First Trip To Disney

[Jennasmomma]

My family of 6 is going to Disney in Dec. We will be there from Dec 14 til Dec 22. I realize its the busiest time of year but well we dont care.

We are flying from Pittsburgh...5 adults 1 child (will be 11 then). One adult will have a scooter we are renting from an off site company. Its been years since some of the adults have been there, first time for my DD.

We will meet up with family that lives in Tampa that has a season pass.

We will be staying on site at Fort Wilderness cabins.

I was wondering if anyone had tips for first timers at Disney? I cant wait..I already have Disney on the brain! ahha

(sorry I like the lil smilies)

 

[MessyJ]

This isn't very specific, but I guess the best advice I have is to RELAX. My DW and I were so excited on our first trip that we spent most of our time running from attraction to attraction and from park to park. Remember that you're on vacation, and that no matter how fast you go or how long you stay, there's no way to see everything at WDW in one trip. Take time just to enjoy being there and noticing the little details that truly make Disney different from other theme parks.

My only other piece of advice is this: make sure and go to the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue, especially since you're staying at Fort Wilderness. This is a really corny dinner show, but it is one of our favorite things at WDW.

 

[CAP Aircrew]

Enjoy the Magic that Disney has to offer.

 

[mamacatnv]

Have a plan. It does not need to be commando down to the minute, but have an idea of major things you want to see and do, where/when they are.

Outline which parks on which days to keep from running all over the place. It can easily take an hour to hour and a half to get from one place to another.

Maybe agree ahead of time on group activities and just family time. My in-laws can't keep up with us nor do they want to. We meet up for a time, then they head to a couple of shows and we head to a couple of rides and meet back up again at a pre-arranged time, or we all carry our phones and check in to see what we are all up to.

Plan some down time to sit around the pool or cabin and visit.

Definatly attend the Chip & Dale campfire at FW it is a lot of fun.

Relax and enjoy - the decorations are beautiful.

MamaCatNV

 

[jcbcpete]

There's nothing like Christmas at Disney
Tip # 1 Look into Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
This is a separte Ticket event they close the Park (Magic Kingdom) on selected nights early then open -up for these Ticket holders 6PM till Midnight 2 Parades Hot-Choclate and cookies are served throughout the park and a Free photo (well nothings Free )

Tip # 2 Book a dinner in the Magic Kingdom at one of the restaurants for around 5 PM this gets you in early and you beat the crowd trying to get in,they give you a wristband to show the difference , and enjoy the night its not filled to capacity at all.

 

[Jennasmomma]

Thank you for all the tips guys. At this point Im overwelmed with all there is to see and do.

There is already a plan to go to the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue and Chip & Dale campfire.

I just asked my DD who will be 11 when we go..she wants to do the pin trading too

 

[tink4ever]

We stayed in the fort wilderness cabins in 1998 and they were great. My only bit of advice is RENT a golf cart. Everything around the resort is very far and having a golf cart is handy and fun. You plug them in when your not using them and they really help with the walking around the resort. Have a great time!

 

[Mom to 2]

I have to agree with plan plan plan. When we went the first time I had a complete list from every park on everything we wanted to do. Got to the parks did everything we wanted to do and then went back and redid everything we wanted to do again as many times as we could!! We stayed in our RV at FW once, didn't rent a golf cart just used our bikes which worked great for us. Took the boat to the MK and we drove everywhere else. My daughter who was 11 at the time enjoyed the chip and dale movie. My son who was 6 didn't care much for it, enjoyed playing video games in the RV more .

Have fun, we will be at WDW Nov. 26-Dec 7th. We cant wait!!

Lory

 

[dbm20th]

First of all, it should not busy for at least the first half of your trip. The X-mas crowds don't build until th 20th or so. You should be good.

Make sure you get in the X-mas stuff. You WILL come back, and it may not be that close to the holidays again, so make sure you enjoy that part of it. Also, you have mostly adults, so they will enjoy some of that alot. Here are some highlights...

Candlelight Procession at EPCOT (amazing)
Mickey's Very Merry X-Mas Party (SO much fun)
Osbourne Lights at MGM (hard to believe Clark Griswold isn't there)
And all the incredible decorations

Make sure you enjoy the World Showcase and what it has to offer. The food, drink, and entertainment are unique even to Disney. Adults will love this, and depending on the child, so will she.

MAke sure you take it easy because you have a lot of time and try and hit all four parks in the first 4 days. That way you can choose which ones to return to based on what you already saw.

And one more thing, get the Unnofficial Guide and read it cover to cover...twice...maybe three times. Become an expert and you guys will have agreat time.

 

[tink4ever]

I could not remember the number for the golf carts when I posted the other day but I found it. If you decide to rent one (which I recommend highly) the number is Bike Barn 1-407-824-2742. Good Luck!