First time WDW visitor. Please direct me to a first timer's source of info.

[AngiTN]

Where would be the best place to start FIRST?

First stop I suggest to anyone, easyWDW.com
He covers cheat sheets for touring. Start with those
Then read the FP thread linked above.
There is also an everything MB there here that is worth a read.

 

[bumbershoot]

Start anywhere you want.

This is hydroguy's WDW thread. Expect it to be outdated, but it can be a place to jump off of. http://www.disboards.com/threads/an-introduction-to-wdw-for-dlr-vets.1332683/#post-16541636

 

[whiporee]

I'd start with two basic ideas: First, clear you mind of the things you know from DL, especially when it comes to the Magic Kingdom. DL is much more compressed than the Magic Kingdom, and you have to factor travel time into whatever planning you do. It's not a minor thing. The same thing when going to park to park. They really are different experiences.

The second is to keep in mind there's a lot of positive stuff on the DIS, but there can be a current of negativity that makes you think WDW requires a lot more effort and planning than it actually does. So if you keep a positive attitude about where you're going and why, and don't let yourself get sucked into the negative press, you'll likely have a lot more fun planning and when you actually go.

 

[W.E.D.]

As PPs have said, THIS is the place! Everyone is very helpful. Ask away!

 

[Skywise]

Check out here and EasyWDW's site for tips and ideas for where to eat, what to see and what you can do at your resorts.
My first few months on the board I practically lived here and on the resorts and restaurants sub boards here.

How you plan is kind of a matter of taste - Are you interested in rides, parades, fireworks? Are you willing to trade off some time to explore the resorts? Water parks? Disney Springs?

My general rule of thumb is which rides, attractions and shows which blocks out days per park, throw in a little drama (Where do we kick off the trip - do we want to end the trip at MK seeing Wishes? Illuminations or with a nice dinner at the California grill?) Once you've got that loosely sketched out I start planning dining and locking down ADRs (usually breakfast and dinner, rarely lunch) - Those become "fixed" points in the schedule (That is, once I've got a Be Our Guest reservation for Wednesday at 6pm - we're in MK for that time - maybe for the whole day, maybe for just the afternoon ending with dinner or getting there for dinner and staying the evening... but We're in MK at 6 on Wednesday).

From that point it's a matter of seeing what's available to do and getting FP+s.

You're there for seven days so you could easily spend 1 day per park - but MK is really 2 days and Epcot could easily be 3 or more especially with the Food and Wine festival going on.

Also you might want to do things like eat at Ohanas at the Polynesian then catch Wishes or the water parade from the beach. Of course there's all the dining spots in the Epcot resort area too AND some pool days at the Beach Club!

Good luck and remember... this is fun!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Another excellent site is Deb's allears.net

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Highly, HIGHLY recommend http://www.disneyfoodblog.com for food!!!

If you're into guidebooks, this is my favorite for first timers -- so comprehensive: http://www.amazon.com/Unofficial-Gu...ds=unofficial+guide+to+walt+disney+world+2016

For crowd calendars, I prefer https://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world and http://**************.net/2014/09/25/disney-world-crowds-in-2016/.

I echo PPs' comments that DIS can be very helpful! I also echo PP that it can also get negative and "judgey". Ignore the latter, and all will be good!!

HAPPY PLANNING!!!

 

[E-ticket Princess]

My best advice for you is book meals right now. Today. Obviously avoid the most crowded park on each day and eat off hours, 11 am or 230 pm for lunch. 4 pm or 9 pm for dinner. Be sur you 2 hour meal window. Get Ohana and Be our Guest right away. You can alter them later. Reservations or ADRs are vital at WDW. much more than Disneyland. Then work backwards and plan park touring around your meal ADRs.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

My best advice for you is book meals right now. Today. Obviously avoid the most crowded park on each day and eat off hours, 11 am or 230 pm for lunch. 4 pm or 9 pm for dinner. Be sur you 2 hour meal window. Get Ohana and Be our Guest right away. You can alter them later. Reservations or ADRs are vital at WDW. much more than Disneyland. Then work backwards and plan park touring around your meal ADRs.

Agree about the importance of ADRs -- totally different than DL -- if OP is into table service. I get most of ours right at 180 days. They're going in Oct 2017, though, so still have some time on that one, luckily!

 

[Hopefully]

My best advice for you is book meals right now. Today. Obviously avoid the most crowded park on each day and eat off hours, 11 am or 230 pm for lunch. 4 pm or 9 pm for dinner. Be sur you 2 hour meal window. Get Ohana and Be our Guest right away. You can alter them later. Reservations or ADRs are vital at WDW. much more than Disneyland. Then work backwards and plan park touring around your meal ADRs.

OP's trip is in 2017. Not time for ADR's
I'd start by reading easywdw's this years calendar for the month you are going nest year. Get an idea of why certain parks are recommended on certain days. He almost always recommends against parks with Extra Magic Hours because they tend to be more crowded. But when you know why you can make your own decision to follow that recommendation or not. Plus right now lots of things are in flux, so planning for this fall is not as easy in years past. I think it will settle down over time.
I always pick which park which day first. Then I plan my ADR's in or near that park. WDW is HUGE. It is a huge waste of time to be travelling all over property just for an ADR.
For example, you want to go to Trader Sam's I would plan that on a MK day.
Once you know which park and where and when you will eat you can plan your FP+
Good Luck and Have Fun. Planning is lots of fun for me

 

[cajunbaby1]

This site is great. Any question you have you can ask it. Another good site is Allears.net, ESP if you have dietary restrictions because they Always seem to have the most current menus from any food place, anywhere at Disneyworld.

 

[arcadiandj]

WOW!!!!!!!!!! Everyone, thank you so much for your input and guidance. I have dabbled into some of the sources and will provide an update as I go. Thank you so much for helping my wife and I to get started! We are already enjoying WDW-and have never been there. Thank you

 

[bilnsheldodisney]

this is my favorite spot - but it can be challenging to navigate for a newbie.

my favorite book is the one from www.passporter.com. best maps ever!

i also like www.allears.net especially for menus!

You picked the best resort - especially if you love epcot.

 

[John Marecek]

The wonderful people on the Dis Boards will help you with any questions you have. I learned, there are no stupid questions and the Disney community is ridiculously supportive.

Dis podcasts are a must, along with Be Our Guest Trip Planning Podcast. Go through the archives and pick and choose what episodes appeal to you and your trip.

Enjoy the planning, it's going to be a fun year and a half.

 

[E-ticket Princess]

Agree about the importance of ADRs -- totally different than DL -- if OP is into table service. I get most of ours right at 180 days. They're going in Oct 2017, though, so still have some time on that one, luckily!

Cool! I thought it was October 2016. I was worried for them.