First timer!

[buruobi]

First time Disney vacationer. What to do. Where to go. HELP!
Leaving April 25 returning May 2. 3 adults 2 children ages 9 & 7.
Staying at Pop Century.
Any tricks to taking it all in? Any must sees? So many options it all seems like a blur.

Also read something on here a while ago I thought was a great idea, If you are going sometime after May I would be willing to send your young Disney fans a postcard from their favorite Mouse or other?
Will take the first 3 to respond with names of children and addresses. I'd like to start their magic early!

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[CherCrazy]

Welcome!! You will have a fabulous time!!

My advice would be to buy some guide books in advance, read the disboards alot, and plan a SYSTEMATIC approach to going on the rides. What I mean is take a section of each park at a time, do each ride or attraction in that section before moving on to another area, and don't skip anything because of someone else's opinion.

My DB and his family missed one of the best family rides, Buzz Lightyear, because someone told him not to try it. He didn't know better.... but he does now!!!

 

[StinkerbellsMom]

First time Disney vacationer. What to do. Where to go. HELP!
Leaving April 25 returning May 2. 3 adults 2 children ages 9 & 7.
Staying at Pop Century.
Any tricks to taking it all in? Any must sees? So many options it all seems like a blur.

Also read something on here a while ago I thought was a great idea, If you are going sometime after May I would be willing to send your young Disney fans a postcard from their favorite Mouse or other?
Will take the first 3 to respond with names of children and addresses. I'd like to start their magic early!

Any help would be appreciated.

First of all ... WELCOME ABOARD!!!!!!
This place is amazing, isn't it?! So much info, so little time! LOL It is somewhat addicting too!
We've been to WDW so many, many times and have stayed at a different resort each time we go. Even with all of that, we find these boards an invaluable part of our trip planning! I have just signed up for TourGuide Mike's Website for help on doing The World during the Easter Crunch, so I definitely agree with doing your research.
My biggest piece of advice though, is to go in with flexibility in mind. I went in the first time wanting to do so much, see it all and enjoy every minute, but had read so much ahead of time that I was prepared for the worst case scenario (in terms of crowds) and was so pleasantly surprised when it was not bad at all. While I know many stick to a plan and that is it ... it is etched in stone so to speak, I am of the philosophy that we will be back again and will not ruin our children's vacation time by rushing them or making them feel 'stressed out'. We will make a list of all the attractions that everyone wants to see and try to use FP's and EMH to our advantage when possible. Its such an amazing place and you will all enjoy yourselves immensely!! We LOVED the Pop too! We were there in 2004 for a Magical Gathering - we had six rooms and we all had such a blast!!! Just be sure to take some time to truly take it all in, do your research and plan for any and all scenarios.

 

[Mickeycrazy]

I second the advice on the guide books, they can really help you in your planning.

 

[KJHawley]

I've read all the guidebooks- some of them multiple times (I work in a bookstore, so that makes it easy). I'd recommend either the Passporter or Frommer's Unofficial guide. The Passporter is great because it's in color, has lots of room to write notes & pockets for tickets and such. The Unofficial guide is the most in depth, and comes in several versions as well (mini guides, guides for kids, guides for adults without kids, etc.). Lots of people read Birnbaum's, which is the official guide, and Birnbaum's is great for pictures (which may help you figure out what you want to do if it's your first time). However, since Birnbaum is the official guide, it tends to be a little less forthcoming about problems, lines, etc. than the other guides.

 

[bubba73]

I know you will have an outstanding time, no matter what advice you take. My advice would be to go against the grain. Everyone wants to hit the MK on their first day so it is extremely busy. You know people tend to do their traveling on the weekends so do one of the other parks on Monday. Save the MK. It will make it more magical for you. Plus, this way your kids won't be disappointed with the other stuff. A lot of times, kids go to the MK and nothing can compare to it for them so all they want to do for the rest of the week is just the MK. If you save it for last, that gives them the chance to keep that as their memory of their trip.

Have a great time!

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

The first key is to have a plan. IT doesn't even haveto be the right plan... but have a plan. I think the folks who wind up not enjoying WDW are mostly those who just show up with no advance planning.

Key 1a: Research and gather information. About everything. Trust me, at some point on your trip it will be helpful to know things like show times, EMH schedules, etc. These boards are as good a source for that as anything I know of.

Key 2: Have fun. Don't worry about trying to see it all. Figure out what the top few attaractions are for everyone and try to get those in.

 

[buruobi]

Thank you all for such a quick reply. I honestly did not know that there was such a thing as a guide book but I will pick one up as soon as possible.
I hope we have as good of a time as I have read all of you had. I went with my grandparents to Epcot around 25 years ago, my assumption is that it's changed!
Although this is called a vacation something tells me that I'm gonna be really tired on May 2nd. lol.

Anyway thanks to all and the offer still stands to pay it forward.

 

[richard_andmel]

The guide book thing is a really good idea. I would also recommend the PassPorter.

Have a wonderful time. Remember to take a break each day from about 1-4 so you all can swim and nap. It's ok that you won't see everything in one trip. The guide book will help you decide what your must sees are.

 

[lucyanna girl]

Read these boards, every time you get a chance. I'm ashamed to say, the first time we went we missed a lot of great things. Thank goodness DD was only 6 and she didn't know. We have learned so much by reading and asking questions. Don't be scared to ask any question that comes to mind, there will be someone here who will know the answer and people are generous with their knowledge.
Welcome to the DIS!