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How do?

So for my 40th, looks like I’m off to Disneyland Florida to visit Galaxy’s Edge. Yes. I am a massive child.

Anyone else been, and do you have any tips!

From my own research: Have a lot of money saved up, and make your reservations as soon as possible. Get one of the packages that also includes meals, as it'll pay for itself if you eat anywhere nice.

A few years ago my advice would have been to bring a cripple. Disneyland used to do a thing where if a member of your party was disabled, you could skip to the front of all the queues. I went to Disneyland when I was 11 with my grandparents and disabled Mum - we got on all the rides (and I mean *all* the rides) - saw the whole park inside 2 days; same for Epcot and MGM land, all thanks to my Mum, whether she wanted to go on the ride or not. I believe the local disabled population apparently used to hire themselves out for the day for that same purpose but I am lead to believe that Disney have now stopped the queue jumping for disabled so you can't take advantage of that shortcut any more.

Look into this... you're allowed to bring a cooler and food.
You'll save a ton if you don't mind lugging it around.

It can get expensive but one of the sit down restaurants that take reservations can be nice since you won't have to fight to find a place then find a seat.

Whatever you do just keep in mind it's very expensive.

Every hour of research you put into it, will pay huge dividends in savings. Spoil everything. Research the layout, the character appearances, the food, and prioritize- especially Galaxy's edge this fall. http://allears.net/ is an invaluable resource by very, very hardcore Disney fans.

Pandora opened with 8 hour lines for it's rides, and I'm certain Star Wars will have more. As far as souvenirs go, pick them out ahead of time, and consider going for anything you have your heart set on through ebay after the fact- the most iconic merch is liable to be sold out for several months.

I'd suggest not staying in a Disney hotel- the shuttle's nice, but not really worth the considerable premium in nightly fees.
However- certain nights they offer Extra magic hours, letting only resort guests in for 2 hours. If you can identify which date you'll be there, verify that the extra magic hours work for Galaxy's edge on that night, it may be your best chance to enjoy the park that close to it's opening.

I've got tons more, but for the moment I'll leave you with this- if you have a Cosco or Sam's club membership, buy Disney gift cards there- they offer them at a discount, and you can use them to pay off your ticket fees and meals and souvenirs, offering a small savings.

I live an hour from the parks, and my wife absolutely adores it, so we are frequently there.

If you have a small child to spare, feed them to one of the many park gators. Then you can live forever off Disney settlement money, kids are replaceable.

On a serious note get to the park before it opens and when they start letting people in head for the furthest rides, people all mass together at the front of the park to use the closest stuff before they work their way back. If you get to the far rides early there will be virtually no lines. It’s also not as hot early in the day. Save the indoor rides like Pirates, Haunted Mansion etc for the midday heat as you’ll be able to cool down.

I've been there a couple times. I think the key to maximum enjoyment is booking things at just the right time of year. The last time I went (honeymoon) we also did Bush Gardens, Islands of Adventure, and Universal Studios.

We went the week of Sept 5-9. There was almost NO ONE at any of the parks. The longest we had to wait for any given ride was about 10 minutes, and that was by far the longest wait. Also, tickets, hotel rooms, and even restaurants seems to be cheaper at this time. To top things off it was also not unreasonably hot at that time either.

Likely going first week in June?

It's not UK school hols, but no idea on the US?

My recollection from a decade or so ago was that it rained every day at about 4pm on the dot. either go early and get round before that, or go later in the day once it stops. Getting caught in the rain isn't fun - not even for a gang of hardened Weegies.

Not to be a shill.. but my sister runs a travel agency specializing in all things Disney. They book everything you need and tell you everything you need to know and get you whatever meal plans and other stuff you want and are basically there to make it easy for you so you can just go on vacation/holiday and have fun. Don't know of any differences coming from the UK though, but I imagine it's all the same just dollars instead of pounds. You'd have to get your own airfare though probably. But if you're looking for a service like that, check them out

http://magicfamilygetaways.com/

Went to the California one last year (against my wishes I will say), here's my advice.

- Have a good breakfast beforehand as the food can be pretty expensive and the queues long. Also make sure you keep hydrated as the US sun is pretty brutal.

- Make full use of the Fastpass system if they have it.

- If you have the time, stay for the fireworks when the park closes, it's pretty spectacular.

- Also, make a note of where you parked, don't do what I did and spend 1/2 hour wandering around before realising you're in the wrong carpark.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
How do?

So for my 40th, looks like I’m off to Disneyland Florida to visit Galaxy’s Edge. Yes. I am a massive child.

Anyone else been, and do you have any tips!

Are you going with children? I have advice if so.

 Valkyrie wrote:
Went to the California one last year (against my wishes I will say), here's my advice.

- Have a good breakfast beforehand as the food can be pretty expensive and the queues long. Also make sure you keep hydrated as the US sun is pretty brutal.

- Make full use of the Fastpass system if they have it.

- If you have the time, stay for the fireworks when the park closes, it's pretty spectacular.

- Also, make a note of where you parked, don't do what I did and spend 1/2 hour wandering around before realising you're in the wrong carpark.

That's why an ex work colleague of mine got a horrible lemon-yellow hire car one year on a trip to Florida. No wandering round trying to remember which of the fifteen million identical silver minivans is yours.

Two things i think have been touched on but I'll reinforce.

Timing: Big influence on size of crowd, if you can avoid it don't go summer weekdays.

Weather: Highs are already hitting the 80's, its going to get hotter as we get closer to summer, prepare appropriately.



PS Thanks Gitz didn't know that about the gift cards.

 AndrewGPaul wrote:
My recollection from a decade or so ago was that it rained every day at about 4pm on the dot. either go early and get round before that, or go later in the day once it stops. Getting caught in the rain isn't fun - not even for a gang of hardened Weegies.

Lived in central Florida for a couple years, and I can confirm that.
I would advise you to get a waterproof backpack, or a the very least have a couple ziploc bags for the valuables (money, phone). It's also useful for the water attractions. And wear sandals or something that dries quickly, there's nothing worse than walking in soaked-wet shoes (and even if you get under cover during the rain, your shoes will get wet just walking around on the wet floor).

@ Jerram- my pleasure, that one definitely wasn't mine originally, but it's great to take advantage of.

Now conversely, if you have ponchos on you and are willing, that afternoon rainstorm (which will happen) is the perfect time to hit a high demand ride. During one of the fireworks shows or parades is another good time. We went and met Anna and Elsa during a fireworks show, and the line was far shorter than it was during the day. Those ought to be listed on the map you get when you enter the park (except the rainstorm- weather's the one thing Disney can't control- yet).

I love going to the Disney parks. Last time I went was probably about 10 years ago though when my daughter was younger.

I carried a big camel back hydration system backpack I filled with ice and water from the hotel in the morning. Pack served to hold souvenirs as we got them. It also held sunscreen and other items. I hate being dehydrated and I had cold ice water at hand all day long.

We stayed in one of the on resort hotels (Shades of Green) and that was fantastic with shuttles to the park and back. I think we were allowed int he park about an hour earlier than others too. That equalled a couple more rides early on in the day.

Took daughter to the breakfast in Cinderella's Castle. Well worth the cost, chow was decent and getting to meet all the Princesses was pretty cool.

Food in the park isn't cheap, but frankly it was all good and worth the money, similar meals (size and quality) aren't really much cheaper outside of the park. We enjoyed everything we got and it beats trying to lug a cooler around (who the hell willingly deals with that?)

Map out hat you want to hit and figure out a flow the works for you. Try to enjoy it and not feel rushed to DO IT ALL NOW!. Leave yourself time to see some of the shows and relax during your meals. It is supposed to be fun, not stressful.

 Frazzled wrote:

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
How do?

So for my 40th, looks like I’m off to Disneyland Florida to visit Galaxy’s Edge. Yes. I am a massive child.

Anyone else been, and do you have any tips!

Are you going with children? I have advice if so.

Nah, just me unless mates want to tag along.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:

 Frazzled wrote:

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
How do?

So for my 40th, looks like I’m off to Disneyland Florida to visit Galaxy’s Edge. Yes. I am a massive child.

Anyone else been, and do you have any tips!

Are you going with children? I have advice if so.

Nah, just me unless mates want to tag along.

Ok. Then also, you can get a place with a fridge. stop on the way in at a grocery and get some food. Disney food is literally almost uniformly the same menu throughout the parks except for specific restaurants.

You might look to book reservations at those restaurants before you go.

Also, you are in Florida. You need to try biscuits and gravy and sausage. Its a Southern thing. Southern biscuits are not UK biscuits.

Also you are in Florida. Any body of water is likely to have alligators there. Seriously. A kid got eaten a year or two ago by a pond.

Also look up adult activities. No get your mind out of the gutter. in ancient times, some of the parks had nightclubs that would open up in the evening. Its not Miami, but might be a nice diversion.Additionally Disney has a lot of water stuff. i did not see when going but if in the summer consider one of the water parks. Water rides are the bomb.

Don't worry about such notions...young at heart adults feel at home in Disneyland just like kids do. My husband and I are visiting Disneyland for the very first time next year and we are aged 32 and 28 and I can tell you we are very excited about this trip. I can recommend that you read Disney travel books

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
How do?

So for my 40th, looks like I’m off to Disneyland Florida to visit Galaxy’s Edge. Yes. I am a massive child.

There's been a lot of articles about Galaxy's Edge since they announced it. What it basically comes down to is, if you don't have reservations, you aren't getting in.

Likely going first week in June?

Yeah...
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2019/05/heres-how-to-make-a-reservation-to-visit-star-wars-galaxys-edge-at-disneyland-park-between-may-31-and-june-23-2019/
If you aren't staying in a Disney Resort hotel, you aren't getting in.

It's not UK school hols, but no idea on the US?

It depends. We aren't that consistent (basically its up to the individual states and how many snow days the local winter weather ate that year), school terms end usually somewhere in May or June.

Frazzled wrote:Also you are in Florida. Any body of water is likely to have alligators there. Seriously. A kid got eaten a year or two ago by a pond.

Meh. The real wildlife concern is bugs. Mosquitoes, big flying roaches, weirder things. Possibly bedbugs as well in hotels, which aren't as much of a joke as the name makes it sound.

Valkyrie wrote:- Have a good breakfast beforehand as the food can be pretty expensive and the queues long. Also make sure you keep hydrated as the US sun is pretty brutal.

Despite the hype, we honestly don't have our own sun.

Will almost certainly be staying in a Disney Resort Hotel.

I don’t Holiday often, but I’m very much of a mind that if you’re gonna do it, you do it!

Voss good point on mosquitoes. It totally blanked on that, They can be a plague. Having said that I didn't get zapped from bugs at the parks themselves.

Mosquitoes are why I hate drones. They sound just like a mosquito buzzing near my ear. Even when I know what it is it still creeps me out.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Will almost certainly be staying in a Disney Resort Hotel.

I don’t Holiday often, but I’m very much of a mind that if you’re gonna do it, you do it!

This is an excellent choice. They are typically clean, well managed, and have direct links to the parks. Plus in the afternoon you can take a two hour break. Relax at the pool or just chill. You need to take a break or else everyone gets cranky.

 Frazzled wrote:

Also, you are in Florida. You need to try biscuits and gravy and sausage. Its a Southern thing. Southern biscuits are not UK biscuits.

From the pics I've seen, they look like savoury scones. How on Earth those ended up getting called a biscuit I have no idea


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Genuine question- is Florida far enough south to get tropical nasties like malaria or yellow fever? Someone mentioned the mozzies.

No, but there is Zika, which is potentially bad for pregnant women.

 Haighus wrote:

 Frazzled wrote:

Also, you are in Florida. You need to try biscuits and gravy and sausage. Its a Southern thing. Southern biscuits are not UK biscuits.

From the pics I've seen, they look like savoury scones. How on Earth those ended up getting called a biscuit I have no idea


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Genuine question- is Florida far enough south to get tropical nasties like malaria or yellow fever? Someone mentioned the mozzies.

A scone is much much more dense. Biscuits are a good bit lighter.

Frazzled wrote:

 Haighus wrote:

 Frazzled wrote:

Also, you are in Florida. You need to try biscuits and gravy and sausage. Its a Southern thing. Southern biscuits are not UK biscuits.

From the pics I've seen, they look like savoury scones. How on Earth those ended up getting called a biscuit I have no idea


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Genuine question- is Florida far enough south to get tropical nasties like malaria or yellow fever? Someone mentioned the mozzies.

A scone is much much more dense. Biscuits are a good bit lighter.

Hmm, interesting. Still sounds more cake-like than biscuit-like

fresus wrote:No, but there is Zika, which is potentially bad for pregnant women.

Which can also give you Guillain-Barré syndrome if you are unlucky, so I'd rather not catch it anyway. Still, generally better than malaria and co!

Look into what the passes you opt for can give you access to. Take advantage of this!

Plan your days a bit, make sure you read weather forecasts at the start of the day and figure out what areas you want to be in around what times.

Don't be afraid to stop by a shop outside of the park to go for snacks or drinks! Highly, highly suggest getting a decent sized thing of bottled water for your room as it should have a fridge you can store stuff in.

Wear good, supportive shoes. You'll likely be doing a lot of standing around in lines and walking.

Very important thing is look into booking the "fast-pass" it will help speed up the lines.
Get the app when booked:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/en_CA/plan/my-disney-experience/mobile-apps/
Research a bit the rides at each park that are "the best" and try to get to those at the beginning and end of the day.

Remember that if you stay at a Disney resort the have shuttle busses that run all the time.

What made everything "humane" is have your fast-passes booked beforehand, go when the park opens, go back to your Disney hotel near noon and eat there and dip in the pool, take a nap or whatever for an hour or two, book more fast pass rides, go back, and stay to closing for the parade and fireworks.
Some of the busiest rides I got to go on twice because everyone is burnt-out (sometimes literally) by late evening and went home.

Bring a small backpack of various snacks and drinks to save money and stuff it in a locker.
Make sure any containers are clear and everything is easily seen: all bags are searched prior to entering the park.

Make a point of seeing their shows, they are very good.
Some shows have the various glowing souvenirs blink and change colour with them.

Bring another pair of socks and shoes and a towel, some rides you get wet like going swimming and the wet shoes really are not fun.
If you have really comfortable sandals for extended walking, they are a better choice.
I would suggest hitting the wet rides in the mid-morning so you can go back to your room and change.

Button-down pockets are beginning to seem a must, the fashion-iffy cargo pants were a godsend to keep my various belongings from flinging off my body.
Try to keep the phone in the lower leg pocket in most cases depending on where the restraints come down.
Crushing a phone or hurting yourself off it is a real thing.

The geeky glasses lanyard is fairly important or find a safe pocket to put them in and you need to wear a hat: ensure it is tight.
After a while I started clipping the hat to me if not being worn: I left a hat I just bought behind on a seat on the ride.

BTW Disney staff are incredible at doing their best to find your stuff, you will likely get it back if it is not immediately scooped up by someone less than ethical.

How many days do you have?

Each park needs about 1 day at least, 2 for the actual Disney World.

I would STRONGLY suggest going to Universal since it is not all that far away.
Plus if you are a Harry Potter fan it would be a mandatory trip.

All my best tips that I noticed made the whole event terribly fun even with some fairly picky boys going insane and a long suffering Grandma, which you do not have to contend with.

Ok, some more targeted advice, since you are now confirmed as staying on property- book your fast passes as quickly as possible, and use them on the rides you most want to do.For a resort, you can book 60 days in advance- a huge improvement over the 30 days out most people have to do.

Figure out which parks have Extra Magic Hours for the days you're there. Those are hours where only resort guests can be in the park- so lines will be smaller, crowds will be less, and the experience is just better. These are either an hour early, or 2 hours after the conventional closing time.

The mosquitoes are certainly worth battling, and will not be a huge issue within the parks- Disney controls them really well. The sun is beyond their control. Bring sunscreen, and reapply it every 4 hours.

To help with the heat, you may want one of those cool towels that you get wet, then put on your neck. They really help folks who are not adapted to our murderous climate.