If You Knew then What You know now

[gogiant]

For the experienced travelors, if you knew then (your first trip) what you know now, how different would your first trip to WDW be? What wouldn't you do that you do and what would you do that you didn't do?

 

[goofy4tink]

I wouldn't use a travel agent and pay rack rate!! It amazes me how many people still do. Not anymore for me...if I can save just $100 it's worth it to me! I now take it much slower and stop to smell the roses. God is in the details, so to speak, and the details at WDW are indeed priceless.

 

[eeyoregirl]

Our first trip to WDW when I was very young (it must have been in 1979--I was 5), but the same rings true... STAY ON-PROPERTY! We've learned this the hard way over the years.

 

[shelleybell]

I agree that I will never pay rack rate. It did not ruin my trip, it only made the 2nd trip more enjoyable!

It is almost time!!!

 

[Mickey76]

I was 4 the first time that I went, so I obviously wasn't included in the planning process. However, in my own planning, I wouldn't stay off property. There's just too many perks for me by staying on-site.


Mickey76

 

[oogieboogie]

Wouldn't go during holiday season. Wouldn't stay for only 5 days. Wouldn't get upset if I didn't get to do everything I wanted to do.

Would go during value season. Would relax a bit more and not be on the go all the time.


Would love to live in Disney property (that's the pipe dream)

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

Well........I would have done a few things differently.

1. I had done a package deal from my travel agent.
I have since learned to use the DIS boards to
get more info and discounts, and book each thing
separately.

2. I would have gone alone and left my DH at home.
Our very first visit went well, but the next 3 WDW
were stressful. He just doesn't travel well !
My next 5 WDW visits were solo.

 

[ES0412]

I would have bought into DVC when it first became available and I would have bought more points!

 

[KimR]

On my very first WDW trip DH and I were married and we went w/ my inlaws (that's the first thing I'd do differently!). I'd never been to WDW before and my inlaws used to live in FL so I figured they were the experts and we'd follow their lead. We stayed offsite, which in itself wasn't that bad BUT we'd go to the parks in the morning, tour till about 5:00 or 6:00, go out to dinner offsite, then back to the hotel. Never once did we visit downtown Disney, see an evening show, fireworks or anything. (I didn't even know anything like that even existed!). We ate at chain restaurants every night and never tried any of the Disney restaurants except for Counter service at the parks for lunch. I was so clueless. We also went in September and while crowds were not bad, it rained every single day - not just afternoon showers but every day, all day long. Even so, I had a fantastic time and loved every minute - thus began my Disney obsession! Now, I'm the expert and my in-laws come to me for advice when planning WDW trips.

 

[peanut67]

Our 1st visit was in 96 I did not plan at all..not one little bit...once day 3 came I sat down and did a timetable of things we wanted to do...we had a 3 week visit and I really didnt do my home work.....I should be gettting a 'A+' for planning this time

 

[disneyfam]

Well, my first visit was as a kid in 1983. I don't count that one as to I had nothing to do with planning.

But when we went on our honeymoon, I have to say I'm glad I didn't know as much as I do now. I might have overplanned a bit and we wouldn't have enjoyed the spontaniety that we had on our honeymoon.

I was lucky though. I used a really good travel agent. She talked us into a room at the YC (we were looking at moderates, had the we don't need to spent money on just a room). Boy am I glad she did. It enhanced our honeymoon experience. Plus she got us a rate ($169.00/night) using a discount code- which at the time I didn't know existed.

I did enough research to know where to eat and which were the restaurants that we had to have PS for. And boy did we eat well!! California grill, Flying Fish, Coral Reef, Biergarten, Crystal Palace, Le Cellier, Beaches and cream, Rainforest Cafe, HOB, Fultons Crab House. I think we spent more on food than our resort!

But we did a casual approach to touring. There were many days where we went to the bus stop and whatever bus came, that's what park we went to. I really enjoyed that laid back trip.

Now The first trip we took with DS, if I didn't know what I knew the trip definatly wouldn't have gone as smoothly as it did. When travelling with a toddler you really need to know tips and tricks!

Cynde

 

[pjlla]

Well..... I would have to post my experiences for our first "Family" trip... my first trip was in 1974 and it was perfect (according to my 10 year old mind!)

First family trip things I learned.....

#1. My kids don't do well with surprises. Tell them in advance about future trips.

#2. Don't surprise the kids.

#3. Tell the kids about the trip BEFORE we get to the airport!

Oh, and did I say, DON"T FORGET TO TELL THE KIDS WELL IN ADVANCE!!!


Seriously, my biggest bit of advice would be read several guidebooks (thoroughly!) in advance of your trip. They will help tremendously. And continue to read/post here on the Disboards. THe wealth of information here is STAGGERING! I cannot tell you how many little tips/tricks I learned here before our last trip in January. Those "little" things enhanced our trip TREMENDOUSLY!

We got to see the Jammin' Jungle Parade twice in one day, just by standing in the right spot. My kids made yummy cookies in Epcot for FREE. We had a PERFECT spot for watching Wishes with NO ONE in front of us. We avoided the MLK weekend crowds by re-arranging our park days. My husband became a "Galactic Hero" on the Buzz Lightyear ride (okay.... maybe that was just his lucky day! ). We saved money on our rental car with codes I would never have found out about anywhere else. I saved lots of money on our SeaWorld tickets with information found here......

Anyhow, THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. And now I cannot imagine planning a trip without consulting the "experts" here at the Dis. If you have any specific questions, post them somewhere here on the Dis (there are LOADS of specific boards if you look around) or PM me and I'll be happy to answer what I can or point you in the right direction...................P

 

[mickeysaver]

First trip as a child....I would have met Mickey Mouse!

First trip as a teenager.....I would have worn more comfortable shoes.

First trip as an adult......I would have liked to have been able to have stayed longer. We had a long weekend there. We had visited with family earlier in the week and then came over to Orlando. We had a wonderful time even though it was short. The only thing that I would have changed about the way we toured MGM was that I would have hit ToT & RnR early in the day instead of the last thing. Maggie

 

[kilee]

Mine would be soooo different. We HATED our first trip. It was downright miserable. It was too hot, and too crowded. We knew nothing about making PS's (we went right after Easter-- and tried to walk up and eat at the castle). We didn't know about getting "parade seats". We left the parks most days by 3pm and didn't return because we were so frustrated. We were never going back!!!

Well, we gave it another try armed w/ the right info, and it turned out to be our best trip yet!! So, being prepared can make all the difference in the world when it comes to going to Disney.

 

[jennymouse]

Not counting the day trips I did as a child and then taking my daughter. I had relatives that lived in Orlando and we would stay with them and just do a day at MK & a day at Sea World.

The first actual total WDW trip I took my granddaughter when she was 6. It was just her and I and it was very magical thanks to my finding the DISboards right before I left.

What I wouldn't do again:

1.) Book a package. You pay for stuff you don't have time to use and you save sooo much money booking everything seperate.

2.) Stay only 4 days. You need at least 7 days, 9 is even better.

3.) If you walk around the parks with wet shorts on or if you get sweaty the insides of your thighs will chafe. Now I get this stuff called Bodyglide and put it on, also good for blisters.

4.) Bring only one pack of moleskin to put on hot spots or blisters. Buy several packs because if you run out that stuff is higher than a cat's back at the resort giftshops.

5.) Buy the refillable mugs at the resort when your room is so far away from the place you have to fill it up that you end up buying pop out of a machine anyway. Really, I think the refillable mugs are a little overrated. If it's handy to fill them, yes, if not, don't buy them.

What I WOULD do again and still do or just suggestions:

1.) Purchase an Unoffical Guide to Walt Disney World and read it cover to cover.

2.) Read the DISboards and ask questions.

3.) Study maps of all the parks and have a general idea of what attractions are in which park and which "land" they're located in. Just knowing the lay of the land before going saves you so much time by not getting lost or wandering around looking for something.

4.) Have a loose itinerary before you go. Figure out which days you're going to do which park, then plan your meals around that. Don't have a priority seating set up in Epcot when you're spending the day at Magic Kingdom. I make priority seatings even during the slow time as I think it's nice not having to go through the "I don't know, what do you want to eat..." thing.

5.) Arrive at the park at least 45 minutes before opening. The Unoffical Guide said that sometimes the parks open before thier posted opening time during busy times. The first trip, we got there about an hour and a half early. No, the park didn't open early but since we were the first one's there, my granddaughter was asked to open Magic Kingdom that day. Boy was that special!

6.) Use FASTPASS!

 

[CamColt]

Plan Plan Plan! Make those PSs, have some sort of a game plane, do research to see what is offered, etc...

 

[mic_key_mouse]

Things I do now that I didn't do then...

1. Buy an AP for one member of your party and go when you can get an AP rate for the room. I, too, paid rack rates once- never again...

2. My favorite stays have been during the first two weeks in December. If you can do this I highly recommend it.

3. Stay onsite no matter what, and use EMH for at least the MK and AK.

4. Take a 3-4 hour break in the middle of every day (except AK visit). If you get up early, you will have all the major rides done by lunchtime- so taking a swim and sleeping a couple hours before going to a park for the evening is easy to work in.

5. Don't be 'militant' about seeing and doing everything. WDW isn't going anywhere- what you miss this time you can see the next. Make a point to visit all the major attractions, see the others if you don't have to stand in line more than 10 minutes or so.

6. Read the Unofficial Guide, get a Passporter, and subscribe to TourGuideMike.com. Obviously you are posting/reading here, which is another thing I would have done. Mousesavers.com posts a lot of codes, and the information at allears.net would have been welcome the first time around as well. Time is money at WDW- and the majority of tips and tricks you learn from these resources will save you a couple of hours of standing in line a day, as well as a ton of money on your trip. I always feel badly for the families standing at the entrance with the park map/schedule opened up and looking around in bewilderment- PREPARE.

6. Stay at a value resort, even if you can afford a deluxe. I now take the difference in rates between a value and deluxe and put it in a savings account for my next trip as a reward for being frugal. I have 1/4 of my next trip saved for before I leave for the current one. This tip will ensure you are able to come back every year or two if money is an issue. This helps to make each trip relaxed, because you know there is no need to do it all- you will be back soon It is a resort vacation afterall...plan for a marathon, not a sprint.

I could write all day long, but those are the major things. Even if these were the only changes I made from my first stay at the Poly I would have saved around $2000.00 on room costs, rental car, airline, etc- not to mention all the time spent in lines.

Blessings,
mic_key_mouse

 

[SeattleMark]

Originally posted by mic_key_mouse
Things I do now that I didn't do then...

4. Take a 3-4 hour break in the middle of every day (except AK visit). If you get up early, you will have all the major rides done by lunchtime- so taking a swim and sleeping a couple hours before going to a park for the evening is easy to work in.

5. Don't be 'militant' about seeing and doing everything. WDW isn't going anywhere- what you miss this time you can see the next. Make a point to visit all the major attractions, see the others if you don't have to stand in line more than 10 minutes or so.

TOTALLY agree with the above! Especially #5. That is THE single most important thing to have a good vacation once you get there (preparation is the key prior).

Originally posted by mic_key_mouse

6. Stay at a value resort, even if you can afford a deluxe. I now take the difference in rates between a value and deluxe and put it in a savings account for my next trip as a reward for being frugal. I have 1/4 of my next trip saved for before I leave for the current one. This tip will ensure you are able to come back every year or two if money is an issue. This helps to make each trip relaxed, because you know there is no need to do it all- you will be back soon

Totally disagree with this one. Reason being is that you can stay at the Swan or Dolphin for not much more than a value (using discounts) and get a deluxe experience! I definitely don't want to sleep in a Motel 6 type bed on vacation. I want a HEAVENLY bed!

 

[mic_key_mouse]

Hi Mark.

My value room with an AP discount is $59.00/night. I would appreciate a link to a similar rate at Swan/Dolphin if you know of one. The best rates I have ever seen for those two hotels is the 50% discount for AP holders, when they are available. I haven't seen anything close to that discount elsewhere, and even with that discount the room is no where close to the rate at a value resort. "Not much more" is quite a bit more, Mark, unless you are holding out on us The rate of $139.00/night (for teachers and government employees) is the absolute best I have ever seen, and this is well over twice as much.

We can agree to disagree on a deluxe vs. a value resort, but my next trip is already 25% paid for and I don't even leave for this trip until June 7th. I will be back in 2005 for my 24th time (I lived in Orlando in the '70's), and I will most certainly pick a value resort again so I can get back again in 2006

Blessings,
mic_key_mouse

 

[RLewis]

Went my first time with parents in '72. They were in control of the "schedule". We got up when we felt like it (around 9:00) had a good breakfast at the off-site hotel, then saundered over the (one) park about 11:00.

We then proceeded to wait an average of 1.5 hours for every attraction.

The single best advice: GO EARLY!