Help Plan Our First Trip, PLEASE!

[texanteacher]

Wow! There are sooo many great ideas here! It is a bit overwhelming understanding all the abbreviations and references since I have NEVER been to DisneyWorld.

I hope to surprise my daughter with a trip the week before her 10th birthday! However, I have no idea where to begin our planning. Can anyone help? The only things certain are that we will have to visit May 27- June 2 (I'll be teaching summer school), I'd like to stay in the resort, and we are on a teacher's salary budget

Thanks in advance- I'm so excited I don't know if I can keep it a secret from her much longer!

Christina

 

[Kae]

This is a great site with tons of info. But may I recommend you get the Passporter for WDW. Good luck.

Kae

 

[fitzperry]

The Unoffical Guide to WDW is also a great resource. It includes descriptions and ratings of all the attractions, resorts, etc.

Have fun!

 

[GlennI]

I recommend getting the unofficial guide to Disneyworld, its only about $20.00 at any of the bookstores.

If you are on a budget, consider one of the value resorts, we have stayed at POP CENTURY, and enjoyed it very much. I can't speak as to any of the other value resorts but POP is good, and I would stay there again without question.

Also, if you can fit it in buy the park hopper option on your tickets, you wont regret it.

 

[never_enough_pooh]

I have to agree with everyone else who recommends purchasing the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney world. It is a great book!

Plus, there is a lot of info on this website as well!

Good luck!

 

[Marseeya]

We took our first trip last year and I found that there are SO many resources out there! My favorites were the Disboards, Tour Guide Mike (www.tourguidemike.com), Unofficial Guide, and the [/I]Passporter[/I].

I have to say, though, that Tour Guide Mike was absolutely the best investment I made for that trip!

 

[dawgfan]

I would put the secret to rest and tell her in February. Your daughter will still be ecstatic. Let her throw in planning pieces. Definitely get a Passporter. It is a great reference. Continue to search these boards and ask specific questions as you go along. Before too long you will be a pro. Have fun!

 

[Pigletlover]

Another great book is Birnbaum's Walt Disney World, which is a wonderful resource for newbies.

This is another fantastic website:

http://www.allearsnet.com

 

[eeyoreforever]

I would put the secret to rest and tell her in February. Your daughter will still be ecstatic. Let her throw in planning pieces. Definitely get a Passporter. It is a great reference. Continue to search these boards and ask specific questions as you go along. Before too long you will be a pro. Have fun!

I just wanted to agree that you should tell her. Maybe not in Feb, but definitely before you go. We went at the end of last May and for Easter I gave my dd's Easter cards (with Disney characters) on them and Disney dollars in them as a way of telling them that we were going. They get so excited helping in the planning process. I think she would really enjoy getting to help. Just don't tell too early or they drive you batty. I made that mistake just the other day.

Have fun planning - lots of good info on these boards. Also go the the homepage for this site (Dishome - at the top of the page) and you can find lots of info.

 

[vpack05]

Please feel free to PM if you need. I've been a couple of times and I have 3 daughters, 12, 11, 7 and 1 son (2). I'm very familiar with planning on a budget!

You already have your dates, so that's half the battle! Have you checked for rates yet? Check out the different resorts and NEVER pay rack rate if at all possible. Discounts are mentioned often on www.mousesavers.com (check it daily myself, just in case!) If you're flying in, you know about Magical Express (ME) right? You don't need to rent a car, but you may want to.

Once you have the resort picked out, I tend to figure out in relation to that resort what activities are convenient. After activities, how many park days can you afford? The first time we went, I only took the girls to Animal Kingdom (AK) for one full day. It was terrific. Next time, we did one full day at Magic Kingdom (MK). That was the trip I spent $600 on passes and they decided to stay at the resort the ENTIRE trip! GGRRRRRR.... Next trip, they got the park bug! We did each park twice. This coming trip we're doing our favorite parks more often than others.

After you know your plan for parks, you can start figuring out your dining. Are you having fun yet? Now, I have to admit that I'm a very compulsive planner. I'd much rather have a reservation that I don't keep rather than want to eat somewhere and get turned away or delayed for over an hour or two.

After you figure out your dining schedule, you can concentrate on the park schedule. Learn about the different rides, attractions, etc. My thing is that I don't want to miss something because I didn't know. I like having the choice, the knowledge of the attraction, and then if the kids want to choose something different, I'm fine with it. I just never want to miss something because I didn't know. Ggggrrrrrr.....

Hopefully, I haven't overwhelmed you! It's truly a magical place and I hope you have the time of your life!

 

[kaylie&laurensmom]

Wow - there is so much to learn! My motto is - don't go without a plan! You will miss out on so much if you don't have a plan!

1) Check touringplans.com crowd level page to determine which days you should visit which parks, based on lowest crowd levels (there is a list BY EXACT DAY of which parks are the best to visit and which to avoid).

2) Then, choose your resort (on property is definitely the best as you don't have to worry about transportation and you are never away from the Disney Magic). POP Century is great, we are upgrading to Coronado Springs this year for only $200 more for the week (bigger rooms, better pool, spa, salon, better restaurants, etc). Check the resorts forum for more info on the resorts.

3) The dining plan is a MUST!!! $38.99/day per adult. Since your daughter won't be 10 yet, she will be counted as a child for $10.99/day. You get 1 table service meal, 1 counter service meal, and 1 snack PER PERSON PER DAY, and the price includes all tax and tips!!! $10.99/day to feed your child at Disney!! This is a great way to try out restaurants you might not be able to afford otherwise, as some table service meals can be over $50 per person. The first time we went, there was no dining plan, so we ate counter service all of the time except for 2 character meals. We spent about the same amount then as we would have spent on the dining plan (which we got for free this past September) and we certainly ate a whole lot better on the plan! Check the restaurants forum for more info on the plan as well as info on all the restaurants. A must do for us is O'Hana at the Polynesian, we have been to Cinderella's Royal Table (dine with the princesses in the castle) twice and our girls loved it! A not to miss experience, but the prices have gone up as of 2/1 (although it does include pictures now). I would try to reserve this ASAP if you want to go here, the reservations go fast for this one!

Feel free to PM me as well with any questions, and have fun on your trip!!! WARNING - Disney is addictive!! We are planning our 3rd trip in 4 years and don't want to go anywhere else on vacation!

 

[Torontogal]

My key advice to you would be to get organized. It is really important for a successful trip. We are so organized. Each trip I make an itinerary called Our Disney trip dated..."
I include a daily itinerary of what wehope to do. I really recommend getting the official Disney guide and read read read! This site is awesome as well and I personally learned more on this site than any book. Also, it is great to talk to people.
Plan the number of days you want to travel first. Then, decide where you want to be each day. You may like a day or two in between to rest, shop or enjoy your resort. Do not burn yourself out either.
I would be happy to give you any advice - PM me if you like...

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Your planned visit will overlap this year's unofficial "Gay Days" MAY 30 - JUNE 4. I only mention this because participants have scheduled parks to go to each day and you might want to avoid these due to increased crowds. They have a web site which you can check to see what parks are scheduled for what days and avoid these: www.gaydays.com.