First Timers... July 2014

[cped]

Hello everyone! Just joined the boards tonight. I'm browsing through a few posts =) We are taking our first trip this July. We have a 5 year old girl and a 2 year old boy. We are thinking of staying at the All Star Movies Resort. I would love any tips, must sees or 'don't bother's you can share!!

We are planning on driving from Chicago and will have 6 days in FL, potentially 8 if hubby is able to extend vacation. We know it's going to be packed and hot, but we don't have a choice on our dates, really.

So far the only thing I know for sure we need to do is Bibbidi Bobbidi!!

 

[lindseyach]

Welcome were going in July too

 

[DetroitDisney]

I would read a guidebook. They can help you with some the of "science" of maximizing your vacation.

At the same time, for a first time trip, it might be even more fun to just try to explore the parks and experience everything.

Regardless of which you do, you should certainly look up some touring plans. These are ideal routes through the parks to minimize your waits on different rides.

 

[ZoZo]

Welcome to the DIS!

My recommendation for a first-timer is to buy a good guidebook and read it cover to cover (if you can!). My favorite is the Unofficial Guide to WDW; it's packed with great info., and it's a great foundation for understanding what's involved with a WDW trip.

Once you've read the book, troll the DIS and read the posts that seem interesting to you. You can also ask specific questions - I've found that asking a fairly specific question (like "what's your favorite CS restaurant at MK?") will get you more answers than asking more general questions.

My tip would be to make some advance dining reservations well in advance, at least three or four months before your trip. If you wait too long, you'll get stuck with undesirable times or restaurants, or you might not be able to get any ADRs at all. You're going during a very busy time, so pre-planning your ADRs is a must if you want anything but counter service food.

Also, to maximize your time in the parks, check out easywdw.com to see Josh's recommendations about which park to choose each day. He has great advice.

Have fun planning!

 

[RHMH]

Hello July Disney Vacationers - here is a link to join our 2014 July Thread.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3147133

See ya there..

 

[estherhead]

Get a reservation at the Bibbidi in the castle at MK. The one at Downtown Disney is annoyingly crowded and not as magical. You will very much enjoy the All Star Resorts. They are great for kids that age.

I don't know what your stroller situation is, but I would have two strollers. If you don't have one for the 5 year old, you can rent one and they rental company will deliver it to your hotel before you get there. Even if you mainly park it, it is invaluable for park entering and fireworks. And pushing the sleeping children home from the bus to your room. Don't listen to naysayers, get the 5 year old a stroller: it's for your back, not them.

 

[bcinohio]

For a first visit I would read up on everything you can and then pick your top want to do items and do those. You will not be able to see everything there. We have gone many times and still don't hit everything. We are also going back in July. It is hot and it does have a higher crowd level but if you do rope drop and FP+ you will be fine. It is a fun time. The parks are usually open later.

Hope you have a great trip.

 

[kidd_freeper]

We always go in July.

Everything is open and the park hours are longer. You can manage the heat and the crowds.

Big tip #1: get to the park you want to visit before it opens. It is less hot and less crowded.

Big tip #2: young kids NEED naps. Leave before 1pm. Go back to the hotel and let them sleep. Parents can take turns exploring the resort / swimming / getting lunch. Return to the parks before 5pm and enjoy Disney at night. Do this and you'll minimize the chance of a meltdown.

Optional: If your schedule allows it, go to the parks every other day. It is much more relaxing to have some down days planned.

Recommended: Get Shoe ID tags for your kids. There are a lot of people and there is a chance that you'll lose a kid. CMs are trained to recognize these. See:
http://www.mypreciouskid.com/ID-shoes-tags.html

Also, rent a stroller for both kids, maybe a double stroller. You can bring your own (which is fine). Renting makes it easier to ride the train at MK (you exchange it at the station and will have another stroller waiting at the next station). Bring a red bandana to tie onto your stroller...this makes it WAY easier to find.

 

[estherhead]

We always go in July.

Everything is open and the park hours are longer. You can manage the heat and the crowds.

Big tip #1: get to the park you want to visit before it opens. It is less hot and less crowded.

Big tip #2: young kids NEED naps. Leave before 1pm. Go back to the hotel and let them sleep. Parents can take turns exploring the resort / swimming / getting lunch. Return to the parks before 5pm and enjoy Disney at night. Do this and you'll minimize the chance of a meltdown.

Optional: If your schedule allows it, go to the parks every other day. It is much more relaxing to have some down days planned.

Recommended: Get Shoe ID tags for your kids. There are a lot of people and there is a chance that you'll lose a kid. CMs are trained to recognize these. See:
http://www.mypreciouskid.com/ID-shoes-tags.html

Also, rent a stroller for both kids, maybe a double stroller. You can bring your own (which is fine). Renting makes it easier to ride the train at MK (you exchange it at the station and will have another stroller waiting at the next station). Bring a red bandana to tie onto your stroller...this makes it WAY easier to find.

I disagree with the renting a Disney stroller because you then don't have it for walking back to the bus and from the bus to your room. You will ride the MK train maybe once, but you'll do the buses multiple times every day. I like Apple Strollers.
It ends up being about $10.00 a day. Yes, it's a hassle to fold it down on the bus. But SO worth it. And the double stroller is a good idea, then only one parent has to push at a time.

As for going early, I could not agree more. It can be hard to get little ones up but it's worth it to be there when it's cooler. And by cooler I still mean 80. By 3:00 pm you and your kids will be MISERABLE. So take the heat of the day away by getting there early. If you don't want to head back super early, make sit down reservations for lunch, not dinner, and then do all the shows. We found when our kids were that little that they wouldn't nap as early. So we often would do rides from 8-12:00, air conditioned lunch and shows from 12:00-4:00, then back to the resort for fast food which we would order and eat in our room while they crashed. Then we would go back just for fireworks at 8:00.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Welcome to the dis, neighbor.

Get ready to make many lifetime, first time memories for you and family.

Here are several good sites to check over the next few weeks.


www.**************.net

www.allears.net

www.mousesavers.com

www.touringplans.com

www.easywdw.com

www.wdwmagic.com

www.mouseplanet.com

www.wdwent.com

www.kennythepirate.com

www.wdwprepschool.com

For forums, dis.