first time to disney

[kidstripfirst]

Hello ladies,

I am new at this but here it is. we will b going to disney for the first time but I am not sure where to begin as far as the planning. I want to fly I live in Houston. Pls help.

 

[Macduffy]

start looking at restaurants you'll want to go to so you'll be ready at your 90 day mark and be ready to call first thing in the morning!!!

 

[henry72]

Welcome aboard! You might check out allear.net for menus on the restaurants so you can make your ADRs (Advanced Dining Reservations). You can also check out info on the parks there. How long are you staying? When are you going? These boards can sure help you with your planning and give you great trips.

BTW, we are flying Southwest out of San Antonio - with a layover in Houston on our way there in December.

 

[RMAMom]

Read, read, read, and read some more, you will start to feel confused and overwhelmed but just keep reading and it will all start to make sense.

It would help if we knew when you were going and the ages of who you were going with. We could then suggest something specific for you to investigate.

 

[kidstripfirst]

Thank you,

yes it is a bit confusing, I will continue to read........We are going for Christmas week this year. DD 10 yrs DS 7 yrs plus us two.

 

[3mickeys&me]

So excited for you and your first trip to the world. Did you decide where you want to stay? In a Disney Resort or off property? Flying to Orlando is a breeze plus if you are staying on property I HIGHLY recommend taking advantage of Disneys Magical Express so you won't need to rent a car. They pick you up at the airport and delivery you and your luggage to your Disney Resort. Gotta love it. Its all part of the package.
I agree with the other posters, figure out by searching these boards and Disney . Com to find what restaurants you want to eat at and make ressies. Have a magical trip

 

[winjos]

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you can visit Town Hall at MK and get a pin that says "1st Time" (or something like that). It's free! Have your kids wear them because the CMs usually make a comment or talk to them when they see the pins. It makes them feel extra special!

Like the above posters:
1) Figure out your park schedule - Make a schedule by day detailing the park you will be visiting.
2) Get ADR (dining reservations) all set up ASAP. The week of Christmas is very busy and you'll want to make sure you have a place to eat (if you want character meals and sit down restaurants).

The rest you can get off the various sites available.

Have a great trip!

 

[tinkerfan1]

Your first trip - how awesome! I hope you have a WONDERFUL time. You MUST make it a point to see the light at Hollywood Studios. They are beautiful at Christmas time. They start right after Thanksgiving (correction: they are starting November 10th this year) and end around New Years and we love it! Just enjoy your visit and allow yourself to sit back and watch the wonder around you. It truly is amazing. You need to take the monarail to the Grand Floridian to see the Gingerbread House and then take the boat to the Wilderness Lodge for Christmas decorations as well. Those are two of our favorites. Our family doesn't consider the trip complete without those three things. If you are anything like us, you will become addicted. We've not been at Christmas but we have been when the decorations are up for many years and don't want to miss it. ENJOY ENJOY ENJOY!

 

[ktlm]

Have a wonderful 1st trip!!! The things I think are probably most important:

1. When you say Christmas week, I assume you mean the week between Christmas and New Years-- If so, you need to realize up front that is Disney's busiest week of the entire year. It is going to be really crowded. You can still have a wonderful time- I've done it. Disney is beautiful at the holidays. You do need to at the very least have some sort of loose plan. You need to pick what parks you are going to what days- have the kids pick what rides and shows are most important as you are probably going to run into long lines. Be sure and understand and use the Fast Pass system. It is a huge timesaver.

2. If you don't already have a room booked, you need to do that NOW.
You already may have trouble getting what you want if you plan to stay on-property. As I said, that is probably the busiest week of the year. If you have trouble getting what you want, get something and then keep calling back and checking for cancellations, they happen. I've never stayed anywhere on Disney property that wasn't good.

3. As far as eating, you need to start trying to make ADRs (dining reservations) NOW, if you plan on having any table service sit down meals. We usually make 1 ADR a day, and do CS (counter service) for the rest. Allears.net has a list of all of the restaurants, where they are (which park or which resort) their menus, and prices. You can make dining reservations online. Dining reservations open 90 days ahead of time, so they are already open for your time period. You can make them online or by phone. You may have trouble getting what you want already. Book at least something, then keep trying for what you want. Cancellations happen. You will want to book a restaurant in or near the park you are going to be at for the day. It takes a long time to travel between locations at WDW. It is huge.

Have a wonderful time!