Composing a Tips List for 1st Time Disney Trippers!

[WaltD4Me]

Hello!

I am helping a friend of mine plan a trip to Disney. It is her (she'll be 6 months pregnant when they are at WDW) her DH, DD 9 years old, DS 7 years old and DS 6 years old.

She is CLUELESS when it comes to Disney. - I had to explain to her that Disney has 4 parks and Universal is NOT one of them....if that gives you any idea!

Anyway, I'm a Disney veteran, but for some reason am having a hard time putting together a "tips and tricks" list together for her. I think maybe because I am so "used" to going that I'm forgetting what is important to share with first timers. Also, I've never travelled to WDW with 3 kids and one on the way, so I probably don't even KNOW some of the best kid tips.

So, I'd REALLY appreciate your best PARK tips. I don't need the travel and packing tips, ect...so much as I figure she probably knows most of these as they travel a good bit, just not to Disney. I want to make her a little tip booklet with a general WDW tip page and a tip page for each park. Any input will be GREATLY appreciated!

 

[mkygrl]

Make sure she realizes she (family) won't be able to do everything.
Go as fast as the slowest person.
Take breaks whether it is in park or back at the hotel.
Hydrate hydrate hydrate!
Involve the kids. Get the kids Birmbaum and have them read and pick out their favs-do those first. (I did this for my godson and his families first trip....for 6 months the read the book over and over again-mom/dad included to pick out what the would like to see!)

 

[skiingwife]

Arrive at the parks 20 minutes before opening. Getting to the parks early makes a huge difference as far as no waiting in lines first thing in the morning.

Grab a Times Guide and park map as you enter each park.

Have an idea before you arrive of which rides you want to go on and in which order. This will save you from aimlessly wandering around.

Make ADR's for every day of the trip. Read allearsnet.com to choose the restauarants and menus that interest you.

Take a break after lunch and go back to the resort for a nap or swim break.

Plan a free day to sleep late, swim, take it easy, after every 2 full days.

Have an early breakfast at Crystal Palace before park opening so you can walk down an empty Main Street.

Each lunch early (11:00 or 11:30) before the restaurants get crowded.

 

[isla bonita]

Bring lots of water, sunscreen and patience.
Try to remember it is a vation and it has to be fun for all.
Remind her to get what she needs to see done first so what ever is left is gravy
We all know you can not do everything
Have her remind herself that pics are great but so are enjoying the moment

 

[jackdis]

I was 6 months pregnant last June while we were there. The most important thing for her is to drink a lot fo water and sit down for little rests, especially if she is there when it is very warm outside. I thought I'd be very limited with what I could do, but I still had a fantastic time. I'm so glad we went. (DD was 6 at the time.) Of course, she should just make sure with her doctor that she can go. Tell her to enjoy!!!

 

[jeck4]

I really hope your friend is staying at a monorail connected hotel on site. I remember one of our first trips to Disney when we had 3 small children and I was quite pregnant with our fourth. We stayed off site, right across the street from Disney Village. We had to take buses back and forth to the parks and after an exhausting day, it was not fun. My husband would be holding onto our 2 daughters, while I, obviously pregnant would be holding our 2-1/2 year old sleeping son and we ALL had to stand on the buses. Not one person, including parents who had a 2 year old that could easily sit on the parents lap offered us a seat. NEVER AGAIN. I will always stay MONORAIL CONNECTED! It is more convenient to go back to the hotel in the heat of the day too for naps and relaxing by the pool. Then go back to the park in the evening when it is cooler.

Lots of water, sunscreen, and a great product called BodyGlide to help prevent blisters.

 

[HunnyPots]

Get her the latest planning video and watch it with her.

Make sure she understands how to use fastpass!!

Be sure she knows just how big WDW is and that as a first-timer they've got to have a plan. Don't try to wing it!

Make use of EMH mornings, especially for Fantasyland in MK.

Show her the menus from allears.net show she'll know what to expect as far as prices so she doesn't get sticker shock. Unless of course she's getting the dining plan, which you'll also have to explain!