What to avoid

[MomRN]

Avoid character meals until you are sure your child will be receptive to the characters. In fact, I suggest breaking them in at the parks and give it a day or two before your CM. We did ours the first day, and my son was hiding under the table everytime a character came by. By the end of the week he had warmed up to them, and it would have been a much better experience then.

 

[amyj1024]

90% of Epocot Center with children age 5-18 IMO. I remember bring bored to death there as a kid, then going with my extended family a few years back it was our least favorite park. Not even planning to take my 5 year old there for her first trip in May.

2 months ago I would have totally agreed with you. Being there in the late 80s early 90s as a teen I thought it was SO BORING!! We even skipped it on our first family trip a few years ago...
I'm telling you things have changed. My 6 year old LOVED Soarin', Nemo, Test Track, Spaceship Earth... I think we rode Soarin at least 4 times. And even more shocking to me she LOVED the World Showcase! We did Kim Possible, loved it and she's never even seen the show!! KidCot stops--both my 6 and 2 year old were totally into this...They really have done a lot to make EPCOT more kid friendly.
Reconsider! This isn't the Epcot you remember....

 

[magpie889]

Of course it's all personal preference. We generally avoid:
The Coral Reef
Chef Mickey's for breakfast
Stitch's Great Escape

Hey! Can you tell me what you dislike about the Coral Reef? I was planning to have that as one of my reservations and have heard good things about it! Please give your info b4 i make plans! Thank you

 

[aaylasecura]

Not a big fan of world showcase, but like a couple of things
Most of fantasyland, but I enjoy tea cups
Muppets 3-D
Rafiki's planet watch, I only go for characters

 

[amyren]

We did Mickeys backyard BBQ on our last trip. (Nov ’09). We thought it would be a fun way to spend and evening and a way for our daughter to interact with the characters. It was horrible. It was so chaotic and crowded. The food was average but the crowd was out of control. All of the kids were fighting to get facetime with Mickey and friends. Not only were kids pushing there way upfront with the characters but parents too. We ended up leaving early.

 

[mikerowan]

thanks for sharing such a useful information. This is really helpful especially for the people who are planning their trip to Disney.

 

[TR_WDW]

We did Mickeys backyard BBQ on our last trip. (Nov ’09). We thought it would be a fun way to spend and evening and a way for our daughter to interact with the characters. It was horrible. It was so chaotic and crowded. The food was average but the crowd was out of control. All of the kids were fighting to get facetime with Mickey and friends. Not only were kids pushing there way upfront with the characters but parents too. We ended up leaving early.

Totally agree! I am glad we did it, hey it’s Disney, but once is enough for my family. Food was not bad, but way too crowded & some of the parents get a bit snippy…………

 

[jecskc]

I agree .. we all hated Stitch and my DD6 cried. We also disliked It's Tough to be a Bug and Honey I Shrunk the audience. Both too scary for little ones. LOVE everything else though

 

[Kristina]

Do Stitch but make sure and hold your nose at the end, when it goes all dark. I swear I almost was sick, it's that bad . Eat in the castle but wait for free dining, otherwise it's far to expensive.

 

[cadd10]

Our trip was December 2008 with DH, DS (4), DD (2) and his aunt and uncle.

Magic Kingdom

Ariel's Grotto - We did this and made it to the end to meet her, but it took forever. I was inside a cave during Wishes! The mother in front of us complained that Ariel was too nice and talked to each guest for 10 minutes. They left. I did it and never to do again until it gets updated (part of ToonTown update?)

Country Bear Jamboree - This is a show with mechanical bears. The bears need to be euthanized. Never again.

Dumbo - I promised myself I would not waiting line, but... DS had to get on. Waited 45 minutes during MVMCP. Meanwhile, DH and DD were dancing with the Cinderella's mice.

Jungle Cruise - It was OK. I thing I would like to try this in the dark.

It's a Small World - I thought I was going to have to swim for shore to get out of there. That song drove me insane.

Pooh/Snow White - Our kids were fine (not scared), but these were not the best. I wouldn't wait 30 minutes for these.

Stitch’s Great Escape - It has been mentioned before. DH took DS and I lucked out by staying behind with the 2 year old.

Swiss Family Treehouse - We did this at the beginning of the day. It was neat to see scenes from the movie, but walking 116 steps with 2 young kids wasn't worth it.

Pinocchio Village Haus - Portions were small and not that good.

EPCOT

Honey I Shrunk the Audience – Saved again by staying outside with DD.

Coral Reef Restaurant – Had AD and still waited an hour. Would have left, but we had special menus made for DH and uncle and a swimmer with a sign saying Happy Birthday.

Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros – I thought it was the original ride with the trip thru Mexico’s history. This seemed a little tacky.

San Angel Inn Restaurant – Good food, but cramped. We sat at the edge of the restaurant and people would stand at the railing above to take photos with flashes. I couldn’t see for a little while afterwards.

Disney Studios

Backlot Tour – Not that interesting with a backlot that is not longer a movie set.

Journey into Narnia: Prince Caspian – Loved meeting Prince Caspian, but the Journey was a movie clip.

Sounds Dangerous - Closed when we were there.

Animal Kingdom

All of DinoLand U.S.A. except Nemo the Muscial – This is what you may find at your locate carnival. Dinosaur was the only ride DS was scared of. And he went on ToT twice.

Kilimanjaro Safari – Maybe it was the time we were there (first thing in the morning), but we barely saw anything.

There was a lot that we loved and will be doing again this December. And trying some new stuff, too.

The kids loved Epcot and the kidcot stations. We will be doing the new Kim Possible adventure. We saw all the movies and rides in World showcase, so we can spend so time looking at the buildings and shops.

Mickey’s PhilharMagic was tops on DS and DD list. They still talk about it and laugh. Splash and BT Mountains were also favorites.

We did the autograph thing and tried not to wait too long or too often. They already said they want to find more next time.

Loved the 3D shows, Broadway-style shows, Fantasmic! (DS was conducting the orchestra as we waited for people to leave. Still a mad house trying to leave, but we will do it again.)

We have received and given Random Acts of Kindness.
We got to go on Soarin’ by ourselves; first ones of the day.
We gave Fasspasses away to another family.
DS was in the Flights of Wonder.
DS got to be sheriff of Wilderness Lodge and open the pool one morning.
One family was leaving and gave us their balloons.

OK, that was longer that I had originally planned and I am probably forgetting a bunch. Hope it helps.

 

[Boncho]

Our trip was December 2008 with DH, DS (4), DD (2) and his aunt and uncle.

Magic Kingdom


Country Bear Jamboree - This is a show with mechanical bears. The bears need to be euthanized. Never again.



Jungle Cruise - It was OK. I thing I would like to try this in the dark.

Yes, it is much better in the dark.

It's a Small World - I thought I was going to have to swim for shore to get out of there. That song drove me insane.

I know what you mean. I went on it once, and that will never happen again-
it sort of reminds me of the water torture test.

Thanks for making me laugh this morning, I really needed it.

 

[honeydiane1953]

june july august and LOTS of time sept are to be avoided too dang hot. over planning it just wears out the planner and u just CAN'T do it all then it makes you feel anxious. underestimating the time the bus rides can and do get. sometimes no matter how early u start out to say ADR the bus will pick up drop off loop de loop just got back and still in shock at the bus service

 

[ratlenhum]

90% of Epocot Center with children age 5-18 IMO. I remember bring bored to death there as a kid, then going with my extended family a few years back it was our least favorite park. Not even planning to take my 5 year old there for her first trip in May.

I agree. We never even go into World Showcase other than to eat at Le Cellier, Rose & Crown or Akershus. We do everything in the front. My son loves all the rides but everything beyond that is boring.

We went to WDW for our honeymoon and ended up in tears the first day. My DH wanted to go to EPCOT so bad and after a few rides we started walking around the world showcase I was bored out of my mind. At one point I just burst out in tears. I was crying "I came to Disney to have fun not learn stuff! Can't we go to a fun park?" LOL

 

[ratlenhum]

OK I am going to brave and say that I would skip the Dole Whip... I looked sooo forward to it last year. But, once I got it, I couldn't understand the appeal.

You need to get the Dole Whip FLOAT!! The Dole Whip alone is boring but as a FLOAT.......heaven in a cup

 

[Cptnkirky]

I wonder if Disney knows how bad Stitch really is. Who ever came up with that idea should get a flogging.
It's a shame they wasted so much $ to even build it. :

Oh yea, they know...Invested too much in it in the beginning and is not in the budget to change...other changes are in line first...

 

[disneydiva1313]

I avoid the turkey legs...just watching people gnaw on them turns my stomach. I know I'm in the minority on this one...but that's okay.

 

[LSchrow]

rose & crown- disgusting food that made our entire party of 7 horribly sick (also, service was poor - no water or drinks for the 1st hour, entrees brought to a few, flatware 30 minutes later, then the rest of us got our entrees after another 30 minutes - over 4 hours just to eat)

anything else, i consider at least passable, R&C is simply too bad to ever reconsider.

 

[ratlenhum]

I avoid the turkey legs...just watching people gnaw on them turns my stomach. I know I'm in the minority on this one...but that's okay.

or if you get one, avoid eating it on line for a ride. Sit somewhere and eat it.

We were online for a ride and a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 teenagers) were passing it around each taking bites. It was so disgusting that we couldn't stand it anymore. We got off the line!

 

[benolathe]

I avoid the turkey legs...just watching people gnaw on them turns my stomach. I know I'm in the minority on this one...but that's okay.

Well, I am in the minority with you. Can't stand the sight of those turkey legs!

 

[benolathe]

rose & crown- disgusting food that made our entire party of 7 horribly sick (also, service was poor - no water or drinks for the 1st hour, entrees brought to a few, flatware 30 minutes later, then the rest of us got our entrees after another 30 minutes - over 4 hours just to eat)

anything else, i consider at least passable, R&C is simply too bad to ever reconsider.

OMG - that sounds like an absolutely HORRIBLE meal! But honestly, there is no way I would have still been there at the 1-hour mark without any drinks or anything yet at all. We certainly would have walked out long before that time. You lasted FOUR HOURS?!?