Can first timer enjoy WDW??

[nibab4]

I'm starting to panic here . Not at all familiar with the layout and which ride to go on I feel we are wasting our vacation money, We can't plan each step of our vacation because we don't even know what we want to do, not really knowing what peaks our interest. It's hard to say before hand that we want to do things without seeing anything.
We can't even decide which park to see first, I have purchased a guide book, read this site and others several times a day looking for all the best tips possible but there is so many ways to do it i'm getting very overwhelmed. When I think I understand something ex: transportation, fastpass or where to dine I find contradictory information, even on what park is the least busiest on which day and get very confused.
I just don't want to come home and not been able get on more than one ride or show a day, what a waste.

Please convince me we're not making a mistake.(I had to do a lot of talking to get my DH to go to WDW) I feel like i'm going to let everyone down
We will be there from may 15 to 24.

 

[hockey mom]

Take a deep breath.........exhale

It is overwhelming and I also do know the need to try to fit it all in but unless you are going for 2 weeks you will miss some stuff. How long are you going and are there kids involved? When are you going?

The very first park you want to do is Magic Kingdom and I would also allow at least one and a half days to do this park. I would just start in one direction and work my way around without running all over the place to make sure you hit certain rides. Each area will have one ride that has fastpass so if you grab your fastpasses then hit the other rides in that area you should be fairly close to your fast pass time. If not sometimes fastpasses require you do a bit of backtracking which can get exhausting.

 

[hockey mom]

ooops- just re read and found your time frame. That is a good time not to crowded.

 

[scorp111]

Agree....Breathe!!

You will be fine.

I would suggest that if anyone has any "must-do" items that you make a list and be sure to hit those.

Prior to Last September... I had waited my whole life to go to WDW. Having a bit of OCD and being a straight Type A Personality I feared the worst. Read 3 guidebooks, lived on forums etc.

Went and had a BLAST! Went back in Dec, going back in April...... Trying to decide now whether I should renew my AP that doesn't expire for 6 montsh...

You have to remember, 85% of families that go to WDW, do virtually no planning whatsoever! Sure they might talk to Uncle AL, who last visted in '95, or hear something from a friend of a friend... but they go, and most have a good time.

People that visit the forums are generally that are the most agressive when it comes to touring plans etc....(I should know)

I would suggest making a few PS, just to have a respite during the middle of the day....

I like to hit MK first, just because it is Nirvana for me and my family. After that, we determing the order by EMH or just what we want to do. The 1st trip we left a few days at the end with the parks undecided... and made our decision after we had visited them all once...

 

[declansdad]

I can understand your being overwhelmed. Our first trip was last March and we went through the same thing.

We quickly relalized that we would not see everything and went on our ds's schedule. We hit the parks early and returned to the resort shortly after lunch. We spent a week touring WDW and we were certainly glad we did.

I would agree that MK should be the first park. There is nothing quite like the feeling that you get the first time you look up Main Street and see the Castle.

Relax, don't overplan and have some fun.

 

[Sandyincanada]

You do not, I repeat do not need to plan every second or know everything about the place before you go to have fun. Having a PS or not having a PS will not make or break your vacation, we never make them. We plan on which parks we would like to see on which days (and this sometimes changes), go early (most important thing) and go to the bigger attractions first and just relax and enjoy the rest of it. This site is great but also very overwhelming to a first-timer as there are alot of strong opinions and it leads you to feel that if you don't vacation a certain way, you won't have fun.

Although I agree some knowledge and planning is helpful, everything will be new and fun to you no matter what you do . Your not going in a peak time so that will help alot. Try not to worry about planning everything and just plan the simple stuff like what parks, what days and the rest will fall into place when you get there.

You'll have a blast no matter what

 

[Debbie]

Although I agree some knowledge and planning is helpful, everything will be new and fun to you no matter what you do

You are going to have an amazing time! Everything will be new to you, you will be with your loved ones, and you will be at the most magical place around. In fact, I'd say: DON'T try to plan every minute, every day. You didn't mention how old your kidlets are, but if they are old enough to have a "must do" for each park, that is a good place to start. I (personally) wouldn't do a commando approach using the Unofficial Guide. Take time to enjoy the small-but perfect-details of the waiting areas and the rides. Take time to sit on a park bench while you are eating a Mickey bar Stop and take the time from the busy days to see the unplanned, little things. (Our first trip, I was he11bent on doing the big rides during the parades, and DH and I had a BIG fight trying to get from one place to another. The kids stopped to watch the parade, so did we, and we took the time to reconnect and start afresh.) Trust us. You are in for the most wonderful time!

 

[Bluenoser]

I'm a first timer too. The info here is invaluable. If you do a search for the 'cheat sheet' you shoud get a couple of threads that contain these wonderful planning sheets for each of the parks. There is a wealth of information on what rides are in which area and when they are busy. I printed them out and we have determined which rides are a 'must'. Now we don't feel as overwhelmed. Its nice and compact.

 

[FayeW]

If you haven't already, order the free planning DVD from www.disney.ca. It should be here in time for you to watch it before your trip. It will give you a really good idea of what attractions you don't want to miss. You can also use that site to view some of the ride and attraction discriptions, height restrictions, etc. Once you each pick a couple of "must do's" for each park, everything else you get to do is a bonus. Make sure you see the parades and fireworks, SpectroMagic is amazing!

 

[nibab4]

You do not, I repeat do not need to plan every second or know everything about the place before you go to have fun. Having a PS or not having a PS will not make or break your vacation, we never make them. We plan on which parks we would like to see on which days (and this sometimes changes), go early (most important thing) and go to the bigger attractions first and just relax and enjoy the rest of it. This site is great but also very overwhelming to a first-timer as there are alot of strong opinions and it leads you to feel that if you don't vacation a certain way, you won't have fun.

Thanks to everyone who responded. Sandyincanada that was our first plan of attack but after starting all this research I panicked. We are returning to our original plan I'm not going to worry about it. We will only try to organise things according to weather and EMH.
The children are 10DS & 13DD we are there for 10 days we purchased a 5 day Magic Plus w/hopper. *DEEP BREATH* I think we will be o.k.

 

[OntFamily]

At the risk of panicing you more, I am going to make a suggestion re your park tickets. You'll be staying on site for 10 days, but only getting a 5 day pass. I'd recommend getting a 10 day pass -- the price difference is only about $16USD per person. The major plus is that you will have availability for 5 more park days (if you don't use them all, don't worry about it, the cost per day is minimal once you get beyond a 5 day pass -- you can afford to "throw away" few days if they are not used).

Having access to the parks each day means you won't feel as stressed when you're in the parks and feel you have to go commando and see everything quickly. You have 10 days, which is a great amount of time.

Personally, I found when I switched from off site hotels (and only getting two or three day passes) and going on site (coincendentially at All Stars for our first on site) and getting passes for the entire stay, the enjoyment level increased dramatically. I got to relax in the parks, and enjoy the atmosophere.

 

[nibab4]

At the risk of panicing you more, I am going to make a suggestion re your park tickets. You'll be staying on site for 10 days, but only getting a 5 day pass. I'd recommend getting a 10 day pass -- the price difference is only about $16USD per person. The major plus is that you will have availability for 5 more park days (if you don't use them all, don't worry about it, the cost per day is minimal once you get beyond a 5 day pass -- you can afford to "throw away" few days if they are not used).

We won't be there a full 10 days our arrival is noon and departure is 1pm so we are loosing those 2 days. Our plan the first day is to check in then get some shopping done at the outlet mall and a grocery run. After we return to motel and get familiar with everything we may go to DTD or anywhere that doesn't require using a park pass.
I have already ordered my tickets thru ticketmania and don't feel the need for extra days. We also want to go to Sea World one day to get away from the resort area and see a little more of the Orlando area. We would also like to relax at the pool.
Thank you for the suggestion!!!!!!

 

[CharlesTD]

We tend to go to AK first the kids love the place and love to see the animals we are nature lovers so it is a natural choice for us. Try not to worry to much about it just go with the flow when you get there you will quickly find the places you love.

 

[Sandyincanada]

Thanks to everyone who responded. Sandyincanada that was our first plan of attack but after starting all this research I panicked. We are returning to our original plan I'm not going to worry about it. We will only try to organise things according to weather and EMH.
The children are 10DS & 13DD we are there for 10 days we purchased a 5 day Magic Plus w/hopper. *DEEP BREATH* I think we will be o.k.

lol, you will be just fine. Our trips are like yours, so many days in the parks and a few days out of the parks doing other things. We really enjoy this pace and its nice to see what else Orlando offers. Remember someone elses "must-dos" may not end up being your "must-dos". Have a great time.

 

[mbb]

great advice...so I'll just add...

Take lots of pics, post them when you get home That's all the rest of us have until we go again!!!LOL!

 

[PhotobearSam]

I'm in Shediac NB and own a motel so no long distance if you need to talk...

What we did on our first trip was get a copy of the Unofficial Guide to WDW and read it cver to cover with a highlighter. Worked wonders.

We had 10 days at Disney staying off-site and had a blast...It will be the best vacation ever.

If you want me to call you and answer any questions, please email me at gaudetchalets@rogers.com

See my website at www.shediac.com/gaudet/ We did a Moncton DISmeet a week ago and met a lot of people from the DIS...This is the best place for advise once you read the book.

 

[aengus]

I'm starting to panic here .

My advice is simple. 2 words.

Relax, have fun (oops 3 words, scratch that here)

relax, fun (yeah thats two words but it implies relaxing is fun, which it is, but we are talking about disney not relaxation, give me one more shot)

relax and enjoy (technically 3 words, but many acronyms exclude the word and , and I am too : )

You will have more fun on this vacation than most of us would on ours, just because its your first! EVERYTHING will be new for you, I wish I could do that again!

Of course the bad news is... When you get back your going to be addicted like the rest of us. Then you will read anything and everything you can get ahold of and start to use wacky acronyms like my DD went to MGM from AKL. Your 2nd trip you'll be a pro knowing what to expect and planning the things you havent seen. This time, just have fun.

Oh and when your there, tell Mickey that Aengus said hello.