First trip to WDW

[Boomama32]

October 11th my husband and children will begin their very first WDW adventure. I've not been there since I was 16 (now, 43) so it will all be just as new to me! This trip will be special in a couple of different ways: their first trip, and our 20th wedding anniversary! Any helpful tips from frequent WDW visitors would be greatly appreciated. We want to have a wonderful Disney experience without going into the eternal hole of debt!! lol

 

[Adam1217]

Where are you going to be staying at WDW????

 

[DizneyNutz]

I see you are from Tennessee (we're NC), will you be driving? DW and I have found several eating options really close to WDW that will cut back on some meal expenses if interested (unless you are doing the dining plan). PM / e-mail us if interested.

 

[DisneyFairy19]

Have a great time.. You and your family will have an amazing time.. I am 25 and I am a kid all over again when I go with my sister and parents...

 

[sticker231]

Welcome to the DIS! i hope you enjoy your upcoming trip and Happy Anniversary

 

[stina]

Hello Boomama32 and welcome!

I don't know where you are staying but for the budget conscious I would recommend Disney's on-property moderate hotels like Caribbean Beach or Port Orleans. They give you some of that Disney hotel magic while still remaining very affordable. Plus you get to use the buses to go around to all the parks when you stay on property. It's very convenient.

Money-saving tips... we've got tons of 'em here on the DIS, check out the Budget Boards.

As for really getting the most out of Disney... planning planning planning! is essential. Alot has changed since you visited at the age of 16! The way I always approach a WDW vacation is to first buy a Passporter WDW book (available at passporter.com or amazon.com or Barnes and Noble). This is an excellent book that gives you a great overview of everything in Disney World at a glance from dining to rides to accomodations. It really helps you organize your thoughts and figure out what things you really want to do. Plus it has mini-descriptions of all the restaurants which is great. (visit www.allears.net for full restaurant menus) Then I dive in by mapping out each day (this year I did it on a spreadsheet! I know, nerdy!) and figuring out on a base level what park/parks I want to be at on that day. I don't usually figure out every ride or anything, but I do make a note of rides that are closes for rehab or parades/shows that occur at a specific time. This kind of planning really helps with focusing on what you want to get out of your trip, and organizing a group of people as well. I've met people who had NO PLAN and they were so overwhelmed they just ended up wandering from thing to thing in the parks and didn't see everything they hoped and then said that they had a unenjoyable Disney trip! And once you've done the basic plan you'll be able to find lots of deep details about all things Disney here at the disboards like reviews of rides and restaurants. Very very helpful. I have booked or not booked a restaurant based on a disboards review! Also if you are going on the disney dining plan (or not) make sure to make your ADRs (Advanced Reservations) ahead of time for the sit down restaurants you'd like to eat at. 407-WDW-DINE. There are so many amazing restaurants at Disney. Some of my favorites are: Boma, Whispering Canyon Cafe, Ohana, Le Cellier, Jiko, Spoodles.

My final tip is... be prepared in the parks. We always travel with a backpack containing our essentials (sunblock, water, refillable mugs, hats, bandaids, etc.). I've always found the backpack system to work out really really well (although others tend to prefer being bag-free). A waterproof backpack will really help you out alot with carrying basic stuff as well as any purchases along the way, and it can squeeze onto all the rides.

Have a great trip in October! I'm leaving in 5 days!

stina

 

[cjhinch]

Welcome!! I hope you have a wonderful trip......but what Stina said is absolutely correct!! Do some planning before you go, and you will have a MUCH better time! There is a lot of information on here, but a good book can concise it down really well, especially when you are short on time!! Good luck!

 

[JediDan2773]

I'm 15 and people seem to think I wouldn't have fun on vacation with just my mom and stepdad, but at WDW it doesn't matter. You will feel like a kid again; everyone does. Have fun!

 

[wdw4evergirl]

Planning is very important, Especially concerning restaurants. With the Disney Dining Plan the restaurants are filling up. Which by the way I would highly reccommend getting the DDP. If you are there in Oct. go to MNSSHP at MK. Lots of fun.

 

[bwatakl]

October 11th my husband and children will begin their very first WDW adventure. I've not been there since I was 16 (now, 43) so it will all be just as new to me! This trip will be special in a couple of different ways: their first trip, and our 20th wedding anniversary! Any helpful tips from frequent WDW visitors would be greatly appreciated. We want to have a wonderful Disney experience without going into the eternal hole of debt!! lol

Have a wonderful WDW vacation!

 

[tlstyxx1]

Have a spectacular trip!! Most important tip...try not to cram everything into your trip. Remember its vacation....relax and enjoy!!

 

[munchkin bunchkin]

Yes don't try to do it all at once (tempting as it may be)your definately going to need some down time - otherwise your going to be exhausted when you get back home! Have a fabulous trip and Happy Anniversary!

 

[warpdarkmatter]

when you walk on main st. again you can try not to cry but a tear will fall from your eye

 

[whogirl'smom]

We're going that week, too, and I can't wait! We are also from Tennessee--Johnson City-- and it's our fall break. Are you all on fall break, too? Hope you have a great trip and Happy Anniversary!

 

[WeirdTigger27]

when you walk on main st. again you can try not to cry but a tear will fall from your eye

I haven't the pleasure of walking down Main St. yet, I will be but, it would be because I am so HAPPY!

 

[despina]

Our first time as a family was Dec 2006. How GREAT it was, now 2more days...yeah!!
Make an itinery, and try to stick with it....ie, parades, fireworks, fatasmic, be at the right parks for the right event. Write down the things the kids want to see, ie, beauty and the beast show at mgm. or ariel in the grotto at fantasyland. There a book at AAA or Barnes and Noble which is ...The unofficial guide for kids at Disneyworld, to view with the kids, even an adult version...full of info....
Disneyworld.com has you spectromagic parade schedule and other events listed..

have a great time....deb

 

[Sweedee]

October 11th my husband and children will begin their very first WDW adventure. I've not been there since I was 16 (now, 43) so it will all be just as new to me! This trip will be special in a couple of different ways: their first trip, and our 20th wedding anniversary! Any helpful tips from frequent WDW visitors would be greatly appreciated. We want to have a wonderful Disney experience without going into the eternal hole of debt!! lol

Welcome Boom!! (or should I say Boo! ) I went this past Feb for the first time since I was 10 yo. I was 35. My dh had been as a 13yo boy, and I won't tell you what his opinion was about trip as an adult! Needless to say, I told him to stuff it....and the rest is a magical history!! We actually will be there again in 2 days!!! We have toyed with DVC (Disney timeshare), but it's not time yet! I don't really have any advice to give you except to hang out on the disboards!

When we went this past feb, our financial breakdown was this:

4 nights/5 days at Pop Century w/ 5 day park hoppers and Magic Your Way Dining-1912.00
Gas (both ways)-150.00
Spending money-825.00
Unplanned Incidentals (or Impulse...whichever you prefer! heheh)-244.00

So, we spent around 3K. You can definitely do it less expensively than we did. Personally, I was hoping to make this trip less expensive because of Free Dining...but that's already been halted by dh. He wants to buy his main squeeze a birthday happy!!

Ways to make it less expensive:
Stay off-site Ok, really it could be less expensive, but we'll never know!
Eat in your room
AP's
AAA
etc etc etc

For me though, it's not worth it except to get APs or AAA. You have to decide what's the best fit for your family. Start saving that money now, though! You will never regret your decision to go! When we went in Feb, it was 2 wks after a mid-trimester demise. I had spent 4 days in the hospital and got out 8 days before our trip, and was as low as I think I had ever been. But, the docs and nurses said...keep that trip to the Mouse! It was the best medicine they ever gave! It helped me to leave life for a time, and helped me re-focus on the two gifts I already had in my then 11yo and 14yo. How can you not have fun at the happiest place on earth???