Help! First visit.

[mes]

Hi all. My family and I will be doing our first WDW trip Sept. 17-24. How are the crowds this time of year? How about the weather?
I would also love any good tips you have for first timers.
We are staying at POR and will have a rental car. Can we park it there? Is there a fee?
My daughter will celebrate a B-Day while we are there. I already book Chef Mickeys, but is there anything else special to do fo kids B-Days (she will be 12)?
Give me all you've got!!

 

[Jasminesmommy]

For birthdays each park has a birthday pin you should pick up. when staying at a resort you get free parking. Weather is still hot and it rains everday but only for alittlr bit then drys up as fast. crowd are small and waits are no more then 15 minutes for the morepopular rides and those are usually less then that

 

[CRAVENDISNEY]

Our first trip to Disney was right about the time you are going. Yes, we also found the weather to be hot and humid. The crowds for the most part were very manageable. Be sure to take plenty of bottled water with you or plan on buying water at the parks. We found water was a big neccessity for us. I have read where they will give you a free cup of ice or ice water should you ask for it at the food stands. Never tried it though so I don't know if it works or not. Parking will be free at the resort however there is a charge for park parking. We drive down from Penn. to the resort but always take advantage of the Disney transportation to go to the parks. The car doesn't move until we are ready to leave for home. It did rain almost each day we were there but they were always quick little showers and the grounds dried up fast. We never even bothered to put on the rain ponchos. Be sure to mention when you check into Chef Mickeys that your daughter is celebrating her b-day. They will probaby surprise her with a cupcake. Or maybe you'll feel she is too old for that. (My nephew loved his birthday cupcake but than again he's 6!). At MK I believe you can go to city hall and receive a birthday pin for your daug. She'll end of getting a lot of attention from the CMs who see it. One tip I can offer is to just take your time and really enjoy all that is going on around you. Don't go commando if you can help it. What you don't see this time you can catch the next trip. Also, use fast pass if necessary. Maybe the front desk could deliver a present to your daughter while she's in or out of the room just as a little surprise. Afternoon breaks really do help your stamina. Go back to the resort for 2 hours each afternoon and enjoy the pool or take a nap in a nice air conditioned room. I could probably go on and on. Please feel free to email me if I can answer other questions (or at least try).
Have fun!!! I envy you! I have about 104 days to go!

 

[RebelHawk]

I have to agree with what CRAVENDISNEY said, take it easy and don’t try to do too much each day because it is impossible to do. Relax and enjoy your trip and get done what you can and leave the rest for next trip.

If you guys are going to hit Epcot there is some amazing dining there but even in Sept you might want to call for PS for some of the more popular restaurants.

If you get some free time you might want to check out some of the other hotel lobbies and restaurants as each one is so uniquely themed.

 

[Meliechick]

We were there last August and had similar weather to what you will experience. We drove and only used our car once. We went to the grocery store. We bought some snacks, drinks, and lunch meats to keep in our room. You can request a small dorm size fridge for your room for about $10 per day. It really came in handy. We still ate out a lot but it was very convient to have late night snacks or a quick breakfast in the room before heading out to the parks. My husband had a great idea to combat the heat. We each took a CamelBak (holds water, looks like a backpack) that we kept our panchos in and we would buy a bottle of water and use it at the water fountains to refill our CamelBaks. In the morning at the hotel we would fill the bladder with ice and then let it melt throught the day. We stayed cool and had plenty of water at our finger tips. I know the CamelBak seems extreme but it was so convient. I took it on rides and never had any problems. You also might to buy panchos before you get there. Don't buy yellow. Everyone waits to get to the parks to get panchos and they only sell yellow ones with Mickey on them. It makes it hard to find your kids because they all look the same in the yellow.

 

[Jasminesmommy]

They have new ponchos they are clear with mickey.

 

[MELSMICE]

Originally posted by CRAVENDISNEY
Parking will be free at the resort however there is a charge for park parking.

If you are staying at a Disney resort then you get complimentary parking at all Disney parks & water parks.

 

[Disney Girl #1]

Something your daughter would probably love, if she isn't already doing it. is pin trading. You buy a lanyard with some simple Disney pins on it and then you can trade pins with any cast member in the parks, resorts and Downtown Disney. It's fun to interact with all the people and find your perfect pins. The rule is that if you wish to trade a pin with the Cast Members the have to trade with you for one of the pins their wearing as long yours isn't a pin they already have. You can purchase cheap disney pins for as little as a $1.50 at ebay before you go. You may be able to find some other great deals at pin websites on the net, just search for Disney Pins. There's a very special pin you can buy at Disney World at the Pin Trading shop in Downtown Disney. It's very personalized, allowing you to make your own pin. You first buy a background pin which on some of these you can have engraved for free. Then you pick out several little pins to put on it. Your child can have the satisfaction of knowing she made her very own pin, and show it off to everyone when she gets home. I've just found this to be a very fun and inexpensive hobby, maybe you will too.