Going to WDW for the first time!

[wareagle884]

Hello all. I'm brand new here and soon to head to Disney World for the first time ever! I'm really excited and I was wondering if there were any tips that any of you had for a DW first-timer like myself.

I'm going to be travelling with a large group and several of my party have been before so they know the ropes. Still, if there are any sites or restaurants that you would recommend, please let me know!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Congrats on your first trip! I would highly recommend checking out www.allearsnet.com. They have information on all the Disney resorts with pictures! Allearsnet also has menus for each Disney restaurant with pics too.

 

[leblanat]

It is so exciting, isn't it? The biggest help for me and my family was the amount of planning I did ahead of time. I read this board for at least 8 months. I knew what to expect as far as crowds on what days, to book meal reservations far in advance, to have a plan about what parks you will visit on what days, etc. We were not planned to the minute, but we knew what parks what day planned around what ADR we had that day and where.

The next tip... plan rest periods. I took two children and they and we were ready to melt in September and got real cranky real quick ( that was me) as noon approached. Take a break back at the hotel for a rest and a swim. After 5pm it is so much cooler and moods were so much happier.

The best part of our trip was paying extra for the Mickey's Not So Scary halloween Party. The crowd dropped from 30000 to just over 9000. We got to ride everything at the MK twice or more. We didn't even get off Big Thunder Mountain at one point, just kept riding it. No crowd, no heat, all the rides. NOTHING was better.

Don't overpack for the parks. We read everybody's tips about what to bring and did bring it to the hotel, but packed sparsley for the parks. After day 2 we even ditched the rain ponchos. It rained once on our last day, all day, but we barely got wet. (At one point I ducked into a bathroom and the garbage had been just changed. They keep multiple clean bags underneath the current one so I grabbed one to keep our strollers dry while we ate. I am sure in a pich it could be used as a poncho, not that I encourage pinching from the mouse).

Finally, while there are probably as many tips as there are visitors, the biggest one is COMMUNICATE with your travel mates. It is loud and there are a lot of people. I lost my husband for over an hour because he didn't hear me tell him to meet me at X when he was done. I refused to move with my daughter until he met up with us so we missed short lines for things, ride opportunities, etc. and I ended up very angry. Twice this happened. If you are telling someone something look them in the eye and have them repeat it to you.

Have a great time.

Relax and let it happen and you will have more fun.

 

[JohnnyB2]

Welcome to the Dis Boards, As mentioned keep looking here on these boards and you will learn alot. Have fun planning for your trip and try to relax if you can!

 

[wrighter]

Welcome!!!

It seems like just yesterday I was a newbie - all wide-eyed and curious. My how time flies! It's been over two years since I stumbled onto this site, and I must admit I am now a Disney addict. We even bought DVC!

My best advice is to read these boards. You'll find the forums that are most useful to you, and as you do your planning you'll be able to ask whatever questions you have. You'll be stunned at the breadth of information the DISers can give you!!!

Congrats on your upcoming trip - I hope it is as magical for you as it has been for us!

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Welcome to the DIS and happy planning! My best advice would be to pick up a copy of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2009. These particular guides have been the single best and most complete resource we have found and they are a fun read too. The book isn't terribly expensive either.

Sending pixie dust your way for your first WDW vacation!

 

[sparkyboy]

Check out allearsnet as they have lots of information. Plan for some down time away from the parks-my gkids love the lego store at DTD and we plan time for swimming at the resort as well as taking some time to go ride the ponies at Ft.Wilderness. Determine what are your top 5 priorities of the trip - they may not be the same as the larger group. It's okay to split up and not try to do everything together all the time. And then start planning your second trip.

 

[GApeach0407]

Well my tip of advice is that check out all the firework shows. especially wishes. And definitely try to do the parties if there are any going on when you go.


P.S. this is totally off topic OP, but why in God's green earth would Auburn hire somebody that had a 5-19 record which is worse than Tuberville?? Ridiculous if you ask me. ( I'm an SEC football type of girl. GO DAWGS!)

 

[DisneyWorld_Fan]

Hello all. I'm brand new here and soon to head to Disney World for the first time ever! I'm really excited and I was wondering if there were any tips that any of you had for a DW first-timer like myself.

I'm going to be travelling with a large group and several of my party have been before so they know the ropes. Still, if there are any sites or restaurants that you would recommend, please let me know!

Ohh you haven't seen anything yet. just wait!!! yeah be sure to take your time and have a good pair of walking shoes.

 

[maryjean]

The Crystal Palace for breakfast is always a good one and Cinderella's Royal Table,and Chef Mickey's.We really enjoyed the Pirate and Princess Party mainly because you could ride the rides without all the huge lines.Get a first time button and wear it.And the main thing just enjoy and let Disney make your first trip magical.Have a great time.

 

[wareagle884]

@maryjean: Are there perks for having a first time button? I'm assuming there are since you mentioned wearing one.

@GApeach0407: I definitely plan on catching some fireworks shows!

We are actually going to be at DW during Halloween next year. What goes on during that time?

 

[PJAY]

Take it all in, enjoy yourself and don't try and do too much. Read these boards, plan, plan, plan but if things don't go perfectly, don't sweat it.
It can be a bit overwhelming but there is no other place I would rather spend my hard earned money and precious time than at Disney with my family. Remember to make sure YOU have a good time too!

 

[jenny105]

If you're going during Halloween, be sure to check out Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP as it's called on the boards!)

 

[GApeach0407]

Mickey's Not so Scary Halloween Party and and at MK ... at the other parks not 100% positive.

 

[NeverLandDreamer]

HAVE FUN ON YOUR FIRST TRIP!!!!

That is so exciting!! Whatever you do, don't rush anything.

When you look at the castle, stand there and look at it. Let it absorb into your soul and take a mental picture of it. It is so worth it to remember everything you can and take it all in.

Don't feel overwhelmed. Simply make sure to get on the most popular/classic rides first and foremost (hold off on Pooh and ride Peter Pan first!), and Fastpass what is too busy.

Note: Splash Mountain in MK and Soarin' In Epcot are must-sees!!

I'm really excited for you

 

[Metro West]

 

[sparkyboy]

Well my tip of advice is that check out all the firework shows. especially wishes. And definitely try to do the parties if there are any going on when you go.


P.S. this is totally off topic OP, but why in God's green earth would Auburn hire somebody that had a 5-19 record which is worse than Tuberville?? Ridiculous if you ask me. ( I'm an SEC football type of girl. GO DAWGS!)

Don't know What Auburn was thinking but we're looking forward to having a coach who will stay past two seasons abd cares more about his athletes than "his dream job".

 

[crzyeeyoreangel]

I am first time Disney go-er too! I am so excited and I have already learned some much from this board and I cant wait until April.

 

[shannn]

We're going to be there in October too. There's an October thread somewhere you can join in on.

My biggest advice would be to read some trip reports. I think they're the best thing ever to help you get a real feel for things. And they're sooo much fun!

Also, I used Tour Guide Mike (www.tourguidemike.com) last time and it was so worth it. Between that and the Unofficial Guide, I was set. It made me look like a superstar to my family.