Go to the library and borrow a book and look at it together. spend tons of time reading post on this board. The UNofficial Guide and the Passporter are both good books with lots of info. read up and come back on and post questions.
Which resort are you staying at?
What kind of tickets did you buy? do they have park hopper option? are they non expiring ones? If you have a base MYW ticket it does expire 14 days after first use. no exceptions. you must have the no expiring option added on (cost approx. $20 extra per ticket~for a 4 day)) for it to be good into future. If no hoppers than that is why you needed four days, otherwise with hoppers you would only need 2 day tickets for two days in town. Possible 3 day if you wanted to go in on day of check out. (hoppers are approx. $40 extra per ticket) still cheaper than 4 days I think?
there are threads to read about what ticket is the best for your type of stay.well, maybe your tickets are already bought so. . just check at gate to see what you actually have.
Rides are not all about the thrill at Disney (like lots of other amusment parks) they are more about the theming and story and detail lots of times. I bet your daughter will want to ride more then you think. 7 years old is so perfect age wise. While the shops are nice and fun and most rides dump you out into one themed toward that attraction, spend your park time doing park stuff. You can shop in DTD after the parks.
Everyone always says get to the parks for opening, I disagree. You need to be there minimum 30 minutes before opening. I am not kidding, especialy on a crazy busy week end like this one. You WILL GET MORE DONE in ONE HOUR at start of day then the rest of time in park. It is true. Hit your fast pass attractions first. You will be issued one fast pass at a time. You can get another when your first ones time runs out. FP machines are at front of attractions. Geez. there is just to much to know to post it here.
But for 2 days, just get a taste, do some things you both agree would be fun. and plan on coming back again and again. 2 parks a day it will be impossible (literally physically to walk that far and use transportation to get you there) so just plan where to go first, second, etc.
MK is quitesenssial Disney so do that first. Epcot is a favorite but it is also the largest park and takes two days to just touch the surface of each attraction. Do the headliners there, and then skip on back to the countries for some great shopping. AK and MGM can be seen even if not completely in a day. Depends on how much animal time you are looking for. The shows (most of what MGM is about) can not all be seen in a day unless you have all day and the perfect schedule in place. And then it's grueling getting to them all. Pick a few that sound good to you and stick to those.
oh my. this is sounding negative and I don't mean it that way. We knew nothing before our first trip and had a great time in just 7 days, but that was back when there were only 2 parks to hit and we were young!
You will be back so don't sweat missing stuff just choose carefully! Parades are at 3pm usually. fireworks and shows at end of night. If I had to pick 2 places to end my nights it would be 1) at Fantasmic (MGM) and 2) fireworks on mainstreet (MK). Also know you can shop in the parks for nearly an hour after park hours. Save it for then!
It is typical to walk 10-12 miles a day in Disney, more if you are hopping around and trying to fit lots in. Wear your most comfortable shoes.
sorry so long, crash courses are never easy!
now ask your specifics. everyone on this board loves to help!
Have a magical time!!!
oh forgot. You can sooo take snacks into park with you and water botttles too. use those drink flavor packs for fountain water. Saves you a bundle and you can nosh while waiting in line. Just take time for one counter service meal at off hours.
Welcome to the DIS, Nikki!!!
