Help!!! Need WDW advice!!

[mannpeg729]

First i have to say I LOVE the DISBOARDS!!!! thank you for giving me all the reading material i could ever have imagined!!!

Here's where i need help.... Right after Christmas my DH and i decided to take our two VERY active sons ages 3 & 5 on a disney cruise. we thought it would be a good way to get a great disney vacation all expenses included. (we've never been to disney before but we really wanted to take a cruise!) anyway... now we have paid off our cruise a few months sooner than we thought we would and will be able to swing two days at disney before our cruise. i don't even know where to start!!!!!!!! i have read so much on this board and it's almost overwhelming. i'd like to get some opinions about where to stay, i am guessing MK is the place to go for first timers, what's next? what do we not want to miss? our cruise leaves Nov. 28. We are going to drive down on Thanksgiving day and spend Friday and Saturday at DISNEY!!!!

thanks everyone!
peg

 

[disney*mom*82]

How awesome! We have been to WDW several times, but never taken the cruise, I hope to one of these days.

As for where, to stay, that depends on what bracket of resorts you wish to stay in, we always stay at a moderate, always at Port Orleans Riverside. It is our absolute favorite resort and we are returning there in just over 2 weeks for our third trip to WDW within one year!! It is a beautiful resort, it is large, has several pools, one which has a slide, a good food court, several bus stops and one of DHs favorites about it is the boat ride you can take to DTD area. It is just so nice there!

Some do no misses: sure, MK would be a good park to go to. Do you plan to only visit one park or do you have time for any others? We always visit all 4 parks but we also stay there a week. If you only had time for one more, Ide probably pick DHS or AK. ALthough, Epcot is my favorite! Just depends on what you and your kids are more into. Would movie sets and live shows be good for you guys, or animals and the live lion king and nemo show? Or Epcot has the countries and several good rides too! I wouldnt miss the fireworks, and depending on which park you are at I wouldnt miss Illuminations (Epcot) Fantasmic (DHS) or Lion King and Nemo shows (AK). GL and have a great trip!

 

[Taja]

What fun!

In addition to disney*mom*82's commments, you also might want to consider the height of your two sons when choosing parks to visit. That sounds a bit silly, but you need to be aware of which attractions (primarily rides) have height restrictions and if that would cause conflict if one child could go on a ride and the other couldn't. The restrictions are for safety, but that's difficult for most young children to understand.

Most of the attractions and rides won't be an issue, but a few will be--so be prepared!

AK is rather nice, as it offers more space to explore--excellent for those who are very active. I'm less familiar with it than the other parks, as it's difficult for me to navigate (old leg and foot injuries do not like the terrain!). I usually concentrate on one area each visit--not ideal, but it works for me!

You're going to have a wonderful holiday--both on land and sea!

 

[cheerforchelsea]

Purchase a Birmbaum's Guide to DisneyWorld at your local bookstore. It has tons of information on all the resorts and also has a sample schedule for day or half-day trips. It has been a lifesaver!!

 

[momofrrr]

Birmbaums is my favorite reference. The Official Guide has too much info and things get a little fuzzy. Birnbaums also does a Kids book. If it were me, I would go with a value resort. Save your extra money for fun stuff on the cruise. Having said that, I do have to say our favorite resort is POFQ or the Cabins at Ft Wilderness. That might be a good options for you kids ages as well, there is lots to explore there too. have a great trip!

 

[mannpeg729]

what quick responses! i'm eternally grateful!

thanks friends!

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

I wouldn't plan on spending to much time at the hotel since you only have 2 days and it will be busy around Thanksgiving. All Star Movies has a great Toy Story section with a RC they can sit in , 3 story Woody and Buzz, it looks like you are in Andy's room.
I would do MK for sure and go early-at rope drop so you can do the most rides and attractions. I think the other would be AK or HS. AK has the Lion King, Nemo shows, the safari, the walking trails, conservation station, and the bone yard, all that digging and climbing is fun. DHS has the Toy Story ride, kids shows, playground from I shrunkk the kids, characters from Up and Cars, Muppets, Pizza Planet arcade..
You'll have a great trip as long as you go early and don't try to get it all done in 1 trip. The cruise will be terrific too. It'll go by quickly so enjoy each moment!