First trip ever.... tips?

[The Sybah Shelstah]

Hi!
I just registered here -found this board SOMEHOW online... don't ask me to tell you how because I'd have to backspace a bazillion pages to figure it out.

We are leaving TOMORROW (driving trip because this was a spur of the moment decision for this vacation and air fare is way too expensive ofcourse) and we'll be staying 8 nights (Orlando, FL).

I'm so excited. I'm 33yrs old and ALWAYS always always dreamed of going to Disney World and never did. This will be my first time! (DH went during sprink break many moons ago and our children have never been either, ofcourse! As IF they'd get to go without me? hahahaha) Soo... it's me, 33yr old mom who will resort back to atleast 8yrs old or so the minute I step foot in the first theme park (LOL) and our 8yr old daughter, 5yr old son, and 2.5yr old daughter... and DH. Yes, I realize my youngest is pretty young but we kept waiting for our children to be atleast 4/5 before we went and then we'd have another child! And then another..... I'm tired of waiting! LOL

Soo.. anyway, any tips for someone's FIRST (and who knows... possibly could be our ONLY trip there! Took me 33yrs the first time- who knows if we'll be able to go again. Things just worked out perfectly with $$, DH time off from work, kids out of school, etc. for this trip) trip to Orlando/Disney World?

Lay em on me!! I'm so excited yet I'm so nervous because I'm afraid the time will go by too quickly and I won't be able to do everything I want to do or get home and regret not doing something or knowing about something we could have done/etc. I noticed a lot of you seem to go there over and over.... so you're experienced... if you could only go ONCE (possibly) what would you for sure not want to miss?

TIA for any help you can give me! Oh and thanks already for all the great threads in this forum. You've already helped me so much with links in some threads about things to do, discounts, etc.

 

[The Sybah Shelstah]

Ps. not that it matters a whole lot. Just curious how you do those signature lines that show a little box with the date of when you are going on your next trip?

 

[Luv2Roam]

For the date counter, I think there is a thread on the techincal board that explains how to do it.
There are SO many tips, you would be up all night reading. But here are a few:
Don't go in commando style. Relax, have fun, and if your kids (or you) need it, take a break.
At the monorail, ask to sit in the front cab. There is a limit on the number of people. (Don't recall off hand what it is. 3?)
If you haven't made priority seating, you may want to get a few dinner meals lined up before you leave or once you get there.
If you ride Test Track, there is a SIngles line that will take you in and out fairly quick and you don't have to use a Fast pass for. However, do not do this if you have to sit side by side. You are not even guaranteed to be in the same car. Although DH and I always have been.
Get a passport book for the kid's for World Showcase. I think they cost around $10 and can be bought in any country, or in most gift shops. Heck -- I have even done that and enjoyed it!
Make sure to see the living statues in France. They are out often and are not to be missed!

When at MGM Studios --
Pull the rope outside of Indiana Jones that reads NOT to pull the rope!
Osborne Lights a must -- but avoid going on a Saturday night if possible. Sunday is a good night. And the snow falling in the NYC street are very cool.
Find the umbrella in the back of MGM (New York Street are, to the left. Stand under the umbrella. It's attached at the top of a street lamp.
Look under the door mat at Muppets 3D.

I haven't done this -- yet -- Look for the pin trading pony in Camp Minnie/Mickey in DAK.
Another thing I haven't done -- try riding the monorail during the MK fireworks.

If you have a chance to go on ANY behind the scenes tour -- do it. They are great.

At the drinking fountain on the backside of the MK castle, you will see a princess mural behind the drinking fountain. At the CHILD'S fountain, take a drink and look up. This mural was made specifically for children at their level. The princess wears her crown from that angle.

 

[The Sybah Shelstah]

Oh oh, great tips!!!! Thanks!
And yes, I will be up all night. Not just reading but I'll be up all night. I'm a night owl anyway and having this much stuff to do doesn't help matters. I'm sure I'll be up all night then napping in the van on the way there (daytime- I'll be driving at night because DH would scare me to death driving at night/sleepy).

 

[The Sybah Shelstah]

testing sig line

 

[The Sybah Shelstah]

OMG........ only 14hrs till we head out for our trip! *pulling hair out in pure panic* LOL

 

[Pembo]

Welcome Sybah! Just keep reading these boards and this definitely won't be your only trip!!!!! You'll be figuring out ways to go even if you think you don't have the money!

My #1 tip---HAVE FUN and ENJOY!!!!!! and come back to the DIS when you come home and tell us all about your trip!
You're going to WDW!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bichon Barb]

If you go to Downtown Disney, make sure to bring a change of clothes for the kids. (Two word hint: WATER FOUNTAINS!).

 

[Luv2Roam]

Take a roll of quarters and pennies too for the pressed penny machines. You can buy a tri-fold plastic book to keep them in. (Think it costs around $6.)
Also visit the Character Corner outlet outside of WDW to save $ on t-shirts, etc for the kids.
If you have the car, it will be easy to get to. Just don't ask me how -- I'm always a passenger! lol
15779 Apopka-Vineland Rd, Lk Buena Vista.
407-238-0011
If you plan on doing laundry, take your own detergent and softener sheets too.

 

[The Sybah Shelstah]

Oh I'm reading alright.... I wander away from the computer at times to do this or that (preparing to leave tomorrow) but I keep coming back to read more and more!

Thanks so much for the tips! Especially the quarters/pennies for the pressed penny machines! I didn't know they'd have those (and frankly didn't even think about it) but our last vacation (NOT a WDW unfortunately LOL) that was a big hit with my children (they are young and easy to please- plus they think they are rich if they have a penny -pressed or not. LOL) and with me too! You can't beat souveniers that cheap!

(Also didn't know about the books to keep them in. Now I know to look for those! Thanks!)

Bichon Barb- thanks for the tip! I probably would have only had a change of clothes for my youngest (still not potty trained) so now I know to bring all the kids a change of clothes! Thanks!

 

[KimRaye]

Relax, take your time, HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY VISIT!!! There are a bunch of great, last minute tips here and, those will keep you busy enough (if your kids don't)!

Enjoy!!!

 

[The Sybah Shelstah]

I know... there are a lot of great tips here. Problem is that when we leave in a few hours- that's it. No more online/on computer for me for the entire trip. I have a laptop.... but it's the ISP while gone that is the problem. I use cable here at home so I can't just hook up to a phone line and dial up anywhere.

Oh and a storm just started here (I'm in Texas) -I hope the electricity doesn't go out..... I still have stuff to pack and can't do that in the dark! ahhhhhhh :lol

(Oh and in case anyone sees this and is able to answer before we leave in a few hours.... I assume we really don't need to pack shorts, right? That's what I figured... from what I checked on the weather it's upper 60's to mid 70's and that's what it's been around these parts too and we just wear pants/shortsleeved shirts and jackets when needed. So I figured I'd bring that plus some longsleeved stuff also just in case it got cooler. But then I noticed on some posts where people were going to Disney World in the next couple of weeks and talking about packing for both cool and warmer weather?!? Shorts are really not needed right now... right?)

 

[Local_Girl]

If you've got the room...I'd definitely pack a pair or two of shorts, and your swimsuits ( just in case!).

Otherwise, have a WONDERFUL trip!! Please remember that there is no way to see and do it all in one trip, so don't get discouraged...just enjoy everything you are able to see and do! And be sure to use FASTPASS--it will definitely save you a lot of time and allow you to do more. And remember, when you get back, you can come back to the budget board and get ideas on how to save $$ for your next trip...you'll surely want to go back!!

 

[mkandk]

as another Texas girl, you probably won't need those shorts, so if you really are hurting for space, don't worry about them.

I think 2.5 is a GREAT age to go to DisneyWorld. Mine were 3 and 4, and seeing Mickey, and Tigger, and all that is more fun. So are all the rides in FantasyLand, and Goofy's Barnstormer. You'll have to take turns on the bigger rides like Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, but your 8 year old will probably enjoy them...and this trip is for you too, so make sure you ride the rides you want to.

If you go by a bookstore on your way out, stop in and get the Unofficial Guide to DisneyWorld. They also have ones about going with kids. You can check out what they say about the different rides, and you will have an idea what you really want to do.

What a great way to spend Christmas!! I hope you have fun, and the weather treats you nicely.

 

[adamak]

Welcome on DIS board !

My only advice is - RELAX. Don't try to cover every ride, every event. That way, you can always go back.

And consider DVC.

(don't impulse buy).
(but then, DVC was the best impulse buy for me).