I booked the trip - now what?!?

[spare+a_pair]

We are headed to WDW for our first family trip - Nov 29-Dec 5th. I have been dreaming about this for 4 years - since my twins were born Now, I'm not sure what to do next!

I have already read the Unoffical guide, and know where I would LIKE to make my ADR's, but everything else seems like a jumbled mess. I want my boys (who will have just turned 10, 5, & 5) to have a fun time. I don't want to be rushed - so obviously riding every ride is not my main focus. I really just want to enjoy watching them be kids.

Soooo what do I do next? Do I need a touring plan? They all seem so rushed to me.

Any tips, advice, or guidance ould be appreciated!

 

[smkiya]

From one first timer to another... become familiar with these boards! I have learned more from these boards and had many of my questions answered than I ever could have gotten from a guidebook. I currently have the Unofficial Guide, the Official Guide, and the Complete Guide, as well as Drive I-95 and while they are very informative, these boards are a godsend. Spend some time here!

Disboards ROCK!

 

[Rylee]

Hi,

Some ideas -

When the calendar becomes available, check the park hours for each day of your stay. Note which park has Extra Magic Hours, (EMH.) If you won't be taking advantage of the EMH, AVOID that park that day, as it will be slightly more crowded.

Make a list of a few MUST-SEE-AND-DO attractions for your family. Plan to visit these first thing in the morning. After you've crossed a few off the list, slow down and discover the magic at your own pace. Always be willing to toss out the plans and go with the flow.

If you haven't already done so, order the free planning DVD from Walt Disney World. It's fun to watch and gets the kids excited.

You can view many rides and attractions on YouTube, to see if you feel it would be appropiate for your 5 y/o's.

If you plan to catch a certain parade or show, be careful not to schedule ADR's at these times.

Learn how to use Fast Passes, (FP.)

We have children of different ages and interest, but we like to stay together instead of spliting up. We work an "area" of each park. We do as much as we can as a family and then, for example... I'll take the little ones on Buzz, while DH takes the older kids on Space Mountain, both located in Tomorrowland.

If you and DH want to experience an attraction that your little ones can't ride, you can do a child swap or swipe 4 cards for FP, first one rides with older son, then the other... older child gets to go twice!

Read menus here or at allears. Even if you know where you want to make your ADR's, check out what available for Counter Service, too.

If anyone is getting tired and cranky... take a break, know that you can't see and do everything on one trip... that's what the next trip is for!!!

Happy planning.

 

[micheleq]

Welcome to the DIS!

Like the PP said, become familiar with these boards -- you'll gain so much helpful information that will make your trip much smoother.

Since you have the UGuide, use that to check the crowd calendar on their website. That can help you plan what parks to visit on what days. During the holiday season, the MK will close early on nights that they have the Christmas Party, for example.

It sounds like you already have a great attitude, knowing you can't do everything on any one trip. Let the kids (and you and DH) pick the attractions you'd like to experience most, and be flexible with everything else.

You can order customized maps from WDW on their website, that was nice for my DD to get in the mail before our trip.

Have a magical time! We went in December and I am so glad we were there to see all the decorations.

 

[spare+a_pair]

Thanks for the advice. I will keep cruising the boards!

This trip will be a complete surprise for my 3 DS's. We have always told them the "one day - maybe - we can go to WDW". They all have Nov birtgdays, and we are leaving the day after the twins bday. We plan on telling them we have a wedding to go to, and then just pull up at WDW.

The hardest thing for me will be keeping it a secret! I am so excited for them already and we still have 8 months to go

 

[duffy]

I am so excited for them already and we still have 8 months to go

Excuse me, but you are WRONG!!

It's not "8 months" until you go. It's 7 months and 27 days!! I know because I booked the same days!!

I feel a bit overwhelmed at times too. It's not my first trip, but it will be my first trip with my sister and her kids. Her 5-year old son has never been there, and my sister hasn't been there for at least 12 years. My daughter and I will be going, but not my husband. We have to decide so many things: fly or drive? Dining plan or not? Use the EMH or not? Should we try to book character meals? Which ones?

I did get Tour Guide Mike and am anxiously waiting until the park hours are posted for our time. If nothing else, his recommendations of what park to see on what day are worth the cost.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

I actually wouldn't recommend touring plans to first time guests. As long as you have a good understanding of what time is a good time for a certain attraction (and what order you'll want to FP attractions), you can wing it and still get everything you wanted to do done.

Make ADRs at 90 days out (especially if you have a popular ADR such as Chef Mickeys or CRT). I recommend booking at least one character meal. All of your boys will enjoy that.

Look up park hours and EMHs when available. That'll give you an idea of what you'll want to do on what day.

But don't push yourself. Take afternoon breaks. Do what your kids want to do. I also recommend splitting up a bit. Maybe your DH could take your 10 year old on Rockin' Rollercoaster and ToT while you and the 5 year olds watch Playhouse Disney or play at the Honey I Shrunk the Kids set. Your 10 year old will appreciate some "big boy time" while your 5 year olds stay entertained.

You seem to be very prepared! Have a wonderful time at WDW!

 

[dogodisney]

From one first timer to another... become familiar with these boards! I have learned more from these boards and had many of my questions answered than I ever could have gotten from a guidebook. I currently have the Unofficial Guide, the Official Guide, and the Complete Guide, as well as Drive I-95 and while they are very informative, these boards are a godsend. Spend some time here!

Disboards ROCK!

And are addictive!

We are headed to WDW for our first family trip - Nov 29-Dec 5th. I have been dreaming about this for 4 years - since my twins were born Now, I'm not sure what to do next!

I have already read the Unoffical guide, and know where I would LIKE to make my ADR's, but everything else seems like a jumbled mess. I want my boys (who will have just turned 10, 5, & 5) to have a fun time. I don't want to be rushed - so obviously riding every ride is not my main focus. I really just want to enjoy watching them be kids.

Soooo what do I do next? Do I need a touring plan? They all seem so rushed to me.

Any tips, advice, or guidance ould be appreciated!

Happy planning!