Walt Disney 1st Timer - Help!

[JBevans]

Oh my goodness, I didn't realize that there was so much to decide on when choosing to go to Walt Disney. LOL
My husband and I found a great deal on hotel in orlando right outside Universal Studios and didn't want to pass up the chance to go on vacation.
We have twins that are 4 and a 2 year old toddler that thinks he's as big as they are.

My original plan was to go to Universal, WetnWild, and Sea World.
Now I'm looking more into the WD side of things.

My kids love Fairs, Rides, etc. Wild Childs as I like to call them. So Rides, Animals, Theaters, They love it all.

I just can't afford it all! Where do I begin as a first timer? I have no clue what tickets to buy or anything.
We will be staying 7 nights in Orlando and have that part booked and taken care of. Just looking for tickets now.

Any and All help would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

Thanks!

[twokids0204]

You start right here... at the disboards.

All your questions will be answered.

Good luck.

[haleofafamily]

Well, we love all 4 Disney parks so that is what we do when in Orlando. We save Sea World for trips to San Diego and San Antonio. As for the other parks, I don't know much about them.
We love the Disney parks because they please everyone in our family. If you have any specific questions, I would be happy to help.
You can purchase discounted Disney tickets thru a link at mousesavers.com

[skier_pete]

One thing you should let everyone know - when are you going? Time of year is kind of critical to what I would try and squeeze in...but not knowing that, I will still give advice.

So, First off - while Universal is a great park (actually 2 parks) with some fantastic rides - it is IMO NOT a great place to take little ones (<6 years old). About 75 % of what there is to do there, they can't do. WDW is the opposite, while some of the big-time rides at Disney little ones can't do, they CAN do about 75 % of what is there.

SeaWorld on the other hand, is pretty good for little ones, especially those that like sea life. We took our DD when she was 4 and she did love it.

Disney ticket system works like this...the more days you go, the less expensive per day it is...they do this to get you to spend your vacation time there. So for instance...a three day pass for an adult will run you about $225...but a six-day pass will only be $235. Again...making it much more economical to spend more days at Disney. (Universal has a similar program, where essentially a 7-day pass is the same price as a 1-day pass - around $85 - however, Universal doesn't have enough stuff to spend more than 2-3 days there even if you could go on all the rides.)

In addition to the base ticket (1 park per day) Disney also offers a "hopper" pass - which allows you to enter more than one park each day. This adds $50 to your pass -whether you get a 1-day or a 10-day pass. If I were you, I wouldn't do this...one park per day is enough for a first timer.

They also have an adder called "Water Parks & More" which also gets you a certain # of entries into the water parks. In your case, I wouldn't bother getting this...there is too much to see and do without it.

(One other thing with the Disney passes - always buy the *minimum* ticket you need - you can always *upgrade* your ticket at the park to add days - and you only pay the difference. For instance, if you buy a 4-day pass - and decide to add a 5th day before you use your last day - you could do that at the ticket window, and it would only cost you about $3 per ticket.)

So, my advice is - get a 4 or 5 day pass for Disney. Check WDWINFO.com or Mousesavers.com for dscount passes, or contact AAA. If you want, allow one day to go over to Seaworld if you want. Skip Universal all-together, even though you are staying nearby.

Also, before you go, get a good guidebook. While the DIS is a good source of information here - there is actually TOO much information, and lots of conflicting opinions. I prefer the "Unoffical Guide". That book will cover Universal and Sea World for you also. (2010 edition should be out mid-August.)

After you start planning, then come here for advice. We DIS'ers love to share our opinions.

SkierPete

[AmberHeartsDisney]

Originally Posted by JBevans

Oh my goodness, I didn't realize that there was so much to decide on when choosing to go to Walt Disney. LOL
My husband and I found a great deal on hotel in orlando right outside Universal Studios and didn't want to pass up the chance to go on vacation.
We have twins that are 4 and a 2 year old toddler that thinks he's as big as they are.

My original plan was to go to Universal, WetnWild, and Sea World.
Now I'm looking more into the WD side of things.

My kids love Fairs, Rides, etc. Wild Childs as I like to call them. So Rides, Animals, Theaters, They love it all.

I just can't afford it all! Where do I begin as a first timer? I have no clue what tickets to buy or anything.
We will be staying 7 nights in Orlando and have that part booked and taken care of. Just looking for tickets now.

Any and All help would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

Thanks!

Well right now Disney has the free dining promotion pretty much the rest of the year, you do have to stay on site to get the free dining though, its a package deal. I mean it depends on what you want and what you can afford. There are menus of the restaurant's and all so free dining might work for you.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/

[JBevans]

LOL I have been reading and oh my... there is so much information to take in. Here it is Thursday and we are leaving next Friday. Can I learn enough in that time? I didn't realize it could be this confusing. Spur of the moment decision and hopefully at the least a yearly trip from now on.

Thanks for any help. I will continue reading as much as possible.

Again, Thanks!

[laceemouse]

I agree with the pp, Sea World is great for all ages, but Universal and even Wet and Wild will have many, MANY things that your kids are too young and short to enjoy. They do have shows at Universal, but they are not nearly as well done as the ones at WDW.

You should order the vacation planning DVD from Disney. Most people have the idea that it is a lot of coasters and stuff that little kids can't do.....WRONG! Most of the rides and shows at Disney are good for all ages, and if your kids have seen the Disney movies they will think they have died and gone to heaven at WDW. Many of the Universal rides and shows are based on movies that little kids haven't seen, like Jaws, Twister, Terminator, etc.

I agree, you should check the WDW web-site for their deals, the economy has hurt them badly and they are offering some awesome savings. The free food thing is great!

[laceemouse]

Originally Posted by JBevans

Oh my goodness, I didn't realize that there was so much to decide on when choosing to go to Walt Disney. LOL
My husband and I found a great deal on hotel in orlando right outside Universal Studios and didn't want to pass up the chance to go on vacation.
We have twins that are 4 and a 2 year old toddler that thinks he's as big as they are.

My original plan was to go to Universal, WetnWild, and Sea World.
Now I'm looking more into the WD side of things.

My kids love Fairs, Rides, etc. Wild Childs as I like to call them. So Rides, Animals, Theaters, They love it all.

I just can't afford it all! Where do I begin as a first timer? I have no clue what tickets to buy or anything.
We will be staying 7 nights in Orlando and have that part booked and taken care of. Just looking for tickets now.

Any and All help would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

Thanks!

Also, with the ticket thing, Disney and Universal both make it much cheaper to just visit their parks than to hop around and do it all. If you buy a 4 day ticket to WDW it is much cheaper to add three MORE days there then it is to go and buy 2 days at Universal and them a day at Sea World, etc. Multi-day tickets are the best deal for the $$$$. If you are committed to doing Universal this trip I may save Disney for another trip if I were you. You could stay on Disney property for 2 weeks and still not see and do it all!

[twokids0204]

Originally Posted by JBevans

LOL I have been reading and oh my... there is so much information to take in. Here it is Thursday and we are leaving next Friday. Can I learn enough in that time? I didn't realize it could be this confusing. Spur of the moment decision and hopefully at the least a yearly trip from now on.

Thanks for any help. I will continue reading as much as possible.

Again, Thanks!

Read up on Fastpasses and Park Layout's. That info will prove to be invaluable.

Come up with a bit of a gameplan as to what you want to see, and folks here will be happy to help you with times of day / which days to do and see things.

1 week is not alot of time, but you can do it if you cram.

[skier_pete]

Originally Posted by JBevans

LOL I have been reading and oh my... there is so much information to take in. Here it is Thursday and we are leaving next Friday. Can I learn enough in that time? I didn't realize it could be this confusing. Spur of the moment decision and hopefully at the least a yearly trip from now on.

Thanks for any help. I will continue reading as much as possible.

Again, Thanks!

Ooohh...just next week - so you have the heat to deal with...and pretty big crowds.

If you are early risers - try to make it to the right when they open...not only are the crowds lower, the heat isn't as oppresive.

I still say get a guide book - then, for each park you visit (whether Disney or not) pick out 4 to 6 things that you REALLY want to see, and hit those first. Then, slow the pace and just see things as they come. You can't see everything anyways...last trip was our 5th, and we still felt 9 days at WDW was not enough to see everything we wanted to. Figure if you miss anything, there's always next time.

Most people (including me) recommend mid-day breaks back at the hotel with little ones, but this is probably impractical for you. However, nothing wrong with taking a mid-day break at one of the Disney resorts...you can't use the pools, but you can walk around the resorts. For instance, at MK, take a mid-day ride on the monorail and visit Polynesian and Grand Floridian resorts. (And...if like us...dream that someday you could afford to stay there.) Or at Epcot, go out the back gate and take the boat over to the Beach Club for an ice cream Sundae at Beaches and Cream.

Plan at least 1 or 2 "down-days", where you just hang out at the hotel pool. Your kids will get wicked exhausted with the heat and crowds, no matter how much energy they have at home. Down days are crucial in my book.

Don't be disappointed when your kids don't want to do something...little ones get overwhelmed at Disney pretty easily. And they are usually pleased by the simpler things. After our first trip,I asked DD, then 3, what her favorite part of Disney was, she said "the dragon pool" (the pool at our hotel)...her second favorite thing...the coloring table at the food court at the hotel. I thought - and I paid all this money for why? Of course now at 6 she is as much an addict as we are.

After your trip - come back to the DIS and tell us all about it...and then start planning your next trip. (I have to warn you...it's kind of like heroin...only more expensive.)

SkierPete

[Smokeyspawn]

Avoid the days that have "extra magic hours" for resort guests.

[MOM POPPINS]

I would get ridemax from www.ridemax.com it really heps a first timer to get the timing on touring just right with little waits. You tell it what you rides you want to do that do and it gives you a schedule for your day.

[tawasdave]

Over the past year or so I have had two first timers ask me to help them plan their Disney World trip..so the second time I wrote it all down in a WORD document...I have a section on each park and a general info section..if you, or anyone else for that matter, would like me to email it to them just send me a PM with your email addy...Have fun at the Happiest place on earth!!!

[MHSweb79]

1) Get Birnbaum's "Disney World For Kids" It will describe all the attractions and you'll be able to pick out what's best for your family. Your library may have it. Our AAA office has it pretty cheap or it's readily available in any bookstore.

2) Go to the Disney website and print out the park hours for your time there. As the PP said, avoid parks with morning or evening EMH (Extra Magic Hours). This is an hour in the morning or three hours at night where Disney resort guests alone get to enjoy the parks. If it's an EMH day, go to a different park.

3) Learn about Fast passes. They are free! This will help you get on some of the more popular attractions. Peter Pan's Flight is going to be right up your family's alley, given the ages of your kids.

4) If you decide to only do one Disney day, make it the Magic Kingdom and again, choose a non-EMH day.

[DisneyStiles]

Originally Posted by tawasdave

Over the past year or so I have had two first timers ask me to help them plan their Disney World trip..so the second time I wrote it all down in a WORD document...I have a section on each park and a general info section..if you, or anyone else for that matter, would like me to email it to them just send me a PM with your email addy...Have fun at the Happiest place on earth!!!

Sent you a PM - this would be very helpful as we are going for the first time in Sept and could use all the help we can get. (Well, I was there 20+ years ago but that doesn't really count!)