1st Timer Tips

[LaJaTiggerLover]

Me - 28
DH - 31
My Mom - 53 (birthday while we are in disney)
DD - 5
DS - 2 (turns 3 the day after we come home)

It has been over 20 years since I have been to Disney, DH, DD, and DS's first trip EVER!!!! We're very excitied. 9-27 until 10-3 at POR with DDP.

I'm starting to stress out. Not sure what to bring, how much spending money we'll need, and where to go.

I have a lot of my meals already planned, focusing this trip on being all about my babies, so lots and lots of Character meals. MNSSHP on Mom's birthday.

Any suggestions, tips, feedback anyone could give me would be much appreciated.

 

[Perditamarie]

Welcome to the DIS!!!

I would get a good guidebook and read it to increase your depth of knowledge about the parks and so you know what to expect. I really like the Unofficial Guide.

* If you haven't done so and you know where you want to eat, make your dining reservations NOW. This is just about the trickiest thing about WDW if you want to eat in a restaurant.....I really doubt you will be able to be seated walking up to a restaurant, esp during free dining.

* Register your mom's birthday on-line, and bring your registration to a park on her bd for your free gift. Make sure she has the right id to claim the gift.

* Your family can dress up in costumes for MNSSHP...but it will probably be very warm!

Here is some stuff I wrote on another post earlier that is handy for kids - I'm plagiarizing myself!!:

* have stroller for both kids
* bring a small cooler bag with you to have water/juice and snacks handy..it is very hard to find juice when you need it - great for lines and outdoor shows
* 2 yo may be scared of characters
* most efficient way to meet characters is at character meals -
* shows are LOUD...watch out for 3d movies..they are loud and Its Tough To Be A Bug and Honey I Shrunk The Audience can be scary.
* if 2 yo in diapers, plan to change more often than you think as he may be drinking a lot in the heat
* totally worth any effort to make it for rope drop, take a pool/nap break then back to the parks!
* we pretty much keep to the kids regular bedtime to prevent morning crabbiness!
* kids often find fireworks loud too!
* keep in mind there are many water features in the parks...have an extra set of clothes for 2 yo and maybe shirt for 5 yo and that shoes are appropriate
* a gazillion rides exit through gift shops...have plan for the "i wannas" and the "gimmees"
* put on a good coat of sunblock in your hotel each am and touch up as needed...don't wait til you get to the park to put it on!
* bring kids to play areas in parks and at your resort so they can run around and get out of the stroller


I am sure you will get lots of great info here! Happy planning!

 

[Sagginit]

i haven't been in 10 years and my mum is going with me and she hasnt been in over 30 years. i got great advice online and lots of random tips but sometimes found it overwhelming. tour books offer a lot more general information. i went to my local library and was able to take them out for free. different books offer different information so variety was key to being well informed. some focus on dining and resorts, while others give in depth ride information so instead of going out and buying one book borrow a few and compare notes from them.

the best advice was a co-worker went in june and told me to make my ADRs right away and im glad i did. starting about two months before the trip i have been trying to get better times and found that everything is completely booked and that i needed to make my whole touring plan based on the meal times and places i was able to get.

also if you havent already request the free dvd and get custom maps. everytime i get a disney envelope delivered i feel like its a little magic right to my door.

 

[carolmp]

My friend had children about your children's age when she went. They also went to MNSSHP one evening. She said the biggest mistake she made was spending that day at the pool. They thought since they were going in the evening, they would take it easy that day and just hang out at the pool. Well, adults take it easy, but kids spend a lot of energy at the pool. Her kids were exhausted that night. So just be careful what you do the day of your MNSSHP.

 

[Lissypiggy]

First of all, For a family as large as yours try to get free dining and get reservations now! Also, get a birthday button for your mother. Birthday buttons are great. Everybody treats you special, you get free desserts and a "special birthday call." I think that you should also bring a fan or a mini spray bottle that you can get in the dollar section at target because you will get HOT! What time of year are you going?

 

[badblackpug]

Take it easy! Go at the kids' pace. Let them enjoy the atmosphere. Don't feel rushed to see everything. Your kids will have a blast anyway and won't realize what they missed.

 

[KAMKIM]

Me - 28
DH - 31
My Mom - 53 (birthday while we are in disney)
DD - 5
DS - 2 (turns 3 the day after we come home)

It has been over 20 years since I have been to Disney, DH, DD, and DS's first trip EVER!!!! We're very excitied. 9-27 until 10-3 at POR with DDP.

I'm starting to stress out. Not sure what to bring, how much spending money we'll need, and where to go.

I have a lot of my meals already planned, focusing this trip on being all about my babies, so lots and lots of Character meals. MNSSHP on Mom's birthday.

Any suggestions, tips, feedback anyone could give me would be much appreciated.

Hi Neighbor =} Clarence NY here....
We just got back 2 weeks ago with a 8 7 and 5 year old ...here are my tips

Take a stroller for both kids, our 7 and 8 year ended up in a stroller by day 3 its just too much walking

Refillable mugs were 12.99 at the resort and well worth it, we took ziplock bags and a washclothe with us each day so when our mug was empty we could dry it out and put it in the zip lock and then in DH's backpack.

Tips were about $15 - $20 per meal (we were also on the dining plan) for a party of 4.

we bought battery powered mister fans at home depot for $10 and brought AA batteries - greatest thing I could have bought and the kids used them ALOT

At night we got a map of the park we were going to next (you can get these in the lobby of your hotel) and circled our must sees for the that park and went in order so we weren't walking from one end of the park to another...this saved lots of time!

As far as how much money to bring we brought $1200 to spend on any out of pocket meals, drinks, mugs, tips, souvies etc.....and we pretty much spent all of it, but also got ALOT of souvenirs so you could bring much less.

If you are using Magical Express 2 things to keep in mind....you dont know when your room will be ready so I suggest bringing bathing suits with you on the plane so you can swim at the hotel when you get there. Also if you've been there for an hour or two already and your room is ready early you can call the front desk and ask them to bring your luggage to you then. They typically wait until after 3 to start bringing in luggage because that is check in time but our room was ready at noon.

 

[LaJaTiggerLover]

I couldn't figure out how to get back to my original post. Thank you everyone for your tips. We leave in 10 days!!!!

We did do the Deluxe dining plan, now I'm kind of regretting doing that one because I have a feeling we're going to do more eating then enjoying the parks. We have no specific plans other than our meals. We did a lot of character meals, as I figured the kids will enjoy them. My mother requested breakfast with Mickey for her Birthday (which she does not know that I was able to get for us) but it is not until 1030 so I think we'll take the morning to sleep in and get a slow start to our day. We're also doing Mickey's Halloween Party on Mom's birthday.

I have not been able to find the mini fans. Do they sell them in disney? That is really tricky that the have most of the exits go through gift shops. We have pre bought our kids a $50 gift card. My kids don't know what day we are acutally leaving. I also, pre bought a Personalized T shirt and Hooded sweatshirt (we live in NY, it's only 60 here right now). I am going to put the sweatshirt and T shirt on the table with the giftcard for them the morning that we leave for Disney with a little note saying "Pack you bags, Take a Flight, I will meet you tonight" Love Mickey. Or something like that. I also already got the autograph books, pens, and Personalized Mickey ears to decrease cost while I am there. I am hoping my Mom can distract the kids by showing them the pool so DH and I can run up to the room and put them on the bed for them when they come upstairs.

For the ages of my children, do you recommend Magic Kingdom the most? Epcot the least? This is what I've been told.

I appreciate all of your advise. Now to crack down on packing (I'm a overpacker ...Eeek). I'm more excitied than the kids

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Mk is definately going to be the main park for your kids. EP won't be so bad, there is a lot for them to look at and see. There are characters in the World Showcase and Innoventions (where there is a character greet if you want).

It is a lot of walking but EP is not a bust. I honestly felt like DHS was the bust for younger kids. There wasn't much for a preschooler to do. DS (2.5 at the time) enjoyed AK the most with MK a close 2nd.

Be smart about your packing! Don't take too many clothes! Remember that you can always do laundry.

Good luck!

 

[clanwilson]

You can buy the mini fans and misting fans at Walmart. You can also check at the Dollar Store. (I'm sure they'll be cheaper there than at Disney World!)

If you think that the Deluxe plan will be too much, then you can check into changing to the regular one. I'm not sure if there will be a change fee; perhaps someone can chime in with that answer. Two table service meals will take up much more time as well...something to consider.

With your children's ages, I would definitely spend at least two days at the Magic Kingdom. Fantasyland will be perfect for them over and over again.

 

[LaJaTiggerLover]

I am going to walmart tomorrow to look for the little fans.

I may consider looking into decreasing the meal package. 1. I'm afraid that it's going to be to late to do so and 2. since we're going during free dining I don't know if another meal option would be a option.

If anyone else can give me any additional pointers I'd be more than happy to accept them.

 

[tigger51276]

I would call tomorrow and ask about decreasing to the regular dining plan. I think they should be able to do that as you have until 48 hours prior to check in to add or delete the option so.... That would certainly save you a nice chunk of change. I was very tempted to go with the deluxe plan myself for my trip in a few weeks and after doing the math I realized I'd never eat enough food to justify the price. I did the regular dining plan last year and couldn't get over just how much food it was. By the last day I couldn't eat anything I was so sick of food (and I was 4 months pregnant to boot). I tend to have breakfast in my room in the morning (coffee and toast for me and either toast and milk or cereal and milk for my girls). You save a ton of money that way and it's a much quicker meal then going and sitting down somewhere or waiting in line at a quick service counter. I do usually do one or two character breakfasts a trip though and will get one of the later ones so that it serves as both breakfast and lunch and then do a light snack mid afternoon.
As for EPCOT, my DD5 loves it there. She loves the Nemo ride and the Land and especially going through the countries and making a mask and collecting all the "tokens" for it. We have quite a collection of them. And oddly her favorite ride there (last trip I had to ride it 10 times) is the cheesy ride in Mexico....she loves it and I just can't figure out why....LOL
Have a fantastic trip and enjoy.

I am going to walmart tomorrow to look for the little fans.

I may consider looking into decreasing the meal package. 1. I'm afraid that it's going to be to late to do so and 2. since we're going during free dining I don't know if another meal option would be a option.

If anyone else can give me any additional pointers I'd be more than happy to accept them.

 

[AirGoofy]

That is one drawback of DDining plan - you have all that time scheduled for food. But, with character dining, it also gives your children a good break from the parks. As for theme parks, MK is a definite for children your age. There are fun rides for adults and children alike. I agree with the post about relaxing and try not to do every ride in one day - it will take a lot out of the children. As for which parks, you probably cannot go wrong, but I would not do the park hopper - too much time wasted on transportation - and would pick park based on what restaurant you are at. That way, you can keep transportation to a minimum.

 

[lemonsours]

I honestly felt like DHS was the bust for younger kids. There wasn't much for a preschooler to do. DS (2.5 at the time) enjoyed AK the most with MK a close 2nd.

Unless your kids watch the Disney channel shows, in which case it may turn out to be their favorite park! My DD turned 3 when we were there last time and she loved meeting the Playhouse Disney characters, the Little Mermaid show, The Muppet show, and even the great movie ride.