Hello everyone,im new from Texas !!!

[kbaxter2009]

Im planning my first trip with my teenage daughter and was wondering where do i start in planning, i have my date that i want to go and i know how much i am bringing but where do i start??? HELP !!!

 

[nless_dream]

welcome!

 

[perriwinkleblue]

Welcome!​

Disney planning is so much fun! If Disney is unfamiliar to you, I'd start with a guidebook. This will give you everything in one reference place and someplace to start. Decide where you are staying and what you really want to do/see. From there you can start planning using online resources.

The Disboards are a great place to get advice and answers to your questions. IMO, you'll get the best results if you post questions in the theme park attractions (or restaurant or budget board, ect - depending on the question) area and try not to ask too much in one post.

Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[TxTiggergal]

Howdy from a fellow Texan! You will learn sooo much from these boards! Enjoy your planning process!

 

[Metro West]

 

[TrickStar Rider]

Welcome!!! You just came across the best spot on teh internets to plan and read great Disney Trip info.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I assume you have already booked your resort and bought your tickets? If I am wrong, please let me know.

I also suggest that you go to a bookstore and buy a guidebook. I like the following three:

Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World
Passporter
Birnbaum's Official Guide to Walt Disney World

You'll find that the Unofficial Guide is a bit harsh on Disney, the Passporter is a great way to keep everything organized and Birnbaum's presents a sugar coated version of Disney. But, I like all three.

How many days will be be in Walt Disney World? We like to spend 2 days at Magic Kingdom, 2 days at Epcot, a day at Animal Kingdom and a day a tHollywood Studios. We also work in a couple of days where we go to a water park, shop or just rest.

If you'll let us know where you are staying and what kind of tickets you have, it will help us help you.

Lisa

 

[MarkinNM]

 

[mamaof2]

WELCOME!!!

 

[mamaof2]

Disney planning although very fun for us that have done it more than once, can be very (huh???) mind blowing. I have done Disney travel with both direct booking through Disney and booking through outside companys...I would advice for you to book directly through Disney and save yourself the 5% fees I had to pay. I would also look into the days that you want to book. There are busy seasons in disney like everywhere else. I have traveled in the months of May, Sept, Oct, and now August. I had the BEST time in Oct. no crowds in my fav. rides and my yound dds had the best time. We also did the Not so scary Mickey Halloween----it was sooooo beautiful. disney in fall is breath taking. the decorations are great...well if you have any specific questions i will be pleased to answer from my personal experience.
Have a GREAT vaca.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

we are glad you are here!!! And howdy neighbor---love to see fellow Texans on here.

First off let me say that I totally agree with the toontown poster (lisa) about her reviews of the 3 guidebooks!! I have the same opinion and love all 3 for the same reasons. So, I too am assuming you have your resort picked. From there you need to just figure out what you want to do!!! check and see if they have special things going on at the time you are there. consider some fun dinners like the Hoop Dee Doo Review--you may want to fit some or one of these into your plan. If you are going for a long enough trip, try to plan some down time in there!! Maybe one evening to swim/do laundry, or just watch people!!! I would encourage you to start walking. There is lots of ground to cover!!! I always try to get us walking at least 2 months or so before the trip every evening. At least 2 miles at a time. It's quite a walk from the bus/monorail to the park. Not terrible, just lots of room!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

we are glad you are here!!! And howdy neighbor---love to see fellow Texans on here.

First off let me say that I totally agree with the toontown poster (lisa) about her reviews of the 3 guidebooks!! I have the same opinion and love all 3 for the same reasons. So, I too am assuming you have your resort picked. From there you need to just figure out what you want to do!!! check and see if they have special things going on at the time you are there. consider some fun dinners like the Hoop Dee Doo Review--you may want to fit some or one of these into your plan. If you are going for a long enough trip, try to plan some down time in there!! Maybe one evening to swim/do laundry, or just watch people!!! I would encourage you to start walking. There is lots of ground to cover!!! I always try to get us walking at least 2 months or so before the trip every evening. At least 2 miles at a time. It's quite a walk from the bus/monorail to the park. Not terrible, just lots of room!!

We start walking on the treadmill every day starting at least a month before we leave for Disney. Even our 12 year old gets on there. We want to make sure that each of us can walk at least 1 1/2 and not get winded. There's an awful lot of walking and an awful lot of standing and waiting at Disney.

Get a good pair of shoes and break those suckers in before you leave. A good pair of walking shoes can make or break a vacation. You don't want to have blisters on your first day.

Sunscreen is an essential no matter what time of year you travel.

Hope you'll post some more details so we can help you out a bit more.

Lisa

 

[labordefam3]

New Texan here also!

 

[wahmtexas]

Hello from Texas, where in Texas, we are just south of Denton...

 

[Sara29]

Howdy from a fellow Texan! I'm in Tyler, you?

 

[BustaStitch]

Tyler and Denton are both pretty nice, comin from an Okie.

=D

Chris

 

[MSTXMOM]

Another fellow Texan (Irving) checking in. Planning a trip is half the fun! My recommendation: If you are not already receiving it, sign up for the All Ears newsletter and make use of that website. I've not found a question that Deb doesn't have an answer for.

Where are you staying?

 

[Donald Duck Dad]

Welcome from another Transplanted Texan. Grew up in MI
and moved to TX in 1981. (One of my smarter things done)

Use the Boards, Use the Boards, Use the Boards!!!!

Don't be afraid to ask, someone will gladly help.

Will be in the WORLD in 3 weeks staying @ the POLY for the first
time, really excited.

One suggestion along with all the other previous advice is,
Pre-Pay (order) your Photo Pass in advance and save $25.

I'm lucky this year beside the WORLD oldest DS is in
the CONROE TIGER BAND that has been invited to march
in the Tournament of Roses Parade 1/1/2010, and marching
in a Disneyland parade to boot.

Go CONROE TIGER BAND.

 

[mamaof2]

Welcome from another Transplanted Texan. Grew up in MI
and moved to TX in 1981. (One of my smarter things done)

Use the Boards, Use the Boards, Use the Boards!!!!

Don't be afraid to ask, someone will gladly help.

Will be in the WORLD in 3 weeks staying @ the POLY for the first
time, really excited.

One suggestion along with all the other previous advice is,
Pre-Pay (order) your Photo Pass in advance and save $25.

I'm lucky this year beside the WORLD oldest DS is in
the CONROE TIGER BAND that has been invited to march
in the Tournament of Roses Parade 1/1/2010, and marching
in a Disneyland parade to boot.

Go CONROE TIGER BAND.

Congrats 4 DS!

 

[Disney Dork in DFW]

Welcome to all fellow Texans!

One other tip to consider is to listen to various podcasts. Even though I only joined the boards last month, I have been doing the podcast thing for a couple years now. Needless to say, if you're looking for acerbic wit and hard-hitting journalistic-style podcasting, then wdwinfo's Disunplugged is second to none. The guys at wdwtoday do a pretty good job, too. If you want to listen to a podcast in which the host(s) summarily refuse to ever say anything negative about Disney, then wdwradio and Inside the Magic are good.

Besides getting you extremely excited about any upcoming trips, they are all generally pretty informative, too.