First time going....

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

Hi all. New here. My family (2 girls, dh and myself) are visiting WDW for the first time ever in 4 weeks time. We're only staying for a week so we know we won't get to do everything however we do have a Character breaky booked one day.

what are the must see/must do things? we have the burnbaums book and know his tips, and I have looked around the boards and found some suggestions but would like some real life advise from those who have been and go frequently.

dd's are 3 and 6.

thanks
Allie

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Hi all. New here. My family (2 girls, dh and myself) are visiting WDW for the first time ever in 4 weeks time. We're only staying for a week so we know we won't get to do everything however we do have a Character breaky booked one day.

what are the must see/must do things? we have the burnbaums book and know his tips, and I have looked around the boards and found some suggestions but would like some real life advise from those who have been and go frequently.

dd's are 3 and 6.

thanks
Allie

So much to do, I guess it all depends what your interests are, but I would definitely be sure to visit one of the water parks. IMO, no matter which one you go to, they are great fun. My kids love them!

The water mice (I know they are called something else now, but I still refer to them by their old name) are really cool and you can get one adult and one child in them. They are pretty cheap to go out on for a half hour (or more if you want). We usually go to CBR and do them there.

The surrey bikes are also fun at the Boardwalk (they have them at some other resorts too). Very cool and something different-at least for us since we have nothing like that at home that I know of.

Oh, if your going to Epcot, be sure to stop at Innoventions. There is a place for the kids to play games and then after one of the games they can make their own robot. My kids always love this and after all these years we have quite the collection.

 

[vanillasoftserve]

Have an awesome time! If your kids are into characters, don't forget an autograph book! If you don't have them, you can always buy them in the park I remember on my first WDW trip ( I was 7), my parents let me and my sister have throw away camaras. It's really funny to go back and look at them now. After all, when you're little, you see things differently than how grown-ups see them. The parks will also seem WAY bigger since they are smaller. Take it easy, and remember to drink lot's. I agree with the pp, that the must dos depend on what your interests are ( if they like fast rides, slow rides, princesses etc ). One of the funnest things is also the hotel pool for younger kids. They'll love splashing around. Just remember, you won't be able to do everything, and to soak up all the pixie dust while you are there Have fun!

 

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

So much to do, I guess it all depends what your interests are, but I would definitely be sure to visit one of the water parks. IMO, no matter which one you go to, they are great fun. My kids love them!

The water mice (I know they are called something else now, but I still refer to them by their old name) are really cool and you can get one adult and one child in them. They are pretty cheap to go out on for a half hour (or more if you want). We usually go to CBR and do them there.

The surrey bikes are also fun at the Boardwalk (they have them at some other resorts too). Very cool and something different-at least for us since we have nothing like that at home that I know of.

Oh, if your going to Epcot, be sure to stop at Innoventions. There is a place for the kids to play games and then after one of the games they can make their own robot. My kids always love this and after all these years we have quite the collection.

Thanks for those tips. we're definately planning to hit a water park, the girls will love it...
we're having our character breaky at epcot so we'll be sure to check out innoventions, building a robot sounds cool!

have you visited sea world? we're planning to go there to as we got our tix free from some friends. any opinions there?

 

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

Have an awesome time! If your kids are into characters, don't forget an autograph book! If you don't have them, you can always buy them in the park I remember on my first WDW trip ( I was 7), my parents let me and my sister have throw away camaras. It's really funny to go back and look at them now. After all, when you're little, you see things differently than how grown-ups see them. The parks will also seem WAY bigger since they are smaller. Take it easy, and remember to drink lot's. I agree with the pp, that the must dos depend on what your interests are ( if they like fast rides, slow rides, princesses etc ). One of the funnest things is also the hotel pool for younger kids. They'll love splashing around. Just remember, you won't be able to do everything, and to soak up all the pixie dust while you are there Have fun!

I actually think I might be more into the characters than they are lol !! but they are really excited to see the princesses and visit with mickey for sure! We went to the craft store and picked up a fairly good sized (paper size) scrap book we are going to use for each of them to get the autographs in. A friend of ours clued us in to the fact that the larger the paper size the more elaborite the autographs become!

I love that idea about a camera for each of them, I would love to see the World through their eyes thanks! I will be sure to do that!

 

[powellrj]

Thanks for those tips. we're definately planning to hit a water park, the girls will love it...
we're having our character breaky at epcot so we'll be sure to check out innoventions, building a robot sounds cool!

have you visited sea world? we're planning to go there to as we got our tix free from some friends. any opinions there?

Sea world is great! Get there first thing in the morning because you can get more done that first hour than several if you wait until later. We love Kracken and Atlantis so we always ride those first thing and then head back to the front to feed the dolphins. After we get those things done, we plan the rest of the day based on what time the shows are.

If this is your first time, there is so much to see and do in the parks you may not have time to do many other things.

Have fun!

 

[Cruz91]

...savor every moment. I would say we are now bona-fide disney freaks. We're going on our 4th trip in the last 20 months or so, and the SHORTEST trip was something like 8 days. While every trip has been oustanding (thus our many returns), there is no magic like that first time. I highly recommend you make the walk up main street very slowly (with crowds, that probably won't be a problem), and just take in the atmosphere. It is magical. No other way to put it!

Have fun!

 

[trulygoofy]

I have been about 11 times and I still get a Passporter guide book every other trip. It helps pick out your must see attractions and restaurants and it helps pass the time until my trip!
Your kids may like to see the electrical water pageant at night. We camp at Ft. Wilderness and watch it from the beach, but you can see it from other resorts.
Also, when you ride on the monorail you can ask to sit up front. My kids and DH enjoyed it.

 

[Elmo888]

Check out the book the Unofficial Guide to WDW. It will give you an overview of attractions and give you an idea of what small children enjoy.

We went with DDs 2 and 6 in January, and we spent a lot of time at the MK and DD6 enjoyed the animals at AK. Even though I had been before, I appreciated the Unofficial Guide's recs from a child's perspective.

I would also recommend taking time to enjoy your resort. Every resort has something special to offer, so spend a little down time walking around and swimming (DD6 loved the swimming, even in January).

If you and your DH enjoy walking around the World Showcase (WS) at Epcot in the evening (you can get drinks at many of the countries and just take in the scenery), you DDs can enjoy the Kidcot Funstops - we made it a game to find each one in each country. The WS can get a little boring for young children. Also, there are characters in Epcot, particularly in the World Showcase, that we happened upon. If you look at the Epcot map, I think that it may indicate with a Mickey hand where characters are. We happened upon Alice in Wonderland, Tigger, and Pooh in the UK and Jasmine and Aladdin in Morocco. Both places were completely empty.

Have a great trip!

 

[wlfans]

Epcot ride Soarin, Nemo, Figment and Honey I shrunk. MK Pooh ride, small world, Magic carpet ride, tea cups, and Laughing Floor.
Disney Studio-- Stunt show, Muppet Show, Little Mermaid, Playhouse Dis. Animal Kingdom- You won't want the kids on Exp. Everest, but go by to see this ride its wild. Do the Fast Pass on as many rides if its too busy.

 

[futreWDI]

If you want a night out of the parks I would take them down to DTD. On M-W there is a dance party that I believe starts at 5pm. I am sure there is more information on these boards somewhere about it. There is a DJ that leads all the kids through different dances (elecric slide, limbo, other ones disney created). I worked at DTD and I envied all the little kids that got to participate because they always looked like they were having fun. It can also be fun for parents because you can all eat at Earl of Sandwich mmm! and then while they are dancing you can sit there with your margaritas!

 

[ndgqccmiller]

If you want an easy night your girls may enjoy the campire sing along at fort wilderness. Lots of fun, but laid back. They have music, campfire, smores and then a disney movie. Bring some blankets and enjoy. Oh did I mention its free. Have fun.

 

[Perditamarie]

Here are some things that our family enjoys:

* collecting autographs and pics w/characters

* collecting pressed pennies -- it is fun to look for the machines and then watch as a design is smooshed onto the penny -- it costs 51 cents and there are books available to organize the pennies, but my daughter prefers a change purse!

* snack your way around the world at Epcot

* in Epcot, take a picture at each country wearing a hat from that country

* check out the kidcot funstops in each country in Epcot -- the kids do a craft (color a mask) and then collect a charm from each country to hang on the mask - when completed you will get a "prize".

* wear glow jewelry (as much a possible!! bring w/you from the dollar store!) at night

* get a Disney tattoo

* visit the playgrounds at each park so kids can have some run around time

* find a spot to take your picture at each time you visit so you can compare them over the years (read that tip on the boards and love it)

* make sure you have time to swim everyday -- kids will love that as much as the parks

* If you go to Downtown Disney, make sure to visit the Lego store and enjoy the building stations outside!

Have a great trip.

 

[maxtomsmom]

Don't forget you can use the child swap. It allows you to go on the rides when little ones can't.

 

[Vacation Lover]

I second the "Unofficial Guide" recommendation--it's the most comprehensive book out there. I think the 2007 guides are discounted right now on Amazon.com

Buy a few pins from e-bay before you go so the kids can trade. I had no idea how much they'd enjoy trading, and it was much cheaper than buying pins in the park.

 

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

Sea world is great! Get there first thing in the morning because you can get more done that first hour than several if you wait until later. We love Kracken and Atlantis so we always ride those first thing and then head back to the front to feed the dolphins. After we get those things done, we plan the rest of the day based on what time the shows are.

If this is your first time, there is so much to see and do in the parks you may not have time to do many other things.

Have fun!

Great tips thanks!

 

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

Sea world is great! Get there first thing in the morning because you can get more done that first hour than several if you wait until later. We love Kracken and Atlantis so we always ride those first thing and then head back to the front to feed the dolphins. After we get those things done, we plan the rest of the day based on what time the shows are.

If this is your first time, there is so much to see and do in the parks you may not have time to do many other things.

Have fun!

Thanks! I will make sure to do those!

 

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

...savor every moment. I would say we are now bona-fide disney freaks. We're going on our 4th trip in the last 20 months or so, and the SHORTEST trip was something like 8 days. While every trip has been oustanding (thus our many returns), there is no magic like that first time. I highly recommend you make the walk up main street very slowly (with crowds, that probably won't be a problem), and just take in the atmosphere. It is magical. No other way to put it!

Have fun!

Thanks I plan to try to journal all of the trip. I can't wait really it's getting to the point of giddiness in our house...lol

 

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

I have been about 11 times and I still get a Passporter guide book every other trip. It helps pick out your must see attractions and restaurants and it helps pass the time until my trip!
Your kids may like to see the electrical water pageant at night. We camp at Ft. Wilderness and watch it from the beach, but you can see it from other resorts.
Also, when you ride on the monorail you can ask to sit up front. My kids and DH enjoyed it.

Is that like a park map? lol can you tell I'm a newbie????

 

[grumpy.uncle]

If you haven't already got it, call Disney and ask for the free WDW dvd. My neices love to start watching that as we get ready to head back. We also let them pick out their own photo album. When we get home, they get to select which photos they each want in their album. It's amazing how often they go back and look at old photo albums to remember previous trips. Your girls will love MK. It's probably the park geared the most to children their age. Be sure to see Mickey's Philharmagic in Fantasyland. You also want to be sure to hit the Playhouse Disney area at MGM. The Little Mermaid show there is not to be missed. One of my all time favorites. You can FP this attraction if the lines are really long. They would also probably love the Beauty and the Beast stage show at MGM. There is nothing like your first trip to WDW. Be sure to take lots of photos!