Any Plans to go Soon?

Hi there, John. Welcome to WDWFG.

Your trip sounds fantastic. Great planning! (And your soon-to-be dear wife will surely enjoy the spa. I hear it's one of the best.)

Enjoy!

I had an accident in labrador a few years ago and totaled out the BMW and got picked up for speeding on my Ducati and sold that. I don't have bike right now. My dad and brother have bikes so I could borrow one yet Jude is not that interested in riding and I have now decided to not get another bike.

John

So I guess it's for the best that you changed your name to the mountain bike. Or did you give that up as well?

Glad to have you on the boards!

mt bike is in basement and will ride when the snow melts. I'm in Maine and we have a couple feet of snow on the ground.

John

Sounds like you've had some interesting (and unfortunate) experiences! Glad you're safe and sound.

We love Maine (we're part of that annoying contingent that infests during the summer); where are you located?

Bangor, Maine

I have a question for you more seasoned Disney travelers.

What are the chances of getting into Disney restaurants without reservations? Most of the sites I've looked at say that without reservations it's not possible to get into the restaurants. What has been your experience?

John

I'd say when you're going it ranges from somewhat unlikely to impossible depending on the restaurant. There's generally no penalty to canceling ADRs (with a few exceptions), so there's really very little downside to making them. We have gotten in at places without ADRs but it generally involved going at very off times. For the restaurants you listed, some are actually possible without reservations, but I wouldn't take the chance.

Congrats!
I will be staying at the Poly April 29th - May 6th

We have as I've said before made several reservations. I don't want to over plan this trip and I tend to do that sometimes, wanting to do as much as possible every day yet this is our honeymoon and want to be able to relax and allow Jude to enjoy herself too.

John

That's really good thinking, especially on a Honeymoon. No need to worry about maximizing everything, you'll have plenty of fun either way unless you stress yourself out. I'm big on ADRs because eating is at least half of relaxing for me, but other than that I revolt at anything that requires too much regimen. It's supposed to be a vacation after all!

john -

have you not been since 1983? there's so much to see if so! that's very exciting. or did i read incorrectly?

I agree with Brad that it always makes sense to have reservations--you can always cancel them if you'd rather not keep them. And there are some restaurants where you HAVE to make reservations (Le Cellier, California Grille, 'Ohana), or risk a loooong wait or being turned away completely. But most should be able to fit you in with a 15-30 minute wait at the most.

THAT SAID: You're going during a moderate crowd time, so as long as you have an easygoing attitude about it and are willing to bypass a restaurant you may have wanted if it's too busy, you should be fine.

I've been to Epcot in 2001. The last few times I have been in Orlando I went to Bush Gardens or Universal.

Jude (Judy) has never been to Disney. Her boys have been while on break from collage. I think that she will have a great time. I've promised her that we can relax and not be running from one place to another which is the way I tend to do things.

I'm going to book a couple more breakfasts and with the dinner reservations we have we should be fine.

John

Good. Plan. When you're a grownup you can do those sorts of things. And have dole whips for breakfast.

just make sure to get a couple of beers asap, it makes the relaxing much easier!

Going for our honeymoon August 2-8. Can't wait!

Congratulations on upcoming wedding teacherdrama.

Any plans on where you are staying? We will let them know you're coming.

John

Yes you can! Remember that Aloha Isle doesn't open until 11...

We're staying in the Contemporary. We actually were able to upgrade to a tower room facing the park for relatively cheap because of the deals now.

Admin's got some good Theme Park View photos in her trip report

I remember being there as a kid in the mid seventies. I want to get off there and look around. When I was there as a kid we stayed outside the park. and thinking that I would love to stay there. A tower room is the way to go.

We booked Grand Floridian because Jude wanted to do a few spa treatments and wanted to use that spa and I did not want her to travel from one resort to another so we are staying there. I was leaning toward the wilderness lodge yet being on the monorail loop will be nice.

You two should have a great time. A honeymoon is a good time to spoil yourselves.

John

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the Monorail resorts. One day I will find out for sure!

I have stayed at Wilderness Lodge and it's fantastic, but I'm still envious of the people who get to ride the monorail home at the end of the day. I think however WL to Grand Floridian would have been a hassle so it was a good choice to stay there. Are you guys renting a car?

We are being picked up at the airport by Disney and we will stay in the Disney World complex for the week. It should be relaxing to not have to drive and even though it may take time to trave between attractions it will be fun just looking out the window and will also be a time to relax between adventures.

John

I've done both--disney transportation and car rental. Disney transport can take a long time, but as long as you're ready for the waits, it can be very relaxing!

Monorail resorts are particularly awesome if you don't have a car. I think there's a great immersion factor in never having to drive too.

I like to run from one thing to another yet Jude will enjoy the different ways of getting from one place to another.

We went to Boston a couple years ago for new years and took a boat from our hotel at the airport to the city and it was both fun and relaxing. I think that even though it will take time it will add to the trip.

John

Might help you to remember to stay in that relaxed state of mind!