First Timer to WDW, PLEASE HELP!!

[ghubs]

Well, we have made the reservations and now its time to plan. Will be coming to WDW in mid Sept for 5 days/4 nights with my family - wife, 3 kids (16, 13, 9) and looking for your help. Statying at AllStar Sports w/ 2 rooms. Now the questions what should we do??? Please give me some tips on the must see's/ must do's including shows, events, rides, and eating (I love all types of dining experience). Any other tips welcome as well. Because the trip is only 5 days we will conemtrate only on WDW. Thanks in advance!!

 

[padams]

I suggest the Villains' dinner at the Grand Floridian if you want to try a character meal. The food is a buffet, with lots of variety. The villains rotate but usually include 4 of the following: Captain Hook, Prince John, Queen of Hearts, Cruella de Vil, Evil Queen, Sheriff of Nottingham. The atmosphere is more relaxing than some of the park character meals, and the amount and quality of character interaction is great. The villains will really "play" with you (adults and kids). You can take the monorail from MK to reach the GF. As for shows, I would think that your kids would especially the Tarzan and Lion King shows at AK. The safari is also a must-do at AK. You can do AK in less than a full day. Have a great trip. Pamela

 

[deeshie]

You should go out and buy a guidebook. Although I know it has its detractors, I personally like the Unofficial Guide, but since you are going off-season (good choice for a 5 day trip), you may not need alot of the tips, but it will give you an idea what other people thought of the attractions. The official guide also gives a good idea of all the attractions, but it will tell you everything is wonderful.

I agree that you can do AK in less than a day, but I thought Tarzan was a bit lame (sorry).

At MK, Alien Encounter is great, but if your kids are sensitive, stay away! Also like Splash Mountain and most everything in Adventureland. Although I know its a classic, I found Country Bears to be boring. I'm not much of a roller coaster fan, so I offer no opinions on SM and the train ride. Since your youngest is 9, you can probably skip the Toon Town Fair, unless you have time (and your kids are into autographs).

But, speaking of autographs (and I know I am probably going to get totally trashed here), I don't get it. You spend a ton of $$$ to get into the parks, and then you stand in line to have some kid in a mouse suit scribble "Mickey Mouse" in a autograph book. I personally think it is a big time waster. If your kids really want to collect autographs, take them to a Character meal or two. At least this way you can eat while you wait for the characters to come to you. (This is strictly my opinion).

I love EPCOT, and I think your kids would like it too, especially FW, but don't get caught up in Innovations. Here is another place you can lose alot of time waiting to play SEGA. In the WS, they probably won't get into the movies too much (France, Canada and China), but Mexico and Norway have rides, although not very thrilling ones.

Finally, MGM. Like I said, I'm not a roller coaster fan, but I loved ToT! I also have not seen Fantasmic yet (we are going in September, too, and this is #1 on our list), but I hear the Fantasmic dinner package is great, because you don't have to wait in the long lines to get in for the show (but I don't know what the lines would be like in September).

Have fun!

 

[pdzabe]

Take an afternoon and visit your local Borders or Barnes and Noble Bookstore where you can browse all the guidebooks on WDW and pick the one that's best for you. Good ones are the Unofficial Guide to WDW, Birnbaum's, Rita Aero's, Passporter. Once you have read through one of these, you'll have a good foundation for understanding what people are talking about on these boards. Put together the two, and what can I say, it's MAGIC! Have fun on your trip!

 

[Pluto]

I recommend getting a guide book, personally for the money I like Birbaums book the best. Plus read all these boards for suggestions on restaraunts and park tips. Between the two you will have all the info you need. Plus since you are going in Sept it will be less crowded, you'll have a blast!

 

[angelina]

We love WDW with Kids by Kim Wiley. It is geared toward touring with children, and she offers a lot of good tips on which restaurants are appropriate for children, which attractions appeal to which age groups, and things you should absolutely not miss, not to mention the great touring tips for the number of days you will be there. Have a wonderful time.

 

[s&k'smom]

Couldn't resist answering your questions. Disney can be very overwhelming and one tip I always give is to take an afternoon break. The hotels are so much fun and my hubby and I find the break essential. go for a swim, nap, eat at one of the hotels. We love to people watch and when we go back in the evening you can always pick out who's done a marathon day (especially if it's been hot). We find Disney so big now we can't possibly fit it all in so we see what we can. The afternoon break is so easy, just hop the bus straight back to your hotel. We have found most of the hotels fairly quiet mid-afternoon so you can really get a recharge. Definately get a guide book and keep an eye on the boards. It will really help to have an idea where things are. We also create some sort of game plan i.e. where to eat each night, what park each day. Cuts down on confusion. Have a fantastic time.

 

[DIZZYDISNEY]

hi there!!!!!!
i would like to know what time the parades and fireworks start both for magic kingdom and epcots fantasmic. does mgm have a parade? whats a good time to make ps to see parades and stuff from the restarants in the evenings. im trying to plan as best i can!!!!! how is the kids club in the contemporary for child care? thanks for your much needed help.

 

[pdzabe]

You can get a list of park hours, parades and fireworks schedule (depending on what month you are going; they are not the same each month) by going to "The Dis" homepage, click on park hours, then select what you're looking for. For official park hours, check with disneyworld.com. It depends when each park closes as to when to plan dinners before fireworks or parades at night, but as a guide I'd plan to be finished dinner in enough time to get to your viewing location. There are as many viewing location suggestions as people there. However, on our trip we had dinner at the contemporary at Chef Mickey's scheduled for 8:15 with a plan to view fireworks there on the top floor observation deck at 10:00 since on our trip that's when MK closed. As to your childcare question, if you don't get the answer on this thread from someone, post it separately by itself, someone WILL know the answer!

 

[Mattsmom]

As someone who has just returned from a trip with a 17, 15 &10 yr old, my biggest tip would be get them involved! Birnbaum's has a WDW for Kids guide book that even your 9 yr. old should be able to read. No one can tell you what your family will like most better than them! Once you all take a look at what is available you can start narrowing things down. It will also bring up more questions - that's what the DIS is for! LOL www.wdwig.com is a great site for restaurant info., it has most of the menus listed. Have fun planning your trip!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

DO NOT SLEEP IN and get out there for EE at MGM (first RnR then TOT) and MK for (Space Mnt., AlienE, Speedway,Buzz DH LOVED Buzz, Teacups)! Take a break in the afternoon, go back to a diff. park in the early evening. Right now Wed is the only night Fantasmic is at 10:30pm. And also do E-ride night if you want to do the MK coasters, that was a blast! Have Fastpasses at all times!

I would say consider going to Blizzard Beach, for sure. That place is way TOO COOL and HUGE, you can't do it all there either! You will find that BB has alot of heart stopping thrills for ALL ages. You couldn't pay me to down Summit Plummet. You can bring a cooler with food and drinks too. But be sure to get there when it opens because it fills up fast and you can't get in for the rest of the day.

Make breakfast/lunch/dinner ps's at MK. That place is packed, and that way you can cancel the ones you don't use and have the luxury of going to the one you want. I was kicking myself for not doing that!! I'll know better next time.

 

[Laz]

Just one quick tip: Don't try to everything while you are there! WDW is too big with too much to do to get it all in one trip. Plan the most important things you want to do and set priorities for everything else. Take your time and enjoy what you experience.

 

[Yvette Q.O.D.]

Absolutely get the Unoficial guide to Walt Disney World. They rate all the rides and rooms, and restaurants. They are pretty accurate too.

We've never followed their day plans but they have tons of good info and tips.

Some of my tips are the Lion King Show in AK is great, also its tough to be a bug and Kilamanjaro Safari, and Dinosaur.

In MGM the Indiana Jones show is good and Little Mermaid. Tower of Terror and Rockin Roller Coaster are not for the faint of heart. The Muppet show is cute and the Backstage tour too.

Epcot has lots. Spaceship Earth if the line isn't too long, it fluctuates all day. Honey I shrunk the audience is very good. Wonders od Life has many things to do inside. Energy is pretty good too. We didn't care for the aquarium (we're spoiled by Aquarium of the America's in NO LA). In Norway the Malestrom is fun and all the countries have nice shops. If British Invasion is still at the United Kingdom they are very good.

At Magic Kingdom Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Rail Road are a must, as well as Space Mountain. We also like Winnie the Pooh ride and Peter Pan and the Haunted House is good. Alien encounter is good and a bit scary. Buzz Lightyear is good and we like the Wedway People Mover.

I could go on for ever, have fun!

 

[tink2dw]

Plan on doing an E-night at MK!! you pay $12. for a ride bracelet. that allows you to stay after reg.park closing for 3 to 4 hours and 10 rides are open. All the mountains,most of tomorrow land plus buzz liteyear,and either Haunted Mansion or pirates of the caribean.

they only sell 5000 tickets to resort guests and they don't usually sell out.

It was so fun to see everyone leaving just as you were starting your fun!! and MK by moonlite is a different experience!! WE walked on to Buzz 4 times in arow with no wait!!

I would do this again in a heartbeat!!

 

[goofysgal]

Before you buy a guide book, visit your local library. My sister is in the planning stages for an October trip and she was able to check out 6 or 8 different guide books. She plans to buy 1 or 2, but she can review them for 10 days first.

 

[s&k'smom]

guidebook is a must. It is handy to have something you can reference if you can't get to these boards. Plus there is just so much you can't take it all in. Just see what you can and enjoy that. One of my hubby's and I favorite things is to sit with a drink and people watch. That's the best attraction there. Also second the motion on an afternoon break. That will make the trip that much more enjoyable. Let us know!

 

[maci]

We have only been to the World one time (will be back Oct 21st), but have been to Disney Land MANY times, I must say my FAVORITE thing at both parks, by far is FANTASMIC!!!!!! It is the best show in Disney world, in my opinion!!!!!
I agree with whoever said to take your time and dont try to get everything your first trip, you will just get frustrated and tired!!!
Have Fun!