First Trip! I'm afraid it's going to fly by.

[DropkickMurphys]

My family and I are making our first trip to WDW in January 2009.

My wife went when she was 12, but for our two kids and myself it will be our first time. I'm afraid the week is going to fly by and be a big blur.

What tips does anyone have to help me feel less overwhelmed now and to be able to slow down and enjoy the week while we're there? Thanks so much!

 

[disneyag]

You can't see everything in one trip, so don't try! Plus, that gives you a reason to plan another trip.

Stop and smell the roses. Some of the greatest Disney moments I've had with family have occured by accident.

Have everyone make a "Top 5" list of things they want to be sure that they see/do. Make sure you at least complete their lists--everything else is gravy.

 

[wuv tigger]

My kiddos LOVE the Fire SAFETY House & fire truck. There is also a neat game to play next door to the fire engine.

I don't rush the kids to make their masks. I also try to get the character greets in Mexico, China, Germany, Italy, France & England.

My kids love to get an ice cream & sit & people watch.

We are commandos in the AM. We hit rope drop almost every day. We also leave at 1 pm or so to get a nap back in the room. NO: phones, TV's or computers. Everyone in our family has napped during our trips.

We also make sure ALL of us are hydrated well! Nothing worse than a cranky parent due to lack of water

 

[KGH]

maybe having a sit-down meal eachday would help... i find that is a good chance to relax, regroup, talk abotu the day you've had... it is a nice break from the rush-rush-rush of a day in the parks to sit down and have a nice family meal!

 

[SRRN]

We have gone many,many years when my girls were much younger. We always left at noontime,back to our Disney resort for either lunch there or sometimes we would go outside the park for lunch. Once back,we would hit the pool for about an hour or so,and then back to the rooms for a little rest.
Later in the late pm or early evening we'd head back to the parks and enjoy the evening activities.

It always worked for us and to this day,with our girls 20 &23,if they come with us,we still do the same thing.

 

[kimis]

Congratulations on your first trip together! I tell people that the first trip is like the first day of school. You had a good time but you know there is alot more to do. So do what you can and enjoy it all. Try to do a variety. You know the rides,parades, character meals and swimming in the pool.
My dh and i will be there in about 93 days for sixth trip and we still haven't done it all. However every trip is magical and very special. Keep us posted.

 

[The Hendies]

I am a super planner, Spread sheet and everything, but we leave the last day as our "What I absolutely MUST do (or do again) before I leave the happiest place on earth".

 

[cttjones]

Many people DREAM about going to Disneyworld....I know I did!

It will fly by...you are right about that, but take time to go through the parks slow. Don't run through the parks from ride to ride...you'll miss some of the best things about Disney if you do this.

I know our first trip I had everyone tell the one thing they wanted to make sure we did. I also asked the kids who is your favorite character before we went, and then I planned to make sure we did a character breakfast or meet and great...something so that everyone met their character. This was priceless. Everytime one of the girls met their favorite character it was special, and they have never forgotten that first encounter.

Simply talk to your family about what you have done, seen, want to do, etc. You can do this sitting down at dinner, standing in line, riding the bus back to the hotel, just take the time to talk about the experience when you can. My best memories of our first trip are seeing everyone's face, and hearing the kids talk about this and that.

I will assure you that no matter what... you are going to have some memories you'll never forget. They are perfect and priceless and what DisneyWorld is all about. Have a magical trip!

 

[Cruz91]

Start planning your RETURN trip before your FIRST trip is done!

We actually ended up upgrading our 10 day hopper passes to AP's on the 1st trip, and we've been addicted ever since...

 

[tassma]

Plan the next trip even if you don't know exactly when. Some of the best stuff are not attractions. The magic is there, but only if you aren't looking at the schedule the whole time. I would suggest reading at least one guidebook before you go. The unofficial series is awesome.

Have a great trip and build fantastic memories (promise yourself that you will never yell "We are having fun #&$!#")

 

[korg]

You've probably noticed that how fast something seems to go by is in direct proportion to how fun the event was. Vacations ALWAYS fly by ... the more fun, the faster they seem to go by. A Disney trip is exhausting ... AND the most fun you can have so it WILL fly by. That's why you'll go back time and time again ... just like the rest of us!

I'm going back in less then 3 weeks for my, let me think ... 9th time since the mid 80s. 4 times we stayed off property and 5 times on property. If it's your 1st time I highly recommend staying on Disney property if you can aford it. That way you can suck up all the Disney magic possible during the week. What I'm come to realize in MY life is Disney is addictive!!! Once you're hooked on DW you're hooked for life! BUT ... it's a fun heart warming GOOD family addiction that only harms your wallet but pays for itself in good family fun!

 

[Dawn68PA]

Breathe. Whenever I feel rushed, I stand still, look at the magic all around me, and just breathe in. What a great feeling!

I agree with the one sit-down meal a day comment as well. We always do this and it's fun to hear what each person has gotten out of the day. It seems to slow down time somewhat and you really enjoy the communication with the family.

 

[DropkickMurphys]

Thanks for all the ideas and replies. We'll be staying on-site at the VWL and we already have all of our ADRs for a sit-down meal per day. I'll also probably be taking about 200+ pictures a day. I can't wait!

 

[KidGoofy]

What I loved most from when I was younger at the parks(even thought I am still young at 16 but I mean when I was 8 or 9), I loved going to walk around and just look at everything. Somehow when we are down there a family member would recognize someone down there and I would just start day dreaming and walk around and see everything.

But a must for us is to see the World Showcase players, pretty much just for King Arthur and the Holy Grail, and all the little rides like TTA and Buzz Lightyear. And a must is the new ride in MGM with the Pixar character's( I forgot what it is called), it was awesome and a lot of fun and its for good competition.