Has anyone else here *never* been to WDW?

[Nubbedy]

Hi! I too have never been to WDW but have been lurking here on these boards for a while picking up hints and tips. Have booked my trip for July 2006 - am so excited already, don't know how I'll wait the remaining 50 and a half weeks!

 

[baileybelle]

Fonty: Here's are 3 more sites to help you with your planning:

http://pages.prodigy.net/stevesoares/index.htm
http://mousesavers.com/
http://allearsnet.com/

Happy planning!!!!!!

 

[smfritz03]

Ive never been to WDW or DL!! In fact-ive only been to FL- 1 time and never to Cali!!!

But we are heading on our first trip in 7 days!!!!! I cant wait, and let me tell you, if yo u spend much time on this board--you will know almost everything there is to know about planning your vacation. I began by thinking all I needed was trasportation, hotel and our tickets---man, was I ever wrong!!!! there is so much more to planning a Disney Vacation, and even more if you're going during the busy times!!! My family thinks Im crazy, but Im sure they will be thanking me when we arent waiting in long lines, taking breaks and enjoying ourselves and staying cool!!!

I've just noticed though, that with only 7 days left, I feel like I cannot plan another thing. And I still have one more day to plan out!!!!

Anyways, best of luck and enjoy!!! There is a ton of great info on this board, and not all pertains to just Disney!!!

 

[BottledRed]

This will be my first trip to WDW too! My fiancee has been to WDW 3 times, but our last-minute trip this September will be my first.

We're doing a quick 4n/5d trip this time, and I've already said that if I love it we'll do a big 10n/11d trip next year

From all the love here, I'm guessing that a longer trip later is a safe bet!

 

[cherokeemamma]

Well...I don't feel so alone. It seems as everyone I know had been to WDW at least once. Some families we know go every year and some more than once a year. We must be doing something wrong because we just don't seem to have that kind of $$$$. We are planning our first trip in Oct. (DW, DH, DS11, DD6) We are just so excited we can hardly wait. We have such excitement and anticipation that I wonder if we will bve disappointed. No Way!!!
I had a friend who went last year for the first time and she said she was so excited when she first saw Mickey her nose started bleeding! We laugh at our house about that and wonder what will be our reaction...hopefully not a nosebleed.

 

[bigmac5]

My husband and I were at Disney about 20 years ago--no kids and when there was only MK and Epcot.We camped at Ft. Widerness. We stayed 3 days in Feb.

This time we are with our boys 11, 13 and 14. staying at ASSp. and on the dining plan. We are going in Aug/Sept. It is all new to us and from this site and all the DISers out there I have learned to much

 

[Sinclare]

I can't fanthom all the DISers who have gone several times! I've never heard about anyone IRL going more than once These are obviously people who have never heard of the DIS Maybe one day it will be me! For starters I'm planning my first trip now. I hope to go in January 2007. That is the soonest I'll have the $$$...the trip will include me, dh, and our four children (11,9,7,5).

I knew absolutely nothing about WDW (except that it's in Florida) until this past May. Imagine my surprise when I found out about the resorts on site! All the restaurants! Character meals! When will the fun end? I can't believe how much I've learned in the past three months ~ and I have 18 more months to go before my first trip! Think of the knowledge I'll have.

Anyway, I, of course, can respond to so few threads because I have no experience nor strong opinions. So I thought I'd give fellow lurkers and those who have never been a chance to jump in and post.

BTW I've never been to Disneyland either. Who else has never been to WDW or DL?

Fonty

Sounds like you have a big family, let me give you a couple possible tips that may help you out on the money situation.

First, if you are willing to stay off property there is something you may not have thought of. Renting a whole house for a week or two can save you a bundle. The first two years when I took my family (including father/mother/sister+her husband and kids) we did this and if you know where to look you can get some very good deals. For example, the first year we got a 3 bedroom 2 1/2 bath house with a enclosed pool for around $700 for a week. The next year we got a 4 bedroom 3 1/2 bath house + heated pool for a little over $600 for a week. VERY nice houses too.

In order to get the good deals you just have to know where to look on the web and be paitent. Usually between 1-2 months before the travel time, houses that don't have that time booked will drop their prices considerably. The two houses above normally booked for at least double that rate. Of course, you have to be watching several houses just in case someone grabs one before you do. Also, you can get a idea of the discount by looking at what they currently have discounted or have discounted in the past.

What you get is a real full size house, usually with a pool and don't forget to bargin for pool heat (if you're like me and like a hot pool).

The second tip is to stay at Fort Wilderness in a tent. I did this with my son for two weeks this year and we had a blast. There is so much to do at the campground that some people come just to stay in it and never go to the parks. There is a outdoor theater where they have a sing-a-long each night with Chip & Dale visiting the kids, hot dog/marshmallow rosting and then they show a Disney movie. Take your bicycles because it's a big campground and with the money you save you can go to the hoop-de-do review (sp?). Just save enough room for all the Ribs and chicken you can eat.

One more tip is if you really want to make it memorable. Go in October and take the kids to the MNSSHP. It's a lot of fun.

Oh, and have a Turkey leg for me..... Oh darn now the craving is back.

 

[FromVatoDisney]

Fonty,

We just returned from WDW on July 20. I am 40 yo; this was my second trip in my entire life. My first trip was in the 70s when all they had was the MK, and I think, the Contemporary and Poly. So I had never even seen Epcot until now.

My dh is 44 yo, and he had NEVER been to WDW until this trip.

I will say this, however, thanks to the Dis and TourGuide Mike, we did not feel like newbies at all... we felt like pros because we were so educated! And it all paid off ... our trip was truly magical, and this in the midst of the heat and crowds of mid-summer. The whole trip we waited in only ONE long line, and the only reason for that is that it was the last day of our vacation and we had to leave Epcot early to head to the airport, so we would not have been in the park at the time of a FP return for Test Track. And we did want to ride it (we already had a FP for Soarin' in hand) so we went ahead and waited in the line. Other than that, we walked onto everything or had short waits. Stick with the DIS and you'll be more experienced than many people who have been going to WDW for years.

 

[MrsMcNally]

This will be my 1st time too. I would always torture my parents for never taking my to Disney as a child. But this year they are finally taking all of us kids and our kids. I am 25 and the second youngest of five!!! I am so excited and there is alot of things in the forum that you can share your opinion on that aren't necessarily all about Disney. Your life experiences can be helpful to all!!!!

 

[muldey]

We have never been to WDW or DL.I'm 28,dh will turn 30 during our trip.My parents are 47 and 48,and are going with us.They've never been either.None of us has ever been to FL!Never been past NJ(we're from RI) !!This is everyone except my dad's first time on a plane,and that's only because he had to go on one for business a couple months ago.We could never afford to go.I'm sure we will find a way after this !We cannot wait!!Under 72 hours now!!!

 

[stellaxluna]

I was 29 yrs old the first time i went!! My 3rd trip is in 13 days!

 

[cherokeemamma]

Does anyone know when the Oct. calendar will be posted? I am interested in the EMH.
Also, what do you guys think about taking the kids out of school? My DD is in 1st and DS is in 6th? Since this is our first trip we though it would be OK. My kids are A students and they will be missing 4 days.

 

[Katerbug]

December 2005 will be our first trip!!! DH, me, DS and DD. Not only have we never been to WDW or DL we have never flown either. I am not willing to drive from Michigan so we are going to fly. Wish us luck with all of our firsts. We are thrilled to finally be going to WDW and December can't get here soon enough.

 

[pyrxtc]

1st timer here too. my DH went a long time ago and doesn't remember it being fun. I have always wanted to go.

 

[krissy2803]

I have been to WDW once. The year it first opened..LOL
Only the MK was there. When we lived in Phoenix I went to DL several times. But that was over 20 years ago!

DH and I are going in October.( so close!!)
I started searching for info on WDW a few months ago and found The DIS. I am so glad I did. I know so much more now and am ever so glad I found this site.

 

[WDW1st-timers]

Our first time going to Disney will be in September. I'll be earnning my ears! We can't wait...but to the OP I have been told not to over plan. 18 months on here you can learn alot but also take in the mistakes people have made too. That's one of the biggest things people have told me. So thank you everyone.

 

[hiwaygal]

My DF and I are going down to WDW in September to get married! I'm crazy with excitement!

Neither of us has ever been to WDW, and I've been wanting to go for YEARS!!

I went to DL for one day in 2001. Who knew it was the busiest day of the year (the day after Thanksgiving). I barely saw half the park (and it's no where near as big as WDW). I saw enough to know that it was fabulous and I can't wait to be at WDW!!

The only thing I'm a bit disappointed in is the "new" Tiki room at WDW. When I went to DL that was THE ABSOLUTE BEST thing (for me). But it's changed and I'm just not sure I want to see it at WDW...

 

[grinningghost]

You may never have been to WDW, but you ARE doing it the right way for your first trip. You're taking ALOT of time to learn all there is to know and plan accordingly.

So many people "just go" without knowing anything and then they feel overwhelmed when they get there. WDW IS overwhelming, even to those of us who have been there before - and that's what we love about it. But rest assured, by the time your trip comes around (and it won't be that long, really), you'll be ready.

Hang out with us here and the Community Board is a great place to make friends who love Disney too.

 

[WDW1st-timers]

My DF and I are going down to WDW in September to get married! I'm crazy with excitement!

Neither of us has ever been to WDW, and I've been wanting to go for YEARS!!

I went to DL for one day in 2001. Who knew it was the busiest day of the year (the day after Thanksgiving). I barely saw half the park (and it's no where near as big as WDW). I saw enough to know that it was fabulous and I can't wait to be at WDW!!

The only thing I'm a bit disappointed in is the "new" Tiki room at WDW. When I went to DL that was THE ABSOLUTE BEST thing (for me). But it's changed and I'm just not sure I want to see it at WDW...

Congraduations!!!!!!!! Hope you have many wonderful years together.

 

[Fonty]

I'm the OP. What a bunch of great responses! Reading this thread makes me feel so happy for some reason I'm so happy for the other first timers...just a tad jealous I have to wait so long, though. And to the poster who's going for the first time *and* getting married there---WOW! Good for you. I wish you the best!

Keep the posts coming. I often wish I could post more, but like I said, I don't have the experience to back up my opinions. So I thought 'Why not start a thread for us first timers?'

We're hoping to do the trip for about $5,000. (Six people/flying/value resort) Let's see....I've got about $50 saved so far... This could be a l-o-n-g 18 months.

Peace,
Fonty