First Family Trip Planners Thread for WDW Newbies!

[loafer74]

Taking our first family trip in May as well , first trip for me period , be the 3rd for the wifey

 

[ckwats]

1. Who are you going to Disney with? Husband, Son, Daughter, Mom, Step-Dad, Sister and Brother. So excited!! Everyone wants to be there for the kids 1st time.

2. When are you going and how did you choose your dates? Sept 23-29th. It is value time. Plus Husband is in the military so we got room discounts and discounted tickets. We need to save as much as we can!!

Has anyone made ADR's yet? Did you get what you wanted? What did you pick?

 

[WishnDreamer]

Hi! I am planning my family's (me, DH, DS) first trip as well. I went, once, when I was in second grade, but I can hardly remember it. My DH has never been. Our DS (almost 6) started asking if we could go several months back, I started looking into it, and we just decided to pull the trigger and go right after he gets out of school for the summer. Going in June isn't my first choice, due to crowds and heat, but it was our only real option.

We are the type to do several long getaway weekends, here and there, instead of a full week vacation each year, so this will really be a treat for all of us.

I know what you mean about the long weekend getaways. That is what we have done up to now for the most part other then some farther away family reunions. We still have a couple more of those planned, but I too had to just jump in head first and start paying and planning so we would be committed or it probably never would've happened!
Hopefully we can bounce ideas off each other here and help each other have great trips!
Welcome. Glad you posted.

 

[WishnDreamer]

I have been using Pinterest to "dream" & "plan" & remember tips & secrets and things we want to see & do while we are there. If anyone is on pinterest and is interested in checking it out, here's the link:

Pinterest

I have 124 pins so far, some for all the parks & Downtown Disney.

 

[WishnDreamer]

We are leaving for Disney next Saturday! Our first family trip! We are driving from KY to FL. There will be myself, DH, our 3 boys (9, 7, 5) and my MIL. We are doing 1 day at MK, 1 at AK, 2 at Seaworld, 1 day trip to Tampa, then the rest will be relaxing by the pool, and exploring Orlando. We have our rental home, and DW ticket paid for. Right now, I am trying to decipher our budget for gas and eats for the week. It kinda makes me nervous. I have posted on the board before, but there are so many other posts, mine has little response. I need TIPS! Our kids each have their own souvenir money, and my husband and I have set a $200 budget on our souvenirs. We have breakfast scheduled at Chef Mickeys, but other than that, we will have 1 meal out each day, then eat back at our house, and carry snacks in the park. Anyone care to share some tips, or experiences...this is our 1st family Disney trip, and I want it to be very special!

Next Saturday! You don't have much time. If you are only planning 1 day for MK & 1 for AK and want it to be really special I would suggest:
1. Check the crowd calendar at easywdw and go on recommended days if you haven't already decided what days you are going to which parks. I'd switch anyway if at all possible. I guess if you have an ADR for Chef Mickey's you will want to do that a day you are at Disney, so you can see where that would fit in.
2. Plan on making rope drop. I haven't been yet, but in all my planning, I have learned that is the #1 thing. If you make rope drop, you can get all kinds of big rides done early, make everyone happy, and enjoy your day.
3. Go to the easywdw forum, theme park attractions & strategies and post a touring plan for each of the parks you are visiting. Your post will not get lost and their are some folks there who are really knowledgeable and nice who will help you plan your days. I would let them know you are staying offsite and just visiting 2 days. You will not want to be out late the night before your 2 Disney days because you want to be nice & refreshed for rope drop.

Hope all that helps! And I hope you have a great trip! So jealous you are leaving Saturday! We'll all be behind you!

 

[WishnDreamer]

Has anyone made ADR's yet? Did you get what you wanted? What did you pick?[/QUOTE]

You are reading my mind. I was going to make this a question of the day, so we will just put it here now.

I want to add if you haven't made your ADRs yet, what are you planning & when is your 180 day mark?

I did mine quite awhile ago but have changed them a little and am still trying to change a couple around a little (mostly timewise a bit if possible) but we will be happy with what we have if we don't get the changes. I got everything I wanted at the 180 day mark. I think the new ADR policy where you have to give a credit card guarantee for character meals has kept things open a lot more from things I've read online.

My ADR's are:
Arrival night-Liberty Tree Tavern dinner
Day 1-Akershus brunch, Chefs de France dinner
Day 2-Dinner 50s Prime Time Cafe
Day 3-breakfast 1900 Park Fare
Day 4-breakfast Boma
Day 5-dinner Tony's Town Square
Day 6-Rainforest Cafe dinner, AK
Day 7-dinner 1900 Park Fare
Departure Day-breakfast Chef Mickey's

 

[Groomer Gal]

This thread is PERFECT!!!

We are planning our first family trip. It will be myself, DH , and twin daughters who will be 8 when we go.

We are booked for 12/9/12-1215/12 BUT I am booking flights tomorrow and will be adding a day! Whoo hoooo!

I have a gazzzillion questions....like for starters the day we arrive....if I book a later flight...and we don't get to MCO until 5:15....what time would be a safe time to make a dinner ADR? Or should we just do a counter service at our resort (POFQ) and call it a night? I could book a flight at 7 AM but am worried about getting the girls up at 4 to get to the airport.

Thanks so much for starting this!!! Could be very helpful to us newbies.

 

[WishnDreamer]

This thread is PERFECT!!!

We are planning our first family trip. It will be myself, DH , and twin daughters who will be 8 when we go.

We are booked for 12/9/12-1215/12 BUT I am booking flights tomorrow and will be adding a day! Whoo hoooo!

I have a gazzzillion questions....like for starters the day we arrive....if I book a later flight...and we don't get to MCO until 5:15....what time would be a safe time to make a dinner ADR? Or should we just do a counter service at our resort (POFQ) and call it a night? I could book a flight at 7 AM but am worried about getting the girls up at 4 to get to the airport.

Thanks so much for starting this!!! Could be very helpful to us newbies.

Welcome! We added a day when we booked flights too because Fridays were cheaper forever than Saturday's and if I was paying more I wanted to pay it to be there, not fly
there!
We got a 7:45 which will get us up at 5, an hour earlier than usual. I couldn't do 4, wouldn't make for a good day later. We have an adr, and while I'm sure I'd want 1 if I was you, I wouldn't do it because they say give Magical Express an hour and a half. That puts you there at 6:45 hopefully. I was going to say you could do it if you had table service at your resort but that would really be pushing it after a long day when you probably want to get up early the next day to go to a park.

 

[Groomer Gal]

Thanks Wishn,

That's what I think too. I was thinking IF our room was ready early we could take a nap but I don't think the girls would sleep a wink with all the excitement.

I think if we do choose the later flight, it will be a quick bite to eat and then lights out to get ready for our first full day!

 

[jayce]

1. Who are you going to Disney with? Husband, Son, Daughter, Mom, Step-Dad, Sister and Brother. So excited!! Everyone wants to be there for the kids 1st time.

2. When are you going and how did you choose your dates? Sept 23-29th. It is value time. Plus Husband is in the military so we got room discounts and discounted tickets. We need to save as much as we can!!

Has anyone made ADR's yet? Did you get what you wanted? What did you pick?

I have made and changed my ADRs more times than I can count! I don't know how I am supposed to decide today what I want to eat months from now.

As of now, we have these TS meals:
La Hacienda - dinner
Chef Mickey's - breakfast
T-Rex - dinner - my DS's must do
Hollywood & Vine - breakfast - not so sure about this one
Cape May Clambake - dinner

I have been using Pinterest to "dream" & "plan" & remember tips & secrets and things we want to see & do while we are there. If anyone is on pinterest and is interested in checking it out, here's the link:

I have 124 pins so far, some for all the parks & Downtown Disney.

I am a total Pinterest addict!

 

[MissouriPrincess]

Thanks for the welcome, WishnDreamer!

MY ADRs

June 5 Chef Mickey's early dinner
June 6 Rainforest Cafe--AK lunch (paid for with GC from mypoints and joining the club with Landry's--also June is DH b-day month--extra $25) Garden Grill--early dinner

June 7 Sci-Fi lunch
June 8 Hollywood and Vine breakfast--characters--then Star Wars Weekend
June 9 Crystal Palace lunch
June 10==go home

Me, DH, DD14, DD2, Gma, Gpa

I've made one change from the original plan. We did have an ADR for Coral Reef. I was worried about DD2 getting antsy, and not one loves seafood anyway. I changed it for Garden Grill.

 

[WishnDreamer]

I have made and changed my ADRs more times than I can count! I don't know how I am supposed to decide today what I want to eat months from now.

As of now, we have these TS meals:
La Hacienda - dinner
Chef Mickey's - breakfast
T-Rex - dinner - my DS's must do
Hollywood & Vine - breakfast - not so sure about this one
Cape May Clambake - dinner



I am a total Pinterest addict!

Pinterest is horribly addictive, isn't it?
I have changed my adrs quite a bit too. I couldn't make up my mind between Rainforest & T-Rex. I heard the flashing lights can get to people with migraines, which my mom & I both have. Then I heard there is a room they can seat you in away from the lights. But when I left it to my kids to decide, they chose Rainforest. Worries over!
Hollywood & Vine, those characters sound great for the young set. My kids grew up on them but have outgrown them. I read the food's not the greatest anymore. But then you hear that about some Disney food in general and character buffets in particular, to be prepared that you are really going for the characters.
Hope you enjoy your ADRs. I am excited for our character meals.

 

[WishnDreamer]

Thanks for the welcome, WishnDreamer!

MY ADRs

June 5 Chef Mickey's early dinner
June 6 Rainforest Cafe--AK lunch (paid for with GC from mypoints and joining the club with Landry's--also June is DH b-day month--extra $25) Garden Grill--early dinner

June 7 Sci-Fi lunch
June 8 Hollywood and Vine breakfast--characters--then Star Wars Weekend
June 9 Crystal Palace lunch
June 10==go home

Me, DH, DD14, DD2, Gma, Gpa

I've made one change from the original plan. We did have an ADR for Coral Reef. I was worried about DD2 getting antsy, and not one loves seafood anyway. I changed it for Garden Grill.

That's a great deal on Rainforest Cafe. I love little extras like that! We had Garden Grill on the list for a while but I worried about the rotation for my mom. Anyone ever been to the tower at Niagara Falls that spins & has a restaurant? My dad tried to take her and they didn't make it through dinner. Could've been the height and I've heard you barely notice the rotation at GG but I'm not taking any chances!!

 

[WishnDreamer]

This is a 2 part question, 1 for those who have & 1 for those who haven't decided yet.

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?

I am staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge-Jambo. We rented points through DVC rental store. But it is quite the process getting there. First, we were going to stay offsite. Then we considered All Star Music or Movies, then Port Orleans-Riverside. Finally we decided if we were going and most likely only once, we may as well go all out. We rented the points for only about $20 a night more I think at AKL which I could just not believe. Then we were not tied to a package. So we were able to get the mousesavers code undercover tourist tickets which I loved! Every penny helps. Yet still add dining plan. What a deal!
My kids are really looking forward to the pool and animals at AKL. I can't wait to see the lobby. It looks beautiful in pictures. I can only imagine what it's like in person.

 

[WendyWonderland]

I'd love to join in!

1.Who are you going to Disney with? When are you going and how did you choose your dates? My husband, myself, and our 5 year old son. We're going September 8 - 15th. Free dining, less crowds, nicer weather, and time to prepare.

2. Has anyone made ADR's yet? Did you get what you wanted? What did you pick? I made every single one the same day I booked the trip. I had read so many articles about booking immediately, so I made sure to do it. I got everything we wanted, including CRT, 'Ohana, and the Wonderland Tea Party (even though we can't go! I'd love to have tea with Alice and the Mad Hatter. ). I should mention I've changed my ADR's 100 times in a week.

3. What resort or hotel are you staying at? How did you decide on it & what are you most looking forward to there? We're staying at Port Orleans Riverside, because we(I) wanted a Royal Guest Room. Which is also what we're looking forward to most about the resort we picked.

 

[Groomer Gal]

We are staying at POFQ. My husband and I just think it looks really quaint. It's a smaller resort, so easier to get around....and we have read rave reviews.

We have not made our ADR's yet. Waiting, reading, deciding, waiting some more, changing our minds....good thing we have until June 11th!

 

[ncneighbor]

Hi everyone. I too am planning our first family vacation, and everyones first trip to Disney except DH who went as a child, but not since then.

Members of our trip are: myself, DH, and my two sons who will be 15 and 14 at the time of travel. We are going Sept 25-Oct 5th and staying at POR. Since my older sons birthday is Aug 21, and younger son is Sep 22, we are also using this trip to celebrate birthdays.

I originally wanted to stay at POP. We have been trying to go for several years, but financial issues have a nasty habit of cropping up. We have always said our first trip would definitely be onsite, and I really wanted that over the top Disney feel you get at the values. With my sons being teens, I really didn't plan to spend much time in the room, lol.

We picked the dates because of low crowds, still warm for pools/waterparks, had heard TT was going to be refurbed and was hoping this was late enough in Sept for it to be finished, and last but not least, historic time for Free Dining.

So we got free dining, but couldnt get POP, so I upgraded to POR because of the boat to downtown Disney and possibility of getting a trundle/murphy bed because my two sons WERE. NOT. LOOKING. FORWARD. TO. SHARING. A. BED. (Did you catch the emphasis, ).

ADR time is March 29th. I know we want Sci Fi Drive-in, 50's Prime Time, Hoop de Doo, and Spirit of Aloha. Lunch or Dinner, when, and where else are the elusive questions. I am running out of time, so must pick up the pace.

Sorry this has turned into a story, but I am SO excited. I've already told the kids that I don't care if they are boys or teenagers, I will be getting autographs and character pictures and we are dressing in costume for MNSSHP. So there.

I will be watching for everyone to post how their trip goes. I hope everyone has an even more magical time than they are expecting.

Beth.

 

[MissouriPrincess]

When my parents agreed to go with us, we knew we wanted accommodations near each other, at least. We were thinking either Coronado Springs or POFQ. We knew they couldn't guarantee connecting rooms, but we knew they would try. With a toddler, I thought it would be nice so they could help with her perhaps during naps or getting ready in the morning.

When I started looking into DVC, I realized we could stay AKL-Kidani in a two-bedroom suite for the same price as two rooms at POFQ, rack rate. We chose this resort ultimately because it was the cheapest DVC available. We did not get savannah view.

Yes, we may have been able to snag a discount, but this seemed like a great deal for us. We will have a washer/dryer and full kitchen in our room! We don't plan on eating anything but snacks and most breakfasts in our room, but we will have a full-size fridge! Also, we will have three bathrooms! The pool is zero-entry with a kids' play area.

The only thing I worry about is that something bad will happen and we won't get to go. It's non-refundable, but we have insurance. I just worry that it's too good to be true, I guess.

 

[WishnDreamer]

I'd love to join in!

1.Who are you going to Disney with? When are you going and how did you choose your dates? My husband, myself, and our 5 year old son. We're going September 8 - 15th. Free dining, less crowds, nicer weather, and time to prepare.

2. Has anyone made ADR's yet? Did you get what you wanted? What did you pick? I made every single one the same day I booked the trip. I had read so many articles about booking immediately, so I made sure to do it. I got everything we wanted, including CRT, 'Ohana, and the Wonderland Tea Party (even though we can't go! I'd love to have tea with Alice and the Mad Hatter. ). I should mention I've changed my ADR's 100 times in a week.

3. What resort or hotel are you staying at? How did you decide on it & what are you most looking forward to there? We're staying at Port Orleans Riverside, because we(I) wanted a Royal Guest Room. Which is also what we're looking forward to most about the resort we picked.

I'd love tea with Alice & Mad Hatter too. I hear he's hysterical. That's why we are at least doing breakfast at 1900 Park Fare so we can see them along with Mary Poppins, who I also love.
The Royal Guest rooms look lovely. Post a pic after your trip. I'd love to see it.
Welcome!

 

[WishnDreamer]

We are staying at POFQ. My husband and I just think it looks really quaint. It's a smaller resort, so easier to get around....and we have read rave reviews.

We have not made our ADR's yet. Waiting, reading, deciding, waiting some more, changing our minds....good thing we have until June 11th!

POFQ does look quaint & lovely & relaxing. Good luck on the ADRs. Anything definite musts or you can't even get that far yet? I know with so many choices it's hard to decide...maybe Be Our Guest will be open by then! I would have loved to have eaten there but we are going too soon...