First Time at Disney !!

[monica1579]

Hello everyone ! I am leaving for Disney in 10 days for the first time. Does anyone have any tips for me ?

 

[Marnie87]

I went for the first time 2 years ago, the best tip I would give you is to read several of the guidebooks. I read 3 before I went and they were very helpful. Also, know which park you want to visit first. Have a plan in mind.

All of the Disney boards are full of tips as well.

The guidebooks I read were: The Unofficial Guide to WDW, WDW with Kids, and WDW for Kids by Kids.

I had a 4 and 9 year old with me.

 

[Canadian Kelly]

I agree, know the park maps and take frozen water bottles! I just had my first trip and they were the most valuable tips I used! Hope you have a wonderful time!

 

[debbiedoo]

I have been going since 1975 as a child, the book that I recommend the most is birnbaum.s official book.

can get at disney store or book store. I have been going for years and still buy this every other year to help plan my trips. I even take this book with me!!

they also make one for kids as well!! that way they leave the bigkid books alone

have a great time!!!!

 

[EpcotLover]

How exciting!
Stay on a Disney property if you can...all buses lead to Disney.
Also, it allows everyone (big and small alike) to go back in the middle of the day, take a nap, go swimming, etc. and then start out again...

Hopper passes are a must in my family...

 

[mryah2]

Canadian Kelly,

How do you take frozen water bottles with you? Can you carry a backpack on the rides? Is there a spot to leave them when you are riding? I've been very curious about this. Also, some people have given tips to bring sandwiches etc. with you but I read that you can't take food in??? We are not going till Dec (1st time ) but I am trying to gather as much info as possible.

Thanks!

 

[Canadian Kelly]

We had a refrigerator in our suite so we bought a case of water and would freeze a few bottles every night. Our knap-sack had a cooler zipper in the bottom so we put a few cold water bottles in with 2 frozen bottles and some canned pop. It was so handy to just pull out our own drinks our have them with our lunch if you are trying to cut costs. Most rides you can carry your knapsack with you. The only problem may have been with Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom. My sister-in-law did not go on ride so she just held it for me. There are also lockers at all the parks. Generally, we had no problem taking the knapsack with us. We also brought fruit and snacks too! There was never a problem at the gate when the bag was checked.

Ask any question you want, this is the right place for it!

 

[Gomez Gang]

The #1 item that helped me most to plan was the Unofficial Guide to Walt DisneyWorld by Bob Schegler (sp?) He gives honest advice and accurate reviews--why buy it? Your library probably has a few copies-get it NOW and START READING! I made a "note page" for each park (MK,MGM, etc) and carried it with me the first time we went. It included must see attractions, restaurants (including type of food and prices) and parade times. I put it in a plastic page protector and carried it in my backpack
#2 if you want to eat anywhere specifically, get your priority seating times BEFORE you leave. This saves time later.
#3 make a list with your family of MUST SEE attractions. Every year we do this. We include all of our favorites and we will put the attractions we may have missed last year at the top of this year's list.
#4 a back pack that has been sprayed with Scotch Guard. You can bring it with you on any ride. (I have my camera and film in a large zip loc bag inside the pack for the water rides or in case a water bottle leaks). I also have snacks for the kids,water bottles, hand wipes & 50 cent Wal-mart rain ponchos in there.
Have a great time!!!!!! Only 9 more days till we are there!

 

[Tigger Fans!]

I agree with the earlier posts....read the guidebooks! I usually purchase the Birnbaum's guide and one other source for my trip planning (this time I bought Frommers' MiniMickey guide). Then I check out as many other resources as possible from the local library. The cost of these guidebooks and the time it takes to read their suggestions is very minimal when you consider the $$$$ you're spending on your trip. The DISboards are another GREAT source of information!

Then take notes on things you read. I like to get a set of spiral bound index cards to jot down notes (multi-colored so there's a different color for each park at WDW). This fits great into a fannie pack and everything is with you at the parks. If there's something that we tried that didn't work or something I want to make sure we do next time -- I jot that down on the card and when I pull the cards out for my next trip I have everything right at my fingertips!

TTFN!

 

[monica1579]

Thank you everyone this is great information. We are staying in Disney at the CBR. Thanks for all the tips in regards to bring stuff into the parks. Does each ride have a place to put your back pack and is it safe. The reason why I ask is because I plan on bring my digital camera.

 

[nluvwithdisney]

Backpacks on rides aren't a big problem. Wrap a strap around an ankle and you'll be fine. I carry mine on Rock N Rollercoaster without a problem. It generally contains my camcorder and digital camera.

 

[debbiedoo]

I also recommend that if you get the birnbaum book to study the maps. My family finds it easier to go counterclockwise in mk and epcot. expect for epcot do future world first, then counter clock wise in the countries. ak and mgm are a little bit different. mgm has a lot of time schedules and I think that this is the hardest for our family to do because of that. unforunately time schedules go buy a week to week bases. I wish you the best of luck. If you are staying at the cbr, there are two levels and no elevators. I also would call and ask to be as close to the food place. this is a very large resort and you are going to want to be as close as possible. Martinque and north trinidad, and barbados are good choices. have anymore questions, just let us know!!

 

[Debi]

My number one tip is this: Don't be afraid to deviate from your schedule. If you find that you are enjoying something more/less than you anticipated, don't feel obligated to stay for a longer (or shorter) period of time. You're on vacation, don't forget to enjoy yourself!

 

[2tinksmom]

Lots of great tips. Mine is HAVE A WONDERFULLY MAGICAL TIME and try not to be too sad when you leave because you know you'll be comin' back....oh, ya know ya will!!