1st trip to Disney!!

[cwjett]

We will be going to disney for the first time May 2010, probably the 22nd thru 29th. I have 2 sons, 5 and 14 and we are going with my sister, her husband and two sons, ages 5 and 8.
I am already so overwhelmed just reading everything online!! Its so much stuff! I can't even decide where to stay! If they do any free dining or buy 4 get 3 free we would like to stay onsite but if not I dont think we could afford onsite. It seems like it would be cheaper to stay in a villa offsite so we could prepare meals. I've never been so I have no clue....any help or tips would be appreciated!! Thanks

 

[Perditamarie]

Welcome to the DIS!!! You will get great info here!!

My first recommendation is to get a good guidebook and dive in! It will increase your depth of knowledge and help you determine what is important to your party. I love the Unofficial Guide -- it is huge, but a great read and very helpful for both on-site and off-site visits.

I am horribly biased, and think it is absolutely worth it to stay on-site. Disney will transport you from the airport (and back again) to your hotel and take you to the parks, DTD and waterparks...so you won't have to drive all week -- that is a fabulous perk to us!! If you stay off-site, make sure to factor in time to commute back and forth to your room -- traffic can be heavy aytime in Orlando, and if you will really be preparing a lot of meals on vacation. You can, however, bring in some picnic lunches that would probably be helpful!

Another great tip I have read on here is to schedule touring time as a group and also time for just your family -- you all are on vacation but don't have to spend 24/7 together!

I also think May is a great time to go -- it is swimming weather, but the crowds should be quite manageable.

Happy planning -- you came to the right place!!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

We will be going to disney for the first time May 2010, probably the 22nd thru 29th. I have 2 sons, 5 and 14 and we are going with my sister, her husband and two sons, ages 5 and 8.
I am already so overwhelmed just reading everything online!! Its so much stuff! I can't even decide where to stay! If they do any free dining or buy 4 get 3 free we would like to stay onsite but if not I dont think we could afford onsite. It seems like it would be cheaper to stay in a villa offsite so we could prepare meals. I've never been so I have no clue....any help or tips would be appreciated!! Thanks

We are a family of six and we always get two connecting rooms at a Value resort - All-Star Movies is our favorite and it's the cheapest way to stay on-site. Our last trip was in September and we paid about $160.00 per night for the two connecting rooms. Free Dining has never been offered during the time of year you are going, but there may be a 4/3 deal going on or some other type of discount.

We are also biased on-site people. There's just no way we will stay off-site. You get free Magical Express (transporation to and from the airport), free transportation to and from the parks each day, Extra Magic Hours at all four of the parks, you can charge tips and purchases back to your room, you can have your packages sent back to your resort so you don't have to lug them around the park all day with you and of course, you can get the Disney Dining Plan. We love, love, love the Disney Dining Plan - I can't ever imagine going back to Disney without it. Also, since half of your group is under the age of 10, it will save you a great deal of money. There's just no way I could feed my kids in the parks for $11.00 per day without the DDP. It always saves us a huge amount of money. You will be there during the Star Wars Weekends so that will make the crowds heavier on Saturdays and Sundays. I highly recommend joining www.touringplans.com (the companion website to The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World). I use there crowd calender to pick which days we will tour which parks. You also need to start looking at which place you want to dine at. Your Advance Dining Reservations 180 day window will be opening at the end of this month and you really need to make ADRs as early as possible for all of the popular places such as Chef Mickey's (or most any of the character meals), Ohana, LeCellier, etc.

 

[Erica09M]

I'm planning our first WDW trip as well, May 7-14! I've been planning for 6 months, and our trip is still another 6 months away! I've learned so much from this site, so just take a deep breath... and start reading! If you have any questions, you can either do a search for the topic (I've learned SOOO much this way) or just ask... and you'll be provided with answers

Enjoy your planning!

 

[disneynutsx4]

Yup, this is the kind of adventure that can be very intimidating...if you're unprepared.

So, to GET prepared (and someone has already suggested this) - the first thing to do is get a copy of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2010 (it's here at Amazon.com. It's written by non-Disney people who base their observations, suggestions, rankings, and plans on a fair amount of research and input from readers, so the book is full of very practical and useful information.We used an early edition on our first trip (1992!) and it was spot-on.

You might also get Birnbaum's official guide also, which presents a same info in an unranked perspective.

NEXT - If you don't have one already, go to the "My Disney Video Planner" web site and order the Vacation Planning DVD. It's free and does a great job of getting everyone stoked for the trip - not that your family will need more stoking!

THEN - Watch the DVD and compare what you see to what the Unofficial Guide and Birnbaum's tell you. This way you can make informed decisions about what to see, what to do, and so on. The more stuff you know before you get to WDW, the less time you'll spend being undecided while you're there.

DO get everyone's input on your family itinerary, especially from the kids, and cover as many "Top 3 Things I Want to See and Do" as you can from each person in the family. A week will go by quickly and chances are you won't see EVERYTHING - but if you can get the uppermost part of everyone's wish list taken care of, consider yourself very, very successful.

DO ask lots of questions here in the Forum - folks here are not only well-informed, but have "been there, done that" many times. We've been to WDW 10 times, which is no small feat coming from the Pacific Northwest.

BEWARE staying on-site - you'll never want to stay off-site again. The WDW Resort people take great care of you, and the WDW transportation system works very well. For his first three trips, my son's favorite ride was...the Monorail!

Good luck with your planning...and get that research done!

 

[carrie1626]

Planning is half the fun

READ READ READ at least 2 guidebooks ( free from the library- make sure it's 2009/2010 version)

ASK ASK ASK questions on this forum.

LEARN LEARN LEARN about Fast Pass, as a first-timer you may not even relaize how much time was saved using FP but TIME WILL BE SAVED!!

SHARE SHARE SHARE counter service meals! $money saver$.

PLAN PLAN PLAN but don't over-due it. You have to have "down" time, sometimes for a WHOLE DAY.

Do not expect everyone to do the same things all day every day. Ex: each family goes their separate way a few mornings and meets up later for either swimming, dinner, parade,fireworks etc. No matter how much you all love each other a large group will not agree on everything AND will travel slower.


Prepare to get hooked and not want to leave. In 2000, I cried when we left and just felt crushed at the airport that I was going home so soon. I was back the next year and the year after that and the year after that....

 

[Lissypiggy]

Hi this is Alissa speaking!
So there is this great thing called free dining that you can get dining for FREE if you stay onsite!! Look it up! I would stay at the Carribean Beach or Pop Century. They tend to be the less expensive resorts! Have fun and don't cheap out!

 

[GRUMPY D]

first lets say congrats on going ,we are going may 18 to may 25 , and some advice for a stress free vacation, Disney is a big place you can not see it or do it all in one trip so don't try to plan to much in a day and don't rush and take your time , get input from all family members and check the height requirements on the rides ( they can be found on the dis web site )before you go your 5 yr old may not be able to ride some rides , the big must dos are wishes , fantastic , and illuminations

now were to stay , like other posters say on site is the best , a value resort is the lowest price and they are the most kid themed , and I think they even have a family suites that sleeps 8 people

for meals this is what we do , request a frig and you can get milk and bread there then bring cereal , chips , peanut butter and jelly and snacks from home then have breakfast in your room and pack a lunch for the parks ( or go back to your room for some down time and lunch ) then have counter service for dinner ,

hope this helps and have fun planning

 

[mousebymarriage]

If you stay on site at a value check out the "fridge swap" threads on the budget board. By joing a fridge swap (they are free), it will save you $10 (or $12) a day on fridge rental. Many of the swaps also incude a coffee pot and some even a toaster.

 

[kpgriswold]

I'm certain you will LOVE your trip!

I second those above who suggest starting with a good guide book or two. The "Unoffical Guide" is my favorite! Visit your library to check out a couple, then buy a copy of the one you like best so you can write in it.

Also be sure to visit allears.net, which I think is the best Disney website out there. You can find dozens of photos of resorts and parks, detailed restaurant menus with prices, articles on planning and travel and lots more.

And ask lots of questions here! There are folks on this board who go several times a year and they know EVERYTHING. I do suggest that you do a search before posting a question, however. Many questions have already been asked and answered a number of times by other newbies, and you can learn alot by reading what people said to them.

Good luck, and happy planning!

 

[MissAndrea]

Hi this is Alissa speaking!
So there is this great thing called free dining that you can get dining for FREE if you stay onsite!! Look it up! I would stay at the Carribean Beach or Pop Century. They tend to be the less expensive resorts! Have fun and don't cheap out!

I wouldn't get your hopes up on this one. They typically do not offer free dining during that time of the year. There is a very good chance that they will extend the b4g3 or b5g2 deal just like they did last year. We took advantage of it during may and stayed in connecting rooms at all star sports. We drove so never had to use their transportation. We are going again this may but with 2 more people and getting a 3 bed 3 bath townhouse in windsor hills which is just right outside of disney. Since we are driving again this is by far our cheapeest option. $800ish for the whole week! Some townhomes are 6 bed and about $215 a night. If you are driving its totally worth looking into! Even if flying it may save a ton. We went through Story Time Rentals. Their disney decor will make it feel like we are staying on property but cheaper and much more comfortable for the 4 adults and 1 kid!

 

[knewton64]

Planning is half the fun

READ READ READ at least 2 guidebooks ( free from the library- make sure it's 2009/2010 version)

ASK ASK ASK questions on this forum.

LEARN LEARN LEARN about Fast Pass, as a first-timer you may not even relaize how much time was saved using FP but TIME WILL BE SAVED!!

SHARE SHARE SHARE counter service meals! $money saver$.

PLAN PLAN PLAN but don't over-due it. You have to have "down" time, sometimes for a WHOLE DAY.

Do not expect everyone to do the same things all day every day. Ex: each family goes their separate way a few mornings and meets up later for either swimming, dinner, parade,fireworks etc. No matter how much you all love each other a large group will not agree on everything AND will travel slower.


Prepare to get hooked and not want to leave. In 2000, I cried when we left and just felt crushed at the airport that I was going home so soon. I was back the next year and the year after that and the year after that....

.....this way you will have a basic understanding of how to approach such a big place as WDW.

ENJOY

 

[shaz105]

Hi

Welcome to the Board I am planning my family's first holiday to Disneyland and Walt Disney Land. We will be going from 1st August to 20th August 2010.

I cant wait there is alot to organise I have the Orlando part of the trip all booked through Dreams Unlimited.

I am in the process of getting my Anaheim trip booked as well just waiting for a quote and the price.

 

[DisneyFairytale]

We will be going to disney for the first time May 2010, probably the 22nd thru 29th. I have 2 sons, 5 and 14 and we are going with my sister, her husband and two sons, ages 5 and 8.
I am already so overwhelmed just reading everything online!! Its so much stuff! I can't even decide where to stay! If they do any free dining or buy 4 get 3 free we would like to stay onsite but if not I dont think we could afford onsite. It seems like it would be cheaper to stay in a villa offsite so we could prepare meals. I've never been so I have no clue....any help or tips would be appreciated!! Thanks

Welcome to the forum! congrats on the planning of your upcoming trip!! your guys are going to a trip of a lifetime

Everyone has already posted all the great advice so I wont post anymore. What I will suggest tho is to stay at a neighbor hotel accross from the park, where its right in front of the park and you can save yourself a lot of money(more money for souvernirs, or nice dinners).

Have fun planning!

 

[cwjett]

Thanks for all of the great advice!! Another question, would you bring video camera or not??
Let me know if you have any experience with video cameras or do you just bring your digitial cameral.

Thanks for all of the feedback!!

 

[loveysbydesign]

We will be going to disney for the first time May 2010, probably the 22nd thru 29th. I have 2 sons, 5 and 14 and we are going with my sister, her husband and two sons, ages 5 and 8.
I am already so overwhelmed just reading everything online!! Its so much stuff! I can't even decide where to stay! If they do any free dining or buy 4 get 3 free we would like to stay onsite but if not I dont think we could afford onsite. It seems like it would be cheaper to stay in a villa offsite so we could prepare meals. I've never been so I have no clue....any help or tips would be appreciated!! Thanks

Welcome the the DIS...the best WDW info. site on the planet
We love Windsor Hills! It's offsite but only 5- 10 minutes from the parks! We love it there as my dh snores so he gets his own room, we can wash our clothes before we head home and we can keep lots of goodies in the fridge and freezer for the parks...plus it's cheap!

 

[loveysbydesign]

Also a video camera is a must! I kept a long strap on ours and wore it around the parks so it was super handy to use. My kids LOVE watching our videos from our trios!!!

 

[cwjett]

I checked out Windsor Hills and it is so nice! I am torn between Pop Century and Windsor Hills....... to stay onsite or stay offsite!! lol tough choices!

I guess it all depends on if we will get the dining plan or not! I am stressing out and its 6 months away... haha!

 

[Erica09M]

I checked out Windsor Hills and it is so nice! I am torn between Pop Century and Windsor Hills....... to stay onsite or stay offsite!! lol tough choices!

I guess it all depends on if we will get the dining plan or not! I am stressing out and its 6 months away... haha!

Are you driving or flying? If you fly and stay onsite, you don't need to rent a vehicle.

 

[marshmellow86]

When you are comparing prices, don't forget that if you stay offsite, you will have to pay for parking every day at the park. I think it is currently around $12 per day for a car, but I also heard it is increasing (if it hasn't already.) the transportation to the parks is very nice, especially for those of us with zero sense of direction. We drive, so we have a car, but still use the Disney transportation some. We always use the Disney transportation to Magic Kingdom, as they let the resort guests off right at the entrance. Everyone who drives in, has to park, take the tram / walk to the boat or monorail and take the boat or monorail to the park. This saves a good 30 mins each way. We actually drive to some of the other parks, especially Epcot. The parking lots there are closer. As a resort guest, you receive a parking permit that allows free parking at any park throughout your stay. The other nice perk to staying at a Disney hotel is the "extra magic hours". Every day they have at least one park that either opens 1 hour early or stays open 3 hours later in the evening for resort guests only. We have found that going then - especially in the morning, we can ride several rides before most people even arrive at the park!
I agree with a previous poster - do plan certain "must-do" activities for each park, but remain flexible. You never know when you may be on your way to a ride and you see Snow White signing autographs or something you want to stop and do. Some of our best and most memorable experiences have been the ones we stumbled onto and stopped to take advantage of. Also, when you get to the park, pick up a times guide in addition to the park map. It will list the times for various attractions and character greetings. You will need to plan your "must do" activities bases upon available times.
Have fun!