Advice for 1st time!

[snickerboo]

Geez, I'm the oddball-I haven't stayed onsite! LOL We are planning another trip and looking at offsite again.

We do offsite with a suite or hotel with fridge and micro at a minimum. It is a great way to save money on food! Once we arrive, we drive over to the Walmart Supercenter and get groceries for the week. The kiddos don't mind 'cause we get lots of treats, and we get our Disney snacks, too. We take a fair bit of food to the parks. I felt guilty at first but then I saw people with huge subs, and coolers full of food, so we do it, too. My kids get up on a Disney day and grab a muffin and juice box, dh and I take muffins and coffee and we head off to the parks, and we eat our breakfast on the monorail (I cannot stress enough how much more you'll enjoy your trip if you get to the parks before they open!) We go to the parks first thing, stay til they get so busy that we're not as happy anymore, then go back to hotel for swims and eats, then go back to the parks around dinnertime to ctach all the nighttime fun. We usually let the kids get a treat at the parks everyday but dine back at the hotel. Car rentals are pretty cheap in Orlando if you keep checking mousesavers and disboards for deals.

We never used Park Hopper in two trips. If this is your first trip, there is soooooo much to do at each park you don't really need park hopper. If you're there 6 or 7 days, you can always go back to a park for another day if you miss something.

Another good savings: buy lots of Disney stuff at Dollarama and Walmart ahead of time, including gear for your kids to wear. The price of a t-shirt or princess costume at WDW compared to Walmart is staggering, and I found my kids didn't care if they got it at WDW so long as they had it.

 

[Saratoga Souris]

I used to always rent a car but..... I have discovered Garden Grocer. They deliver groceries right to your room. The prices are reasonable and they only charge a $12 delivery fee (unless you order a lot and then there is no fee). They will deliver cases of water and anything else you need. Beer and wine can be added too... just tell them what you want in the comment section of the order form.
You DO NOT need a car in "The World". As previously mentioned WDW is HUGE and can be overwhelming for "new drivers". If you use Gardern Grocer or another delivery service then you will save $$ over renting a car and going out for groceries.
I truly have been to WDW over 100 times - it's almost like an addiction for me.... any questions.... fire away.

 

[trivial]

Definitely stay on-site if at all possible. Go during a less-crowded, less-hot time of the year. Look into renting DVC points (see the sticky FAQ in the DVC rent/trade forum here on the DIS Boards) and stay in a BoardWalk Villas studio with a boardwalk view.

I'd have to say that I don't believe Park Hopper tickets are necessary, but if the added price isn't a concern, it may make planning ADRs a bit easier. And do make ADRs, as soon as you're able.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Helloe everyone,
my husband and I are planning a trip (Our first one!) to disneyworld in July. We're flying out of Toronto. And advice including where to stay and what to see would be greatly appreciated. Also, how much should he and I expect to be spending for one week?

Thank-you!

Congratulations on your first trip to WDW!!

Our most important advice to you would be, don't expect to see everything your first trip. There is just so much to see and do.

As for on-site or off-site, we've done both and both have their benefits. Keep in mind that the Disney resort rooms are small but for 2 people, they're just fine. The value resorts are your basic accommodations with food courts, pools and bus transportation. The moderates have a few more amenities (i.e., fridges in the rooms, full service restaurants, hot tubs, etc) and then of course there are the deluxe resorts.

There are some good off-site hotels, however, we would recommend renting a car as the shuttles provided often have a limited drop off and pick up schedule. Most of the off-site hotels have larger rooms and a lot have fridges, microwaves and provide a free continental breakfast. If staying off-site you need to remember you'll be paying for parking each day so you'll need to factor that into your budget.

This is a good website to read up on the Disney resorts and dining -
http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_gen.htm#5
http://www.allearsnet.com/din/dining.htm

Basically it all comes down to what you feel is right for you - whats right for one person may not be right for you - it's all personal preference.

 

[puppyears]

WOW, we are first timers, too!! We are going in July, and everybody is so excited. Yeah, it's gonna be hot, but it is hot here too.
I appreciate all the info here, especially someone who has been there over 100 times!!! I'd be getting a job as a consultant or park-know-it-all person...no offence meant.
Thanks for the volumes of advise, us first timers need all the help they can get!!

 

[xipetotec]

Helloe everyone,
my husband and I are planning a trip (Our first one!) to disneyworld in July. We're flying out of Toronto. And advice including where to stay and what to see would be greatly appreciated. Also, how much should he and I expect to be spending for one week?

Thank-you!

First trip, don't try to see *everything* and you WILL want to. But at the same time, develop a loose gameplan. Don't "zig zag" the parks you will see even less doing that. Don't let yourselves convince yourselves that you're "too old" for anything. If you do "Morning Extra Magic Hours", switch parks halfway through the day to avoid crowds. Take advantage of Late Extra Magic Hours, there's nothing like the parks at night. Make ADR's!!! Don't let your status as a Canadian detract you from trying Le Cellier in Epcot ( we did this for way too long and have missed out ). On the same note, really EXPLORE epcot!! It has SO much to offer! Shopping, dining, Attractions, it's just amazing.

And of course, have fun!

 

[princessbelle1981]

First trip, don't try to see *everything* and you WILL want to. But at the same time, develop a loose gameplan. Don't "zig zag" the parks you will see even less doing that. Don't let yourselves convince yourselves that you're "too old" for anything. If you do "Morning Extra Magic Hours", switch parks halfway through the day to avoid crowds. Take advantage of Late Extra Magic Hours, there's nothing like the parks at night. Make ADR's!!! Don't let your status as a Canadian detract you from trying Le Cellier in Epcot ( we did this for way too long and have missed out ). On the same note, really EXPLORE epcot!! It has SO much to offer! Shopping, dining, Attractions, it's just amazing.

And of course, have fun!

What are ADR's?

 

[princessbelle1981]

What are ADR's?

Advanced dinner reservations...gotcha