Best tip for first-timers at WDW

[vermonter]

Hello, I will be going to Disney World for the first time in June with my three kids. Tell me something you wished you knew about but didn't on your first trip, or just something that you think would be helpful for us first timers! Thank-you!

 

[**pixiedust**]

There are so many tips that it's hard to pick just one! But I'll start you off...

MAKE YOUR ADRs!!!! It is HORRIBLE to be standing in the middle of a hot theme park at dinner time, starving, with no idea where to sit down and eat. Then when you finally DO find somewhere to go, you have to wait two hours to get a table! You'll be so happy when you are there to have advanced reservations!

And have a WONDERFUL first visit!!!!!

 

[zookeeper]

The thing I learned our first night there was to not get set on a particular way of doing the parks ahead of time. I went with the plan that almost everyone on these boards and every guide suggest - get up early for the park opening, back to the resort for a swim, back to the park until close. We scrapped that plan on the first night when we got back from dinner and instead of going to bed to get a good night's sleep for our early morning the kids wanted to swim.(Shocking-I know) That night we decided we were just going to go with the flow and with the understanding that we weren't going to see everything, but whatever we didn't get to see we wouldn't really know what we were missing so we didn't worry about it. We ended up actually arriving at the parks most days between 10 and 11 which is supposed to be a no-no in hot/humid weather months, but it worked for us. During the hottest parts of the day we sat and had our TS meal and then we were revived for the rest of the afternoon/evening. Enjoy!!

 

[Mom to 2]

The best thing we did the first time was have a piece of paper for each park and everything we wanted to do (ride, show, parade) on it and where it was located. I made sure I listed them in order and we just went down the list and did everything we wanted to do. Then after we did everything we went back and did them again (the ones we really liked). That way we knew we didn't have to come home and say "Man, I wish we would have been able to do____________". All I can say is research as much as possbible, know what you's want to do, and make a list (i'm a big list person).

Enjoy,

Lory
2002-offsite
2004-FW
2006-POP (this NOV/DEC)

 

[Hobbes]

Accept you will NOT see/do everything in one visit-you will wear yourself out/put the kids off WDW for life if you try.

Invest in a decent guide book-Passporter is an excellent one.

Read up on the rides/attractions, encourage the children too as well so they have some idea which they particularly want to do.

When at the parks study your maps carefully, plan some sort of itinerary-wherever possible head to the far side of a park if you get there early-Don't walk through the gates and immediately stop at the first thing you see!

Utilise Fastpass wherever possible-even to the point of picking up a fastpass for a ride, using the standby line to ride, then when you get off, your fast pass may well be due!

The best tip I ever read was that you should only go as fast as the slowest person in your party can manage-in other words, no dragging your kids round when they're tired, fed up or just plain cranky!

Remember to stop and smell the roses! You're holidaying at the happiest place on earth. Have a wonderful time!

 

[korbbec]

I was told that when you enter the parks, go right. It is most peoples natural tendency to go left and work their way clockwise. Or you could start in the middle and move counterclockwise. Either way you will be going the opposite of the majority of people. Worked for us in 2002.

 

[Rella Bella]

I know you asked for one but here are a favorite few of the many I pass along to friends:

1) To get ready for your wonderful vacation rent some videos!! Mickey, Donald, Chip & Dale, Peter Pan, Cinderella, Snow White... all those characters are everywhere and if you're kids are familiar with them before they arrive it will be even more special for them. We didn't do this before our first trip and DS knew some of them but once he got familiar he enjoyed it so much more. So now we watch videos before every visit!

2) Have an open mind about seeing parades and fireworks. Disney doesn’t do anything ‘ordinary’… so even if you don’t like parades anywhere else, give the Disney parades a try.

3) Our biggest surprise on our first visit was the sheer size of Disneyworld, it is a huge place -- 47 square miles – so you have to be prepared to walk! You walk to the bus, from the bus to the gate, then you walk all day and then walk home! (Some people even start a walking program with the kids before they go!) We always pack two pairs of very comfortable shoes and be sure we alternate them every day. I’ve also always brought along some mole skin – just in case we have to deal with blisters – but so far we’ve never had a problem.

4) The other thing you have to plan for is rain. It rains often, and when it does, it rains really hard… but not for long. We always go to Target/Walmart/Osco/The Dollar Store and buy cheap disposable rain ponchos. We each carry a fanny pack and keep them inside and ready to go. They sell a heavier version at Disney – for about $6.00!! And they are a pain to carry around because they don’t fold up small. With the cheap ones we just stuff them under the strap of our fanny packs until they dry and then fold them as small as we can and we’re ready to go the next day. (You’ll also use them on some of the rides.)

5) Speaking of the fanny pack… we NEVER use ours any place but Disney, but they work perfectly there. Much easier than a backpack, which gets in the way, has to come on & off and be stowed for rides, and made one of us uncomfortable. Of course if your kids are young enough for a stroller you don’t have to carry as much but it is still nice to have something attached to you to carry:

the rain poncho, a small amount of cash, your room key, a picture ID, tickets, dining reservation codes, a few band aids, your sun-glasses after dark and YOUR CELL PHONE (we bring two so we can find each other when we inevitably split up for what ever reason)!!

Have fun planning... I think it's almost as much fun as the vacation!

 

[isla bonita]

You will have a wonderful time but understand you will never see everything. Once you realize that and you only will when you get down there.

1 decide what has to be seen and done from each person in your party. After that everything you get to see or do is gravy.

2 drink lots of water keep hydrated.

3 the earlie you get to the parks the more you get to do. The parks are less crowded in the morning except if that park has early morning hours. If you are on site it is ok.

4 you will occasionally need a reality check. Can't push any one you go as fast as the slowest one goes.

5 Have a wonderful time

 

[juliehry]

I would get Birnbaums Guide to Disney 2006. I get the newest version every year despite the vact that I have been to WDW over 25 times. I study the book, make notes. Next a prepare a shreadsheet in Excell with an iteinery. Each day is listed separately with the goals of the day. I get a map in advance and note the location of the bathrooms and the restaurants. I also plan on where meals are going to be eaten even the counter service ones. Definetly make advance resrvations for sit down meals now! On the spreadsheet I include all cell phone numbers and emergency contact numbers and give a copy to each adult in the party. I also give my kids a card to keep in their pocket with their name, room number and resort and my cell phone number, just in case they get lost or separated. Even though they know the info if they were to get lost or separateed they might be crying so hard they could not get the info out quickly. Florida sun is hot and I would put that sunblock on before you leave your room!! Freeze some water bottles and take them with you to the parks.

 

[Harvestmooner]

Plan, Plan , Plan!!!!! First get a really good guide book. Passporter is great!!! Then with your family figure out what everyone really needs to see/do. Make the ADR-this is SO important!!!! It really made our last trip much easier for everyone. You had something to look forward to or if you were really tired it was the light at the end of the tunnel.
Just know if you don't see and do everything you want-that means you get to come back again!!!
Have a great trip!!!

 

[momrek06]

READ THE DIS BOARDS as much as you can. Man, I have learned so much from these boards and I just joined a few months ago despite the fact I have been going to WDW for years.

READ READ READ and inquire about anything you see on the Boards. For sure, whatever your question is IT WILL GET ANSWERED on the Dis Boards.

Let me tell you I thought I knew everything about WDW until I came here....I was soooo wrong and classified myself in the NOVICE category after reading here and grasping the knowledge that so many members have about WDW and are so quick to SHARE.

A M A Z I N G!!!

AND please POST your trip report when you get back!!!

 

[CastMemberDWA]

Best place to watch the Wishes Fireworks-
From the beach of the Polynesian resort! Music is piped in....the reflection off of the water is wonderful, and you aren't in the middle of hot sticky crowds!

The best bar/entertainment - (cheap) is Jellyrolls Dueling piano bar at the Boardwalk.

Best semi- private 'stroll' in MK is the secluded pathway between Space Mtn. and Toon town.

Best snack - the Mickey shaped Ice cream bars!

Read Walt's Biography on the plane or trip there...then you will have a much greater appreciation of Main Street USA and all the windows and doors and how they are all painted with names of the important people in his life.

Take time to people watch, and to enjoy the landscaping.

and best of all! Talk to others in line....some of the most fun is enjoying the company of other guests while waiting in the que.

 

[daisyduck123]

You are already one step ahead for your trip - - You read the DIS boards!!

I wish I'd know about this place before I took my family for the 1st time in 2004.

Make some ADRs before you go.

**I wish we'd known about Chef Mickey's for our 1st trip. We started going on our 2nd trip & now we go twice every trip!!

 

[Johnnyfairplay]

Slow down and relax. Spend a day enjoying your resort and visiting all of the other WDW Resorts. They reallly are worth a visit. Do half of what you planned. Give yourself a reason to come back. Look at your surroundings and really appreciate it. Disney theming and landscaping are something to see. Most of all it is your vacation, spend it how you see fit. Have a great trip.


johnny

 

[joanchris]

Even though we KNEW we would not be able to do everything in our week there (we had gone there on our Honeymoon and DH and I each went once as children, this was our first time in 13 yrs, and with our kids, was like our first time!) we tried. We didn't schedule enough down time, and were exhausted by the end of our trip. We didn't plan on a "relaxing" vacation, but we were truly wiped out!
Next time I'll do things differently--if we have a later night planned, we'll be sure to have nothing to do the next am til noon.......If we plan an early morning, we'll try to not make it a really late night (late, relative to my family is anything after 8 pm!) AND we will stay a day more than I think we should, and make sure we have one full day to do NOTHING!
I agree with the recommendations of making ADRs....we did, and were very glad to have done so!

Have fun!

 

[JMCDisneyBound]

I don't know the ages of your children, but if you have one or more in a stroller then: 1)BRING YOUR OWN 2) TIE ON A RIBBON OR BANDANA TO EASILY IDENTIFY IT IN STROLLER PARKING 3) BRING A STROLLER RAIN COVER OR LARGE TRASH BAG TO COVER IT WHILE ON ATTRACTIONS

 

[Chester's Mum]

Hello, I will be going to Disney World for the first time in June with my three kids. Tell me something you wished you knew about but didn't on your first trip, or just something that you think would be helpful for us first timers! Thank-you!

I wish I had known about the Disboards. You are halfway there because you've discovered them.

One tip: Enjoy the theming, WDW is much more than a collection of rides. The theming makes it so much more. Every ride is an experience, every experience is a story. Look around, notice the details, and take the high road when you encounter people with unfortunate attitudes (some people just don't get the magic). Remember you are at Disney, and don't let anyone spoil it for you and your kids.

 

[momginger]

Best place to watch the Wishes Fireworks-
From the beach of the Polynesian resort! Music is piped in....the reflection off of the water is wonderful, and you aren't in the middle of hot sticky crowds!

The best bar/entertainment - (cheap) is Jellyrolls Dueling piano bar at the Boardwalk.

Best semi- private 'stroll' in MK is the secluded pathway between Space Mtn. and Toon town.

Best snack - the Mickey shaped Ice cream bars!

Read Walt's Biography on the plane or trip there...then you will have a much greater appreciation of Main Street USA and all the windows and doors and how they are all painted with names of the important people in his life.

Take time to people watch, and to enjoy the landscaping.

and best of all! Talk to others in line....some of the most fun is enjoying the company of other guests while waiting in the que.

Where do you find Walt's Biography? Is it a book or in the literature you find in the backs of the seats on the airplane?

I was just wondering!

Also, can you go to the beach of the Polynesian even if you're not a guest at that resort?

Thanks!

 

[Kapp]

and save lunch for a sit-down meal. We discovered this during our last trip and wish we had done it from our first! Instead of fighting the masses for lunch at a counter service and than hunting for table, we make ADRs(sometime just the night before) and enjoy a great relaxed, air conditioned lunch that someone else brings to me! And, the lunch prices are lower than a dinner meal. We have told many friends about our "discovery" and all are now doing it!

Good luck and have a great time!

 

[korbbec]

On a trip to Epcot in ?97? I bought a bottle strap for $3 from one of the carts. Best $3 ever spent. I still use it for hiking, river tubing, or any other outdoor activity where I want my hands free. If you are not familiar with it, it is just a simple strap- almost like a thick ribbon- with two o-rings. One ring is regular bottle top size, the other is big mouth size for things like nestle milk bottles, gatorade, pepsi 1-liters, etc. You just fit the o-ring over the lip at the top of the bottle and throw the strap over your shoulder like a camera bag. Now your hands are free and you won't lose your beverage. Not sure if they still sell them in Disney. Anyone know?