First DVC trip in 30 days! Any reminders/hints??? (P-p-p-lease?)

[TnRobin]

We are netgrocer.com junkies. I have them ship everything to the villas then I just have to pick up milk and sodas. The $$$ I save in Sales tax offsets the shipping cost.

My #1 tip is remmeber you have 40 years of WDW left. Stop and smell the roses. And above all take naps. Everyone needs naps especially the 18 mo old.

 

[Margaret64]

I don't think one can overplan a trip to Disney World. You can always deviate from the plan.
We have two small kids and we try and make our restaurant visits an event. I'll gladly pay $15-20 for a character meal, but can't stand the thought of paying $6-7 for a so/so hamburgerl. For the other routine meals, we try and have them back at the resort. So, I sit down and figure out what restaurants we want to go to and obtain my P.S. Then I fill in the blanks with meals back home. I keep it simple, fast and what I know my kids will eat. So, it's the staples of spaghetti w/ meat sauce, chili, macaroni and cheese w/ ham and deluxe hoagies. All things that take 10-15 minutes to make. Then I bring in one of my suitcases everything that is not perishable. (For as many people as you have, that may not be feasible!) Stop at the grocery store for all that is perishable. The suitcase won't be wasted as it will then be filled up with souvenirs from the World of Disney Store.

Second big tip is: Our favorite reason to stay at BWV is that we always try to give our daughters their baths early, dress them in their warmest pjs, put them in the double stroller and walk over to Epcot just in time for the parade and fireworks. By the time the events are over, you walk back home and if not already asleep, your child will be very ready for bed.

Even though coolers are not allowed at the park, I've never been stopped for bringing bottled water in a soft sided cooler. Good Luck and Enjoy!

 

[dianeschlicht]

If you plan to do breakfasts in the villa, be sure to plan what you need for that. We do easy meals when we aren't eating out. Lasagne, pasta, enchiladas, pork chops on the grill etc.
Forget the dishwasher detergent. DVC will supply as much as you need, but you might need to call for it. Laundry tablets are easily packed from home as are cereals, sugar, travel salt and pepper shakers, seasonings you might want like oregano, basil etc. These are the kinds of things we take from home. Canned goods and perishables we buy down there. Don't plan on pancakes, the pans are not the non-stick variety and we made a real mess trying to do that last time.

 

[JonHM]

*Fantastic* suggestions!! I'm making notes and adjusting plans as we speak. If you think of anything else, either about Boardwalk, food, or just WDW in general, *please* chime on in!

Thanks again!!!

 

[fkj2]

OK, since you asked. Not knowing (maybe not remembering if you said), some of the previously mentioned restaurants serve portions large enough to share; ie, 50s Prime Time, Sci-Fi Drive In at the Studios, Tony's on Main Street, you have to ask the server and I've never had one say "No" yet.

I guess the Early Entry is still on hold, but if it wasn't go to the other parks. The EE draws the crowds. Ask Cast Members for help. They'll give you good advice. Who knows what the crowds do better than they?


Plan a rest time. We always tried to hit the hotel during the prime afternoon time so everybody was ready to go back and stay the evening.

 

[PKS44]

Buy plenty of bottled water. It cannot be over emphasized how putrid the tap water is in Orlando. It smells and tastes like rotten eggs. (I have no idea why they locals tolerate this.)

 

[one_cat]

Albertsons or Publix will work. Specifically tell he driver NOT to stop at Goodings. It's basically a Byerlies at twice the price. Make sure you buy cooking spray. The pans at DVC are aluminum - not non-stick. They are not fun to wash if you cook eggs or pancakes onto them. Speaking of which - make sure you buy a brillo pad or something like that to scrub the pans.

Try to plan meals in advance and make sure you bring or buy ALL the ingredients - even salt and pepper which I normally wouldn't think about are not provided.

Remember that you can buy refillable mugs at the bakery. We would go in the bakery and buy a chocolate cake to eat while we watched the fireworks from our deck.

Before you go to bed make sure you have enough blankets, especially if you are using the hide-a-beds. request more from the front desk if you don't.

If you are bringing kids, the room does have a vcr so you can bring a few of their favorite videos.

Mostly, have fun!!!

 

[Lesley]

I can't see where you all have trouble making pancakes on non-nonstick pans.....but whatever! I never use nonstick pans. I'll grant you the eggs one though....eggs can be tough....the heat has to be just right.

We actually are thrilled with the thought that we can actually take our leftovers back to our room with us! We do this all the time at home..

Planning menus before you go is a great idea...one that I'll be using.

As for restaurants....
The chicken and leek pie at the Rose and Crown is incredible (boohoo...not going there this trip)
Ohana at the Poly is yummy too....I'm looking forward to that immensely.

We are balancing our ability to take leftovers back to the room with the fact that our dd is still under 3 and eats free at the buffets......we plan to take in quite a few character buffets and all you can eat meals before she hits the age where we have to pay for her. Then we'll take a break from those for a few years until she actually eats more than $1 worth of food.

You might want to go light on the full service restaurant reservations with an 18mo....or plan to eat in shifts! We plan to eat in shifts if necessary We just love WDW restaurants...okay we just love restaurants in general!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Lesley,
I don't use non stick at home for pancakes either, but for some reason the pans at OKW are a problem for this. I even bought a small griddle to take along in the bottom of my suitcase this time!

 

[mickey7861]

I bring an electric griddle and it is sooooo useful. It's great for french toast/pancakes, bacon (for breakfast or BLT's for lunch), grilled bagels, Grilled cheese, ham and cheese just to name a few things. We don't really use the oven (once for chocolate chip cookies) but the griddle gets a workout.

 

[JonHM]

as a follow up question, if we were only going to get PS for, say, 3 or 4 meals during our trip, which 3 or 4 WDW restaurants are, to you, the most 'don't miss' dining experiences?

Right now I'm leaning toward Ohana's, California Grill and Artist's Point, but I am really *very* open to suggestion...

Thanks again, everyone!!!

 

[dizneeluvr]

Here's my 2 cents on priority seating must do's.

Without a doubt, Chef Mickey's Buffet is the BEST character meal...the food is great, the characters are lively and fun. We always start off our trip with our first night dinner there.

The Liberty Tavern at MK is good. LOTS of food...and a nice change from the chicken fingers and grilled cheese stuff. The characters come around a bunch there.

With an 18 month old, the crystal palace is fun for dinner with Pooh and Pals.

But here's the best tip I have for you. Each of the last 2 years we have been there (in January--3rd week), the ONLY PS we made in advance of getting to Orlando was Chef Mickey and the Cinderella breakfast. All other character meals we made the night before or the morning of. This is one of the nicest things about this time of year. So play it by ``ear'' and make your ressies based on how you feel.

Have fun. Our countdown is well underway. We are 2 1/2 weeks out for our very first trip as DVC members.

Laura

 

[dianeschlicht]

Our "must do" restaurants are Teppanyaki Dinning room (Japan, Epcot) and 'Ohannas at the Poly. We also never miss Akershus and Garden Grill.

 

[one_cat]

Definitely Crystal Palace. There are so many nice or fun restaurants that are not necessarily must-dos: 50s Prime Time Cafe. (Though they tend to not joke around so much when you have kids with you.) Mama Melrose. The Brown Derby. The Italy pavillion restaurant (cant remember the name) has the best lasagna I've ever eaten but you pay for it.

 

[StephenKay]

Hiya there,

We are also members from the VWL Resort, many people can give you great tips, such as which room etc etc etc, but remember to have fun with your family. I think that the parks are great and so much fun but try to remember from my mistakes, take time to enjoy your time together.


P.S. Great advice from Towncrier. Don't forget it.!!!.


Stevie Kay
Inverness
Scotland

 

[fkj2]

My don't miss restaurants would include Garden Grill for brefex and 50s Prime Time Cafe for dinner.

My "close to" not missing restaurants would also include Tony's on Main for brefex, Le Cellier for dinner (although less so with small children) and Sci-Fi Drive In (again less so for small children due to the noise) for a late lunch.

I also enjoy the Brown Derby for dinner, Chef Mickey's for brefex, Whispering Canyon had a nice lunch as did Victoria and Albert's (I think that's the name ) at Grand Floridian.

 

[jcodespoti]

If you can try to do all the resturants mentioned for Lunch. (if it works out). Prices are more reasonable also..relax have a beer (or any other favorite drink).. watch people freak out at trying to back in 48 hours worth of things to do in 24 hours. And take a nap if you are tired its lotsa fun!!

Joe in CT

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

For character meals, we liked the Crystal palace more than Liberty tree tavern, the selection (and quality) of the food is much better (since it is a buffet), and desserts are included (they are not at LTT...kind of a rip-off). Plus, there is no down time while you are waiting for food to come......which can be very important if your toddler has a melt down.

We also did a late seating at the Land pavillion in Epcot....I think right at 4:00pm. You get the same food and characters, but the lunch price. The food was good (americana homestyle) breaded fish, meatloaf, mashed and veggies if I remember right. Also a 4:00pm seating is less crowded and the characters spend more time with your kids.....Johnnie

 

[Lesley]

If we were taking a short trip, the 4 ps's I'd go for would be Ohana, Liberty Tree for lunch (non-character), breakfast at Crystal Palace (just made my ps today for this one!), and dinner at Chef Mickey's......we have 2 kids, a 6yo and a 22mo.

Teppanyaki is wonderful, but we have Japanese teppan grill places near home that are just as good. Breakfast at the Maya Grill at CSR is great. Le Cellier is great too, but not so toddler friendly.

Is Tony's serving breakfast again? I had heard that it was opening later...perhaps we'll call dining when we arrive and check. I've been wanting to try this one!

 

[kem330]

Our observations from our first trip to BWV (just returned tonight) with 13 family members including one 19 month old:
1. Studio portion of 2br is realistically comfortable for 3 adults. The sofa bed is barely double size! I don't see how you could fit 4 in there unless they are young children under age 13 or so. Sofa in living area can sleep 2 adults. The bathroom in 1 br side is big but the toilet is in the room with the shower, also no door between master bedroom and tub bathroom.
2. We were there 5 nights with people who don't go to WDW often, so we were not in the room that much. Went to Publix on S International Drive and bought way too much food and beverages. When you are there for such a short time, you will probably not be in the room much. Breakfast food and beverages will probably be enough. You might want to get an early start as the parks are not open late and come back around noon for a rest, so cereal or breakfast rolls would be adequate and possibly some lunch food. Bring a couple laundry tablets- you won't need to do much laundry except towels on a short visit. Towels are SMALL and you will go through them quickly.
3. Since it's your first time, enjoy eating out, etc. You can stay in and cook when you go for longer visits and have been down enough times that you don't care about trying it all. I HIGHLY recommend California Grill if you are a "foody" and enjoy different foods and nice ambience- it was everyone's favorite restaurant- truly a memorable experience if you are into that kind of thing. Try to time PS before or after MK fireworks which you can view from the restaurant (Walter is an excellent server) Prime Time is a lot of fun- Auntie Claire and Cousin Christopher are both great servers and that can make all the difference with your experience there. You might think about a sitter if you go to the Grill- Kinder Care onsite and Fairy Godmothers are both reputable services (but cost an arm and a leg!)
4. It will be very helpful to have extra adults for rides. You can get in line and tell them you want to do a baby swap and they will give you a ticket and send the party with the baby to the handicap entrance where up to 4 people will be able to enter the ride after the first party is done.
5 Definitely bring your stroller as it is MUCH quicker to walk to Epcot and MGM then to take the boat.

Hope you have a great time!!!