calling all experts...!

[excitedmomma]

Hello everyone!
I just booked my familys first WDW vacation ever! Needless to say, ... I'm excited! We are going May 23-28, staying at the Contemporary. Will be Me, DH, DS17, DD6, DS4. I have got to get a plan of action! I've lurked around here for a week or so and absorbed what I could, but am overwhelmed. Any suggestions for us? We want to do as much as we can without overtiring the kiddos. And with the kids, any plans for first entry. We plan on doing the magic hours. I'm sure the MK will be the favorite! Anything that we "have" to do? Also, we are driving (long drive), and are think of stopping for a super quick stay at Ft. Walton beach, which I know nothing about. Anyone familar with it? Is it pretty? Thanks so much!

 

[laceemouse]

First of all...Congratulations on booking your trip! You will have a great time and it should not be too crowded as school is still in for most people and many ( like us) only travel when school is out. It should not be too hot yet either. The Contemporary should be fun, be sure to eat at Chef Mickey's. Most people consider the MK their favorite but don't slight the other parks. 2 of my 4 kids have always considered EPCOT to be their favorite park. The DIS is a great place to get info, but I would also pick up one on the guidebooks if I were you, our library even has them. They give you a good overview, and then you can come to the DIS for more specific info/opinions. We usually drive also, in fact we leave this Friday, and our drive is much longer than yours is. It is great to have your own vehicle when you get there, and driving is not that bad. Ft. Walton Beach is beautiful, all of the gulf coast has gorgeuos sugar white beaches! Have fun planning, and just remember that Disney is impossible to see and do all in one trip, so decide what is most important to your family this trip and save the rest for next time!!! Lacee

 

[donald@home]

My usual advice for new WDW travellers:

1 - DO YOUR HOMEWORK! (Which I can already see you are doing by asking questions on the DIS!!!) Disney World is OVERWHELMING. There is so much to see and do that without knowing a little about what you want to do before you get there, the trip will be over before you finally get a hang of things. Also, there are certain things (like dinner shows, restaurants, character meals, etc) that you need to call ahead and make reservations (priority seatings) for. Pick up the Unnoficial Guide to Disney World by Bob Sehlinger. They have one especially for trips with kids. It is very comprehensive and a bit overwhelming, but a Disney vacation is a big investment and you want to be prepared.

2 - GET UP AND GET TO A PARK EARLY EARLY EARLY BEFORE IT OPENS! You will be able to see WAY more in the first two hours that the park is open than you will during the rest of the day if it is a crowded day (and it is most always a crowded day at the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom). We went to the Magic Kingdom during the Extra Magic Hour (when it was called Early Entry) and did Buzz Lightyear (twice), Space Mountain, Tea Cups, Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan, the when the rest of the park opened we dashed over to Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Haunted Mansion then went and had breakfast on Main Street and watched the crowds poor into the park.

3 - TAKE A MID DAY BREAK! Head back to your resort (and it will be VERY easy to get to and from the Contemporary, especially from the Magic Kingdom) and take a nap or a swim or have lunch or all three! Then head back out for some more fun.

Most of all, HAVE FUN!!!

 

[Irish9697]

We're from Memphis and go to that area of Florida (Ft. Walton) for our beach trip yearly. We love Seagrove Beach, but all of the communities in that area are incredible.

www.beachesofsouthwalton.com will tell you all about the beach communities between Ft. Walton/Destin and Panama City.

www.30A.com will give you beach rentals in and around Destin/Ft. Walton and the beaches of South Walton.

We were just at Disney earlier this month and we drove, too. We drove 78 from Memphis to Birmingham, then went through Montgomery to 231 into Florida to I-10. If we'd stayed on 231, we would have directly hit South Walton County, so it's an easy jaunt, under an hour.

Have fun!!!

 

[Southern4sure]

Personally, I would encourage going to Destin, FL. Ft. Walton is nice, but to me it can't beat Destin. My inlaws had a condo in Destin and until last year......we lived in Destin. Its about a 3 1/2 hour drive from my home in Mobile, AL. The water is just beautiful, when your in the water, it looks clear.......but going over the bridge, it looks emerald. It is nicknamed the emerald coast.... Most evetything is within walking distance.

Hope you enjoy your stay,
Southern4sure