First disney holiday with children

[adkm]

I have booked our first disneyworld holiday with children. We are going August 2011 and am already can't wait. Although I won't be there for actual birthday, which is a couple of weeks after we return homw, it is going to be a bit of a celebration for my 40th aswell as giving the kids a holiday of a lifetime.

We are going with Virgin and staying in Port orleans Riverside for 2 weeks with quick counter sevice dining, which is all new to me as I have only ben before a fair few years ago and brought food while over there.

Have booked some excursions too.

Am right in thinking I have to registered our details with esta aren't I? Can I do that anytime from now onwards or is there a time limit? and I will not need a visa.

Will continue reading on here for info and tips. All exciting stuff.

 

[T16GEM]

Hi Welcome to the DIS!

We have a sticky thread for how to fill out your Esta etc, tells you everything that you need to know
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2282558

Happy planning!

 

[chocolateMinnie]

See the ESTA sticky at the top of this UK planning area make sure you apply direct with the USA government on the website given on that thread as you don't pay a fee with them but other agents will charge you to apply.

USA tourists often order groceries to their resort which saves loads on a family holiday - we didn't know about this our first trip and now do it every time. (EG a bottle of water last October at WDW was $2.25 a case of 16 from garden grocer was about $8)

Browse the menus on wdwinfo.com and allears.net - saves loads of indecision on which venue will suit you all when you get there. Although you are on the QSDP (find more details under disny restaurants) if you want to book any character meals be sure to book online 180days before you go 'to avoid disappointment'

Beware though - you will become hooked. Have a fantastic trip.

 

[Sapper383]

We stayed at POR last september with our 2 children 10 and 4, we all had a fab time and would definatly stay there again. The resort is so beautiful and it never seemed busy.

Glad you joined the boards, if we can help with anythig else just let us know

Happy Planning

Sam

 

[adkm]

Thank you for replies, which are very helpful. Glad to hear hotel is good.

Will def look at the grocers deliveries as that would be very helpful.

 

[Sapper383]

Just to let you know. You get loads of food in the Free Dining, we had no need to buy any groceries. We had so many snack credits left that we used them all on sweets to bring back for friends.

 

[adkm]

Thank you.

 

[Pegasus928]

Hi - and Welcome to the Dis

You will have nearly as much fun planning your holiday as you will when you are on it. There is so much to see and do that it will be impossible to do it all so you will need to have a list of priorities. We normally split it into 'must-do' and 'nice-to' - with the second category coming into play if our first choices aren't available. It is also the main reason our 'trip of a lifetime' turned into multiple trips.
As has already been said check out the ESTA sticky at the top of the page. You should never have to pay for the ESTA (not yet any anyway).
Also check out the trip reports section. There are some fantastic ones in there and you will find out what everyone else does while in Florida - along with plenty of pictures - that will give you even more ideas for what to do with your time. Most people also add some really good reviews of the different restaurants around the Disney parks and resorts - again with plenty of pictures (we call it food porn ) - which may help you to choose where to use your dining credits.
Have fun and if you have any questions then ask away

 

[adkm]

I know it is probably too early to do, but do we have to/advised to pre-book tables for QSDP or is that just for table service meals.

I am enjoying reading and deciding along with husband and kids,

 

[Sapper383]

You only need to make ADR's or Advanced Dining Reservations for table service restaurants. This is where all your planning skills are required.

Firstly wdwinfo.com is an invaluable tool for this. On that site you can find everything you need to know about making ADR's and info on every Disney restaurant including menus.

However here is a very brief guide on what you need to do. You can make ADR's online at the WDW website or you can phone disney dining and make them over the phone. If I remember correctly you will need your 12 digit disney reservation number. You can get this from disney central reservations.

You can make ADR's 180 days in advance and if you are staying at a disney hotel you can also make reservations for the first 10 days of your holiday. This saves you having to ring back every day.

If you are going to call you should visit telediscount.com. This site enables you to make calls to the US for 1p per minute.

I have posted all these numbers on a previous post somewhere else on the boards. I will try to locate that post and then post it on this thread.

Happy planning.

 

[Sapper383]

As promised here are the numbers you require.

The cheapest way to do this is via telediscount. You first call the telediscount number which is 0844 861 7878, then call the disney number you require, calls will then cost 1p per min.

For ADR's ( dining reservations) call 001 407 939 3463
For event tickets, including wishes desert party call 001 407 934 7639

Hope this is of help.

 

[adkm]

Ahh thank you so much for that and all your help.

Was a bit worried about booking so far in advance, but thinking it is now for best, although still got to pay it all off. So much to look into.

 

[xox_Violet_xox]

^ Better to plan ahead
We're planning on going In August '11 also, taking 2 first timers with us as well, so I'm already planning the ADR's and getting lists of what are must-do's

There are so many things to do and organise that's true, but that's part of the fun