First WDW trip coming up

[JeffC]

My wife and I have both never been (both 28), so we're going down for her birthday, and staying from Feb 2-6. Both fairly excited, and glad to have found this forum.

I have two questions I'd like to ask:

First, hows the weather this time of year? We're in NC, and it's pretty durn cold here to us right now. We just got 2 inches of snow! Will Orlando be jeans/long sleeve shirt weather? Need a jacket this time of year?

Second, whats your #1 tip in regards to the MK that would make us both want to go back again? We don't normally hit the same spots twice...

Thanks!

-Jeff Cranfill

 

[letyfrombrazil]

welcome, jeff!
sorry I can´t help you with the weather, but I never went to orlando that time of year, but I´m sure someone here will answer soon...
My MK tip is to take your time and not try to see everything, there´s too much to do there and you´ll end up very tired, try to enjoy yourself and "save" something for the next trip...

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says.......................................We pretty much commando tour, but for you I would slow down. THat way with such a short trip, you'll be lucky to see half of the major attractions and will have to go back to see the other half, then back again for the minor attaractions!!! Oh, and back again to see all the resorts, DD, and maybe even the enemies parks!! US,IOA,SeaWorld, KSC etc...

 

[The Sybah Shelstah]

HAHAHAHA
Disnee Dad is not only wise but he's also very funny -and it's not helping me.
Watch me still want to go right back after this trip- just like I felt after the first one!!!!

*hopelessly addicted already*

 

[susy]

I woudl bring a little of everything and layer. Check the forecasts. Where are you staying? There are some great codes for onsite at mousesavers.com.

My best tips are :

-ARRIVE EARLY!!!!!!! Get to the parks 30-40 minute before opening.
-Stand at an empty turnstile, rather than lining up behind someone else. They will open them all.
-Go to the WDW offifial site. They have descriptions of all the attracions. Hit the major attractions first-even if you have to leave a "land" without seeing everything in it. Enjoy what you can and save everything else for the next trip!
-don't lug a bunch of junk around the park .

We use fanny packs for:

driver's license, ins, car key
park passes
room key
med ins card
credit card
cash/change

wipes/anitbacterial gel
small ziploc with first aid-bandaids, tums, tylenol, etc
disposable camera
rain poncho- the ones from the dollar store are folded very small

 

[suevee]

Check out

www.wdwig.com

for menus and cost of dining. Check out

www.mousesavers.com

for great deals! Have fun planning!!!

 

[Mamu]

You have gotten good advice from other Dis'ers.

How exciting that both of you will be experiencing all the magic together for the first time.

Have a wonderful trip.

 

[JeffC]

Hi, and thanks for the replies. We are staying at Vacation Village at Parkway (any reviews here? I can't find much info out about it). Flying in from RDU on 02/02, renting a car from Payless, and departing on 06/02.

Does it really take several days just to see the MK? We went to Universal last year, and were in an out of each of their parks in about 8 hours, unimpressed, and not going back.

 

[SamR]

Hi Jeff. We also live in NC (in the Raleigh area), and are also looking forward to an escape to WDW soon. (We had about an inch of snow last night which is rapidly melting even as we speak, but that projected high temp of 32 tomorrow should be an attention getter!)

As far as recommendations: I didn't see anyone here mention it yet, so I'll say it: Become familiar with the FastPass system and utilize it to the fullest. By getting there early and making use of FastPass, you can really maximize your ability to hit the park highlights during the early hours. Then you can spend the rest of the day taking your time to just look around, take some pictures, people-watch, shop, snack, etc. I think this will make for a much more positive first-time experience than just hitting attractions in order and finding yourself immersed in progressively deeper lines. (Although lines may not be too bad anyway since you have wisely chosen a time of year that typically has lower attendance.)

And no, it doesn't take several days to see the MK (Magic Kingdom). By following the advice above, you can probably do most of what you want in one day (although most of us want to do those same things multiple times ). However, there is also the Studios and Animal Kingdom to explore (each of which will take a day, or most of a day, to explore), and EPCOT, which takes at least a day (and probably two) to adequately experience.

If you don't mind a little pre-trip investment, I strongly recommend that you stop by the bookstore and pick up one of the many books that help in preparing for a WDW experience. My personal favorite is the Passporter, but Birnbaum's WDW book is also good, as are many others. Yes, you can pick up much of the same information from the DIS, or from sites like the WDW Information Guide, but I think having one of the actual planning books is very valuable, especially to the first-time visitor.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Micca]

Hey Jeff Welcome to the Dis! You'll probably want to check out the "mountains" along with Pirates and Haunted Mansion. Those attractions are some of the best known rides on the planet, and ones that you frequently hear people talking about when they remember their WDW trips. There are plenty more though, Peter Pan, and Buzz Lightyear are also firm favorites. It's a Small World and Alien Encounter are controversial: one for it's innocuous song, the other for frightening small children. Don't hesitate to ask any questions here on the Dis, this group RULES

 

[jiminyfan]

after over 25 trips we are going back again - why? We still haven't seen everything or ATE everywhere. Plus now we have a child who is discovering WDW - BIG TIME (8 trips in 3 years).

What we have learned from him is there is so much MAGIC that most people overlook. Take time to do the minor atractions, smell the roses (really - we do this every trip in Epcot as long as they are in bloom), watch the street performers, do a romantive meal (Artist Point, Jiko - two of our favorites), be a KID (thisis a definite) do a character meal, get pictures with your favorite characters, but one DUMB article of clothing you'd never be caught dead in at home and wear it proudly (Goofy hats usually suffice), wait to ride upfront on the Monorail.

After you do all this, come back for more suggestions!!!

 

[Kirby]

Also be very flexible. Read some trip reports from those recently returned.

 

[ksdave]

Jeff;
Welcome to the addictive world of Orlando-area themeparks. I'm making my 23rd trip to the Orlando themeparks in less than two weeks (!!!!!!!) and still haven't scratched the surface on all that is available. Still a big kid at 43.
One big suggestion is to take a few hours away from the MK, board the hotel monorail, and visit the three monorail resorts (Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Contemporary). No matter how short my trip, I always make a stop by the Poly for a drink at the Tambu Lounge. They have the world's greatest Pina Coladas and the atmosphere is incredible.
Have a great trip!