First Trip to Disney ??'s

[lagirl]

My family is going on our first trip to Disney in Feb 2004. It'll be me, DH, DD6, DS3 and my mom. We are driving and will purchase a 4-day park hopper pass for:
M-AK
T-MGM
W-MK
TH-MK

I'd like to make reservations to two character breakfasts, one at Crystal Palace for DS and CRT for DD. Since our last day at the parks will be on TH, I'd like to schedule CRT for that day (if possible). My question is, would it be better for me to schedule Crystal Palace for Wednesday morning while we'll be at MK, or can I make it another day, have the Character breakfast, then head to another park for the day?

Another question: Since we'll be driving (and never been to WDW) is there parking lots for each park? I know it'll cost $7 to park but didn't know it there's one big lot or if each park has a parking lot.

These boards are so helpful!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[kilee]

AK, MGM & Epcot have their own lots. For MK you'll need to park at the Ticket and Transportation center. Then take either the monorail or boat to the park. Try one each way. They are both great! I would do the breakfast's depending on what you can get that fits w/ your schedule. I noticed you are not doing Epcot, but doing MK twice. Parks like MK and AK tend to close early. If possible try to "hop" over to Epcot for a little while and catch Illuminations.

 

[CalGal]

If you will be staying at a Disney resort, you do not have to pay for parking at the parks. Since you are selecting EMH parks, my guess is that you are staying on site.

Don't be afraid to split you day: the EMH parks can get very crowded. For example, I believe that Tuesday is the worse day of the week for MGM. You might want to take off for another park after awhile.

 

[swilphil]

I would schedule Crystal Palace on the day you are already planning on being there. We made a PS for Monday at 8:15 before the park opens. It's nice to go in the park when no one else is there. Then you can be one of the first on rides right after breakfast.

If you are doing around Presidents Day, expect big crowds. It's a good idea to do EMH and then leave around lunch for a break/another park. The EMH parks get very crowded in the afternoons, especially MK. I would highly suggest stopping by Epcot for at least 1/2 day or evening after other parks close. My 3 yo loved World Showcase, and I think a 6 yo would even love it more. AK is a park that easily can easily be done in 1/2 day or less. We went to MGM late on a Tuesday, and it wasn't that bad. I think the EMH people had left. MGM and Epcot are a short boat ride from one another, so you could easily go back and forth. Or stop at the Boardwalk in between.

 

[Tank]

getting tables at crt is not easy. i wouldn't wait for the last day to call for seating you might get disappointed. use the ps calculator on this site and try to get a table for at least a couple of days. If you are lucky enough to get more than one you can cancel. you could even work out your cancelation with someone on these boards who got shut out. Better safe than sorry. good luck,

 

[whozit]

If you will be at WDW for more than 4 days, but only plan on going to the parks for 4 days, I would consider a Character Meal at one of the resorts on a non-park day instead of using part of your limited park touring time at a Character Meal.

 

[lagirl]

We are staying off site, so we won't have early entry to any park. I will be purchasing 4 day park hoppers. For some reason I thought I could do a park a day if I choose, but couldn't go from one park to another in a single day. I can? I could do AK and a bit of Epcot in a day? I just figured Epcot was more for older kids/adults. It's not?

CRT: I can make reservations for different days, then cancel those I don't want? I thought I could only make one (see how much I learn here).

I'll be going to WDW the week after Presidents Day (it's the 16th of Feb and our first day at WDW is Feb. 23rd. Is this time of the year very crowded? I actually don't mind some crowd because it'll be going over the summer with the heat.

Thanks so much for your replys. I'm so looking forward to our trip.

 

[jennymouse]

If you aren't staying on site, then definately stay away from the park that is having the EMH as that park will be the most crowded that day. Yes, with park hoppers, you can go to all four of the parks in the same day if you'd like. As far as Epcot and little kids go, some find it a little boring and some don't. But, as others have said, AK, MK & MGM close pretty early during slow times and Epcot always stays open until 9. And the Illuminations fireworks show is awsome...a must see. So, you could go to the other parks during the day and then go to Epcot at night. There's lots of places in World Showcase for dinner. I would also like to suggest you purchase the Unoffical Guild to Disney World and read it before you go. Don't let it overwhelm you though, because Feb. is a lot slower time to go and you probably won't need to use those touring plans, but just in case it is busy, you can have a plan. Plans are good at WDW. The Unofficial Guide is excellent at telling all about the parks, attractions, resorts, restaurants, etc. You'll be way ahead of the game if you just buy and read that book. You'll also have plenty of time to learn some things from these boards before you go to. You and your family are going to have an awsome time at WDW!

Welcome to the DIS!

 

[AJKMOM]

You should check out the official Disney website disneyworld.com or wdwig.com which is Deb Will's website. They have links to explain tickets prices, and options. There are a lot of Pluses that you can buy and it is a bunch of explaining. You can also save money by buying in advance (online or at the Disney Store). If you already have money budgeted, perhaps you could be a round of mini-golf? Hope the websites can clear things up. It can be confusing.

 

[lagirl]

Jenifer--thanks so much for your input. I had no idea that the parks I picked for each day were the EMH day's. DH's and I plan was to build up the excitment for our children. I figured if we did MK first, they wouldn't want to go to another park. Even going in a slower time of the year, are EMH parks to be avoided? I bought about 5 different books about WDW and one of them was the unofficial one, but I think it's for 2003. My mom said I'll be an expert on WDW before I even set foot on the property. I love knowing all I can so I'll be ahead of the game when we arrive.

AJKMOM--I plan on purchasing my tickets at the nearest Disney store when I have the funds. I found these board from Deb's site, which is very informative. Thanks for your help.

 

[jennymouse]

You're probably still okay with the '03 guide. There'll be things in there that are out of date, like I think that's the one that says Early Entry or Extra Magic Hour was done away with...and it was, but they brought it back. No matter when you buy one of those books, Disney changes stuff so fast that by the time it's in print, it's out of date. Just read and get a good idea of how the parks are layed out, what attractions/rides you'd like to do...etc. And, they say, that it is a good idea to save MK for later in the park. We can't seem to do that, however, it just doesn't seem like were there until we go down Main Street USA. Yes, I still would avoid the park that is doing extra magic hour, even if it's a slow time of year. Disney is constantly running promotions and you just never know. If you can't avoid it, save it for a bit later in the day...say after lunch...maybe, most of the resort guests who came for EMH will have hopped to a different park by then. If you're like most people, by the time you go, you'll have read so much and planned so much, right before you go it'll be like a let down and you don't even want to do it. That phase only last a couple days though, then it's I CAN'T WAIT!!!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Welcome to the DIS, lagirl. You'll be a true expert by the time you leave for the Magic.

Great tips here.

As for CRT and what Tank said is that with seatings so difficult to get, if you wait to call for a PS for your last day, and you miss it, you guy will not be going. It is generally recommended, that on that and Illumination cruises, that you start your calling on the proper day for your second day there. If you miss it, call the next day for your next day at WDW, and so on. If you get a subsequent one, cancel the earlier one. And, if lucky, you will get the one for the day you want, but, if not, at least you have a day at the Table.

Check the PS site for more help.

http://www.wdwig.com/reserv.htm

http://pscalculator.net/

 

[snuggles]

Wanted to say Welcome to the Dis! I know you will have the best time on your trip. I hope you will take a look around all of our boards here on the Dis. We've got some great tips to make your trip extra special.

 

[lagirl]

So, I should begin calling for reservations for CRT for the second day of my stay, then make calls each day after that to get a reservation for the day I'd like? Is there a reason why I need to wait until calling for my second day instead of our first?

Regarding EMH, since it seems I planned my vacation using every EMH day, when I can't actually take advantage of EMH (staying off-site), I should change it. Does Disney use the same parks on the same day for EMH all of the time, meaning, since EMH on Monday is AK, I should avoid that park, at least before noon?

Another question: Since we are driving to WDW and will be parking our own car everyplace, if I hop from park to park, do I have to pay each time I park at a different park? (hey, that's a lot of "park"s)

I have looked at many of the other boards here and written down or printed out many of the helpful hints/advice.
This place is so informative, much more so than a book (even though I've read a lot of them) since the information is from the acutal "experts".


If I think of any more questions, I'll be sure to ask.

 

[tarabl]

Once you pay for parking, you can use that parking ticket for parking all day long at any of the parks parking lots. We parked at MK and jumped on the monorail to Epcot, did Epcot, took monorail back to MK, did that and then went back to the hotel (offsite) to relax. Went back at nite to MGM and did Fantasmic and used the same parking ticket no problem.

Same theory applies to strollers, rent it for the day and you can get a stroller in any other park using using your receipt.

 

[lagirl]

Thanks tarabl! I will be getting a stroller too, so it's nice to know I only have to pay once a day for that and for parking.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Originally posted by lagirl
So, I should begin calling for reservations for CRT for the second day of my stay, then make calls each day after that to get a reservation for the day I'd like? Is there a reason why I need to wait until calling for my second day instead of our first?........If I think of any more questions, I'll be sure to ask.

Yes, that is correct. As for the second day, I was only thinking you would not be there real early in the AM your first day there. If you will be, then yes, try for that day too.

Keep asking, the people here are great!!!!

 

[lagirl]

Dan--we are leaving on Friday to drive halfway, spend the night, then Saturday morning we'll head to Orlando. We'll be there all day Sunday, but wanted that day to rest from the long drive, drive to WDW to see how long it'll take (so we know what time to leave Monday morning) and to hang out. So great, I'll begin calling for CRT for the first day, then try each day after that, hoping and praying I get a ressie for our last day at the parks.

 

[jcemom]

If it were me, I would not go to the EMH park given a choice.

After checking touringplans.com and other info I have, the most recommended days would probably be:
Mon - MGM Studios (MK is always crowded on Monday, and AK's EMH is today, leaving MGM as the only other choice)
Tues - Magic Kingdom
Wed - Magic Kingdom (traditionally the least crowded day of the week at MK)
Thu - Animal Kingdom (MK's EMH is today) -- I would definitely consider Epcot tonight (for dinner and Illuminations, maybe?), as AK closes at 5:00

Just some suggestions to consider...I'm certainly not a WDW expert...just consulted the available info on least crowded days!