WDW in June: Help us do something different!

[Mark099]

Hi people,

My wife, daughter (5 y.o.), and myself are off to WDW in June for 15 days. This will be our 5th trip -- 3rd with our daughter. We have done all the obvious things at WDW, but are interested in doing some new things. We are staying at the Pop Century this time and have ultimate park hopper passes. We will have a car rental for the last week.

1) What is the best building to request at the PC? The one with the best access to bus stops, food, and the pool(s). We have requested a standard room.

2) We were thinking of a backlot or behind the scenes tour... any thoughts? Is one park better than the other(s)?

3) We have always enjoyed breakfast at Chef Mickeys... is there a better character breakfast/brunch? Where are the best "family style" meals?

4) Hoop-Dee-Do Revue or Spirit of Aloha? Why? My wife and I have been to the old Polynesian Luau before.

5) Anything else we should do or try to do?

TIA

[jrad32]

Well I've only been once (Feb. 2003) so I am jealous of you to say the least.

We were there for 8 days, and there were some things that looked really cool that we didn't have time for.

- Rent a water mouse speed boat and go cruising out on the lakes.
- Play at one of the two mini-golf courses.

We also took excursions to Islands of Adventure and the Kennedy Space Center. I highly reccomend both.

[Mark099]

Well I've only been once (Feb. 2003) so I am jealous of you to say the least.

We were there for 8 days, and there were some things that looked really cool that we didn't have time for.

- Rent a water mouse speed boat and go cruising out on the lakes.
- Play at one of the two mini-golf courses.

We also took excursions to Islands of Adventure and the Kennedy Space Center. I highly reccomend both.

We are not much into boats, but it's something to consider.

As for mini-golf, IoA, and KSC... we have done all that as well.

[Mark Goldhaber]

2) We were thinking of a backlot or behind the scenes tour... any thoughts? Is one park better than the other(s)?

With a 5YO, your choices are limited.

Magic Kingdom:
Welcome to the Magic Kingdom
Family Magic Tour (I've heard good things about this one)

Epcot:
Hidden Treasures of World Showcase
Undiscovered Future World

Disney-MGM Studios:
none

Disney's Animal Kingdom:
none

This is basically because they won't allow a 5YO backstage. There are a couple of kids-only adventures. There's a Pirate Cruise and a Wonderland Tea Party that are at the Grand Floridian. Both are supposed to be very good.

Tour descriptions are here.
Kids stuff descriptions are supposed to be here, but I'm getting an error accessing it.

[wwithers]

You should keep in mind that the tours are 1 1/2 - 5 hours long. This may be too much for your 5yo.

If you have not done either an illuminations cruise or a Wishes cruise, you might consider it. It is $120 for each cruise. It may be hard to get one this late but you can go here and see if you can find something. This is a thread on the DIS discussion boards (for June) of people who want to share their cruises (each boat holds up to 12). This is one way to get a cruise when you are inside the 90 reservation window.

[disnut8]

Between the Luau and Hoop Dee Do, since you've already done the Luau, I'd go for Hoop Dee Do. Even our jaded late teenage son sang along, played the washboard and had this goofy grin on his face during the entertainment.

For other things - one of my granddaughter's (and her parents') favorite memories of last year when she was five was the very tame pony ride at Fort Wilderness. It's $3 and a parent will lead the pony around. Just be warned that you should not wear open toed shoes to do this. You can combine this with a meal at Trial's End - great buffet and great prices. Just an off day at Fort Wilderness is full enough.

[mainys]

Wilderness Lodge or the Campgrounds or somewhere over there is a petting zoo - your 5 yo might like that and then you could eat Wilderness Lodge.

Have you just tried strolling around the Boardwalk at night? They have jugglers, caricature artists, hair wrapping, etc., usually more prominent on Fridays and saturdays.

they have the ladybug release at GF, you can check with them on the times, days or go over to allearsnet.com, I think they have that info.

Your 5 yo can have a tea with Alice also at the GF, I believe, also info on that at allearsnet.com.

Have you tried to be the family in the parade at MK? You have to go early and wear something like look alike t-shirts - bright and catchy. ask someone at the town hall how to go about this.

[mainys]

Oh yeah, forgot about the story telling at Arusha Rock at AKL at night around the fire, then you could do dinner at BOMA, and the s'mores thing around the fire at Wilnerness Camp. It is always nice after visiting so often to look into what each resort has to offer for something different!

[RLewis]

The Gardin Grille at The Land has an excellent family style lunch/dinner.

The family magic tour at the MK is fun for kids about 5-7.

They show movies (outside) at the campground on most nights.

I would also suggest going to the dock at the Polynesian and around 8:30 and watching the floating electric parade - follwed by the fireworks.

I don't personally care much for hoop-de-doo. It is difficult to get to (and back) and is basically a second rate ho-down with mediocre food (sorry guys).

There is a nice, quiet character breakfast of Old Key West (winnie and friends)

Since ou have so much time, I would suggest you try some of the dinnner shows outside of WDW.

[Mark Goldhaber]

There is a nice, quiet character breakfast of Old Key West (winnie and friends)

That particular character meal has been gone for at least a couple of years now, unfortunately. It was nice to have one that we could walk to.

[Mark099]

This is basically because they won't allow a 5YO backstage. There are a couple of kids-only adventures. There's a Pirate Cruise and a Wonderland Tea Party that are at the Grand Floridian. Both are supposed to be very good.

Tour descriptions are here.
Kids stuff descriptions are supposed to be here, but I'm getting an error accessing it.

Thanks for the heads up. We took her on a tour around DL. It was only 90 minutes, but she did fine.

[Mark099]

You should keep in mind that the tours are 1 1/2 - 5 hours long. This may be too much for your 5yo.

If you have not done either an illuminations cruise or a Wishes cruise, you might consider it. It is $120 for each cruise. It may be hard to get one this late but you can go here and see if you can find something. This is a thread on the DIS discussion boards (for June) of people who want to share their cruises (each boat holds up to 12). This is one way to get a cruise when you are inside the 90 reservation window.

$120 per boat or per person?

[Mark099]

For other things - one of my granddaughter's (and her parents') favorite memories of last year when she was five was the very tame pony ride at Fort Wilderness. It's $3 and a parent will lead the pony around. Just be warned that you should not wear open toed shoes to do this. You can combine this with a meal at Trial's End - great buffet and great prices. Just an off day at Fort Wilderness is full enough.

Nice idea. I think we will definitely check it out.

[Mark099]

Wilderness Lodge or the Campgrounds or somewhere over there is a petting zoo - your 5 yo might like that and then you could eat Wilderness Lodge.

Have you just tried strolling around the Boardwalk at night? They have jugglers, caricature artists, hair wrapping, etc., usually more prominent on Fridays and saturdays.

Your 5 yo can have a tea with Alice also at the GF, I believe, also info on that at allearsnet.com.

We like the Wilderness Lodge a lot. I'd love to stay there is I wasn't so cheap.

The broadwalk is nice too. We spent a few hours walking around on Christmas Day about 6 years ago so I think it's time to return.

Tea with Alice sounds like a nice idea.

[Mark099]

The Gardin Grille at The Land has an excellent family style lunch/dinner.

The family magic tour at the MK is fun for kids about 5-7.

They show movies (outside) at the campground on most nights.

I would also suggest going to the dock at the Polynesian and around 8:30 and watching the floating electric parade - follwed by the fireworks.

I don't personally care much for hoop-de-doo. It is difficult to get to (and back) and is basically a second rate ho-down with mediocre food (sorry guys).

There is a nice, quiet character breakfast of Old Key West (winnie and friends)

Since ou have so much time, I would suggest you try some of the dinnner shows outside of WDW.

We have seen the Garden Grille and the atmosphere is not that appealing to us unless it's changed in the last couple of years.

We'll check into the family magic tour.

Floating parade? Hmm, never heard or seen it before. Is it something new?

We went to a murder mystery dinner/show a couple of times and liked it very much.

[Mark099]

Keep the ideas coming. It looks like I will need to print this thread out and take it with us.

Thanks again....

[wwithers]

$120 per boat or per person?

Per boat. Sorry I didn't make that clear.

They also have a smaller boat called the Breathless that is $170 and holds either 4 or 5 people. It goes to the Illuminations fireworks.

[GeminiAngel]

don't forget mini golf-or taking in a movie in Downtown Disney. Have you done the Breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table?

[Mark099]

don't forget mini golf-or taking in a movie in Downtown Disney. Have you done the Breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table?

yes, yes, and no... is it worth while?

[wwithers]

yes, yes, and no... is it worth while?

Most definitely. There is no way you will get a res for Cinderella at this late date. If you want to do it, your best option is to either call or show up on the morning that you want to go and hope that someone has cancelled.

[RLewis]

The electric water parade is not new. In fact, it may have been there at the opening (I remember seeing it as a kid in '72).

I'm not saying it'll knock yoir socks off (pretty low tech), but if you can wrap it with a dinner at Poly/Contemp and/or watching the FW from the Poly beach, it's a nice diversion.

The Winter/Summerland mini-golf is also nice to stop at after a day at Blizzard Beach. The other mini-golf over by the Swan/Dolphin is also nice. A little out of the way (so you really need a car to get there) - but less crowded.

[Mark099]

The electric water parade is not new. In fact, it may have been there at the opening (I remember seeing it as a kid in '72).

Funny, all the times we have been there and never have seen it or even heard mention of it -- until now.

We'll check it out.

[minderella]

If this is your first stay at Pop Century, it may be worth taking some time to stroll the grounds. My 4 & 5 year old would squeal with glee whenever they discovered a new larger than life icon around the next corner. Might be fun to take the camera and take pics at these. I think they have a fact sheet at guest services -- kind of like a treasure hunt with different things on it to look for -- and in the afternoon (I think every day at 3 p.m.) the folks at the pool bar break out into a 50's style song and dance... so I'm told. We did not actually witness this ourselves though as I forgot about it.

You could also check out Lego Land in Downtown Disney. I didn't think my daughters would really get into something like that but they surprised me and really enjoyed it.

They also have the kid's guide at Animal Kingdom and another one, Goofy's Epcot adventure guide? These might offer an alternative way to explore these parks for you... Have you had your daughter do the mask thing at Epcot where she makes a mask and gets a different charm to hang on it from every country?

As for off-site stuff, I've always wanted to try Discovery Cove -- swimming with the Dolphins. It's up across from Sea World -- which also has some fun stuff to do -- they have a luau if you want to try a different one -- and dining with Shamu "poolside" as well as a character breakfast with Shamu and friends...

And finally, if you do want to try a princess character meal, the Park Fare at the Grand Floridian has an evening buffet with Cinderella and Friends (the mice and Fairy Godmother -- maybe Prince Charming?) -- I have not personally attended this but we are going back to WDW in June also (11th-16th) and will be trying it out. Ours is a spur of the moment trip we just decided to take as of last week and so of course, missed out on the Royal Table Breakfast.

[LPnerd]

I took my 5yr old grandaughter to hoop-de doo and she LOVED it.!!!!!! the food was pretty good.Lots to do at wilderness. also, if you head over to buffet late,they are practically given the stuffaway. run over by yourself and grab a plate I bet you would get enough for the whole fam.they have take out.have you looked into staying in one of the cabins?full kitchen the money you save on food makes it about the same price.Plus, much better atmosphere.why not say second week there? also, try universal .Lots for the 5 yr. old both parks there too. Did u know if you get on I4 and head east u r approx.45 min from kennedy space center?Have a great time!!!

[Mark099]

Did u know if you get on I4 and head east u r approx.45 min from kennedy space center?Have a great time!!!

We have been to KSS before. Twice to be exact. For some reason both times I have left there with a migraine.