What NOT to do at WDW?

[SillySymphony]

I'm sure that by now your head is reeling and you've discovered that little known phenomenon of asking 50 people in a room "Who shot the Butler?", and have received 50 vastly different responses. The reason is simple: Everyone here LOVES WDW and feels very strongly one way or another regarding individual attractions; Lands; even Parks. (I have a friend who won't do MK anymore because, as they say, "Our kids are grown"... Sheesh!!!) Here's the best advice I can offer:

Have a plan. Don't misuse your time reading over a Park Map asking one another if "Kali River Rapids" is a good idea. Know ahead of time. Use the internet's database beginning right here with Intercot. But don't stay there. Much as Macy's Santa Claus recommended Gimbels, I recommend you get to Borders or Barnes & Noble and head straight for the Travel area. Once there, you'll find any number of written guides, but if you PM me, I'll give you my thoughts on the best and why.

February is a "transitional" month in FL. Be prepared to change directions based on the "chill" factor. Oh.... and one more thing.... for some of us- planning is almost as much fun as being there !!!

[gerald72]

Astro Orbiter- skip it!

Swiss Family Treehouse- it's like a fancy queue line, without an attraction at the end

[thejens]

I definitely agree, do NOT do Narnia! I am still mad I wasted that time. I recommend spending two days in Epcot, two days in MK, one day in Animal Kingdom and one in Studios. Arrive when park opens and do all the Must Dos first and use your fast passes as frequently as possible. This way you can relax in the afternoon, knowing you've done the attractions most important to your family and it is okay to "waste time" on some of the lesser, but still fun, attractions. I love the Unauthorized Guide and it was a life saver for me on my first trip. Now I do skip some attractions (yes, Stitch and Narnia and the Bears) but I am so glad I tried them all once (well, maybe not Narnia.) Also, be sure to make some dining reservations. Dining in Disney can be quite an experience!

[syndrome]

Since this is your first visit I say don't skip anything! Only you can decide what you like and dislike. Most people who have posted have been numerous times and that is why they these opinions. I can honestly say that I have done everything at each park and of course there are things that I dont do anymore. But you have to try them first. 6 days is more than enough time to take your time and just enjoy the heck out of being at DISNEY! Hope you have a great time!

[lockedoutlogic]

Star Tours is the most underachieving amusement attraction in the history of amusements....

and that includes alot of fluff

[disneyboundagain]

When I first read the title, I wasn't sure of your context. I assumed almost everyone would think attractions, but here are my "What not to do":

1. Don't stress about anything at home, leave it at home.

2. Don't stress about anything at work, with family, about bills, or anything else non-vacation related.

3. Don't overlook the less obvious things, they are some of the ones that matter the most. An example would be your child's face when they see the characters, attractions, parades, and fireworks.

4. Don't let anything get you upset. There's nothing at Disney worth getting upset over.

And my most important....

5. Don't be afraid to act and feel like a kid again. It's perfectly normal, and it can REALLY be a great feeling.

[Maxwell]

Do NOT stress over what to do and what not to do. Make your best educated guess and go for it! Even the things that we agreed we would never do again, we were glad we did once.

Don't second guess your vacation. There are so many ways to see WDW...if you think that something wasn't worth it or you made a mistake, just remind yourself that you have learned something for your NEXT trip!

[Aurora]

There are so many of us on these boards who have visited multiple times that we can get jaded and overly critical. But especially for a first-time visitor, like you, Disney is still a wonderful, magical place, and almost everything is new and exciting.

Since you've never been, a "don't do" list would be extremely short, not even worth the bother to avoid the attractions, for all the reasons people have stated.

If I were you, I would make sure I had a "don't miss" list instead, for each park. That way you know you will experience all the best that Disney offers, and all the rest is very good frosting.

If you experience something you don't care for, well then, chalk it up. But I guarantee someone on these boards will suggest you skip an attraction that you personally would have found amazing had you tried it. And then sooner or later someone will say to you, "Oh, you went to Disney World? Did you see 'so and so' and you'll say, 'but they said that one wasn't worth it' and you'll wonder what you missed.

[c&d]

The one thing I would recommend is don't spend you're entire day in the park. Go back and take a break in the afternoon if you are staying on property. WDW is so big and overwhelming on the first trip you'll really appreciate that "rest" in the afternoon. The resorts are also fun to explore it's all part of the experience.

As for what to avoid that's really a personal decision. Go thru the book with your family and see what interests you. Do those rides first and then go on to your 2nd tier of choices.

Personally I will never go on the teacups now that DS knows how to spin them.

[PlutoPlanet]

Don't try to do EVERYTHING.

[tjewelcat]

WOW!!!! Thanks for all of the advice. I will ask one more thing that is bothering me now. For dinner reservations........I understand that we will need reservations for a casual sit down, bring food to me type of meal. The fast food spots non are needed. But in February when crowds are low will we still need reservations??? I am not so worried about the character dining ( I have booked for the royal table) I mean if we wanted to go to someplace like The Rainforest Cafe would we need to make them? If so should I book now or when we get there and get a better feel for what and when we want to do things? If I do make reservations for some place like that what happens if we cancel?

[PETE FROM NYC]

OK here is my 2 cents.
While the Birnbaum guide can be helpful, it shows no objectivity.It may have just as well have been written by WDW.For a more objective book,get the Un-official Guide,which I feel has more and better info.
My family does the 4 theme parks only.We open them in the morning,and are frequently one of the last to leave,but we are nuts anyway.

[BraddyB]

There really isnt anything i would say to stay away from, especially if its your first trip.

What may be boring to some, while be enjoyable to you. It might be boring to them because they have rode it many times in the past or just not their cup of tea.

I personally like Journey in Imagination, sure its changed from when I was a little kid, but I still like it.

Stitch's Escape is something to try Once, and then see if you want to ride it again. I rode it once and when i go back in October I have no need to ride it again.

When its your first time, there is nothing i would exclude. Try it and see if you like it.

[Goes4FastPass]

Do not go near any video arcade including Toy Story Pizza Planet!

Why do people spend $thousands to visit WDW then walk into a video arcade and pay to play the same games that are at their local mall?

[cer]

WOW!!!! Thanks for all of the advice. I will ask one more thing that is bothering me now. For dinner reservations........I understand that we will need reservations for a casual sit down, bring food to me type of meal. The fast food spots non are needed. But in February when crowds are low will we still need reservations??? I am not so worried about the character dining ( I have booked for the royal table) I mean if we wanted to go to someplace like The Rainforest Cafe would we need to make them? If so should I book now or when we get there and get a better feel for what and when we want to do things? If I do make reservations for some place like that what happens if we cancel?

OK. We go in Feb. This will be our third trip during that time of year and please make your ADR's - it will save you so much heart-ache. Nothing will happen if you cancel your ADR's, just make sure you cancel them so another guest can go during that time.

As far as how to see as much as possible on your first trip.... we used a touring plan on our first trip (got ours out of the back of the Unofficial Guide). It was only on our first trip we did this and it was very helpful - we were not a slave to it by any means, but it saved us time wandering around trying to decide what to do next. You will also benefit from being at a park at rope drop - or at least we do. Some people don't like being there early, but I don't like long lines or large crowds, which you won't get so much of in Feb, but it can be busy - especially when you are trying to get that Fast Pass for Toy Story Mania....

[faline]

WOW!!!! Thanks for all of the advice. I will ask one more thing that is bothering me now. For dinner reservations........I understand that we will need reservations for a casual sit down, bring food to me type of meal. The fast food spots non are needed. But in February when crowds are low will we still need reservations???

First, when in February are you going? Crowds are only low for the very beginning of February. They begin to pick up in the week leading into Presidents' Day week. Presidents' Day week, itself, is the beginning of the busy spring break season and is usually very busy.

Essentially, it it's a restaurant you want to eat at, Id make a reservation. For most restaurants, there is no penalty to simply call and say you want to cancel the reservation. There are some that require a 48 hour advance cancellation but, if that is the case, you'll be provided with that information when you make the reservation.

If you're flexible about where you eat, and when, you can usually get a last minute (or at least same day) dining reservation for a sit-down dining establishment. There are exceptions to this. If you are there over Valentine's day, you had best make your reservation in advance or you may find there is no availability at any sit-down restaurant.

[tjewelcat]

OK. We go in Feb. This will be our third trip during that time of year and please make your ADR's - it will save you so much heart-ache. Nothing will happen if you cancel your ADR's, just make sure you cancel them so another guest can go during that time.

Thanks sooo much!!! I am really looking forward to this and I don't want to miss a meal! haha And I don't want my traveling companions to either...they may act like a certain dwarf if they miss a meal.

[tjewelcat]

First, when in February are you going? Crowds are only low for the very beginning of February. They begin to pick up in the week leading into Presidents' Day week. Presidents' Day week, itself, is the beginning of the busy spring break season and is usually very busy.

I did figure out to go before Presidents day. We should be leaving when they are arriving.

[cer]

tjewelcat,

I just sent you a private message...look for it.

A little bit of packing help....

[tjewelcat]

Thanks!!!!