First Time to Disney World 2009

[scotty]

Hello All

I was wondering my sister, her 2 kids (will be 10 and 5 when we go next year), my self, and my cousin are planing our first tip to disney world sometime in 2009. We were thinking on going to disney world in August 2009, but not quite sure on when to book for our trip. Plus since it being all our first time out of country any tip/advice on making our trip really smooth would be a grate help. Also does anyone know if there is a packing list on this site anywhere if so could you help out in redirecting me please and thank you very much. For flying we never done it before so what would be the best bet for flying, should we fly out of Toronto or Buffalo.

Thanks a lots guys

 

[AndyMcV]

Hi Scotty

I think the best thing you can do is educate yourself as much as you can before you go. Since you're on this board, you're already starting. I think a smooth trip depends on how planned and organized you are before you go.

First off go to www.allearsnet.com. This site is great for first timers and offers a lot of information on planning your trip.

You'll find a good packing list here Ultimate Packing List

Regarding flying, I think this depends on you. We've flown down through Toronto but on our last trip (last June) we tried Buffalo. For us we saved a bundle going through Buffalo. With AC and Toronto it would have been $2400 for the four of us. Going through Buffalo costs us just under $800 total (yes for all of us). The hardest part was driving down which wasn't really hard at all. We drove down the night before and stayed at the Sleep Inn beside the airport. Given the savings I'd do this again for sure. When we went through Toronto we stayed at the Sheraton Gateway hotel in the Toronto airport. For us this takes a lot of stress off and it's fun for our DS8 and DD4 especially if you get a room with an airport view.

Hope this helps and keep asking the questions.

Andy

 

[michelle1]

If you are planning on August then you should definitely wait until the last 2 weeks...many of the southern schools are back in plus free dining may be offered again. If Buffalo isn't too far for you to drive then fly from there...it's not only cheaper but it is an easier airport to get in and out of. If you do take advantage of the free dining then spend your time now figuring out where you would like to stay so when it comes out (usually May I think) then you can book right away to get the resort you want.

 

[puppyears]

We flew from TO to Orlando, stayed at ASMo for 10 days this July. Our trip package from Westjet was just over $4,400. Once you add all the extra stuff, DDP, park hopper etc., the price goes up.

It is just a matter of convenience, really. We did not want to fly out of Buffalo, we did not want to drive all the way to Florida, because then you have to drive BACK!!, and we did not want any stopovers. So, we picked Westjet packages, and were VERY happy with everything. The flights were at a great time, no early departures or arrivals, so it was our best bet.

I checked out Air Canada (at CAA for the same thing), and they STARTED at $6,000. I thought we could get a better deal than that, and we did.

I started planning in February, and everything fell into place.

Just think of what works best for your family, and then decide what you want to do.

I would definately do it again, just not in July when the weather is just soooo hot you feel like your gonna melt!!!!!

Planning is half the fun, the other half is the smiles on your families face you will always remember.

 

[scotty]

Hi All

Thanks for all of your input it was a great help.. Just wondering what are the crowds like the last 2 weeks of august and how hot is it at that time of year. Just want to get rough idea on how hot it gets.

Thanks

 

[Debbie]

Just wondering what are the crowds like the last 2 weeks of august and how hot is it at that time of year. Just want to get rough idea on how hot it gets. Thanks

Ah. WDW in August. Can you say, "Glasses fogged up as you leave the room"? Or . . . . "Sweat droplets streaming down your back"? How about, "I need to walk through the shops....not to buy, but to feel that very cold AC." Then there is, "I wonder if that guy/gal used their deodorant, because here at Big Thunder Mountain in line-no AC-there is a certain...uh...scent"? And, "Please let the 3 o'clock rains begin!"

It is hot and it is humid in Florida in August. I know. Check my signature. All but 4 of those trips were in August (I'm a teacher.)

Disney in August can be done. I don't do commando, and on some days, I move v-e-r-y s--l--o--w--l--y. I do (well, did) listen to the little ones. Breaks, if not done back in the room are done at the longer-air conditioned-rides and shows. And we drink lots of water.

Asking questions and planning is half the fun. And the other half is being at Disney with your family!

 

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

we went to wdw first time last aug 11-17. it was value season and we stayed at ASMo with our 2 girls in the pongo building right by the mighty ducks pool. we faced opposite of the pool though so didn't have the noise, not that it was a problem cause it was the quieter pool!

We found our first day to be the absolute worst for humidity. On day 2 we adjusted well. After all you can't swim at midnight anywhere other than WDW in august lol! We thoroughly enjoyed the trip.

The lines were not long, we waited max 15 mins for each ride, took advantage of the fastpasses and took time out to watch the shows. We went semi commando as we didn't go back to our room mid day for a break but that was because our kids refused to leave the parks. they wanted to keep going!

We will be going again close to the same time in aug 2010 and I can't wait!

 

[tricia]

My only advice to add is to get your passports as soon as you can.

 

[scotty]

My only advice to add is to get your passports as soon as you can.

Hello

What's the rush on getting the passports..... we where going to get our passports by hopefully by Christmas of this year since we are going August of next year.


Scott

 

[maxie]

Some really good websites to check out are

www.mousesavers.com
allears.net
www.tourguidemike.com - I LOVE his site.

Also plan on picking up a copy of either the Passporter or the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. They are a great resource.

 

[pxlbarrel]

I've been in Orlando on the last week of August. ugh... (and why, I wonder am I going down the second week of September!!??) Anyway, it was hot and very humid. If you took a shower and then stepped outside for about 30 seconds, you were ready for your next shower. Rain comes and goes quickly... but it never cools down afterwards.

It's an ordeal.

LOL but then again... it's Disney World and if you need to cool off, just go to an air conditioned ride like It's a Small World. That'll cool you down (it's a loooooong ride).

It's been a while since I've gone to WDW during the humid time (I've been going in December when it's been downright frosty - even colder than up here sometimes... brrrrr) so this September should be an eye opening reminder of why I go in Dec.

This is also the first time I'm flying out of Buffalo but everybody tells me it's easier than Toronto. (It was certainly cheaper!)

 

[boundfordisney]

I would reccomend flying out of Buffalo and flying with Southwest Buffalo is a great airport and it is soooo much cheaper than Toronto!Southwest has nonstop flights plus departure times are good.If you go in August the last week from what i have read is okay , myself I would do September if possible.No long lines the weather is not to bad and you may get the free dining that has been offered the last few years at that time. We are going in December this upcoming trip to experience wdw at Christmas time, but i wouldnt hesitate to go again in September for any of our other trips we will plan on.The free dining saved us at least 900 dollars! That alone makes it the time to go!The unofficial guide to walt disney world is well worth buying I use it to plan our trips and it has just so much information, any thing you need to know can pretty much be found in that book! Have fun planning your magical trip!

 

[tricia]

I regards to the passports I just don't like booking anything that is non refundable until I have them in hand. I don't trust the government to have enough staff to handle all the extra apps. with the new land crossing requirements of 2009.

I have also had an application sent back because they did not like the picture and that delayed things by a couple of weeks. Christmas would give you lots of time though. I guess 'as soon as possible' was too strong a phrase. I just meant to give yourself plenty of time.

 

[AndyMcV]

I agree with Tricia in that you should get your passports if you don't have them. I do think you have lots of time but get on it. We got our passports through the Whitby office and had them mailled back to Peterborough. It took us 3 weeks total. It's nice to know you have them in hand. We got them for us and our little ones as well.

 

[DisneyRookie2007]

Hello All

I was wondering my sister, her 2 kids (will be 10 and 5 when we go next year), my self, and my cousin are planing our first tip to disney world sometime in 2009. We were thinking on going to disney world in August 2009, but not quite sure on when to book for our trip. Plus since it being all our first time out of country any tip/advice on making our trip really smooth would be a grate help. Also does anyone know if there is a packing list on this site anywhere if so could you help out in redirecting me please and thank you very much. For flying we never done it before so what would be the best bet for flying, should we fly out of Toronto or Buffalo.

Thanks a lots guys

We've been there 3 times in the past 18 months (Feb/late April and end of August). The absolute best weather for us was late April / early May. We missed out on the free dining, but found we were much more flexible about where and when we visited the parks...no need to rush around to make our reservations. We are a family of 4 and walked right up to many places and got a table within 20 minutes. The weather was also great for the water parks too.

August weather was absolutely hot and humid and my wife refused to go back again next time during this time of the year, even with free dining. The water parks were a great escape. With free dining, the parks are also busier so lines were very long.

 

[scotty]

my sister and i where thinking on staying at the All Stars Movie Resort, with her kids and was wonder if that is a good resort to stay on. Or any tips on where to stay.

 

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

my sister and i where thinking on staying at the All Stars Movie Resort, with her kids and was wonder if that is a good resort to stay on. Or any tips on where to stay.

We stayed there last year and LOVED it! The Cast members are all so nice there! we wouldn't hesitate to book there again. Infact we plan to for our 2010 trip! While we toured the other resorts and we've looked at all the pics here on the dis of them too we found that ASMo is the best one for our girls! They loved the mickey pool, the ducks pool and the giant movie characters, especially andy's room!

you and your kids will love it there!

 

[scotty]

Hi all i know my trip is still a long way away but i was wonder we have never been on a plan before and was wonder how it felt and what to accept, considering that i am afraid of heights a bit. Any input would be great
thanks all .

 

[DisneyRookie2007]

Hi all i know my trip is still a long way away but i was wonder we have never been on a plan before and was wonder how it felt and what to accept, considering that i am afraid of heights a bit. Any input would be great
thanks all .

I am afraid of heights myself.....have a hard time getting up a ladder to go on the roof of the house. But I really enjoy flying. It's not the same sensation of height when you're flying. I recommend sitting in an aisle seat if you are unsure of how you wil handle it.....and of course taking a gravol will make you drowsy enough to have a nap and keep your stomach from getting queezy

 

[scotty]

Hello all thanks so much for your input. It is making it easier for my sister and i to make our trip much smother on where to stay.

P.S. Plus keep the ideas, Tips, and suggestions coming much would be appreciated.