First Timers Need Help

[maymom96]

Hi everyone. I am starting to plan our Disney vacation and just find it overwhelming. This is a surprise vacation for our children (B-11, G-5) and I would like to make this trip very special without going broke and me going insane planing the trip.
I don't know what I am doing so that makes me nervous I will screw this trip up. I have no idea if it's better to stay in the park or if it's better to stay in a motel outside of the park.
This is what I do know. We want to be in Disney during the week of 8/05/07. We would like to visit a few park and don't care to do the park hoppers. We thought about staying in Disney (or near the parks) for about 5 days and then driving to the gulf so we can swim in the ocean and visit family. We want our daughter to eat with Cinderella or any princess. Our son is into sports so we thought we could stay at the sports resort. If we could get a cabin, we would love to stay at the campgrounds.
Everything after that, we have no idea what to do. I just don't know what is the best way to go. And like I said, I am overwhelmed and I just started. So I am looking for a little help, tips and suggestions. Can someone take mercy on me and help me out???

 

[Ricky's Girl]

maymom96 Greetings to a fellow Michigander!
I would really recommend staying on site. Especially in August when the heat and humidity get pretty bad. That way it's so much easier to take a pool or nap break during the hottest part of the day. Trust me you will need it. All Star Sports has some of the least expensive rates of all of the value resorts so that would be a great start.

Character breakfasts are great for one on ones with lots of different characters. We've been to Chef Mickeys which was great. I've also heard a lot of good things about the Crystal Palace and plan to do that on our next visit. Both breakfasts are buffet style.

I've heard the Princess tea in Norway (at EPCOT) is tons of fun with lots of the Princesses in attendance.

Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with. I'm sure you'll get tons of advice from fellow DISers.

 

[LizzySwan1022]

Take a deep breath. It looks like you're off to a great start!

For your DD I would suggest the Princess Tea in Norway, or Cinderella's Royal Table (Which is more expensive, but you get to eat in the castle).I also like 50's Prime Time Cafe, where even the grown-ups are kids, I think your kids would get a kick out of it.

I've never stayed at All Star Sports, but I think it would be a great place for a sports fanatic.

 

[Juliee8]

We have stayed on site and off site before, and both have their own advantages. It is alot easier with small children to stay onsite. This time we have decided to stay offsite, because we are going to do Seaworld, Universal and also drive tot he beach one day. We are renting a 3 bedroom private pool home for our trip in April cause we got a great deal with the Orlando magic card.

The only character dining we have done so far is the Crystal Palace with Pooh and friends and it was great! We really enjoyed it!! This time we are going to do Chef Mickeys and the Cinderella gala feast.

Good luck with your trip planning!

 

[pl'smama]

Hey Maymom96, try to relax and remember this will be the time of your lives, for you and your kids!!!

I suggest staying on site and the All Star Resort is a great place to start. Friends of ours stayed there with a family of five, including a toddler and they said it was fine. The pool was fantastic and the pizza, not so bad!! It is worth it to stay onsite, especially for the hot and busy times in the summer. You will be happy to have the bus service so handy.

I recomend any meal with Cinderella at the Castle. We had dinner there in December and our almost four year DD loved it!! It does cost a bit more, but you get several wonderful photos and other keepsakes as well. There are also always some other characters there. Whatever Character meal(s) you do, ask your DD if she wants to dress up. They look so wonderful in their costumes and will fit right in. I bought a Cinderella dress at Wal-Mart for $15.00 dollars and my daughter still wears it.

I also suggest the Ohana breakfast at the Polynesion resort with Lilo and Stitch. The food was great, the service was wonderful and there were several other characters there to. We had lunch at the Crystal Palace and the food was pretty good. Again, lots of characters to see and get photos taken with. All of the character meals cost more than you will pay for a regular meal, but it is so worth it.

I suggest you check out the Disney website and even email them some questions you may have. They were so helpful to me when I was planning our trip.

Oh, if you plan to book a character meal you need to do it now or very soon. The popular meals and times sell out very quickly and you can book up to 180 days in advance of your trip. I forget the number to call, but it is on the Disney website. It is something like #407-WDW-DINE.

Good luck with your preparations. YOu are going to have the best time ever and any little things that crop up will just be memories for later.

Suz

 

[ajcolorado]

Staying on Disney property is so convenient - if you can do it. We have stayed in one deluxe, one moderate, and three of the value resorts and I think the value resorts are a lot of fun. The theming is pure Disney - especially at Pop Century and All-Star Movies.

This thread has great information on All-Star Movies: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=6778927#post6778927

Here's a Pop Century thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=698727

www.allearsnet.com has great information - the dining section is very helpful. www.wdwinfo.com is great too.

I really believe a good touring plan makes all the difference in the world - it gives you a "plan of attack" and good information will literally save hours of time wasted in long lines. I've used and recommend three sources: www.buildabettermousetrip.com does custom touring plans and you work with a real, live person. www.tourguidemike.com is a subscription site with great information and friendly forums. The Unofficial Guide to WDW is an excellent guide book.

Birnbaum has very good generally information but the touring information is not specific enough for a first trip or a visit during the busy summer months.

It'll be hot when you come - we often do a table service lunch, rather than a dinner. It just feels good to sit and take a break in the heat of the day.