First timers looking for advice 5 Days until we go!!

[ccreighton]

I think it may be like asking for a drink of water but getting a waterfall but any and all info is good.

We arrive on the 6th at POFQ at noon after flying in from MO. We leave morning of the 13th. We have character dinners set up for Monday(princess dinner in epcot) Tuesday(Mickeys dinner) Wed(Cinderella dinner) and Thursday(polynesian)

Its just me my wife and my daughter who is 6. We have park hopper passes and took the dinner add on because we have so many character dinners.

Any advice or suggestions is great. Concerned about not having the best vantage points for the light shows(still confused about where and when they all are LOL)

Have read numerous threads and am much more educated that before, but still feel out of my element and a little overwelmed

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[HERSEY]

First and formost remember you are on vacation! Relax, don't try to cram too much in one day. The heat can take a lot out of you. If there's any rides you think you must ride do it early when the parks open or when everyone is at the parades. Have fun!

 

[angietuck2]

We were just there last week and with the heat and the crowds I would like to make a suggestion if I may:

Use fast - passes where ever you can -- they are a god send.

I also highly suggest getting to the park (which ever one you chose that day) when they open, ride some rides for a couple of hours then go back to the hotel and swim and cool off until dinner, then go back to the parks in the evening.

We were at MK last Thursday when they opened at 9, we went straight to Buzz Lightyear and walked right on - twice. Went to Phil - Har Magic ( a MUST see) walked right on. By 11 am we had been on 8 rides at least once, had some lunch, and just as we were leaving it was gettin hot and there were hoards of people coming in the park.

It really is helpful to get to the parks early, please take it from a family who has been there MANY times.

Have fun

P.S. - Do SOARIN - at Epcot it's awesome !!! Even if you are afraid of heights (I am terrified of them and I loved it)

 

[ccreighton]

We plan to hit every park at open each day and also take advantage of the early hour when we can (against some advice on here) then rest in the afternoon or hit shows and not so crowded sights

Where can i find info on nighttime shows ie what parks have what shows we should see at night?

 

[tiggrbaby]

Definitely fastpass Soarin'. We read on here to see Wishes at the MK to go down the path for the Rose Garden. It worked out great! I was able to get a bit of fence to lean on only 5 minutes before it started, and Tink went right overhead. We were there on 7/5.

 

[baileybelle]

Hear are 2 great sites chock full of info http://allearsnet.com/
http://pages.prodigy.net/stevesoares/index.htm This link also gives you lots of info on the parades and fireworks shows http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/hours.htm#hm-parades. Try and see them all. They are all wonderful!!!

 

[polarboi]

We plan to hit every park at open each day and also take advantage of the early hour when we can (against some advice on here) then rest in the afternoon or hit shows and not so crowded sights

Just remember... if your family is getting tired and/or cranky (especially your daughter), don't stress out if you can't make it to the park by opening. It's better to have a happy, rested family!

Where can i find info on nighttime shows ie what parks have what shows we should see at night?

At the very top of this page, look for the link that says "Park Hours." That will give you the nighttime show hours for the days you'll be there.

[Edit: Someone beat me to it. Oh well!]

Other advice: Decide ahead of time what the top attractions you want to do are. Find out which ones in each park are likely to fill up fast and/or can be FastPassed. (Example: I highly recommend getting a FP for Soarin' as soon as you get to Epcot.)

It's not a good idea to overplan/overschedule, because you may discover that the attraction you planned to do next is closed or has a long line, or you may get up later than planned or miss the bus or need an unscheduled nap or who knows what. So know what your top attractions are, and focus on getting those done. That way you can be flexible while still getting the most out of your vacation and not freaking out when something unplanned happens (because it will).

And don't be afraid to ask a cast member if you have any problems or questions. They're very helpful.

I'm sure you'll have a great time!

-p.b.

 

[LadyDulcinea1]

I agree with the other posters who said to get to the parks as close to opening as you feel able to. Also, for MK you might want to try hopping on the train at the entrance and riding it to ToonTown Fair, this way your daughter should be able to meet characters before the lines get crazy and then take a short walk over to Fantasyland before those lines get crazy.

But again, it is a vacation so enjoy yourselves! So excited for your family's first trip! Have a great time!

 

[HaleyB]

Fast Passes- Learn what rides have them. The return time is always a range 1:35-2:35 but you CAN use them later than that range (we do it all the time). In smaller print it will say when you can get the next Fast Pass. Always get one as soon as you can. In my family my husband is our fast pass scout- he runs ahead (with everyones tickets in hand) and gets a set of fast passes for the group. This is much faster, plus you can get in another line and he can join you if he makes it back in time.

My very best advice is to join www.tourguidemike.com for around $20 (I think). He has tons of planning information, ride info, and he has a new express feature. A few hours on his website will be well spent.

 

[eclectics]

Like everyone said, choose the pace all of you are comfortable with, and remember the reason you are there, to Enjoy Yourself!!!! Hope you enjoy POFQ. I loved it when I was there. Have a great trip!

 

[angietuck2]

I see that you already have a lot of dining reservations, but I would highly suggest Fantasmic at MGM which is one of the best shows in all of the parks

However, because the show is so good the stadium can be full up to an hour before the show, so the best way to see it is the Fantasmic dinner package, where you eat dinner at one of the restaraunts in the park and then you have a gauranteed seat in a reserved section of the stadium and you don't have to get there until about 30-40 minutes before the show- it's the best way to see the show !! HIGHLY RECCOMEND

 

[Amyality]

BUY THE UNOFICIAL GUIDE 2005 TODAY! TAKE IT WITH YOU!

have a plan the first 3 or 4 rides you want to do each day. Make a touring plan and be early to the park. It is AMAZING how much you can get done the first hour the park is open, makes the rest of the day a breeze.

Make some priority seatings immediately.

Consider doing the parks till about 1 pm, then head back for some R&R, then shower and hit another park in the pm. This pattern is so refreshing, you never feel too worn out.

As the other posters said, use the fast passes. they run out quickly so, get one early. For example, you may pull a fast pass for 6 pm for test track at 11 am. Also note you can pull another FP, 15 minutes before the FP you are holding matures. This is very handy.

A trick I like at EPCOT is to pull a FP for Mission Space right when you come into the park, then go ride Test Track. This year when we go, I will do that then go to Soarin', pull a FP, do HISTA then ride Soarin'. This should have my favorite things knocked out by 11 a.m. easily.

At MK we send a runner to get FP while the others ride Buzz Lightyear a few times. Then we hit pooh, peter pan, snow white, phillaharmagic, then go do Space Mountain. Cross park,pull FP for HH. Get in line for Jungle Cruise, it opens later at 10:30, get in line by 10! Then pirates, pull FP for BTM or SM (we sacrifice here and choose one, then do the other another day). Do HH. Have lunch then do BTM.

By this time we are ready for a dip in the pool.