First time to Disney with girls ages 4 & 8

[fjd2008]

Somehow my first post yesterday was deleted so I'm going to try again....

I haven't been to WDW with my kids yet - any advice for first time families? They really love the princessess. Also, how does the Fast Pass work? Thanks.

 

[Mkrop]

buy one of the guidebooks like Unofficial Guide, it is a great tool to have along with this website.

It will also explain Fastpass, but I will do my best too. I will use Magic Kingdom as my example. You get to MK and you want to ride Space Mountain and Buzz, both FPs rides. If the wait is like 20 minutes or less do not bother to FP. IF it is longer, choose one and FP it, be sure to look at what time it says above the machine before you insert. If the time is reasonable to you, then get a FP. This will give you a time to come back and say ride Buzz. During that time you can enjoy other things, and then come back when it is time and go in the FP line which is usually shorter. On your FPs it will also tell you when you can get your next FP. We usually FP something in one land and then do the rest of the area and hope that is when our FP says to come back. Be careful with some rides the FPs go qucik. Soarin at Epcot and the Safari at AK are two off the top of my head that I can think of.

I dont know much about princesses as I have 2 boys. I know you can see them in Toontown in MK and then there are charactar meals.

Hope this is a good start.

 

[Aliceacc]

Have you booked any character meals?

There may be more, but they can see princesses at Cindrella's Royal Table (expensive, and hard to get the reservations), the restaurant at Norway in Epcot and at 1900 Park Fare in the Grand Floridian.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Get both the Official and the Unofficial Guides to Disney.

They are lifesavers!

If possible stay on-site to get the real Disney experience. I would advise you to get the Magic Your Way plus dining and book both the Princess Storybook Meal and 1900 Park Fare Cinderella Dinner.

Another thing my girls love is the Wonderland Tea Party at the Grand Floridian.

Keep asking questions here - you'll get the right answers!

 

[Topo Bella]

They are going to love it!

One of my favorite tools is the vacation video that WDW puts out and any other tv show, etc., that you can catch on Travel Channel about WDW. My kids got so excited about certain attractions because they saw them on the videos that when we got to the parks, they could not contain themselves.

 

[Perditamarie]

Here are some things to consider:

* I love the Unofficial Guide-- it is a great tool to obtain a depth of knowledge about the parks/rides/restaurants/ etc. I find it is especially useful to research the rides...make sure they are appropriate (we will never go on the Stitch one!), find out if there are height restrictions, etc. This will help everyone decide on their "must do" list for each park.

* consider the Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique if your girls would love a princess makeover...from a glitter make up and hairdo to costumes. You can also get a glitter do at the Barbershop in Magic Kingdom.

* If they have their own princess costumes, pack'em up and wear them to the park -- or character meals, which are also a lot of fun to dress up for! Bring a change of clothes just in case.

* There are also fun things like tattoos, hair wraps, etc.

* don't foget to schedule time for swimming, shopping and shopping.

* if your girls are collectors, pressed pennies, autographs and pins are a lot of fun to collect throughout the trip (and trade pins w/CMs as well). Collecting autographs can take up a lot of time,so character meals are great for that. You can also collect autographs on pillowcases, bucket hats, etc for a unique souvenir.

* Disney has a ton of fun,silly hats everywhere and it could be fun to take pics of your girls trying on princess hats/gear whenever you can -- I have a great photo montage from our last trip of my kids in about 30 different hats! You can also do a pic of the kids in hats from each country in world showcase!

Happy planning!