HELP first timer to WDW

[Arkiegirl]

My family will be arriving in Orlando on Nov 1 or 2, and we will spend that week there. This is a first time for all of us and I am SOOOOOO overwhelmed at planning this trip. I have 2 books, I am reading on several message boards and websites and I am so overwhelmed right now I dont know where to start. Let me give you some details:

In the group we have a wide age range 3 adults (mom, dad, and gma), and 4 kids (13, 11, 9, 2)
We are staying offsite at a time share resort (Orlandos Sunshine Resort)
We will have a van
We are certain we want to visit MK, MGM, and Epcot. We also want to go to AK, but there is a performance at Epcot we want to see (relative performing)
We will probably get the 4 day park hopper but are open for suggestions on the tickets. I have read somewhere there is a 3 day park hopper? I cant find any info on that.

I know very little about what to not miss, we are on a very limited budget--any suggestions on $$ saving, ANY and ALL suggestions will be helpful.

 

[Mike Jones]

Hi Arkiegirl. I can remember the panic of trying to organise our first trip... the responsibility of being the commandant can be overwhelming, desperately trying to ensure that EVERYONE has a great time! My view is, you can't! Do your best, but involve as many of the group as possible, go through the guides and videos etc together and make a list of everyone's 'must-do's'. Try to build a plan incorporating as many as possible.

I am certain there isn't a 3 day hopper.. disney want you on site for as long as possible! You will need 4 if not 5 days to cover most of the ground, although IMHO you only need half a day at AK (assuming an early start) to do most of the main attractions (safari and festival of the LK are essential!!). MGM is 'do-able' in a day, whereas MK needs 1.5 - 2 to cover everything, and I've not seen all that Epcot offers after approximately 12 full days in the park! (but we go very slowly here.. our favourite park!) Build in some serious rest breaks, perhaps leaving early afternoon for a sleep/swim or chill out, (always works for us) before returning to the parks later. You can easily burn yourselves out in 2 days if not careful, and time and time again people report miserable experiences of following their over-optimistic plans too militantly... you will tagged 'disney-nazi' and blamed for the groups' headaches and sore feet!

Anyone can suggest a detailed plan for you, but I don't think it will work unless it's your own creation. Search the boards, especially the trip reorts to see what visitors actually manage to cram into their vacations. The best bit of advice I can give, based purely on our own observations (and it can be hard to do with a large group) is to get up EARLY and be at the gates before the crowds (at least 30-40 minutes before opening time. (Check the dis sites for openig times and early opening days for ion-site guests.. try to avoid specific parks on the days when disney guests are admitted early).. and go to bed as early as possible when you don't have to catch a late show/ fireworks etc.

Have fun putting it all together.. it's now one of my favourite tasks! I'm sure you'll have a great time! Mike.

 

[staylor]

Arkiegirl, Welcome to DIS. I'll warn you now, this website is very addictive. Well you've come to the right place to ask questions. First I would read over many of the tips and suggestions. Also, the trip reports board has great ideas. The budget board is a great place to get $$ saving tips. About the tickets, if I were you I would get at least the 4 day park hopper. You'll have to buy that on the internet from this site, ticketmainia.com, or floridaorlandotickets.net. You'll find that even though you are only planning on visiting 3 parks, it is very hard to see each park in one day. Don't try to run around each park like madmen. Enjoy the magic Disney has to offer. There are little things along the way like talking trash cans, an umbrella you won't want to miss in MGM, and many more that I can't think of right now. But, by looking through these boards and asking all the questions you can think of, you'll get answers.
This is only a start but I hope it helps!
Whatever you do HAVE FUN!
Staci

Oh I forgot, the best tip I received before my first trip with kids is to go to EPCOT the first day. It is an awesome park but not many rides. If you go to MK first then to Epcot your kids may think it's not as fun. But there is so much for kids to do in Epcot. My kids have to do the Kidcot areas in each country. They get to make a mask that is stamped in each country and best of all it is free!

 

[mad4themouse]

H Arkiegirl and welcome to the Disboards!

Planning a WDW trip for so many people can feel overwhelming, especially the very first time. I still obsess over planning and there are only 4 of us and we've been there 6 times!

First off, check out disney.com and click on the drop-down menu 3/4 of the way down the page. Scroll down and click on "Park Hours". Choose "All Parks" and "November 2003" then click "go". You'll get calendars of the parades, fireworks and park hours for the dates that you will be there. Knowing the schedules will help you in determining which parks to visit on what days.

Ask each family member to choose 2 "must-see" attractions per park. Fit those into your itinerary. Make it clear to everyone before hand that you will not see everything. With all of our visits, we have yet to do everything.

Buy at least 4-day Park Hoppers. You will need at least 4 days to visit the parks. AK is very easy to fit into your touring schedule. It closes early (5pm) and with Park Hoppers you can then go to another park (my choice would be EPCOT because it will be open until 9pm and you can see Illuminations) or you can call it any early day and return to you resort.

You would still have 3 days to visit MK, EPCOT and MGM. You will need a full day for each of those parks. If possible, be in the MK on 11/2 for the WISHES nightime spectacular at 7pm. Or if you'll be there on 11/8, be at the MK in the evening for SpectroMagic at 9 pm and WISHES at 10pm. These events would be enjoyed by everyone in your group.

Other hints include taking lots of breaks for the 2 yo's sake or else you may be on the receiving end of a tired toddler meltdown by the end of the day. All of the parks have playground areas where the little one can let off some steam in a safe environment. My children especially loved the "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" playground in MGM.

To save $$$:

• Purchase your Park Hoppers in advance. Your local Disney Store will have the best price on PHs. If you decide on Park Hopper Plus passes, you will get a better price from ticket brokers than you will from Disney.
• Bring your own bottled water into the parks. Water cost $2.50 per bottle there and the many people dislike the taste of the water fountain water. Freeze the bottles overnight and they will stay cold for morning.
• Carry light snacks like Goldfish crackers, pretzels and granola bars in your fannypacks. Avoid anything that might crumble easily or melt.
• Don't be afraid to share lunch platters between 2 people and order an extra beverage. Portions can be very large at the counter service restaurants.
• Buy Glow-in-the-Dark necklaces and light spinners on sale at home and bring them with you instead of buying them there.
• Put off all souvenir shopping until the last day or give the older children a preset amount of $$$ for souvenirs and once it is spent, they're done. They can become very frugal when it's their own money that is being spent.
• Visit the
  DIS Budget Boards for more great cost-cutting hints.

You'll have the time of your lives at WDW! Don't forget to take LOTS of pictures. Make sure that you get in close on your subject and down on their level. And lastly, remember to post your trip report here when you return.

 

[Boots]

Welcome to the boards. You have been given some great hints. If at all possible I would get the 5 day park hopper passes. If you don't use them all you can save the days left for later. Also your children going will enjoy AK so try to visit if you can. Hope that you have a wonderful vacation!

 

[ncbyrne]

Hi Welcome to the DIS!
Yes you can purchase 3 day Park Hopper Passes. They are availbe thru Alamo (the car rental company) The Disney Alamo number is 800-560-2397
From another post: "This number is actually picked up by a Disney CM, I believe she answered the phone, 'special services' "
Just say you would like to purchased the special Alamo 3 day Park Hoppers.

 

[Eljay]

On a practical note:
Please use sunscreen, yes it is essential in November! A sunburn will ruin your vacation.

Take foot care very seriously! You will be walking many miles. Only the best & most comfortable but supportive shoes, good socks & bandaids.

Stay hydrated with lots of water, not soda or coffee or beer. I hear that the Disney medics treat dehydration & sunburn more than any other problem. Yes, even in November.

Listen to your body, if you are tired - rest. Get into A/C whenever possible.

Above all, stop, smell the roses, absorb the MAGIC! It's all around you!

 

[KathyFP]

I remember the frantic pace at which I planned our first trip.

These board made our trip wonderful.

I downloaded an excel spreadsheet that helped me to lay out our plans (allowing for a lot of flexibility). It especially allowed us to track parades and fireworks so that we did not miss them. It also allowed an easy way to list park hours so we could make adjustments as necessary.

Lastly I downloaded a long list of tips. Although I didn't remember many, the night before, we would scan the lsit and look for tips for the park were we were going the next day.

These board were wonderful.