Any good suggestions/tips for me???

[JD698]

I will be taking my first trip to WDW along with DH (been to WDW once back in the 80s) and our twin sons who will turn 7 while we are on our trip. Any suggestions/tips/advice that will help me plan this trip and make it memorable for all of us. Any advice - is appreciated. I have made ADRs and have ideas about what parks to visit on which days, but as a first timer I feel sort of overwhelmed!!!

We are going 1/28/12-2/4/12. So any weather related tips are welcomed too

Thanks to everyone in advance!!

 

[HeatherLassell]

Any suggestions/tips/advice that will help me plan this trip and make it memorable for all of us.

Read this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=772074

I've been writing down in a notebook all the helpfull things I've read on these boards!

Have a great trip!

 

[JD698]

Thanks. I'm in the process of going through the "Disney Tips" board and emailing links for all of the topics I feel will be helpful and then I will save them in my home computer favorites. I will be able to go through them and save them in one document I will be able to print out and refer to later.

Probably will put it in a folder instead of a notebook but same idea - thanks!!

 

[HeatherLassell]

Probably will put it in a folder instead of a notebook but same idea - thanks!!

You're welcome!


3 things I have written down (there is alot more on my laptop but I'm not using it right now)
-bring an extension cord (charge camera, phone, laptop etc)
-head for FastPasses at Rope Drop if you want to get on Soarin, TT, TSM, etc
-disney dining plan is ALOT of food so you can share meals

 

[JD698]

Read this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=772074

I've been writing down in a notebook all the helpfull things I've read on these boards!

Have a great trip!

I didn't see the thread you mention above until I had already posted my question. I will be looking at it tonight, along with many others

 

[HeatherLassell]

I didn't see the thread you mention above until I had already posted my question. I will be looking at it tonight, along with many others

Have fun! I'm finding the plan alot of fun...and I still have a year!!

 

[sharonabe]

I'm going to be gender specific and let you know things my boys enjoyed at that age (and even now!):

MK--Tomorrowland Speedway (they get to drive!), Big Thunder Mtn RR, the Shooting Gallery in Frontierland (you have to pay $1 a round, I think), the WDW Railroad.

Epcot--Test Trak, Soarin', Innoventions, Spaceship Earth, the miniature train layout in Germany, Kim Possible missions, the jumping fountains outside Imagination.

HS--Star Tours, TSM, Muppets 3D, Lights/Motors/Action, Indiana Jones (the first time they saw this, they had never seen the movies, but still loved it)

AK--The Safari, the Jungle trek with the bats and tigers, Lion King, playing on the drums set up in Africa

 

[JD698]

I'm going to be gender specific and let you know things my boys enjoyed at that age (and even now!):

MK--Tomorrowland Speedway (they get to drive!), Big Thunder Mtn RR, the Shooting Gallery in Frontierland (you have to pay $1 a round, I think), the WDW Railroad.

Epcot--Test Trak, Soarin', Innoventions, Spaceship Earth, the miniature train layout in Germany, Kim Possible missions, the jumping fountains outside Imagination.

HS--Star Tours, TSM, Muppets 3D, Lights/Motors/Action, Indiana Jones (the first time they saw this, they had never seen the movies, but still loved it)

AK--The Safari, the Jungle trek with the bats and tigers, Lion King, playing on the drums set up in Africa

Thank you so much !!!

 

[Tramp68]

Make a dinner reservation at BOMA (in Animal Kingdom Lodge). Make sure that you are free either just before the reservation or just after and it is dusk. Before or After dinner go out to the observation area where you can use night vision goggles to view the animals on the savannah. There is no charge!

Go out to conservation station in AK early in the morning ( I think it starts at 10:30 but it may be earlier) and you can view veterinary procedures that they conduct. My wife was able to see them repair a turtles shell and do something to a gorilla's teeth.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Dont forget to do the Buzz lightyear ride in MK in tomorrow land i think. its fun! Also the Monsters Inc Laugh floor. My DS11 LOVES this one! So do I.
At 7 yrs old, I think they will love the pirates of the carribean ride. So FUN!

Remember to grab fast passes. you can get fast passes every 2 hours. But not before the 2 hour mark. So if your at MK from 10am-6pm, you should have 5 sets of fast passes (provided that they are still available!). This saved us like you wouldnt believe.

First thing in the morning, run to the ride you want really bad. Toy Story Mania runs out of fast passes by noon. So i highly recommend you get passes for that as soon as humanely possible! if your going at rope drop/right when it opens, get passes for Toy story mania, then go on the ride right away. that way you'll be able to ride it twice in one day!

Some great places for snacks: Main street bakery in MK. They have the best ice cream sandwiches. they make it fresh right in front of you. SOOO GOOD and HUUUUGE! You have to split the sandwich with someone. Also, Starring Rolls bakery in Hollywood Studios is yummy. Great cupcakes and sandwiches too!

In Epcot try the Club Cool...free coke samples from around the world. Yum! (although there is one beverage that is so nasty, wont tell you which one thou. haha. you gotta find out for yourself! ). Test Track is a fun ride that i think your boys will love. (use fast passes!).

Lastly, you gotta check out some of the "broadway" style shows. Theyre amazing. My 2 faves are Nemo & Lion King (both at AK).

Have fun!

 

[ostrom]

Be sure to mention it's their birthday! I've seen others wearing bday buttons and I'm sure the CM's will do special things for them.

I also have twin boys...16 now, I'm sure your guys will have a great time!

 

[anne thomas]

You're welcome!


3 things I have written down (there is alot more on my laptop but I'm not using it right now)
-bring an extension cord (charge camera, phone, laptop etc)
-head for FastPasses at Rope Drop if you want to get on Soarin, TT, TSM, etc
-disney dining plan is ALOT of food so you can share meals

My list is insane....don't forget your power cord, I'm taking both power cord and extension its our first trip and I have found out in previous vacations the outlets are few and being used by clock ...lamp...etc. Oh and don't use ddp snack for a pickle

 

[Owl's Friend]

No matter how happy the kids are about going there will be meltdowns. Plans may have to change, you might not go on all the rides you want, but just go with it. My kids had their meltdowns this week causing us to leave the park early, miss some rides, and having them drinking more frozen cokes than we wanted. We did get to see a show in front of the castle that was really cool on our way out the park (the early day) so it turned out ok.

 

[RadioMom]

I will be taking my first trip to WDW along with DH (been to WDW once back in the 80s) and our twin sons who will turn 7 while we are on our trip. Any suggestions/tips/advice that will help me plan this trip and make it memorable for all of us. Any advice - is appreciated. I have made ADRs and have ideas about what parks to visit on which days, but as a first timer I feel sort of overwhelmed!!!

We are going 1/28/12-2/4/12. So any weather related tips are welcomed too

Thanks to everyone in advance!!

Hurray! You're going to Disney World! I think the planning is half the fun. My best advice is to resign yourself to the fact that YOU WILL NOT SEE EVERYTHING! So don't stress and schedule yourself to death trying to. Pick two or three things per park that are must-do's and the rest is all BONUS!
Take time to sit and just relax for a bit. If it's possible to schedule a day off between parks, that is ideal. There is so much walking, it's exhausting, even when you're in the best of shape. Use the days off to enjoy the pool, explore your resort and other resorts, hop on the monorail or just take a boat ride to Wilderness Lodge or from Downtown Disney to Port Orleans and back again. You'll get to see some neat things, it's all free and your munchkins can talk about all the different modes of transportation they took!
If you're going to be in the parks at night and want to avoid the "oooh can I get one?" routine when they bring out the expensive light up toys, buy some glow sticks at the dollar store. We bought a few tubes and our kids shared them with kids in the parks and on the busses too (which was really neat because the busses are dark inside at night). It was such a nice and simple way to meet people and share a little magic. Plus the parks are quite dark and crowded at night, so it's easy to keep track of your munchkins.
Try and catch a couple of the big shows like Nemo or Lion King. Nemo was incredible and we all loved it. Don't ever be worried about the line ups for these shows. You'll get in!
Don't miss the 3D shows for Muppets (Hollywood Studios) and Mickey's Philharmagic. So heartwarming and magical, your boys will love it!
You can get your desserts to go! Disney meals are so large that we never had room for dessert, so we usually got it to go. They'll pack it up with forks and napkins. It's a nice treat later in the room or by the pool while the kids swim.
Take the time to watch the street performers at Hollywood Studios. They are so talented and entertaining and sometimes you're part of the show!
And my best advice is to remember that Disney is a magical place indeed, but it's not "magic". There are jerks here and there, just like everywhere else. Ignore them all! Absorb yourself in the adventure and let your kids take the lead. Have a wonderful time!!

 

[JD698]

Thanks for all of the great tips!!!! I'm keeping track of them all

 

[HeatherLassell]

Oh and don't use ddp snack for a pickle

hahaha Why not? I like pickles!

 

[anne thomas]

hahaha Why not? I like pickles!

I think pickles are cheap and you need to use your snack credit for something bigger....I have never been so.... and I read don't use snack credit for water, get it free in cup at counter and add your flavor packet. I have been researching for a year, I feel like a walking wiki for WDW newbies like me, and don't get your photo in one of those little booths its $5.00 most think it cheaper. My DH thinks I have a online BF cuz its always me and the pc