1st Family Trip to Disney, A type personality planning with a twist!

[momeejenjen]

I am new to the Dis boards but I am glad to be here! Even though our trip is only a week out, I figured maybe I can benefit from writing out what I've planned so far and what I am still working on. Who knows, maybe another newbie will learn something from my crazy planning.


Cast Members:
This cast resides just south of Nashville, TN.

Me: (Pictured above with my two kiddos). My name is Jennifer and I am 27 years old. I suffer from type 1 diabeties, and was only recently diagnoised. I am a full time working mother. I have two children. I am married to a wonderful amazing man who I do not deserve but was very lucky to find.
I work as a contracting coordinator and own my own custom cakes business on the side. This will not be my first trip to DW, it will be my 4th trip to DW and only my second time staying on the property but it's been over 10 years since I stayed on WDW property.

DH: (pictured above) Brad, a 29 year old programmer for a large phone company. He is a very loving and wonderful father and husband. This will be his first trip to the World! I am more excited about his reaction than anything else!

DS: (pictured above) Micah is an 8 year old boy with a wild and vivid imagination. He is very active and outgoing. He enjoys baseball and playing on the computer. Micah is on medication for ADHD but we are hoping that we will make it through the world with no meltdowns due to a well planned and thought through week.

DD: (pictured above) Hope is a 6 year old princess with a tomboy feel. This girl is not afraid to get dirty but yet loves to dress up cute and make an impression.


Overall Trip Details

Depart via car from Nashville late Wednesday (Sept 2nd)
Arriving via car to Orlando Early Thursday (Sept 3rd)

Resort: All Star Movies *premium room upgrade*

Day 1 (Sept 3rd):
Magic Kingdom.
Dinner Reservations Ohana 9:45pm

Day 2 (Sept 4th):
Epcot
Dinner reservations Le Celluir 4:20pm

Day 3 (Sept 5th):
Magic Kingdom
Breakfast Reservations @ 1900 Park Fare 11:05am
Wishes Dessert Party 9:00pm


Day 4 (Sept 6th):
Hollywood Studios
Fantasmic Show at 8:30pm
Dinner Reservations Sci-Fi 9:05pm

Day 5 (Sept 7th):
Animal Kingdom
Dinner Reservations Tusker House 4:20pm

Day 6 (Sept 8th)
Open Day we will play it by ear.
Departing around 3-4pm

 

[momeejenjen]

So after doing much research and trying to make sure I am prepared.. this is what I understand so far (a few key points)

*It's best to go with the flow, have a master plan in place but don't adhere to it strictly.

*Take our time through the parks, it's impossible to get through everything so just have the key places to visit and let everything else fall into place.

*Allow time in the middle of the day (if needed) to come back to the room and rest, usually around lunch time when its the hottest part of the day.

*Get fast passes for key rides like Soarin before 11am

*Due to free dinning, be prepared to wait over an hour at some places to get seated even with ADRs



A few things I am planning on trying to make our days in the world more comfortable:


1. A Backpack, light load hopefully that DH and I will trade off on carrying.
In the backpack Include:
-Emergency Pack (bandaids, moleskin, tylenol, ect)
-DS game for each child for the longer wait times.
-Lamenated index cards on a ring with reservation numbers
and featured attractions, park hours, parade and
show times.
-Ponchos in case of rain and plastic bag to put over
backback
-Insulin pen, Glucometer, and hard candies for low insulin
-Digital camera and 2 disposable cameras for the kids
-Small flashlight to read park maps during dark ride waits
-Small personal hand held fans for each member

2. Lanyards : DH and I will each have lanyards that we will keep our Key to the World as well as any fast passes we collect along with cash we will carrying with us.

 

[momeejenjen]

Wow... this time 1 week from today we will be arriving at Disney World!!! Can you feel the excitement? I CAN!!!

There is so much to do before our trip! I pulled down the luggage last night and I am going have my packing list ready to go and I am going to start putting stuff into the luggage tonight!!! It's seems almost unreal to be starting packing already.

 

[momeejenjen]

So I made a few changes last minute to our plans...

Day 3 we will be going to MK instead of HS. And on Day 4 we are going to HS. I did this so we can get to Fantasmic Show on Day 4. I also changed our Dinner Ressies to Sci-Fi at HS for Day 4 (those were a PIA to get)

On Day 3 we are now going to attend the Wishes Dessert Party!

 

[Zereouem]

Hi Im new to the boards and also from Tennessee (smyrna) My DH and son, age 7 will be headed to orlando in October, i have been to this site for info and you seem to have it all together!!! We plan to go oct 3rd-9th and we are staying off property,(Embassy Suites). We are also driving and i still have not looked up a route yet!! I have no clue.. I figure we visit each park one day and we also added SW in there, This our first trip so im getting lost time.. Hope you guys have a wonderful time!!!

Please send me ANY TIPS I need!!! Thanks

PS Which way are you all driving there??