jerlove wrote:I am so glad I came across this site. I am learning what not to do so I can avoid the title "SG" lol. Perhaps just making this post may qualify me.....
Anyways I am taking the family on our first ever Disney Vacation at the end of Jan, I have 2 children one is 7 the other is 2 and we are staying at the ASsports resort. I think I am even more excited than the kids. So far my interactions with CM's thru the WDW travel company and the reservations phone lines have been fantastic. I am looking for some tips to make this the most memorable family vacation ever.
1)My son loves the mono-rail and I would love to get him up front. What is the best time of day to attempt this?
2)Pin trading? would most 7yr olds enjoy this?
3)Should I drive to the parks from the resort or are the buses the better way to go?
4)any other tips to make our trip fantastic?
Thanks in advance for all of your help
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1) I pretty got catching the front cab down to a science...the Resort Monorail (the one that goes around the Lagoon CW & stops at each station) is hard to catch because there are 5 stops, so chances are slim that a cab would be available wherever you board. I've had my best chances boarding a Resort Monorail from athe Magic Kingdom Station (since a majority of the people get off there). The Resort Monorail is about a 20min round trip.
The Express Monorial & Epcot Monorail lines are a one-way service either to the Magic Kindgom, Transportation and Ticket Center or Epcot. In other words, if you board an Express or Epcot Monorail, you must exit at the next stop (if you're in the front cab). Just ask a CM if you can wait for the front of the next available train.
On the Express Monorail is the loop that travels CCW around the Lagoon and stops only the TTC and the MK. At both stops (which ever you prefer to board at) there is a small queue area towards the front of the platform to board the front of the next available train. You're guranteed to board unless there is a group already waiting, or if they are not loading the front cab due to training, weather, etc. If you were to board at the TTC it would be about a 5min ride to the MK, or if you were to board at the TTC it's about a 5min ride back. I would suggest doing it both ways. :)
The Epcot Monorail runs directly between Epcot and the TTC. Same deal as the Express Monorail, guranteed to board unless there's already a group waiting or of they're not loading the front for whatever reason. There is no queue area for the front, but the CM at the station will make sure that you get up there. The ride from the TTC to Epcot is about a 10min ride. I would suggest doing that once the sun sets, since that the Monorail goes over the park, and it's cool to see everything lit-up at night. From Epcot to the TTC it's about an 8min ride. Again, I would suggest doing it both ways.
Here's a map of the system:
I should also mention that you can only take 4 at a time to ride up front. If there is a wait and you're in no hurry to get anywhere, it's well worth it. It's one of the things you can do in WDW to have a blast that is absolutely FREE.
2) Both of my siblings continue to have a blast pin trading and have been doing it for several years now. But however, just as a heads-up, pins can range from $6-8, and some $15/each. But as mentioned above me, you can get a starter kit with 4 pins and a lanyard for around $15-20. Just make sure that the pins that you trade for have the Disney backstamp so you know that they are official.
One thing that I recommend doing, which I have done with my siblings all the time is something we call "Resort Hopping", where we stop at each monorail resort (Contemporary, Polynesian, Grand Floridian) to stop in each gift shop, where they have a pin board that you can ask for, which has Cast Member edition pins that you can trade. Max of one trade per person per board per day.
Maybe your son can collect all 12 of the lanyard monorail pins! Although, most of them are hard to come by:
3) I would use the Disney Buses, never had many problems with the buses, espically at the All-Star resorts. On a few occacions had to wait for 40min+ but other than that, no other big issues. On occasion we would drive if we had an early breakfeast reservation, we would just drive. We always drive to WDW so we have our own vehicle anyway.
4) If I can I would like to direct your attention to the Disney Mom's Panel:
http://disneyworldforum.disney.go.com/home.aspx
The Moms Panel is a forum where online "Moms" answer your questions and offer advice about family vacations to WDW.
My Mom is one of them :D:
Hope all this information helps! Have a wonderful trip!
