1st time tips?

[tuaennoc]

Thanks for the link!! I was sure it was there somewhere, but what can I say??? Some days I am just not the sharpest knife in the drawer! Thanks again and it looks like a great deal (especially with a large group going).

 

[smesmer]

While I can't comment on the Mickey's room surprise, I can say if you don't want to spend money on a bday cake just have noted on all our reservations that you are celebrating a birthday and let them know when you check in at the resturant. My dd5 celebrated her bday at disney last year and she was treated great everyplace. She always got a cupcake w/candle at every meal. Also, get a birthday button for your son to wear. You will be surprised how many people will notice and give him extra special attention.

 

[henderkm]

Have never done the birthday surprise, so I can't comment on that.

You say you are going to do several character meals, so choose the characters your son likes the most so you won't have to spend a lot of time waiting on autographs in the parks.

After you receive your planning video, get a list of the rides, and maps of the parks, decide with your family what you might want to do.

Last year we went December 15 - 23. I noticed the parks seemed a lot more crowded than previous trips I took in June. Since you are staying on property, I would take advantage of Extra Magic Hours. We can always get a lot done in that hour before the park opens to the general public. Like everyone else says, make use of the fastpass system.

This past trip in December, we didn't get to do a lot of what we wanted because of the crowds, so prioritize and don't try to do everything.

It was very cold while we were there so keep checking the weather before your trip. DD walked around wrapped up in one of the throws they sell in the parks. Two things we enjoyed seeing this past Christmas season were to Osborne Lights (if you go to DHS) and Holiday Wishes fireworks in Magic Kingdom.

Have a great time planning!

 

[Monknmom]

Have never done the birthday surprise, so I can't comment on that.

You say you are going to do several character meals, so choose the characters your son likes the most so you won't have to spend a lot of time waiting on autographs in the parks.

After you receive your planning video, get a list of the rides, and maps of the parks, decide with your family what you might want to do.

Last year we went December 15 - 23. I noticed the parks seemed a lot more crowded than previous trips I took in June. Since you are staying on property, I would take advantage of Extra Magic Hours. We can always get a lot done in that hour before the park opens to the general public. Like everyone else says, make use of the fastpass system.

This past trip in December, we didn't get to do a lot of what we wanted because of the crowds, so prioritize and don't try to do everything.

It was very cold while we were there so keep checking the weather before your trip. DD walked around wrapped up in one of the throws they sell in the parks. Two things we enjoyed seeing this past Christmas season were to Osborne Lights (if you go to DHS) and Holiday Wishes fireworks in Magic Kingdom.

Have a great time planning!

Thank you to everyone! And thank you to you as well! I have thought about changing the dates, but with these dates I get to see my mom at Christmas (on our drive back home) and we get to be back before the NYC mess at New Year's eve begins! I am not sure where you are from, so your level of cold might be slightly different from ours, but do you think that we should bring heavy coats or sweatshirts would work nice with long sleeves underneath?

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

your level of cold might be slightly different from ours, but do you think that we should bring heavy coats or sweatshirts would work nice with long sleeves underneath

I guess that depends on your level of cold... We were there for two weeks this past December. Half the time, we were comfortable in sweaters or long sleeved shirts, but the other half of the time, we were bundled up in coats, scarves, and gloves. It was in the low 20's some mornings and nights.

 

[Monknmom]

I guess that depends on your level of cold... We were there for two weeks this past December. Half the time, we were comfortable in sweaters or long sleeved shirts, but the other half of the time, we were bundled up in coats, scarves, and gloves. It was in the low 20's some mornings and nights.

Well you know... if you are from South TX going to Fl then that's cold to you but if your coming from NY to FL that might not be cold for you! I was raised in TX and can't take the cold- so for myself cold is anything below like 60... but my hubby and son are comfortable at like 45-50! but anyway thank you and I plan on bringing a little of everything I guess!

 

[MHSweb79]

We were there December 10-19 last year and it was COLD. We're from Rhode Island so we know winter. And we wore gloves & heavy jackets for most days. Evenings were even colder.

That said, it's not typical for Orlando to be that cold in December so just watch the weather forecasts before you go. In other years, we'd wear light jackets in the morning and take them off by 11am or so. So you never know.

 

[DarleneW]

not you WILL get soaked.

10. My best tip would have to be USE THE FASTPASS SYSTEM. Our rule of thumb is if the wait is 25 minutes or less, we wait in line. If the wait is 30 minutes or more, use a Fastpass. It is not highly publicized, but your Fastpass does not expire until the end of the day. You can never use it before the return time stamp on the pass, but you can always use it after. We try to collect Fastpasses during the early part of the day and then use them later in the afternoon when the parks become more crowded.

Can you tell me how you are able to get more than one fastpass? My DH and I go to WDW alot and have for more years than I can count so we aren't newbies. Anyway, We were there a couple of weeks ago and got the FP for Test Track and then went to get one for Soarin'. The return times weren't the same but we weren't able to get one for Soarin' because it said we already had one for Test Track. This is actually the first time we were going to get more than one FP but it didn't work.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

not you WILL get soaked.

10. My best tip would have to be USE THE FASTPASS SYSTEM. Our rule of thumb is if the wait is 25 minutes or less, we wait in line. If the wait is 30 minutes or more, use a Fastpass. It is not highly publicized, but your Fastpass does not expire until the end of the day. You can never use it before the return time stamp on the pass, but you can always use it after. We try to collect Fastpasses during the early part of the day and then use them later in the afternoon when the parks become more crowded.

Can you tell me how you are able to get more than one fastpass? My DH and I go to WDW alot and have for more years than I can count so we aren't newbies. Anyway, We were there a couple of weeks ago and got the FP for Test Track and then went to get one for Soarin'. The return times weren't the same but we weren't able to get one for Soarin' because it said we already had one for Test Track. This is actually the first time we were going to get more than one FP but it didn't work.

You never have to wait more than 2 hours, but depending on the crowd levels, you may have to wait 2 hours between Fastpasses. You aren't ever going to be able to get a Fastpass for one attraction and walk straight over to another attraction and get another Fastpass - it's usually going to be between a 30 minute and 2 hour window. We usually get to the park at opening and immediately get a Fastpass for a headliner and then can usually get another Fastpass within an hour for another Fastpass attraction. Sometimes we may hold 5 sets of Fastpasses. Fastpasses don't expire until the end of the day, so later in the afternoon we will start using the Fastpasses we have collected earlier in the day.

If you click on the Fastpass link in my original post, Doconeill explains it much better than I and in greater detail.