1st Timers!!!!

[DrTomorrow]

- Although some people may disagree with me, I would avoid the Extra Magic Hour (early entry) park if at all possible. [...] it got so crowded by noon that we hopped over to Epcot.

I'll agree to split the difference with GarrettJD.

We have found that EE works well with MK - but you do need to plan on leaving the park at around 10-11 when the crowds build to overwhelming size. Also, AK is a good EE park because the animals tend to be a bit more active early in the AM. But the Studios and Epcot should be avoided on EE days.

Somewhere on this wonderful board is a 'Best Days for EE' thread - might want to take a look.

Erick

 

[susy]

Since you are traveling without kids, I woudn't push yourselves to do EE. Do the "day after" strategy. For example, EE for AK is Mon, so go Tues.

I would work out an itinerary before you go. What parks on what days, with at least one break day in the middle somewhere.Sleep late that day, lounge around the pool,go out to a nice dinner.

Okay, you asked about meals. Go to wdwig.com- click on dining, then MENUS. You will see all the menus for all the counter service and sit-down restaurants. When you decide on what sit-down rest. you want, call 1-407-WDW-dine and make your priority seatings. Read the priority seating FAQ at wdwig.com.
If you are depending on Disney transportation, remember there are NO buses between resorts.

In Epcot, I like "San Angel Inn" in Mexico (for romance and ambience), at MK you can dine in the castle or take the monorail or boats to any of the MK resorts. Just check out the menus together. This keeps my DH and I entertained for hours! Traveling when it's hot, I recommend two outfits per day! I always like to shower and change before heading out to dinner.

If you look at your trip as a "vacation", instead of a marathon through 4 theme parks, you will have a LOT more fun! Believe me, my DH and I have lots of time to relax around the pool with a drink and take romantc walks around our resort-even with our 5yo DS in tow!!!!!!! CBR is the perfect resort for this!

 

[TJW66]

I was also wondering if there was a specific "strategy" for tackling the parks. Someone told me to go early, get to the back of the park, and work our way forward. I was curious if this was a good idea or not. Also, I wanted to know what the tempreature was like in the beginning of July in Florida. Is it unbearably hot, or just warm. Again thank you everyone for all of your help.

 

[lasmickey]

I don't want to discourage you, because regardless of the weather I think you'll still have a wonderful time, but speaking from experience, when we were there the first part of July a couple of years ago it was very, very hot and humid, and there was a brief rain shower every afternoon. (Don't let the rain showers scare you. They usually don't last long, cool things down a bit, and for the most part, they usually thin the crowds out considerably too!)

 

[jjarman]

Originally posted by TJW66
Im pretty sure our room is close to the food court. Thank you everyone for all your help. Feel free to keep pumping me with info!

Just remember that just because you request a particular location at the resort doesn't mean you will get it. Fax your requests to the resort, being very specific and in order of what you really want about 3 days before your arrival. We did this but be careful of what you ask for. We stayed at PO/FQ and I requested a quiet room with maybe a view of the water, not much foot traffic. I was afraid we would be disturbed by others coming and going late at night. Well, we got the room that is the absolute furtherest from everything that you could get at PO/FQ. It is a small resort but it was still at least a 5 minute hike to get to the pool, food court, bus stop.

I agree with the other posters. Get there early, take a break mid afternoon and then go back that evening. We did that every day and it worked out great.

Take a water bottle with you. You are going during a really hot part of the summer. You can refill the bottle with ice and water throughout the day. We would save our ice from our drinks at lunch and put them in the water bottle. Cups of water were free or we used the water fountains to refill. It is definitely worth the hassle.

 

[LovesHauntedMansion]

It will be very hot and humid. Get to the parks as early as possible especially on the day that you plan to go to AK. You won't be seeing many animals in the middle of the day because it's too hot. If you want to sleep late one day, I would make that my Epcot day. Epcot does not get as crowded as the other parks. You may want to visit the water parks if the heat gets too unbearable. Also, dress comfortably and wear shoes that are broken in. Be prepared for the rain.