a must for a first timer !

[paulie_walnuts]

hopefully everything is more or less on track just paid balance on the holiday adrs all done and tickets purchased but as its our first time is there anything in your expert opinions that first timers must do ? i dont want to come home and someone say did you do or see that and we hadnt we are not venturing much passed disney, universal and sea world as i think there is more than enough to keep me the wife n kids 16&13 occupied your advice would be most welcome.

 

[Snowy-girls]

Gosh your trip has come around really quick not long to go now .
Not so much of a must see but deffinatley a must do for first timers who are going is drink plenty of water,lots of suncream even if you think you don't need it,have rests as much as possible,get to the parks early for rope drops,use fastpasses(the amount of people who still don't know that this is a FREE perk).If i think of anthing else-i will be back .x.

 

[laluna]

Dont know if this is helpful but I would advise you not to try and do everything - its just isn't possible. We have been 4 times and still haven't done it all. My advice would be to get a good guide book and single out the things that you fancy doing (you could all do this). It is quite personal and there will always be people who say 'I cant believe you didn't do x,y or z!' Be prepared and informed before you go so you can have an idea from day to day what you want to see.

 

[snookhams]

August hols mmmm ~ get to the parks early before the heat is unbearable, so that mid afternoon you can go for a swim and rest before you go out in the evening. I too would like to add, don't try to do everything, not only will you not enjoy it, you a meant to be relaxing, don't go home needing another holiday!

 

[~Piglet~]

Just to agree with the other posters, you can't fit everything in during one trip, but at least you have a good reason to return again

I'm sure whatever you do you will enjoy yourself, and also we found it handy staying on-site as we could go for a rest or swim, freshen up and then back to the parks later on

 

[Belle68]

All you need to do is check youve got your passports and tickets, then let the magic begin, go with the flow and enjoy yourselves

 

[wifey]

I recommend seeing:-
Mickey's PhilharMagic and Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin and Laugh Floor Comedy Club in MK.
Finding Nemo the Musical and Expedition Everest in AK, The Seas with nemo and Friends, Journey into Imagination with Figment (if it's still open) and Test Track and Mission Space plus if you can Soarin' in Epcot.
For Hollywood Studios The Magic of Animation tour (to see what's in development) and TGMR, Indiana Jones Stunt show, the Backlot Tour, Star Tours, Muppet Vision 3-D, Lights Motors Action (if you can stand the noise) oh and don't forget Fantasmic if you can stay long enough to see the whole show it's amazing.
Seaworld take your time and check the show schedule at the park entrance there will be show times on the back of the maps they are well worth seeing.
Universal and IOA may take a couple of days if you want to do everything it's surprising how far you walk in those parks.

It's really up to you, have a look at the park maps if you can and see what each of you wants to do.

 

[PudseyChancer]

is there anything in your expert opinions that first timers must do ? we are not venturing much passed disney, universal and sea world

With the age of your two kids I think doing a little in each of the parks, just to get a flavour. You know full well (as do the rest of us) that you'll be going back again!!!

You have to do Spiderman at IoA, Men in Black and the Simpsons at US, Seaworld for the shows (and Kraken if you dare!). Too many Disney highlights to mention, sometimes the best memories are the less obvious things, so discover them yourself at your own pace.

Enjoy!

 

[wicket2005]

The first time we went was in February 96 and we did manage to do every ride in the parks and this was arriving at about 11 am.

However, going in peak time is different so the essential thing is to plan, we have gone in July and August times. Plan to visit the parks on their quietest days and at opening times. Believe me it is possible to have a lot of the rides done in the first couple of hours before the crowds come in after 11 am. For example IoA Popeye ride, we sat on this for about 4 times in a row before deciding to go on something else, this was about 1/2 hour of so after opening. By lunch time the lines were about 1 1/2 hours long. Lining up is no fun. We usually get all the rides done am, have lunch, then concentrate on the shows before going for a relax back at the hotel, then tackling another park in the evening. We stay on site at Universal so lines in an evening are not a problem because of our express passes.

I would chat to your family and draw up a list of the really must do's in each park and concentrate on them, adding other rides as a bonus. I suspect your kids will really like Universal and IoA, if my two are anything to go by.

I wouldn't worry about doing anything else except the main parks because they have enough to entertain you for a fortnight. Perhaps if you go again think about other places.

The first time is the best because you just don't know what to expect.

 

[paulh]

when you enter the MK stand a top of main street in frount of the flag,Take it all in while outhers pass you by,then step forward and enjoy
Paulh

 

[Dimplenose]

I've said this to other first timers - you are welcome to visit all of the Disney Hotels to eat or shop or just look around.

 

[thestevied]

take loads of photos and do loads of planning, in my opinion you cant plan too much. A brits guide to orlando is a great book, and I bought a book from amazon called the unofficial guide to walt disney world which was half price and great! Do research on the restaurants as there are so many to choose from. And of course, check out the forums here for more info. In the books I said about they give details of which parks are quietest on which days which is well worth checking out. If you're going in august everything will be fairly busy but it might just make a nice difference. Message me if you want any more info!