First Family Trip Planners Thread for WDW Newbies!

[ckwats]

Again, some of us have mentioned, but...

Do you have any little extras planned for your trip? Bippity Boppity? Pirates? etc?

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

When my kids watched the video, my DD8 really wanted to do the Pirate Tutorial. I have read to plan possibly an hour, hour & a half for the entire experience. I hated to take that much MK time but was trying to figure out how to make it work, when she told me never mind, she didn't really want to do it.
So...we opted out. It looks so cute & I just saw somewhere they have a couple new looks now, including a new girl 1.
I do plan to do Characters in Flight at Downtown Disney if my kids ask if that counts as "something extra" though I am afraid of heights so we will see how that pans out.

We are not going at a time that it is near anyone's bday or anything, so I just put on the reservation & the ADR' first trip. I have heard some places make a big deal out of this & some don't, which is just fine. We will be having a grand time, regardless!

When I have talked to all the Disney people on the phone for Resort or ADR's they all put on 1st time. Don't forget to get your 1st time buttons also. I think the resort has them and also guest services. It will be interesting to see what happens. The CM I talked to yesterday said :You never know what could happen".

 

[ckwats]

Disney Store is having a sale today only. 25% off and free shipping for over 75.00$. You can use both promo codes:

HAPPY25 for 25% off and SHIPTOAY for free shipping. I just bought the kids some short pj's and some tees and my daughter a few dress for the Castle breakfast.

Spending more money!!

 

[WendyWonderland]

7. What is your favorite classic & new Disney movie?
That's a tough one.. I think Beauty and The Beast will have to top out the others as my favorite classic though.. Newer, I loved Tangled and The Incredibles (I consider that newer, ).

8. Do you have any little extras planned for your trip? Bippity Boppity? Pirates? etc?
We did have the Wonderland Tea Party reserved, but I cancelled it yesterday. Most of what I read online said there were only 1-2 boys, if any, that would show up. I decided to show him the pictures and tell him about it, and asked him if he would like to go when he goes to Disney World and he said "no, that's for girls" - sealed the deal. I wish they'd let me go in his place.

Are you celebrating anything special while you are at Disney World?
Nothing aside from it being our first time there.

 

[andieb0602]

Do you have any little extras planned for your trip? Bippity Boppity? Pirates? etc?

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

No extras for us. I wanted to have the kids do Pirates League but DS is too young. I figure we'll be going back at some point so the kids can do it then. We may do Characters in Flight but I'm not sure how the kids will do on it.

We celebrating DD's "graduation" from preschool although we're going at that time simply because it's the time between when she gets out of school and the rest of the older kids get out. In other words it just so happens that our trip and her no longer going to preschool coincide.

My and DH's birthday (yes, the same day) is a week after our last day there. I'm debating adding our birthday to the reservations, too. I'm just not sure if it would be frowned upon to add it when the actual event takes place after we get home. What do you guys think?

 

[WishnDreamer]

My and DH's birthday (yes, the same day) is a week after our last day there. I'm debating adding our birthday to the reservations, too. I'm just not sure if it would be frowned upon to add it when the actual event takes place after we get home. What do you guys think?

My husband & I have the same birthday too! He is a year older. Aren't people always asking if you filled out medical forms & things correctly??

I don't see why you couldn't celebrate when it's a week away. I have seen people say it's their "birthday" trip when their birthday was 6 months before/after the trip.

I was thinking the same thing about putting Mother's Day for our last breakfast because we are leaving that day but it is the day before Mother's Day & I keep debating. My mom is going & I'd like to do that...

 

[WishnDreamer]

Can you tell I'm excited?
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[andieb0602]

Yay! Congrats!

I can't wait until we get ours. I hope they come early!

DH is 3 years older than me. When we were dating we went to a nice restaurant one year on our birthday and the waiter asked if we were twins. We had been holding hands across the table the entire time. The biggest problem we ever had with it is our insurance company switched our birth years and it took DH's employer faxing a form to the insurance company to fix it. Meanwhile I was hanging out at the store waiting for my prescription. I was pregnant with DS at the time and VERY sick. I was not a happy woman.

 

[jayce]

Wishn- I have a room only reservation. I am not sure what was going on. I was watching the clock for 7:00.

Mrs D- How do the tour plans work? I have been looking at them.

Is anyone doing the Pirates League? I booked the kids today.

Husband is at school tonight so I have been looking at all the food places.. Now I am hungry.

We are. Well, DS is. I can't wait to see which face he picks. He wanted the skeleton face, prior to the recent changes that they made.

 

[Groomer Gal]

Can you tell I'm excited?
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG OMG OMG !!!!!!! thats so great!!!

Did you get all your Mickey Mail???? I'm just dying to know what is in it? (I know....such a dork!)

 

[Groomer Gal]

Did a little shopping on line at the Disney Store.

Got lanyards...autograph books...t shirts (several) and a couple other things. Could not pass up the 25% off!
I think I only need 2 more t shirts for the girls for the entire trip.

I'm going to be done getting everything by June! Then what???? it's going to be a looooooong 8+ months!!!!

 

[WishnDreamer]

OMG OMG OMG !!!!!!! thats so great!!!

Did you get all your Mickey Mail???? I'm just dying to know what is in it? (I know....such a dork!)

Sadly, we won't be getting Mickey Mail. It's the 1 thing you give up when you rent point thru DVC which is sad. It goes to the DVC member...

I would like to know what is in it too. Somebody let us know when they get theirs! I can live vicariously.

 

[WishnDreamer]

Did a little shopping on line at the Disney Store.

Got lanyards...autograph books...t shirts (several) and a couple other things. Could not pass up the 25% off!
I think I only need 2 more t shirts for the girls for the entire trip.

I'm going to be done getting everything by June! Then what???? it's going to be a looooooong 8+ months!!!!

Oh, I'm quite sure you will find something else Disney to occupy your time. Every time I thought I'd done everything, I found something else to do! LOL.

I found DD shirts at Walmart. DS a couple there, 1 at Target, and a few at Sears. I got some dollar section items at Target recently too, autograph pens, water bottles, etc.

 

[WishnDreamer]

Which character is each of your family members (including) yourself most excited to meet at Disney World? (On a side note, how long would you be willing to wait to meet them?)

Hmmm, I don't know if this really counts or not, but I am most excited to see Tinkerbell fly. I hope she does the night we see Wishes. I love Tink.

DD can't wait to meet Tiana & DS can't wait to meet Buzz. He was Buzz 2 years ago for Halloween and wants to wear his costume (in which he'd burn up!) to meet him.

I don't think DH & DM are too interested.

I am not willing to wait very long to see characters. That's why I planned 4 character meals, Akershus, 1900 Park Fare breakfast & dinner, & Chef Mickey's. In fact, my daughter would probably really like to meet Rapunzel but I neglected (oops) to tell her about that m&g because there's no way I'm spending the first 45 mins-an hour of the best touring time of the day in line to see her... as much as I'd like to myself too. I think maybe 15 minutes top if we want to see someone in the parks, 10 would be better, only because we will already be seeing so many at our meals. So I would only do those we haven't seen at meals.

I have found 2 character resources I really liked. One is a blog for Magic Kingdom, Epcot, & Hollywood Studios (hasn't done Animal Kingdom yet). He tells you the best time of day to catch the characters there & where they are, where else they can be found & if finding them there would be better (better being shorter waits). That's the first link. The second one is Kenny the Pirate. He has lots of good info but the link I am providing I particularly liked because it has funny things you can say to the characters:

http://www.easywdw.com/category/character-locations/

http://kennythepirate.com/2012/01/24/tuesdays-tip-3-interact/

Happy Planning!

 

[Groomer Gal]

I'm really wanting to see Tink fly too!!!! I haven't even told my DD's about that part. Don't want them to be disappointed if they don't see her.

Neither myself nor my DH are looking forward to meeting Charecters. BUt the girls are so into Princesses right now! They REALLY want to meet Cinderellas Step Mother and the sisters!
One of them wants to meet Minnie...and the other one wants to meet Mickey. Other than that....I don't think that we will wait long amounts of time. We are planning at least 2 character meals with Princesses so they will at least get those autographs.
My girls are a tad bit shy so I don't know if they will really want to go out of their way to run up to or chat with characters. We will follow their lead. Whatever they are comfortable with is fine with us.
Who knows...they may really get into it after a day or so!

 

[Rayvn]

1.Who are you going to Disney with? When are you going and how did you choose your dates?

I am going with my husband and 2 sons. I wanted to go in August 2012, but Ryan's new school starts before free dining, so no go.

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 need to pick dates before I can do this.

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?

Not sure! I have only stayed at Poly and AK. I can't afford those hotels anymore.

4. If you are staying onsite, will you do online checking?

Not sure

5. Are you keeping your trip a surprise?

My sons are 4.5yo and 18 months and live in the moment, so everything is a surprise.

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

We will fly to WDW and use Disney transportation after that.

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

Beauty and the Beast

8. Do you have any little extras planned for your trip? Bippity Boppity? Pirates? etc?

Not yet!

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

Not sure

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 - Tinker Bell
David - Mickey Mouse
Ryan - Mickey and Minnie
Liam - Mickey and Winnie the Pooh

 

[uscgmouse]

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?
Myself, hubby & our son. We are going to be celebrating our sons 2nd birthday. We picked these dates so we can visit MIL who lives near Orlando for Thanksgiving and celebrate ds' birthday

2. Has anyone made ADR's yet? Did you get what you wanted? What did you pick? I have to wait until May to make our ADR's

If you haven't made your ADRs yet, what are you planning & when is your 180 day mark?I hope to do breakfast at the Tusker House, Dinner at Ohana, lunch/dinner at Trex

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 Silver Lake Resort. We got an amazing deal though Armed Forces Vacation Club. I am excited that we will have 2 bedrooms, full kitchen and a washer/dryer.

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?

5. Are you keeping your trip a surprise?

6. How will you get to Walt Disney World and how do you plan to get around once you're there?We are going to fly to Orlando and then rent a car

7. What is your favorite classic & new Disney movie?
My favorites are Alice in Wonderland, Up and Beauty and the Beast.

8. Do you have any little extras planned for your trip? Bippity Boppity? Pirates? etc?We plan on getting ds' 1st haircut at the Barber shop on Main St. @ MK

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?I am excited to see the fab 5... I am not even sure what ds will think of the characters. I think hubby wants to see Pluto!

 

[HalloweenNut]

Great idea for a thread!


1.Who are you going to Disney with? When are you going and how did you choose your dates?

We're going with my Mum, wife and daughter(6). My Dad was supposed to also come along but a pre-existing medical condition would make it hard for him to get travel insurance so he can't risk it. Sad about that but since he doesn't really do a lot of walking and wouldn't get a scooter it's probably for the best anyhow. We're going next month from April 22 - 29.

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

We going with the regular DDP and have made all our ADRs last October (with minimal changes since then happy to say!) Some we're looking forward to - 'Ohana's character breakfast, Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey, Mama Melrose for Fantasmic!, Les Chefs du France, Kona Cafe and Narcooses for my wife and I.

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 the Polynesian Resort, garden view. We originally decided on this back when my father was coming with us due to it being on the Monorail so it would be easy to get back to the resort for rests. When he backed out we didn't have the heart to cancel or even look at another resort!

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

I can do on-line check-in 2 weeks from today and will be doing so.

5. Are you keeping your trip a surprise?

Nope. We all know. My daughter is super excited and we've been watching a lot of the disney videos and rides on YouTube. I think that the planning and anticipation is part of the fun of a trip like this so we want to include her.

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

We're flying down and then using Disney transport - monorail, boats and busses - but will take a taxi back from DTD as I've heard it can be a nightmare.

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

Hard to choose. My favourite classic is either Robin Hood or Fantasia. New Disney would be Lion King or Finding Nemo.

8. Do you have any little extras planned for your trip? Bippity Boppity? Pirates? etc?

My daughter is not into princesses at all (with the exception of Mulan because she can do Kung Fu) so no BBB for us. She really wants to do the Pirates League and will probably choose the skull pirate makeup! Jedi Training Accademy is also high on her list - she was Darth Vader for Halloween. We're also going to see the Spirit of Aloha Luau dinner and Cirque du Soleil.

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

Just our daughter's (and wife's) first visit.

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?

DD: Tigger or Stitch
DM: probably Winnie the Pooh
DW: not sure - Lilo maybe?
Me: not really a character but I'm looking forward to interacting with the cast members at the Haunted Mansion. If I had to pick a character it would be Stitch.

If we can meet most of the characters on our list during the character meals so much the better as we really don't want to be waiting long to see them in the parks.

 

[WishnDreamer]

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?
Myself, hubby & our son. We are going to be celebrating our sons 2nd birthday. We picked these dates so we can visit MIL who lives near Orlando for Thanksgiving and celebrate ds' birthday

2. Has anyone made ADR's yet? Did you get what you wanted? What did you pick? I have to wait until May to make our ADR's

If you haven't made your ADRs yet, what are you planning & when is your 180 day mark?I hope to do breakfast at the Tusker House, Dinner at Ohana, lunch/dinner at Trex

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 Silver Lake Resort. We got an amazing deal though Armed Forces Vacation Club. I am excited that we will have 2 bedrooms, full kitchen and a washer/dryer.

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?

5. Are you keeping your trip a surprise?

6. How will you get to Walt Disney World and how do you plan to get around once you're there?We are going to fly to Orlando and then rent a car

7. What is your favorite classic & new Disney movie?
My favorites are Alice in Wonderland, Up and Beauty and the Beast.

8. Do you have any little extras planned for your trip? Bippity Boppity? Pirates? etc?We plan on getting ds' 1st haircut at the Barber shop on Main St. @ MK

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?I am excited to see the fab 5... I am not even sure what ds will think of the characters. I think hubby wants to see Pluto!

Welcome! I also love Alice in Wonderland. The 1900 Park Fare breakfast is 1 I am really looking forward to because of Alice (& Mary Poppins-another movie I love). There are really just too many good Disney movies. It's hard to pick 1 or 2 faves.

I hope you will post pics of your son's 1st cut at the Barbershop. That should be fun!

 

[WishnDreamer]

Great idea for a thread!


1.Who are you going to Disney with? When are you going and how did you choose your dates?

We're going with my Mum, wife and daughter(6). My Dad was supposed to also come along but a pre-existing medical condition would make it hard for him to get travel insurance so he can't risk it. Sad about that but since he doesn't really do a lot of walking and wouldn't get a scooter it's probably for the best anyhow. We're going next month from April 22 - 29.

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

We going with the regular DDP and have made all our ADRs last October (with minimal changes since then happy to say!) Some we're looking forward to - 'Ohana's character breakfast, Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey, Mama Melrose for Fantasmic!, Les Chefs du France, Kona Cafe and Narcooses for my wife and I.

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 the Polynesian Resort, garden view. We originally decided on this back when my father was coming with us due to it being on the Monorail so it would be easy to get back to the resort for rests. When he backed out we didn't have the heart to cancel or even look at another resort!

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

I can do on-line check-in 2 weeks from today and will be doing so.

5. Are you keeping your trip a surprise?

Nope. We all know. My daughter is super excited and we've been watching a lot of the disney videos and rides on YouTube. I think that the planning and anticipation is part of the fun of a trip like this so we want to include her.

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

We're flying down and then using Disney transport - monorail, boats and busses - but will take a taxi back from DTD as I've heard it can be a nightmare.

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

Hard to choose. My favourite classic is either Robin Hood or Fantasia. New Disney would be Lion King or Finding Nemo.

8. Do you have any little extras planned for your trip? Bippity Boppity? Pirates? etc?

My daughter is not into princesses at all (with the exception of Mulan because she can do Kung Fu) so no BBB for us. She really wants to do the Pirates League and will probably choose the skull pirate makeup! Jedi Training Accademy is also high on her list - she was Darth Vader for Halloween. We're also going to see the Spirit of Aloha Luau dinner and Cirque du Soleil.

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

Just our daughter's (and wife's) first visit.

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?

DD: Tigger or Stitch
DM: probably Winnie the Pooh
DW: not sure - Lilo maybe?
Me: not really a character but I'm looking forward to interacting with the cast members at the Haunted Mansion. If I had to pick a character it would be Stitch.

If we can meet most of the characters on our list during the character meals so much the better as we really don't want to be waiting long to see them in the parks.

Welcome HalloweenNut. I am surprised by your name you are not going in October for MNSSHP!
I wanted my dad to go to but he didn't for similar reasons. I understand too but am still a little disappointed. It won't be the same without him, but is probably for the best.
We debated the surprise thing too and finally decided having them help plan was 1/2 the fun. I showed them pictures of things, but I have been hesitant to actually show them the youtube videos because I want them to be surprised by the attractions when we get there. I am sure experiencing it in person will be totally different though.
Your trip is really soon. You all must be getting so excited. We have 36 more days and just can't wait!

 

[HalloweenNut]

Welcome HalloweenNut. I am surprised by your name you are not going in October for MNSSHP!
I wanted my dad to go to but he didn't for similar reasons. I understand too but am still a little disappointed. It won't be the same without him, but is probably for the best.
We debated the surprise thing too and finally decided having them help plan was 1/2 the fun. I showed them pictures of things, but I have been hesitant to actually show them the youtube videos because I want them to be surprised by the attractions when we get there. I am sure experiencing it in person will be totally different though.
Your trip is really soon. You all must be getting so excited. We have 36 more days and just can't wait!

Believe me I thought about it!!! But our Halloween Home Haunt takes most of all October to set up so it would be too rushed. Maybe one year if I ever want to take a break from the display.

My dad's pretty good with the computer so I hope to send him photos and regular updates while we're there. We're not bringing a laptop though so I don't know if the Poly has a business centre or computer stations?

It's also good to show her some potentially scary rides like Tower of Terror or Expedition Everest so she can prepare herself or decide if she doesn't want to do them in advance.

Now that it's down to the wire we're all getting really excited!!!