tips for visiting disney/fountains in december ???

[iapetus79 Member Find all posts View Profile Close iapetus79]

We will be checking in next week at the fountains for our Christmas vacation (our first visit to the fountains)....we are SO excited !

Our group has two "2 bedrooms" reserved. I've seen some discussion on this forum about the different types of 2 bedroom units...should I be asking for a "free" upgrade or a certain building when we check in ? We will have with us: 6 adults, 4 kids under 4yrs (3 will be in pack n plays).

Also - in looking at the weather forecast for the Orlando area recently - it looks like its been either a high of 50s or 70s. So I'm guessing that we won't be taking advantage of the new gorgeous pool much. So should we ask to stay by the clubhouse and indoor pool ? But I think those are all the older units/buildings. I need some advice from people that have been there in colder weather

Also - any tips from families that stayed at the fountains and visited disney would be much appreciated !!! We have 7 day park hopper passes.

THANK YOU MUCH !
~Jackie

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

The busiest time of year at the parks. Actually week 52 is. But it will be crowded.

Not many tips to give about crowds other than to avoid them. You do that by not doing what others do at the same time others do them . . . try not to go with the flow.

That advice always fails on the masses because of the lemming-like qualities of the human species. I see it in Branson every day in-season as folks line up for miles bumper-to-bumper to go to Steal Your Dollar City. Two hours later and you could drive right in.

But, there will be lines.

Say Hi to Goofy for me. Last time I did he did not seem to appreciation it, and he fell a few notches from Hero status.

[iapetus79 Member Find all posts View Profile Close iapetus79]

The busiest time of year at the parks. Actually week 52 is. But it will be crowded.

Not many tips to give about crowds other than to avoid them. You do that by not doing what others do at the same time others do them . . . try not to go with the flow.

That advice always fails on the masses because of the lemming-like qualities of the human species. I see it in Branson every day in-season as folks line up for miles bumper-to-bumper to go to Steal Your Dollar City. Two hours later and you could drive right in.

But, there will be lines.

Say Hi to Goofy for me. Last time I did he did not seem to appreciation it, and he fell a few notches from Hero status.

thanks for the disney tips...we are going the week before christmas and checking out the following monday (so we are hoping to miss most of the families on winter break).

any tips on the fountains ?

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

not from me

[shockwave7_7 Member Find all posts View Profile Close shockwave7_7]

I can't offer any specific advice regarding the timing, but we took our son to Disney in September, a month before his second birthday. I was surprised by how much he was able to ride in the Magic Kingdom. When we wanted to do something he couldn't ride, we used the passes they give out, and it worked great. I was also impressed by the character meet and greets. I think it was my son's favorite. The only thing we splurged on was the buffet lunch with Winnie the Pooh characters. He loved jumping with Tigger and hugging Pooh and Piglet.

We loved the fountains, but would not stay in the same building again. I think I would have preferred the building near the indoor-outdoor pool (Bldg 5?), although building 10 is the newest. I hope your family has a great time in Orlando!

[Hobbitess Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hobbitess]

Our group has two "2 bedrooms" reserved. I've seen some discussion on this forum about the different types of 2 bedroom units...should I be asking for a "free" upgrade or a certain building when we check in ?

Buildings three and four are the older buildings and they do have the largest units, but you probably don't want to request them because they also have the smallest units! I suspect the largest units are reserved for people who specifically ask for them - they're the only ones that sleep eight. Buildings three and four are also in the process of being redone but I don't think they've finished either yet, so you probably want one of the newer buildings anyhow. Also, in our experience it's harder to get parking in front of buildings three and four -- I dunno if the lots are smaller or if it's that people buzz over in their cars to go to the clubhouse or what, but we could always find parking in front of five but not always four. Which may mean people in five have a hard time, too, what with the people from four parking there.

You might look at the map and see if there's anywhere you particularly want to be. Building 5 has a nice view of Lake Eve, Building 2 is halfway between the two pool areas and probably closest to the clubhouse other than the two older buildings. With the little ones you might want to try to get a building by the play areas (2, 7 or 8).

Bluegreen Corporation

The Fountains is nice sized but IMHO it's not so huge that it's a big hardship to walk over to the clubhouse or the lake from about anywhere.

[bladeguy1308 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bladeguy1308]

We stayed there 2 years ago and I believe it was bldg 8. It was the newest bldg when we were there. As stated in the last post, nothing is too far of a walk.
As for Disney tips, purchase the book "The Unofficial Guide to Disney". It is by far the best and most comprehensive guide for Disney, at least that's what I think. Have fun.

[iapetus79 Member Find all posts View Profile Close iapetus79]

I can't offer any specific advice regarding the timing, but we took our son to Disney in September, a month before his second birthday. I was surprised by how much he was able to ride in the Magic Kingdom. When we wanted to do something he couldn't ride, we used the passes they give out, and it worked great. I was also impressed by the character meet and greets. I think it was my son's favorite. The only thing we splurged on was the buffet lunch with Winnie the Pooh characters. He loved jumping with Tigger and hugging Pooh and Piglet.

We loved the fountains, but would not stay in the same building again. I think I would have preferred the building near the indoor-outdoor pool (Bldg 5?), although building 10 is the newest. I hope your family has a great time in Orlando!

Thanks, I looked at the map and was thinking building 5 or 2. Do they honor building requests at check in - or do I need to call this week ?

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

I was there in March couple years ago and had requested the old building when the request went in. I got building 3, and loved it. Scheduled to go again this March and requested building 3 or 4 and looks like I will have 4. I don't want the kids area and would be fine if this was an adult only building.

If the air fair doesn't drop somewhat, I may not be able to use the reservation. I don't want to pay $450 for a ticket.

[jabjaw7 Member Find all posts View Profile Close jabjaw7]

What did you mean by the passes when you wanted to go on something he couldn't. I have a 3 year old that we want to take in the near future.

Vitner -
Watch for airfare to drop right after Christmas. We went to Solara for spring break in 2006 and the week after Christmas they dropped for a short window before going back up.

I figure they don't think people are looking after spending too much on Christmas and aren't thinking Spring Break yet. Good luck.

Justine

[PigsDad Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PigsDad]

What did you mean by the passes when you wanted to go on something he couldn't. I have a 3 year old that we want to take in the near future.

They were talking about the FastPass, where you can get a pass to come back to the ride at a later time and bypass the regular line. But during busy times, FastPasses will be gone not too long after the park opens. Many schools are out next week, and the parks will be swamped with visitors.

Kurt