First Time Pre-Trip Report

[truppcma]

This first timer to WDW has decided to make an attempt at a first time trip report as well. SO here goes:

Cast of characters:
Me, DW, 36, stay at home mom and self-employed accountant
DH, 47, just wants a nice family vacation, here or Timbuktu, doesn't matter
DS, 6, smart as a whip, wants to meet the Power Rangers, meet Stitch
DD, 4, daddy's little princess, will love it all, but can be very cranky when tired

Our trip is only four short weeks away, April 30 thru May 5. We booked this trip back in January, and ever since I have been reading the books, planning, and check these DIS boards almost every day for any tips I can get my hands on. DH thinks I'm nuts, as do our neighbors, who are making the trip the week before us. I have ADRs made for dinner each night, although I have second guessed each one. But, ya know, I left them all as is. It seems that for every bad dining review I have read, there is one equally as good. So, I say, take your chances on whatever suits you best.

I do have touring plans printed for the parks. I at least wanted to know "what to do first", before the crowds got bad. But I don't want to stick to the plan to the letter either. "No kids, you can't stop to shake Mickey's hand right now, we're supposed to be getting FPs for Splash Mountain right now, COME ON!!!!" So I will use them for first thing in the morning, and as a general guide. This trip is for the kids, so what they want to do is going to dictate most of our day. Whether we get to experience any of the big rides or not will depend on the height requirement and their fear factor.

Gotta run to pick up my son from school, will post our daily plan next....

 

[winkers]

This first timer to WDW has decided to make an attempt at a first time trip report as well. SO here goes:

Cast of characters:
Me, DW, 36, stay at home mom and self-employed accountant
DH, 47, just wants a nice family vacation, here or Timbuktu, doesn't matter
DS, 6, smart as a whip, wants to meet the Power Rangers, meet Stitch
DD, 4, daddy's little princess, will love it all, but can be very cranky when tired

Our trip is only four short weeks away, April 30 thru May 5. We booked this trip back in January, and ever since I have been reading the books, planning, and check these DIS boards almost every day for any tips I can get my hands on. DH thinks I'm nuts, as do our neighbors, who are making the trip the week before us. I have ADRs made for dinner each night, although I have second guessed each one. But, ya know, I left them all as is. It seems that for every bad dining review I have read, there is one equally as good. So, I say, take your chances on whatever suits you best.

I do have touring plans printed for the parks. I at least wanted to know "what to do first", before the crowds got bad. But I don't want to stick to the plan to the letter either. "No kids, you can't stop to shake Mickey's hand right now, we're supposed to be getting FPs for Splash Mountain right now, COME ON!!!!" So I will use them for first thing in the morning, and as a general guide. This trip is for the kids, so what they want to do is going to dictate most of our day. Whether we get to experience any of the big rides or not will depend on the height requirement and their fear factor.

Gotta run to pick up my son from school, will post our daily plan next....

Great start! I love reading about other first timers. I'm taking my kids for the first time May 2-9th.

 

[truppcma]

Okay, where was I? One thing that I really wanted to point out: As I have been reading these boards, it amazes me the number of times people say they have been to WDW!! For one, are they all doctors and lawyers, how can they afford this? We are using our tax refund and then some to make this happen. Second, this is our first real family vacation. We have been taking the kids on some camping trips the last two summers, but nothing like this yet. As they get older, I would like for them to see as much of the US as they can, and hopefully learn some things along the way too. Wash DC, Mount Rushmore, Grand Canyon, these are all on my list of places to see.
So, if I want to visit those places and others, then how can we also visit WDW every year? How do you do it?
(I guess I should also mention that I am a tightwad accountant, so I don't part with my $$ too easily) Maybe the doctor/lawyer comment wasn't very nice, I let my cynical side get out for a minut
Now, on to our daily itinerary....

 

[truppcma]

Mon. April 30th - Bright and early, we will be up and at 'em to get to the airport for our 7am flight. (we live in Michigan) I plan on packing over the weekend, a concept that my husband doesn't quite grasp. Advance preparation is beyond him. He thinks that he is going out of town for a guys fishing weekend, and Sunday evening will be plenty of time for him to throw a few things in a bag. Sure, hon, you will probably be as chipper as can be, not the least big hungover either, right?
Easy for the man to say, as we, the mother, are usually the one packing for the REST of the family, the one entrusted with remembering each little item, right down to the wet wipes. In other words, if he goes fishing, I'm hoping Matther McCounaghey is available to meet Mickey with us instead!!!

Since we will have been up and travelling so early, I am not planning on us doing a park when we arrive. Hoping for nice weather so that we can just play/swim at the resort that day. (Caribbean Beach)
Have an ADR at Whispering Canyon for dinner. I think the kids will enjoy this one, and I won't mind the noisy atmosphere. This should really help to kick off our Disney spirit!!!

Tuesday, May 1st: MGM Studios
Must do: Little Mermaid, Playhouse Disney, Muppets, characters
DS is bravely chatting about ToT, but I would bet that he will chicken out in the queue. But if he's game, I'm game.
ADR: Hollywood and Vine. (although not the best for a "fun" atmosphere, I chose this because of the buffet. I figure the kids are going to get sick of the limited menu options at most other places, so I wanted a few buffets to give them some more variety) DD is not a big eater, and lives for dessert. Now, normally this stresses me out a little bit, but on vacation, if all she eats the entire time is ice cream and Mickey bars, have at it, kid.

Wednesday, May 2nd: Animal Kingdom
Must do: Safari, FofLK, DinoLand (my son is a dinosaur nut), Nemo
The kids will enjoy the jungle treks to view the animals
Not interested in Kali, Dinosaur ride may be too intense for the kids
ADR: Rainforest Cafe (never been to one, so despite the bad reviews, we think the kids will enjoy it)

Thurs, May 3rd: Magic Kingdom (day one of two)
Must do: Fantasyland, Splash Mtn, PotC, Philharmagic
Morning EMH on this day, plan is to ride Dumbo, Peter Pan, and maybe Pooh, before our ADR at 9:10 am at Crystal Palace. This is one of the two character breakfasts that we have planned.
ADR for dinner: Tony's

Fri, May 4th: Magic Kingdom (day two of two)
Must do: Tomorrowland, Toontown, anything we missed from day before
I LOVE pineapple, so I must try a Dole Whip!
ADR: The Plaza

Sat, May 5th: Downtown Disney
We have and ADR at 10 am at Poly for the Ohana bkfst with Lilo & Stitch, so we will checkout of the resort, leaving our bags, and then head to Poly. Then its off to DTD for some shopping.
Our flight home is at 8 pm.

DD still naps a few times a week, so we are planning on taking afternoon breaks if need be. Because of this, we may miss the parades, just depends on the timing.
I truly have had fun planning this trip. I ordered crocs for the whole family, (those are the ugliest shoes I have ever seen, but I am going by the advice of you DISers!!!!), bought ponchos at the dollar store, got some single serve crystal lights/koolaid, retractable Sharpie markers, etc....

The kids and I made a Disney paper chain, they take turns ripping off a link every night. I can't believe just how quickly the time goes by....

More thoughts to come..

 

[truppcma]

Mon. April 30th - Bright and early, we will be up and at 'em to get to the airport for our 7am flight. (we live in Michigan) I plan on packing over the weekend, a concept that my husband doesn't quite grasp. Advance preparation is beyond him. He thinks that he is going out of town for a guys fishing weekend, and Sunday evening will be plenty of time for him to throw a few things in a bag. Sure, hon, you will probably be as chipper as can be, not the least big hungover either, right?
Easy for the man to say, as we, the mother, are usually the one packing for the REST of the family, the one entrusted with remembering each little item, right down to the wet wipes. In other words, if he goes fishing, I'm hoping Matther McCounaghey is available to meet Mickey with us instead!!!

Since we will have been up and travelling so early, I am not planning on us doing a park when we arrive. Hoping for nice weather so that we can just play/swim at the resort that day. (Caribbean Beach)
Have an ADR at Whispering Canyon for dinner. I think the kids will enjoy this one, and I won't mind the noisy atmosphere. This should really help to kick off our Disney spirit!!!

Tuesday, May 1st: MGM Studios
Must do: Little Mermaid, Playhouse Disney, Muppets, characters
DS is bravely chatting about ToT, but I would bet that he will chicken out in the queue. But if he's game, I'm game.
ADR: Hollywood and Vine. (although not the best for a "fun" atmosphere, I chose this because of the buffet. I figure the kids are going to get sick of the limited menu options at most other places, so I wanted a few buffets to give them some more variety) DD is not a big eater, and lives for dessert. Now, normally this stresses me out a little bit, but on vacation, if all she eats the entire time is ice cream and Mickey bars, have at it, kid.

Wednesday, May 2nd: Animal Kingdom
Must do: Safari, FofLK, DinoLand (my son is a dinosaur nut), Nemo
The kids will enjoy the jungle treks to view the animals
Not interested in Kali, Dinosaur ride may be too intense for the kids
ADR: Rainforest Cafe (never been to one, so despite the bad reviews, we think the kids will enjoy it)

Thurs, May 3rd: Magic Kingdom (day one of two)
Must do: Fantasyland, Splash Mtn, PotC, Philharmagic
Morning EMH on this day, plan is to ride Dumbo, Peter Pan, and maybe Pooh, before our ADR at 9:10 am at Crystal Palace. This is one of the two character breakfasts that we have planned.
ADR for dinner: Tony's

Fri, May 4th: Magic Kingdom (day two of two)
Must do: Tomorrowland, Toontown, anything we missed from day before
I LOVE pineapple, so I must try a Dole Whip!
ADR: The Plaza

Sat, May 5th: Downtown Disney
We have and ADR at 10 am at Poly for the Ohana bkfst with Lilo & Stitch, so we will checkout of the resort, leaving our bags, and then head to Poly. Then its off to DTD for some shopping.
Our flight home is at 8 pm.

DD still naps a few times a week, so we are planning on taking afternoon breaks if need be. Because of this, we may miss the parades, just depends on the timing.
I truly have had fun planning this trip. I ordered crocs for the whole family, (those are the ugliest shoes I have ever seen, but I am going by the advice of you DISers!!!!), bought ponchos at the dollar store, got some single serve crystal lights/koolaid, retractable Sharpie markers, etc....

The kids and I made a Disney paper chain, they take turns ripping off a link every night. I can't believe just how quickly the time goes by....

More thoughts to come..

 

[disneydreamer21]

Sounds like a great trip! I also have a DD 6 and DS 4. We are tearing off a chain every morning, but have a lot to go, our trip isn't until July! We are going to be there for 7 days and plan on going to Epcot. What made you decide not to go? We do plan on using Epcot as our "half day." We are going to sleep in and not head to the park until 1:00 or so to do the Nemo ride and a few other things.

 

[jkckr]

Great start! I'm sure you are going to have a great trip! I think I am going to attempt a pre-trip report!!

 

[CinderellaDreamer]

I think that it all sounds great! You have a great itinerary and wonderful dining reservations.

We are going back to Hollywood & Vine this time since we had such a great time there with the Playhouse Disney characters last trip.

And we loved the Crytal Palace with Pooh (and the mushroom pasta). The Whispering Canyon was a lot of fun too. I think you are going to enjoy it all so much.

I love your game plan. May I suggest Honey I shrunk the Kids at MGM as well? Big playground that our kids just loved. Everything is designed to make you seem small in a yard. Also, if your ds likes Star Wars, Star Tours and the store there are fun. This was our sons' favorite.

I'm sure your son will love the Dinoland rides and the dino playground and dig area. So much fun!

I haven't seen a Dole Whip. What is this? I must try it.

And as for repeat trips, we are fortunate that our wealthy grandmother foots the bill for T-giving for us to visit, or we wouldn't go more than once every few years - maybe. lol

Best wishes for a great trip! We'll look for you in Disney on 5/4!

 

[truppcma]

disneydreamer21, we decided against Epcot mainly because I didn't think there was much that my young kids would enjoy. DH would love to go, so if we make it back there when the kids are a little older, we will definitely go then.

 

[truppcma]

cinderella:

Hey! We are reading each other's trip reports!! Cool!

A Dole Whip is like an ice cream treat with pineapple, it is in MK in Adventureland. (I LOVE pineapple!) I was hoping that I might be in better shape for my new bathing suit for this trip, but since Easter came and went and I can't keep my face out of the kids candy, that wish has fallen by the wayside! So, I say, bring on the goodies!!!!