Help! Overwhelmed Newbie here....

[Born 2B a Princess]

Oh my goodness...I'm so overwhelmed! We started planning our first trip to WDW about two months ago so I've been a lurker for a while. There are so many things to plan, organize, think about, do, etc.! Please forgive me, but I've got a million questions and could really use your expertise!

I need help!! I've been researching online, reading books (love the Unofficial Guide), and ordered/watched the WDW vacation planning DVD. I think I have more questions now than when I started planning the trip!

This is the first family vacation our family (DH, myself, DD 12, and DD 8) have ever taken that isn't to go visit family, so we're pretty excited.

We'll be staying at Pop Century...arriving late on July 9, doing the parks on July 10-13, staying an extra night and doing Sea World on July 14, then heading home by way of the Florida coast on July 15. We are on the DDP.

When I called to make my reservations, they automatically included trip insurance. Is that really necessary? How much extra is it? Is it required or could I cancel it?

Is it possible to find discount rates for the onsite resorts for July? If I could find one, I'd love to stay at one of the moderate resorts. What building do you recommend request at Pop Century? I understand you can see some of the fireworks from Pop Century...would that be just from specific rooms/buildings?

I've made all of our ADRs for dinner: O'Hana, Coral Reef, Marrakesh, and 50's Prime Time Diner, all around 5:30 p.m. After reading dining reviews, I'm wondering if I should switch to lunch ADRs instead of dinner ADRs, to get out of the sun for a while if we don't want to go back to the hotel and rest?

I've also read here at you can see the fireworks from O'Hana...so would you recommend switching that ADR to later in the evening so we can watch the fireworks from there? If so, what would be a good time? Also, I've read some mixed reviews on 50s Prime Time Cafe. What other DS TS restaurant do you recommend?

Is it possible to call the dining phone number and request aquarium seating for Coral Reef?

We have a small dorm fridge and will be driving down. Can we bring our own fridge and plug it in in the room instead of renting one?

Where is the Disney Outlet Store?

Do the touring plans from Unofficial Guide (online based on the dates you are planning to travel) really work? Has anyone every done them? What was your experience?

Regarding footwear....Crocs (a big topic on the board lately!!). I have narrow feet, as do my two DDs. I tried on some Crocs Athens and they were too wide. I'd like to try the Crocs Capris -- has anyone ever tried those? I am having a hard time deciding whether I should buy some or just stick with my walking shoes.

Finally, do you recommend wearing capris or shorts in July? I'm comfortable in either, just wondering which one would be better. We live in Georgia so we're used to heat and humidity, but I know it will be worse down there -- more so because we'll be spending a lot more time outside than we're used to!!

Sorry to make my first post so long and so full of questions! I've really been enjoying the boards and LOVE reading the trip reports -- so fun!! I've already learned a lot and have started putting together my trip notebook, spreadsheets, etc. I'm driving DH crazy and I've already started having nightmares about forgetting to plan something or missing something fun!!

Stephanie

 

[MidgeD79]

How exciting! There is nothing like a first trip. I can answer a few of your questions. yes, you may bring your own 'frig. I like wearing my Crocs at home in warm weather, but not hot weather. My feet sweat and then I get blisters. I wear shorts during our summer trips to WDW. I never pack a jacket or pants for "just in case", because "cool" might be 80 degrees. Take advantage of early morning hours and fast passes.

 

[DizneyNutz]

Is located at Downtown Disney. I will post a WDW property map link below. We tried the Japanese Steak House at the back of World Showcase last year and we enjoyed our dining experience there and we also enjoy Whispering Canyon. There are so many places to eat that it is hard to decide, so I am just going to assume that since you mentioned lurking, then your choices are based upon your desires. I do not want to dissuade you from any of them. Anyhow here's to all of you having the very best first trip

http://www.disney.co.uk/usa-resorts/waltdisneyworld/VII/maps/pdf/wdwmap.pdf

 

[hockeybabe]

I might be able to answer a few:

"When I called to make my reservations, they automatically included trip insurance. Is that really necessary? How much extra is it? Is it required or could I cancel it?"

You should be able to cancel it, you didn't need to have it, it costs around $100, and there are cheaper companies who carry it (check with www.insuremytrip.com) if you want it. Disney will not let you cancel without penalty if something should prevent you from arriving on your vacation, and will not refund you if you have paid in full and not shown up. If you leave early, say, due to an illness, they will not refund you, either. This is where the insurance comes in handy. Of course, air travellers have additional things covered, I don't know what is covered for car travellers, you might want to find the details on their website to see what it does cover, and if it would be of value to you.

"Is it possible to find discount rates for the onsite resorts for July? If I could find one, I'd love to stay at one of the moderate resorts."

One of the best places to check for discounts, other than the DIS, is www.mousesavers.com. There is a page of when WDW has historically offered discounts and for what dates, but no details of what those discounts were. If you are an AAA member, you could have gotten 10-20% off your rooms if offered during that time if nothing else. We have not been to any value resorts, but CSR was a wonderful mod.

"I've made all of our ADRs for dinner: O'Hana, Coral Reef, Marrakesh, and 50's Prime Time Diner, all around 5:30 p.m. After reading dining reviews, I'm wondering if I should switch to lunch ADRs instead of dinner ADRs, to get out of the sun for a while if we don't want to go back to the hotel and rest?"

Dinner menus can be different than lunch menus, so check them out at www.allearsnet.com before switching. With kids 8 and 9 on our last trip, and having 6 days to do the parks, we took breaks some days, but we didn't want to waste a moment, so we pretty much went commando style most days. I like the idea of lunches because they tend to be less busy, and you can walk off the huge meals with the rest of your days. There are plenty of places in the parks to take breaks if you need them besides sitting down for a big meal or returning to the resort. Epcot has some great pavillions, MK has a lot of stores and a few shows,like Philharmagic which are nice to take a break in, as does MGM and AK. I'm not sure which of the parks you will be doing in your 4 days, but with only 4 days and being your first trip, I'll bet you won't be wasting any time taking breaks int he resort!

"I've also read here at you can see the fireworks from O'Hana...so would you recommend switching that ADR to later in the evening so we can watch the fireworks from there?"

Being that this is your first trip and you haven't experienced Disney fireworks, I would advise that you be in the park to see them to get the best experience. Fireworks from far off are pretty, but close up, they are spectacular! Be sure to see each parks fireworks shows if you can, and try to see Spectromagic parade at MK...they are unlike any you will find in any other theme park!

"Finally, do you recommend wearing capris or shorts in July?"

Shorts, only shorts.


That's all I have! Have a great trip!

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

When I called to make my reservations, they automatically included trip insurance. Is that really necessary? How much extra is it? Is it required or could I cancel it?
The trip insurance is not mandatory. Is it necessary? That's really up to the individual family. The cost is free for the kids but the adults pay $60 each.

You may or may not be able to cancel the insurance. It depends on how long ago you booked your trip. From the Disney website:

Vacation insurance is nonrefundable if not cancelled within 14 days after booking (for bookings 14 days or less prior to arrival, vacation insurance is nonrefundable if not cancelled at least one day prior to arrival). Upon any cancellation, the charge for vacation insurance will be added to the other applicable cancellation fees.

Is it possible to find discount rates for the onsite resorts for July? If I could find one, I'd love to stay at one of the moderate resorts. What building do you recommend request at Pop Century? I understand you can see some of the fireworks from Pop Century...would that be just from specific rooms/buildings?

There have not been too many discounts for July in the past couple of years. You might do better with a AAA discount if you're a member but that would involve booking your package thru AAA or transferring the reservation to them if you've done your own booking already.

Keep an eye on the Codes and Rates Board here on the DIS for possible discount coded that could be applied to your ressie.

I've made all of our ADRs for dinner: O'Hana, Coral Reef, Marrakesh, and 50's Prime Time Diner, all around 5:30 p.m. After reading dining reviews, I'm wondering if I should switch to lunch ADRs instead of dinner ADRs, to get out of the sun for a while if we don't want to go back to the hotel and rest?

That would be up to you. It's nice to take a mid-afternoon break from the sun but eating a full meal at that time may not be the best thing to do. You'll feel tired and sluggish with a full stomach and you certainly won't want to try Mission Space right afterwards! And the heat combined with a full stomach can cause you to feel queasy.

I've also read here at you can see the fireworks from O'Hana...so would you recommend switching that ADR to later in the evening so we can watch the fireworks from there? If so, what would be a good time? Also, I've read some mixed reviews on 50s Prime Time Cafe. What other DS TS restaurant do you recommend?

You would be better off keeping your 5:30 pm ADR and viewing the fireworks from the beach at the Poly, Not every seat ot 'Ohana has a good view of the fireworks and you may not want to wait until 8:30 to sit down to dinner.

WRT 50's PT, I kind of like the place. But if you think that the kids might be sensitive to the teasing that the servers do, then you might want to try the Sci-Fi instead. The movie clips that they show are not the least bit scary (IMO) and the drive-in movie theming can be fun.

Is it possible to call the dining phone number and request aquarium seating for Coral Reef?

No, but you can request it when you show up at for your seating. Just keep in mind that there might be a longer wait.

We have a small dorm fridge and will be driving down. Can we bring our own fridge and plug it in in the room instead of renting one?

I've heard of people doing this in the past and there are several DISers on the Budget Board who pass refrigerators along from one vacationer to the next.

Do the touring plans from Unofficial Guide (online based on the dates you are planning to travel) really work? Has anyone every done them? What was your experience?

Yes, they do work but they are not for the feint of heart or the weak of stomach. It is a commando-style attack approach to park touring that ensures that you will get to do everything on the list. You'd better be prepared to get up early and be at the parks at the rope drop in order for the touring plans to work. Arriving "just an hour" after the park opens is not going to work.

Finally, do you recommend wearing capris or shorts in July? I'm comfortable in either, just wondering which one would be better. We live in Georgia so we're used to heat and humidity, but I know it will be worse down there -- more so because we'll be spending a lot more time outside than we're used to!!

Wear whatever you are comfortable in. If you're comfortable in capris, then pack a few pairs. Take some shorts along, too and see what feels the best for you. There will be plenty of misting stations and air-conditioned waiting areas in all of the parks. If you find yourself beginning to wilt, look for some shade and a cool drink.

 

[sarge3515]

Welcome to the boards!

I too was a newbie until 2 weeks ago! I can't answer many of your questions but I might be able to answer the shoe one.

I also read these boards till I was crossed eyed. With regard to shoes my family & I took 2 or 3 pairs of shoes each and wore a different pair each day. None of us had any complaints and we did tons of walking, 12 hours a day at each park.

I can say I as most impressed by how smooth the parks ran, Disney has perfected keeping crowds controlled and moving.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Born 2B a Princess]

You guys are all great -- thanks so much for the help!! My problem is that I tend to get a bit obsessive and get bogged down in so many tiny details that I get overwhelmed. And there are lots of tiny details with this trip!!

 

[punkin1763]

Congrats on your first trip to WDW!!! I don't think there is anything else that I can add - except have a great time and enjoy WDW!

 

[Dis-Wiz]

We have been to WDW in July many times, and if I had worn capris I would have died! It gets pretty darn hot and humid in the summer, so make sure that you pack nice light clothing.

Also:

The only thing we regret from our trip last summer, is making reservations for lunches. I know everybody is different, and a lot of people like their "big" meals in the afternoon, but it just tied us down too much. During the day, we just like to walk around the parks, eating snacks here and there, and then going to a nice meal at night (and then most likely heading back into the parks for extra evening hours).
I don't know if it was soley the lunch ressies, but we found that during last summer's trip, we didn't spend as much time in the parks as we normally do.

Have a GREAT trip! You made the right choice in coming to these boards. These DISers are so helpful! I came on these boards for advice in June 2005, and have been addicted ever since!