Dec 2008 first trip to wdw

[dreamin_disney]

Hello. I'm planning my first trip to wdw the 1st or 2nd week of dec. Its depends which week i can get the best deals on flights from ca. My question is how many days do we need for each park? I've read 2 day for MK and 2 days for Epcot. How many days for Ak and how many for Disney Hollywood studios? There will be two of us adults and our dd who is 9. I hear so much about three of the parks and not much about Disney hollywood studios. Any advice or tips? Thanks Aimee

 

[havinfun]

Hi,
I'm not sure how many days you will need. I know you can't see all of Epcot and MK in one day. I haven't been to AK. Wish I could help you out more. It has been 12 years since my last visit so I am sure lots has changed.

Have a great time planning your first trip.

 

[Donald is #1]

Personnally, AK is my second favorite park after EPCOT and HS is my least. I normally spend 2 days at AK but I think that most people do it in 1 day. For HS, I would definitely say only 1 day. So my suggested list would be:
2 days MK
2 days EPCOT
1 day AK
1 day HS
1 day either day off/water park or go back to one of the parks that you want to spend more time at.

I will warn you since this is your first WDW trip, you probably won't see everything. I have 7 times and there are still things that I haven't done.

 

[dreamin_disney]

Personnally, AK is my second favorite park after EPCOT and HS is my least. I normally spend 2 days at AK but I think that most people do it in 1 day. For HS, I would definitely say only 1 day. So my suggested list would be:
2 days MK
2 days EPCOT
1 day AK
1 day HS
1 day either day off/water park or go back to one of the parks that you want to spend more time at.

I will warn you since this is your first WDW trip, you probably won't see everything. I have 7 times and there are still things that I haven't done.

I wont dare and try and see everything either-lol! I have a 9 yr old dd and I want to see what we can and make it fun. Looking at AK i think one day will be fine. The HS seems like universal studios in ca. If it is then 1 day will be more than enough. If i feel the need to have to see everything then , then maybe we will have to plan another trip-lol!

BTW- what esle is there to do? Is there a down town dinsey or some type of strip with shopping and food apart from the parks but still in the resort?

 

[joelp]

Another thing to consider are all the December special holday happenings, including MVMCP!

The #days "Donald is #1" suggested is good - but you still won't see everything - nor should you try.

I'd recommend getting a guide book or two - I like the "Unoffical Guide" - and go trawling for info on the disboards and ears-to-ears web sites:

http://allearsnet.com/

Try to get the other adult and DS involved in the planning and prioritize what each of you want to see and where you want to eat, etc.

Don't wait for the airline fares to make your WDW ressie - it looks like rooms are booking up fast (especially at the AAA rate ...) for December - so if you know where you want to stay (assuming it's on-site) I would book it as soon as you can. It will only cost you a $200 deposit - and you could change the ressie later if needed.

Finally - we'll be heading to WDW in early December, too - and to toot me own horn, have started a pre-trip planning report:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1689094

Granted - it's geared to my will-be 5-year old DD ... but it should give you some ideas ...

If you have any other questions, I'll be lurking ... (uh - subscribing ... )

 

[Donald is #1]

BTW- what esle is there to do? Is there a down town dinsey or some type of strip with shopping and food apart from the parks but still in the resort?

Yes, there is Downtown Disney which has 3 sections: Marketplace, West Side, and Pleasure Island. These areas contain lots of shopping, restaurants, a movie theater, Cirque De Soliel (spelling?), Disney Quest, plus dance clubs, a comedy club, etc.

Also, there are 2 mini golf places at WDW and 2 water parks. In December, it may be a bit cold for the water parks, but you never know. Also, all of the resorts are extremely well themed and you may want to spend some time visiting some of them and seeing their christmas decorations.

 

[dreamin_disney]

Another thing to consider are all the December special holday happenings, including MVMCP!

The #days "Donald is #1" suggested is good - but you still won't see everything - nor should you try.

I'd recommend getting a guide book or two - I like the "Unoffical Guide" - and go trawling for info on the disboards and ears-to-ears web sites:

http://allearsnet.com/

Try to get the other adult and DS involved in the planning and prioritize what each of you want to see and where you want to eat, etc.

Don't wait for the airline fares to make your WDW ressie - it looks like rooms are booking up fast (especially at the AAA rate ...) for December - so if you know where you want to stay (assuming it's on-site) I would book it as soon as you can. It will only cost you a $200 deposit - and you could change the ressie later if needed.

Finally - we'll be heading to WDW in early December, too - and to toot me own horn, have started a pre-trip planning report:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1689094

Granted - it's geared to my will-be 5-year old DD ... but it should give you some ideas ...

If you have any other questions, I'll be lurking ... (uh - subscribing ... )

thank for the info. If i need to reschedule will i lose any money or have to pay any fees? Dh has AAA so i'll have him look into getting rates with his acct.

 

[dreamin_disney]

Yes, there is Downtown Disney which has 3 sections: Marketplace, West Side, and Pleasure Island. These areas contain lots of shopping, restaurants, a movie theater, Cirque De Soliel (spelling?), Disney Quest, plus dance clubs, a comedy club, etc.

Also, there are 2 mini golf places at WDW and 2 water parks. In December, it may be a bit cold for the water parks, but you never know. Also, all of the resorts are extremely well themed and you may want to spend some time visiting some of them and seeing their christmas decorations.

Thanks. I've head about the hotel deco at x-mas time. Once things get booked then i'm going to plan activ for the trip.