First timer - less than one month out!

[bc7ate9]

Sounds like a fun trip!! As long as you are flexible, I am sure you will have an awesome time!

FYI - you can get filtered ice water from any restaurant at Disney. My family just drinks from the fountains and we carry a bottle or 2 and refill at those; however, most people don't like the way fountain water at Disney tastes. I don't know of anybody who has gotten SICK from it, though!

I took my first trip to DL in January - after tons of visits to WDW - and they are definitely different worlds, each with their own charms!

 

[Mouse of Mystery]

She's also paranoid that we will all get sick from the water, so she ordered a couple of cases of bottled water.

It may not seem that way to some, but Florida is most definitely in a first-world country, and enjoys all the advantages -- such as treated water! No need to fear getting sick from the water any more than you would in other parts of the country.

Having said that, some complain that it has a sulfur smell. I have not personally experienced that on Disney property, nor have I ever once heard of someone getting sick from the water. Mark one worry off the list!

 

[jglor]

It may not seem that way to some, but Florida is most definitely in a first-world country, and enjoys all the advantages -- such as treated water! No need to fear getting sick from the water any more than you would in other parts of the country.

Having said that, some complain that it has a sulfur smell. I have not personally experienced that on Disney property, nor have I ever once heard of someone getting sick from the water. Mark one worry off the list!

I know, but our son got sick a few years ago on a trip to Ohio and Indiana, and my wife is convinced that it was the water. I'm not going to argue about it with her, so I'm OK with lugging water around. Neither one of them drinks enough anyway, so I'd rather have them drinking bottled water than nothing.

 

[kollerbear]

One of the things that my wife was concerned about was that our son would be too afraid to ride some rides. He really doesn't like the dark, and last time we had passes, he didn't want to ride Pirates (he was 5 and had loved it when younger). He also was afraid of the coasters.
We've been going to Disneyland a lot in preparation and in the past couple of weeks, he has surprised us both. He went on Big Thunder a couple of times, and the Matterhorn and Indiana Jones and loved them all. I'm not sure if we are going to make it on Space Mountain, but he's been a real champ. In fact, I had to update our Fastpasses for Animal Kingdom because now he wants to ride Expedition Everest, where before he thought it looked too scary.
I think that has made my wife a little less apprehensive, although she is still concerned about food. She's also paranoid that we will all get sick from the water, so she ordered a couple of cases of bottled water. I would rather not haul bottles of water on my back everyday, but at this point, I'm willing to do that if it makes her a little more (mentally) comfortable.

I'm vegetarian (and prepare only vegan food at home) and the vegetarian food does NOT have to be very greasy at WDW! Are you doing mostly counter service, or any table service meals besides Biergarten? I will say, from the vegetarian standpoint that is definitely a restaurant I would not recommend, but I'm sure you have your reasons for choosing it!! In the Magic Kingdom, the salad at Be Our Guest is phenomenal and the Lighthouse Sandwich with Broccoli at Columbia Harbor House is as well. Do you need any other vegetarian recommendations?

FYI - you can get filtered ice water from any restaurant at Disney.

Yes!! THIS. Although you will not get sick from the water (like, bacterially), if you are not used to the additives you might have a tough time drinking it. Try not to be a hero--bring a bottle with you each day and when you run out get more or, if you don't like the filtered, buy more. It's not worth getting sick. I have interstitial cystitis and get major pain issues from the water at WDW. I HATE buying bottled water, especially at those prices, but at the end of the day staying hydrated and having a magical vacation is worth the extra $ for the water.

 

[jglor]

I'm vegetarian (and prepare only vegan food at home) and the vegetarian food does NOT have to be very greasy at WDW! Are you doing mostly counter service, or any table service meals besides Biergarten? I will say, from the vegetarian standpoint that is definitely a restaurant I would not recommend, but I'm sure you have your reasons for choosing it!! In the Magic Kingdom, the salad at Be Our Guest is phenomenal and the Lighthouse Sandwich with Broccoli at Columbia Harbor House is as well. Do you need any other vegetarian recommendations?

Biergarten was our pick because it looks like fun and we weren't really enthused about most of the other table service restaurants at Epcot (Either too expensive, too snooty, or not to our taste). She thinks she'll be fine eating mostly sides, like the roasted potatoes and green beans. Once she saw the desserts, she was sold!
As far as other table service, we're doing a lunch at Be Our Guest and dinners at 50's Prime Time, Whispering Canyon and T-Rex. The three dinners were chosen more for the atmosphere than the menu. We already knew about the Lighthouse Sandwich. I didn't know about the salad at Be Our Guest, so that's a good tip. The rest of our meals will probably be counter service, with a few PB&J sandwiches in there too. Breakfast will be oatmeal in the room most mornings. We will also be bringing lots of snacks and fruit.

 

[kollerbear]

Biergarten was our pick because it looks like fun and we weren't really enthused about most of the other table service restaurants at Epcot (Either too expensive, too snooty, or not to our taste). She thinks she'll be fine eating mostly sides, like the roasted potatoes and green beans. Once she saw the desserts, she was sold!
As far as other table service, we're doing a lunch at Be Our Guest and dinners at 50's Prime Time, Whispering Canyon and T-Rex. The three dinners were chosen more for the atmosphere than the menu. We already knew about the Lighthouse Sandwich. I didn't know about the salad at Be Our Guest, so that's a good tip. The rest of our meals will probably be counter service, with a few PB&J sandwiches in there too. Breakfast will be oatmeal in the room most mornings. We will also be bringing lots of snacks and fruit.

Cool! Because you're doing so many places more for ambiance and you're not on the dining plan, I would suggest eating frequently and having smaller meals when you're out. (Except for Biergarten, where you're paying for the full meal.) But maybe your wife could get a salad or soup if the entrees elsewhere look too greasy, and then get something simpler from elsewhere (my entire family is vegetarian and we often eat like this, or share the ONE veggie entree between us, an app, and a dessert.) Another tip--they probably do this at Disneyland, too--the counter service places will, I believe, charge you less if you want the veggie burger, for example, but do NOT want fries. They will just sell you the burger. So that's a great way to avoid overpaying for greasy sides if you don't want them. The vegetarian options are GREAT at Sunshine Seasons (they have Gardein Chick'n as a stir fry and also a good salad, if my memory serves me correctly), and Tangierine Cafe in Morocco (it's like a mezze plate). Hollywood Studios has a couple good vegetarian quick service entrees, but not stellar. And Animal Kingdom really seems to struggle with this--they change all the time. Double-check the menus very carefully before leaving (I know in the past there have been curries and good salads, but they've changed a bit recently since the opening of Harambe Market) about what is served where because--unlike at every other park--they do NOT serve veggie options at each place and my husband and I have gotten stuck more than once ordering a kids menu PB&J because we ended up at the wrong end of the park and just didn't want to keep walking to find something better.

You guys are going to have SO much fun!

 

[kollerbear]

OH and the mozzarella sandwich at Boardwalk Bakery is REALLY good! Not super light because it's got fresh mozzarella, but it is surprisingly tasty (for an otherwise really predictable-sounding sandwich) if you end up in the area!

 

[ErinCat]

Another thought is that Disney will do everything it can to help you if someone does happen to get sick. DD threw up in her stroller (fell asleep right after eating and got hot). When we went back to the resort the maintenance crew and cleaners helped take the stroller apart and wash it. Also when the CM at Tony's found out that my son had to cut his day short because of a sick sister who was back at the resort, they made sure he had a perfect view of the Parade.

 

[dkrauss]

Sounds like a lot of fun!

I encourage you not to get too caught up in the "do everything" mentality. 8 days is just not enough. On the plus side, you're a DL vet, so you could technically skip many of the rides that are identical and come closer to your dream, but I don't think I could do that, personally. We always like to go on rides we like, regardless of whether or not we've been on another version.

The statement above is the best advise you could be given..........you should consider it. WDW is HUGE! It's impossible to do everything in an 8 day visit............I've been 5 times for roughly 25 days (a disgustingly SMALL amount of visits) and there's still a TON of attractions I have yet to attend. There's still restaurants I haven't visited............resorts I've never stayed at or even visited. Enjoy what attractions and sites you do...........but don't become wrapped in what you most certainly will miss. Have a small list of what you "really must do"...........but only have 4 or 5 items on it. Accomplish those things.........and you'll more than likely find you do more than that! By doing this you'll walk away from the vacation feeling positive.............then when you're home you'll look back at some things you missed............and instead of saying you'll never get back, you'll start planning your return for 2018! Finish that visit and start planning your return for the 50th Anniversary in 2021!

Here's hoping you have a magical visit to WDW!!!!

Doug

 

[TXDisneyFan1]

Loved reading your post! I am very excited for you and your family. I am not a morning person myself, but every time I go to WDW, my eyes pop open very early in the morning and I have no trouble getting up and out the door. I think it's a mixture of excitement and knowing how awesome it is to get to the park at rope drop.

 

[jglor]

Just a quick update. I've started a Pre-Trip report here:
Disneyland Pro's first trip to Disney World - An August 2015 PTR

I hope to create a real trip report when we get back. Only 8 days now!

 

[BobC]

I know, but our son got sick a few years ago on a trip to Ohio and Indiana, and my wife is convinced that it was the water. I'm not going to argue about it with her, so I'm OK with lugging water around. Neither one of them drinks enough anyway, so I'd rather have them drinking bottled water than nothing.

I can understand getting sick on our Indiana water. My city not far from Chicago draws from wells and a lake in town and not Lake Michigan. We're the only city in the area of Northwest Indiana that does this.

The water is AWFUL and has a horrid chlorine smell. Fill up the bathtub at our house and it smells like you're at a public swimming pool due to it.

I also work for a water company that deals with purified drinking water. Normal water is 0-200ish on a Total Dissolved Solids scale. Our water at home is 425! Most bottled water is 5-50...anything over 500 is poison basically.