There are too many sites out there right now dealing with Walt Disney World Orlando and DisneyLand in California that anything I put here would be totally redundant. Having said that, however, I wanted to address Disney and cover some real-life experiences that could help (or not).
FAVORITE RIDE
Up until Flight of Passage (FOP) – part of Pandora - came on line at Animal Kingdom, Soaring at EPCOT was the favorite ride. Both are of the same design except the Flight of Passage is 3-D while Soaring is not. The down side is that BOTH rides – and more – have a waiting time in excess of 70 minutes. Often the waiting time at Flight of Passage (FOP) exceeds 170 minutes and has been up to 240+ minutes. Despite these waiting times (and this rare to hear from me because I hate long waiting times) FOP is now the number 1 rated ride (at least until Galaxy’s Edge opens this fall in Disney Hollywood and Guardians of the Galaxy opens at EPCOT). We enjoy several other rides, including Star Tours, Rockin’ Rollercoaster, Tower of Terror, Test Track, and others.
Rockin’ Rollercoaster is an indoor, in-the-dark rollercoaster with loops, twists, turns, and rolls. Not recommended for those that are subject to motion sickness. Tower of Terror is the sudden-drop ride and negative Gs. If you don’t like the negative G feeling, not recommended. Test Track has positive Gs when the vehicle you are riding in makes a sharp 360 degree turn on a banked curve. This one is very doable.
Fast Passes on many of these rides are usually gone if you don’t make them 30+ days in advance. I have heard of some people lucking out by frequently checking for fast passes, but it apparently does not happen very often. We have also found that many of these rides have some of the least waiting times between 11:30 am and 1:00 pm because a lot of the guest start going to lunch. Unless you are prepared to run (which is against Disney rules) and are in the front of the line, your waiting time will be almost the same as if you get there later.
Some visitors are reporting that if you wait until just before the park closes, the lines are shorter and/or they move faster. Others have reported that is you try for a fast pass in the late afternoon, it is possible to get a fast pass onto the busier riders.
FOOD
What can one say? The obvious statement is that on Disney property food is expensive by anyone’s standards. And unless you eat at one of the sit-down restaurants, the quality is not the highest in the world. A number of people have suggested to bring your own food. Disney does not apparently have a problem with you bringing your own food or drinks (alcohol, excluded) but as of May 1, 2019 you can no longer bring it using either ice or dry ice to keep the food cold. They will permit the use of freeze containers that can be frozen and then put into coolers. The down side of that is none of these items can be brought onto the rids. Unlike Universal Studios, you can rent a locker at the main entrance of each of the parks, but that means you need to go to the front of the park when it comes time to eat. Some other folks have resorted to using fanny backs or even small back packs to have bottles of water, soft drinks, or snacks. Again, as long as you keep it small enough to store somewhere on the ride, it shouldn’t be a problem. Be carefully, however, if it is too large, they will not allow you on the ride and you will have to make your way to the front of the park to rent a locker.
WEATHER
Weather in Florida is legendary – wait long enough and you can experience all four seasons in 24 hours. So be prepared. The hottest months of the year start in June and extend through September. Be prepared with plenty of fluids. In the spring, fall and winter with rain usually the heaviest and most frequent in March and April. And of course, hurricanes from June through November. BTW, to my knowledge, Walt Disney World has closed only twice due to a hurricane.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation modes includes bus, boat, monorail, and soon to open Disney Skyliner - condola sky lift system - AT NO ADDITIONAL COST! The only drawback with the buses is that a lot of times it is a pretty god walking distance from the main interest of the park (which ever one you are going to) and the bus terminal.
SECURITY
Since 9/11, security at Disney has been a major concern and issue. To ensure everyone's safety, you usually have to go through one of two "lines" - bags or no bags. No bags mean you don't have any bags, camera cases, that need to be inspected. Bags means you have a hand bag, camera case, stroller, back pack, you name it, to be inspected. Each package will be open and inspected by security. Each individual is subject to an additional inspection - metal detector scan. In some parks everyone goes through the metal detectors. In others it is more random.
RULES
Park rules are implemented in the interest of safety and visitor enjoyment. Often times that is lost in the madhouse rush of the park.
The following are not allowed to be brought into the Disney Theme Parks or Water Parks:
Wagons
Skateboards
Scooters
Drones
Remote control toys
Inline skates
Shoes with built-in wheels
Strollers larger than 36" x 52" (92 x 132 cm)
Suitcases, coolers or backpacks with or without wheels larger than 24" (61 cm) long x 15" (38 cm) wide x 18" (46 cm) high. Coolers required for medication may be stored in a locker or at Guest Relations.
Any trailer-like object that is pushed or towed by an ECV, wheelchair or stroller
Wheeled mobility devices with less than 3 wheels and devices that cannot maintain stability and balance when stopped, unpowered or unoccupied. Training wheels or similar modifications are not permitted.
Alcoholic beverages
Weapons of any kind or object that appear to be weapons (toy guns, toy blasters, squirt guns, etc.)
Folding chairs
Glass containers (excluding baby food jars and perfume bottles)
Pets (unless they are service animals, defined as any dog or miniature horse trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability)
Balloons and straws are not permitted in Disney's Animal Kingdom Park for the safety of the animals
Tripod stands or monopod stands that cannot fit inside a standard backpack
Wrapped gifts (all gifts must be able to be unwrapped for inspection)
Selfie sticks (hand-held extension poles for cameras and mobile devices)
Like many of the rules at Disney, some are strictly enforced, while others are not. A more comprehensive listing is available at the Disney's Website.
SOME OTHER LINKS THAT MAY BE HELPFUL
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