Hi! We are going to Disney June 5-11

[CMK 1970]

It will be everyone's first time except for me(I went when I was 13 with a friend and that was along time ago! LOL). It will be me, Hubby, Son 16, Son 13 and Daughter 11. We got the packaged deal thru Disney staying at all-star music resort(we went with the two rooms connecting so my hubby and I could have some privacy) we went with the 5day tickets with park hopper because we will be driving from Hsv, Alabama and I doubt we will want to visit the park on the first day with my hubby driving 13-14 hours also on the day we leave we will not visit the park so I thought getting the 5 day tickets was the best for us.
Now I need any info or suggestions that anyone has! I want to be able to enjoy this trip but there is so much to do! We are only going to the main 4(Magic Kingdom, Epcot, MGM and Animal kingdom). We are on a budget so I guess one of the questions is about being able to afford the food. We are going to bring a cooler and we will have our own vehicle. I would prefer to use the park hopper and eat dinner at our resort but is this the cheapest and most convient? I want for us to be able to visit all 4 parks and not feel so rushed to miss anything! I'm overwhelmed with all my worries and questions! So feel free to give any suggestions that you have! Thanks so much!

 

[byoung]

Have a great vacation.

 

[cruisinpan55]

Get to the parks when they open. Go directly to the rides that are the most popular first. For example, in Animal Kingdom we like to go to the safari ride first and then work our way back through the park. This has always worked us. Also take advantage of fast pass, it really works! Have fun and enjoy your trip.

Nate and family

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Get a copy of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, 2006 by Bob Sehlinger (it costs $12.91 from Amazon) and read it thoroughly. It is worth every penny.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

Please forget about the part of "not missing anything". It is simply impossible to see everything at WDW no matter how many times you go. Just read over the great ideas here on the DIS. Check out the info here on wdwinfo.com, allearsnet.com, and mousesaver.com.
Make your plans for what you think you will want to see and do. If you try to do too much you will be overwhelmed and stressed and not enjoy yourselves.
Someone made a great point of getting to the parks early. We have done this every trip (three times in June). Regular or EMH, get to the park before opening. You can get so much done in a few hours before the really big crowds arrive later in the morning. You may be intersted in the Disney Dining Plan. Go over to the restaurant board for more info. You should also find more info about the dining plan on the web sites I noted.
Happy planning and have a great trip!!!!!

 

[CMK 1970]

Thanks everyone! I need all the suggestions and info that anyone can give.
I guess I need to get everyone together and make a plan. We are so not good at that! We usually go to the beach every year and go with the flow so I am kind of overwhelmed! Has anyone used the cd Disney sends to plan going step by step? I had requested one.

 

[mommystieg]

Hi We will be at WDW June 4-15 at the Beach Club Villas I want to second the advice about getting a guide book. My personal favorites are the Unofficial Guide and the PassPorter. Like another poster said, there is no way you will be able to see and do EVERYTHING WDW has to offer in 5 days. Use the guide books to help your family decide what is most important to them. Be sure and make time to catch the parades, Wishes, Fantasmic! and Illuminations.
Even with having your own car, traveling back and forth between the parks and your resort can eat up HUGE amounts of your park time. We typically eat breakfast in our room and then have one table service meal per day. Most sit down meals at WDW are either buffets or the portions are very large so you really only need one main meal each day. Since it is your family's first time I would recommend trying to squeeze in at least one character meal. If you can't afford any table service meals, most of the parks have very good counter service choices. Here is a link to all the menus and prices, maybe this will help:http://allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm
If you are a family of early risers you may want to take advantage of each park's morning Extra Magic Hour. By getting to the parks early you can ride many of the more popular attractions with little or no wait. Since your kids are older you may want to try the evening Extra Magic Hours as well. Our experience with evening EMH at Magic Kingdom last June wasn't very good but I have read on here that if you can make it past the first hour then the crowds lighten some.
Between guide books, this site and the allears site you should be able to get an answer to any question you may have. Happy planning and hope to see you at WDW in June

 

[CMK 1970]

Thanks so much! I had checked out both of those and I think I will get them! I have even checked out some of the touring plans but I hope with the CD planner from Disney and all the tips I'm getting from here(with the books also) I will be able to do this on my own. We are very flexible family but I dont want to be one of those family that look so overwhelmed with a stunned look in their eyes when they walk through the gates! LOL! That OMG what do I do now look!

 

[G. Fite]

When we were there in 2004 we took a cheap microwave so we could eat in the room. Four out of my family of 5 are vegetarians and it is hard to eat "fastfood" everyday when you don't eat chicken! When I reserved our rooms (connecting at All Star Music)for May I again asked if it was OK if we brought a microwave and the CM said she thought it was a great idea! We will bring things like Easy Mac and other Microwavable dishes. We did not want to spend a great deal of time or money eating at the parks. My kids love to snack and eat all day! But then at night they want something hot. Of course, eating Mickey ice cream is a must!

Alos, the character dining is great. We loved Chef Mickey and are doing that again plus the Norway dinner this year. Not too sure about all the meat served at the Norway meal but I do have a Princess loving 5 year old and so we are going!

Good Luck

 

[powellrj]

When we were there in 2004 we took a cheap microwave so we could eat in the room. Four out of my family of 5 are vegetarians and it is hard to eat "fastfood" everyday when you don't eat chicken! When I reserved our rooms (connecting at All Star Music)for May I again asked if it was OK if we brought a microwave and the CM said she thought it was a great idea! We will bring things like Easy Mac and other Microwavable dishes. We did not want to spend a great deal of time or money eating at the parks. My kids love to snack and eat all day! But then at night they want something hot. Of course, eating Mickey ice cream is a must!

Alos, the character dining is great. We loved Chef Mickey and are doing that again plus the Norway dinner this year. Not too sure about all the meat served at the Norway meal but I do have a Princess loving 5 year old and so we are going!

Good Luck

Ok, this is a HUGE, HUGE hot button topic on the Dis. If you don't believe me, do a search on cooking in rooms. This ranks right up there with pool hopping, refillable mugs and strollers! Many people have contacted Disney and were told there is no cooking allowed in rooms, but guests are welcome to use the microwaves in the food courts. This is not only for safety, its also for the enjoyment of your neighbors. The rooms aren't set-up for cooking which is why they allow guests to use the food courts.

 

[Meagansmom]

CMK 1970 - We also will be there June 5-11 at CBR than onto HRH June 12-17. Relax and have a great time!

 

[traciedee]

CMK- we go June 4-12. It is kind of overwhelming when you first get started, but just keep disney 'surfing' and it will all come together. I also like tourguidemike. Gives you some great, time saving ideas when you don't have a lot of days in the parks.

We have decided to get the 7 day pass with the plus options so we can go to the water parks and DisneyQuest. No park hopper option. Don't think we will have time and why spend the money?

Have fun planning!

 

[CMK 1970]

We are really excited! I think I'm more excited than anyone but of course I'm doing all the research so I get to see what Disney has to offer! I have gotten great ideas and suggestions here and also on the net. So little by little I'm forming a plan! I hope you and your family have an awesome time!