Ask the Disney Geek > 04/08/2008
Welcome to Ask the Disney Geek section. This section is a partnership with our friends at DisneyGeek.com. If you have a question about Walt Disney World Resort, let us know and we will pass the question onto to our Disney expert.
- Who are you and what is DisneyGeek.com?
- How far are the parks from each other?
- What are the best times of the year to go?
- Is it worth staying for the firework shows and what is the most impressive one?
- Where can I meet my favourite Disney characters?
- What’s new for 2008?
- What you definitely shouldn’t miss?
- What else can you find out on DisneyGeek?
- Top 10 Tips
What’s new for 2008?
One of the best ways to maximize your WDW vacation and
experience all Disney has to offer is to plan ahead!
2008 is a relatively quiet year at the Walt Disney World Resort. The park receiving the most attention is the newly renamed Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The big new addition for 2008 is the Toy Story Midway Mania attraction. This is a “4-D” interactive experience. You are able to play various midway style games as your ride tram moves through the attraction. Also be sure to check out the Mr. Potato Head in the queue, he is one of the most advanced figures Disney has done. Also new at the Studios is the Pixar Block Party Bash. This parade takes place daily and was brought in from Disney’s California Adventure where it ran from 2005-2007. In January 2008 a new version of Playhouse Disney also debuted at the Studios.
EPCOT is having several small projects and refurbishments, one of interest may be opening in the Fall of 2008 a new exhibit will open at Innoventions in EPCOT titled StormStruck where you will be able to experience and learn about the hurricanes that hit central Florida in 2004.
The Magic Kingdom and the Animal Kingdom are both quiet with no major new additions this year.
What you definitely shouldn’t miss?
On most people’s top attraction lists:
- Magic Kingdom:
- The classic attractions of Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion are musts for any Disneygeek. Two others are Small World and Peter Pan. If you are a coaster fan be sure to visit the mountains... Space, Splash, and Big Thunder.
- EPCOT:
- Soarin’, Illuminations, and Test Track. If you are into intense attractions add on Mission Space.
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
- Toy Story Midway Mania, Fantasmic, and the Lights, Motors, Action Student Show. If you are a thrill ride fan do not miss the Tower of Terror and Rockin’ Roller Coaster.
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom:
- Kilimanjaro Safari’s, The Festival of the Lion King, and if you are a coaster fan Expedition Everest.
Now for some “geek” additions:
- Magic Kingdom:
- Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, The People Mover (The Tomorrowland Transit Authority), and the Country Bear Jamboree.
- EPCOT:
- Spaceship Earth, The American Adventure (it’s a great showcase of Disney storytelling blending film and audioanamatronics).
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
- One Man’s Dream.
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom:
- Try to visit the park after dark and just walk around the Tree of Life and soak in the atmosphere...
What else can you find out on DisneyGeek?
In addition to some basic information and opinions on both Walt Disney World and Disneyland on disneygeek.com I try to share my Disney experiences. Our most popular sections are the pictorial updates. As I roam the parks I take pictures (I average 300-500 pictures a day). I then go through these pictures and create trip logs and web pages to show the highlights of the trips. I do this for both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Another popular section is our Construction Progress section where we track ongoing, major, projects at the parks.
Top 10 Tips>
- Plan ahead. Take some time to learn about the parks and identify your top priorities, what is a must see, what looks interesting, and what can you do if you have done everything else.
- Have some sort of game plan/objectives for each day, but do not try to plan everything down to the minute, leave room to improvise! What you do not want to do is arrive at the park stroll down Main Street then spend 5-10 minutes trying to figure out where to go.
- Part of planning ahead, if you want to eat at any of the more popular table service locations, be sure to get reservations early so you will not be disappointed.
- Be sure to allow enough time to see everything you want and then some time for the unexpected or to go back and see your favourites.
- To save some time, be sure to take advantage of FastPass. This is a free Disney service and if used properly can save you some time in line.
- Be sure to slow down and experience the parks. Do not just run from attraction to attraction. Soak in the atmosphere, the live entertainment, and other offerings. I think one of the biggest mistakes people make is to try and cram too much into each day and by the 3rd or 4th day you are “dead” and just cannot keep pace or soak in anything else, remember this is a vacation!
- If you are staying on property take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours, these will help you visit some of the more popular attractions with minimal waits.
- Be prepared for anything… both weather wise and crowd wise.
- Do not be afraid to ask questions. Cast Members as well as other guests are usually more than happy to help you out and give you a tip or two along the way.
- Remember it’s a vacation…
