First Family Trip Planners Thread for WDW Newbies!

[TJDisneymama]

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.

the quick service dining plan can be used at all quick service (i.e., counter service - not sit-down meals) restaurants at all parks and resorts.

As for learning about everything there is to do, the more you read the boards, the more you will come to know.

 

[TJDisneymama]

H 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? ?

also, those planning sites like Touring Plans, Tour Guide Mike, Easywdw, etc. all have calendars that list the scheduled events for each day.

 

[aud101803]

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 will be myself, DH, DS(15), DD(11), DS(7), and DD(4). This date might possibly change because I would like to go when it is less crowded. But as of right now 3/30/13-4/5/13 when my kids are on Spring Break.
I would love to move it up to 2/10/13-2/16/13. But this is depending on if DH can get that week off from work and I would have to pull my kids out of school 3 days. THey already have Thursday and Friday off that week.
2. Has anyone made ADR's yet? Did you get what you wanted? What did you pick?
Nope no ADR's yet. Still trying to figure out what we want and then of course wait for the 180 day mark.
If you haven't made your ADRs yet, what are you planning & when is your 180 day mark?
180 day mark will depend on if we change our dates or not. There are a bunch that I want to do CRT, Chef Mickey's, 1900 Park Fare, Crystal Palace, Tusker House, Ohana, Spirit of Aloha, TRex, Rainforest Cafe AK

3. What resort or hotel are you staying at? How did you decide on it & what are you most looking forward to there?
As of right now my plan is to stay at Art of Animation. I originally thought the Cars family suite but my DS says he really doesn't like Cars anymore and would rather have Nemo. We decided on that for price.
If you have not yet chosen, are you looking at offsite or on? What are your choices narrowed down to, if any?
Staying onsite

4. If you are staying onsite, will you do online checkin?
I haven't decided yet. Probably if it makes things easier at checkin.

5. Are you keeping your trip a surprise?
As of right now yes it is a surprise. The kids know we want to go but they are thinking it is still some time out. They keep asking when we get to go and I tell them one of these days.

6. How will you get to Walt Disney World and how do you plan to get around once you're there?
We will be making a 20hour drive! My DH will not fly so whatever we do we have to drive. But then once we get there we will rely on Disney transportation

7. What is your favorite classic & new Disney movie?
Classic - Cinderella
New - Cars

8. Do you have any little extras planned for your trip? Bippity Boppity? Pirates? etc?
no extras planned at this time.

Are you celebrating anything special while you are at Disney World?
Nope not celebrating anything special just our 1st trip to WDW

9. Which character is each of your family members (including) yourself most excited to meet at Disney World? How long are willing to wait to meet them?
Mickey for sure. And I'm sure DD is excited to see all the Princesses. Other than that they really haven't said anything.

10. What websites or other resources have you found helpful during your planning?
this one, easy wdw, couponing to Disney, Touring Plans

11. What are the top 3 tips you've learned during planning so far?
I'm still learning. LOL

12. Are you planning to see Main Street Electrical Parade, Wishes, Illuminations, Fantasmic? Which 1 are you most looking forward to?
Yes I want to see most of those. They all look great. But I'm gonna have to say 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?
We do plan on seeing some of the Parades I'm just not sure which ones yet.

14. Arrival day plans
I believe we will drive all through the night and hopefully making it to the resort around 1pm. Depending on how we are feeling we might do a few hours at MK or just enjoy the resort and maybe DTD for a while and call it a early night.

15. Which attractions are you looking most forward to at each park?
There are so many and with the age difference of the kids it is hard to pick just one.

16. What are your plans for souvenir money?
I'm thinking around $1000. $150 for each person and then a little extra just in case.

17. What kind of bag, if any, are you taking to the parks?
We will probably just take a backpack. I have a plain black one we take with us to stuff so that will probably be it.

18. What are you planning to take to the park each day?
sunscreen, camera, touring plans, and not sure what else yet.

19. Are you purchasing any photopass products? How will you document your trip afterward?
I really think I want the photopass+ with a family of 6 I think it will be a lot cheaper than purchasing the ride photos and stuff. The big kids really like the big rides and it would be nice to be able to get those photos.

20. What counter service restaurant do you think you will eat at?
I'm not sure yet. I need to plan out our days and the places we want to eat.

21. Are you visiting all 4 theme parks? How many days each? Order them by favorite for us (if you can).
Yes we are visiting all 4.
Magic Kingdom 2 possibly 2 1/2 days
Animal Kingdom 1 day
Hollywood Studios 2 days
Epcot 2 days

22.Will you visit Downtown Disney? Boardwalk? Either waterpark or both? How 'bout minigolf?
We will spend a little time at DTD but not a ton. We want to spend the most time at the parks.

23. What's been your favorite part of planning?
All of it. LOL

24. Do you have any special goodbye planned?
not yet

 

[WishnDreamer]

I saw we had a few new fellow 1st time planners. Welcome! I added you to the list. Sorry I've been awol the last week or so, was out of town on business and now that I'm 1 week away from our trip I am going crazy with packing and remembering 1 more thing constantly that I need to add either to our packing list or shopping for list...We are getting really excited, but I feel like I need someone to pinch me because the closer it gets it doesn't seem like it can be real! That seems so silly...but it's true....

 

[WishnDreamer]

It seems like lately Disney is all I think about.

Me too!!

 

[WishnDreamer]

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?

I love technology and I have used the internet like crazy to plan our trip but I did that after starting out with Birnbaum's & a couple other Disney books I borrowed from the library. There was nothing like actually having a book in my hand to read and look at pictures to really see what rides, shows, restaurants we'd be interested in, especially when I was involving the kids in planning. Then I went to the internet and knew what people were talking about about the different things...so I would maybe suggest starting off with a book just to get a handle on things. You have plenty of time too so you don't have to rush.

 

[natter]

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?Me, DH, DS18, DS15 & DS4. We are going Nov 11-17 and we chose these dates to experience Christmas in Disney and travel at a slower time.

2. Has anyone made ADR's yet? Did you get what you wanted? What did you pick? ADRs are a little over 2 weeks away...soo excited!!!
If you haven't made your ADRs yet, what are you planning & when is your 180day mark? 180 day mark is May15th and we plan to visit Crystal Palace, Tusker House, Ohana, Kona Cafe, T-Rex Cafe, Sci-Fi, Garden Grill, Cape May Clambake, and either Tony's OR if open Be Our Guest

3. What resort or hotel are you staying at? How did you decide on it & what are you most looking forward to there? We are staying at Port Orleans Riverside because it was within our budget for a party of 5. I am looking forward to just about everything....its DISNEY.
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 just yet.

5. Are you keeping your trip a surprise? No, but I don't think the youngest understands what WDW is just yet. He just knows he is going to see Mickey.

6. How will you get to Walt Disney World and how do you plan to get around once you're there? We were initially planning to drive but now we are looking at maybe flying . We will use Disney transportation while there.

7. What is your favorite classic & new Disney movie? Classic: Beauty and the Beast New: Tangled

8. Do you have any little extras planned for your trip? Bippity Boppity? Pirates? etc? MVMCP
Are you celebrating anything special while you are at Disney World? Yes, our first trip for everyone and birthdays for youngest and oldest sons.

9. Which character is each of your family members (including) yourself most excited to meet at Disney World? How long are willing to wait to meet them? Youngest son will be excited to see any Pixar characters and we will just be thrilled to see his excitement. Not willing to stand in line for autographs thats why we will be visiting character dining locations.

10. What websites or other resources have you found helpful during your planning? Allears, Passporter, Mousesavers, TouringPlans, easyWDW, WDWmagic, Disney Food Blog

11. What are the top 3 tips you've learned during planning so far? PLAN, PLAN, PLAN and then don't be upset if your plans don't go as planned

12. Are you planning to see Main Street Electrical Parade, Wishes, Illuminations, Fantasmic? Which 1 are you most looking forward to? Wishes, Illuminations, and Fantasmic. Fantasmic is the one I'm looking forward to.

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? Planning to catch all the parades we can but not sure about the castle show.

14. Arrival day plans Dinner and an early evening.

15. Which attractions are you looking most forward to at each park? Soarin, Kilimanjaro Safari, Toy Story (along w/ everyone else) OR Rockin Roller Coaster, Thunder Mtn. Mostly looking forward to seeing the castle for the first time.

16. What are your plans for souvenir money? Probably about $500 for tips, mousekeeping, and little things for DH and I. The kids are each getting a gift card before we go so they will be set.

17. What kind of bag, if any, are you taking to the parks? Backpack

18. What are you planning to take to the park each day? Poncho, first aid products, autograph book, camera, sanitizer, ziplok bags, passport books (Epcot), cell phone, lanyards & pins, sunblock, chap stick, sunglasses, $$$

19. Are you purchasing any photopass products? How will you document your trip afterward? Yes, pre-purchased the photopass cd. Plan to make a scrapbook.

20. What counter service restaurant do you think you will eat at? Not sure maybe Cosmic Rays, Sunshine Seasons, Riverside Mill Foodcourt, Contempo Cafe, Starring Rolls (cupcakes).

21. Are you visiting all 4 theme parks? How many days each? Order them by favorite for us (if you can). All 4 parks MK 2 days and 1 day each for the others. Can't really order them because its our first trip but we are excited to visit them all.

22.Will you visit Downtown Disney? Boardwalk? Either waterpark or both? How 'bout minigolf? We will be visiting DTD.

23. What's been your favorite part of planning? Chatting with other DIS members and learning how to plan an enjoyable Disney vacation.

24. Do you have any special goodbye planned? Thinking of eating at Ohana then going to the beach to watch Wishes and the Electrical Water Pageant.

 

[Groomer Gal]

It looks like Be Our Guest will prob be open when we go in Dec!!!!

 

[WishnDreamer]

It looks like Be Our Guest will prob be open when we go in Dec!!!!

I just saw that and thought of you! More new rides open by then too!

 

[Groomer Gal]

Aw....thanks Wishn!!!

And might I add....I am pea green with envy you are going in a week!!!!

Cannot wait to learn from your experience!

 

[natter]

OK there's something karmic about us both being in NE Ohio and both focused in our own ways on first-timers.

You're not really Drew Carey or LeBron James writing under a pen name, are you?

I'm not...I'm just a dad in Rocky River!

Good luck with this thread and let me know if I can help with it...

Wishin ~ I am also from the Buckeye State My DILs live never Cleveland (Concord)

 

[WishnDreamer]

Have you heard about any souvenirs you already know you are interested in getting?

For us, first, of course, is Mickey ears. In fact, we are heading to Magic Kingdom our first night and plan to get our ears right away!

We will also do autograph books & an Epcot passport.

The kids may be interested in Design-A-Tee at Downtwon Disney and I thought my son may like Ridemakerz and maybe the lightsaber. I know my DD8 will love getting socks at Little Mismatched. She loves wearing mismatched socks.

Beyond that I really haven't heard of anything so we will just have to see as we go. Only a few more days now and we are so excited we can hardly stand it!

 

[WishnDreamer]

11. What are the top 3 tips you've learned during planning so far? PLAN, PLAN, PLAN and then don't be upset if your plans don't go as planned

Really good advice I've heard too & I am taking it to heart as well. I will let you know how it goes because I have definitely done the first part, plan, plan, plan. Now if I can only not be upset if my plans don't go as planned!

 

[Sheaboys]

Hi there, while we are not "newbies" some people in our party are, so it is considered their first trip.

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? Me, dh, ds1(14), ds2(12), ds3(10), ds4(6) and ds5(3). Choose our dates by value season, free dining, and no school. (dh and I have been, older 3 went in 2005 at the ages of 7, 5 and 3) two youngest their first time. Going August 25-September 2, 2012.

2. Has anyone made ADR's yet? Did you get what you wanted? What did you pick? Yes, got them all at the times I wanted. Chef Mickeys, LLT, Teppan Edo, 50's Prime Time, Rain Forest Cafe, Tony's, Coral Reef, Ohana's.


3. What resort or hotel are you staying at? How did you decide on it & what are you most looking forward to there? Caribbean Beach, 2 rooms. DS3 choose it by the type of pool.


4. If you are staying onsite, will you do online checkin? No

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? Flying Southwest, bus system

7. What is your favorite classic & new Disney movie? Bambi and Aladdin

8. Do you have any little extras planned for your trip? Bippity Boppity? Pirates? etc? Pirates maybe for 2 youngest, not sure yet

Are you celebrating anything special while you are at Disney World?

9. Which character is each of your family members (including) yourself most excited to meet at Disney World? How long are willing to wait to meet them? We will hit as many as possible

10. What websites or other resources have you found helpful during your planning? Mouse for Less, Magic for Less Travel, Disboards, and Passporter

11. What are the top 3 tips you've learned during planning so far? Have a plan, make dining reservations, be flexible

12. Are you planning to see Main Street Electrical Parade, Wishes, Illuminations, Fantasmic? Which 1 are you most looking forward to?

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? Hopefully one or more, we went in 2005 and did not see a single parade the entire 7 days.

14. Arrival day plans. Chef Mickey's for supper, maybe go to MK before.

15. Which attractions are you looking most forward to at each park? MK-Mansion, AK-Everest, DHS-Toy Story, Epcot-the ball

16. What are your plans for souvenir money? we wing it, but keep it reasonable

17. What kind of bag, if any, are you taking to the parks? I think backpack

18. What are you planning to take to the park each day? ponchos, camera,
towel, sunblock, misters

19. Are you purchasing any photopass products? How will you document your trip afterward? We will use photopass and have the photogs take pictures with our camera as well.

20. What counter service restaurant do you think you will eat at? Columbia Harbour House, Cosmic Rays, Staring Rolls, Yak n Yeti, Flametree, Sunshine Seasons

21. Are you visiting all 4 theme parks? How many days each? Order them by favorite for us (if you can). Yes, MK (2), AK(1), Epcot (2) and DHS (1). This all subject to change since we are staying 8 full days and 8 full nights, and purchased hopper tickets.

22.Will you visit Downtown Disney? Boardwalk? Either waterpark or both? How 'bout minigolf? Downtown Disney, yes, Boardwalk hopefully

23. What's been your favorite part of planning? Everything

24. Do you have any special goodbye planned? No

 

[cheerupem0kidx0x]

Oooh fun

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? Me, hubby, DS (for 10th bday!), DD2. My bff is suppose to be coming with her 2 kids (DS9 and DD3) also but not set in stone yet. We are going june 16-24th. We had to pick a date when school was out and wanted it to be around DS's bday (the 11th). Originally we had booked June 9-15th, but then I found out of the yes program and pushed the trip back a week so we could sign up for that and save on tickets. Then we added on 2 more days a few weeks ago.

2. Has anyone made ADR's yet? Did you get what you wanted? What did you pick?
If you haven't made your ADRs yet, what are you planning & when is your 180 day mark?
I have had about 50 different ADRs since we decided to go in Feb lol. I have cancelled all but one now. I keep changing my mind! Trying to finalize over the next 2 weeks.

3. What resort or hotel are you staying at? How did you decide on it & what are you most looking forward to there?
If you have not yet chosen, are you looking at offsite or on? What are your choices narrowed down to, if any?
We are staying the first 6 nights at a 4 bedroom pool home in sunset ridge. I picked it cause it was an awesome value, good price, not too far away, and the owner has been great to work with. We are debating on staying the last 2 nights on site, making a final decision on that hopefully in the next few days!

4. If you are staying onsite, will you do online checkin?
If we do I guess I will

5. Are you keeping your trip a surprise?
We kept it a surprise til Easter, then I just couldnt hold it in any longer
We had a scavenger hunt for easter eggs that each had a letter in them. Along the way they found little presents that are for the trip. The letters spelled out "We are going on a 1 week vacation to..." and the last clue said when you figure out the letters, pop the trunk...when he popped the trunk there were easter baskets full of disney stuff and balloons that said DISNEY WORLD! He was excited to say the least DD is excited too, she asks everyday when we are going to "Minnie Mouses castle"

6. How will you get to Walt Disney World and how do you plan to get around once you're there?
We are driving.

7. What is your favorite classic & new Disney movie?
Classic-Alice in Wonderland, Fantasia, Snow White
New-Finding Nemo, Brave looks like it is going to be cute, Tangled

8. Do you have any little extras planned for your trip? Bippity Boppity? Pirates? etc?
We are going to Universal Studios for 1 day and Seaworld for 1 day and possibly Cirque Du Soliel or something else.

Are you celebrating anything special while you are at Disney World?
DS 10th bday mainly. Me and DH anniversary is a few weeks before and DDs 3rd bday is a few weeks after so kind of those too I guess.

9. Which character is each of your family members (including) yourself most excited to meet at Disney World? How long are willing to wait to meet them?
I think everyone is excited to meet Mickey and Minnie. DD will freak out over the princesses too. We are just going to play it by ear when it comes to how long to wait. I am hoping not more than 30 mins, but maybe that is unrealistic?

10. What websites or other resources have you found helpful during your planning?
This one!! easywdw.com, touringplans.com, mousesavers

11. What are the top 3 tips you've learned during planning so far?
Finding out about the yes program was AWESOME! We got 4 day water park and more tix for $200+ cheaper than what we were planning on paying for just 4 basic one park tix. Also the crowd calender have been helpful for picking which parks on which days. And hopefully touring plans will come in handy.

12. Are you planning to see Main Street Electrical Parade, Wishes, Illuminations, Fantasmic? Which 1 are you most looking forward to?
Everything! Lol. I am really looking forward to wishes, I know I will cry! I get teary eyed watching on youtube

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?
Gonna try to catch them all!

14. Arrival day plans
Driving down on the 15th but we wont get in til late night, so we will probably sleep in a little and then go to a water park or DTD. Dont want to waste a park ticket on a partial day. Unless I add a 5th day to our tix then we will probably go to MK to start.

15. Which attractions are you looking most forward to at each park? Soarin at epcot. Tower of Terror and TSM at HS. Kilaminjaro safari and the river rapids ride at AK. Everything at MK

16. What are your plans for souvenir money? DS will hopefully get a lot for his bday, we are going to tell our parents to give him spending money instead of presents. We will probably buy a few things here and there, but not looking to spend a ton!

17. What kind of bag, if any, are you taking to the parks? I got a really cute minnie bag at walmart awhile back, its big like diaper bag sized and will hold a ton.

18. What are you planning to take to the park each day?
Maybe a change of clothes, light snacks, water bottles, diapers for DD if she isn't out of them by then (and its not looking hopeful at this point ), DH will bring the nice camera Im sure

19. Are you purchasing any photopass products? How will you document your trip afterward?
We singed up for a photopass share. Id like to say im gonna make a scrapbook but more likely Ill be lucky just to get some prints to send to grandma lol.

20. What counter service restaurant do you think you will eat at? Maybe cosmic rays. Not sure really. Super indecisive about food. I definitely want to go to Sci Fi and Primetime cafe.

21. Are you visiting all 4 theme parks? How many days each? Order them by favorite for us (if you can). Yes! At least one day at each, debating on adding a 5th day to our tix. I have only been once when I was little and hardly remember it but I am guessing my faves will be MK, Epcot, AK, HS

22.Will you visit Downtown Disney? Boardwalk? Either waterpark or both? How 'bout minigolf? Yes DTD, maybe boardwalk, Both water parks, no mini golf

23. What's been your favorite part of planning? I like all of it Its been really fun, we have never had a big trip like this before. Really a dream come true!

24. Do you have any special goodbye planned? Not really. We will be sad to go though!

 

[WishnDreamer]

I leave tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[HalloweenNut]

I leave tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We just got back last Sunday. Have a GREAT trip!!

 

[andieb0602]

WishnDreamer, have a great trip!

We're down to the final two weeks!!! I've been out of the loop for a little bit thanks to an upper respiratory infection. Now I'm doing the scramble to get the house straightened and cleaned so I don't have to freak out when it's time for our trip. (I hate coming home to a dirty house.)

In the next week I need to:
- make the "My First Visit" shirts for the kids
- make DS's "I stop for princess kisses" shirt
- make the kids' autograph pillowcases
- finish adding ribbon to the sleeves of DD's Ariel dress so it's not, in her words, "ouchie"
- get together the things I plan on mailing down ahead of time (i.e. the kids' Jessie and Woody hats, Pull Ups and wipes for DS, small packs of laundry detergent, clorox wipes, breakfast items, plastic utensils)
- find some more shorts for DD
- plan what I'm going to wear and buy more shorts and shirts if I need to

I also need to finalize how we're going to tell the kids. I can't believe I haven't slipped up yet! We want to leave for the airport around 9 am so making special Mickey pancakes is out. I'll have to think about it some more.

 

[emksmama]

Posting my answers to your opening post, then going back to read up! Like you, I was there as a kid...we went twice, 1984ish and 1986. DH has never been.

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?
Me (age 40), DH (42), DD (9), DD (8), my parents (67 & 68) and my sister (34). Brother (37) and SIL (30) may go, but they won't know until the WEEK before if they can get away from work.

2. Has anyone made ADR's yet? Did you get what you wanted? What did you pick?
If you haven't made your ADRs yet, what are you planning & when is your 180 day mark?
No ADR's made, not sure if we'll do any...we're at 78 days out so not expecting much available.

3. What resort or hotel are you staying at? How did you decide on it & what are you most looking forward to there?
If you have not yet chosen, are you looking at offsite or on? What are your choices narrowed down to, if any?
Staying at Shades of Green courtesy of my dad (retired USAF) who is treating the whole family.

4. If you are staying onsite, will you do online checkin?
Dunno...that's my dad's arena!

5. Are you keeping your trip a surprise?
We were going to...DH really wanted to, and we managed to last 5 days. Started as a family vacation to Michigan but couldn't find a place to stay for under $2000K for the week, so it turned into a Disney vacation! Kept the Michigan ruse up for a while, but we caved and told them it didn't work out so we were going to visit "someone". They cried, and then DH laid the Cinderella DVD case on the table and said "I thought we'd go to her house instead." Cue insane screaming.

6. How will you get to Walt Disney World and how do you plan to get around once you're there?
We are driving straight through (the four of us...my parents and sis will take two days to get there) from north central Indiana, about 18 hours. Once there, Disney transportation!

7. What is your favorite classic & new Disney movie?
Classic: Fantasia
New: Enchanted and The Princess & The Frog

8. Do you have any little extras planned for your trip? Bippity Boppity? Pirates? etc?
No extras yet...

Are you celebrating anything special while you are at Disney World?
Nope, unless I get a teaching job between now and July 21!

9. Which character is each of your family members (including) yourself most excited to meet at Disney World? How long are willing to wait to meet them?
Me: ??
DH: Donald Duck
the girls: any princess
wait time: me, I'll wait with the girls up to 45 minutes as long as they aren't getting crabby, but I know DH won't do it.

10. What websites or other resources have you found helpful during your planning?
Here! Friends who are sworn Disney fanatics. I'm also reading The Unofficial Guide to WDW With Kids

11. What are the top 3 tips you've learned during planning so far?
Freezing water bottles and using socks as insulators in the backpack
Body Glide for chafing
buying glow sticks or other Disney themed goodies before leaving home to give the girls during parades

12. Are you planning to see Main Street Electrical Parade, Wishes, Illuminations, Fantasmic? Which 1 are you most looking forward to?
Parade yes, not sure on the others yet...

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?
um, yeah? Any parade that fits our schedule I guess! We LOVE parades!

14. Arrival day plans
SLEEP...hit the resort pool, then Downtown Disney for dinner and find a spot to watch the fireworks before crashing to get ready for our first full day!

15. Which attractions are you looking most forward to at each park?
Cinderella's Castle & Splash Mountain
Paris & Soarin'
Indiana Jones stunt show

16. What are your plans for souvenir money?
Disney cards

17. What kind of bag, if any, are you taking to the parks?
backpack of some type

18. What are you planning to take to the park each day?
snacks, water bottles, first aid kit, moleskin, anti chafing stuff, lunch/dinner stuff, click style sharpies, autograph books (need to make those yet), and I'm sure a bazillion other things!

19. Are you purchasing any photopass products? How will you document your trip afterward?
Yep, but not sure which one yet!

20. What counter service restaurant do you think you will eat at?
um, I dunno...whatever's closest when we get hungry I guess!

21. Are you visiting all 4 theme parks? How many days each? Order them by favorite for us (if you can).
Tentative plan
Day 1: MK
Day 2: AK and HS
Day 3: MK/Epcot
Day 4: MK/Epcot (we have the park hopper option)

22.Will you visit Downtown Disney? Boardwalk? Either waterpark or both? How 'bout minigolf?
DTD on arrival day, probably not to the others

23. What's been your favorite part of planning?
watching my girls make their lists and watching ride videos online to get so excited!

24. Do you have any special goodbye planned?
not yet...we're going to head to Clearwater the next day for a day or two at the beach before heading home.

 

[emksmama]

finally read through all 19 pages, and see that Wishn just left today!! How exciting!!!

Is anyone NOT doing the DDP and NOT planning to eat a lot in the parks? We aren't eligible for the DDP because we are staying at Shades, and I don't want to spend a ton OOP on food. My plan now is to pack stuff like cheesesticks, pb&j, lunchmeat, chips, bottled water, and protein bars (for me), and maybe eat one meal a day at the park. I know my parents will want to be part of that as much as possible...but that brings up another quandary.

My dad is making a TON of fun of me for planning stuff and trying to figure out what we can do when. The last time we went to Disney was 1986...there were TWO freaking parks, he & my mom bought the tickets at the base the day before we left, and they told us that morning. They were able to totally wing the entire week. Um, not so much anymore, and he doesn't get that. Mom does, because her best friend has been twice in recent years with her DD and grandkids, and told mom that the app I put on my phone will save our butts. And now my parents have smartphones, so I know mom wants the same Undercover Tourist app I have.

I'm thinking about trying to get an ADR for a character meal. DH and the girls have asked me several times what *I* want to see/do while we are there, and so much of my planning so far has been focused on making sure they all have a good time. Me, I'd like a character meal. Not super picky, don't even really care which day....which might save me, since we're only 11 weeks from leaving! I've narrowed it down (in my mind, based on friends recommendations and what I know we would enjoy) to Chef Mickey's, Akershus, Crystal Palace, and possibly 1900 Park Faire.

That being said...I was originally considering a breakfast, thought it would be a great way to kick off a day. However, I had bariatric surgery 4 years ago and can only eat as much as a typical 5 year old child. I'm not crazy about paying the adult buffet price. Flip side I guess, is that my 9 year old DD can eat quite a bit more, so I guess I could look at it as I'm eating her price buffet and she's eating mine? Dunno...but something to consider. Also, I would like my parents to go with us, I know they would LOVE to see the girls interacting with the characters.

Beyond that, I don't know how much time we'll spend in the parks as a huge group. We'll likely be in the same parks on the same days, meeting up for a meal or snack, and just seeing how things work out. I haven't done touring plans yet, but intend too...I just need to get my dad to understand that we can't simply wander the park, map in hand, and say "oooh, let's do that!" on a whim...in November or February? Maybe...but JULY??? Not happening!

So that's us...so excited to see other first time trip planners here!