1st time trip with DD5

[NewMom66]

Hi Everyone!!

I've been viewing this board for a little while and decided to finally sign up to become a member. I'm going to try to do a pre-trip report Our trip isn't until April but I've been planning it since August. I just literally woke up one Sunday morning and said to my DH we are going to Disney. At first I was thinking Christmas time, but my DH really enjoys the holidays and prefers to be home. So the next available time would be April during my DD5 Spring break from school.

This will be our first trip together with our DD. She is so excited about meeting the Princesses. Both my DH and I have been to Disney a few times but it's been over 20 yrs. So I guess you can say it's a whole new experience for us both.

I was originally planning to stay at either PO or POFQ, but I have a GF who has stayed at all the AllStars and loved them. I decided on POP because it just really looks like a fun atmosphere for younger children. We are staying 8 days/7 nights.

I got the Dining Plan which from another friend just got back from Disney said it was wonderful. Her stay was at the Poly and she loved it! She said it was way too much food, but the way to go. My itinerary looks like this:

Day 1 Arrive about 10:30am with ME.
Pool Day
ADR at Chef Mickey'st 5:05 pm
Head to Downtown Disney for some shopping and fun.

Day 2 Made appt with the BBB for my DD5 at 11 am (doing the full package)
Lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table at 12:20
Day at MK followed by dinner at the Plaza Rest 4:50

Day 3 MGM
Playhouse Disney at 2pm
Dinner at Sci-Fi at 7:10pm

Day 4 Epcot
Dinner at Coral Reef Restaurant at 6pm

Day 5 MK
Dinner at CP at 5:10
Hoping to catch Parade and Fireworks that evening

Day 6 Epcot
Dinner at LeCellier at 5:30pm

Day 7 AK
Lunch at RainForest Cafe at 12 Noon
Dinner at Epcot at the Garden Grill 5 pm

My DD loves the parks and has no idea what she's in store for. I don't think we will have a problem at all staying in the parks all day. If for some reason we want to take a break and go back to the hotel for a rest or swim that would be no problem. I tried to stay in one park for the whole day except the last day going to AK to Epcot.

I planned five character meals for my DD which I know she will absolutely love. Does this plan so ok? Is it too much? I have been reading everything online and books that I possibly can. I'm so excited and I know before I know it it will be time to go.

Is there any special thing I shouldn't miss? I know there is so much and of course I'm sure we won't see everything, but hey that just means another trip to the World at another time, right?

I hope to get some advice and looking forward to being on this board. Thanks.

 

[bettyann29]

Hi there..

My new past time is reading TR's ... I love reading everyones planning and feeling their excitement.. We havent been in April before but to me anytime is a good time for WDW

I think you will love POP.. We have stayed there 3 times and I do believe its my favorite value so far.. Now Ive only been to Allstar Movies other than Pop in the Values... but we have an upcoming trip and trying Sports and then of course I'll have to give Music a try, just to compare

One of my favorite things about it is that they have icees in the food court so if you get the refillable mug you can get icees in place of coke..

I bet your DD will have a great time..

As far as your dining choices, Ive only been to Garden Grill, Sci Fi and Rainforest Cafe.. and I loved them all.. I bet your DD will get a kick out of RFC though with all the animals and esp when they come alive.. Chef Mickeys is on my list on my upcoming trip..

Cant wait to hear more..

 

[NewMom66]

Thank you for replying. I was excited to see a response to my first thread.

I'm so glad to hear about POP. I did do a search on the boards here for POP to see what every body had to say about it. I did hear about the refillable mugs which I plan on doing. My DH loves icees so that will be right up his alley.

I did hear it can be extremely hot in April but you are in Florida after all, right? I actually love the heat or rather Summer. That is my favorite season of all. DH doesn't but as long as we take our time and drink plenty of water we should be fine.

I look forward to all our reservations. My GF always does the RFC and she loves it. Believe it I just found out that there is one by me about 30 miles away and I never realized it. I think we'll check it out maybe before we go or maybe I should just keep it as a surprise for my DD as a first time experience.

Thanks for responding.

 

[mickiecake]

Man, what a lucky little girl you have!! You guys are gonna have a BLAST!

 

[jkCT]

We'll be at POP in April too! Our first time there...it's a family trip with my family, my sister and her family, and our parents. I've just made our ADR's too...a bit of a guess at what everybody will like since we haven't been to Disney since our honeymoon 13 years ago!

Happy planning!!!

 

[DisneyDadFaNaTic]

April's weather is not bad (if you don't mind a shower or two per day!) It really is a perfect time to go! Our DS always loves the pools at the All Star Resorts and it makes a great break in the afternoon for the younger ones!

Good luck and keep up the good work!

 

[NewMom66]

We'll be at POP in April too! Our first time there...it's a family trip with my family, my sister and her family, and our parents. I've just made our ADR's too...a bit of a guess at what everybody will like since we haven't been to Disney since our honeymoon 13 years ago!

Happy planning!!!

Thank you. What ADR's did you make if you don't mind me asking? I love to hear all about the restaurants and what people choose. Well actually be there April 17th until the 24th.

 

[NewMom66]

Thank you. What ADR's did you make if you don't mind me asking? I love to hear all about the restaurants and what people choose. Well actually be there April 17th until the 24th.

Oh, sorry I just realized you listed when you will be there.

 

[jkCT]

Okay, I'm really, really new at this and don't know how to "quote" people yet, so we'll just plow on in...

NewMom66, you asked about our ADR's...

Monday- Crystal Palace dinner with the whole family (six adults, children ages 10,9,9,7,5,2)
Tuesday- Coral Reef dinner with the whole gang (family tradition to eat here...this is the only place on our list that I have eaten in before)
Wednesday- pizza at POP- (our Sea World day)
Thursday- early dinner at Boma with our daughters and their grandparents (then leave the girls with grandma and papa and go galavanting by ourselves! I need to find a good place for a quiet-ish drink with hubby)
Friday- Chef Mickey's for breakfast, Akershus Princesses with our daughters for dinner

It took so long to make decisions on these...choice overload I think. I have to keep reminding myself that we can't do everything I want to do in one trip!

 

[NewMom66]

Okay, I'm really, really new at this and don't know how to "quote" people yet, so we'll just plow on in...

NewMom66, you asked about our ADR's...

Monday- Crystal Palace dinner with the whole family (six adults, children ages 10,9,9,7,5,2)
Tuesday- Coral Reef dinner with the whole gang (family tradition to eat here...this is the only place on our list that I have eaten in before)
Wednesday- pizza at POP- (our Sea World day)
Thursday- early dinner at Boma with our daughters and their grandparents (then leave the girls with grandma and papa and go galavanting by ourselves! I need to find a good place for a quiet-ish drink with hubby)
Friday- Chef Mickey's for breakfast, Akershus Princesses with our daughters for dinner

It took so long to make decisions on these...choice overload I think. I have to keep reminding myself that we can't do everything I want to do in one trip!

Those ADR's sound great too. I'm sure you guys will have a wonderful time!! Make sure to sneak that drink in with DH.