any ideas about upcoming trip?

[briarberry]

To all you Disney vets!
Okay, we leave next Wednesday for my first trip in 17 years and my almost 8 DD first trip. I have priority seating at Chef Mickey's our first night and another PS at the Crystal Palace for brunch just before we come back. We hope to do part of a day at Typhoon Lagoon. We are staying at the Pop Century for 5 nights. I have a rough itinerary for every day. I used the Unofficial Guide and Birnbaum to help me out with that. I have also read several boards the last month or two.
Question: is there anything I else I really need to do to make this a successful trip? My daughter is so excited I am afraid she will be disappointed once we do get there. She insists on browsing the websites and has picked out all the rides and attractions she wants to try.
It's just the two of us going and we fly out of Detroit on Spirit which by the way was much cheaper than flying out of Toronto! We live in St. Thomas (near London).
Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[Debbie]

Hello from Belmont!

Rest assured that your DD will not be disappointed. I think that the key is to remember to fastpass the rides that you can. Does your daughter like the faster rides (we called mine a 'mountain girl' the first year she did all the mountains).

Take time to enjoy the Mickey bars ($2.50), and get autographs Take a book from home-add stickers and done. You'll need a fat pen for the characters to write with. Splash through the splash pads, stop for a taste at Ice Station Cool.

This is the first August in five years that we haven't gone so hug Mickey, and tell him that I miss him, okay? Have a wonderful time!

 

[StuartMI]

Go over to chapters and pick up a Passporter. They are, by far, the authority in Disney planning books IMHO.

http://www.passporter.com/wdw/

You can also check out this link for the Character Meals:

http://www.allearsnet.com/din/cbchar.htm

My wife and I love Donald's breakfast, Cindy's Table, and Liberty Tree Tavern.

 

[Susan--Ontario]

If this is your first time I wouldn't worry about what not miss. You'll love everything. You have already booked my DS's must do meal (Chef Mickey's). There are many great restaurants to do, but most important is the attractions. If you book too many meals then you might be too constricted in where you can go at what time.

Try and decide in the morning or better yet the night before where you want to go the next day and book your meal accordingly. Be sure to have some quiet time, walking to a meal, walking through the shops, just sitting on the bench watching the people go by each day. It will force you to slow down and absorb the Mickey Magic. You lose some of it when you're busy rushing here and there trying to get everything done.

You won't get everything done. If you add all our trips together we've been at Disney for well over 5 months and we are far from having done everything. Make a must do list (keep it reasonable) and then if you can do anything over and above your list you'll be happy. Many people feel disappointed because they didn't do everything. They had their expectations too high.

Most of all, enjoy yourself Say to all my friends there and tell them there are many Canadian friends who will see them soon.

When you get back, come to our next London DIS meet and share with us all your wonderful times.

Have an awesome trip!!!

 

[Scratch42]

Even the best layed plans get kinks in them!

Don't Stress it! Go with It!

It's also a great way to say to yourself "We'll Just HAVE to come Back!"LOL

Say Hi to Uncle Mickey!

Enjoy your Trip!

Scratch

 

[eleanor]

Hi fellow St. Thomas person. I have he Disney video if you want to see it. Pm me if you want it. Dont miss the Wishes fireworks at Mk or Illuminations at Epcot. There are lots of things for her to see at World Showcase. What fun you will have.

 

[alohamom]

If you have not been in 17 years then you have not experienced Downtown Disney. I had so much fun there the first time I went a few years back. Primarily it is shopping and restaurants but all Disney themed. I just love the store for home stuff, I could spend a day in there alone, just browsing (and wishing!) It is a nice way to spend an off park day or a rainy day for that matter. They have a huge lego store witha wall full of pick your own Lego from bulk bins, lots of pink and purple etc for girls. There is also a very neat Mr. Potato Head hands on in a big toy store. Take the time to go and have a great girls only trip!!!!

 

[cdnmickeylover]

Relax and enjoy! Don't stress over missing something because you can't see it all in one trip (or 14 for that matter!)

Take a rain poncho with you and ignore any rain. It's amazing how short the lines get when it rains for like 10 minutes in the afternoon.

Stay hydrated too with lots of water. We take our own water bottles into the park to save on $ but it's important to drink.

Have fun and come to a dismeet and show us your pictures (and tell us when you're going next!)

 

[hockey mom]

There is no way either of you will be disappointed.

I echo the above posters when I say make sure you don't stress about fitting it all in. We have been 11 times now and have yet to do everything. Fantasmic would be a must on my list.

Have an awesome time