First Time to WDW, need a little help.

[marinahendrix]

Hey everyone! In June 2007, my boyfriend and I will both be going to Disney World for the first time to commemorate my graduation. It is the perfect senior trip!

I've done quite a bit of researching over the last 4 or 5 months but I am still unsure about a few things.

- Tour plans. I have read that they save a lot of time in lines but there is a lot of backtracking you must do. I was wondering, especially in the case of MK, since we are splitting the park in to two days, could we do half the park one day and the other half the next day?
i.e.: Day 1: Adventureland, Frontierland, and Liberty square.
Day 2: fantasyland, tomorrowland, toontown fair.
Will that give us adequate time to see and ride everything (aside from midway rides and the like)??
In Animal Kingdom and Disney Studios, are you able to see everything in one day without a touring plan? I don't like to be on too tight of a schedule and I would much rather enjoy DW as it comes at me. I think it would be more enjoyable to just stroll along and ride everything around me.
And at Epcot, is there enough time to ride most everything if one day is spent in Future world and another day in World Showcase?

Thank you all in advance. I have a feeling this will be the best vacation ever.

-

 

[DisneyDadof3]

With the right plan you can do all of MK in a day .... and the rides multiple times in a day.

 

[marinahendrix]

We have two days for MK.

Our plan is such:
Day 1: AK
Day 2: EP
Day 3: EP
Day 4: Rest
Day 5: DS
Day 6: MK
Day 7: MK

Since its our first trip, I'd like it to be as relaxed as possible, but still being able to ride most everything. I dont really care about lines, as long as there is time to ride most everything. We are staying in WDW, so we will be using the Extra Magic Hours as well.

thanks!

 

[SPAM]

if you have 2 days for mk i dont think one necessarily needs a touring plan. you should be able to do everything, use the FP

 

[marinahendrix]

Thanks. I will be sure to excercize my full FastPass rights.

 

[ZoZo]

I think it might depend on what time of year you're going (summer = longer hours but more crowds; winter = shorter park hours but low crowds).

I have read lots of great things about Tour Guide Mike. Just about everyone has great things to say about it. It's $18.95 - apparently, well worth the money (saves you time, lets you experience more).

 

[ajcolorado]

You're going in June - which is the beginning of Peak season and you've never been to Disney World before - right? If that is accurate, I would say that you definately want a touring plan.

First of all, good touring plans absolutely do save you a lot of wasted time in lines. Having best days information helps tremendously too.

Second, if you're not familiar with the parks, having a good plan helps you know where to go next.

The Unofficial Guide is great - I've used it. It does involve some backtracking - the goal is to see the most in the least amount of time.

Tour Guide Mike is great - I've used it. It is more relaxed - the goal is to have the best overall resort experience.

Will you be needing any dining reservations? You want to have your itinerary - which park you visit on a particular day - done by January so that you can book your dining reservations with assurance of getting what you want. You can cancel or make adjustments, if you need to. But you'll have a start. Once that's done, the touring plan portion is pretty easy.

 

[fla4fun]

It sounds like you are spontaneous people and you're concerned that touring plans might weigh you down. I can understand that. I've been going to WDW since 1971, so I know it very well, and having an annual pass, I have the good fortune to visit frequently. If a ride has a line on one trip, I can bypass it now, and hit it next time. I make just a few ADR's for my very favorite restaurants and wing it on everything else. Being ultra flexible can be a very relaxing way to visit WDW.

However, this is your first trip to the World, so I would ask you a couple questions. Do you plan to come back in the future? What are you looking to get out of the trip? It sounds like you're looking for a fun and laid back trip for the two of you to just enjoy each other's company and to celebrate the fact that you've graduated.

I think it would be a good idea to research the touring plans and to have some with you. Since you seem to have plenty of time for doing the parks (since you are planning on splitting both MK and Epcot into two days), I would also do a simple itinerary, with just a list of which parks you plan to do which days, any ADR's you make, and a short list of the four or five rides you really want to get on each day. Try it your way the first day. If you start to get frustrated with lines and crowds, try the touring plan the next day and see if it makes a difference. You may find a combination of the two works well for you.

If you plan to revisit WDW in the future, it may not matter so much that you see every single attraction. The biggest mistake many people make when going to WDW is they forget to plan in the down time, the relax at the pool time, the wander around and soak up the environment time. Remember to play and have fun. Do something silly. After all, it's your vacation!

 

[umbluegray]

I've planned our last 2 trips myself and we were OK, but I thought I'd check out Tour Guide Mike this time just to see if he really knows more than me.

After looking over his suggestions, I have to say he knows much more than me.

Consider this --- any backtracking involved is there to SAVE YOU TIME AND GIVE YOU THE MOST TIME TO DO WHAT YOU WANT.

Don't let the thought of backtracking deter you.

 

[HappyCamperToo]

The Unofficial Guide also has a handy chart for if you want to wing it--it lists rides by park and suggests best times of the day to line up for them. For example, you should go in with the info that on the day you're going to tour Frontierland, you need to hit splash mountain and big thunder mountain before you worry about Tom Sawyer Island---stuff like that.

How crowded it will be also depends upon what time in June you're going. The beginning is much less crowded than the middle, which is much less crowded than the end. Look at the unofficial Guide's best days calendar for crowd levels. The higher the number, the more you need a plan. Delete the * in the link below so it will work. DisBoards doesn't seem to let us to post links to the unofficial guide's sites, probably due to their relationship with TourGuideMike..

http://www.touring*plans.com/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=14

btw--they seem to update these crowd estimates as it gets closer to the date.

Have fun!

 

[marinahendrix]

Thank you all so much for your help.

I have read the Unofficial Guide 4 times front to back. I love that thing! I have a whole lot of information about my trip. I have almost all of the rides and their places memorized, so it shouldn't be too hard to get around. As long as the maps really represent the location of the attractions in real life, I should be okay at getting around. Since I haven't been before and I am investing thousands of my own money, I wanted to try and ensure that everything goes well. I heard Tour Guide Mike was a really good source for information. I am just wondering what he will have that I don't already know and that I will actually use (If I am just paying for 100 touring plans and tips on finding babysitters, I'm not really interested. I would like to find a good source that pertains to us, and our situation...and free would be nice too!). Is there a free trial or anything?

I really like the idea of not using a touring plan on the first day and trying it out, then using one if things get too shaken. That is such a great plan!

Our trip is June 1. Thats the earliest we could be there and I figured it would be the least crowded of the summer months. We both go to school and work full time so there is no way we could go any other time of the year...not yet at least.

I definately plan to return many times in the future, but money is quite tight around here and I don't know how soon that could really be so I would like to get as much done as possible in this trip.

We planned in a day of rest and I am sure we will go back to the resort for a swim a few days during lunch. I know WDW will be crowded and very large, I just hope it isnt too overwhelming to where we can't enjoy ourselves.

Thank you all so much for your help!

 

[WI_DisneyFan]

First off, congratulations on the graduation! And you have certainly come to the right place for information.

I don't have much to add, since I am a "wing-it" kind of guy. I like to experience things as they come to me. So I'll just say that I think you'll have a great time down there. You are certainly attacking it from the right angle -- read as much as you can before you go so you know what to expect. Plan enough to make yourself comfortable that you aren't just flying blind. And you don't expect to be able to get through all of Magic Kingdom and Epcot in one day. (And yes, I think two days apiece would be good to hit all of the major points in those two parks. And one day was more than enough for me and my DW on her first trip to see everything at Disney Studios. We never made it to Animal Kingdom on our honeymoon trip, so I can't speak on that one at all.) All too often, you hear of people that go to WDW with absolutely no advanced planning what-so-ever, and they come back disappointed. They either didn't realize just how big it is, or how crowded it can be, or how long the lines can get, etc. But you've already come to terms with all of that, so all that is left is for you to have a great time!

 

[Blaynexox]

Hey! Wow.. thats really a coincidence! Me and my boyfriend are going to WDW for the first time ever in February for MY senior trip! He graduates 3 years ago and works full time and has been to WDW once 12 years ago. I have NEVER been and also work but only part time so its okay. We are going the 13th - 23rd .. i am missing some of school.. but i will be accepted to college by then so im not really worrying about highschool anymore. I mostly have just been reading up on everything, ive made all my dinner ressies, and have booked the pirate and princess party and so forth. We are going for 11 days so we have plenty of time to explore the parks so I am not going to hav ea tour plan. Ive basically done what you've done and memorized the maps and such. I also bought the 2007 Passporter. It was VERY informative and has a whole section to help work you through planning your vacation. I would definitely look into it if you havent already! Hope you have a great time in WDW!

 

[WDWFRV]

Tour Guide Mike all the way, especially if it is your first time, I would definitely go with him.

 

[skier_pete]

Hi there,

Congrats on your first time to the world (both OP and BLaynexox), there's nothing quite like it.

In answer to your question, you really do not need a touring plan. And this is coming from someone who usually goes into the park with one. You having enough time in each of the parks to hit all the highlights. And you've done the research to know what you want to see, and what doesn't interest you. As long as you go in with a rough idea. (IE "We'll start in Tomorrowland today and work our way around...") But, don't be afraid of some backtracking, the parks are big, but not so huge that you can't get a FP and come back later. I would avoid the "Run across the park and back for a FP", but if you come up to say Splash Mountain, the wait is 90 minutes and you can get a FP, get the FP and come back to it later, even if it means backtracking a little. Reading the Unoffical guide is great, you'll have it all in your head, so while you don't necessarily need to follow a plan, you will be able to take advantage of some of that information while you are there anyways.

As a young couple unecumbered by little ones, you will be able to cover probably more than you think based on what you read. A couple other recommendations:
- MGM is a small park, backtracking is not a big deal here. Most rides have FP, so use them, you should be able to see this in a day.
- Your MK idea is good, split it in half. Assuming you plan on getting there close to opening, one day head for Splash M and BTMRR, the other day hit SM first, and then work away from those rides. In two days, you should have time to see everything you want, plus repeat a couple of your favorites.
- AK is big and poorly laid out, avoid bracktracking here if you can. If you only have one day, don't bother too much with the "Zoo" elements like the walkthrough exhibits and concentrate on the rides, leave the "Zoo" stuff for if there is time. However, try and catch Festival of the Lion King, as it is pretty stunning. (Skip the Pocontas show, great for my DD3, but at your age you will think its a big waste of time.) Also, don't even bother with Conservation Station, strictly for the kiddies.
-EPCOT is big, but OK to backtrack to nearby rides. (Grab FP for test track, hop on M:S, then back to test track.) You will probably enjoy Future World more than World Showcase. Wouldn't be bad to plan the 1st day primarily in FW, and maybe toward the end go over to WS for dinner, then the 2nd day, finish up FW in the morning, and be able to take the rest of WS at a leasurely pace.

 

[DisFhan]

Tour Guide Mike is a huge help. I was at Disney in June of this year and it was nice to know what parks to avoid on certain days. I like how he explains the EMH and why and why not visit parks. You should try a waterpark on your day of rest, and just relax at the park.......

 

[f7prez]

Scrap the touring plans. This is your first time right? Why spend half your time criss crossing the parks, overlooking the beauty and detail of the parks.
You should be able to cover all of the Magic Kingdom in two days with time left to ride your favorites again. MGM and AK can be done in one day.
Most guide books offer their top ten list, or not to be missed list. Usually good advice. Some things you may not even want to ride or see. You WILL be back, its addicting. If you don't get to everything this time, you will the next. Take your time and enjoy it. This is not your typical theme park. It is "the happiest place on earth". For real.
Perhaps you could start a thread asking people for their "not to miss" list.

 

[marinahendrix]

How funny! My boyfriend graduated three years ago too! Too bad we aren't going at the same time. That would have been an adventure. haha.

 

[marinahendrix]

Thank you guys so much for all of your help.

I have been reading these boards for about 3 months now, but never have I gotten such great information. I should have posted this thread months ago! It makes it a lot easier when I get advice for my particular situation. You guys are awesome.

I think I will bring a few touring guides along for the ride and if everything doesnt go smoothly without them, I will just pull them out and stick to the plan of someone who's been there before.

I am going to the bookstore today to look for a PassPorter. I have heard good things.

I'm still trying to decide about Tour Guide Mike. What kind of information does he give?

Thanks so much!

 

[Blaynexox]

How funny! My boyfriend graduated three years ago too! Too bad we aren't going at the same time. That would have been an adventure. haha.

I know! It would be REALLY fun to meet up with you guys there since we are the same age and our boyfriends are the same age!! .. maybe i convince him to go back in june if our trip turns out good!