1st Time Planning Trip

[Mrs Lapo]

HI, I am planning our first family trip to Disney World. My husband and kids (ages 9, 4 and 15m) have never been there. I was there as a child but it's been 17 years since I was there. I have been researching and reading everything I can get my hands on. We're going the week of Thanksgiving Sat 11/22 -Sat 11/29 & I am trying to narrow down which days are best for each park so that I can decide on dining reservations. We also want to do 1 day at Universal to visit the HP attractions. Can anyone help me narrow down the best days to visit MK & Universal so I can at least have those two days down on my itinerary. I know that this is a busy time of year so I know to expect a large crowd but thought maybe Sun or Mon (early in the week) would be less crowded than towards the end of the week and closer to Thanksgiving Day.

And I've read that the 50's Prime Time Cafe is the best restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner but then that means we have to spend Thanksgiving Day @ Hollywood Studios (I'm trying to save money by not getting park hopper)... does anyone know if anything special goes on in any of the other parks on Thanksgiving Day that I might be missing out on? Or have any other recommendations for Thanksgiving dinner?

Thank you in advance!!

 

[uccats97]

Use easywdw.com for crowd calendars and park recommendations. I also recommend MouseQuest podcast for lots of helpful information and travel tips.

 

[Aliceacc]

I sent you a PM (though it didn't really answer any of your questions; I figured a PM was better than hijacking your thread.)

To access it, go up to the top right hand corner of the screen, just below your name, and click on "Private Messages".

We've never done Thanksgiving there-- we're both teachers and go over the summer. (Plus, I'm a Black Friday shopper!!) But why not consider doing Thanksgiving dinner in one of the resort restaurants? That way you could spend the day in whichever park you choose. Or, plan B, pick a park and decide from among the choices. It's possible that you'll end up not eating Turkey. But you'll be in Disney World... plenty to give Thanks for!!

These should help:

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2009/09/21/best-restaurants-for-thanksgiving-at-disney-world/ .. and I LOVE the suggestion of the LIberty Tree Tavern in the Magic Kingdom!

http://www.wdwinfo.com/holidays/thanksgiving.htm

http://allears.net/dining/newmenusystem.htm

 

[Mrs Lapo]

Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you!!! I tried to respond via pm however I don't have enough posts yet (

So much has changed since I went as a kid & I have NEVER planned a trip to DW so I have been researching like crazy. All of your tips are greatly appreciated! I am super hesitant about going during the holiday week and have thought about changing it but then I was told that it's not too bad & we'll get to see MK decorated for fall & Xmas so I guess that's a huge plus ) I have been on the fence about purchasing the memory maker but you said it was worth it rather than paying for each photo? It's now $150 so I was thinking of buying a nice camera for 1/2 that price and asking the cast members to take photos of us. I was told they do that. What are your thoughts? I've heard that you get the ride pictures too so... idk.. I have 79 days till I get to make my dining reservations so I am trying to get all my research & planning done in that time frame )

Again, thank you so much!!

 

[Aliceacc]

You're so welcome!

My husband works with a local photographer's studio when he's not teaching. He really does take fabulous pictures, and we have millions of them.

But he's in a very tiny percentage of them.

What I love about Photopass/memory maker is that it enables you to get lots of fabulous pictures that you might not otherwise be able to get. For example, some of the photographers do trick shots. They'll tell you to act suprised, and when you get the picture, you find that he's inserted Stitch or Tinkerbell or someone.

Here's a good rundown of how it all works: http://stitchkingdom.com/disneysphotopass/

I figure that, with the thousands of dollars we're spending on a WDW vacation, the extra $150 won't break the bank. But that's me. Take a look at the numbers and see whether it works for you.

Another thing I want to run by you: the Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party. http://www.wdwmagic.com/dining/wishes-dessert-party.htm It's still more money, but again, in my opinion money well spent for my family. (Though it may turn out to be too late for your youngest??) An hour before fireworks in the Magic Kingdom, you have a seat at the dessert buffet. Lots and lots of desserts, sized small enough that you can have quite an array (or, if you're like my daughter, load up on one favorite.) Tinkerbell flies right over your head. And, maybe best of all, you have a seat for fireworks!!! No jostling crowd, but a seat at a table with a cup of coffee, with the castle as a backdrop. (And, FYI, we've always had a Photopass photographer there, so we get amazing shots with no one in the background, since the plaza is elevated.)

 

[Aliceacc]

Oops, forgot to add: as far as I remember, the Memory Maker package is refundable. So if you pre-purchase and don't feel you've gotten your money's worth, you can get your money back. But don't take my word on this; it may have changed.

 

[Mrs Lapo]

OMG that sounds amazing!! I am going to talk to my husband about doing that! Our kids would love that! Hopefully my lil one will make it. My girls would love a desert buffet. Thanks again!! I've never ever heard of this.

 

[Aliceacc]

Here's the thread about it:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3144695 I was able to book it at 180 days, but some of the threads this week suggest that it may have changed.

This will be our 3rd time doing it... I got an IOU for it for my brother in law and sister in law and their families as a Christmas Gift. (We're doing a WDW family reunion this summer.) And aside from the desserts (and don't get me wrong, they're great!), there's something so very civilized about sitting at a table with your family, with a cup of tea or coffee, enjoying the fireworks against the backdrop of the Castle. It's a totally different experience than staking out a spot on the curb, hoping no one darts into the 4 inches in front of your child as the show is about to begin.

I say you call it a combined Mother's Day/ Father's Day gift to each other.