How to plan a trip? First timer - feeling overwhelmed!

[hikerskibums06]

Hi All - I'm so excited to have our first trip planned to Disney as a family. There are 5 of us going, myself, husband, daughter (4), son (2) and MIL. My husband and I are thrill riders. I am within my FP+ schedule but have no idea how to plan a day at a park for 5 of us! I've been to Disney before, but never as a "vacation" but just as a day trip here or there, and the last time I was there was about 9 years ago. I understand how the FP+ system and magic bands work. I really could use some insight and assistance on how to plan an actual day at the parks. We are going to the AK first, so that's my starting point. I have Tusker House reservations at 10:40, and meeting the characters beforehand is a must for my kids. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

 

[oldschoolfigmentluvr]

If you want to PM me I could probably help you out a lot

 

[MacDalt]

Look at the Cheat Sheets that Josh made.

www.easywdw.com

 

[hikerskibums06]

Look at the Cheat Sheets that Josh made.

VERY HELPFUL! Thank you!

 

[MacDalt]

And keep asking questions with the research you are doing!!

 

[bobbie68]

Hi All - I'm so excited to have our first trip planned to Disney as a family. There are 5 of us going, myself, husband, daughter (4), son (2) and MIL. My husband and I are thrill riders. I am within my FP+ schedule but have no idea how to plan a day at a park for 5 of us! I've been to Disney before, but never as a "vacation" but just as a day trip here or there, and the last time I was there was about 9 years ago. I understand how the FP+ system and magic bands work. I really could use some insight and assistance on how to plan an actual day at the parks. We are going to the AK first, so that's my starting point. I have Tusker House reservations at 10:40, and meeting the characters beforehand is a must for my kids. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

Hi congrats on your first big trip. I agree with the pp about checking out Josh's recommendations for which parks which days based on crowds. I would like to just give some other ideas.

I think one of the biggest things is people try and fit everything in on one trip. I would not recommend a "commando style". You have little children who may get tired only you know your children. I would think about planning some resort time if you need it. We go to parks in the morning then go back to the resort in the afternoon then go back to a park at night. Do not feel guilty about spending every moment in the park. We find that resort time really is a good way to relax and spend time.

If your family can get up early I would suggest doing RD some of the popular rides then making some fp+ late morning and late afternoon or early evening.

If you can try and go to all 4 parks. Each park is unique and you can find something to do. Some posters feel AK and DHS are half day parks. I would look at each of them in detail and see what interests you. If your children like Disney shows the character meet and greet at Hollywood and Vine buffet is really good.

If you would like to send me a pm at anytime with specific questions please do.

Happy planning!

 

[hikerskibums06]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the insightful and helpful advice! I do, in fact, have reservations for the Hollywood Vine breakfast. My kids have no idea we're going to meet those characters, and they will be in awe, I'm sure! We have 5 day tix and thought by doing that, we could take it a little easier, especially with the kids and not go crazy. I would like to see all 4 parks. I've never been to AK. My DD would (and does) go from first thing in the morning until we force her to sleep at night, but my DS is a regular napper come 2pm. The trip is the second week of June, so knowing heat, napping etc., I did think we may need some resort time.

 

[oldschoolfigmentluvr]

Make sure you take an afternoon break each day. It really is invaluable especially with little ones. Disney is a big place and can tire kids out a lot more quickly than home. When I go...we usually hit the parks early then leave around 1230-1 to go back to the resort. AK is usually only a half day park so we've stayed as late as 4pm and taken the evening off. Let me know If I can answer anymore questions for you.

 

[disneyhousewife]

Making a Disney binder might help you! I use the pages on an etsy shop called "Magic Travel Prep" to stay organized. They are pdfs that you can fill in and save on your phone to look at when you're at the parks.

 

[Drinehart811]

My best advice would be the accept there's no possible way to do everything, even if you stayed for 2 weeks. Pick 3-4 things that are MUST DO for each day and consider anything else you do icing on the cake

 

[Missymouse18]

My best advice would be the accept there's no possible way to do everything, even if you stayed for 2 weeks. Pick 3-4 things that are MUST DO for each day and consider anything else you do icing on the cake

I echo this!
I will add this: RESEARCH. Don't take anyone's word for something, because what one person thinks is the way to do things could be another persons nightmare.

Make sure you stay hydrated. Don't stress over the small stuff. Remember in the parks that kindness is key Most of all, have fun and take lots of photos, and make lots of memories! Those babies grow up fast - mine are now 25 & 19!

Rope drop is always a good idea, and so are morning EMH if you are staying on site, not sure with little ones what your morning routine is like though.

If you are able to do EMH at MK, that's great - the only draw back to that is you will miss the welcome show just before RD. DH & I do two days at MK so we usually are able to do EMH one day and RD to see the show another day.

AK- I would suggest heading straight for the safari as early as possible - in my experience, you will see more animals in the morning hours. Last summer we waited till around 1:00 to do safari and all the animals were taking their afternoon naps, lol. I would also suggest taking the train to Rafiki's Planet Watch. The train ride will give you and your children a few minutes to relax and once there, a nice air conditioned building to realx in. Rafiki is there for M&G.

OH! Make sure to take ponchos to the parks each day!!! You never know when a little rain cloud might pop in!

 

[Missymouse18]

*One more thing... if you are on the DP or buying your meals in the parks, try to have lunch earlier than 12 or a little after 1 to avoid massive lines. We generally try to get lunch around 11 and we have much less of a hassle. Last year at DHS we didn't each lunch till around 2:00 and apparently that was when everyone else waited, lol. We were in line at Backlot Express for about 25 minutes.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is single rider lines. I'm not sure how tall your oldest is but definitely assuming your youngest won't be riding Rockin Rollercoaster, Everest, or Test Track. These rides do have single rider lines which you and your husband can use. You will very likely not be able to ride with each other, but generally takes less time than standby. There is also a rider switch. So for example, you could arrive at HS and have FP+ ressies already for TSM so you decide to head to Rockin' Rollercoaster first. You, your husband and a.child go up to the Cast Member and say you want a rider switch. One of you will go through the standby line (this is short at RD) while the other watches the child. Then you get a pass to come back later and are able to use the FP line so you don't have to wait a long time.

As others have mentioned - have a great fantabulous time.

 

[photo_chick]

My best advice would be the accept there's no possible way to do everything, even if you stayed for 2 weeks. Pick 3-4 things that are MUST DO for each day and consider anything else you do icing on the cake

I second this advice. That and roll with what the day throws at you. Because no matter how meticulously you plan things will not go as planned.

 

[think-like-tink]

We have been a few times and with all the new changes I am a little overwhelmed myself. Here are my tips:

Research
be prepared for glitches while you are there.
When your people start to get grumpy, ask this: are you hot? tired? hungry? just need to sit a few? if yes...... do so.
TAKE TONS OF PICS
have fun.
Meet Mickey. He will a smile on your face.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

My first tip is NOT to get too hung up on the afternoon break. There's another thread running right now titled "tips you didn't use" or something to that effect. And the #1 response there is the midday break.

Now, that's not to say its a bad idea on paper, and it fact it is truly must for many, MANY families. But for many others, it just does not work AT ALL. They wind up back at the resort bored or with their kids standing at the window begging to go back to the park.

Many prefer instead to let their littlest ones nap in the stroller while everyone else just goes, goes, goes. You can probably guess which method is best for you, but that leads me to tip #2, which is "be prepared for many of your guesses to be wrong".

And with that all in mind, be prepared to be as flexible with your plans as you can. If you feel the need for a break coming on, take that break. If break time comes and nobody wants to take a break, don't. Same for rides and attractions. Use you FP's as needed, and have a general plan of where in the parks you want to be, but be prepared to do things like riding the carosel 3 times in a row

 

[think-like-tink]

Hey Gumbo! Nice to *see* you again.

 

[mrsmomo]

Love threads like this!

 

[mrsmomo]

Dont be shocked or disappointed if your kids are scared of unexplainable things or enjoy things u thought they'd be terrified of!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Hey Gumbo! Nice to *see* you again.

Hi