First Timers Beware! (Tips for First Timers)

[dmslush]

I didn't realize that you could go to more than one park per day with the basic (non-hopper) MYW tickets, even if you have extra days to use. Am I wrong?

YOU are correct. If you don't have the park hopping feature on your pass, you cannot go into more than one park per day. The days on your pass are just that, days, not entrances into parks.

Also, OP, I LOVE the planning aspect of the trip. On our first trip in November 2001, I planned for over a year. You can see that I was registered at this site for over a year before our first trip. I read the boards everyday and it helped us maximize out time, eat where we wanted, and have tons of fun. I think if I had not planned to the extent that I did, I would have been overwhelmed in the parks not knowing where was what and what was where.

However, I do agree that people should not alter there plans because of one or two negative posts about something that they want to do. For years, I have seen people change hotels, cancel ADRs and switch dates for their trip based on just a few bad comments on the boards.

Also, I think sometimes people build the trip up to be more than it is. They think it is going to perfect, and when something goes wrong, they don't have a contingency plan and they feel like the entire trip is ruined. I have seen people declare that their trip was a disaster because they didn't get towel animals! Well, heck, I've never gotten a towel animal.. but so what?? Disney is what you make of it, you get out what you put in.

 

[CleveRocks]

If you're there for several days, my advice for first timers is that Park Hopper options are not necessary. Each theme park has enough to fill a first timer's entire day without having to visit a second or third theme park.

After five days, your Disney tickets only cost $2 extra per day and that's cheaper than paying $40-45 for the Park Hopper option. What I'm saying is if you're visiting for five days, buying a 10-day pass for $216 is cheaper than a five day plus hopper option. A first timer will likely not visit ten theme parks in five days.

Sorry, but this is incorrect information.

If you don't pay for the park hopper option, then you absolutely CAN'T enter two different theme parks in the same day. The Almighty Disney Computer will not allow this.

So again, YOU CAN'T USE 2 PARK "DAYS" IN THE SAME DAY. The display on the turnstile will tell the CM that you already used that ticket to visit a different park earlier that day, and that your ticket doesn't have the park hopper option. You will be denied admission to that second park.

Disney is smart. They wouldn't allow such a loophole.

I know it "sounds" like it should work, but it specifically doesn't work that way. It's not like Disney discovered people are doing this and closed it down -- they designed it this way from the get-go.

See? Another great use of the DISboards -- preventing someone from frustration and embarassment when they tried to enter their second park of the day on a non-hopper ticket.

 

[CleveRocks]

I just thought of yet another great thing about coming to the DISboards to get info for your vacation.

I read about something called a "code" to save me money on the trip I had already booked. It was three letters. Disney doesn't come out and tell you about it, but people in the know "know" about it.

I called Disney and asked to have that 3-letter code applied to my reservation and POOF ... I had $378 deducted from my amount due.

Reading the DISboards saved me $378 on a trip I'd already booked!!!

I didn't change anything or eliminate anything, I just told the reservations CM those three lovely little letters that I learned about here, and BLAMMO -- 378 extra dollars stayed in my bank account when it was time to pay off my balance.

 

[goofyernmost]

If you're there for several days, my advice for first timers is that Park Hopper options are not necessary. Each theme park has enough to fill a first timer's entire day without having to visit a second or third theme park.

After five days, your Disney tickets only cost $2 extra per day and that's cheaper than paying $40-45 for the Park Hopper option. What I'm saying is if you're visiting for five days, buying a 10-day pass for $216 is cheaper than a five day plus hopper option. A first timer will likely not visit ten theme parks in five days.

Also, I do recommend ADRs. I had problems getting into some restaurants last week that interested me because I didn't make ADRs that day. If you're on the dining plan, be sure to familiarize yourself with Signature Dining that cost two table services. That caught me by surprise once. I only made two ADRs out of six nights there. Some days I was looking forward to eating at one or two particular restaurants, but ended up eating elsewhere and often at an unappealing time of day like 9:50 p.m.

Folks, read the first paragraph again. It doesn't say that you can go to more than one park a day. In fact, it says the exact opposite. It says that you don't really need to go to more than one park per day if you are a newbee. I couldn't agree more.

I have mixed feelings about the value of "our" advise to a newbee. Basic stuff sure but the details, could be totally overwhelming to most first timers. The first time I went there were only two parks, MK and EPCOT which had just opened. I didn't know what to expect, I didn't know anything about the place at all, except that it was in central Florida and was accessable to me whereas Disneyland wasn't at the time.

I am slightly embarrased to tell you that I didn't even know that they had fireworks or parades at night. I felt kind of foolish when I did find out but then I thought...heck, I loved the place without that. I left feeling fulfilled and like I hadn't missed anything. It was to date, and since for that matter, the best family vacation I had ever experienced, bar none.

Some information is very useful, to much can be a burden. To each his or her own.

 

[daannzzz]

I agree with the OP about not researching to much. One of the things I did on my first trip was buy every guide, read many, many websites and loads of message boards and search out every phot I could. There were essentially no surprises when we finally arrived. We had an awesome trip but I really wish I had not seen photos of the WL or GF lobby or new what the inside of the Sci Fi Dine in looked like. Discover can be awesome. I think a moderate amount of research and a lot of planning is great.

 

[robinb]

I didn't realize that you could go to more than one park per day with the basic (non-hopper) MYW tickets, even if you have extra days to use. Am I wrong?

Sorry, you cannot use a second "day" on your basic park pass to hop to a second park on the same day.

 

[Yzerbear19]

I wish I would have read the boards before our trip in April 2005. I had been to WDW twice before, but it was as a young child so this trip was the first that I planned as an adult, and I think if I had known about the DIS beforehand, we probably would have done quite a few things differently.

For our upcoming trip, I learned so much from reading this board. If I hadn't read this board, I would never have known how to order a cake for my sister's birthday. Or that you can get a pin at the parks for your birthday. I also wouldn't have known about the code for getting a discount on our room. These boards have a lot of information that is good to know before you go and there is a lot of information here that can help to make your trip more special IMO. I also agree with the other poster who said that knowing which restaurants serves what is very helpful.

 

[Stick_to_Disney]

I too have to disagree with the OP. I went to Disney for the first time in 15 years last June, and this board made my trip special. I knew what to expect, but the magic was still, well, magic! I made the most of my time by using park touring tips, had some fantastic meals that I never would have known about, and just had fun getting into the disney spirit. If I hadn't used these boards, I wouldn't have known about fastpasses, the benefits of park hopper, which time to book the California Grill, etc. Thanks Disboards!!

 

[tomandrobin]

For our family, the Disboards really helps us for our trips to Disney. I could not of imagined the first couple of times going Disney uninformed. With four parks, DTD and all the resorts, dining options, shows, etc it would be so overwhelming for a first time visitor.

 

[Bete]

I don't want to sweat the small stuff once I'm there. It's too time consuming. Also, I want tons of value for my money. This is usually accomplished by research. When I was younger we didn't plan as much and boy do I wish I had those times back and this doesn't just pertain to Disney vacations only.

By reading the boards I learned there are special times at DW like the Food and Wine Fest, Christmas time, Star Wars weekends, Soap Weekend, Flower and Garden Show, Nights of Joy, etc. Through the dis boards I learned how to have reserved seating for the Candlelight Processional with dinner ressies. The same is true with a Fantasmic dinner package. Initially, I thought every day was the same, basically. I now know different; because, the boards have educated me. Also, I like knowing about the special celebrations (Where Dreams Come True) and the info here allows me to know what's what that way.

I would have probably never experienced a fireworks cruise without the dis boards. I would see the firework's boats and I just thought that was a corporate perk of some kind before reading about it here. The dis boards even taught me I could share a fireworks cruise to keep costs down. They taught me how to make the phone call to get a fireworks cruise. I have never missed a fireworks cruise during our vacation at Disney World; because, I learned how to be one of the first callers to get a reservation. I've done this about a dozen times; so, it's not a fluke. I never knew about the afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian. At the beginning I didn't know about character meals, either. Most first-timers don't have a clue about the fastpass. Again, the disboards helped with learning about all these features.

Especially valuable is learning about the whole Disney transportation system including Magical Express. I find it easier to learn here then reading a book. I have an advanced degree; so, I've read alot of books in my time. This is more interactive; because, I can ask questions, here. When I was a newbie I actually left Epcot at the front entrance to park hop to MGM-Disney Studios. I never realized I could make a connection by the International Gateway near the World Showcase. I learned about this here at the dis boards. Also, the disabilities board is the greatest. How lost and how dissappointing it would be not to have that valuable information, here. I never realized how accessible everything is at Disney World for the disabled; until, reading the info on the disboards. We took my MIL and we needed this info.

What the boards have taught me the most is to have a back up plan. For example, park-hopper tickets allow me to leave a very crowded park and go to hopefully a less crowded one. It extends my day at the parks. I can go to an early park and end my day at a different, late park. Until Animal Kingdom has later hours this will always be a big advantage of getting park hopper tickets. I learned this, here. I like knowing the different strategies about how to do a park. This doesn't mean I have everything mapped out to the absolute minute, but I have a broad plan with options for various circumstances and I'm ready to change for that golden opportunity.

Any book you buy is almost not current the minute it's available. The dis boards keep you very well informed and current at all times. Now, if you chose not to follow any info then you may miss perks like the early and late hour(s) priveleges given to Disney guests. I learned that, here, too. I think you have to learn what's important to retain from these boards and what's an opinion, perse. This is a great tool and I'll continue to use dis boards.

 

[SteveN73]

But the problem there is:
1) A person would have to read the boards to know NOT to read the boards, and
2)As you stated yourself, some enjoy planning every day.

My advice would be to plan as much as you want as long as you're enjoying the planning. If you're getting stressed out or confused about everything, stop the planning and prepare to relax and enjoy your vacation.

Well put.

 

[3for Me]

Just thought of another one! For my most recent trip last month, I wouldn't have known that people can sit in the front of the monorail with the conductor, and the special way to arrange for that. UOTE]

O.K., not to get but, you have to tell me the "special way to arrange for that"! I thought it was just luck of the draw, and I have been reading these boards for years! Fess up! What's the secret???

We'll be staying in the CR tower in February, so I know this will come up again with my kids. We've only gotten lucky only once in all of our many, many tries!


Thanks!

 

[Luv2Roam]

I think the boards are a great help. I do see where people way over plan and get stressed out when something does happen to their EXACT plan in their mind or itinerary.
There is just SO much to learn about WDW that it can be overwhelming and stressful.
There are many Tips and Tricks The Dis offers that most would not want to pass on reading when spending thousands on a vacation. Phamphlets, TAs and books give guests guidelines and basics. But you need to know from others who have really gone through it to know what REALLY is up.
Some information from The Dis may occasionally be incorrect. But the same can be said for anything in print. Boards like The Dis are the most up to date.
And I always said planning for a WDW vacation was almost as fun as being there!

 

[ToriLammy]

Just thought of another one! For my most recent trip last month, I wouldn't have known that people can sit in the front of the monorail with the conductor, and the special way to arrange for that. UOTE]

O.K., not to get but, you have to tell me the "special way to arrange for that"! I thought it was just luck of the draw, and I have been reading these boards for years! Fess up! What's the secret???

We'll be staying in the CR tower in February, so I know this will come up again with my kids. We've only gotten lucky only once in all of our many, many tries!


Thanks!

There really isn't a special way except to ask the CM if you can and BE WILLING TO WAIT. Make sure you let the CM know that you are willing to wait, be nice and patient. It's best to try and ride during the off times, like 2pm in the afternoon when most folks are in the parks and at one of the resorts.

 

[marivaid]

Tip # 1 DO NOT READ THESE BOARDS. WDW is better if you just surprise your self. The people posting on these boards have been sooo many times that they can talk about every little thing that doesn’t even matter to you yet. Also, all of the info will overwhelm you and make you overly excited

We're leaving for our first trip in 11 days..
Without the DIS I would have :

- Shown up at 11am everyday during the busiest season of the year.
- Tried to get into MK after noon on New Year's Eve.
- Never known about Tour Guide Mike and would have ended up going to the busiest parks every day.
- Not known about RnR, Splash and ASMO pool refurbs.
- Totally skipped Epcot,because I thought there was "nothing to do" there.
- Not known that I could switch to a Moderate resort on Jan 1st and pay less than I would at a Value.Or that the resorts would take care of switching the luggage for us.
- Spent all our TS credits on character breakfasts.

And mostly I would have never discovered STITCH
Seriously.Never heard of it before and after seeing all the avatars and people talking about "Stitch",I had to get the movies.
Fell madly in love.Added 300 Stitch things to shopping list.

The first time we visited SeaWorld, we got our tickets at the hotel, hopped on the trolley and went.In 9 hours, we managed to see 2 shows. And it was in February, when the park was virtually empty.
Disney is HUGE, and much more expensive than SeaWorld, it's gonna be crazy crowded, I'm not gonna go there without a plan and end up missing out on everything.

I'm very thankful to the DIS because without these boards I think we would be heading off to a catastrophic $3000 trip. I'm all for being "surprised", but there are bad suprises too.

 

[3for Me]

There really isn't a special way except to ask the CM if you can and BE WILLING TO WAIT. Make sure you let the CM know that you are willing to wait, be nice and patient. It's best to try and ride during the off times, like 2pm in the afternoon when most folks are in the parks and at one of the resorts.

Thanks! Thought I missed some secret insider information.

 

[azgal81]

Wow I couldn't disagree with the OP more.

 

[lindsey]

I agree that not everyone wants to do as much research as others. I have always loved the planning part. Before I found these boards, I would purchase the travel books and read them over and over. Every trip has still been special for us.

 

[CleveRocks]

There really isn't a special way except to ask the CM if you can and BE WILLING TO WAIT. Make sure you let the CM know that you are willing to wait, be nice and patient. It's best to try and ride during the off times, like 2pm in the afternoon when most folks are in the parks and at one of the resorts.

Well, you're leaving a little something out. The CM you need to ask is the CM who works at the station, NOT the CM who is the monorail conductor.

My experience:

Finished dinner at Chef Mickey's, and heading to MK from there. We were just going to walk, but we saw the monorail was approaching so we figured we'd take the unnecessarily long ride around the lagoon. The CM on the platform was an older gentleman, and I asked if we could ride in the front with the conductor if that compartmment isn't already occupied. He smiled and said "Of course, as long as it's unoccupied. Tell him John says it's OK."

Well, I forgot that part at first. I saw a family exit the front compartment. BINGO! But as we walked towards the front, another guest hurriedly exited one of the monorail cars and went up to the conductor, apparently asking to ride up front. The CM turned him down, the man argued briefly, but the conductor politely but firmly said no. The man walked away in a huff, muttering at the conductor. I told the conductor I was going to ask the same question. He told me it's only allowed if we receive prior permission. That's when I reclled the instructions and told him, "John said to tell you it's OK." AT that point, the conductor stepped aside from the open door and welcomed us aboard. We loved the ride around the lagoon at night.

Had I not known to ask THE CM ON THE PLATFORM, IT'S CLEAR IN THIS INSTANCE THAT WE WOULD HAVE BEEN TURNED AWAY FROM THE FRONT COMPARTMENT, AS THE MAN BEFORE ME WAS.

 

[LoriMistress]

Planning or over planning is all depended on the person. If it weren't for reading and replying to the boards before our trip, I know our vacation would have been ruined if I didn't do my research. I think the most important thing is to do your research. Be flexable because things may not always go the way you want it to, regardless all the researching and planning you might do. Bottom line, things will happen. All I did when I planned our first trip was do research on the hotels, pricing of restraunts and when to eat, and find out which days are best to go to each parks. Not over planning but enough planning where we could relax and go on whatever rides we wanted to go, eat at the restraunts during the least crowded and less expensive time, and saving money along the way. We were on a tight budget and if we didn't do our research we would have been broke before our vacation ended.

This time around, we will be making dining reservations, and we will be using TGM.