First Family Trip Planners Thread for WDW Newbies!

[WishnDreamer]

We already prepurchased the Photopass with the photo book.

I wonder if we can upgrade???

Either way is fine.

Yes, once you get there you can but it sounds like you'd have to pay $100 because the book price is not included in photopass +.

I still can't decide. I know I'm going to kick myself if I don't prepay for it and then my kids & hubby are wanting all the pictures everywhere we go...

 

[WishnDreamer]

What's been your favorite & least favorite part of planning?

My favorite part has been planning with DD8. She has really gotten into it and we are having so much fun.

Least favorite. Hmmmm...toss up between hubby getting irritated with me planning 'cause he's not so into it and the constant upgrading. I keep telling myself it will all be worth it in the end!!!

 

[Groomer Gal]

Yes, once you get there you can but it sounds like you'd have to pay $100 because the book price is not included in photopass +.

I still can't decide. I know I'm going to kick myself if I don't prepay for it and then my kids & hubby are wanting all the pictures everywhere we go...

Well, I have almost the opposite problem as you. If I tell hubby about the upgrade he will insist in doing it. I've kind of been keeping a few things to myself and deciding what's worth it for us or not.....he's such a spender....and my kids still need to eat this year too!

We can decide once we get to the parks from what it sounds like.

What my hubby doesn't know is that I have secretly been putting away cash (I own my own business and get cash tips) . I usually add my tips in with my banking BUT I stopped doing that a couple months ago. So, we will have even MORE spending $ that no one knows about. I KNOW we will come home with $.....because my hubby has set aside a ridiculous amount of cash aside for spending....but I was thinking about what during the trip will really make everyone happy (besides being at WDW!) For my hubby....he LOVES just being free to spend what he wants....we are paying cash for everything no CC....and I don't want to say no to him.....I want him to LOVE it too...and that's what makes him happy.

 

[HalloweenNut]

Yes, once you get there you can but it sounds like you'd have to pay $100 because the book price is not included in photopass +.

I still can't decide. I know I'm going to kick myself if I don't prepay for it and then my kids & hubby are wanting all the pictures everywhere we go...

From what I understand you can pre-order the regular Photopass but the Photopass+ MUST be purchased at one of the Photopass+ viewing stations either in a select few resorts or in the parks. There is no discount for the Photopass+ so if you are going to get it you have to wait until you are there. If, like me, you've pre-purchaed the regular Photopass CD then you'd have to spend the extra $100 once your're there to upgrade to the +. Either way you're paying the full $199 price for the Photopass+ - no pre-purchase discount.

Clear as mud?

 

[HalloweenNut]

What's been your favorite & least favorite part of planning?

My favorite part has been planning with DD8. She has really gotten into it and we are having so much fun.

Least favorite. Hmmmm...toss up between hubby getting irritated with me planning 'cause he's not so into it and the constant upgrading. I keep telling myself it will all be worth it in the end!!!

I'm a planner by nature so it's been a bit overwlming but enjoyable. I feel that the planning and building excitement is part of the fun of a trip like this.

Least favourite part is all the conflicting information out there - from either the various planning sites or Disney themselves. (Test Track refurb anyone?!) The uncertainty can drive you crazy!

Not so much the planning but I'm really dreading the packing. I just hate to pack for a trip.

 

[SevsOnlyGirl]

As a family of 4,this is our first trip. DH, DD and myself went 12 yrs ago.

1-Going - DH,DD17,DS11 and me. Going Nov 22-28. This way the kids will miss the least school and it works for both parents.

2- Haven't made ADR' yet!
3- All Star Movies Toy Story Building
4- onlinecheckin? would love this!
5- not a surprise, the trip was a christmas present from my sister!

6- we'll be flying and using magical express
7- fave movie? for me it's Aristocrats
8- special event- The christmas party!
9- We all love different characters
10- I've been using Passporter and Mousesavers
11- too many!
12- we're hoping to hit most of the parades
14- arrival day is DisneyQuest and dinner at Whispering Canyon(we hope)
16- all my change and grocery savings
17- bags: we have small backpacks that are personalized with ears
19- not sure on photopass yet, it sounds good but expensive
21- we will be visiting all 4 parks!
22- yes to DTD, probably not Boardwalk and weather permitting yes on waterparks
23- fave part of planning? meeting all the wonderful people!

 

[WishnDreamer]

From what I understand you can pre-order the regular Photopass but the Photopass+ MUST be purchased at one of the Photopass+ viewing stations either in a select few resorts or in the parks. There is no discount for the Photopass+ so if you are going to get it you have to wait until you are there. If, like me, you've pre-purchaed the regular Photopass CD then you'd have to spend the extra $100 once your're there to upgrade to the +. Either way you're paying the full $199 price for the Photopass+ - no pre-purchase discount.

Clear as mud?

What I mean by prepurchasing is we are staying at AKL which has 1 of the viewing stations so we could just add it when we get there. The problem is if I don't add as soon as we get there, I know we'll go on rides or have a meal and the kids will be asking for pics and my hubby will want them and then it's no or pay for them when we should've just paid the extra $100 and gotten them all. After a talk with my mom, who's going with us, last night I decided to go ahead and do it. I think we'll be happier in the end.

 

[WishnDreamer]

I'm a planner by nature so it's been a bit overwlming but enjoyable. I feel that the planning and building excitement is part of the fun of a trip like this.

Least favourite part is all the conflicting information out there - from either the various planning sites or Disney themselves. (Test Track refurb anyone?!) The uncertainty can drive you crazy!

Not so much the planning but I'm really dreading the packing. I just hate to pack for a trip.

Ditto, conflicting info. I finally decided you just had to go with 1 site and be done with it as far as recommended parks etc. Test Track was disappointing when we found out about it but then I had my mind set on it. When people started saying maybe it was going to be open, I was very excited. Then I finally decided I was going to go with the original theory it was closed and it would just be a pleasant surprise if it was open. I just hope no one get any tomatos past bag check because I feel sorry for that acapella group that's singing there. What was Disney thinking???

 

[WishnDreamer]

Do you have any special "goodbye" planned for when you leave?

For many of us, this is very early for this question and I wasn't going to ask it yet, but it's getting VERY close for others. Sooo, do you have any special goodbye planned for your trip?

We are planning to see Main St Electrical Parade & Wishes our last night there and then have breakfast at Chef Mickey's in the morning before we leave. I thought this would be a great way to finish off our trip. I am excited to see the special napkin-waving song they do at Chef Mickey's.

 

[salann]

Do you have any special "goodbye" planned for when you leave?

We are doing the Pirates & Pals Firework voyage for our last night as an end to the vacation.

 

[HalloweenNut]

Do you have any special "goodbye" planned for when you leave?

We'll be in Epcot on our last full day. We'll do Future World and part of the World Showcase in the morning and leave shortly after lunch for a rest back at the resort. My mum might stay and take in some Flower & Garden Festival seminars as she's an avid gardener. We'll then come back and have dinner at Les Chef du France and watch the Illuminations fireworks as a way of wrapping up the week and ending on a high note. Our actual last day will be all travel since our flight leaves at 10:00 so it will maybe just be a quick breakfast at Capt. Cooks.

 

[HalloweenNut]

What I mean by prepurchasing is we are staying at AKL which has 1 of the viewing stations so we could just add it when we get there. The problem is if I don't add as soon as we get there, I know we'll go on rides or have a meal and the kids will be asking for pics and my hubby will want them and then it's no or pay for them when we should've just paid the extra $100 and gotten them all. After a talk with my mom, who's going with us, last night I decided to go ahead and do it. I think we'll be happier in the end.

The only way we'll get the upgrade will be if Disney changes its mind in the next week and decides to add The Pirate's League to the Photopass+ package. Just not worth it for us otherwise.

 

[Groomer Gal]

So I finally sat down with my hubby last night and hashed out our ADR's. We don't actually have to book them until the beginning of June but I need to get it out of my head and OFF my to do list!

Of course the Dec schedule isn't out yet...but roughly we think

Arrival day....we should get to our resort by around 12 noon so we want to relax (if our room is ready) and then head to MK just to walk around...no pressure to get anything done...to be honest I really only want to see my daughters faces when they see THE Castle! Grab a light lunch...hang out ... Then dinner at Chef Mickeys. Back to room early.

Day 2 I think should be the MVMCP day...ADR at Liberty Tree Tavern right before party. Then we celebrate Christmas on Main Street!!!

After that...I don't know which days we will do what ( I do know we plan on 2
days at MK... Well 3 if you count arrival day...2 days at EPCOT and one day each at Animal Kingdom and DHS)
We plan on doing lunch at Le Cellier , Fantasmic! Package at Mama Melrose , dinner or lunch at CRT after (hopefully) BBB , and 1900 Park Fare .
Because we are using 2 TS credits at CRT we will eat OOP a quick service meal prob at EPCOT one day . My DH says he wants me to make another TS ADR but, I think it would be nice to have a day without any time restrictions at all!

What do you all think???

 

[nene0182]

Do you have any special "goodbye" planned for when you leave?

.

We are doing Chef Mickey's on our last morning then heading to play some miniature golf before we leave

 

[WishnDreamer]

Which attractions at each park are you least looking forward to or consider "skippable" if there is such a thing at WDW? LOL.
MK- For us its the Tiki Room. I remember not caring for it as a kid and my kids werent interested when I read the description from Birnbaum's.
Epcot-Universe of Energy. I did this when I was little and don't remember much about it. Does that say enough? Plus it eats up 45 minutesof the day.
HS- For me RocknRoller Coaster, because I don't do coasters. Lol.
AK- Flights of Wonder. I never cared for bird shows when I was a kid either...

I'm off for a business trip til Saturday which should help make the time pass faster. I'll try to check in and get my Disney fix as I'm able. DS7 said "who's going to check on disney for us while you're gone?" I think that may be a sign I need an intervention!

 

[Morningstar2807]

I am so excited to be planning our first WDW trip since it was only talk about how we wish we could take a little princess!!

We are planning a January 2013 trip, staying at the AOA LM room and is planning to do everything that we can at least make my princess feel like a princess.

My DD is so excited she doesnt know when we are going (we plan to surprise her at Christmas) but she is "helping" us save up!

But theonly thing standing in my way is my work but I am hoping by next week I can start nailing down a week and start booking our hotel!

 

[WishnDreamer]

Did my online checkin yesterday and today I am in single digits!!!!! You cannot imagine how excited I am!!!!

 

[aud101803]

Hi everyone!!! I'm new to this place and planning our 1st family trip to WDW. Actually no one in our family has ever been there. It is myself, DH, DS15, DD 11, DS 7 and DD4.

I will answer all of the questions of the day as soon as I get these kids off to school. I can't wait to start planning this adventure! It seems like lately Disney is all I think about.

 

[Princess Bette]

Questions of the Day So Far:

1.Who are you going to Disney with? When are you going and how did you choose your dates? It is myself, DH and DS who will be 9 at the time of our trip which is 11/30/12 - 12/08/12. We chose those dates because we wanted to see Disney decorated for Christmas and that week is typical not too crowded.
2. Has anyone made ADR's yet? Did you get what you wanted? What did you pick? Too early for ADR's for us!
If you haven't made your ADRs yet, what are you planning & when is your 180 day mark? Unsure about ADR's - our 180 day is around 5/30/12
3. What resort or hotel are you staying at? How did you decide on it & what are you most looking forward to there? We will be in our motorhome at Fort Wilderness. We love camping and we can save money by staying at FW and preparing most of our meals at the motorhome. We are excited about exploring FW - lots to do: Mickeys Back Yard BBQ, Campfire Singalong with Chip and Dale, Hip Dee Doo Review (or whatever it is called!), riding horses, exploring the loops to see all the campsites decorated by our golf cart, sleigh rides, etc.If you have not yet chosen, are you looking at offsite or on? What are your choices narrowed down to, if any?
4. If you are staying onsite, will you do online checkin? Not sure but probably
5. Are you keeping your trip a surprise? No
6. How will you get to Walt Disney World and how do you plan to get around once you're there? We are driving our motorhome and towing our Jeep and golf cart. I'm sure we will use the boat at the Marina and other Disney transportation as well.
7. What is your favorite classic & new Disney movie? I love Cinderalla and Beauty and the Beast. Love POTC too!
8. Do you have any little extras planned for your trip? Bippity Boppity? Pirates? etc? MVMCP for sure!
Are you celebrating anything special while you are at Disney World? Yes...our first trip to Disney!
9. Which character is each of your family members (including) yourself most excited to meet at Disney World? We have been on 2 Disney cruises and met a lot characters there...but WDW has lots more we haven't seen...I love Tinkerbell, DH doesn't care at all DS wants to meet ones he has already. How long are willing to wait to meet them? Not too long!
10. What websites or other resources have you found helpful during your planning? Disboards, AllEars, Disneys website
11. What are the top 3 tips you've learned during planning so far? 1. Relax 2. Don't overplan 3. Enjoy the process
12. Are you planning to see Main Street Electrical Parade, Wishes, Illuminations, Fantasmic? Would love to see all 3! Which 1 are you most looking forward to? Wishes
13. Are you planning to see Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade, Move it Shake it parade, Dream Along with Mickey castle show, Pixar Pal's Countdown to Fun, or Mickey's Jammin Jungle Parade? Have no idea what most of those are!
14. Arrival day plans - set up MH - not sure after that!
15. Which attractions are you looking most forward to at each park? Haven't gotten that far yet...DS wants to ride every thrill ride at each park...I am looking forward to Epcot
16. What are your plans for souvenir money? Currently accepting donations!
17. What kind of bag, if any, are you taking to the parks? Probably some sort of backpack
18. What are you planning to take to the park each day? Food, drinks, wipes, sunscreen, rain ponchos, camera, phone
19. Are you purchasing any photopass products? I hope too. How will you document your trip afterward? Probably a photo book.
20. What counter service restaurant do you think you will eat at? Have no idea!
21. Are you visiting all 4 theme parks? Yes How many days each? Not sure Order them by favorite for us (if you can). Can't
22.Will you visit Downtown Disney? Yes Boardwalk? Probably Either waterpark or both? No - it will be December! How 'bout minigolf? Not sure
23. What's been your favorite part of planning? Learning about FW
24. Do you have any special goodbye planned? No

 

[Princess Bette]

Having never been to WDW (actually did go as a child, but only remember It's a Small World), how does one even begin to plan their days? When I start thinking about developing a plan, I find that I become overwhelmed with thoughts such as: I don't know what is even at each park so how can I know what we want to do? There seem to be so many parades, special event programs/shows - how does one know what they are, when they are, etc to plan them? Food/Restaurants - don't even get me started on that one! There must be thousands of them between the 4 parks! Plus, since we are staying in our MH at FW, we want to do some cooking ourselves to save money. I thought about getting the smallest dining plan, but then got confused about which restaurants it could be used at and what food was on it, etc. I don't want to have every minute of our trip planned but at the same time I don't want to miss something because I didn't know it was even an option! For those of you who are close to your trip, do you have any suggestions on how to get started?