Hi everyone - recently registered to DIS but have been lurking on the boards for a while. Originally posted this on the Happy Dance area, but figured I'd echo it here.
I'm 27 years old, and this will only be my 4th time to Disney. So I'm still one most here would consider a complete rookie. My girlfriend is gone several more times, and knows the ropes, but I've done my best to prep for the trip.
Our plan:
Monday August 9th:
Fly down from Washington DC bright and early (6 am) August 9th. Check in at Shades of Green, possibly take a quick dip in the pool (per girlfriend's orders ) and then head out to a park of our choosing for the afternoon/evening.
Tuesday August 10th:
Up bright and early, and to EPCOT for a full day. If the heat becomes unbearable, we will consider a break at the hotel to cool off and recharge for an hour or two, but we're going to try and stick it out all day. As mentioned on the photography boards, hoping to land some nice shots at Illuminations. Dinner at Les Chefs de France (sorry, haven't memorized all the DIS acronyms yet ).
Wednesday August 11th:
Animal Kingdom for morning and afternoon. Back to the hotel late afternoon to recharge, catch a shower, and then out to Downtown Disney for dinner at Paradiso 37 and browsing around. (Can honestly say I've never been to Disney Downtown, so looking forward to walking around and checking everything out)
Thursday August 12th:
Disney Hollywood Studios
Dinner @ Hollywood Brown Derby
Fantasmic
Friday August 13th
Epic long day at Magic Kingdom. I know its recommended to avoid Extra Magic Hours parks, but my gf loves MK, and I want to give her a chance to tackle everything she wants for as long as she wants. Plus, being open until 2am will give me some great photo time late when the crowds are likely to be thinning.
Satuday August 14th
Leaving this day open for parks of our choosing - likely spend the first half of the day at one park, and the second half at EPCOT.
I bought the 2010 Disney Unofficial Guide book, and have read tons of threads on these boards, but was wondering if anyone would be so kind as to offer any pointers based on my trip. I'm expecting blazing heat, exhaustion, and a zoo being still early August, but this was the only time my gf could go given her break between semesters of nursing school.
I've searched high and low and may be missing it, but does anyone have any recommended ORDER for riding rides at each park. (e.g. step by step, grab a fast pass for X first thing, then proceed to Y, etc). I've got a rough idea and know what the hot rides to get fast passes are, but wanted to get some experts input. Are there any resources on here that offer sample ride orders? Would love to see some.
Any other pointers or suggestions?
So excited... I've been working straight without a real vacation since I graduated college in 2005, so this is my first real vacation away, and my first time traveling with the girlfriend. It's been a bit of a "light at the end of the tunnel" for us since we booked in March, and know we'll have a blast!
I'm 27 years old, and this will only be my 4th time to Disney. So I'm still one most here would consider a complete rookie. My girlfriend is gone several more times, and knows the ropes, but I've done my best to prep for the trip.
Our plan:
Monday August 9th:
Fly down from Washington DC bright and early (6 am) August 9th. Check in at Shades of Green, possibly take a quick dip in the pool (per girlfriend's orders ) and then head out to a park of our choosing for the afternoon/evening.
Tuesday August 10th:
Up bright and early, and to EPCOT for a full day. If the heat becomes unbearable, we will consider a break at the hotel to cool off and recharge for an hour or two, but we're going to try and stick it out all day. As mentioned on the photography boards, hoping to land some nice shots at Illuminations. Dinner at Les Chefs de France (sorry, haven't memorized all the DIS acronyms yet ).
Wednesday August 11th:
Animal Kingdom for morning and afternoon. Back to the hotel late afternoon to recharge, catch a shower, and then out to Downtown Disney for dinner at Paradiso 37 and browsing around. (Can honestly say I've never been to Disney Downtown, so looking forward to walking around and checking everything out)
Thursday August 12th:
Disney Hollywood Studios
Dinner @ Hollywood Brown Derby
Fantasmic
Friday August 13th
Epic long day at Magic Kingdom. I know its recommended to avoid Extra Magic Hours parks, but my gf loves MK, and I want to give her a chance to tackle everything she wants for as long as she wants. Plus, being open until 2am will give me some great photo time late when the crowds are likely to be thinning.
Satuday August 14th
Leaving this day open for parks of our choosing - likely spend the first half of the day at one park, and the second half at EPCOT.
I bought the 2010 Disney Unofficial Guide book, and have read tons of threads on these boards, but was wondering if anyone would be so kind as to offer any pointers based on my trip. I'm expecting blazing heat, exhaustion, and a zoo being still early August, but this was the only time my gf could go given her break between semesters of nursing school.
I've searched high and low and may be missing it, but does anyone have any recommended ORDER for riding rides at each park. (e.g. step by step, grab a fast pass for X first thing, then proceed to Y, etc). I've got a rough idea and know what the hot rides to get fast passes are, but wanted to get some experts input. Are there any resources on here that offer sample ride orders? Would love to see some.
Any other pointers or suggestions?
So excited... I've been working straight without a real vacation since I graduated college in 2005, so this is my first real vacation away, and my first time traveling with the girlfriend. It's been a bit of a "light at the end of the tunnel" for us since we booked in March, and know we'll have a blast!
There is something called ridemax (?) that you can download that you can layout your whole day....ride per ride per ride.....adding in breaks and eating time. It seriously will lay out which ride to go to at which time. I'll see if I can find the thread and post it for you because there are some good tips how to get the most of it on this thread.
and 
