1st timer!

[lb444]

It's our 1st time to WDW! Mom, Dad and 9 & 10 yr old girls. Staying at the CBR. Lots of buildings @ CBR-which one do I want to stay at? Also, heard there are long waits associated w/ WDW transportation. Better to rent a car? Thinking about going off property to Sea World. We'll be there for 5 days in May. What can you bring into the parks in regards to food, drinks? Thanks for any and all help!

 

[jonemick]

I recommend a rental car if the money to rent one isn't much of a concern for you. The convenience of having a car to travel offsite to such locations as Downtown Disney, Sea World, Dinning, mini-golf or anywhere else can't be beat. We usually stay at Port Orleans Riverside and sometimes we drive to the parks except for the Magic Kingdom. I just find it easier to hop in the car and drive 5 minutes to the park, get out take the tram to the front of the park.

Disney transportation to the parks is actually pretty good if your patient and don't mind sometimes crowded buses. Disney transportation to Downtown Disney is bad, you would have to rent a cab or something for Sea world.

I believe you can bring in any kind of food as long as it's in a backpack or something. You can't bring in coolers unless you need it for a medical condition.

 

[DW mouser]

There is nothing like the first time to DW!!! You will love it!! If you have only 5 days, I would not even plan on going off site. DW is so big it's hard to imagine until you see it. We have been there 3X for 1 week each time, and still have not seen everything! And there are so many extras, like the water parks and downtown disney, disney quest, ect. I'd leave the othere parks for another vacation. That way you will not need a car either. We've never had one and you don't need one on site!

 

[MiJo]

I agree with DW mouser. WDW is an amazing place with an incredible amount to see and do. Read the Boards, ask questions and try to get information on the little, special things to see and do (like the directory in the ToT). For transportation, consider hiring a towncar company. You can get one, R/T for your family, from MCO to most of the WDW resorts for somewhere between $80 and $100 (plus tips). This beats a rental car, especially if you are not leaving WDW property. And, transportation in May shouldn't be that bad.
Have fun and welcome to The DIS!!!

 

[safetymom]

I suggest reading the CBR FAQ's listed below. Trinidad North and Martinique are preferred villages costing $15 extra nightly. Many people like to request Jamaica. It is a short walk over the bridge to the main pool and food court. CBR has quite a few buses so you shouldn't have to wait long but I liked having a car when I am at WDW. You are free to come and go as you please.

If you have any more CBR questions you should post in the CBR FAQ II thread and someone will be along quickly to answer your questions.

Welcome to the DIS. You will get more answers if you break up your questions. Ask the theme park question on the theme park board, etc.

 

[katallo]

You will have such a great time. If you plan ahead, I think the rental car is the way to go. We went with friends at Easter. We booked a mid size car four months prior to our trip for 140.00 total. Our friends waited and booked the same car/same company two months out and paid 248.00. A car will give you flexibility. We like it in case you need something (like a pharmacy, etc) off property.

 

[trappednabox]

I'll give you the same advice someone gave me when I first came to these boards, go buy the Unoffical Guide to Walt Disney World! It told me soooo much about WDW, much more than I even realized I needed to know! It helped me plan so much of my trip. Oh yeah! WELCOME TO THE DIS!!!!

 

[DW mouser]

I had read soooo many guide books before we went the first time, but I was still in awe about the size of it all!!! Plus, there are so many new things now that DW didn't even have last time I went! I really want to go again but will have to save, save, save!!!

 

[dismom9761]

You can take in small coolers. The kind that is meant for a six pacck.I took mine (hung it on the stroller)and saw alot ofothers w/ them.I put bottles of water and sippy cups in it.

 

[TW1]

We go for a week every year and each time say, "well, maybe we should spend a day off site." Never happens. Enjoy this first trip. Wait until your second trip to consider a day off site.

We have never rented a car, so I can't talk about the benefits of driving. But even when we had strollers and extra bags, the bus seemed so much easier. It was one less expense, one less hour at the airport coming and going, one less thing to worry about.

Consider bringing a small cooler (six-pack size) We make sandwiches and bring water bottles. Food can get pricey and take time out of the day waiting for it. We tend to eat on the run, when and where ever it suits us. One suggestion I heard was to buy the juice boxes and freeze them the night before to serve as ice packs in the cooler.

Whatever you do, don't get overwhelmed with the size, options, crowds, etc. Yes, park tix are pricey so you feel you need to do as many rides as possible. But a big part of that daily entry fee is the ambiance, the parades, the shows, fireworks, characters, shopping, etc. Like most folks, you'll get back there someday to do the things you couldn't do this time.