Disneyworld Newbie

[thatgrljme]

Hello All - I was wondering if I could get some tips, suggestions ect for a possible DW trip with my son and his grandfather (my dad).

My son had his first trip to Disneyland this past May and we had so much fun that we'd either like to take another trip there or take him to DW. I have never been to DW so this park is all new to me.

My son will be 3 in November, I am not sure as to when we'd plan this trip though, but do know that it would be me, him and my dad going as a family. We would need three beds in our hotel and want to stay onsite but don't want to break the bank on our hotel. On our recent trip to DLR we stayed at PPH at the concierge level which was nice for breakfast and snacks, but I'm not sure if we'd do that again given how much it costs. We also got park hopper tickets which I did really like because if it was too busy at one park we could just go to the other. I do realize that the parks are more spread out at DW as compared to DLR, but am wondering if it would still benefit us instead of doing one park per day.

I'm looking for hotel recommendations, times of years to go and any other tips on how to tour the parks. When we were at DLR in May it was unseasonably hot and caused my son to suffer a bit of heat sickness on our last day there. I would prefer out next trip to either park be in a cooler time of year. Would also like to know the average days you all stay. We did 5 days at DLR but also realize DW is much larger and could take more time to cover.

I appreciate everyones opinions

 

[kmb584]

For a first time visit I wouldn't recommend adding the PH option from the onset. WDW is a massive complex and a lot of people visiting for their first time find the size overwhelming. It takes a while to get the lay of the land so you're not criss-crossing a park to get from one attraction to the next. I'd recommend going in with base tickets then adding the PH option if you feel you'll benefit from it.

Do your research. You can order custom maps for free from the Disney World website (4-6 weeks for delivery) where you can highlight the attractions you know will be on your must-do list. That way, you can somewhat get an idea of what direction to go before even stepping foot on property. Pick dates then head over to EasyWDW's crowd calendar for that month. Josh has calendars listing the crowd level and most/least recommended parks for each day. I've followed his recommendations for years now and have yet to be steered wrong. You can also sign up for a service such as TouringPlans where for a certain fee you can input all of your information (must-do's, etc) and they'll create touring plans catered for you.

Learn about the FP+ system as WDW has replaced the ticketed FP kiosks with FP+. If you're staying at a Disney resort you can pre-book 3 attractions per day/per one park 60 days in advance, and after those 3 are used you can go to an in-park FP+ kiosk to book a 4th. Epcot and Hollywood Studios have a tiered system where you can book one FP+ from the Tier 1 attractions and two from the Tier 2.

If you need 3 beds it's important to know that the 3rd is most likely going to be a pull out. A suite at All Star Music or Art of Animation have three sleeping surfaces as do the Alligator Bayou rooms at Port Orleans Riverside. Most of the deluxe resort rooms have a day bed but as they're a request preference goes to families of 5. The Fort Wilderness Cabins can accommodate what you need as can most of the 1-2 bedroom villas.

 

[whositsandwhatsits]

I agree with what the pp said. I would add a few things.

We like going during the middle of January. It is less crowded, the lines are shorter and it is cooler (light jackets in the early morning and evening type of weather).

While park hoppers are convenient, as it is your first time visiting, they will not be necessary. It takes some time to acclimated to WDW. There are 4 theme parks and each park will easily take an entire day to visit (Epcot and MK more).

You are traveling with a little guy, so you have naps/downtime to consider. We usually stay onsite as it is easier to get back to our hotel. I will add to the list above, that at Wilderness Lodge there are bunk bed rooms.

I would check out the Disney Parks Moms Panel. They have a lot of great tips and ideas for travel. Along with the blogs mentioned above, I also use Undercover Tourist and Allears a lot when planning.

One more thing, there are usually deals that are offered through Disney--room discounts and free dining. Keep an eye out for these promotions.

Happy planning!

 

[MandiC]

We went the first week of February. I really think that is a great time to go for a first visit. The weather was nice, no guarantees on swimming but we did get a few days where we definitely could have (only did one day). We weren't interested in the water parks anyways so that was fine with us (when we want water parks we go to Wisconsin Dells). There are some refurbishments, that was a bit of a bummer but the next time we go back we will make those rides a priority.
For the most part the weather was very nice, not too hot and not too cold. The crowds at that time of the year are supposed to be low, I have nothing to compare it to but we didn't think they were too bad. I think as a newbie it's nice to not have it be too crowded. I looked at all the maps I could find before we went but you just can't get a good feel for where things are until you are there. I do agree that for a first time visit to Disney World park hoppers are really unnecessary unless you don't have enough days to dedicate a day to each park. We did 6 park days and never felt it necessary to go to a different park than the one we were at each day. If we had extra time we did downtown Disney or the resort (I actually would have liked more time at the resort than we ended up doing, Disney resorts are FUN).

Speaking of resorts, we stayed at Port Orleans Riverside. You can request a room in Alligator Bayou with a murphy bed and that way you would get 3 beds (2 queens and the pull down bed). We really enjoyed that resort, it was beautiful, quiet and lots of things to do. The only ways I know to get 3 beds at a Disney resort other than Port Orleans is to do a family suite at AoA, a cabin at FW or a dvc rental. I am sure there are options off-site but I am not aware of them. We really enjoyed staying 'in the bubble', but on or off-site is really one of those things that is different for every family I am sure.

 

[Gma570]

Early November would be a great time to go. We nearly always go around fall. The crowds are low, the temps are great. They usually offer great discounts on hotels during that time. We have stayed at All Stars sports and all star music with our grand kids. The room costs were so low we got adjoining rooms. It allowed our youngest, 4, some running room and us (Gma/Gpa) a little privacy at night. We are also retired military and stay at Shades of green. The rooms are huge with 2 queens and a couch that makes a single bed. So if you or your dad qualify, that hotel is also an option. Most disney hotels have play areas, arcade rooms, and movie night weather permitting.

As for the hopper, well I'm a big fan. I enjoy the flexibility. In some parks like Epcot, you and your father may enjoy seeing the countries. But as your little one gets bored being able to catch the boat from Epcot to Hollywood studios (or another park) is nice. Again, I like flexibility.

 

[thatgrljme]

Thanks for the tips so far. I know we'd prefer to stay on site, but would need three beds. At least two real beds and a pull down of sorts for my son.

How does February look as far as crowds and weather? I'd prefer it to be cool and less crowded and I think WDW still has a low time unlike DLR.

Looking forward to hearing more tips from people

Oh....my dad was in the military years ago, but I don't know if we could utilize a discount with that, and again would prefer to stay onsite.

 

[PennockFive]

Would you possibly share a bed with your son? I know I have slept in a queen with ds9 on a trip to NYC. And it was terrible, he moved around so much I didn't get any sleep. But on a different trip I shared a queen with dd4 and she barely moved. Just another option if you find another resort that you love. M

 

[Mikie]

This site is, of course, mandatory reading but I also love **************.net easywdw and the moms panel on disney's own web site (I think their link is kind of hidden, though. Disneyworld.disney.go.com then under Help you'll find moms panel listed)

Easywdw has crowd calendars to help you with time of year - Feb is great! For weather and crowds. Slower seasons often have shorter park hours, but with a preschooler I'm assuming you weren't planning to be in parks til midnight anyway.

Art of animation suites would have 3 beds for you, as would All Star Music family suites. Those are "value" hotels though, you could request a room with trundle at the "moderate" Port Orleans Riverside (love this resort). I've not stayed deluxe, so others would have to help you there

Touring will totally depend on your interests, length of trip and vacation style, but I think a good starting point for planning would be one park per day, 2 Magic Kingdom days, 1 each at other parks, if you have more dates, return to your favorite parks! For us, a 6-7 day trip is pretty action packed for seeing all the parks; if we're able to spend longer we can stretch it out, spend more time at resort/pool, get a little more rest amidst our Disney adventure

 

[thatgrljme]

Would you possibly share a bed with your son? I know I have slept in a queen with ds9 on a trip to NYC. And it was terrible, he moved around so much I didn't get any sleep. But on a different trip I shared a queen with dd4 and she barely moved. Just another option if you find another resort that you love. M

I unfortunately can't share a bed with my son as he is a very active sleeper, tossing and turning and kicking me all night long lol

We actually don't mind value resorts at all as it would save us some money to spend on other things so that's an awesome tip. I wasn't aware that All Star Music has family suites, but I did see the Animation resort does. Do you know if those normally book up quickly or if those stay rather readily available?

 

[MandiC]

Actually the family suites at the value resorts won't really save you money I've price checked, a room at Port Orleans Riverside with a murphy (you could guarantee a murphy bed by booking a preferred room) would be your cheapest option. Honestly I even priced the family suites compared to the cabins at FW and we would save money (slightly) with the cabins (but I priced it for free dining, upgrading the family suite to the regular dining plan compared to the cabins which include free dining during the promo, I can't remember what the comparison was before I factored in dining but I know it was a close call either way). Art of Animation does have a lot of child friendly theming and seems fun, especially the themed family suites. Just depends what kind of feel you want.

 

[thatgrljme]

Actually the family suites at the value resorts won't really save you money I've price checked, a room at Port Orleans Riverside with a murphy (you could guarantee a murphy bed by booking a preferred room) would be your cheapest option. Honestly I even priced the family suites compared to the cabins at FW and we would save money (slightly) with the cabins (but I priced it for free dining, upgrading the family suite to the regular dining plan compared to the cabins which include free dining during the promo, I can't remember what the comparison was before I factored in dining but I know it was a close call either way). Art of Animation does have a lot of child friendly theming and seems fun, especially the themed family suites. Just depends what kind of feel you want.

Oh gotcha. Thanks for the tips

Oh also, is there a rental car place onsite like they have at DLR in case we wanted to take a day trip to the beach or something? My dad is bent on renting a car, but I personally think it would be a waste of money given they have that magic express which they don't have at DLR.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

The only point I want to make you aware of is when you said you had never been to DW and thus it is a new "park" to you.

Just remember that Disney World is HUGE... FOUR theme parks, TWO water parks, Downtown Disney and many many more

Think of it as if you were planning a trip to a new city, do research, ask questions and be prepared to plan!

 

[thatgrljme]

The only point I want to make you aware of is when you said you had never been to DW and thus it is a new "park" to you.

Just remember that Disney World is HUGE... FOUR theme parks, TWO water parks, Downtown Disney and many many more

Think of it as if you were planning a trip to a new city, do research, ask questions and be prepared to plan!

I am aware, thank you. That is why I'm hear asking questions now instead of a couple months prior I don't plan on doing this trip for at least a year so I'm trying to prepare

We would only be doing the theme parks, no water parks.

My dad would like to visit Cape Canaveral if possible that is why I asked about the rental car situation. I'd rather not rent a car from the airport, but I think either way we'd need my sons car seat/booster seat if we do rent one. I'd prefer not to lug it on a trip if I don't have to.

 

[baseballnut]

In case you didn't know, kids are free under 3 for tickets, and they can share your meals. If you get the dining plan, you can use table service meals for character meals and he would eat free at buffets and share your meals.

Also, I'm in the minority but we really loved having the park hopper. We would go back to the resort in the afternoon (around 1-4) for naps, then go back out, usually to a different park. This helped especially at AK and Epcot, when we could visit a little and go back to the very toddler-friendly MK at night.

To save costs, I'd try to share a bed, lol. Perhaps he'll be so tired out after a long day at the park that he'll sleep still?! Lol. Or maybe blankets on the floor?! Ha.

We went for 5 nights last time and felt like it wasn't enough...but is it ever enough?! I'd definitely plan more, especially if you're planning on leaving for a day. Whatever you think is good, add another day.

 

[thatgrljme]

In case you didn't know, kids are free under 3 for tickets, and they can share your meals. If you get the dining plan, you can use table service meals for character meals and he would eat free at buffets and share your meals.

Also, I'm in the minority but we really loved having the park hopper. We would go back to the resort in the afternoon (around 1-4) for naps, then go back out, usually to a different park. This helped especially at AK and Epcot, when we could visit a little and go back to the very toddler-friendly MK at night.

To save costs, I'd try to share a bed, lol. Perhaps he'll be so tired out after a long day at the park that he'll sleep still?! Lol. Or maybe blankets on the floor?! Ha.

We went for 5 nights last time and felt like it wasn't enough...but is it ever enough?! I'd definitely plan more, especially if you're planning on leaving for a day. Whatever you think is good, add another day.

By the time we end up visiting he will no longer be 3. It was very nice at Disneyland to not have to pay for his ticket, although he still ate his own meals.

Sharing a bed with my son is out of the question lol he ens up sideways with feet on my head and in my back all night and I don't sleep, so we will either need a bed for him or a murphy bed is fine. At PPH the couch converted into a twin size bed and it was perfect for him.

We went for 5 days to DLR and I could have stayed longer, so I'm sure we will most likely plan longer than 5 days since there is so much more at WDW.

Thanks for the tips