Im New...and NEED HELP!!!!

[erinsn77]

Hi I'm new here and planning my first ever trip to Disney I'm so excited !! I have reservations for the second week in December but contiplating changing them to the end of September!! Which in your opinion is a better month?? also have reservations at Port Orleans French Quarter any opinions?? Like I said I'm new at this never been!! I will also be taking my husband and my 2 daughters who will be 4 and 9!! Thanks in advance for your opinions and help! !

 

[Lovin' Lorne]

Personally, I would stick with December since it will be all decked out for Christmas, and the weather will be much better as far as heat and humidity goes. But if neither of those are an issue for you, September might be better as far as crowds go because I think that's during hurricane season. (Someone with more knowledge about that sort of thing would probably know better than me.)

As far as your resort goes, I've only stayed at the Riverside portion of Port Orleans, but the whole resort as far as we could tell is lovely. I think you've made a good choice there.

 

[erinsn77]

THanks!! im just worried like I said this will be our 1st time and want everything to go smooth!

 

[TMWilson7196]

I would go in December it is all decorated for Christmas. My husband and I were there the first week of December this past December it was beautiful.

 

[Lovin' Lorne]

My best advice to you is don't over plan; just let most of it come naturally. From what I can see, a lot of people have had a less than magical trip because either their expectations were way too high, (not everyone will get upgrades, magical wishes granted, win contests, see every favorite character, etc...), or they tried to cram too much into a day.

Take a look around the boards, see what others have to say, ask questions and most importantly, learn from some of their successes as well as mistakes.

Have fun!

 

[Jrabbit910]

imo: Both times that you picked are great... Weather will always be a guessing game as we have all seen. Sept is more of the rainy season while December can give you hot and cold days... Sept has some great things going on (magical beginnings for children under 5 & the start of the halloween season), sept is also a time w/ less crowds. December is great because right after Thanksgiving the Holidays are in full swing... but they do start decorating in early November.

Also, if you do book a trip, keep checking on the boards and look out for codes... For the last few years Disney has been offering "free dining" in Sept & some discounts have been seen later on in the year for discounts in December... so if you do book a trip, keep a look out and hopefully you can get a better deal and change ur reservations to what works best for u!


Editing: POR or POFQ are both great resorts... if you take a look at the resorts board you will find many of your questions answered there... POR has some great things and is my favorite Moderate!
Good Luck & Congrats on planning ur first Disney vacation! it truley is a magical place & I am sure you and ur family will LOVE it!

 

[jenseib]

I would do Dec as well. For one all the christmas decorations will be out. Also for tha last few years Disney has offered free dining in Sept, and is expected to again this year. I have read that the parks can get really busy during this time. Also Sept can be really hot. That being said, I am trying to convince DH to go then. LOL
Be sure to make reservations ASAP if you want to eat any Disney resturants too. I think you make a reservation 180 days before you arive? Some one corrrect me if I am wrong.


Jrabbit910, What is magical beginnings? I have a 3 year old, and am curious.

 

[Jrabbit910]

Jrabbit910, What is magical beginnings? I have a 3 year old, and am curious.

On select days during Magical Beginnings, Magic Kingdom will be open one-hour early for Disney Resort Guests to enjoy select Fantasyland Attractions like Dumbo and Peter Pan. The characters will be out and about to ride w/ children... and the concerts are held in Playhouse Disney at DS...
Disneys Description:Magical Beginnings presented by PLAYSKOOL®*, the perfect introduction to planning an enchanting visit. With age-appropriate attractions, entertainment, special services and awesome special events, Magical Beginnings makes traveling a breeze. Discover tips and tools for planning a truly memorable experience with your little ones.

 

[erinsn77]

I would do Dec as well. For one all the christmas decorations will be out. Also for tha last few years Disney has offered free dining in Sept, and is expected to again this year. I have read that the parks can get really busy during this time. Also Sept can be really hot. That being said, I am trying to convince DH to go then. LOL
Be sure to make reservations ASAP if you want to eat any Disney resturants too. I think you make a reservation 180 days before you arive? Some one corrrect me if I am wrong.


Jrabbit910, What is magical beginnings? I have a 3 year old, and am curious.

Thanks for this TIP!! i didnt realize you had to make reservations to eat. Im booked the 2nd week in Dec with the DDP Ive heard this really helps out.. should I still make Reservations with the DDP? THanks

 

[byoung]

December isa great time to go with the christmas decorations, but can be cooler tempurtures.

 

[Jrabbit910]

Thanks for this TIP!! i didnt realize you had to make reservations to eat. Im booked the 2nd week in Dec with the DDP Ive heard this really helps out.. should I still make Reservations with the DDP? THanks

YES!! Take a look at the menu's on here or glance at the Disney website... This will help you tremendously on where to eat....

 

[erinsn77]

OK great! Well Im not going until the second week of Dec. so I guess I have until about the middle of june.. 180 days out correct.. I also HAVE TO HAVE to Dine with the Princesses sO I will definetly get my reservations in!! Thanks!! Im still learning!! Thats why i joined!

 

[jenseib]

Definately make reservations as soon as you can. It is pretty much impossible to walk up to most resturants now adays, and you don't want the dining plan to go to waste.

 

[wdwtheplacetobe]

You've picked the time (I hope December--took a friend for her first time then and she loved it).

You've got DDP.

Time to make a plan of attack....not specific attractions...that's TOO much, just which Park to be in what day.

THEN....you can look at the restaurants....pick the ones that you would like....and call Disney for Advance Dinner Reservations!!!

As soon as you have flights (assuming you're flying) call for Magical Express reservations.

Don't forget to pack sunscreen (even in December) and an extra pair of shoes! And bandaids, and neosporin (for blisters).

Get guidemaps at the entrance of each park as you go in for the day.

Most of all....HAVE A MAGICAL TRIP!!!

 

[kaylajr]

Looks like your getting alot of great advice.

I just want to say WELCOME to the Dis
and make sure you read all of the different forums here
they will help you so much get ready for you trip.

 

[ksumn1]

You've already done the best thing....coming to the DIS!!! I agree with everyone else. I would go in December because of the holiday decorations. I want to go at Christmas sooo bad.....maybe next trip. I stayed at POR and visited POFQ to go swimming. I really fell in love with it. Very beautiful resort. It feels elegant, yet not too uptight for the lids. My only regret was not exploring more. Use the DIS but I would also look at ww.wdwig.com also just for a little more information, reviews, etc. I love the DIS, but I used both sites for reasearch. Have a great time!!!

 

[Polyfanatic]

Hi I'm new here and planning my first ever trip to Disney I'm so excited !! I have reservations for the second week in December but contiplating changing them to the end of September!! Which in your opinion is a better month?? also have reservations at Port Orleans French Quarter any opinions?? Like I said I'm new at this never been!! I will also be taking my husband and my 2 daughters who will be 4 and 9!! Thanks in advance for your opinions and help! !

Well my opinion is that you should go in September, one: it is not as hot as it would be in the summer, two: the crouds are not as bad, and third: I have gone in September and stayed at the Port Orleans River Side and thought it was splended. But it all matters what you want to do. ( It will probaly be crouded in December because of the holidays )
But it is very pritty in december!!!!!

 

[wano]

the weather in september is not too hot it starts to cool off, but the end of october is the end of hurricane season usually there is not much activity in the tropics.