First Timer going to Disney in October

[New2Disney2006]

Hi... I just found this site and have been reading trying to find tips, must do's and any other kind of info that I should know. My family is going October 12th - 18th and it will be a first time for all four of us. Does anyone have any advice or must do's to tell me about? Also... Is there any certain thread that would be best for a first timer? I would really appreciate any help. Thanks...

 

[tweedlewtwinsmama]

 

[First-timer]

welcome!! i was a first timer in march and i got alot of info on all these boards..... just remember you can not do it all in one trip..... and you need a vacation after your vacation to disney.... and the most important thing is to have fun!! vicki

 

[JoAnnPan]

Welcome ~ first time to Disney ~ how exciting!!!

Are you staying on site? What parks are you all going to?

Just came back from a trip two weeks ago - very important to wear comfy shoes; blisters can ruin a whole day!

Don't waste time stressing about things; relax and try not to see everything/ride everything the minute you get to a park.

DISBOARDS - Ask any questions you have on these boards; it is a fantastic place to get information.

Use FASTPASS

In my own opinion:
Must-do's in the Magic Kingdom would be Mickey's Philarmagic, Haunted Mansion, the parades & the fireworks...oh and have a Mickey's Ears ice cream bar! I love the french toast loaf in the bakery on Main Street also.

Just take the time to really look around and enjoy it all; to me there is no place like it. It is truly a magical place if you let it be.

 

[sschro3]

I wish I had found the Dis before our first trip. We went for 4 days over Thanksgiving and we tried to do all 4 parks running from the minute they opened to the time they closed. My ds on the 4th day asked if he could just go home. We did things alot more relaxed this last trip. It also helped we got to go a couple days longer. I can't stress enough to take some down time. Go to the pool, walk around the resort, take a nap, whatever will get you out of the park for a couple hours. Once you are recharged then head back and have more fun.
The whole family loves Mickey's Philharmagic at MK and Star Tours at MGM.
We had a great time at Chef Mickeys. We went for dinner..all you can eat prime rib was all my dh needed to hear. Food was tasty, the characters spent time with the kids and it was a great party atmosphere.
Have a great time.
Sharon

 

[princessblueeyzes]

HI and welcome! Definately drink lots of fluids while out there and use lots of sunscreen. The little fans with the spray bottles are wonderful to keep you cool. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes! Most importantly go play with Mickey Mouse! I love WDW because there is so much to do and see-if you like sandwiches definately try Earl of Sandwich in Down Town Disney they are to die for Much better than any subway sandwich I have eaten.

Remember not to overdo yourself trying see everything I did that our first trip and boy I needed a vacation from vacation.

 

[WI_DisneyFan]

This is the advice I'd give to any Disney first timer (some of which was stated by others in early posts).

• Do not try to see everything and ride all the rides. You'll just get stressed out about what you haven't seen yet instead of enjoying what you are currently doing.

• Take time to stop and smell the roses. Just take a little time at each park to slow down and enjoy your surroundings.

• What I suggest doing is the night before you go to a park, look through the list of attractions that the park offers. And pick out 3 or 4 that you really want to do the following day, and sort of plan your day around those 3 or 4 things. Then you can fill in the rest of your day with the things that would be nice to do but aren't really important.

• If you are staying at a Disney resort, enjoy what they have to offer. Take advantage of the Disney transportation to and from the parks. Head to the parks early morning before the crowds pick up. During the afternoon when everyone is at the parks, go back to your hotel and take a nap or go for a swim. Then after dinner, head to the parks again to enjoy the lower crowd volume. You'll be refreshed and ready to spend your evening with Disney magic.

• Be sure to interact with the characters there. Chip and Dale were my personal favorites, as they were always very playful.

And I'll just repeat the main theme here -- don't go into this trip expecting to do and see everything. You'll just wear yourself out and leave Disney World with less than magical memories. That is the way I used to approach it, but my DW basically forced me to slow down on our honeymoon, and I didn't experience everything there, but I enjoyed myself a lot more than if I had gone into commando mode.

 

[New2Disney2006]

Thank you for replying back. We are staying at the All Star Movies and doing the Dining Plan. So far we have booked Breakfast at Cinderella's Castle and The Spirit of Aloha Luau. We also made reservations for the Fantasmic Light Show at Mama Mia's. Disney World just seems so HUGE and it seems like I should be trying to PLAN every minute. Thanks for the advice.

 

[tchan03]

Welcome to DIsboard!

I am sure other fans provided your lots of advice already.

My personal must-have ( in MGM-studio theme park )would be "Who wants to be a millionaire" and "Tower of Terror" (assuming your kids passed the height requirement!) . They are really fun!

Enjoy researching!
Terence

 

[Snoopygirl]

WELCOME!!!!

Man, there is so much information you can find on the DIS! Just sit back, relax and get ready for all kinds of fun!! Ask away, we are here to help! Everyone on the boards is friendly and so knowledgeable. You won't be DISappointed!!!

 

[Minniespal]

Welcome to the Dis

 

[angelsmom920]

Welcome! There is so much on this board from packing tips, to bags to carry in the park - it is hard to say where to begin! Just read what everyone has to offer and then decide for yourself! Enjoy your trip and if you staying on sight, take a break and go back to your resort for a rest! Make sure to drink lots of fluids and make you ADRs! Have a great trip!

 

[Disney Crazy Debbie]

Welcome to the DISboard!

I agree with all that's been said and even though we buy park hoppers we usually take on one park at a time. When we went in 2000 it was the first time I had been since they opened Epcot, MGM and AK so I had alot of new territory to explore. We stayed pretty much on one park per day (we were there 4 days). In 2004 we stayed a week and we planned a park a day and then some but instead we found that we would go to one park for awhile and then decide to go to another later.
Just relax, enjoy the wonders of imagineering, which is fantastic. Just make a list of a few "must" do/see rides in each park and go from there.