HELP!! guidence for a first timer please

[Tanyann]

So here is the problem. My family . Myself, hubby, and 3 boys are heading to Disney and I need to plan. ummm what do I need that I dont take on a normal vacation, What should I plan for, what parks what days, what to avoid ????? Anyone willing to help a newbie make an itenerary and help us make a magical experiance.

I also want to design t-shirts for our family trip. Yet I have no artistic talent. Can anyone help with that.

Oh yeah, do peope costume up during the day there for MNSSH or just in the evening events? ahhhhhh I just dont know what to expect to know how to plan.

I feel soooo lost and vacation is in 25 days. From Oct 3rd to the 9th

 

[snickerboo]

Somewhere around here, there's a spreadsheet of things to pack. If you search for it you'll probably find it. There's also one on themouseforless. My advice would be to buy the Unofficial Guide to Disney at your local bookstore or pay for the service online. It will tell you what to pack, what to see, when to see it....most of the questions you're asking.

I don't know about the daytime for MNSSHP but definitely dress up for the party. My family are wearing homemade Disney tees in the day.

Tees: To make any kid of tees, I get a light colour that I can see a printout or photocopy through. I find some Disney clipart I like, download it, and make up a little graphic with the lettering on my photo program (you can also just copy and paste it into Word, though, and design something on there). I print it out, I put the printout under the shirt. I trace it lightly in washable crayon. Then I go over it using fabric paint. Voila! Disney t-shirts.

 

[Tanyann]

Tees: To make any kid of tees, I get a light colour that I can see a printout or photocopy through. I find some Disney clipart I like, download it, and make up a little graphic with the lettering on my photo program (you can also just copy and paste it into Word, though, and design something on there). I print it out, I put the printout under the shirt. I trace it lightly in washable crayon. Then I go over it using fabric paint. Voila! Disney t-shirts.[/QUOTE]

Yay I love that idea for the tees.

 

[MomBoyd]

If you will PM me some details about your trip I will help you with a basic itenerary. I need to to know things like: where you are staying, times and means of travel to WDW, ages of your boys, any attractions you really want to see, any attractions you would be just as happy to avoid (for us it is parades), if you want to spend any time outside of the parks, and any other details you want to share.

 

[bonnieleigh]

http://allears.net/pl/planning.htm

http://www.mouseplanet.com/dtp/wdwguide/

http://www.hotelfun4kids.com/travelnews/familyattract/usfamilyatt/disney/disneymagic.htm

http://www.disney.co.uk/usa-resorts/waltdisneyworld/content_syndication/II/G/

Have fun planning your first trip! Disney World is the happiest place on earth and you will not be disappointed!

 

[sarobison]

#1 Must pack- COMFORTABLE shoes, and not the brand new pair that look comfortable either. Take shoes that have been broken in and that you are used to wearing. You're gonna be doing a LOT of walking so comfortable shoes are a must. It seems like a fair number of Dis'ers like Crocs (or similar shoes) as well.

#2 Must pack item- A comfortable bag that can be carried all day long. Again, lots of walking so don't pack a huge backpack that gets heavy before you even get on the bus. If the kids are big enough small bags for them might be a good idea too. Inside the bags we usually carry bottled water, a change of clothes (maybe) for the littlest, and stuff the kids can do while we are either waiting in line or waiting for parades (although admittedly we don't do much of either...).


#1 Must see- With kids, it's gotta be the SpectroMagic Parade. My own two DS love it and it has been a classic for years. It looks like Spectro (at Magic Kingdom) will be going on Oct 3,6,and 8 during your stay.

#2 Must see- Wishes OR Illuminations. Personally I like Wishes because it can be seen and enjoyed from so many places around MK. Illuminations is best enjoyed from just a few places around Epcot and then there is the exodus of people leaving...



#1 Must do- Soarin! At Epcot this might be the best ride Disney has ever come up with. Everybody seems to enjoy this one.

#2 Must do- Relax. Spend some time by the pool. Unless you son's are all teenagers they (and you) will enjoy a break in the middle of the day by the pool. If you're staying at Disney the pools can be really fun.


So those would be my "must" do's etc. Of course it never hurts to read up on the parks and det an idea of the layout of each park. Also try to get to the parks early. I've never been in October so I don't know how busy the parks are but I've been in late July/early August and we've been able to do all of the rides we wanted to before lunch usually IF we were at the park when the rope dropped and used our FastPasses right.

Good luck and ENJOY DISNEY!

 

[princess lovers mom]

as far as the family T-shirt check out the forum just for fun - and look under creative community -go back to the main page and it is down toward the bottom...you could find a mickey head , enlarge it, cut it out and place on shirt and then spray fabric paint around it - take the mickey head off and it will be the color of the original shirt...really easy...there also is a recipe on there somewhere off a flour paste to make - you swirl it on the shirt in the shape of a mickey head and then after it dries you spray paint again or can sponge it on then after dry peel the dry flour mixture off and where the flour was it is the shirt color - we did this and got rave reactions...

families usually are not dressed up all day of the MNSSHP - usually see costumes out around 4PM

things I would pack with kids are a handheld fan best with a spray water feature - they are $20 at disney - like 5-8$ at walmart...package of babywipes to wash hands...autograph book/pen...characters are EVERYWHERE and the kids love to get their autographs - look on the park maps for locations - if there is a long line check back later - during the halloween party is a great time to get autographs...not sure how old the kids are but would suggest taking a nap and trying to stay as late as possible for the MNSSHP - crowds get lighter as the night gets later...don't miss the beginning of the MNSSHP parade...get dinner and eat on the curb to get a good seat for the parade...give your kids a budget for souvenirs - we do $10 a day; if they want something that is $20 they have to wait until day 2 to have enough - makes them think about it a while - pin collecting and smashed pennies are nice collectables - not too expensive - pins 8-10 eash; pennies 51 cents

have a blast - the week you are going is the best - crowds pick up at Columbus DAy weekend; weather is great

 

[NJFabFour]

http://allears.net/pl/planning.htm

http://www.mouseplanet.com/dtp/wdwguide/

http://www.hotelfun4kids.com/travelnews/familyattract/usfamilyatt/disney/disneymagic.htm

http://www.disney.co.uk/usa-resorts/waltdisneyworld/content_syndication/II/G/

Have fun planning your first trip! Disney World is the happiest place on earth and you will not be disappointed!

And I will add one of the DIS boards official sponsors, www.tourguidemike.com . . . I follow his advice to the letter as to when to go to what parks, when to ride which rides, where to watch parades, etc. and it's been right-on each time! Love him!!

 

[NWOhioAngela]

And I will add one of the DIS boards official sponsors, www.tourguidemike.com . . . I follow his advice to the letter as to when to go to what parks, when to ride which rides, where to watch parades, etc. and it's been right-on each time! Love him!!

I second this advice. You don't have a lot of time to research on your own at this point. TGM is worth the 20 bucks.

 

[Tanyann]

T

 

[Tanyann]

Thank you, This was very very helpful!

 

[Tanyann]

My 11 year old wants to do pin trading, I saw on ebay someone who had official disney pins in great condition fairly cheap. So I think Im going to do that. Something I didnt mention so far is this is his Make A Wish trip..... So if he wants to pin trade.... then Im going to make sure he gets the chance