Please help me to not hate Disney!

[Singuy]

The SW hotel seems like an impossible concept. I wouldn't be surprised if it's the first thing to go during a recession.

They will hire live actors for every aspect of the hotel to give you that authentic out of this world experience? Ridiculous, just ridiculous(-ly awesome!).

[disneysteve]

The SW hotel seems like an impossible concept.

I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking that.

Especially if it depends heavily on technology, like virtual windows, it just seems like maintaining it will be a nightmare. And Disney has enough trouble now getting and training and maintaining good cast members. Where are they going to find a few hundred more people to always be in character like that?

I hope it works. We wouldn't ever stay there but it sounds incredibly cool if it works the way they're saying.

[bennkar]

I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking that.

Especially if it depends heavily on technology, like virtual windows, it just seems like maintaining it will be a nightmare. And Disney has enough trouble now getting and training and maintaining good cast members. Where are they going to find a few hundred more people to always be in character like that?

You don't think there are a lot of fan-boys of Star Wars that wouldn't love to be in character all day at work and get paid for it? "Underestimate the force you do, young padawan." Sorry - just had to throw that in there. Not saying I would do it, but I am sure there are plenty out there.

[Thrif-t]

You don't think there are a lot of fan-boys of Star Wars that wouldn't love to be in character all day at work and get paid for it? "Underestimate the force you do, young padawan." Sorry - just had to throw that in there. Not saying I would do it, but I am sure there are plenty out there.

I've read rumors that the price is going to be around 1400/pp min 2 night stay

[bennkar]

To DS (or others)... ok I am getting myself ready for the yearly WDW visit (actually only went one day last year). Any tips for things to consider this year? We're getting 7 day base passes (we'll be there for 2 weeks instead of our usual one week). 2 days at Magic Kingdom, 2 days at Animal Kingdom, 3 days between the other two parks (to be determined). We'll setup fastpass reservations in the next day or two. Food will either be taken in or eat at inexpensive locations in the parks. We will make a few restaurant reservations as needed in the coming week. Figure to spend a half day at Disney Springs.

I think we have everything ready, but maybe you have a few points about recent changes (or construction) I need to be aware of? Thanks.

[MooseBucks]

To DS (or others)... ok I am getting myself ready for the yearly WDW visit (actually only went one day last year). Any tips for things to consider this year? We're getting 7 day base passes (we'll be there for 2 weeks instead of our usual one week). 2 days at Magic Kingdom, 2 days at Animal Kingdom, 3 days between the other two parks (to be determined). We'll setup fastpass reservations in the next day or two. Food will either be taken in or eat at inexpensive locations in the parks. We will make a few restaurant reservations as needed in the coming week. Figure to spend a half day at Disney Springs.

I think we have everything ready, but maybe you have a few points about recent changes (or construction) I need to be aware of? Thanks.

Depending on desires of folks going flight of passage at Animal Kingdom is amazing. It's been averaging 2-4+ hour waits so if you don't get a fp+ and plan to ride this trip arrive at AK 60-90 minutes before opening and head straight to pandora. On my recent trip I rode pandora and navi river in 45 minutes. When I left pandora they had a 3:50 wait and 1:30 wait respectively.

My personal opinion on sit down restaurants is that they can provide a nice break from the heat and an easy way to see characters if you have young children but are insanely over priced.

[disneysteve]

Depending on desires of folks going flight of passage at Animal Kingdom is amazing. It's been averaging 2-4+ hour waits so if you don't get a fp+ and plan to ride this trip arrive at AK 60-90 minutes before opening and head straight to pandora. On my recent trip I rode pandora and navi river in 45 minutes. When I left pandora they had a 3:50 wait and 1:30 wait respectively.

My personal opinion on sit down restaurants is that they can provide a nice break from the heat and an easy way to see characters if you have young children but are insanely over priced.

I agree about Pandora. We were there 4 days after it opened. Flight of Passage is amazing and unique. Many are calling it the best Disney attraction ever. Getting a FastPass is difficult but that will improve with time. It's still new and hot. I would think by early 2018, the crowd will start to die down a bit. Na'vi River Journey is pretty much a waste of space in my opinion. Seeing the Shaman animatronic is neat but that's really the only reason to ride it. Disney failed on this one big time. I have yet to come across anyone in the Disney fan community who is impressed by it.

As for sit down restaurants, I agree that character meals are ridiculously priced. We used to do lunch at Crystal Palace every trip. Then one time my wife happened to see the check and we haven't been back since, and that was 10+ years ago. The prices have skyrocketed since then.

I wouldn't do a sit down meal at Disney just to escape the heat. The counter service places are just as air conditioned and far more reasonable.

[Like2Plan]

Be Our Guest at the Magic Kingdom for lunch is one of my favorites.

There are a bunch of new places in Disney Springs. I really like what they have done. I usually go to Blaze Pizza (it is near the AMC movies). They make custom fresh delicious individual pizzas.

[disneysteve]

There are a bunch of new places in Disney Springs. I really like what they have done. I usually go to Blaze Pizza (it is near the AMC movies). They make custom fresh delicious individual pizzas.

We haven't gotten to Blaze yet. It's on our list, as is Polite Pig, the BBQ place. As for the more formal dining there, it's just too expensive. Boathouse, Art Smith's, etc. They all sound really good but we don't typically spend that kind of money on dining when we're on vacation so those places just don't appeal to us.

[Thrif-t]

I second what everyone else said about Flight of Passage, great ride! I also recommend Satu'li Canteen in Pandora https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/di...canteen/menus/

We got some of the food on the children's menu just to try it one night and really liked it. We had already had our dinner but will make a point to eat here whenever we go again.

Also something new Mobile Food Ordering we'll try this next time too! https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/gu...e-food-orders/

I had also read a tip that Flight of Passage fastpasses are sometimes available same day if you check the app or website at 10:37am. Some say you can pick up fast passes for later on that day. Maybe worth a try if you don't score any ahead of time.

[bennkar]

Thanks everyone. Interesting about later fastpasses for FoP. We have reserved some, but of course that ride was long booked up. Our plan is to get to the park extra early on one of our two visits so we can get on the ride once. Even if we have to wait an hour... so be it.

We went to Be Our Guest two years ago. Decent enough, though not sure we will be doing it again.

Looks like we have most everything ready to go.

[disneysteve]

Be Our Guest at the Magic Kingdom for lunch is one of my favorites.

We went to Be Our Guest two years ago. Decent enough, though not sure we will be doing it again.

We've never done lunch at BOG. We did dinner once. It was okay and I'm glad we did it so we could get inside and see the place but I would never do it again. It wasn't anywhere near good enough to justify the price.

As for lunch, the last time I checked the menu wasn't terribly appealing to us. And do you still need to schedule it in advance? If so, that would rule it out for us as we don't pre-plan our meals (dinner at BOG was a rare exception).

[MooseBucks]

We've never done lunch at BOG. We did dinner once. It was okay and I'm glad we did it so we could get inside and see the place but I would never do it again. It wasn't anywhere near good enough to justify the price.

As for lunch, the last time I checked the menu wasn't terribly appealing to us. And do you still need to schedule it in advance? If so, that would rule it out for us as we don't pre-plan our meals (dinner at BOG was a rare exception).

BOG needs reservations well in advance. The pork entree, ham & cheese and french onion soup are all great. BOG is probably one of my favorite spots to eat while at Disney.

Satu'li canteen in Pandora was surprising good also. Just not on the same level for me as BOG though.

[disneysteve]

BOG needs reservations well in advance. The pork entree, ham & cheese and french onion soup are all great. BOG is probably one of my favorite spots to eat while at Disney.

Satu'li canteen in Pandora was surprising good also. Just not on the same level for me as BOG though.

If you need a reservation for lunch, we definitely won't be going.

I really enjoyed Santu"li. I thought the food was novel and well done, unlike anything else on property.

[Like2Plan]

We've never done lunch at BOG. We did dinner once. It was okay and I'm glad we did it so we could get inside and see the place but I would never do it again. It wasn't anywhere near good enough to justify the price.

As for lunch, the last time I checked the menu wasn't terribly appealing to us. And do you still need to schedule it in advance? If so, that would rule it out for us as we don't pre-plan our meals (dinner at BOG was a rare exception).

We've done the dinner at BOG, but I prefer the lunch. Lunch seems almost magical when they bring your food to whichever table you decide to sit at. I love the Carved Turkey Sandwich served Warm on a Baguette with Dijon Mayonnaise (and arugula). It is a large serving and could be easily shared. The staff has always been very attentive.

Yes--you do need to schedule it in advance, but I don't find that so difficult as I pick a time between 2 fast passes. (Though, I agree I would rather be able to do stuff on the spur of the moment).