Hello everyone!

[mom2-four]

my name is Michelle and we have decided to go to Disney for the first time as a family in October of 2007. I have never been to Disney World and neither has my husband so we are all excited about this. I went to disny land 3 times as a child, but other than that I haven't done much of Disney. When we go our children will be 6 (turning 7 while we are there), 5, 3.5, and 2. I have already done alot of research, but there is so much and its overwhelming, I don't even know where to start. I'm hoping some of you will help me!

Thanks!

 

[Desnik]

Welcome to the DIS!!!!
Well the first smart thing you did was find these boards!!!LOL
DL and WDW are so different and WDW will seem so huge to you! You have a year to plan and soak in all the info here, and there is a ton! I would get a guide book, like Birbaums guide to WDW. Also, just research and read all you can on each board here and ask any questions you have on the appropiate board. That helps get you more responses. Have you decided on anything yet? Like where to stay, how long, etc....?

Other helpful sites are:
mousesavers.com For discounts and tips.
allearsnet.com For menus and a ton of info.

How about going to tthe official website and ordering a free planning video? That will help you all get in the mood and give you an idea of what it's like. It will really help the kids too. They all seem to love watching those videos!

Do you have any specific questions? I'd love to help and answer them if I can.

 

[maleficent esq.]

my name is Michelle and we have decided to go to Disney for the first time as a family in October of 2007. I have never been to Disney World and neither has my husband so we are all excited about this. I went to disny land 3 times as a child, but other than that I haven't done much of Disney. When we go our children will be 6 (turning 7 while we are there), 5, 3.5, and 2. I have already done alot of research, but there is so much and its overwhelming, I don't even know where to start. I'm hoping some of you will help me!

Thanks!

So glad to have you here. My advice go to the nearest bookstore and look for Steve Birnbaum's Walt Disney World, and then get the Unofficial guide to Disney World. Those two books will direct you to other great books, websites, etc. Half of the fun of going to WDW is the planning so happy planning. Any specific questions just post on this board and some very knowledgeable people will be happy to help you.

 

[rdjm]

How wonderful for you and your family to go , and especially in October. Everything is much slower paced then and you can really get a feel for the place. Just learn all you can as Desnik (above poster) said and enjoy. Oh and do a search on Trip reports from Oct. last year and read the ones that will start coming next month.

 

[disneyohana]

I'm so happy for you and your family. We've been going to WDW every few years since I was 5. We used to buy Steve Birnbaum's book before we went and now I love to be able to ask ques. on the DIS, or just look at what others are asking about since there are a lot of ques. I wouldn't have thought to ask. Also, if you pick a restaurant to eat at that sounds interesting to you but it got some bad reviews, don't worry. I love many of the restaurants there. If I get a good meal I'm thrilled because, for me, half of the fun at the restaurants are the themes.

 

[mom2-four]

We actually picked that book up yesterday, when we went to Barnes and Noble. The book is colorful, and from what I've read so far, it has alot of good stuff about each of the theme parks.

We're staying for 9 days. I'm planning on getting 6 day tickets, and for the other 3 days we're going to meet up with friends who live in the Orlando area. I'm hoping 1 out of the 3 days we hit Sea World. My 2.5 yr old seems to have a fascination with the ocean. Other than that, nothing else is planned.

 

[Karalynn]

Welcome to the Dis!! and Happy planning!!!

 

[maxtomsmom]

Welcome to the Dis! Did you mention where you are staying? Just be prepared to change your mind. We do everytime we go. Like previous posters, ask questions no matter how silly or little you think they are, because they're probably not and someone else has probably asked before. I have recommended this website and the discussion boards to many people who are just beginning to plan. Everyone is very helpful and there's a great wealth of knowledge. I typically check with the Family discussion board, the budget board and occasionally the dining board. We also used Tour guide Mike's website a while back. We found some of the tips helpful. Good Luck and enjoy your planning. I love it and the moment we get home, I begin to plan the next trip. I keep everything- brochures, postcards you name it just to help with the next trip's planning. My family thinks I'm nuts (they're partially right), but they never complain about any trip I plan. (I'm a teacher by trade, but also a closet travel agent.) SSHHHH!