DH, DD(11), and I are taking our first ever trip to WDW next month. We are driving from South Central Texas. We will arrive at WDW on July 12, but our tickets don't start until the 13th, that way we can rest up from the 2 day drive. We will be at WDW for 9 days, one day of that will be spent going to Cypress Gardens and Dinsaur World in Winter Haven. I bought the book The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2009, TONS OF INFO!!!!! I'm not sure if we want to get up so early on vacation to be at the opening of the parks, and then come back to the room in the late afternoon and rest, then go back in the evening, or if we should sleep in and then spend the rest of the whole day in the parks. DD and I both are people that if we don't get enough rest we are GROUCHY something terrible. I'm kind of leaning towards getting up early, and going back to the room in the afternoon when it's so hot. What are the pros and cons to going back to the room in the afternoon? What parks can you see it all in one day, and which parks need a couple of days? Which of the waterparks is the best, as of right now we plan to only go to one? For the parades and fireworks at each park, MK, EPCOT, AK, and DHS, where is the best place to see the shows, how early should you get a spot, and can you get great photos? I am a photo fanatic and will be taking TONS of photos, so I look at things in terms of can I not only see the shows, parades, fireworks, etc., but can I get great photos. I have already decided after looking at the not your average tourist thread, which fits me perfectly, that I will need a few more memory cards, the big ones, LOL. I have been inspired by the awesome photos on here and want to get some too. Is there anything else as a first-timer to the world that I should know? We are staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort, and of course we will have our own vehicle. Is it quicker to get to some of the parks driving ourselves rather than taking Disney Transportation? If we drive ourselves to a park will we have to pay for parking since we are staying at a Disney Resort? This is all I can think of right now, if anything else comes to mind, and I know it will, I will post here. TIA!!!!!
Michele
Michele