First Walt Disney World Trip October 13-22 any suggestions??

[mom2my3kids]

Hello, this is our first stay at disney on the resort and for a long period. We have been a couple times,But it was during our beach visit's and it was only a day trip, but it was during spring break and so crowded I vowed I would never return. But after reading the boards I have planned a family vacation for october 13-22 we will probably be driving unless we get some really good flight rates. We are driving from Indiana, so its about a 16 hour drive. We plan on leaving friday morning around 6 driving about 10 hours then staying the night in a hotel. Then getting up and leaving about 6 and getting to the beach at around noon on saturday. Staying at the beach sat and sun and monday morning taking the hour drive to Orlando. We have a resort booked, Value Movies for 6 nights and spending 6 days at Walt Disney World. I am going to purchase my tickets through maple leaf to save some money. I know we are planning on taking the kids to the Not So Scary Halloween Party. Any other suggestions or ideas??
Thanks

 

[Karnak]

I would cancel the reservation for Movies, and make a new reservation at a moderate resort. (Of those I would recommend Port Orleans, French Quarter.) If, however, you do decide to stay at an All-Star Resort, you'd be well advised to change your reservation from Movies to Sports. (Assuming that you are going to use WDW transportation.) The reason being that the park buses pick up and drop off in this order: Sports, Music with Movies last, resulting in a near full bus by the time it gets to you if you are at Movies.

For evening attractions, I would recommend the Hoop-De-Doo Review (make reservations as soon as possible, you can reserve up to two years in advance for this dinner show), and the Cirque du Solie performance at Disney Downtown, West Side. The kids will enjoy both of these attractions, as will you.

Enjoy.

 

[Karnak]

I should have mentioned a good book that will be really helpful in making plans for your first Disney stay. Look in local bookstores for ...

"The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World" by Bob Sehlinger, being sure to get the 2006 edition. It will be invalueable when making plans.

Enjoy.

___________________________________________

PEOPLE HAVE MORE FUN THAN ANYBODY
___________________________________________

1994 Sept. - Port Orleans - French Quarter
1996 Nov. - Disney Institute
1997 Nov. - Port Orleans - Riverside
1998 Dec. - Boardwalk
1999 Nov. - Port Orleans - French Quarter
2001 July - Contemporary
2002 May - Boardwalk
2002 Dec. - Polynesian (concierge)
2003 May - Animal Kingdom
2004 June - Port Orleans - French Quarter
2005 April - Port Orleans - French Quarter
2005 Dec. - Port Orleans - French Quarter
2006 March - Port Orleans - French Quarter (upcoming)
2006 Dec. - Resort undecided (planning stage)

 

[Enchanted]

If, however, you do decide to stay at an All-Star Resort, you'd be well advised to change your reservation from Movies to Sports. (Assuming that you are going to use WDW transportation.) The reason being that the park buses pick up and drop off in this order: Sports, Music with Movies last, resulting in a near full bus by the time it gets to you if you are at Movies.

This is true, but I would say that in October, it would be a lot less of a problem than it is during the rest of the year. But if you think it would be better to switch out of Movies, I would stay in Music. It's theming is brighter and prettier than Sports. If you have little ones that you thought would enjoy the theming at Movies, by all means, stay there! The humongous Buzz Lightyear and Woody will be enough to wow them.

Remember to use Fastpass during your stay. It really helps with some of the bigger rides. Also, if you're planning on eating at any table service restaurants, you should definitely call Disney and make reservations. Here is a WONDERFUL free site that can provide you with some great information and tips:

http://allearsnet.com

October is a great time to go, and the halloween party is awesome! I hope you enjoy your trip!

 

[beckmrk04]

I would stay with Movies if that is what you like- it's nice, and fun, although it can be boisterous. ALso, I noticed that you are purchasing your tickets seperately, and I would consider the dining plan if you haven't. Money saver for many, but not all people. And, since you are going during the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot, which is SOOO much fun, if you haveany restaurants that you really really want to go to, I would make your advance dining reservations as soon as possible, because Epcot is busy during the Festival. Or,you could do what my husband and I did: walk around the world showcase and stop and sample everything the "world" has to offer!! Boy were we full!

Oh, and I love a guidebook called the PassPorter. It's priceless!

 

[mom2my3kids]

Thanks everyone..

We are our a tight budget this year, plus my 2 year old will love the Movie buildings or I would change. I have thought about the dining plan, but its a bunch of food to me and for the expense I think we can do better. We will have a car so eating breakfast in the resort, and going out evenings for dinner. I cant wait october seems so far off, but I know it will be here before we know it..

 

[3dog2kidmom]

I didn't read how old your kids are, but would highly recommend Chef Mickey's to you. My kids absolutely loved it, and also riding around on the monorail before and after dinner was awesome and didn't cost anything extra

 

[KLAIT]

I would not worry about switching resorts to a different Value. We stayed in Sports during this time last year and it was no big deal. I would tell you to NOT stay in the Sports section. We really did not enjoy it.

This was a great time to hit Disney as far as we were concerned. The MNSSHP is a total blast.

Enjoy!

 

[Hoosier Mom]

Birmbaum's Official Guidebook picked All-Star Movies as top pick of the values. It says the food court sets it apart from the other values, says it's bigger and brighter making for a more pleasant dining experience. Thought I'd add that in, for what it's worth.

Have fun! We'll be there sometime next fall also. We're planning to stay at CBR. Staying for a week. I just ordered the Passporter that someone mentioned above. It's only $15 from Amazon.

 

[mom2my3kids]

In october, my kids will be 13,9 and 3.. Thanks for all the suggestions you guys are the best..

 

[heatherbelle]

Also go to MGM to see the fantasmic show. This is a must see show. It's on at night. You can get a dinner reservation at various restuarants. We like Hollywood and vine. It's a buffet resturant which is good for kids.

We also like the water parks. In the afternoon they tend to be quieter. Or ride up front with the monorail driver. My son loves to do this.

Have a great time. We will be there around the same time

 

[Elisa]

I stayed at the movies this past Dec with my Dh and Dd8 and Ds7. We had a blast. Make time to take a swim. The nights were cold , but the pool was like warm bath water. . Do make it to at least one character meal. I went to many, and although the food was often average, it was really worth it for the kids. What a magical memory, and great pictures too ! My highlights were ( in no particular order) Cirque du Soleil in DownTown Disney( a must see), Fantasmic at MGM( we had no problem with getting seats), the nightime parade at Magic Kingdom, the fireworks at Epcot ( WOW) and riding "SOARIN" at Epcot. As for food, we had the dining plan and it was great. Even if I were on a tighter budget ( which I will most definately be next time) I would still stay in the park for meals. There is so much variety , and a price for every budget. Why waste valuable park time driving, and eating elswhere when you can still eat cheap and get back on the rides and see the shows so much faster, by staying. Plus , it's part of the memory of it all.If your kids are young (5-10) I'd make sure they got a passport and a mask to decorate at the kidcot stations in Epcot. My kids got every country , and it's their favorite souvenire. I hope you enjoy your trip. If you go to Animal Kingdom, watch out for Devine. This site has so much to offer. Just ask away.

 

[Secret agent Tink]

1. I would reccomend the switch to Sports, because of the transportation issue.

2. Bring rain ponchos that fold up easy and fit in your bag, really cheap too.

3. The dining plan will save you $$$

4.Take naps in the afternoon, or go swimming back at the resort midday. That will refresh everybody to cut down the temper tantrum factor.

5. If yor kids are young be prepared to hit MK over, and over again.

6. READ UP! plan like crazy!

7. Give your kids a disney travel book (I suggest walt Disney World for kids by kids) and have them write down a top five list for every park.

8. Take a wind- down day, with pool hopping and some fun resteraunts

9. Boardwalk! If you take a relax day, Head to the Boardwalk at night! Funnel cakes, pizza, ice cream, hair braiding, games and perfomers, its all good!

10. Have fun!!! Dont be a disney commando, just go with the flow. If you miss something, hey, you'll get back to it. When your relaxed, you end up having more fun.

11. Let the Magical Moments come naturally. When they don't they arent magical moments, they're forced moments, and then they're not relly magical are they now?

Have fun!

 

[dbm20th]

1. Pace your self in the middle days. You will be hyped in the first couple and want to squeeze it all in again at the end.

2. Hit the parks as they open, and take a break midday if you need to. A lot of people suggest going to the pool, but there are other way to do that, like a sit-down lunch. This will give you an hour or so rest in air conditioning and is cheaper than sitting down for dinner

3. Got to every park in the first 3 days. Especially if you are going back to the resort in the midday. Example, hit AK in the morning and EPCOT around 4 until Illuminations at 9. That way, when you get to the middle days when you want to pace yourself, you can target one park for half a day and it will be the one you know you like.

4. Don't expect to avoid lines, but try and space them out. For instance, hit Splash Mountain, followed by Pirates of a small line, and then BTM. If you do BTM and Splash back-to-back the lines may get you frustrated.

5. Make time for something you like, one of the bands, a beer at the Pub, whatever. This place is made to please you as much as the kids, so take advantage of that.

6. Plan, plan, plan!

 

[cherokeemamma]

This past fall our family made our first trip to WDW. It was awesome. I think my kids bring up Disney, a ride, a character experience, a dining experience, the parade or something almost every day.
Since it was our first trip I read everything I could on Disney. We were also on a budget and still managed to have an incredible magical time and I know you will too. My family stayed at POP. It was wonderful. Clean, great staff and my children loved the huge icons and the pools. The buses, food court and gift shop were great also.

Here are a few of my suggestions:

I took a folding hamper (I purchased it at a drug store for $3). I worked great to keep the dirty clothes in. Really helped keep things organized in a small room.

I took my coffee maker and a cooler. I pre measured coffee along with filter into individual baggies for each day plus a couple of extra. We drained and filled our cooler up with ice every evening. It worked great for us. We were able to keep milk and creamer as well as cream cheese, cheese sticks, fresh fruit, bottled water and sodas cold. We purchased a taller cooler with wheels so it could accomodate taller items. I put the cream cheese and such in large baggies to prevent water from getting into the food.

I did the same with laundy detergent and dryer sheets. I also took a stain stick and at the end of each day I would spot check our clothes and toss in the hamper.

Purchase Body Glide. We found it at REI for around $7. The stuff is awesome. We put it on our feet and everywhere we thought we might experience chaffing and we never had a problem. It was very hot and humid in October. We were really surprised at that and we live in GA.

We did the dining plan and thought it was wonderful. It allowed us to have already paid for everything in advance as well as enjoy rest. we would have never eaten in otherwise. We did take our own breakfast foods (Granola bars, cereal, fruit, bagels, peanutbutter crackers) and a few snacks. We ate in our room every morning or walking to the bus and then would eat an early lunch (11:00) and eat dinner around 6:00.

If possible get out early to the parks (crowds are much lower in the am) and go back to your room for an afternoon break (nap) and then you are refreshed and ready for a long evening. My DD was 6 and DS 11 and they both were fine with taking a rest.

Pre purchase all of your film and batteries prior to WDW. Very expensive there.

We took a back pack with bottled water, a couple of small snacks, small hand held fans (1 each, diff colors), a few rolls of film and xtra battery as well as the kids autograph books and pens everywhere we went.

Well that is about it for my words of wisdom. I know you will have a blast. Just wish I was going too .

 

[ANIMATOR13]

Well I'd say you have received some wonderful information. But if you will grant this past cast member a moment of your time I hope that the following will prove to be useful.

1. You picked a GREAT time to go. The crowds will be at a minimum since most children are in school and many parents do not want to take them out so early in the school year. Some of the southern and southwestern schools have a fall break but it will not be like the mad rush it is during the Febraury and April school vacation weeks.

2. Hhmm...the age differences might prove to be challenging, especially with a teenager. Make sure you include something for everyone. I remember my parents allowing each of us to pick one dinner. (Don't forget to pack the antacids.) I would recommend:

Chef Mickeys - Especially fun for the youngsters.
ESPN Zone on the Boardwalk - If the teenager is into sports and you want a casual and not too expensive dinner, this is the place!
Coral Reef Restaurant - The view into the large fish tank is incredible, although some people don't like to eat Nemo while looking at Nemo. The kids will love the view. Tends to be a little pricey.
Ohana - The name means "family", just in case you don't remember this from "Lilo & Stitch". The food is wonderful and a view of the park is possible, especially for the fireworks.

Have a magical time!

 

[mom2my3kids]

Hello everyone. Thanks for all the comments I really am taking the advice.
I have changed a bit on our resort stay, I purchased points at OKW for our first 4 nights stay with dining. Then we are moving to POP Century for the last 2 days of stay. I purchased a disney planning book, I cant wait to go. The only thing bad about October is it is so far away.

 

[DeterminedOne]

Here's my best advice. Don't let others steal your magic.

 

[Tissa]

Hello everyone. Thanks for all the comments I really am taking the advice.
I have changed a bit on our resort stay, I purchased points at OKW for our first 4 nights stay with dining. Then we are moving to POP Century for the last 2 days of stay. I purchased a disney planning book, I cant wait to go. The only thing bad about October is it is so far away.

Sounds great. We are going 10/15-10/21 renting points at BWV the first 5 then the last night at POP. Have a great time and realize that you won't see it all.

 

[build2code]

How was the weather and crowds on previous october trips verus august. Are there fireworks. What were the hours last year for october?