WDW Prep To Go - a Disney World planning podcast
 

Today I'm chatting about why my family's first Disney World trip wasn't great and hoping you can learn from what I did wrong to hopefully avoid it on your trip.

I also discuss recent Disney World news items and have a quick tip for people who will be using Magical Express buses to get to their resorts.

These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

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WHY MY 1ST DISNEY WORLD TRIP WASN'T GREAT

  • The planning process stressed me out a lot
  • My toddler son was difficult to deal with at home and on our trip
  • I planned a lot of our dining away from where we were planning to be each day
  • The Disney transportation system confused me and I wasn't sure how we were supposed to get between certain places during our trip

RECENT NEWS

The Tomorrowland movie will be in previews at Epcot beginning in mid-April. It will be shown in the theater where Captain EO has been since Michael Jackson's death and could be a sign that they are ending Captain EO.

Trader Sam's Grog Grotto is in soft openings this weekend and will be officially opening in mid-April at The Polynesian.

QUICK TIP OF THE DAY

People who will be using Magical Express buses to get to their Disney World resort and want a pic of the iconic Disney World sign should try to sit at the front. Learning how to use burst mode on your camera will help with taking pics while moving.

Have a quick tip of your own? Call it in at https://www.speakpipe.com/WDWPrepToGo

SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW EPISODES

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you're used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

Direct download: episode83.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

 

Today I'm discussing several bits of Disney World news and my thoughts on each one.

I also have a quick tip for people who plan to eat at Hollywood Studios Quick Service restaurants.

These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

BECOME A WDW PREP TO GO PATRON

WDW Prep To Go Patrons pay a little to unlock even more content than what’s on the main podcast feed, such as a private FB Group and exclusive audio that’s released on a private podcast feed.
 
Become a Patron Now

RECENT DISNEY WORLD NEWS

  • Innoventions West and part of Innoventions East will be closing in late April
  • Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party is being rebranded as Wishes Dessert Party which will begin on July 5 and include much higher prices
  • Be Our Guest breakfast is now available through June 18
  • Frozen events are returning to Hollywood Studios from June 17-September 7 and include fireworks, a dance party, a a twice-a-day cavalcade, and a stage show featuring Olaf. The Frozen Sing-Along will also continue to be available, but it's moving to the former American Idol Experience theater (which will now be called the Hyperion Theater).
  • A new Jungle Cruise-themed restaurant is rumored to be coming to Magic Kingdom

QUICK TIP OF THE DAY

Many/most Quick Service restaurants at Hollywood Studios offer specialty cupcakes that are usually delicious and count as a snack credit (or as a dessert on your Quick Service meal) if you're on the Disney Dining Plan, or they cost you around $5 if you're not.

Have a quick tip of your own? Call it in at https://www.speakpipe.com/WDWPrepToGo

SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW EPISODES

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you're used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

Direct download: episode82.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

 

I just got back from staying at the last of the Disney World Moderate Resorts so today I have my rankings for all of them.

I also have a quick tip about why it makes sense to show up last minute to some of the shows at Disney World.

These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

BECOME A WDW PREP TO GO PATRON

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COMMON CHARACTERISTICS BETWEEN ALL MODERATES

All Disney World Moderate Resorts have beautiful grounds, well-themed buildings, rooms that open up to outdoor corridors, and food courts.

All of the resorts except French Quarter also have multiple internal bus stops (7 at Caribbean Beach, 5 at Coronado Springs, and 4 at Riverside), an on-site restaurant, and Preferred Rooms you can book.

MY RANKINGS

#4 - Caribbean Beach Resort 
We just returned from staying at Caribbean Beach which had great staff, beautiful landscaping, a view of Illuminations from the beach areas, and the ability for families of up to 5 to stay. However, it's also logistically difficult with 7 internal bus stops and having the check in/out building separate from the main building, a bad on-site restaurant, and the least value for a Preferred Room.

#3 - Coronado Springs Resort
We spent spring break of 2014 here and it definitely has a more grown-up feel than other resorts, particularly because it's a convention hotel that caters to that group more than families. The Preferred Rooms here are a fairly good value but don't put you close to the main pool. This resort has extra amenities that are not offered as other moderates such as an on-site salon, health club, and business class (concierge) option for rooms.

#2 - Port Orleans French Quarter
The small size of this resort means that everything is more convenient but it doesn't offer as many amenities as a larger resort. For me, the things it lacks (such as an on-site restaurant) are easily made up for by heading next door to Riverside. There is a boat to Downtown Disney which is a nice option. There's only 1 bus stop here which is often convenient, but buses are sometimes shared with Riverside.

#1 - Port Orleans Riverside
With the best value for a Preferred Room, ability for families of up to 5 to stay here, the boat to Downtown Disney, good food court and on-site restaurant, this is my favorite of the moderates. The reputation for transportation being difficult here is well-deserved, but Disney is working on making that easier. People with a car will find it even more convenient (though I don't recommend driving to Magic Kingdom since the buses can deliver you to the front of the park).

Free Dining
No discussion of Moderate Resorts would be complete without mentioning Free Dining. During the Free Dining promotion, Moderate Resorts get the the Basic Disney Dining Plan for free, just like the Deluxe Resorts, so Moderate Resorts are the best bang-for-the-buck.

However, the Port Orleans resorts are usually excluded from the general public offer (but are often included in individual PIN code offers or bounceback offers). Families of 5 will need to stay at Caribbean Beach Resort, while others should decide if Caribbean Beach or Coronado Springs are better suited for their families.

QUICK TIP OF THE DAY

Some of the shows at Disney World have a better view from the back and it often makes sense to show up to those last minute rather than waiting in line far ahead of time. For instance, I usually slip in to Fantasmic just 5-10 minutes before it begins. Another example is the Finding Nemo show at Animal Kingdom which is easier to watch from the back.

Have a quick tip of your own? Call it in at https://www.speakpipe.com/WDWPrepToGo

SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW EPISODES

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you're used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

Direct download: episode81.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

 

After traveling to Disney World several times, we've developed a bit of a routine for how we begin and end our trips, as well as how our days usually go while we're there. I have details of that for you today.

I also have a quick tip for people who are interested in getting a rental car for part of their trip.

These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

BECOME A WDW PREP TO GO PATRON

WDW Prep To Go Patrons pay a little to unlock even more content than what’s on the main podcast feed, such as a private FB Group and exclusive audio that’s released on a private podcast feed.
 
Become a Patron Now

MY DISNEY WORLD ROUTINE

Arrival day
I always check the packing list before leaving home, arrive at the airport early, take a picture of the parking spot, go through security and then eat or stay entertained while waiting for the flight to leave.

People with young kids might consider packing a vacation travel bag which I've always had my kids open at the gate since we tend to arrive early and it helps them stay busy.

After arriving at the Orlando airport, we like to go to the bathroom and grab a bite to eat at the food court in the remote terminal building before taking the tram to the main building. This graphic helps show how the airport is set up.

We then go to the main terminal and get our luggage at the baggage carousel. You may opt to have Magical Express transport it, but it can take up to 3-4 hours for them to deliver your bags.

After getting our bags, we then head to the Magical Express desk on side B, level 1, and board the bus to our resort. I unpack our stuff right away so everything is easy to access and then I get our park bag ready for our first park day.

Each day of our trips
We get up in the morning and get to the bus stop an hour before the park opens that day. We have bottled water and a snack on the way and usually arrive 30-40 minutes before park opening.

We tour for a couple of hours and have lunch around 11 where we discuss how we'd like to spend the rest of the day.

Our days end with a shower, reviewing the next day's plans, and repacking the park bag for the next day.

Departure day
On departure day, we pack up the room, go to the airline check-in desk to get our boarding passes and check our checked bags. We then take carry-on bags to luggage services and head to the parks.

About 4 hours before our flight time, we board the bus back to the resort to get our bags out of luggage services and then catch Magical Express back to the airport.

After arriving at the airport, we go through security and hang out near the food court where we can plug in our devices, eat, and refill our drinks while we wait.

QUICK TIP OF THE DAY

People staying on-site can rent a car for part of their trip. There are National and Alamo desks at the Car Care Center and The Dolphin. Downtown Disney hotels also have Avis (at the Hilton), Budget (at the DoubleTree), and Dollar (at the Wyndham) rental car desks.

This graphic helps illustrate where each of these are located and how to get there.

Have a quick tip of your own? Call it in at https://www.speakpipe.com/WDWPrepToGo

SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW EPISODES

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you're used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

Direct download: episode80.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

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