First timer

[Simba726]

Heading for WDW with my family of 4 in 2010. We are planning for about 7 days and I didn't know where to begin. We are thinking of spending the $ on a deluxe resort since this is the first time for all of us.

Do I need to bring a car seat for the kids?
What parks should we do?
What about character events? is there a thread that lists them I havent seen any, but I have read references to breakfasts and the like.

I found a place that listed height requirements for rides and wrote down a few things. What else is there to do besides rides and eat?

TIA

 

[Kae]

First set your budget. Then look at this site, disney site, www.allearsnet.com, sign up for the newsletter at www.mousesavers.com. i like www.ourlaughingplace.com also.

Maybe think about buying a guide book I love the Passporter. Do all of the parks. I don't know the ages of your kids so I can't help you with the carseat question but I can tell you if you are using Disney Magic Express for to & from the airport you can't use them on the bus or on any transportion on property.

Kae

 

[Simba726]

Thanks!
DD will be 5 DS will be 3. I was worried that doing too many parks would hinder what we can do in the time that we are there. Im glad that we should be able to do all is not most of them

 

[natnelliesmom]

Those are the same ages as my girls on our last two trips.
You don't need carseats unless you are renting a car. Unless you really want them for the airplane but I don't recommend it. My girls were fine in the seat on the plane- I think their seats would just have been a pain to load on and off and then what would we have done with them at the resort?
Since this is your first trip- you may want to check out the Ultimate Disney Guide. It's written by a pretty experienced ex-Cast Member and a parent who now visits all the time.
It has pointers on all meals and rides and ideas and hints to save money and get more out of your trip. It was $20.00 but is free to update each year. I found it invaluable. It also walks you through renting people's DVC points which is great if you are interested in staying in a villa for about the price of a regular room.
www.allears.net is just great! Also check out the dining threads on this board and the resort threads as well.
Good luck- you have PLENTY of time to plan- my advice is to wait a while before getting too busy planning- things will change between now and then and you have a LOOONG time to wait!
-Sarah

 

[happymommy]

The only advice I have is (okay maybe I could have a lot, but gotta get going) I'd bring a double stroller. I did this for my kids when they were at your kids' ages, and it was a godsend. They would just crash in it, and it was nice to have the space for my backpack (I always brought a couple little snacks, a change of clothes for them, and stuff like that into the parks with us). The only pain is folding it up for the bus, but that to me is worth it.

I liked staying at the Boardwalk Villas the best - you can walk to Epcot and (used to be MGM) Hollywood Studios. Or take the boats. I liked the kitchen and bedroom separate (we had a 1 bedroom both times). It was nice for quick snacks, and the washer/dryer. I think it's about the same price as a room in a deluxe, but you get so much more space and stuff.

If you are thinking about a Magic Kingdom resort, being on the monorail is nice. It's just that our favorite resort is Epcot, so I'm bias. The monorail is good since you can just push your stroller into it. We've stayed at the GF and the Contemporary - I like the GF, but it was more special when we didn't have kids. Now I appreciate the space of a villa or two rooms!

I also highly recommend the Swan! It's not a "Disney" resort, but for the price it's great - you could get two connecting rooms I think for about the price of one room right nearby at a Disney resort. You are really at the Boardwalk area and it's so nice there.

There is so much to do - we've never done it all! We simply enjoy the scenery at the parks - definitely go to MK early in the morning. It gets a bit crowded for my taste, plus then you can get on the cute rides like Winnie the Pooh, Buzz, etc... early.

I haven't done water parks with my kids yet. Honestly, with the pools as nice as they are, that is enough. It would take a lot of time to get to a water park and stuff, we enjoy the theme parks better.

The rides are great but remember the shows are awesome also!

Don't try to do everything your first trip! I personally think the character meals are nice, but really take up a lot of time. I'd skip them for the first trip - we happened along one our first trip with our kids (not planned) and it was fine, but the food was just so so. I'd rather grab and go, or enjoy the restaurants in Epcot. If it's hot, a nice sit down lunch is a great way to cool off and take a breather.

I'd definitely look into a villa if you can - I don't like a whole week with us sharing a room (although we've done it a few times). DD likes to get to sleep earlier, and it's hard for her to do that when we're still awake.

Definitely start by seeing what your budget is and go from there!

If you stay on property (we always have) I would recommend no car. Just use a transportation company or ME (never used it personally).

 

[Simba726]

Those are the same ages as my girls on our last two trips.
You don't need carseats unless you are renting a car.
Since this is your first trip- you may want to check out the Ultimate Disney Guide.

Is there anything that they LOVED to do? It's a little overwhelming to see everything that is available and try to navigate what the can do.
THank you for the response about the carseat. I didnt want them for the plane, but I didnt know if we needed them for transpor to the parks and since we are not driving I would say we can leave them home.
Another guide book good thing I love to read .. and research my little heart out! Thats why I am starting now.

I'd bring a double stroller.

I liked staying at the Boardwalk Villas the best.

There is so much to do - we've never done it all! We simply enjoy the scenery at the parks - definitely go to MK early in the morning. It gets a bit crowded for my taste, plus then you can get on the cute rides like Winnie the Pooh, Buzz, etc... early.

I haven't done water parks with my kids yet.

The rides are great but remember the shows are awesome also!

Definitely start by seeing what your budget is and go from there!

I have a double stroller.. we rarely use it now, but I can bring it. DD prefers to walk 90% of the time and DS is still a little too young to be running about on his own. Neither of them ever slept in the stroller.. they are way too nosey. Thankfully it folds small.

I'll look into the villas, I know DH has his heart set on something elaborate he just wants it to be special all the way around. He really wanted to stay at Animal Kingdom. We will see. He wants to spend and I want to save Always the case I suppose. I thought there might be a little issue with sharing a room with the kids but I havent thought too much about it.

What do you like about the boardwalk area?? My idea of a boardwalk is food games rides next to the ocean that type of thing. But I know its not necessarilly like that.

MK is our main stop and AK. I dont know all there is to do at these two.as I am still researching, but I have started a list of attractions we want to do along with an idea of what it is so that I can edit later if need be.

I thought about the water parks, but I think we would be ok with just the pools for this trip. Besides I need to give DH a reason to go back when the kids are older

Are there any shows you reccomend?

Im still overwhelmed with the eating plan... We would do best with a good sized breakfast and Dinner and do lunch on the fly.

As far as budget goes.... I have no idea what a low end trip would cost vs a high end trip. I'll look for or start a thread for that. I have a general idea where I want to be, but I am thinking I need to evaluate that.

THanks for the responces

 

[JoeyD]

You can also gain some pretty good into from the Travel Channel specials that run every few months. They show how to plan the trip, what to see and helpful tips.

 

[trivial]

There are only 4 regular parks, so do all of them. I'd personally spend two days each at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot.

As others have suggested, pick up a book. The DIS is an excellent resource, but it's handy and convenient to have a book to go through. I've personally only had experience with the Passporter book, and I highly recommend it.

I also really enjoyed the BoardWalk, although your kids may enjoy the Yacht and Beach Club better, simply because of the excellent sand-bottom pools at Stormalong Bay. Order a free planning DVD from Disney's website; it will go over all of the resorts and parks.

 

[happymommy]

I agree about the Yacht Club and Beach Club - maybe you could get a BC villa even. Their pool is the best at Disney.

I just like the ambiance of the whole area - and I love to walk around.

I've stayed at the Animal Kingdom resort 3 times. I really don't recommend it for your first visit. It is nice, but you have to take the bus everywhere. Granted the bus is easy, as they don't share buses, so it's quick, but I like to walk, take a boat, or the monorail best.

I've never done Disney dining plan, so I can't help you with that. I usually prefer to have simple breakfast food in the room (cereal bars, juice, milk), and maybe sit down for a nice lunch or do counter service. We like to play it by ear. I've called the dining reservations line in the afternoon and just asked what's available that night for a reservation. I usually can get something nice.

My kids used a stroller at Disney when that hadn't been riding in one at home for a long time - just last year I even rented one for DD and she was 8. It's just too much walking, and they would get worn out. So if you have a double that you like, I'd take it.

Definitely get the books - passporter is great, and the unofficial one is good too.

I liked the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular (was an "extra" in it once), Lights Motor Action also - those are at Disney Hollywood Studios. Also the Lion King and Finding Nemo at Animal Kingdom.

Happy planning!