First Time Planning a WDW trip.

[TeamH]

Hi,

I am looking at planning a trip for my family to WDW next year (2016). I am looking to go somewhere between january and May and I need help please. I will be travelling with my DH, DS (8) and DD (4) from BC.

I am looking for help on which month and weeks best for low crowd levels, better weather and most rides open.

How many days should we plan on being there and getting it all in and not being super rushed each day?

Transportation to and from airport?

Is there a list somewhere of dates for each month showing events going on (marathons, holidays etc)?

Any other early stage planning info I am requiring?

Thanks!!

 

[Alesia]

I think your first step should be to get this book: http://www.amazon.com/Guide-First-D...de+to+your+first+walt+disney+world+visit+2016 and read it. Then come back here with more specific questions.

Asking open-ended questions here can give you a lot of conflicting advice and will just cause confusion.

 

[cleopenn]

I'm in the same boat as you except our trip was booked very recently and we leave Nov 27! We are a mom (me) dad and 10yo son.

As far as transportation - I discussed it with our travel agent (who is awesome, I am so glad I went with her) and with repeat Disney fans that I know.

We are staying at the Polynesian so Magic Express (do I have the name right?) was included with our resort booking. We decided against that because of potential wait times. My husband doesn't mind the extra cost of alternative transportation but does mind waiting (very much) we also get in early in the day and wanted as much time possible in the park that day so decision made to get to the resort on our own.

We use Uber all the time when travelling to cities and are fans of the service. However, I learned from our TA and on this board that Uber is not allowed to pick up at the airport and people take a (free) hotel shuttle and request an Uber from there.

I was told taxis run $70-ish one way.

Our TA recommended Florida Tours as an alternative. My round trip reservation from the aiport to WDW is $135 for a town car. This includes one stop for groceries.

ETA - I ordered the book recommended above.

 

[LJSquishy]

January and parts of February are a low crowd time of year at Disney World, but it's also much cooler weather...a high of 70 for the most part. I'm not sure about January, but February is a low precipitation part of the year for Florida (I'd guess January is similar) so it's not likely to rain every day on you.

I recommend a minimum of 5 full park days (this excludes your arrival day and departure day unless you'll be arriving in the morning) which would allow for 2 Magic Kingdom days, 1 Animal Kingdom day, 1 Hollywood Studios day, and 1 Epcot day. If you really want to not feel rushed, I'd say 7 nights is more reasonable (or longer). Our first trip we spent 7 nights and had 6 full park days...we were just traveling as 2 adults with no kids and we felt rushed at times. We thought we did everything we wanted to do, but after getting back home we realized how much we missed! In a week we're going again and our party will be 4 adults, no kids...but we're staying for 9 nights.

If you stay on-site at a Disney resort, you'll get to utilize free transportation called The Magical Express from MCO (Orlando airport) to your resort. You'll also want to book your dining reservations 180 days in advance if possible, and you can book your Fastpass + selections 60 days in advance. If you don't stay on-site, you don't book your FP+ selections until the 30 day mark and you do not get to utilize The Magical Express.

I highly recommend browsing around EasyWDW.com and look at everything there. There are crowd calendars, resort reviews, restaurant reviews, etc and it's by far the best and most accurate website out there for Disney World.