First Trip to WDW

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

We are forgoing our annual trip to DisneyLand next year in favor of WDW and a Disney Cruise (July 22-Aug 4 2005... one yeaar from today WOOHOO!!!). We'll be spending 9 nights at the park (only 8 full days at the park though after travel there and leaving early the last day for the cruise). I've already decided on the WL for the first 6 nights and on AKL for the last 3. We definitely wanted the savannah view for our son. So AKL was a must but I wasn't sure we'd want to spend our whole time there. It seems pretty far from the other resorts and WL sounds amazing from everything I've read. Can anyone tell me anything about rooms to request. I'm thinking Standard view at WL and heard some had fireworks views and were not noisy. At AKL would you recommend deluxe savannah view over savannah view, and is it worth it to upgrade to concierge? Is it true that if I get concierge I won't have to get up at 4am trying to get reservations to Cindy's (an absolute must for my daughter)? My kids will be 3 and turning 5 (at Castaway Cay no less). They've been to DL 2 and 3 times respectively and arrive at opening and party till close smiling the whole day through (with a big ol' nap and swimming break in the middle), so I'm sure they'll do wonderfully. But DL is much smaller and easier to hop back to our hotel for breaks I'd imagine, so any help with making the trip more convenient (easy transportation between parks, quiet hotel rooms that are still central to things like restaurants and the pool, etc) would be very helpful. Plus I'm always looking for tips on where to eat and what not miss. THANKS!! I am soo excited.

 

[ellenmiele]

WL and AKL are great choices for your kids. WL is just a boat ride from MK and great theming for the young ones (and grownups too). The WL has a really nice slide -- not too scary or long or high -- for kids your age and, especiallly if your kids enjoy clowning around, be sure to eat at least once at Whispering Canyon. The views from most of the WL rooms are good and you reallly can't see fireworks well from any (trees are too high) so noise is never a prblem (except maybe if you are near the main lobby/Whispering Canyon). The concierge can help with PS but I think only for the days that you will be staying at that particular hotel concierge floor so is you want to get to breakfast at the castle while you are staying at WL -- set your alarm! Epcot has a real nice princess breakfast too -- it's in Norway at Akershus and there you can often see Jasmine and Mulan too. Have a great trip -- and have fun planning!!

 

[auntpolly]

Hey there! Welcome to the DIS - there are a throng of WDW enthusiasts (read: compulsive Disney planners) here to help you!

One thing I thought I'd mention is that if you have trouble getting into Cindy's, try the breakfast at Epcot (at the Norway pavillion). It's a princess one and I saw the little girls going in with all of their princess attire on; it was adorable! I asked DD if she'd mind dressing up like Sleeping Beauty one more time for her old mom (she'll do the breafast, but not the get-up! )

You're right -- it's way bigger than DL!!! AK is pretty much off the beaten track. Are you renting a car? Personally, I wouldn't want to rely on the buses there. That would make it a little less relaxing. Even at WL -- getting to and from the MK is easy, but going anywhere else is a little more difficult with the buses. Don't get me wrong. We use the buses all the time. But we usually stay on the monorail line to avoid them a little. Some people would just rather have their own car.

 

[Bbgrizzle]

You are going to Love WDW and WL! I am from Vegas, so I have been to Disneyland 30+ times and love it. But from the first time I went to WDW in Nov. 2000, I knew I was hooked. It is so much more magical than Disneyland. I love how it is it's own little city in the middle of the forest. It is so green and pretty! You will love the cruise as well. Are you doing the 7-day, and if so, Eastern or Western? It sounds like you have a great vacation coming up.

As for the princess breakfast, I agree that the Epcot one is a nice backup plan if you can't get into Cindy's. But Cindy's should be your first choice. There is nothing like eating with Cinderella in her own castle! Your daughter will love it.

 

[2ndstar to the right]

I'm sure your children would also love dinner at Chef Mickey's at the contemporary resort! The food is pretty good and Mickey and the gang come out about every 20 minutes and sing and dance and do some napkin twirling partying! You will also get a family picture taken at check in at the restaurant which makes a nice souvenier.
This is a also a nice break on your Magic Kingdom day. I think they start serving dinner at 4:30pm so you can just take the monorail over there from the MK (a fun ride in itself, it's kinda cool pulling into the middle of the hotel!), have a nice dinner, rest a spell and then head back to MK for the evening festivities.
Don't miss Spectromagic and Wishes. They are two of Disney World's very best shows!!