from the whole trip and he even ended up getting photos with characters!
Story Book Dining at Artist Point at Wilderness might be my favorite meal on property. Get the pork shank, trust me
I totally agree with you about the character stuff! Just too old to care, and I’m not into taking photos so it doesn’t really serve that purpose either.
The Storybook Dining thing sounds nice though! There are certain worthy exceptions I wouldn’t mind trying once.
For us, Storybook Dining and breakfast at Topolino’s Terrace are the only two that are worth the $$ of a character meal because the food is actually good (Storybook) and pretty great (Topolino’s).
imho character dining like breakfast at Cape May Cafe or at Hollywood & Vine are great. There are plenty of characters, taking photos, and multiple visits from them. Food is fair. BUT the Beast’s visit at Be Our Guest wasn’t worth it at all. Food was great and the place is beautiful, but we won’t do that ever again and won’t miss it.
Tomorrowland speedway. (I'm sorry if this is your favorite attraction). I honestly feel like the imagineers did a brain scan of me and used it to meticulously craft an attraction that was my own personal hell. I don't like loud noise, exhaust smell makes me instantly feel super nauseous, I find it to be uncomfortable and bumpy, and on top of all of that, the ride and especially the queue are mostly in the sun.
I don't know if it's popular or not, but it seems to have a long line.
I wish they would update this. Keep it, but moderinize it:
- use electric cars (it is tomorrow land after all)
- update the theming some.
- increase the speed a little
- fix the damn steering! (Last time I tried it the steering was just plan awful!)
Making it electric would be a no brainier. Make the batteries hot swappable so they don't spend too long charging
It's sad that the steering is so gosh darn awful lol. If you want to save yourself a trip to the chiropractor then just steer to one side for the majority of the ride and it'll hold the car against the track so you're not constantly bumping left and right (what feels like fighting the track each step of the way).
When I was like 10 that ride was awesome. Look I'm driving!
Now it's just noisy and smelly. If they could jazz it up and make it electric that might help. But at the moment it seems like a waste.
Yep. Once you can drive an actual car, driving a much slower / noisier / bumpier / smellier car-shaped approximation rather loses its appeal.
YES! When I was a kid I thought it was soo cool, and now I avoid it
I swear when people ask me what is the WORST possible job to have at MK? 1000% working Tomorrowland speedway. Hot, stonky, NO break from the sun, loud…
Driving to the parks is already hard enough. A break from driving is needed.
(This mentality does not apply to Test Track, because that ride is entertaining and over-the-top and doesn't slowly chug along)
Pay for water, wait more than 5 mins for parade
Record videos of myself walking around for social media.
Camp out for fireworks/parades.
Wait in line to meet characters.
Buy something at Disney Springs that I could buy at home , Lego for example. There are two Lego stores by my house I can shop at instead.
Dumbo or any of its clones (Astro Orbiter & Flying Carpets). If/when I have kids and take ‘em, then I’ll get on Dumbo again.
Astro Orbiter at night is my trip highlight. I feel like I can’t shut down MK without it, but you have to time it right bc that wait is too long.
Absolutely. Whenever we go to Disney, we don’t focus on the fireworks display so we make use of that time to ride attractions with usual long wait times during the day. Space mountain with a 5 minute wait time followed by Astro Orbiter at 0 minutes while the firework show is happening is spectacular.
The only one we did like that was Aladdin since it is one of my (39) favorite movies 😅
My husband and I did Dumbo for the first time on our trip back in November. It made both of us nauseous so… never again for us. 😂😂
buy popcorn buckets
Even if you don’t collect all the new ones, having a $2.25 snack available is the best deal at the parks.
And at Epcot you can get maple popcorn at the kiosk in Canada for the same price!
If I'm at Disney, I'm not going to eat popcorn. The unique treats are such a major reason to keep coming back.
The real cost of the popcorn/mickey pretzels/mickey ice cream isn't the money - it's the stomach space.
But the snack is….popcorn? There’s just too many interesting things to eat at Disney for me to care about popcorn, even if it’s cheap. I’ll just never get the popcorn buckets.
Maybe if they ever do actually install more water bottle refill stations I could get onboard with eating salty popcorn all day.
The Mickey jackolantern one we got at MNSSHP has become a mainstay of our Halloween decorations at home.
Go at all between April-October, its just too dang hot. I live somewhere that gets basically just as hot and humid, I'd rather not spend my vacation melting in the sun .-.
Hall of presidents. As a local, I've been hundreds of times but never have I ever been in the hall of presidents
It's become too politicized (go figure). People cheer or boo whoever the president is doing the oath of office speech at the end. Just watch the damn show and shut up!
I went a couple months ago, and no one booed OR clapped at anything! Everyone was extremely respectful of everything. We all kept our opinions to ourselves and it was nice
See, I just never wanted to go because it seemed kinda boring, but now it sounds gross. No thanks. I go to disney world to escape the real world - not get more of it.
Last time we attended, a guy started yelling at two Asian men behind him. When it got to Trump they said something in their language and I guess he thought they were insulting Trump. The two Asian guys were like “wtf did we do?”. I didn’t think it would get worse than when Obama was added but it did so we skip it.
For the record, I’ve never been to the hall of presidents show and heard anyone make a noise. I know it happens and people have talked about it. But it doesn’t happen every time.
I went in February and there were applause for Trump which made me roll my eyes harder than they have ever rolled but that was about it
Going with my family and I am going to steer my mom FAR away from Hall of Presidents because I know her chronic political facebooking is absolutely a dead giveaway that she’ll boo and make political remarks that are totally inappropriate and will reflect badly on our whole party. I am going to try to have a heart to heart with her beforehand but I am telling her flat out if she can’t promise to keep her opinions to herself then she will have to go alone while the rest of us do something else.
I used to love it. We went soon after 9/11 and people were quiet throughout the entire presentation and then cheered/ clapped at the end. Some even had tears in their eyes. How times have changed!
I see it as a once in a decade kind of show, or it’s really hot and I’m tired kind of show. Not a high priority attraction
To all the people saying you will never go on the hall of presidents, so you not like naps? I dare you to find a better place to take a 30 min Power Nap in the middle of the day.
Hall of Presidents.
I live in the DC area, technically Virginia. No interest. CAUSE I'M ON VACATION. I can do more of that stuff in authentic, historical locations nearby.
Plus ya know, I don't want to see people get "rowdy".
This comment might ruin magic.
I totally get it. I have a little spot in my heart for HoP. 20 years ago (wait what? Where did the time go) I worked 3rd shift security at magic Kingdom.
They were doing electrical work in that area meaning the alarms would not work for the historical artifacts on display - so I had to do physical security in the HoP.
I also got a tour and got to see the miles of film (now digital) and go under the presidents whom all had puppy pee pads under them because they would leak fluid.
In the past year I was finally able to take my BF into HOP. He enjoyed it, but man ppl ruined it. Just sit there, be quiet and perhaps clap at the end if you want to.
The historical artifacts and the film itself are good.
The figures are good for their technical aspect.
The show itself is good, just needs less idiots attending.
It's entertaining for me to know they all have pee pads underneath. This is a new favorite behind the scenes Disney factoid.
My understanding is they were all converted to compressed air (I think) or perhaps micro servos, so the pee pads were not needed anymore.
Don't ruin this for me haha. The image of presidents standing there needing pee pads is wonderful.
I find it magical to be in a room with so many elaborate animatronics. I know that some of them are men who were/are awful people, but I love animatronic technology too much to dislike the attraction. It's a fascinating relic of Walt's fascination with history.
Ya people have ruined that for me. I don't need to hear cheers for a certain person and boos for another.
I used to enjoy it
This is why I avoid it. It's so annoying. I just don't process what goes through people's minds when they do this.
Like to me you can't have less of a personality if you care that much
I haven't been in there in awhile and didnt realize people do this. This is bonkers to me. They're booing a robot. Do they think the person they're booing is going to find out? Lemme go to Disney and be so pissed off at a president that I need to take time out of my thousand dollar day to go boo a robot representation of him. Good God people are dumb.
It's the footballification of politics. Politics is now an emblem, a colour, a jersey that some people need to wear on their body at all times so that others know their politics.
Sadly, they're not just booing a robot, but they're basically grunting look at me and my politics. You all need to know I am the main character and my politics is the correct one.
I was so disappointed by that the last time I went to HoP. Which was during his term. The hooting and hollering was pretty terrible.
Like, no one is cheering for Washington or Lincoln. Just that one guy.
It makes me want to cheer for some random President, like Garfield or Arthur.
Cheer for Garfield, but do it non consecutively.
The American Adventure achieves the same goal but better, anyway.
Missing out on the best AC and nap spot in the Magic Kingdom
Carousel of progress isn't your fave for nap? Longer nap, comfier seats. HoP doesn't move, though, which could be a plus.
I can live with this
I live in VA too! Hall of presidents is where my family goes to cool down, and when my brother and I were babies it was where my parents took us to nap.
My dad is also a history nerd so it’s one of his favorites ! We have never had a negative experience with it :)
Same reason I don’t want to stay at Port Orleans. I live in the south; staying there would not be a “getaway.”
Stand in line for a popcorn bucket or tiki mug.
Pin trade.
Is pin trading still popular? For some reason, I just don’t see it being that big at spots that offer it. Not being in it myself, it probably just isn’t that obvious because I’m not paying any attention to it. Would like to hear from someone who participates in it.
I love my pins. Like so much (I like to collect certain things) and my son is now really into them also. You never know when you’ll walk up to a pin board and see something you never even knew you wanted.
Some of the best trading also came from the other people surrounding the pin board. More likely to get a really good trade of better pins.
Only really good if you love the pins. Probably either a love or hate thing 🤣
I think covid took a lot of steam out of it. My youngest got into pin trading so we were doing it but when the social distancing and other restrictions hit it pretty much wasn’t happening. Last time we went it was much diminished, basically hunting down pins to trade.
It still very much exists. Though, it's more of "find our pin board" for most locations. Somebody is getting good ones though cause I've seen them occasionally. Especially good to check after a new cast/trade exclusive set like the ones in December.
Oh it’s big baby
When the wife and I were in the queue for Guardians this last time, I heard a loud "ching ching ching" coming from behind. I turned around and saw a group of three friends with a bunch of pins on them. One of them (whom I will refer to as "King Pin") had literally hundreds of them... he had two lanyards on, both of which were filled with pins, and his Loungefly was also covered with pins to the point where I couldn't really make out the Loungefly theming.
If it makes him happy, then great! I try to not judge, especially at WDW - it's a judgement free zone. But pins are definitely not my bag. I've never bought one, but I might be persuaded to pick one up if it's a character I love, and if a CM or somebody gives me one I will cherish it. But I'm not into collecting just for the sake of collecting.
Waiting hours for parades or fireworks
Mid day breaks. I hear so many stories of people planning their day around taking a break in the middle. If I’m spending $150+ for a day I can’t justify taking a multi hour break
I never used to take breaks. And I would suffer for it. Once I rope dropped magic kingdom and stayed through until the end of MNSSHP. It was 2 am by the time I got back to my hotel. I couldn’t move the next day. I had done almost 12 miles zigzagging around the park. Sometimes I take breaks by sitting somewhere quietly to recharge (usually with a snack in front of me) sometimes I go back to the hotel. My trip next month we’ll be taking a hotel break because my 2 year old gets a way better nap in a bed than a stroller and it would be a 16 hour day without that break.
LOL - February 29th, 2012 - Give Another Disney, Day. Magic kingdom for 24 hours straight.... Will never, ever, even attempt something like that again.
You absolutely have to take a break with a toddler. That’s the only way we survived rope drop and closing. Now that my kids are older (10 & under) we take a short dip to one of the nearby resorts. I can usually convince them to take a 15min nap on the monorail, or close their eyes in the Poly lobby. It’s a welcome and necessary change of pace.
This is exactly how we've been doing it for over 30 years. I don't think I've been in a park at 1pm my entire life.
Obviously everyone should do what works for them, but if you have that amount of time then it makes sense to break the day up. Even if you just take advantage of visiting the nearby resorts. We love a monorail hop to go get lunch at Captain Cook's or a walk down to the Beach, Yacht and Boardwalk.
If I’m only going to be at Disney for 1-3 days, yeah I’m pushing through. But honestly if I’m staying longer it’s A. Miserably hot and B. Super busy during the 1-4 window. I will always choose rope drop where it’s cooler and I can go on a ton of rides vs sleeping in and being hot and not being able to go on that many rides
If I’m spending $150+ for a day I can’t justify taking a multi hour break
When you pay $700 a night for several nights for a deluxe resort, this doesn't hold up. You pay for convenience to go back as a part of that. Zero chance I'd rather be in a line at MK at 1pm on a Florida summer day than having a cocktail in stormalong Bay resting my feet,then changing my clothes go and close out a magical evening. Rope drop > mid day break > close the park will net you nearly as many rides for far less anguish.
Given the volume discount, my resort was probably $5000 last trip compared with like $700 of tickets for a week. And I made the most of it.
Man I’m the opposite, at this point I’m either not starting my day until 11am-ish or I’m taking a nap in the middle of the day. I don’t have fun anymore once I hit a certain point of tired so a break allows for more fun!
With small kids it's not a choice. It's either you take a break, or they have a major meltdown and you need to leave early anyway
We're doing 2 weeks at Disney so we're going to enjoy the midday breaks. Have a nice lunch, hit the pool, relax and recharge.
Similar to your logic, we're spending $220/day for Coronado Springs and we want to enjoy the resort. By comparison the theme park tickets only come to $40/day.
A lot of the discussion is about table service restaurants but we almost never do them. It never seems worth the time and money compared to quick service (and we don't care about the character meeting)
Same. And I feel like I hear a lot of people complain saying the food isn't worth the price at a lot of the sit down places. And it adds more stress to your day with having to plan around food reservations.
Table service restaurants have the best food at Disney. I always look forward to eating when I go. You don’t have to do character meals to enjoy a good table service restaurant.
I guess I always just get my foodie fix from the EPCOT festivals.
EPCOT is great, but don’t sleep on Tiffins or the Hollywood Brown Derby. So yummy. Also many of the resorts have amazing food too. Topolino’s Terrace has an amazing dinner that isn’t a character meal.
One of the good things about Tiffins - AK closes at like 7 pm anyway, so if you grab the last reservation at 6:30 pm, you don't really lose out on any park time! (And walking from the restaurant back to the front gate through an almost totally empty park is kind of neat.)
I’m the opposite. For me, dining is 40% of the fun.
For me, dining is 70% of the fun. 😂 give me the food, snacks, treats, all of it. Hahahaha. I love all of the food at Disney.
Imo it depends on which ones you do and what parks. Space 220 is a pretty great experience.
And at Hollywood studios I'd take any of the table service places over the quick serve
I will say Sci Fi Diner is an experience worth doing.
50s Prime Time is always a hoot.
I think I'm realizing that, as a person who doesn't take breaks, naps, or have "pool days", that table service restaurants are my breaks. I'll plan basically the whole trip around what table service I hit up through the day. this last trip, I had to change my plans to cancel a lot of them last minute (my husband was suddenly unable to join me for most of the day) and while I didn't burn out, I definitely realized I was really missing them for that reason haha
The last few visits we’ve enjoyed having one or two table service meals at other resort hotels, and sticking to quick service in the parks. On arrival/departure days it can be fun to go explore other resort areas!
Our next trip is in November and on arrival day we’re planning to have dinner at Topolino’s Terrace, and then we’re doing Very Merry one day and will have lunch that day at the Wilderness Lodge.
Because agreed, a usually-mediocre meal that can take up 2+ hours when I’d rather be on attractions just no longer seems worth the time in any of the parks.
If I had my druthers, I would never do table service. It eats up waaaaay too much time and the food isn't anything to write home about. Gimme some of that quick service so I can go on the next ride faster! I have to compromise with my stupid husband, though, which includes giving him breaks.
Make a vlog. I'm there to enjoy the place, not "influence".
Drink around the world. I'm a lightweight, it's expensive, I usually drive to the parks (local-ish) so it's not safe, and I'm a picky drinker and there's not drinks in every country I'd want to try.
Standing in the photo line to hold the Tangled lantern
We won’t do fireworks in MK. Instead we take a boat to one of the closer resorts and watch from the beach.
Fireworks and parades - my family will stop and watch them, if we happen to be in viewing distance but it’s not Remotely on our must do list
I don’t know if this counts but I’ve always been anti water parks. I’m not sure why.
They never seemed super ‘Disney’ to me. Like I can go to a water park close to home. I’d rather spend my time at Disney doing more ‘Disney’ stuff
Last time I went to a water park (it was a lifeguard event with competitions and stuff) more than half of our guard team got giardia. So… that’s why I don’t go. It was 15 years ago and I didn’t even get sick, but I can’t shake it.
Wait in long lines. There is no ride at WDW worth waiting more than 45 minutes for IMO.
Rope drop.
Same here. And we never have an issue getting on all the rides we want to in a day at the parks. Disney is exhausting enough. I can’t imagine adding to that exhaustion by waking our kids up at the crack of dawn each day. No thanks.
We rope dropped every single day and were done all the main rides by 11. We only needed genie plus for guardians and tron. Other than that our days were spent wandering around to places we hadn’t been to yet
Camp out for hours to watch fireworks
Tea cups … Blech.
I have an amazing AMAZING photo of my 2 year old literally saying and acting out a puking face/sound. It was one of my favorite photos of the entire trip.
Mission space
Park hopping. I understand it if you only have a few days and want to fit in every park, but we always go for long enough that each park gets its own day. So much time is wasted traveling from one park to the next and there's plenty to do at each park to fill an entire day, if not more. Plus, you save money not buying the park hopper tickets.
The only time we ever used Park Hopper was when it was included in the package we got. And we ended up only using it one day. It just wasn't worth it for us.
Waiting in lines takes so long, you kind of need a full day at a park if you want to experience most of it.
The last few times that I went, I was staying over at the Beach club. Park hopper made sense when we preferred late dinners at Epcot and then could just walk to the hotel at the end of the night.
But it was a freebie as part of a vacation package, and we would rope drop whatever park had the extra hours and then stay until we had to travel to dinner.
Small world.
And due to the fact we got stuck by Ursula on the little mermaid ride for about 40 minutes on our last trip, will never be doing that again, either.
You poor unfortunate soul.... 🎶
(I'm with you. Got stuck for 10 minutes and now avoid that ride like the plague)
You poor, unfortunate, soul!
Did they keep the audio going the whole time, or did they shut everything down while you waited? I can't decide which would be more annoying!
Kept it going. And it glitched. Child has sensory issues, and was banging head, plugging ears, and crying.
That happened to me once. That Caspian sea line is burned into my brain.
Not in the parks, but we refuse to ever go to Disney Springs again. We just don't get it, a glorified strip mall is not why we go to Disney. We blocked out a portion of one day last year to eat at Homecomin' and thought the food was fine, not great, and the rest of the experience was meh, we thought the whole experience was a waste of our Disney time.
You know, I used to think the same thing. "We have outlet malls at home. Same thing, right?"
I just went for the first time this year, and I now appreciate how much effort Disney put into making it a really pretty area to walk around in though. My daughter went nuts for the concert that was playing for the night we went. And it's nice to get a break from theme park food for a meal while still technically being in "the bubble".
I wouldn't go there in the middle of a trip, but it was the perfect way to cap off the trip before flying home.
I think its more for locals honestly. Their AMC is fantastic and the restaurants aren’t bad. I wouldn’t advise anyone specifically make time for it on vacation but if you’re a local or have down time its not a terrible place to walk around
I constantly see people suggesting to block out a day for Disney Springs. Great for killing time after a flight, but I wouldn't make time for it on purpose.
We spend a couple of hours there each trip to hit a few specific Disney shops (and the Lego store since it’s much bigger than our closest one) , but that’s it. And we only go on our check-in day when we don’t have park time.
When we go we use Disney springs as a “rest day”. You can slowly pursue through shops, there’s some delicious food (shoutout to The Boathouse), and you can get most of it done within 3 hours. Then you go back to your hotel, take a nap, go to the pool, and you’re feeling ready for the parks again the next day
But hear me out: Gideons Bakehouse
We honestly only go to DS the day we arrive. We drive and get to the hotel between 2:30-3:30, rest, and then go over that way for dinner and to get Gideons. And the cookies keep insanely well. Just bring ziplocks.
It’s great for these reasons:
- The night you land in Orlando. Make the most out of your first night in Orlando before your park days.
- a lot of corporations have events at conference centers in the Disney Springs area so it’s a great place for corporate happy hours or dinner on the company’s dime without going to a park.
My problem with it is every time I’ve gone, it’s so packed full that it’s stressful to even walk down the sidewalk from store to store.
I went during the height of Covid and the line to get in from the parking garage was shoulder to shoulder for thousands of people. My wife and I just got back in the car and left 😂
This could just be the times of year I’ve gone or my unlucky experience but still.
Go to Starbucks. 😖
Go to the pool. The pool is for the kiddos to play and burn energy so I don’t find it a great place to relax. Plus I’m fair skinned so I don’t need to be in the sun anymore than I am just being in the parks. If I want a break, I just as well go back to the room to sit out on the balcony or lie down on the bed and take a proper nap.
Meet characters. Bring on the downvotes but I am much more a ride person.
Tower of Terror. I hate drop rides. I've only done it twice ever. Other than that, I can't really think of anything I would refuse to do.
With you on that one. Last time I went on it was high school when they still had the shared lap bar. Scared the hell out of me and even though I know they changed it I just have no desire to go again.
That sounds miserable lol. I'm glad I only ever did it with the individual seats. My first time ever going was like 5 years ago.
I used to skip ToT, but I have come to really enjoy it. I think with addition of Genie+ has made it easier to ride so that's why I have changed my mind.
Pin trade, watch magic kingdom fireworks in front of the castle;
The blue milk. Tastes nasty.
Peter Pan. I know it is iconic, it just is so underwhelming for the line that it entails.
Peter Pan. I refuse to wait 4 hours for a dark ride.
Watch the fireworks. I’ve not cared about fireworks, ever.
To me the fireworks and nighttime shows are when I feel the most Disney magic.
I don’t care about fireworks at all. Never have.
But that castle projection, along with the music and songs from all of my favorite Disney childhood memories, Jordan Fisher’s voice singing “Happily Ever After”… it makes me cry every. single. time.
Tom Sawyer Island. Never understood the appeal
Fireworks. We leave well before and miss the crowds it’s very pleasant.
Shows. I’m in my late 20’s without kids and I feel like there’s not really anything for me at them
Character meet and greets, fireworks, parades, shopping for useless/junky souvenirs
Parades. Not a fan unless its the Not So Scary parade. A night time parade means easy bus ride.
Well, never say never, but riding Small World (again) is my lowest priority.
Fireworks.
Never not purchase Genie + 😅 I’m not a local so I don’t want to waste my park time waiting in those extremely long lines and I have an impatient toddler so the shorter the line the better.
I will definitely get downvoted for this: we don't ride any of the rides.
I have a neck injury and any jostling or bumps, etc., exacerbates it even with strong pain meds, which then make me loopy.
We go, mainly to Epcot to eat and drink, and people watch. We interact with cast members and other guests.
We have fun.
Ride it's a small world. It's even I'm my wife's wedding vows she never will make me go on it.
Truth be told I'll ride Disneyland's once for the additional characters, but I've only been to Disneyworld
Mission to Mars Orange
Character meet and greets, though this is probably because I am a childless adult lol.
Another would be the world showcase Duck Tales adventure, the Pirates thing at MK, and the Batuu mobile app thing. I just can't be bothered with stuff like that, I'd rather just enjoy the theming of the park and explore.
Drink alcohol and especially not in excess. I only did it on one trip, and only because we had the meal plan that included an alcoholic drink with every meal (where available). So, I of course was getting my money’s worth from the meal plan but still it was one or two drinks a day. It’s too expensive there and I’m not a big drinker anyway.
I’m usually there in the summer and it’s bad enough being hot and sweaty sober.
I do not think it's a good use of time to do a sit down meal. The only one I do actually want to eat at is Cinderella's Royal Table. But for all of the other restaurants, I personally would rather grab quick service food and go wait in line for a ride or watch a parade.
Standby line for Seven Dwarves, or any other 30+ min wait time for that matter (unless its raining)
Drink around the World. I honestly just cant comprehend why you would spend all that money just to get drunk on overpriced booze.
Camp out for fireworks hours ahead of time. But I just don’t get that much out of the shows anyway.
Go anywhere near a parade
Ride the tower of terror. Did it once as a kid and it was way too much for me!
Rope drop, fireworks.
Rope drop or watch the fireworks.
I don't know how popular it is, but every time I suggest we see the Canadian CircleVision show my wife refuses, saying there are better things to do. Are we missing out?
Yes you are! It was recently re-recorded with Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara as the narrators and it’s a lovely snapshot of Canada. It’s absolutely worth a watch!
Small world😩, the next time I go on it will be when I have kids, until then I’ll avoid
Eat at one of the sit down restaurants/reserved dining. It just seems like a waste of time and money to me
Stake out a spot for fireworks hours before they start. I’ve never ever had a hard time finding a nice spot to watch them and didn’t have to waste a chunk of my magical (and expensive) day standing in one spot just to see something in the sky/on a giant castle