Any last minute advice for our first trip?

[KATIESMOMMY]

We are leaving for our first trip ever in a little over 2 days. I am scared and excited at the same time.
I have made adr's, rechecked airline ressies and checked my hotel confirms to make sure all is ok. I have packed to a certain extent- will finish tonight.I sent a box with breakfast stuff and baby supplies.
I have researched which rides are appropriate for my 2 yr old and what parades etc are not to be missed. I tried to figure out good fireworks and parade spots but never got far on that.

Do you have any advice for first timers? Am I missing anything? TIA!

 

[dimoe]

It is our second trip but I am feeling nervous this time too. I think partially because the weather for next week is all over the board so really really hard
to pack for.
Have a great time !!!!!!!!!!!!! We will be there Dec 3-10.
Sounds like you didnt forget anything just a few last minute jitters.

 

[trypnotic]

We are leaving for our first trip ever in a little over 2 days. I am scared and excited at the same time.
I have made adr's, rechecked airline ressies and checked my hotel confirms to make sure all is ok. I have packed to a certain extent- will finish tonight.I sent a box with breakfast stuff and baby supplies.
I have researched which rides are appropriate for my 2 yr old and what parades etc are not to be missed. I tried to figure out good fireworks and parade spots but never got far on that.

Do you have any advice for first timers? Am I missing anything? TIA!

Sounds like you're pretty well set! Are you going to be using their transportation or renting a car? I've decided that with kids, I like having my own car so I can make an escape at anytime. We also make sure to bring our childseats - they can be pretty spendy, renting from the rental company.

Nice nickname btw. I'm married to another Katiesmommy

 

[VickynMickey]

Remember to have a great time and don't stress about not seeing everything!
Just know there is always trip number 2
By the way your daughter is adorable!!!

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

Sounds like you're pretty well set! Are you going to be using their transportation or renting a car? I've decided that with kids, I like having my own car so I can make an escape at anytime. We also make sure to bring our childseats - they can be pretty spendy, renting from the rental company.

Nice nickname btw. I'm married to another Katiesmommy

we are not renting a car, we will tough it out but both girls will have their carseats from the plane ride so we are covered just in case.
ty on the nick- now I anm a Katie and Carries mommy, lol.

dimoe- yeah the weather has me a little upset, am hoping for little rain, I cant have the baby out in it! Where are you staying? We are at Poly then Pop

 

[AStamm]

I know lots of people will tell you to enjoy every moment yourself, but I saw videotape and photograph the heck out of your vacation. You'll never have a 1st trip to WDW again and will enjoy looking at all the pictures and videos for years to come.

 

[hniki234]

I agree. It sounds like you're all set. Now you just have to relax and get ready to enjoy your trip! Have fun!

 

[goofyjoe]

Don't try and "do it all" in one visit. Make sure you break up your day. If you're staying on site...go back to your room for a nap.

The good news is that the parks should be fairly quiet as far as the crowds go.

 

[byoung]

Have a very majical vacation!

 

[lookingforward]

Take it all in. Enjoy the little things, don't get too caught up in plans if they go differently than planned. Example: Your little girl stops to dance in the Christmas "snow".... relish the moment. I went to disney for the first time with my kids when they were 4 and 2. They are now 16, 13 and we added another who will be 8. I will always have the visions in my head of my son hugging goofy or their faces when they witnessed the electrical parade while sitting in my arms after a perfect day. I wish all that to you and more! Happy Holidays and God Bless!

 

[Caitsmama]

Ha.. this makes me laugh (in a good way!) because we just got back, and EVERYTHING I didn't plan to happen - happened!
1. Pack pepto and immodium (gross- yes, but out of 11 of us - 9 of us were sick on this trip from some freaky bug we picked up on vacation - probably on the packed airline on the way down, and it is NO fun to be stuck in WDW and in bed/bathroom all day and don't feel like running to the gift shop to pay triple for this stuff!) And don't think it can't happen to you - we had 2 yrs of wonderful trips in a row - this was a first for us!!!! It CAN happen! and from what i heard - there was definately something going around furious down there- and we JUST got back.
2. Don't psych your kids up too much about ADR's.. We didn't make it to 90% of ours.. because of us all being sick. lol.
3. plan for the unexpected - and you will have a great time.
4. don't rush off to be the first ones on the bus after the fireworks, linger and have fun.. let the stampede go..
5. Don't forget to bring home your sneakers.. as i did.
6. Don't forget to pack your lime green mickeys.. as i did.
7. Whatever you have for spending money- bring more. LOL

HAVE FUN!!

 

[MomofKatie]

Have a GREAT time!! The best advice I can give is to not try to go from open to close every day. Especially with the ages of your girls, try to get back to the resort for a nap every day- or if you can't leave the parks, find a nice spot for relaxing. We tried to do a nice sit down lunch if we weren't going to go back for a break mid-day.

My Katie is 8, and she and I will be at WDW in less than a month- hope your Katie and all of your family has an awesome time!!!

 

[photobob]

Take time to soak it all in. Leave the stress at home. Do worry about sticking to a stringent plan. I hope you have a wonderful time, I wish I were going..

 

[M 'n C]

Just have fun and try not to cram it all in. I had my most fun trip in September (it was my 5th trip) and it was because I was more relaxed and was ok with not doing everything.

 

[tiki23]

Some things we learned on our first trip:
1. You will get wet on Splash Mt
2. You will get really wet on Kali River Rapids, lol
3. Don't count on walking straight from Point A to Point B, allow a little extra time and take a detour or two - don't be so busy rushing towards the magic that you hurry right by some!
4. If you want to shop for specific things or do some Christmas shopping, arrange some time for shopping by yourself - you can accomplish a lot more in a lot less time.
5. See the parades - your kids will love them!
6. You can never take enough pictures. Use Photopass - I love pics with our whole family in them.
7. We needed more than one day to see Animal Kingdom.
8. Try the schoolbread in Norway; it's awesome.
9. Be flexible with your plans
10. Be ready to book another trip when you get back.

Restaurants we'd book again:
Wolfgang Puck's Cafe
LeCellier
Boma
50's Prime Time
Sci-Fi

Restaurants we'll pass:
Ohana
Whispering Canyon

The breakfast offerings at POP are very good!

I hope you have a wonderful, magical time.

 

[ProfJohn]

No one mentioned it... but while your staying at the Poly visit the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, easy to get to by monorail.
And then when you head to Pop Century visit the Animal Kingdom and Studios, both are really close by buss ride.

Take advantage of the magic hours for resort only guests, great way to see things with MUCH shorter lines.

Always start at one side of a park and work your way around, don't jump from place to place will spend more time walking then waiting in line.

A good idea might be to try and plan nap times around parade time, so the little one can sleep while you relax, and you'll get a good spot to watch the parade.

Fireworks spots... Epcot, dead on center behind the ball is by far the best, otherwise anyplace you can get a clear view of the lake.
Magic Kingdom, I always liked the walkway that leads from the center of the park to tomorrow land, have some great photos of the Castle with fireworks behind it. Try to be between near the castle so you can see Tinkerbell fly (If they still do that.)

Best word of advice, you are on vacation, relax and enjoy yourself. Do not get all worked up if you miss something. Make a plan each morning and stick with it, so there is no conflict over what to do or where to go.