Thank you all for the advice. Quite frankly I am like a little kid in a candy store planning the trip. The most important thing is to make sure they keep a smile on their faces
It is very overwhelming...
Where to eat
Where to see Wishes
Where to see certain characters
Where to see the parades
Fast Pass and tips to not wait too long in line - i.e. ride this ride first ect.
I guess through trying to maximize our fun, I forgot that just being there will be magical!
Can't wait to see their faces on Christmas. I am going to have a series of presents to open in order giving them clues - picture of an airplane, pictures of AKL, list of things they should pack, ****need a few more items that won't give it away*** until they finally open up the last present which is a custom shirt with Aurora's/Lillyth's first trip to Disney World.
As they open this last box I will turn on the Disney Vacation DVD that I made.
If I may offer my two cents:
Where to eat is a question only you can answer. Everyone has a different pallatte, and what I may consider good food, you may consider slop! There are some fabulous restaurants at every park, and there are some that I will NEVER return to! My advice on this: Don't just relegate your dining to the parks. There are a ton of restaurants available to you in the resorts that offer fabulous dining, as well as at Downtown Disney. Having a small daughter, I would recommend 1900 Park Fare at Grand Floridian, or Akershus in Norway at EpCOT. Both are character dining experiences with Disney Princesses, and all little girls like Disney Princesses! The food at both restaurants is very good, with 1900 being a buffet, and Akershus having a Norwegian cold bar, and menu dining. Cinderella's Royal Table is also a good choice, but getting a reservation this late WILL be problematic.
Wishes, in my OPINION, is best viewewd from Main Street, just above Casey's Corner if walking toward the "Hub." This affords you with the best view of the fireworks as they explode above Cinderella Castle. The Electric Light Parade/Spectromagic is also well viewed here, but pretty much anywhere on Main Street is good! Just remember to get to your "spot" about 45 mins before the parade starts!
In all of my travels to WDW, I have found that the best way to ride rides and avoid long waits is to get to the park early, and stay late! The bulk of guests typically arrive between 10:30am and 2:00pm, and it is at this time that the parks feel the most congested. Kids get tired, people typically return to their resorts for the pool and a nap, and return later in the evenings to "finish out" the parks. By getting there at Rope Drop, you are giving yourself a good head start on the crowd.
In years past, the FastPass system allowed you to return anytime during or after your return "window" and experience the attraction. Disney is now enforcing the return "window" time, thus making planning with FastPasses more important than ever. The method we take to touring the park always begins with Fantasyland, and touring counter-clockwise through Liberty Square, Frontierland, Adventureland, and so-on. This plan has NEVER failed me!
I wish you the best experience on your upcoming trip! I don't recall the poster who posted that WDW is not a collection of rides, rather a state of mind, but truer words have never been spoken! Have fun, and safe travels!!!
