Other Disney parks?

Ive noticed by the posts on TA that it sounds like alott of European travelers come to Disneyworld. How is the Paris DW? Is it cheaper or just a better experiance?

TNCLEUEN

Other Disney parks?

I think most on the forum agree that Orlando is way better then Paris

Other Disney parks?

I went to Paris (looking for answers to questions...) ahem, where was I?

Sorry :) Anyways, we went to Disneyland Paris about 10 years ago (TEN YEARS EEK!) and it was a much different experience. It was neat, but I%26#39;ll take WDW any day. It was kind of dirtier. And what was interesting was half of the attractions were in English and half was in French. And on some rides, it was mixed! Plus, WDW because it has 4 parks has a lot more to offer than the one in Paris.

Yea , thats kind of the responses I thought.

I figure WDW is kind of the ';center of the universe'; and everything expands outward from there.

Great Buffett reference there, Kat!! Love that song!!

I think most folks in the U.K. find it actually cheaper to come to Orlando WDW than Paris anyway, plus you get so many other things in the area too.

I%26#39;m spoiled being only a few hundered miles away, but I really like WDW Orlando. Can%26#39;t see ever getting to Paris..except via Epcot.

I wouldn%26#39;t bother coming to Paris either if i lived over the pond. The whole Florida experience is unbeatable.There is no comparison between the two.

The ONLY possible advantage for us is that its so much closer,and the travel time makes it attractive,but thats it. No contest.

Having been to Disneyland, WDW, and Eurodisney.

I like the original Disneyland in Anaheim as the house that Walt built. It has special magic for me and also because it was the first Disney park I ever went to many years ago.

WDW is a total different experience because of the sheer number of parks involved where Magic Kingdom is just a big cog in a bigger theme parks machine.

Disneyland Paris is an alternative, popular with Brits but not up there yet. A bit like Coco cola Light. But I am hoping to check it out again later this year to see how it has evolved.

I%26#39;m glad you got the reference Kat :)

We were over in Europe and visited England and France. Well, you can%26#39;t have a Disney-loving family in France and NOT do Disneyland Paris, now can you? So we made sure that we did it. Unfortunately what I remember most is getting a migraine that day :%26#39;(

I go to France a lot. but I%26#39;ve never ever been tempted by EuroDisney.

I%26#39;ve lived in the US and now back in the UK. Done both parks and WDW is WAAAAYYYYYYY better. Disneyland paris is , as people have already said, just 2 parks, much smaller, lots of things in French (which I don%26#39;t speak other than the greetings- bad I know!) but worst of all is the smoking! In the queues, outside food eateries, everywhere!

Also Florida has the weather! When you live year round in a predominately rainy just above chilly country, holidays need to be someone sunny and warm. Paris is pretty much the same climate so the very unpredictable weather wise.

From a very cold damp Wales!!! brrrrr!!!

brown hair

Vacation Planning Software ?

Is there a program available where I can enter, say, 20 tourist locations in Florida %26amp; the South and it will place them in the BEST ORDER for (a) shortest road distances and (b) most scenic routes ?

Of course every Route Planner will do this for any two points, BUT without the above info I can%26#39;t decide what order to place my 20 locations in to begin with.

Ramblesider

beacon by the sea motel

We stayed at the beacon on our trip to florida and it was not anything like it said on the webite. It was old and run down. The room wasn%26#39;t horrible but it wasn%26#39;t what we were told it was. There was no maid service at all. You had to wash your own towels and sheets. The pool was never cleaned not one time the whole week we were there. It had sand, bugs, and bird poop in it! When we arrived there was laundry left in the dryer for us to fold. You could tell that nothing was done to the place to try to keep it up. We were also told that our room had a pool table in it and the was no pool table when we arrived. The owner told us that the roof was messed up during a hurricane and that it had ruined the pool table. There was no signs of a new roof. It looked like the same roof as when it was built a long time ago. Would not reccomend this hotel to anyone!

beacon by the sea motel

Chas - where is this place that you stayed? The only Beacon that I was aware of was near Silver Beach bridge on South A1A - the Beacon that was torn down over 2 years ago to make room for condos that they have yet to break ground on. I%26#39;d be interested to hear where this place is located.

beacon by the sea motel

beacon by the sea has been a family retreat for years and will be forever...each unit is unigue.. we are never bothered by a maid each unit has its own free laundry...the pool is always inviting we can relax by the pool and bar b que where can you do that in the sky scraper concrete messes with thousands of people around ?????

disney dining reservations

Does Disney charge for making lunch or dinner reservations?

We are traveling Jan 25 for 7 days do you think I still need to make dining reservations for the parks keep in mind it is superbowl week.

disney dining reservations

There are only a few Restaurants that require a Credit Card Number to book, Most do not require this

I would call ASAP if there is something you have your Heart set on :)

www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining.htm

disney dining reservations

The ';best days'; predictors are saying the Super Bowl weekend is going to be crowded, so I would definitely call and see what%26#39;s available. I%26#39;m guessing there won%26#39;t be many spaces for ';walkups'; that weekend.

As Partypa said, only a select few places require a credit card deposit, so most places you can easily cancel if you change your plans.

Hi Puppychi

They don麓t take a amount if You show, Its only if You are a no shower. They asked me for a creditcard number for Akershus Epcot dining and for the bippi boppi di doue shop.

Mutter

Thanks

I am having a hard time since it is superbowl week (we get there the sunday before) what parks do we do Monday the 26 to Sat 31. Do I take adv of EMH days.

I need help

Have a look at www.touringplans.com They will help you to decide which Parks are Best to Visit on which days

Forum for villas?

This may be a stupid question. Is there any type of site or forums that would kind of ';rate'; individual villa rentals? We are thinking of renting a house for next Christmas and I do not like to blindly enter into things. I have read posts here of some bad things that have happened in renting and I really hate to just take a chance. Just wondering...

Thanks!

Forum for villas?

It%26#39;s not a stupid question. Here are some sites to help you out: www.orlando-guide.info/forums %26amp; www.thedibb.co.uk %26amp; www.disboards.com scroll down to orlando %26amp; attractions, many members have rented villas. I always use www.orlandovillas.com and have been very pleased with them. They will contact you with the owners and the have pictures of their homes posted Good Luck.

Forum for villas?

To be honest ive never found one (thats not to say there isnt) ive been renting villas in Florida for about 25 years and before that 15 years of hotel holidays.

Im afraid its google and google then narrow the area you like down, then google some more,i tend to spend about 4 hours a evening for about a week untill i have 6 on my short list then i start to contact owners.

Though i have nothing against US owners i tend to deal with UK owners only .Once weve started a rapport then i will book ,you get a feel about people and to be honest ive only had 1 bad deal and that was a rush job through a booking company .

Good luck with your search ,i tend now to stay around the Formosa gardens area in gated communities close for Disney and shopping and eating though you do need car hire to enjoy it.

north face book bags

Making a 5 Year Birthday Extra Special

We are spending a few days in Disney during February for our son%26#39;s 5th birthday and was wondering if there is anything we should be on the lookout for or make reservations for on the day of his birthday to make it extra special. I realize that staff members are not supposed to give extra attention to children just because it is their birthday, but wondering if his birthday would be the day to do a character meal or something else that maybe I have not thought of.....This will be our first trip to Disney so I really do not have any idea....We are staying at the Polynesian...

Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

Making a 5 Year Birthday Extra Special

Absolutely!! A character meal with his favorite characters would be a great idea and not extremely cost prohibitive either.

What are his favorite Disney characters? Here%26#39;s a page that gives all the character dining meals to help you decide:

http://allears.net/din/cb.htm

Just be aware that, as of this weekend, the character meal at Liberty Tree Tavern is sadly ending, so that one won%26#39;t be available.

Making a 5 Year Birthday Extra Special

BTW, you do know about the ';free entry on your birthday'; at Disney, correct?

Be sure, when you arrive at your given park on his big day, you go to the guest services area and get him a birthday pin to wear that day. He may get just a little bit of extra service for it, but don%26#39;t count on it 100%.

FYI, you need to sign-up for the Birthday ';free entry';, before you arrive at Disney. You can order decorations for your hotel room, have a ';celebration package'; at your character meal, order a special birthday cake, etc. It%26#39;s the perfect time to celebrate, at Disney!

There is a wonderful ';Pirate Cruise'; at the Grand Floridian (next door to the Poly) that your son will love. I have heard rumor that the Poly may also host a pirate cruise. Worth checking into.

You%26#39;ll have so much fun, celebrating on your trip!

Another option might be the T Rex Restaurant at downtown disney. I know my sons favorite characters don%26#39;t have a character meal. Buzz, Woody, Sully, Mike, etc.

What a great place to spend a 5th birthday.

Hi Patsfirrrl

We just spend our daughter 6 years birhtday at T-Rex

on the 30 th December They have good food and we got a share dessert with some iceing smoke on the table and the servants was singing for her. Only thing about this restaurant is that You dont book above You have to que to get a table so start a bit earlier then You want to eat.

Mutter

Here%26#39;s a Link to all the ';get in free on your Birthday'; info

www.wdwinfo.com/Disney2009Celebration.htm

Have Fun :)

Thank you all so much for the great ideas! I think we will spend most of our time on property, although the TRex restaurant sounds fun, my 15 month old may be terrified. I plan on making him a special shirt with mickey iron ons and getting him a button - maybe balloons. We are all set for the free admission (thank you very much) and can%26#39;t wait for our trip! I think I%26#39;m more excited than he is! I%26#39;m sure I%26#39;ll have a ton more questions - this forum is soooo informative. Thanks again!

long hair

Encantada Resort Kissimmee

Has anyone stayed at this resort and in particular stayed at the 3 bedroom town houses there? After a look around were now going in February next year instead of October as planned and have been offered an early special on this, Iv had a look at their site and they look lovely not to far from everything and theres restaurants etc close by and they have private pool, so just looking if anyone has stayed here and what was your opinion of the place. Thanks in advance!

Encantada Resort Kissimmee

I will be staying at Encantada from the 16th tp the 29th, when I get back home I%26#39;ll post a trip report.

Bill

Encantada Resort Kissimmee

Thanks for the reply just booked it all now for there!

Hi all! Checking in to see if pgbilly returned from Encantada. My family is heading there for spring break in a few days. Any advice and input would be great! Thanks!

Hi stayed at encantada in april and going back in Aug. We loved it!! You wont be dissapointed. 2 miles from disney and lots of restaurants near you and also 2 pulix a couple of minutes away. all townhomes have there own pool and the resort itself has 2 pools overlooking a lake. very relaxing after a day out at the parks!!!

Enjoy

eva

Excellent...... i am going in 15 days time for 2 weeks with 5 adults and a 21month old girl. Is it possible you could tell me a few things?

is it a new resort. Are there still building work going on? is there any night entertainment in the complex of the resort. is there are a bar that serves beers etc. If so is it open during the day, and can you take wine/beers from there to communual pool? is it complex easy walking distance to shops bars restaurants? does the road 192 near the complex filled with restraunts bars activities etc or is it just motorway?

is it easy to get to universal and disney etc by car. will i need to hire a sat nav? whats the temps there just now?

is it busy and if so do you have any tips on what days to avoid certain parks. how long were your waiting time for the big rides i.e. kraken, hulk, duellingdragons,etc.

Oh my .... i have so many questions.....hahhaha... hope u can enlighten me

cheers

A little late in the report area, but our stay at Encantada was terrific. Great location, with ample shopping close by, about a 5-10 minute drive to the parks and a nice pool and lake view with decent fishing. We had a three bedroom unit and the private pool was a favorite amongst my kids. More than once the kids wanted to escape the parks and head back to resort to go swimming.

As far as the parks go we did all the Disney parks once and then went back to Magic Kingdom for a second and a third time, we really enjoyed all the parks. We spent a day at Blizzard Beach, a day at Aquatica and a day at Sea World and all were great and very entertaining. Spent a day at each of the Universal parks with Islands of Adventure being my favorite park we went back for another day and purchased the parks version of the ';Fast Pass'; that was expensive however well worth it as we worked through a ton of rides.

We took advantage of some great restaurants in the area for most dinners (we ate breakfast at the resort and packed lunches and snacks for the days out) we dined at Texas de Brazil, Bucca de Peppo, Outback and many restaurants on site at the parks. We prebooked the Fantasmic Dinner package that was very good and well worth it.

What else, well we spent a day at Caladesi Island lounging on the beach, collecting shells and trying my luck at some fishing from shore. The Island is beautiful and we were lucky enough to see some of the wild tortoises that inhabit the area. After we were dropped of the ferry we headed to downtown Tampa and went to a hockey game at St Petes Times Forum (Lightning and Panthers) then back to the resort. My son and I also spent a day fishing in Mosquito Lagoon with Troy Nash for giant Redfish. The day was perfect weather conditions as it was very flat in the morning and my son and I each landed a ton of very large (25-40 pound) reds, incredible. We had a couple of floater days in our schedule that got ate up very quickly, we were in central Florida for 15 days and next time we won%26#39;t think twice about planning on three weeks instead. We would have liked a couple more days just to relax around the resort, especially after some of the longer park days. All in all a great trip, with alot of memories we all will never forget.

Cheers Bill

hey bill sound like you had a ball. We too loved Encantada and its just a great location. we had the 3 roms with provate pool which was ace. We did all the parks like yourselfs and must say the fast passes at universal were terrific.. How good is spiderman and the simpson ride... by far the highlight of our holiday. Only wish disney would do the same ticketing as universal as when we went in July it was very busy and we didn%26#39;t see anything near all of what we wanted to in magic kingdom.

Wish i had taken more time to find a good beach to go to... we ended up in st petesburgh... Maderia beech which was a public beech and full of seeweed and not very nice.... nothing like the Caribean white sands palm trees look i had imagined. it was a busy holiday and thank got we could afford it ... as we went to spain to a private rent villa within 4 weeks of returning from florida......just to relax ah aha hahh

I here what your saying, we definitely felt that we needed a holiday after the holiday. We seriously were considering heading back to Orlando this March, and the kids were really pushing it, however my wife and I decided on a relaxing holiday. So we are Provo bound, sun, sand and bonefish. I think we will probably head back to Disney in 2010, we%26#39;ll have to see how much fun the family has in Turks and Caicos.

My husband and I are looking at staying here at the beginning of April. Who did you book your trip through?

Are there any little ';hidden'; fees to be aware of before hand? (like the $20 per day for pool heating if desired)....We%26#39;ve stayed before at Windsor Hills and booked through Magical Memories but not sure to go with them this time around. Thanks for any info you can give!