Family's First Time

[vsilver]

Hi

I have been to WDW once, and I am going with my family (husband, 2 boys- ages 2 and 4 y/o and mom-in-law) for the first time the week of june 15. I have a few questions that I would love to have more experienced WDW goers advice on.

1. Meals: we are on the 1 dinner service, 1 snack, etc. meal plan- i have only reserved for 3 meals (2 breakfast and 1 dinner) so far because they are the character meals... is it very necessary to make reservations for our sit down meals on the other days? we are trying to leave things open and be flexible.
2. Parades: I looked up the itinerary for the week we will be there and did not see the daytime parade at MK listed or the cars parade at DS listed. have they stopped these parades?

thanks
vs

 

[Lesley Mahler]

It is very necessary to make ressies for any sit down meals you want even if they aren't character meals. Sorry, I don't know the answer to your question about the parades!! Have a great trip...we went for the first time as a family (me, DH & DD) last year at the same time you are going this year and we had a blast!!!

 

[livndisney]

Hi

I have been to WDW once, and I am going with my family (husband, 2 boys- ages 2 and 4 y/o and mom-in-law) for the first time the week of june 15. I have a few questions that I would love to have more experienced WDW goers advice on.

1. Meals: we are on the 1 dinner service, 1 snack, etc. meal plan- i have only reserved for 3 meals (2 breakfast and 1 dinner) so far because they are the character meals... is it very necessary to make reservations for our sit down meals on the other days? we are trying to leave things open and be flexible.
2. Parades: I looked up the itinerary for the week we will be there and did not see the daytime parade at MK listed or the cars parade at DS listed. have they stopped these parades?

thanks
vs

There is not a Cars parade. You can visit with Mater and Lightening at the Studios from about 10-6 each day. (Listed in the guide as you enter the park).

There is a 3 pm character parade at MK. There is also an afternoon parade at both AK and the Studios.

 

[3_disprincesses]

We were in EPCOT one day last fall, didn't have any idea where we were going to have a sit down meal for that day (free dining time!), called the Disney Dining number from the cell phone, told them we were in EPCOT, wanting to eat in about an hour and asked what's available. We were able to get a table for the Princess Storybook lunch. Definately have reservations for what you "must do" but don't be too concerned if you don't have each day reserved. As long as you're flexible, you should be able to find a place to eat.

I just checked the calendar on disneyworld.com and found that there are daytime parades at MK and HS. I think it was last year that they stopped the Cars parade and now do the Block Party Bash. PM me if you need more info finding the times for those parades!

 

[java]

Hi

I have been to WDW once, and I am going with my family (husband, 2 boys- ages 2 and 4 y/o and mom-in-law) for the first time the week of june 15. I have a few questions that I would love to have more experienced WDW goers advice on.

1. Meals: we are on the 1 dinner service, 1 snack, etc. meal plan- i have only reserved for 3 meals (2 breakfast and 1 dinner) so far because they are the character meals... is it very necessary to make reservations for our sit down meals on the other days? we are trying to leave things open and be flexible.
2. Parades: I looked up the itinerary for the week we will be there and did not see the daytime parade at MK listed or the cars parade at DS listed. have they stopped these parades?

thanks
vs

Depends completely on when you are going.

If you are going during Spring Break or Summer Or any Holiday/school break time then YES you need ADR's . Fall it's not as busy so yes it might be easy to walk up. But no way during the busy times. With the dining plan more and more people are eating out at the sit down restaurants. So having a plan is not a bad thing.

I'm pretty sure the parade at MK is still at 3? I'm not sure about the Hollywood studio parade start time although I am guessing 3 also. (Star wars parades were earlier when we were there for Star Wars weeks)

 

[Pumbaa_]

If you are on the meal plan I would strongly advise you to make an ADR every day. You can change it out or cancel it, but it is much easier to have something than try to book during a very busy time of year. If you weren't on a meal plan with TS credits to use, then it is eh, you can can always go CS

If you find you can't make the ADR you swchedued, or you decide to go to a diff park that day, you can call Disney Dining from your room, guest services or your cell phone at any time. Not so much fun to be turned away time and again if you are hungry

Jody
Food Board Mod

 

[nmmom95]

I would make the ADR's. You don't have to use them unless it it a dinner show that is held on a credit card. If the park is crowded you may not be able to get a good time for a sit down meal.