First DVC trip in 30 days! Any reminders/hints??? (P-p-p-lease?)

[JonHM]

Well, we're under the one month mark until our very first trip home as DVC members!!! We'll be bringing our DS, who just turned 18 months the other day, and bringing my parents and sister and Father in Law as well. We're trying to research and prepare as much as we can, but are there any preparations that you guys can recommend that we may not have thought of - Please grant us the gift of the knowledge and wisdom that you have accumulated as DVC members! No suggestion too small... We're interested in all of them!

Both general DVC advice, Disney World in January advice, and Boardwalk specific advice would all be *extremely* helpful!

Thanks, guys!!!

:bounce: :bounce:

[Towncrier]

Where are you staying?

[Sorcerer]

When are you going? I'm taking my fiance for his first trip ever in just three weeks!

Tips for travelling in January - pack clothes that you can layer. It can be warm one day and cold (try 26 degrees last New Year's Eve!) the next. Better to have too many warm clothes than not enough. Bring your coat, just in case, and pack your gloves, hat and scarf in the pockets. Last year we brought our coats only for the drive down, expecting the weather in Orlando to be at least warm enough for just long sleeves. I hadn't brought my gloves, but found one of those headband ear warmers in a pocket of my coat - thank goodness! LOL

Plan for late dinners in one of the resorts so you can enjoy the parks all day - especially with all but one park closing by 7 or 8pm.

My mom found these great laundry soap tablets that are individually wrapped for doing our laundry - they're lightweight and not messy. I don't recall the brand, but I'm sure you can find them with the other laundry products at the store.

Bring the coffee filters that have the coffee already in them.

Extra pair of sneakers in case it rains, so you don't have to wait for your shoes to dry out - you can just put on the other pair!

And as a DVC member...remember to RELAX - it will all still be there the next time you go. Take time to smell the roses (literally....have you seen the walkway surrounded by roses at Epcot?) Take lots of pictures! My all-time favorite tip given to me several years ago was to take a picture in the same place every trip. My sister and I have done that for the past 8 or so trips - we framed a few of the pictures from various years and gave it as a gift to my parents. They were thrilled. It was cool to see the differences over the years, both in me and my sister as well as the park itself. With your son so young you should definitely start that tradition. Imagine looking at 17 years of pictures when he graduates from high school!

Enjoy your trip!!

[JonHM]

Well, our home is VWL, but we'll actually be staying at the Boardwalk for this trip, in a 2 bedroom.

[JonHM]

Thanks!! We'll be coming down on Sunday, January 27th and going back on Thursday the 31st. Thanks a lot for the tip about the picture - that sounds like a really fun idea.

Anybody have any "must-visit" restaurants within the world to recommend?

[Sorcerer]

Well now you've asked for it - I'm a food junkie. Love to cook, love to eat, hate to clean it up :D

All time favorite can't miss 'em restaurants:
Artist Point
Le Cellier - but only for the cheese soup, really. There should still be a booth out front of Le Cellier selling the Cheese Soup in individual bowls (it's out there from Food and Wine Festival throughout the "cold" season normally). Do yourselves a favor, get some cheese soup just before Off Kilter plays. Grab a seat, enjoy your soup and a wonderfully unique show!
Casey's at MK - just love their hot dogs.
Tusker House for breakfast at AK - great ham and cheese croissants with a side of hash browns and the best coffee on property!
Prime Time at MGM
Big River Grille at the Boardwalk...in May we had a 2-bedroom right above Big River Grille - we could look over our balcony at what everyone was eating. It looked good so we gave it a try for lunch - I wouldn't call it a "don't miss" but it was really good. And you can't beat the convenience to your room if you're staying at BWV!

That should be a good enough list to start you off. I'm sure others will add to it! :D

[jimh13432]

Don't forget to get a "Kitchen Sink" across the lake at Beach's and Cream.

Bet you can't finish it!!!!

:D

[DebbieB]

Bring a couple extra bars of soap, one for the extra bathroom sink in the master and one for the kitchen sink. Bring some handi wrap or foil to wrap leftovers.

We stayed at BWV earlier this month, we liked Big River Grille (great burger!) and ESPN. Also loved the ice cream at Seashore Sweets.

[spiceycat]

remember you get a 20% discount off restuarants at the Dolphin/Swan

[disynut]

As a mother who took her 10 mo old last December, my advice would be to remember to be flexible. It is good that you will have lots of relatives to take turns with him. Also, bring your own stroller-especially good if your baby is used to it and will nap in it! One thing we did was before going back to the nighttime parades I put a blanket sleeper on our baby-it was cold out, but he was snug and warm all night!


Enjoy!

[JonHM]

Great tips!!! Keep them coming! :D

[Towncrier]

Our best tip is to not order too much food when eating at WDW restaurants. The portions are large and it's very easy to have way too much leftover food. We always bring my MIL and she often orders of the kid's menu just to get a smaller portion of food.

On my last trip, I took the walkway from the Boardwalk over to MGM. It's not a bad hike if you don't want to wait for a boat.

Above all, don't overcommit your time. As was stated earlier, you have got 40+ years to enjoy WDW. Take your time. Relax and enjoy your vacation.

[JonHM]

you actually made me think of something specific:

Does anyone have any recommendations regarding food, not in the restaurants, but either things to pack in your bags or buy in your 1 grocery trip on the way to WDW? We're scheduled to ride in on '********.net', and they will stop at a grocery store for free on the way in. A) Any particular grocery store I should ask them to go to? and B) Any great ideas on stuff to buy at the grocery store besides dishwashing and laundry tablets, and sugar & salt? Keep in mind that we'll only be there for 4 nights/5 days, but we DO have a lot of people.

Thanks again!!! You guys are great!!!!

[fkj2]

Take your own extra coffee, tea, and coffee filters. You will have a starter packet but only for a day or so. You already know about the sugar and powdered creamer. Whatever you buy on site is more expensive. Publix has become my favorite grocer; Goodings is way too many $$$$. Make yourself a list. I think the members only site has a printable grocery form; it will at least jog your memory for those items people use every day and forget about.

Plenty of food at 50s Prime Time Cafe in Dis Studios-MGM. Also, Liberty Tree Tavern, Tony's on Main Street, and the Garden Grill in the Land in Epcot, particulary brefex, character...all should be Priority Seatings if still possible.

The bakeries are convenient for those in-between large breakfasts and the pastries large enough to split. Consider carrying your own bottled water as the soft drinks in the parks are expensive....just refill the bottles before you head out.

As for extras at the grocer, consider milk, bread, butter or cream cheese, bagels, orange juice, colas.

[DebbieB]

You willn't need dishwashing soap, they provide plenty. We always have a rental car and go to the Premium Outlet & then to Super Walmart in Kissimmee. Go anywhere but Goodings (very expensive). We always get bottled water (Orlando's water is horrible), waffles, syrup, bread, bagels, margerine, OJ, pop (or soda depending on where you are from :) ), ice cream bars, snacks. We usually have breakfast in the room. We sometimes plan a late lunch so that we can bring the leftovers back to the room for later. As Towncrier said, they always give you too much. We did this at LeCellier and the waiter even gave us more breaksticks to take back.

[DebbieB]

I just thought of something regarding the bottled water. We refill smaller bottles from the big bottles we buy at Walmart (bring a small funnel) and put them in the freezer before we go to bed (only fill 3/4). Then in the morning take them out and by time you get to the park they are starting to thaw and you have ice water for a while.

[Candace]

There is an Albertson's grocery store right off the highway as you come from the airport. I think it's off of Orange Blossom Trail (someone please correct me if this is the wrong exit). Anyway, you can fax your order to them a day ahead, and they will have it ready for you to pick up when you get there. Prices were very reasonable. You can see the store from the toll road. The fax number is: 407-857-0132, and the phone is: 407-857-5666. About the laundry tablets. Buy these at home before you go, and just pack what you think you will use. I use these, but I only take with me what I think I will need because the box contains far more than I would need for vacation, and it's heavy. So, if you buy them down there, you will have to bring the extras back home. Don't forget your dryer sheets either - very easy to pack in ziploc bags. I also pack any spices I will need in empty medicine bottles to save space. As far as restaurants go, we love the Chefs de France for an upscale adult meal. Spoodles at the Boardwalk is very good also. For burgers, shakes and great BLT's, Beaches and Cream at the Y/B Club is great. My son loves the sushi bar at the Swan (and so did I, surprisingly last summer). There was a DVC discount there at the time. Spoodles also used to have a take-out pizza window that was very good. One of their pizzas with a bag of salad from the grocery makes a great "at-home" meal. Have a wonderful trip!

[fkj2]

Here are some more take-along ideas: antibiotic ointment, cough drops, cold tablets, pain relievers, bandaids, other first aid/comfort kind of things. If anyone has prescriptions meds, lay them out the night before you leave also and I always carry them onboard with me although I don't know what the status is now of carry-ons.

[Johnnie Fedora]

Take a little extra time to plan your menu before you go. Make a shopping list, that way you will know exactly what you need in your one shopping trip. Nothing worse than wasting your day at the grocery store wandering aimlessly, your can do that at home. We had a rental car last time so we didn't plan menus so carefully. Good luck and have fun.:p:p

[Terry S]

With an 18 month old don't forget the Childern's Motrin and/or Childerns Tylenol, it is just as easy to bring it from home. Our 2 year old got a fever the first year and we had to have Tylenol delivered from the pharmacy. It was the most expensive bottle of Childerns Tylenol that I have ever purchased.

[TnRobin]

We are netgrocer.com junkies. I have them ship everything to the villas then I just have to pick up milk and sodas. The $$$ I save in Sales tax offsets the shipping cost.

My #1 tip is remmeber you have 40 years of WDW left. Stop and smell the roses. And above all take naps. Everyone needs naps especially the 18 mo old.

[Margaret64]

I don't think one can overplan a trip to Disney World. You can always deviate from the plan.
We have two small kids and we try and make our restaurant visits an event. I'll gladly pay $15-20 for a character meal, but can't stand the thought of paying $6-7 for a so/so hamburgerl. For the other routine meals, we try and have them back at the resort. So, I sit down and figure out what restaurants we want to go to and obtain my P.S. Then I fill in the blanks with meals back home. I keep it simple, fast and what I know my kids will eat. So, it's the staples of spaghetti w/ meat sauce, chili, macaroni and cheese w/ ham and deluxe hoagies. All things that take 10-15 minutes to make. Then I bring in one of my suitcases everything that is not perishable. (For as many people as you have, that may not be feasible!) Stop at the grocery store for all that is perishable. The suitcase won't be wasted as it will then be filled up with souvenirs from the World of Disney Store.

Second big tip is: Our favorite reason to stay at BWV is that we always try to give our daughters their baths early, dress them in their warmest pjs, put them in the double stroller and walk over to Epcot just in time for the parade and fireworks. By the time the events are over, you walk back home and if not already asleep, your child will be very ready for bed.

Even though coolers are not allowed at the park, I've never been stopped for bringing bottled water in a soft sided cooler. Good Luck and Enjoy!

[dianeschlicht]

If you plan to do breakfasts in the villa, be sure to plan what you need for that. We do easy meals when we aren't eating out. Lasagne, pasta, enchiladas, pork chops on the grill etc.
Forget the dishwasher detergent. DVC will supply as much as you need, but you might need to call for it. Laundry tablets are easily packed from home as are cereals, sugar, travel salt and pepper shakers, seasonings you might want like oregano, basil etc. These are the kinds of things we take from home. Canned goods and perishables we buy down there. Don't plan on pancakes, the pans are not the non-stick variety and we made a real mess trying to do that last time.

[JonHM]

*Fantastic* suggestions!! I'm making notes and adjusting plans as we speak. If you think of anything else, either about Boardwalk, food, or just WDW in general, *please* chime on in!

Thanks again!!!

:bounce: :bounce:

[fkj2]

OK, since you asked. Not knowing (maybe not remembering if you said), some of the previously mentioned restaurants serve portions large enough to share; ie, 50s Prime Time, Sci-Fi Drive In at the Studios, Tony's on Main Street, you have to ask the server and I've never had one say "No" yet.

I guess the Early Entry is still on hold, but if it wasn't go to the other parks. The EE draws the crowds. Ask Cast Members for help. They'll give you good advice. Who knows what the crowds do better than they?


Plan a rest time. We always tried to hit the hotel during the prime afternoon time so everybody was ready to go back and stay the evening.

[PKS44]

Buy plenty of bottled water. It cannot be over emphasized how putrid the tap water is in Orlando. It smells and tastes like rotten eggs. (I have no idea why they locals tolerate this.)

[one_cat]

Albertsons or Publix will work. Specifically tell he driver NOT to stop at Goodings. It's basically a Byerlies at twice the price. Make sure you buy cooking spray. The pans at DVC are aluminum - not non-stick. They are not fun to wash if you cook eggs or pancakes onto them. Speaking of which - make sure you buy a brillo pad or something like that to scrub the pans.

Try to plan meals in advance and make sure you bring or buy ALL the ingredients - even salt and pepper which I normally wouldn't think about are not provided.

Remember that you can buy refillable mugs at the bakery. We would go in the bakery and buy a chocolate cake to eat while we watched the fireworks from our deck.

Before you go to bed make sure you have enough blankets, especially if you are using the hide-a-beds. request more from the front desk if you don't.

If you are bringing kids, the room does have a vcr so you can bring a few of their favorite videos.

Mostly, have fun!!!

[Lesley]

I can't see where you all have trouble making pancakes on non-nonstick pans.....but whatever! I never use nonstick pans. I'll grant you the eggs one though....eggs can be tough....the heat has to be just right.

We actually are thrilled with the thought that we can actually take our leftovers back to our room with us! We do this all the time at home..

Planning menus before you go is a great idea...one that I'll be using.

As for restaurants....
The chicken and leek pie at the Rose and Crown is incredible (boohoo...not going there this trip)
Ohana at the Poly is yummy too....I'm looking forward to that immensely.

We are balancing our ability to take leftovers back to the room with the fact that our dd is still under 3 and eats free at the buffets......we plan to take in quite a few character buffets and all you can eat meals before she hits the age where we have to pay for her. Then we'll take a break from those for a few years until she actually eats more than $1 worth of food.

You might want to go light on the full service restaurant reservations with an 18mo....or plan to eat in shifts! We plan to eat in shifts if necessary :D We just love WDW restaurants...okay we just love restaurants in general!

[dianeschlicht]

Lesley,
I don't use non stick at home for pancakes either, but for some reason the pans at OKW are a problem for this. I even bought a small griddle to take along in the bottom of my suitcase this time!;)

[mickey7861]

I bring an electric griddle and it is sooooo useful. It's great for french toast/pancakes, bacon (for breakfast or BLT's for lunch), grilled bagels, Grilled cheese, ham and cheese just to name a few things. We don't really use the oven (once for chocolate chip cookies) but the griddle gets a workout.

[JonHM]

as a follow up question, if we were only going to get PS for, say, 3 or 4 meals during our trip, which 3 or 4 WDW restaurants are, to you, the most 'don't miss' dining experiences?

Right now I'm leaning toward Ohana's, California Grill and Artist's Point, but I am really *very* open to suggestion...

Thanks again, everyone!!!

:D

[dizneeluvr]

Here's my 2 cents on priority seating must do's.

Without a doubt, Chef Mickey's Buffet is the BEST character meal...the food is great, the characters are lively and fun. We always start off our trip with our first night dinner there.

The Liberty Tavern at MK is good. LOTS of food...and a nice change from the chicken fingers and grilled cheese stuff. The characters come around a bunch there.

With an 18 month old, the crystal palace is fun for dinner with Pooh and Pals.

But here's the best tip I have for you. Each of the last 2 years we have been there (in January--3rd week), the ONLY PS we made in advance of getting to Orlando was Chef Mickey and the Cinderella breakfast. All other character meals we made the night before or the morning of. This is one of the nicest things about this time of year. So play it by ``ear'' and make your ressies based on how you feel.

Have fun. Our countdown is well underway. We are 2 1/2 weeks out for our very first trip as DVC members.

Laura

[dianeschlicht]

Our "must do" restaurants are Teppanyaki Dinning room (Japan, Epcot) and 'Ohannas at the Poly. We also never miss Akershus and Garden Grill.

[one_cat]

Definitely Crystal Palace. There are so many nice or fun restaurants that are not necessarily must-dos: 50s Prime Time Cafe. (Though they tend to not joke around so much when you have kids with you.) Mama Melrose. The Brown Derby. The Italy pavillion restaurant (cant remember the name) has the best lasagna I've ever eaten but you pay for it.

[StephenKay]

Hiya there,

We are also members from the VWL Resort, many people can give you great tips, such as which room etc etc etc, but remember to have fun with your family. I think that the parks are great and so much fun but try to remember from my mistakes, take time to enjoy your time together.


P.S. Great advice from Towncrier. Don't forget it.!!!.


Stevie Kay
Inverness
Scotland

[fkj2]

My don't miss restaurants would include Garden Grill for brefex and 50s Prime Time Cafe for dinner.

My "close to" not missing restaurants would also include Tony's on Main for brefex, Le Cellier for dinner (although less so with small children) and Sci-Fi Drive In (again less so for small children due to the noise) for a late lunch.

I also enjoy the Brown Derby for dinner, Chef Mickey's for brefex, Whispering Canyon had a nice lunch as did Victoria and Albert's (I think that's the name ) at Grand Floridian.

[jcodespoti]

If you can try to do all the resturants mentioned for Lunch. (if it works out). Prices are more reasonable also..relax have a beer (or any other favorite drink).. watch people freak out at trying to back in 48 hours worth of things to do in 24 hours. And take a nap if you are tired its lotsa fun!! :):)

Joe in CT

[Johnnie Fedora]

For character meals, we liked the Crystal palace more than Liberty tree tavern, the selection (and quality) of the food is much better (since it is a buffet), and desserts are included (they are not at LTT...kind of a rip-off). Plus, there is no down time while you are waiting for food to come......which can be very important if your toddler has a melt down.

We also did a late seating at the Land pavillion in Epcot....I think right at 4:00pm. You get the same food and characters, but the lunch price. The food was good (americana homestyle) breaded fish, meatloaf, mashed and veggies if I remember right. Also a 4:00pm seating is less crowded and the characters spend more time with your kids.....Johnnie

[Lesley]

If we were taking a short trip, the 4 ps's I'd go for would be Ohana, Liberty Tree for lunch (non-character), breakfast at Crystal Palace (just made my ps today for this one!), and dinner at Chef Mickey's......we have 2 kids, a 6yo and a 22mo.

Teppanyaki is wonderful, but we have Japanese teppan grill places near home that are just as good. Breakfast at the Maya Grill at CSR is great. Le Cellier is great too, but not so toddler friendly.

Is Tony's serving breakfast again? I had heard that it was opening later...perhaps we'll call dining when we arrive and check. I've been wanting to try this one!

[kem330]

Our observations from our first trip to BWV (just returned tonight) with 13 family members including one 19 month old:
1. Studio portion of 2br is realistically comfortable for 3 adults. The sofa bed is barely double size! I don't see how you could fit 4 in there unless they are young children under age 13 or so. Sofa in living area can sleep 2 adults. The bathroom in 1 br side is big but the toilet is in the room with the shower, also no door between master bedroom and tub bathroom.
2. We were there 5 nights with people who don't go to WDW often, so we were not in the room that much. Went to Publix on S International Drive and bought way too much food and beverages. When you are there for such a short time, you will probably not be in the room much. Breakfast food and beverages will probably be enough. You might want to get an early start as the parks are not open late and come back around noon for a rest, so cereal or breakfast rolls would be adequate and possibly some lunch food. Bring a couple laundry tablets- you won't need to do much laundry except towels on a short visit. Towels are SMALL and you will go through them quickly.
3. Since it's your first time, enjoy eating out, etc. You can stay in and cook when you go for longer visits and have been down enough times that you don't care about trying it all. I HIGHLY recommend California Grill if you are a "foody" and enjoy different foods and nice ambience- it was everyone's favorite restaurant- truly a memorable experience if you are into that kind of thing. Try to time PS before or after MK fireworks which you can view from the restaurant (Walter is an excellent server) Prime Time is a lot of fun- Auntie Claire and Cousin Christopher are both great servers and that can make all the difference with your experience there. You might think about a sitter if you go to the Grill- Kinder Care onsite and Fairy Godmothers are both reputable services (but cost an arm and a leg!)
4. It will be very helpful to have extra adults for rides. You can get in line and tell them you want to do a baby swap and they will give you a ticket and send the party with the baby to the handicap entrance where up to 4 people will be able to enter the ride after the first party is done.
5 Definitely bring your stroller as it is MUCH quicker to walk to Epcot and MGM then to take the boat.

Hope you have a great time!!!