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I have been to Disney World over 100 times and am always looking for new things to try.
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But some places to eat like the Hollywood Brown Derby and the Coral Reef are just okay.
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I also don’t plan on staying in cheap hotels like Disney’s All-Star Resorts again.
I have been traveling to Disney World in Orlando, Florida for almost 30 years. In that time, the parks and resorts have changed dramatically.
After over 100 visits to theme parks, here are the things I don’t want to do again.
My stay at Disney’s All-Star Resorts was fine, but I would rather spend a little more for a nicer hotel.
Families on a budget, including my own when I was a kid, often stay at Disney’s All-Star Resorts. I recently stayed at the All-Star Movies because it was the most affordable option for my trip.
My room was clean and quiet, but I didn’t like the lack of restaurants. Also, the Disney buses are the only free transportation to and from the parks. Other budget resorts like Pop Century and Art of Animation at least have access to the Disney Skyliner gondola system.
I would rather spend a little more money and stay at a “mid-priced” resort like Disney’s Caribbean Beach, which has nicer amenities and better access to the park.
I don’t plan on riding Mission: Space at Epcot again.
Epcot has enough attractions to please almost any member of the family, but when I recently visited Mission: Space, I was reminded why I don’t like this ride.
After going through the queue and receiving some “training” via a short informational video, I was loaded into a capsule for our virtual mission to Mars.
The ride started slowly with a backwards tilt, so it felt like I was laying down for our virtual rocket launch. Then the G-forces hit and I started to feel a little nauseous. I couldn’t wait for the ride to be over so I could get out of the tight space.
Next time I feel like getting some thrills at Epcot, I’ll join the virtual queue for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind instead.
I probably won’t eat at Epcot’s Coral Reef Restaurant again, even though the atmosphere was cool.
After seeing so many cool pictures and videos of the restaurant’s glass aquarium wall, I was eager to try out the Coral Reef in the Seas With Nemo and Friends pavilion.
When I finally made a reservation, I thought the food was OK and the service was good. But I was sad that there are only a few tables right next to the glass of the aquarium, which are the best places to watch the animals. I didn’t sit anywhere near the tank.
I don’t regret trying it, but it was expensive and I think the overall experience really depends on where you sit. I would rather make reservations at the Beer Garden in Epcot’s World Showcase, where the food is good and everyone can see the entertainment.
The food at the Hollywood Brown Derby is fine, but I would rather enjoy a meal at the first come, first served lounge.
Hollywood Studios is my favorite park at Disney World, and on a recent visit I was able to eat at the Hollywood Brown Derby Restaurant for the first time in a long time.
Shortly after checking in, I was seated in a fancy dining room. I tried the Cobb salad ($22) and the grapefruit pie ($13), both staples at the original Brown Derby in Hollywood, California.
The dishes were light and tasty and I was served quickly, so we had a nice, cozy lunch.
But then I discovered that the outdoor area of the restaurant, the Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge, serves both of these dishes, as well as a small menu of lounge-only dishes.
The lounge is first come, first served, but you can often get in without a reservation. That means I can eat whenever I want and don’t have to decide 60 days in advance when table reservations are available.
I don’t ride the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom because the seats are uncomfortable and there is no thrill.
One of my least favorite rides at Disney World is the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in the Magic Kingdom. Almost every time I go by, the line is wrapped around the outside of the roller coaster, with wait times of 80 minutes or more.
Even when I was able to get a ticket for the express line, the ride was never worth the wait for me.
The actual rides are not comfortable to sit on. The lap bars cut into my legs and my knees practically touch the barrier at the front of the row.
I understand that the ride is designed for kids who aren’t quite ready for big thrills like Space Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, but I still don’t find the attraction that exciting or worth more than a 30 minute wait.
It’s fun to get the Kitchen Sink sundae at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop once, but I wouldn’t do it again.
Disney World is known for its exceptional food creations, including the Kitchen Sink Sundae ($36) at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop at the Beach Club Resort.
The giant sundae contains eight scoops of ice cream, hot fudge sauce, peanut butter, Snickers pieces, brownies and several other toppings, including an entire can of whipped cream.
When I ordered it with my family, our waiter announced that we were taking on the challenge and sirens with lights started going off in the restaurant. We tried our best but couldn’t make it to the table.
I don’t really feel the need to do it again.
I love Kilimanjaro Safaris at Animal Kingdom, but only early in the morning.
One of the best attractions at Disney World is the Kilimanjaro Safaris in Animal Kingdom. After boarding a safari truck, you’ll drive through various ecosystems, including wetlands, rivers, and a vast savanna.
The free-roaming animals are a big attraction, as every trip is different. But on a recent visit to the park, I made the mistake of going late in the afternoon when most of the animals weren’t very active, probably because of the heat.
Next time I go to the park I will definitely try it first thing in the morning. But I have also heard that some animals are very active during afternoon rain showers.
I skip the Emporium in the Magic Kingdom and go to the World of Disney in Disney Springs.
The Emporium at Magic Kingdom is a goldmine for Disney merchandise, but it’s usually very crowded from the time the park opens until long after it officially closes.
Instead of pushing through crowds in search of the perfect souvenir, I usually prefer to head to World of Disney at Disney Springs.
World of Disney is the largest shopping area on property. When Disney Springs opens at 10am, the store is usually not crowded and I can browse at my leisure without feeling rushed.
This story was originally published in August 2023 and was last updated on August 8, 2024.
Read the original article on Business Insider
