Freaked out newbie doesn't know where to start!

[peaches205]

Woooooohooooo! My entire family will be travelling to WDW in Feb '07. I haven't been since I was a kid.....like 30 years ago! I'm so excited I can barely stand it! LOL! BUT, I'm majorly freaked out b/c I have no idea where to start w/ all the planning. You guys all seem like such pros!

I really want this trip to be amazing. It's a suprise trip for my mom's 70th b'day. She'll have no idea we're all going to show up b/c we're taking separate flights! I know it's going to be great but I need HELP!

We'll be travelling w/ 6 adults and 5 kids (3,3,5,8,10). We're staying at the Contemporary so we'll have access to the monorail. We plan to get there on a Wed and leave on a Sun. That's about all I know! LOL!

How do I plan all the meals? and where to go when? and shows? and fireworks? and character b'fasts? and..................every other question a newbie has. I'm really starting w/ ZERO info.

There are some Disney guide books to purchase, right? Anyone have a recommendation? Is that a good way to go?

Just tell me it's all going to be okay and point me in the right direction. LOL! I'm typically a pretty capable adult but I terrified we'll screw up our plans b/c we don't know how to *DO* Disney. (read: Type A!)

It's official....I need help!

Did I mention how excited I am?

 

[Disneyrsh]

First

 

[4lilpoohs]

I'm so excited for you! You are off to a good start because you know when you are going and where you are staying. You made a great choice staying at a monorail resort. I stayed at the Poly last year and loved it. My favorite guide book is the Unoffical Guide To Disneyworld. I think the 2007 edition comes out in August. Check out the 2006 copy from your library. You need to decide if you are going to do the dining plan. I believe the price is 37.99 for adults and 10.99 for kids 3-9. That includes one snack credit, one counter service and one table service per day. The counter service includes entree/combo meal, dessert and non-alcoholic drink. The TS includes appetizer, entree, dessert and non-alcoholic drink. You can start making ADR's 180 before your trip. Crystal Palace is a GREAT character meal! Park hours come out 6 months in advance. Then you can really start planning your days. You also need to decide whcih park tickets you are going to buy. How many days, hopping or not and expiring or not. Ask all the question you need to

 

[peaches205]

You'll get a better response to specific questions than a general freak out

LOL! That's the problem - I don't know enough to ask specifics yet! Thanks for the input about splitting up. We'll definately be doing that b/c my kids are the 3yo twins and i'm sure they won't be up for everything the older crew wants to do. Plus Mom and Dad will surely not trek all over every single square inch of the MK like we will!

And thank you, Jen, for the book suggestion. I will check that out from the library ASAP! Is the Crystal Palace character meal just princesses? We've got b/g twins so I'd like s'thing that appeals to both of them.

Thanks!

 

[4lilpoohs]

Crystal Palace is a character meal with Pooh and friends. Cinderella's Royal Table(CRT) is the princess meal. There is another princess meal in Epcot. Chef Mickey's is another character meal that people really like. We went and didn't like it at all.
Liberty Tree Tavern(MK)-Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and friends
The Garden Grill(Epcot)-Mickey, Pluto, Chip and Dale
Princess Storybook Dining-Epcot
Donald's Breakfastosaurus(AK)-Donald, Goofy, Mickey and Pluto
Cape May(Beach Club)- Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale
1900 Park Fare- Mary Poppins and Alice in Wonderland
Poly-Stitch
I'm sure I'm forgetting some

 

[dancin Disney style]

Go to the library and get a few guide books. After you read them you will have a better idea about the specific info that you want/need. I'm one for major planning. My last trip to WDW I had every day planned out-- park days, shopping days, hanging out at the pool days etc. I even planned what times we would be doing what. My DH, I'm sure, thought I was nuts but we were able to do everything that we wanted to do and I know it was only due to my planning.

 

[peaches205]

I'm one for major planning.

Ahhh, a kindred type-A! I'll be at the library this weekend!

Jen! Awesome character meal info. I had NO idea!

 

[KristiKelly]

I love the Passporter as well. I also recommend www.allearsnet.com There you can find tons of pics, menues with prices, etc. This helps us to determine where our kids will & will not eat. I would decide what characters the kids like best to determine which character meals and if you have any little Princesses traveling with you remember to book the Princess Breakfast 90 days in advance otherwise you may not get in. Have a great time planning it's so exciting!!! Also, The DIS is the best place to go for info.

 

[runwad]

I second the Unofficial Guide Book can't say enough good things about it, and if you can't get it from the library and you belong to Sams Club check it out there I saw it last week for 11.86. Have fun.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Ahhh, a kindred type-A!

I never would have said I was type-A but I think WDW has made me into one. I would bet that last year I spent 6 months doing all my research for that trip. A zillion hours alone for cheap airfares. I really enjoyed doing it though and in future I'll be back at it for all trips.

I also agree with the PP that not all people in your party would appreciate the commando planning. It might be best for everyone to make their own plans for the day and agree to meet up for dinner or fireworks.

 

[cynderella]

You have a lot of time before you go, so you'll be fine. My best piece of advice is to become good at using the DIS site's search function. Then, anything you have a question about, you can search for and read the threads. I did this and feel like I already know (in just a couple of months) most of what I need to know about the things that my family plans to do. Really, all the questions I had were answered without even needing to post most of the time. For instance, when had reservations at BC, I did a bunch of searching about that and found out everything I needed; when we changed over to OKW, I searched and read all the threads on that. I searched car rental threads and Disney transportation threads, restaurant threads. Really, just about everything you need to know is on these boards. I find Tour Guide Mike helpful, too (especially suggested itineraries) but for the most part, anything else you need to know is right here. If you read the boards regularly until you go, you will be really informed by the time Feb comes.

No need to freak out! Yay! You're going to have a great time, and like the PP said, don't hyper-plan TOO much or some of your party might not appreciate it.

 

[allysmom1218]

I hadn't been to WDW since I was also 10 yrs old (I am 41 now). We took our DD there in April for her 2nd birthday. I did about 5 months worth the research and planning before we left, I wanted everything to be perfect. This DIS board and Allears.net were both lifesavers to me. I found all the info I needed and our trip turned out to be GREAT so we are going back in Sept 06. The #1 thing I can recommend to do is Chef Mickeys. It was the best character meal we did, and the food was also good. Our DD really enjoyed herself there and we are going to eat there again in Sept. Another thing I would recommend is to buy The Dining Plan. It was really worth the money and you do get sooo much food with it. I wouldn't go to WDW without purchasing it.(you can find out more about the dining plan at allears.net) You are going to have such a Great time, it's worth all the planning just to see the look on your child's face when they get on a ride or see a show. Our DD was in "AHHHH" of everything. I will admit she did get a little cranky every now and then but it was still really worth it when I looked at her face. Just remember.....Planning is half the Fun, plus now you can get addicted to DIS like everybody else, SO WELCOME.

 

[imp&pixie]

I am a total newbie too! The DIS is the BEST!!! I am plannig for our first ever trip in September and I have literally spent 8 hours a day here reading through everything that interested me (my eyes are seriously stressed!) I have learned sooooo much thanks to all these wonderful, knowledgeable people. I was able to call and make our Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs) and I got a "good job" from the Cast Member (CM) who took my reservations on the phone . I have learned what shoes to wear and that I want to buy a good double umbrella stroller to bring with us. I have learned about Hidden Mickeys and planning downtime into each day. I just can't stop reading here!! Okay, so I was already a discussion board junkie before coming here - this place is just a new obsession for me .

 

[mommy*RN]

I agree with all the pp who said to buy a Passporter! It is AWESOME! I buy one for every trip and because of the pockets and places to write info down they also serve as a great keepsake! I buy mine through barnes and noble(www.bn.com). They also have a website with all the updates (you can buy the book here too!) at www.passporter.com. The website is helpful because you may end up buying the 2006 book since you want to start planning now (I think the 2007 may come out in August). The book highlights resorts, food and touring the parks...and a ton of other useful information!

Another thing I would do is wait to book rooms/packages. I went in February of 2004 and was able to get in on a deal that cut our costs by over $1000. A great site to research past Disney deals is www.mousesavers.com. If you subscribe to the newsletter you will also get links for discounted park tickets!

My last advice is to hang out on the boards here! Everyone here is sooooo friendly! I've asked some pretty dumb questions and everyone has been great about helping me plan my vacation...and holding in their laughter!

I hope this is helpful! Best of luck to you in your planning adventures! I LOVE planning our WDW vacations! I almost feel like instead of a week at the parks I get months and months of Disney fun by looking at my guidebooks and posting here!

 

[4lilpoohs]

You can book now and when a code comes out you can add it to your reservation. I think I changed the reservation for my first trip three times. I saved more money each time

 

[peaches205]

You can book now and when a code comes out you can add it to your reservation. I think I changed the reservation for my first trip three times. I saved more money each time [/QUOT

I'm not positive I understand "codes." Is this like AAA discounts? I assume other companies offer things like that, too, right? Are they specific to each resort?

(feel free to point this newbie to a link/thread/other board rather than give me all the detail here)

You guys are awesome! Thanks!!

 

[4lilpoohs]

You can get more info on the codes and rates board.

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

We lived by our passporter when we went, as well as DIS.
I loved planning Meals the best, as they were the most "plannable".
Have fun with it!

 

[Disneyrsh]

Yeah, I'll second the Mousesavers website being very good. We've saved a pantload of money from her email newsletter.

 

[Gabe's Mom]

Join Tour Guide Mike! Since you have plenty of time to plan, you will really be able to take advantage of the tons of info he give you. Definately worth it!