first trip

[jonesfamily]

This is our first trip to disney world! Ages 17 through 36. We are staying at Pop Century in the month of August. We would appreciate any suggestions, comments, or helpful tips. Soooooooooooo excited!

Jones Family

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

In addition to all the great advice you will get on the disboards you might also want to check out www.mousesavers.com and deb's all ears. (Can't remember the website address offhand, but you can google deb's all ears and it will come up in the first 3 suggested sites.) Mousesavers will probably save you a lot of money, and deb's has an incredible amount of information on where and how you can spend the money you do bring. In general, my suggestion would be to wear lots of sunscreen; drink plenty of water; visit the parks when they first open on the days when they are likely to be less crowded (Deb's has a list) - I agree with the subsequent poster about Epcot, though - the World Showcase is best at night; and make priority seatings for the restaurants you don't want to miss asap before you go (Deb's has menus), and you can't go wrong.

 

[KristaTX]

Congratulations, jonesfamily, and welcome to the DIS! Stick around here and you'll get all kinds of valuable information.

It is going to be hot! Here are just a few tips off the top of my head:

-Use fastpasses whenever possible
-Take lots of breaks (go back to the hotel for a nap and/or swim during those hot August days)
-Buy a water bottle strap and carry bottled water with you (buy it at a grocery store if you want to save lots of money)
-Go to AK as early in the day as is possible
-Don't go to Epcot until the afternoons or evenings
-Make priority seatings for some of your meals
-Be flexible with your itinerary
-Walk thru shops if possible to get where you are going so that you will get moments of air conditioning
-Check out www.wdwinfo.com and www.allearsnet.com
-Buy and study the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World
-Get your legs and feet great walking shape before you go
-Ask someone to take pictures of your entire group together
-Don't miss Illuminations, Fantasmic, or Wishes
-check out the Disney Tips board: http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=17

 

[riopooh]

Wow - that's alot of good advice. Mouseplanet is another fun web site with planning ideas and trip reports. You didn't say how many of you there are but don't be afraid of splitting up so everyone gets to see what they're interested in. Cell phones are great for coordinating with active groups! Enjoy - the planning is part of the fun!

 

[Janet2k]

Originally posted by jonesfamily
This is our first trip to disney world! We are staying at Pop Century in the month of August.

Jonesfamily, welcome to the Dis!

I hope your family has a wonderful time at the Pop Century. My family will be staying there for a few days soon and we are really looking forward to it. This will be our first Value Resort stay (we've stayed in 14 of the WDW Resorts so far, and will be adding 3 new ones to our list after this next trip).

The only advice I can offer you is to search the Dis for anything and everything having to do with Pop Century. You will find lots of information. And don't forget to read the Pop Century FAR OUT FAQ thread (click here). There is excellent information in that thread.

Have a fun vacation. But I want to warn you that if you're anything like the rest of us here on the Dis, one trip to Walt Disney World will NOT be enough. You have been warned!

 

[susy]

Check out the photos of Pop Century at wdwig.com!

 

[dawgfan]

Buy a book on Disney World. There are many to choose from. Go to the book store and look at them then pick the one that suits you best. Read it cover to cover and highlight the important stuff. Then pay close attention to the Boards here as you make your plan. Sound like work? Maybe it sounds that way but you will really enjoy it. The amount of fun you have will be directly proportional to the amount of planning you do.