first timer

[nanamo]

Hey from MO
My family and I leave in 4 days for a first time trip to WDW and probably the last for a long while--boy this place better be good because it's costing me a fortune! Anyway, I am reading and feeling overwhelmed because I haven't planned out every detail and itinerary. Any last minute suggestions for fastpass rides I should hit in each park. Four kids 15 12 9 8 so the interest will be varied. We have 3 days and would like to at least set foot in each park. MGM looks like my fav so far, MK close #2. Anyway any ideas for hitting the high spots so to speak would be much appreciated--we also are going to Disney quest at some point and haven't heard much about what to expect there.

Thanks

 

[babar41]

Strongly suggest going to your nearest bookstore and buying the UG. Next best suggestion, get to the parks at opening, stay till after lunch, then take a break for a couple of hours before going back to the parks. You will feel more rested and will have missed the hottest part of the day.

Don't stress out. Look at this trip as a learning experience for future trips! Don't forget to take advantage of the FP's. Have a great trip!

 

[LadyDulcinea1]

Definitely go to the bookstore and buy a guidebook (I usually buy either the Unofficial Guide or Birnbaum's, which is slightly more biased than the first one since its "official"). I would say take advantage of the fastpasses for any rides you really want to go on that have long waits (I'd say over 20 min.) and while you're waiting go on the rides with shorter or no lines.

Bottom line, don't stress! Just relax and enjoy your first trip

 

[bubba73]

Guide books are good for a lot of people but I personally do not believe in them and have never used them. We just got back about 1.5 months ago from staying at the Pop Century. Greatest trip I have ever had. Disney is the best place to go and in my opinion worth every penny. If you wish to pm me, I woud be happy to give you some ideas for an itinerary. We here at the boards are all about helping each other out. At least my way will save you a few bucks from buying a book. Be glad to help if I can.

 

[Westcoast Gus]

I've been a bunch of times, but took my wife for the first time in March. We were there for three days. Given that restriction, I'd advise one day each at Epcot and the Magic Kingdom, then splitting the third between AK and MGM. The number one most important touring tip is this: Get to the parks before they open. There's no getting around it. You can do more in the first hour than you can in three hours after lunch. It's even more important now because 1) It's hotter, and 2) more crowded. I'd advise buying the unofficial guide, which was a huge help to me. Failing that, decide before you go to each park what is most important to see and do, and then do it first. When you do all the top priorities, then you can explore. Feel free to PM me and I'll answer any questions I can.

 

[disgal1]

1. get to the parks before they open, no matter how much everyone wants to sleep in. come back and take a rest in the afternoon if you want, but you will get so much more done in the first few hours, then the whole rest of the day.

2. FAST PASS!!!!!!!!!

3. make a res at crystal palace on a NON early entry day for 810. am. get to the entrance to mk about 745. you can get tons of great pix with almost no people in them, have a great character breakfast, and be out of the rest. by 9 when MK opens up. head straight to your fav rides. you will be able to get so much done by lunch. pick up a fast pass, then take a nice long air conditioned lunch. then a long ac show...like hall of pres. you will be recharged for the afternoon.

4 agree with splitting ak in the am, and mgm in the evening. go to ak for early entry., if you are staying at a disney resort.

5don't go to evening magic hours, go to whatever park had them the night before. usually less crowded the morning after.

6we have had no luck at disney quest in the summer. just too crowded to get anything done.

7. make advanced dining res if you haven't . it will save you so much time searching for somewhere to eat dinner. if your fav doesn't have a spot,try a couple of others. we have seen many people try to walk up, and there just isn't anything available.

8. it will be hot, it will probably rain at some point, it will be crowded, you won't get to see everything. if you know this, and make sure your kids know this, you will have a blast!!

9. go to disneyworld.com and print out the park maps, get your bearings now.

10 try to relax, it is a vacation! just don't try to do it all. in 3 days , in the summer, you just can't. figure out what is most important to everyone, and try to do those things.

 

[baileybelle]

nanamo: Here's a link listing the fastpass rides http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/fastpass.htm and a link to all the fireworks shows and parades http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/hours.htm#hm-parades.
Here's a link for DisneyQuest http://allearsnet.com/btp/dqfaq.htm