A Thank you!!! It was a great trip!

[BuzzPrincessMom]

I wanted to send out a quick Thank you to all who helped me plan our first WDW vacation. We got back on Saturday and had a wonderful week. Our kids asked just 3 days into our week stay when we could come back and next time could we stay longer.

Because of all my research and questions you all answered:
* I was able to get great ADRs and make our dining smooth for the 7 of us.
* I knew what to do when I discovered my resort id/park pass was missing.
* I was able to quickly move through MK at the end of the night because I knew to go thru the shops.
* I understood the dining plan better and was able only pay $20 out of pocket for food the whole trip.
* My family was able to get over 100 pictures on the photopass!
* My daughter saw Tinkerbell in Tink's Treasures!
* My whole family made robots in Epcot
* I knew who Devine was!

And a whole lot more. I will try to do a psuedo trip report in the next few days! If anyone has any specific questions let me know.

 

[cabanafrau]

That is so cool! I wasn't responsible for any of your good fortune in any way, but I'm so happy to hear of someone having such a wonderful time. I hope we're surrounded by lots of families just like yours when we're there in just over a month -- lots of people having the time of their lives help make the Disney experience in my book!

 

[samano]

I am so glad to hear that you had a magical first time at WDW!!!

Your post made me stop and reflect on all the things I have learned on these boards that I never knew on trips past.

You stumped me though, with the tip about exiting MK through the shops??? I don't recall reading that one before, please share!!

 

[BuzzPrincessMom]

I don't know if I read it here on on Allears - but all the shops on "Casey's" side (left looking at castle) are connected. After Spectromagic I wanted to make a quick trip to the Christmas shop. So I just walked thru all the shops, and came out at Casey's. Then I went around Crystal Palace and the two small bridges and I was there - before the end of Spectromagic went by the store! Much quicker than trying to fight your way down Main Street.

 

[disneymomtofour]

I am laughing thinking about cutting through the stores at the end of the day at MK. When we were at Disneyland in March, the kids wanted to cut through the Main Street stores at the end of the day. I told them that was only at WDW. Funny the things they rememember! I was such a cool mom when they found out I knew a short cut.

 

[swtnikki]

I'm glad to hear that you had a wonderful experience! Time to plan your next trip to Disney now!

 

[samano]

I don't know if I read it here on on Allears - but all the shops on "Casey's" side (left looking at castle) are connected. After Spectromagic I wanted to make a quick trip to the Christmas shop. So I just walked thru all the shops, and came out at Casey's. Then I went around Crystal Palace and the two small bridges and I was there - before the end of Spectromagic went by the store! Much quicker than trying to fight your way down Main Street.

Thanks for the info!!

 

[stites1]

I'm glad you had a good time a nd got to try out all your new knowledge of the ins and outs. We are heading down in august, and I feel really grateful for all the advice I've read so far. I can't wait to put it to use!

 

[BuzzPrincessMom]

Samano,
I noticed in your sig. that you were checking into CBR. Are you using Magical Express? I wanted to pass on some info. We used Magical Express and our flight home was 3:25pm - the paperwork said be at bus at 12:30pm. I called the night before for late checkout - noon. On the day of departure I called at 11am to have my bags picked up. We were told someone would be there in 15 minutes. We called again at 11:45 as the bags were still in our room and we were making our way to the Custom House for the bus. When we got there about 12:20 our bags still weren't there. We refused to board until we knew were our bags were. They finally arrived about 12:35pm My words of advice - pack your bags early and call early to have them picked up! I am contacting WDW about this too.

 

[samano]

Samano,
I noticed in your sig. that you were checking into CBR. Are you using Magical Express? I wanted to pass on some info. We used Magical Express and our flight home was 3:25pm - the paperwork said be at bus at 12:30pm. I called the night before for late checkout - noon. On the day of departure I called at 11am to have my bags picked up. We were told someone would be there in 15 minutes. We called again at 11:45 as the bags were still in our room and we were making our way to the Custom House for the bus. When we got there about 12:20 our bags still weren't there. We refused to board until we knew were our bags were. They finally arrived about 12:35pm My words of advice - pack your bags early and call early to have them picked up! I am contacting WDW about this too.

Thanks for the heads up! Good for you for making sure your bags were there before you got on that bus!
We will be using ME also. We have an evening flight out, I'm guessing ME will pick us up around 4pm. My plan is to head out early and spend a half day in the parks. If I remember correctly, they will come get our bags and hold them until we return...should I call the night before, or just call that morning on our way out??

 

[BuzzPrincessMom]

I would call in the AM on your way heading out. Since you will be "checking out" and they will want the room clean for the next guest - I would think they would be timely with your luggage. I would give yourself plenty of time before the bus though to make sure you locate your bags. Enjoy your trip....did you request preferred? We didn't and stayed in Trinidad South - we liked it, even got corner rooms which made it nice and bright.

 

[samano]

I didn't request preferred either, I don't expect to spend much time at OPR so proximity to it wasn't really a concern. I am concerned about proximity to the bus stop though. When we spent four nights at POP, I carried my sleeping (then 3, now 5 yr old) from the bus stop every night back to the room, and 2 years later it is still a vivid, grueling memory!!
I asked that it be noted on my ressie that we PLEASE be close to the bus stop! Did you use the buses, and did you find it to be a long walk?
(I feel like I have hijacked this theme park thread for CBR questions! I really appreciate your tips though! )

 

[kkevcamsmom]

That's awesome! My DH laughs when I see a good tip and write it down in my Disney Planning book.

Glad you had a great time.

Lori

 

[BuzzPrincessMom]

I didn't request preferred either, I don't expect to spend much time at OPR so proximity to it wasn't really a concern. I am concerned about proximity to the bus stop though. When we spent four nights at POP, I carried my sleeping (then 3, now 5 yr old) from the bus stop every night back to the room, and 2 years later it is still a vivid, grueling memory!!
I asked that it be noted on my ressie that we PLEASE be close to the bus stop! Did you use the buses, and did you find it to be a long walk?
(I feel like I have hijacked this theme park thread for CBR questions! I really appreciate your tips though! )

We were in Trinidad South building 37 - literally just 2 minutes walk to bus stop. I carried my sleeping 5 year old daughter one night and it wasn't bad, one flight of stairs and down two "halls". My room was 3748 if you want to try to request a room.

 

[BuzzPrincessMom]

That's awesome! My DH laughs when I see a good tip and write it down in my Disney Planning book.

Glad you had a great time.

Lori

My biggest tip for 1st timers - ADRs - My Mom has told everyone that it was the best thing I did. With 2 5 year olds we sat down to eat within 15 minutes of each meal ressie. I have a friend going in December and today we talked about her ADRs and how to plan them.

 

[DisGirl819]

I am laughing thinking about cutting through the stores at the end of the day at MK. When we were at Disneyland in March, the kids wanted to cut through the Main Street stores at the end of the day. I told them that was only at WDW. Funny the things they rememember! I was such a cool mom when they found out I knew a short cut.

It works at DL also. I've done it and impressed my DH!!! He loved not walking through the crowds, you have to go round the restaurants sometimes, but it works (its on the right side facing the castle, not left though).

To the OP: Glad you enjoyed your trip and had such a magical time your first trip!! I keep asking my DH if I do too much planning but he says he likes it cuz it makes our trips more fun. I planned our honeymoon to Hawaii last year also (same way I do WDW) and I love it.

 

[shyjade]

I've been to Disney several times, probably about a dozen (I know, not a lot compared to many fellow DISers, but still a decent number). I can honestly say that I have not truly experienced Disney yet, even with my dozen visits, because after spending the last 2 months lurking on the DIS site I've discovered TONS of tips, tricks, events, etc. that I never knew about! It's amazing to me that I basically did Disney "blindly" with no insight. I feel so much more prepared for our upcoming trip in September and I have a booklet full of notes to make sure I don't miss anymore than I already have.

Thanks everyone, and keep the great ideas coming!!