[chop456]

I am so happy to have found this place! So informative!

I am planning on visiting Disney August 9th-20th. I am taking my DD (6 years) for her "I made it thru Kindergarten" present. It is a complete surprise for her and I am not planning on telling her until she sees The Castle for herself. It will be her first time there. I am getting 7-day hopper plus tickets so we can schedule in rest days and time to do the "other" stuff if she wants to. We are staying off site.

I have many questions and they are so random and all over the place, I guess I will just list them here and if you can help me ...SUPER!

1. Is the passporter worth it? I want to buy it, but need someone to tell me to "just do it!"
2. What days would you go where, inc. rest days. I cannot PS until May, so some days may be led by what PS I get.
3. What PS are not to miss. I was thinking CRT, Breakfastasaurus, Askerhaus, and something for Fantasmic dinner package - suggestions, please!
4. Is waking Tinkerbell impossible to do? Are the kiddos just flooding over there?
5. How are the crowds (and heat) in mid-August?
6. I want to make this a GREAT experience. What are the top 10 not to miss things?
7. My mom is buying Cirque de Solei tickets for my birthday for us. DD loves the shoes on TV. Any comments? Go on a non-park day?

Thanks so much!
Beth

[JOANN]

Beth,
First "Welcome to DC"! You have definately come to the right place.
I would say buy the book Passporter, and just read , read & read.
Everyone will be glad to give you any advice, but only you will be able to finalize your decisions as to what you want to do.
I would try and get PS for CRT. That would be great. Fantasmic is another great thing to do. Chef Mickey's is a nice place for a character breakfast, and dinner also.
Although, you said it is her first time there. So, just remember to enjoy the Parks too.
August is crowded hot & humid!!! But no matter what the weather, or crowds you will have a great time. How exciting for your daughter. It will be all worth it, just seeing her eyes light up when she sees the Castle for the first time. I still get goose bumps everytime I walk down Main Street USA....
:) JOANN

[tinkerbell]

Welcome to DisneyCentral chop456!!!

I can help with opinions on some of your questions .. I hope.

2. What days would you go where, inc. rest days. I cannot PS until May, so some days may be led by what PS I get.

since we have been in Aug. and plan to go back in Aug. I would suggest you hit the early entry parks in the mornings ..then when the heat and the crowds take over ..either go back and rest a bit at your resort or go to a different park.

3. What PS are not to miss. I was thinking CRT, Breakfastasaurus, Askerhaus, and something for Fantasmic dinner package - suggestions, please!


I would recommend H&V for the Fantasmic dinner package :)

5. How are the crowds (and heat) in mid-August?


Its hot .. I dont know what your use to .. for us its no worse then the heat in Texas that time of year. the crowds depend on the park. one thing is a given .. the parks that have EE are the parks that will be the most crowded (thats why the above suggestion ) so you can figure out how best to deal with it, either do not go on EE day or go and leave when the crowd hits. We have done it both ways.


6. I want to make this a GREAT experience. What are the top 10 not to miss things?
this one is tough ..but in my opinion, and in no particular order

splash mt.
Pirates
Mickey's Phil (cant remember how to spell it)
Honey I shrunk the audience
Its tough to be a bug
Mission:space
Rock and roller coaster
Tower of terror
All of the World Showcase
Buzzlightyear's space ranger spin

well there is lots more but you asked for 10

7. My mom is buying Cirque de Solei tickets for my birthday for us. DD loves the shoes on TV. Any comments? Go on a non-park day?


you could go on the same day you go to AK ..since AK closes earlier then the other parks

[MissDisney]

Welcome Beth! you will love this website so much! Hope you have a terrific tim planning the details of your vacation... WDW is the only place on the planet where spontaneity is enjoyed best when the details have been ironed out before you arrive! Ha ha! But it is true!
My family's favorite things, the things we absolutely never, ever miss are:

Typhoon Lagoon!!! We love the shark pool, the Storm Slides and the Wave Pool...

Test Track!!! It is the best ride ever made!

Splash Mountain!!! The real fun is inside the ride... the drop is just the icing on the cake!

Kilmanjaro Safaris!!! Try to ride early in the morning when the animals are active!

Dinosaur!!! Maybe tough for your 6-year-old, but it is unbelievably great ride!

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!!! Just tried it at night instead of int he day, and it was even better!

Restaurants: We love Fulton's Crabhouse, L'Originale Alfredo di Roma, Cape May Cafe, Biergarten... but we just tried the theme park turkey legs for the first time, and they are now our faves!!!