No recent experiences, but years ago LTT was a terrific place to eat. A more recent experience changed my opinion. I think it is now run by or sponsored by Stouffers, so much of the food may be the same stuff that's on the food bar at Ryans Restaurants, etc., or in your grocer's freezer. In my most recent visits, I went by to look at the menu, became convinced that most of the items on the menu could easily come from Stouffers frozen dinners, and kept walking. One of the biggest downgrades of restaurants in the park that I know of. (Note: before I get blasted, I find Stouffers frozen fare to be better than most; I just can't rationalize paying Disney dining prices for someone else to cook it.)

Park hopper group meeting/convention tix?
 

Hello. I am planning a trip to WDW in just a couple of weeks. My aunt, who is a Disney vet, said for us to purchase the park hopper pass for 2 days. The only problem is they are pretty pricey. I found a "deal" on the disney web site to buy them for cheaper than usual for group meeting/convention participants. How strictly do they enforce this policy? The cost would be $308 for traditional Park Hopper for 2 people for 2 days vs. $218 for the discounted group travel option.

Here's the info on the tix:
http://disneymeetings.disney.go.com/...Select?id=WC05

The fine print says that "verification of attendance" at the convention is required but does anyone have experience with this requirement?

I dont know about the convention tix per say but Disney is pretty careful about ticket stuff-hence the move to bio scan folks with their tickets.

It might be a great deal and you dont have a problem but what happens if you spend that cash get there and they wont let you in? You are out the cash and the tix.

Gee, if you can cut out the need to Park Hop, you can save $70. Can you narrow it down to one park a day? If you've never been to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot or MGM, each of those parks can be a full day (at least) in itself.

(And personally, I wouldn't chance the tickets that might require you to show proof of something you don't have.)

Did you go for lunch, perhaps? Because I recently went for dinner, and there were 3 meats (ham, turkey and beef), gravy, rolls, mashed potatoes, stuffing, mac and cheese and plenty of veggies, as well as a great apple cobbler and ice cream dessert. I recall a salad, too. It resembled a Thanksgiving feast, Disney style. We loved it and would return. Best meal in Disney? No, but I'd never say mediocre. In fact, I cannot think of any restaurant in Disney that I'd describe as 'mediocre'. In my experience (over 20 visits) the food, while expensive at time, is always excellent quality.

I don't like anything food served in Magic Kingdom. Take the monorail and head to one of the resorts instead for lunch.

Ahhh, but you're talking advanced WDW ;). Most infrequent visitors are caught up in trying to see & do everything they can. I don't blame them, it's a very expensive vacation.

The food at the MK is very good for what it is - fast food for the masses intended to be served very quickly. I'll take a WDW cheeseburger over a McDonald's burger any day of the week.

You are correct, the hotels have excellent lunches (tho still not cheap). FWIW - I'm very rarely even in a park at lunch time. Advanced WDW dictates you get the heck out of there at the height of the day, when crowds & heat are at their worst. I'm usually at a resort pool somewhere ^^

I am going to recomend you not try anything "sneaky", they tend to be pretty carefull about this stuff, and you will be really bummed if you get stuck wasting your vacation arguing with some cast member about why you tickets don't work.

Here is a great website for Orlando
 

I go to Florida once a year for a timeshare, I found a website that talks all about Orlando and has never done me wrong. www.mousesavers.com which tells you and I have double checked on this to be correct. DO NOT BUY DISNEY TICKETS ON EBAY. You really do end up paying more money for them than if you were to buy them through Disney

I'm visiting the first week of Oct for 4.5 days (arrive at airport late morning on Saturday and leave Wed evening) with my wife and two daughters ages 5 and 9. I've decided to stay on property and considering Polynesian, Contemporary Garden Wing, or Wilderness Campground Cabins. The main thing I like about the cabins is the fact that there are two rooms and a kitchenette (I like the idea of having a separate room when it's time for kids to go to bed). I'm concerned about the possible downside of being further away (bus and boat to get to the parks). I'm also planning on getting the meal plan.

I'd appreciate input from anyone here. I've already checked the suggested WDW fan sites but trust the opinions I usually get here.

I'd also appreciate strategies & suggestions for what to visit and when with the girls. Any recommendations on which character breakfast is a don't miss (the girls, of course, love the whole princess thing)? This is the first visit for our kids. I was planning 2.5 days of Magic Kingdom and 2 days of Epcot. I'm thinking we'll want to head back to the hotel mid-day for some rest and pool time.

I liked the Polynesian. The Contemporary is undergoing much-needed major renovations so please keep that in mind when booking. I cannot give input on the cabins.

Our favorite of all the hotels is the Wilderness Lodge. Rooms are on the small side, however.

A few things....if you are getting the meal plan (which unless its the super package they recently offered where it's almost free), why do you care about a kitchenette? All of your meals will be included.

I personally wouldn't opt for the meal plan (again, unless it's that special low low package I saw a week or two ago) because you are NOT going to want to eat 3 big meals a day, nor will you want to take the time to.

One important piece of advice.....if you want the Princess breakfast called Cinderella's Royal Table in the Castle (best one for you, since you have kids who are interested in this) call 1-407-WDW DINE right now and find out when you can book. It used to be 90 days in advance, which would just be hitting the beginning of Oct right now. They will tell you what day you can start calling to get your reservation. You'll have to call for the reservation at 6:55 am and be persistent (and fast) as the reservations fill up within minutes. If you don't get in for your first day, try again the next day, and the next.

If, heaven forbid, you aren't successful with the Castle Character breakfast, you can have breakfast, lunch or dinner with the Princesses at Restaurant Akershus in EPCOT. Again, make your reservation as far in advance as possible.

You may want to go to www.disneyworld.com and check out the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. It's a Halloween party they run after hours at the Magic Kingdom that will be going on during your visit. It begins at 7p and requires a separate admission ticket. The kids (and you too if you wish) can dress in costume; they have characters giving out treats; some special events like family photos and a great fireworks show. It does get crowded (though admissions are limited) but if you can hold out til around 930p, the crowd goes home and you'll have the rides to yourself. We did it last year and enjoyed it.

Our family goes to Disney at least once a year so we've just about done it all. Since your girls have never been there, I think they will love almost everything. Do a search on this forum under the word Disney and you'll find some posts that may be of more help.

Have a great time! And feel free to come back here and ask more questions.

Many thanks for the suggestions Flyerwife.

We're not getting the 3 meals a day plan but rather the Magic Your Way with Dining option(description from Disney web site):

Dining Plan that provides Great Disney Dining*** at over 100 participating Disney restaurants with a full range of dining experiences at substantial savings:
1 table-service meal including appetizer, entree, dessert, non-alcoholic beverage and gratuity
1 counter-service meal including entree, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage
1 snack including either a frozen ice cream bar, popcorn scoop, 20 oz bottle of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Dasani Water or a medium fountain soft drink
You may also exchange 2 table-service meals for 1 Signature Dining Experience.


For 4 nights, the cost is $260 extra for all 4 of us. It seems like this is a pretty good deal given the flexibility. I still think the kitchen is nice (but not essential) to be able to use for breakfast or snacks. I mainly liked the idea of having a separate living room area for when the kids go to bed. Is this the super low plan to which you were referring? If not, can you provide a link?

FYR, total cost for 4 nights and a 5 day park pass (also includes transfers to/from airport) with dining is:

$1990 for Wildnerness Lodge standard room
$2,146.00 Ft Wilderness Cabins
$2,460.00 Plolynesian standard room

Why do you like the Wilderness Lodge versus Polynesian?
Also, is it worth going for the extra hours if staying on property? I've heard from some that the crowds are larger on the days when there are extra hours. I'm hoping first week of Oct will be relatively quiet, at least compared to some other peak times.

I can start making reservations on July 4th. When I spoke to the reservations people, they said they've also added a Cinderella's Castle Character lunch. Any opinions about whether the Cinderella breakfast/lunch is superior to the Epcot Akershus breakfast/lunch? Is it worth doing both? From talking to the reservations people, it's hard to tell the difference...actually it sounds like the Akershus lunch has a slightly larger variety of characters.

I just booked a package for a co-worker. The meal plan special is such a good deal I convinced him to change his vacation dates to take advantage of it.

He's got 6 days/5 nights; a 4 day park hopper, and the meal plan at the Wilderness Lodge in a standard room. Total cost - $1990 for 2 adults and 2 children. This is close to the price you got. Double check it, because if you're arriving before Oct 4, the special will be valid for you also.

Most people with young children absolutely love the Wilderness Lodge because of the fairly easy access into the Magic Kingdom via boat from the hotel.

My personal preference is the Poly, but quite honestly, it has become WAY overpriced. I've been going there for over 10 years and I'm finding it's just not worth the money any longer. The big plus is direct access to the monorail to the Magic Kingdom and it's just a short walk to take the Monorail to Epcot. Depending upon the season & our length of stay, we will now stay at an Epcot resort if it's a short trip during the off season and (horrors) stay at the Hyatt at all other times. I never thought I would ever say those words, but quite frankly, the value for the money cannot be beat at the Hyatt.

BUT - you've got 2 young children and being on property will most definitely make your life easier. With this current special, the price differential is not all that much, considering the amount of food you will get. BTW - you CAN purchase the package for more nights and less days in the park. That's what my friend did - he built in a day for the pool and visiting other areas of the resort. You still get the meal plan for each of your days. You may want to also consider doing something like that.

My friend will start calling tomorrow morning for the princess breakfast or lunch. I've never been, but, in general, people still prefer the one in the castle to the one in the Norway pavillon. One of the fan sites should be able to give you far more particulars.

That is definitely a better deal than what I got on the website. How do I get the special? I was planning to contact a couple of the specialist Disney travel agents and also check through AAA. My $1990 price on the webiste is for 5 days/4 nights and a standard pass (not park hopper) with meals. I am arriving before Oct 4th.

Go to disneyworld.com and click on tickets & reservations. On the left hand side select "specials." The dining plan free package is listed there. I don't know if there are any real specialist disney travel agents.. most of the information is easily available on the web on the fan & information sites. But, if you feel more comfortable using a travel agent, there's no harm in it as long as they book you into this same package. Note: I'm not 100% certain it's valid BEYOND Oct 4 even if you check in before Oct 4. USUALLY, disney will honor the rate in effect when you check in, however, they've changed so much in the past 6 months that I'm not sure that this statement is still valid.