End of July - first timers

[mack1420]

Hi out there just looking for some advice really. This is our first time (family of four -kids are 12 and 9) we are going on July 23rd for three weeks. I have booked a 14 day ultimate ticket for disney and also 3 park ticket for universal.
Have looked around the forum and noticed we havent exactly picked the best time to go but we had no other option. Just looking for some advice really on how to structure the holiday and days in the parks), given how busy it is ( the universal is also a 14 day pass so we are well covered) was thinking of spending first two weeks at disney and then do universal in the last week. Obviously need some rest in between and the girls want to go shopping!
we are staying in a villa in Davenport so will be eating mainly off site.
Any advice or ideas would be grateful as it is a big unknown for us
thanks in advance

 

[VailaTigger]

Welcome!! And congratulations on booking your first trip!

Don't plan too much for each day - the heat will be a killer, especially for the littlest kiddy. We found the best plan with DF's 2 boys (12 and 8 at time of visit) was to get up early, get through as many of the crowd-pullers as early as you can, then slow down and take it easy, do some of the less busy attractions, then head somewhere cool for a couple of hours in the afternoons. If we wanted to see the night-time spectaculars, we didn't get up early that day or the next day.

I try to work the parks out by the busy day guides, and go on the quietest days. I also try to work it that we have 2 park days, then a day 'off' doing shopping, or water park, or chilling out at the resort. I try not to have more than 3 park days together, as you'll end up exhausted.

Eating out of the American meal times will mean the food places are less busy. The Americans tend to stick to pretty much traditional meal times.

Take bottles of water into the parks with you, and when they are finished, fill them up from the many water fountains dotted around. Much cheaper than buying drinks all the time to stay hydrated.

WEAR LOTS OF SUNSCREEN AND REAPPLY FREQUENTLY. And a hat for the kids.

Make a plan, but don't be too stressed if you can't stick to it, go with the flow, and just have FUN! You'll LOVE it!

That's about all I can think of at the minute, I'm sure others will be along soon with other things I've not thought of yet.

Hope this helps!

 

[WiganTony]

Another welcome.

We went last year at aroundthe same time, and managed to get through the parks without too much hassle.

I try to work the parks out by the busy day guides, and go on the quietest days. I also try to work it that we have 2 park days, then a day 'off' doing shopping, or water park, or chilling out at the resort. I try not to have more than 3 park days together, as you'll end up exhausted.

This is one of the main reasons we did so well in the Disney parks, by generally visiting on the least busy days. As an example, we visited Magic Kingdom twice, both on Wednesdays, and didn't queue much at all. We also found that Fastpasses were also available throughout the day up until early evening, even for the more popular rides. I would familiarise yourself with the Fastpass system so that you can make the most of your time in the parks.

Also worth noting to avoid any Extra Magic Hours days if not staying on-site as they tend to be the busier days.Check the park hours here, also noting days when Fantasmic is showing (not always daily).

At Universal, we stayed on-site so had the unlimited Express Pass that hotel guests have. That said, we noticed that the parks tended not to be too busy up until midday, but then seemd to fill up rather quickly.

Definitely have a "rest" day every three days or so, as it is surprising how much of a toll the heat can take.

Also worth making sure that you keep nipping into indoor, air conditioned attractions/shows/restaurants for a break when in the parks to avoid too much exposure to the sun.

Take bottles of water into the parks with you, and when they are finished, fill them up from the many water fountains dotted around. Much cheaper than buying drinks all the time to stay hydrated.

We tend to freeze small bottles of water, then pack a few of these with a few non-frozen bottles ensuring we have a decent suply of chilled water for most of the day.

Hope you have a great time.

 

[OTBC86]

I'm heading out the same day as you but for 2 weeks. We also went the same time in 2008 and 2009 (one of which we stayed in Davenport). Both times we did everything we wanted to in two weeks so the fact that you have three weeks should give you plenty of time. We tended to do park days every other day with something more relaxing like the water parks or shopping malls on the days in between. There are plenty of places to eat in and near Davenport so that shouldn't be a problem. Feel free to message me if you want any suggestions.

 

[Pegasus928]

Hi - and

We have stayed in Davenport on a number of occasions and know that you will have everything nearby to make your trip as easy going as possible. There are plenty of restaurants in between the parks and where you are staying, but if you want peoples personal recommendations I would suggest starting a new thread as the answers may get lost in this one.
The only thing that stood out for me in your OP is your plan to do Disney in the first 2 weeks and Universal in the last one. Personally I would break it up more than that and do a couple of days Disney then head out to a Universal park. A week of backwards and forwards to US or IOA might be a bit too much and it would make more sense to spread it all out a bit more.

 

[marcgiu]

have a great time - best advice I can give is to get into the disney parks at rope drop - do everything you want to do by 12pm and then chill for a few hours (back at the hotel/water park/ shopping). I would then return in the evening to take in the atmosphere

 

[mack1420]

Thanks Everyone I really appreciate all the help and advice. Am going to trawl through the board for more tips and advice.
The one thing I didnt ask was about car hire. My wife works for nhs so we get a 10% discount with holiday autos which makes the price really competetive ( £450 ish) has anyone used them before ?
thanks to all again

 

[VailaTigger]

Thought of another two!

The pavement fountains at Downtown Disney and Epcot can prove to be too much of a temptation for kids of all ages, it might be an idea to carry a spare T-shirt, shorts, undies and socks for each kid. Just try to keep hold of them long enough to get them to take their shoes off first...

Regarding shoes, make sure you take trainers (or whatever) that you know your feet will be comfortable in, and wear socks if you need to. (I wear trainer socks and Reebok running trainers!). You will walk MILES every day round the parks, in baking heat, and there's nothing like a blister to spoil your day.

And a third one!
These two books are great, and I get them every year before I go. The Brit's Guide is wonderful, and the Unofficial Guide goes into more detail, but can be a bit overwhelming. It's also an American book, and they seem to have different tastes to us, but still worthwhile dipping into.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brit-Guide-...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1306408764&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Unofficial-...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1306408788&sr=1-1

Not that I'm advertising Amazon, that's just an easy way to show you which books I mean. Other retailers are available!

 

[mack1420]

Thanks for the tip on the books - i just received a copy ( brit guide) yesterday via amazon ! as a friend had recommended it. It has great info in it.
Keep the advice coming - anything and everything is welcome
It's a complete change for us this type of holiday - we usually got to france in a villa in the countryside but felt the kids were the right age for this one.
Bit nervous tho !! - it looks quite overwhelming especially when you read about stategies for parks etc- we are just used to taking things in our stride. But guess you have to plan accordingly...
Also lots of people have said we have picked the worst time as it will be packed but had no other choice really

thanks again

 

[loobzuk]

We're taking our 4th trip this year and for the first time we are visiting in August. I too was worried about the heat and humidity but after reading various comments on these boards from people that have 1st hand experience it isn't worrying me as much anymore.

I love the Brit guide and my current copy is full of highlighted bits and has lots of post it notes sticking out of various pages! I'm also keeping a separate note book full of recommendations that others have made. I can't believe that we've already been 3 times and there's so much that remains undiscovered (I wasn't aware of DIS on previous trips!). Remember to pack your guide book, it's useful to have it to refer to whilst you're there.

We also kept bottled water in the freezer and refilled them at the parks from the water fountains and would whole heartedly agree with the idea of a rest day every 3rd or 4th day (rest for us includes shopping by the way!)

My family is currently in the process of 'wearing in' various sandals and shoes in readiness for August.

We've always had a rough itinerary but I think it's worth remembering that it's a holiday and that sometimes it's good to just go with the flow and enjoy it rather than getting streesed about not being at a certain place on a certain day.

 

[WiganTony]

Bit nervous tho !! - it looks quite overwhelming especially when you read about stategies for parks etc- we are just used to taking things in our stride. But guess you have to plan accordingly...

We only found the various Disney forums a few months before our first visit back in 2005, but I have to say that without the advice we were given (and especially about planning to avoid the busy days), I'm sure we wouldn't have done half that we managed to do.

That said, after five visits, there's still stuff we have yet to do in Disney (good excuse for going again next year!!).

 

[mack1420]

thanks again everyone