FW First Timer

[carolinacamper]

Okay, we have finally decided on our travel dates: Oct. 30- Nov. 5, 2007 with 5 day PH passes. So I have some ?'s since this is my 1st time with children, 1st at FW, and 1st during this time of year. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

What are the current regulations about taking your own golf cart? Is this a wise thing to do?

Any suggestions about attending Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party?

Are we better off using DW transportationt from FW to parks or driving? I keep seeing conflicting info on this.

Any suggestions for a good planning book for this trip?

Thanks in advance. I am so glad I found this board!

 

[Colson39]

1. No problem bringing your own golf cart. It's cheaper, and definitely a wise thing to do!

2. I've heard lots of good things about MNSSHP, I think you will really enjoy it.

3. We always use our own transportation when going to parks OTHER than the Magic Kingdom. If we're going to the Magic Kingdom we normally will just take a boat over. It's a nice trip, nice way to relax, and you can park your golf carts at the marina. For any other park, we just drive because is the fastest way to get to the other parks.

That is a great time of year to go, we always go a couple times in November, you're going to have a blast!

That being said, we're on our way to Disney in a couple hours, Garden Festival here we come!!!

 

[BearwithMouseEars]

We love the halloween party! Just dont wait till the last minute to buy tickets. They on sell so many for each night of the party and they DO sell out some nights .

 

[dblr]

As said before I would drive to all but the MK itis faster and with little ones I think easier.
Yes do the Halloween party we did it last year and felt like kids, also looking @ the costumes people make was just great we liked the families that used a theme it was great.

 

[OK GRUMPY]

We will be there the same time!!!! The Holloween Party is so much fun. We have gone 3 times and I'm debating on going this next time. Your see some great costumes you will even see whole familys dressed up, but you don't have to unless you want to. Have Fun!

 

[Rhonda]

You don't need to worry about any planning books, because we have the most up-to-date information on everything Disney, right here on the DIS!

 

[tellnotails]

Okay, we have finally decided on our travel dates: Oct. 30- Nov. 5, 2007 with 5 day PH passes. So I have some ?'s since this is my 1st time with children, 1st at FW, and 1st during this time of year. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

What are the current regulations about taking your own golf cart? Is this a wise thing to do?

Any suggestions about attending Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party?

Are we better off using DW transportationt from FW to parks or driving? I keep seeing conflicting info on this.

Any suggestions for a good planning book for this trip?

Thanks in advance. I am so glad I found this board!

just to add...

When we tour Epcot with our daughters....we usually take the boat to MK and jump on the MR to Epcot....

Saves us from battling with carseats and you will not have to break down the stroller....

The buses stink...but I hate driving anymore than I have too....But for MGM and AK drive...

 

[CottontailCurl]

Howdy CarolinaCamper!! Welcome !!

I just wanted to chime in as someone who tries to be on vacation and leaves the car behind at the campsite as much as possible and has no problems with FW/Disney tranportation. If you compare it to some resorts like POR or maybe CS, & AS(S,M&M), & Pop, you have to hike from your room to a central bus stop (which could take 5 to 10 minutes) and then get the bus to the park you're going to. Bus stops within FW are usually not that far from the loops with many of them right at a loop and then a short ride to the bus stops that take you to your park of the day.

Will you guys be camping or staying in a cabin? The area of the fort you stay in could possibly cut out the first leg of your trip to the parks altogether (there are some loops within walking distance of the bus stop out of dodge).

Have fun planning!

(PS has anyone ever stay in the mansion area of POR? Is there a bus stop over there or do you have to go across the bridge to get to the bus stops?)

 

[Duane]

Hey there state neighbor! We will be at the Fort basically the same dates you will be there. This is absolutely our most favorite time to visit Disney.
And if possible, you need to go to the Halloween party. This will be our 6th year in a row of attending, and we love as much now as we ever have. ike the other posters have mentioned, you need to go ahead and buy your tickets now before they are sold out.

You guys are going to have a blast at the Fort! We'll see you in a few months!

Duane

 

[disneynan]

We went to MNSSHP last year for the first time and loved it! I planned our costumes ahead of time and packed everything (pirates of course). The planning was part of the fun. You could consider packing some Halloween decorations for the campsite. We decorated the window of our room at POP and it was fun. The CM's seemed to enjoy it.

I would recommend that everyone in the family try to take a nap that day. We did not visit any parks until party time and all took naps which paid off well when we were all going strong at 11pm!

Also, they have free strollers available. We had no trouble getting a double which our 6 and 7 year olds used.

Have fun!

 

[carolinacamper]

Thanks for all the input. I love this board! Another ? about MNSSHP: I am trying to decide which night to go. Would I be better off going 10/30 the day we arrive...hopefully DD and DS will sleep in the car? I really didn't want to go on a day when we are touring the parks due to the wear out factor plus I am afraid that the 31st will be really crowded.

In answer to other's ? we are camping. I booked through AAA, and they don't seem to be able to tell me our loop, yet.

 

[Colson39]

Yea, you won't know your loop until you actually check in, that's when they are assigned. You can always request certain loops, but you're not guaranteed anything.

 

[disneynan]

From what I have read elsewhere on the boards, you can expect HUGE crowds on the 31st. Although I'm not sure if the 30th would be any less crowded, but you would have the advantage of the kids having slept in the car.

I remember reading some threads last year about people holding tickets to MNSSHP getting into the park a few hours earlier than the time on the tickets. You might want to check into that. You will have a great time.

Any costume ideas? Don't miss the parade. It was one of the high points of the night for us. They also have special fireworks that are excellent. I would also recommend eating before you go so that you don't waste time dining.

Last year they had a trick or treat path that began at Toontown and ended in Tomorrowland. It had the characters from "Alice in Wonderland" and lots of candy! The Haunted Mansion also had live characters outside the attraction that were very cool.

We were invited by Peter Pan and Captain Hook to ride "Pirates" with them. We were taken backstage to skip the line and had a boat just with us and them. They even left the boats in front and behind us empty even though there was a line. (We were all dressed as pirates ) We all felt like celebrities. My 6 yr old announced that it was his "year of a millionth dream come true". Brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it, thanks Disney!

PS We are camping for the first time at FW in Aug 2008.

 

[carolinacamper]

Okay, it's done we are doing MNSSHP 10/30th. Just gotta start figuring out costumes and decorations for the camper.