Disney World Trip

[dizneygeek]

Hello,

New on the boards! I am going to Walt Disney World for the first time since 2006 from December 2 to December 7, and I need LOTS of planning advice. I have no idea where to start...so, what are your "must-know" tips you can pass on to me for traveling with a family? Thanks!

EDIT: The irony is, we only live 5 hrs. away!

 

[Taylor'sMom]

Just spend some time on these boards... you will pick up all the tips you need to know. A few of mine:

1. Go with at least a plan of attack for which park you will visit each day. Research daily schedules when you decide so you can make sure you will be able to see evening shows, etc. or attend/avoid magic hours. Some days are better than others for each park... do your honework and have a plan for which park you will attend on each day.

2. Get to each park prior to park opening each day. This is referred to as "rope drop." Hit the headliner attractions in that first hour each day. In the first hour you can do multiple headliner rides, as conpared to a few hours later, each of thoae rides cod have a wait time of well over an hour each. Timing is everything!

3. Get a guide book and a map learn the attractions and where they are. It is much easier to navigate and get around if you know where yoy are and where you want to go.

4. Don't try to see or do everything. Its impossible. Pick a few important things at each park that yoy consided a "must do." Anything else is a bonus.

5. Take your time to soak it all in and enjoy your trip!

 

[dizneygeek]

Just spend some time on these boards... you will pick up all the tips you need to know. A few of mine:

1. Go with at least a plan of attack for which park you will visit each day. Research daily schedules when you decide so you can make sure you will be able to see evening shows, etc. or attend/avoid magic hours. Some days are better than others for each park... do your honework and have a plan for which park you will attend on each day.

2. Get to each park prior to park opening each day. This is referred to as "rope drop." Hit the headliner attractions in that first hour each day. In the first hour you can do multiple headliner rides, as conpared to a few hours later, each of thoae rides cod have a wait time of well over an hour each. Timing is everything!

3. Get a guide book and a map learn the attractions and where they are. It is much easier to navigate and get around if you know where yoy are and where you want to go.

4. Don't try to see or do everything. Its impossible. Pick a few important things at each park that yoy consided a "must do." Anything else is a bonus.

5. Take your time to soak it all in and enjoy your trip!

Thank you!

 

[Aliceacc]

A couple of things have changed over the years:
1. If you're planning any table service dinners, consider making those ADRs soon. The booking window is 180 days out, so the top choices tend to fill up quickly.

2.The Disney dining plan has some real fans and some who hate it. We love it. Take a look a the numbers and see whether it makes sense for you.

3. Up until last year, the closing time on a fastpass was not routinely enforced. It is now.

4. Fastpass+ is new and in the works. I don't know whether it will be operational for your trip, but stay tuned here to see. Apparently it involves reserving a FP at least a day or so before you use it.

5. You can preorder a photopass and save some money.http://www.disneyphotopass.com/specialoffers/wdwppp.htm

 

[dizneygeek]

A couple of things have changed over the years:
1. If you're planning any table service dinners, consider making those ADRs soon. The booking window is 180 days out, so the top choices tend to fill up quickly.

2.The Disney dining plan has some real fans and some who hate it. We love it. Take a look a the numbers and see whether it makes sense for you.

3. Up until last year, the closing time on a fastpass was not routinely enforced. It is now.

4. Fastpass+ is new and in the works. I don't know whether it will be operational for your trip, but stay tuned here to see. Apparently it involves reserving a FP at least a day or so before you use it.

5. You can preorder a photopass and save some money.

I already booked the Deluxe Dining Plan. I think it was worth it.

Thanks for the tips!

 

[Aliceacc]

OK, if you've booked Deluxe dining, your next order of business is making those ADRs. Some your kids may enjoy: Chef Mickey's, dinner at 1900 Park Fare and/ or a meal at Aukerhaus for your daughter, Sci Fi Diner, 'Ohana..

Oh, and if you want total info overload, here goes:


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1926169&highlight=worked

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2263996&highlight=bad

 

[dizneygeek]

OK, if you've booked Deluxe dining, your next order of business is making those ADRs. Some your kids may enjoy: Chef Mickey's, dinner at 1900 Park Fare and/ or a meal at Aukerhaus for your daughter, Sci Fi Diner, 'Ohana..

Oh, and if you want total info overload, here goes:


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1926169&highlight=worked

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2263996&highlight=bad

I was going to book this place called Cinderella Royal Table in Magic Kingdom. What do you think of it? I already booked the Bippidy Boppidy Boutique for my daughter in Magic Kingdom.

 

[Aliceacc]

I haven't been there in at least 25 years.

But it books almost immediately; you may very well have trouble booking it.

Take a look at Aukerhaus; it's 5 princesses in a Norwegian castle, and much easier to book.

 

[DisneyBliss7]

We love 1900 Park Fare dinner with Cinderella Other than Princess meals I reccommend Tusker House in AK they have Mickey,Donald,Goofy etc...And O'Hana...Sanaa with a seat to see the animals....Coral Reef at Epcot is beautiful too. Our fav dinner shows are Spirit of Aloha Dinner and Mickeys BBQ Have a great trip!

 

[dizneygeek]

We love 1900 Park Fare dinner with Cinderella Other than Princess meals I reccommend Tusker House in AK they have Mickey,Donald,Goofy etc...And O'Hana...Sanaa with a seat to see the animals....Coral Reef at Epcot is beautiful too. Our fav dinner shows are Spirit of Aloha Dinner and Mickeys BBQ Have a great trip!

I haven't been there in at least 25 years.

But it books almost immediately; you may very well have trouble booking it.

Take a look at Aukerhaus; it's 5 princesses in a Norwegian castle, and much easier to book.

Yes, I definitely want something with princesses! My trip isn't till December, so I'm going to try booking Cinderella Royal Table.

How is the food at Aloha Dinner? I know that's in the Polynesian, and we're staying there.

EDIT: Went on disneyworld.com. There was NOTHING available at Cinderella Royal Table on any day of my trip. My daughter's Bippity Bobbity Boutique ressie for 12/3 at 10:15am in Magic Kingdom still stands, so Epcot wouldn't be a feasible choice for that day. I'm going to try 1900 Park Fare.

 

[Aliceacc]

1900 Park Fare is wonderful!!!

And, as I understand it, to book Cindrella's Castle, you pretty much have to be on the phone at 7 am (NOT 7:15 am) 180 days out, and pray to the booking gods that you get in right away.

Take a look at 1900 Park Fare though-- the Step Sisters are a total hoot!!! (and, if you want some fun, ask them which of them is prettier and watch them bicker.)

 

[dizneygeek]

1900 Park Fare is wonderful!!!

And, as I understand it, to book Cindrella's Castle, you pretty much have to be on the phone at 7 am (NOT 7:15 am) 180 days out, and pray to the booking gods that you get in right away.

Take a look at 1900 Park Fare though-- the Step Sisters are a total hoot!!! (and, if you want some fun, ask them which of them is prettier and watch them bicker.)

YES!!!!!! I scored dinner reservations at 7:30pm at 1900 Park Fare!!!!!!!! That gives us time to enjoy the park and we can always re-enter after dinner for the fireworks!

 

[Marionnette]

YES!!!!!! I scored dinner reservations at 7:30pm at 1900 Park Fare!!!!!!!! That gives us time to enjoy the park and we can always re-enter after dinner for the fireworks!

That's for 12/3, the same day as your DD's BBB reservation? I hate to break it to you, but that's a MVMCP night. The MK closes to regular park guests at 7:00 PM and only those with party tickets can enter after that time. The good news is that you could buy tickets for the event. Advance purchase prices are:

• Ages 10+: $62.00+tax
• Ages 3-9 $57.00+tax

 

[dizneygeek]

That's for 12/3, the same day as your DD's BBB reservation? I hate to break it to you, but that's a MVMCP night. The MK closes to regular park guests at 7:00 PM and only those with party tickets can enter after that time. The good news is that you could buy tickets for the event. Advance purchase prices are:

• Ages 10+: $62.00+tax
• Ages 3-9 $57.00+tax

Thanks. Just bought tix.

 

[Aliceacc]

Aren't you glad you joined the DIS??

 

[dizneygeek]

Aren't you glad you joined the DIS??

Very glad.

 

[garanorymom]

If you bought tickets to the CHristmas party. I would NOT go to the GF for dinner that night at 7:30. I think that would be a huge mistake. You will miss most of the party. You are really paying a premium for it, so enjoy it. People start arriving around 4:30 and it is in full swing at 7. You do not want to be heading over to dinner around 6:30 and not getting back to the park until after 9. Book something in the park that night for around 4 and be done with dinner and ready to enjoy the extra characters, dance party, shows, parade, fireworks etc.

 

[dizneygeek]

If you bought tickets to the CHristmas party. I would NOT go to the GF for dinner that night at 7:30. I think that would be a huge mistake. You will miss most of the party. You are really paying a premium for it, so enjoy it. People start arriving around 4:30 and it is in full swing at 7. You do not want to be heading over to dinner around 6:30 and not getting back to the park until after 9. Book something in the park that night for around 4 and be done with dinner and ready to enjoy the extra characters, dance party, shows, parade, fireworks etc.

I'll take that into consideration, but we really would want to eat at the Grand Floridian. The party runs late I am assuming.

 

[ChitownFamily]

I'll take that into consideration, but we really would want to eat at the Grand Floridian. The party runs late I am assuming.

Here's the schedule for the party. I'm estimating dinner will be at least until 830-9, depending on how quickly you get seated etc,

Personally i agree with, garanorymom, I don't think it's worth missing EITHER thing, ADR's will cancel closer to the date- I would keep checking.

http://allears.net/tp/hol_mk.htm

 

[dizneygeek]

Here's the schedule for the party. I'm estimating dinner will be at least until 830-9, depending on how quickly you get seated etc,

Personally i agree with, garanorymom, I don't think it's worth missing EITHER thing, ADR's will cancel closer to the date- I would keep checking.

http://allears.net/tp/hol_mk.htm

The party is until midnight, so we'll still have time. Plus, the kiddos will be tired and the dinner will be a nice resting time.