Im New YAY!!!!!!

[Mitsypris]

Hi all Im new to the board im hoping to find out lost of important info and tip for our first trip to WDW WAHOOOO any helpful tips and suggestion welcome and wanted !!!!!!!!!! Me and my DH and my 2 DD are going!!! July 30 to Aug 5

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Hi all Im new to the board im hoping to find out lost of important info and tip for our first trip to WDW WAHOOOO any helpful tips and suggestion welcome and wanted !!!!!!!!!! Me and my DH and my 2 DD are going!!! July 30 to Aug 5

Here are some of my top tips for people new to WDW:

1. Make sure you have Advance Dining Reservations, as you will be going during a very busy time of year.

2. Get to the parks at opening. You really can get a lot done in the morning because so many other people sleep in.

3. Eat lunch around 11:00 or 11:30 a.m. before the fast food places get busy. Then when everyone else is eating lunch, you will have lower crowds in the parks.

4. I buy a ton of the two for a dollar ponchos at the dollar store and keep them in the backpack. That way you can throw them a way after use and not worry about keeping up with a wet bulky poncho the rest of the day. Bring throw away ponchos to wear on Kali River Rapids at Animal Kingdom, if not you WILL get soaked.

5. Other things I put in the backpack each morning are Tylenol/Motrin, small first aid kit, camera with extra batteries, small hand towel, hand sanitizer, wipes and a bottle of water.

6. Most single service items under $4.00 are considered a snack credit on the dining plan.

7. At Magic Kingdom always head to Fantasyland first, if you are not doing Fantasyland on a particular day then head to Splash Mountain first, then Big Thunder Mountain; at Epcot always ride Soarin' first and get a Fastpass for later after you get off of the ride; at Disney Hollywood Studios always ride Toy Story Mania first, then head over to Rockin' Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror; and at Animal Kingdom ride Expedition Everest First then head to the Safari.

8. Our favorite fast food restaurants at MK are Pecos Bills and Cosmic Rays; favorite fast food at Animal Kingdom is Flame Tree Grill and Pizzafari. If you are there while it very hot, go to Pizzafari.

9. If there are two lines going into an attraction, always take the line that goes to the left.

10. My best tip would have to be USE THE FASTPASS SYSTEM - it's free! Our rule of thumb is if the wait is 25 minutes or less, we wait in line. If the wait is 30 minutes or more, use a Fastpass. It is not highly publicized, but your Fastpass does not expire until the end of the day. You can never use it before the return time stamp on the pass, but you can always use it after. We try to collect Fastpasses during the early part of the day and then use them later in the afternoon when the parks become more crowded.

Click on this link from fellow Diser, Doconeil, and it will give you an excellent overview of Fastpass:
http://www.oinc.net/disney/fastpass.php

If you still don't understand, just ask your specific questions.

11. I like the Photopass. You can pre-buy it before your trip for $99.00. When you enter the parks you will see the staff photographers, they will take your pictures and give you a Photopass and you can use that for the rest of your trip. Each time you see a photographer have them take your picture and they will scan your picture. Then when you get home you can pull up the pictures, with the code they email you after purchase, and pick the photos you want on a CD. They will then mail you the CD and the copyrights to the CD and you can take them to Walmart or Walgreens or wherever and get them developed. They also have a lot of cool software that you can use to edit your photos before you have them put on the CD.

My favorite Disney planning sites are:

www.disboards.com
www.allearsnet.com
www.wdwinfo.com

 

[LMDisneygirl]

SUPER EXCITING about your upcoming trip! PrincessTiffany gave you great advice! Where are you staying?

If the budget allows, get park hopper tickets. It's so nice to have the flexibility (no matter how long your stay is).

I always bring ziploc bags with me into the parks - a couple quart and a couple gallon size. They are great for leftover food, putting your camera in to keep it dry when it rains, wet/soiled clothes from your daughters, etc...... Just a very useful thing to have.

I don't know how old your daughters are, but I say avoid Stitch's Great Escape! Yuck! Just my personal opinion. But DON'T MISS Soarin' at Epcot.

Have an idea of where you want to go each day and what you want to do, but be prepared to be flexible. It's better to change a plan or miss something than to be in a fight with your DH or have crying children.

If you are not on the dining plan and want to have sit down dinners sometimes, schedule them for a late lunch seating. It's less expensive and less crowded. Then grab a snack later.

I've been reading posts that say to use anti-perspirant on your feet to avoid blisters. Haven't tried it myself, but it sounds like a good idea to me!

We LOVED the photopass pics and bought the CD. Decide in advance if you might like to do that, and then take every opportunity you can to have them take your pics. We got GREAT ones at Typhoon Lagoon last time of my boys playing in the big wave pool.

Can't wait to hear more about your trip!

 

[Metro West]

 

[magicaldisney]

 

[Mitsypris]

We are staying at the ASM resort i see you stayed alot their your family must love it!!! So which part of the ASM resort do yoiu recommend staying at?

 

[Mitsypris]

SUPER EXCITING about your upcoming trip! PrincessTiffany gave you great advice! Where are you staying?

If the budget allows, get park hopper tickets. It's so nice to have the flexibility (no matter how long your stay is).

I always bring ziploc bags with me into the parks - a couple quart and a couple gallon size. They are great for leftover food, putting your camera in to keep it dry when it rains, wet/soiled clothes from your daughters, etc...... Just a very useful thing to have.

I don't know how old your daughters are, but I say avoid Stitch's Great Escape! Yuck! Just my personal opinion. But DON'T MISS Soarin' at Epcot.

Have an idea of where you want to go each day and what you want to do, but be prepared to be flexible. It's better to change a plan or miss something than to be in a fight with your DH or have crying children.

If you are not on the dining plan and want to have sit down dinners sometimes, schedule them for a late lunch seating. It's less expensive and less crowded. Then grab a snack later.

I've been reading posts that say to use anti-perspirant on your feet to avoid blisters. Haven't tried it myself, but it sounds like a good idea to me!

We LOVED the photopass pics and bought the CD. Decide in advance if you might like to do that, and then take every opportunity you can to have them take your pics. We got GREAT ones at Typhoon Lagoon last time of my boys playing in the big wave pool.

Can't wait to hear more about your trip!

We are staing at ASM Resort and we have dining plan!! Wahoo tnx so much for the info yall have given me!!!

 

[Carmen Sandiego]

Welcome! I can't really add too much more than what these guys already said, just remember to have dining reservations, bring sunscreen and to say Hakuna Matata when things don't go exactly as planned! Hope you have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

We are staying at the ASM resort i see you stayed alot their your family must love it!!! So which part of the ASM resort do yoiu recommend staying at?

All-Star Movies is my kids favorite resort, the classic Disney Theming just can't be beat. It's a little known secret, but for us Mighty Ducks is the best place to be at All-Star Movies Resort. Since all three of the All-Star resorts, sports - music - movies, are all side-by-side, the seemingly far off section of Mighty Ducks at All-Star Movies almost directly connects with the front entrance and bus stops at All-Star Music. Mighty Ducks rooms are actually closer to the food court and bus stop at All-Star Movies, than the preferred rooms at Movies are to their own bus stop and food court.

Of course, our kids LOVE Toy Story, so they woudl probably say that's their favorite section. But, really, you'll have a great time no matter what building you are in.

 

[Mitsypris]

Here are some of my top tips for people new to WDW:

1. Make sure you have Advance Dining Reservations, as you will be going during a very busy time of year.

2. Get to the parks at opening. You really can get a lot done in the morning because so many other people sleep in.

3. Eat lunch around 11:00 or 11:30 a.m. before the fast food places get busy. Then when everyone else is eating lunch, you will have lower crowds in the parks.

4. I buy a ton of the two for a dollar ponchos at the dollar store and keep them in the backpack. That way you can throw them a way after use and not worry about keeping up with a wet bulky poncho the rest of the day. Bring throw away ponchos to wear on Kali River Rapids at Animal Kingdom, if not you WILL get soaked.

5. Other things I put in the backpack each morning are Tylenol/Motrin, small first aid kit, camera with extra batteries, small hand towel, hand sanitizer, wipes and a bottle of water.

6. Most single service items under $4.00 are considered a snack credit on the dining plan.

7. At Magic Kingdom always head to Fantasyland first, if you are not doing Fantasyland on a particular day then head to Splash Mountain first, then Big Thunder Mountain; at Epcot always ride Soarin' first and get a Fastpass for later after you get off of the ride; at Disney Hollywood Studios always ride Toy Story Mania first, then head over to Rockin' Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror; and at Animal Kingdom ride Expedition Everest First then head to the Safari.

8. Our favorite fast food restaurants at MK are Pecos Bills and Cosmic Rays; favorite fast food at Animal Kingdom is Flame Tree Grill and Pizzafari. If you are there while it very hot, go to Pizzafari.

9. If there are two lines going into an attraction, always take the line that goes to the left.

10. My best tip would have to be USE THE FASTPASS SYSTEM - it's free! Our rule of thumb is if the wait is 25 minutes or less, we wait in line. If the wait is 30 minutes or more, use a Fastpass. It is not highly publicized, but your Fastpass does not expire until the end of the day. You can never use it before the return time stamp on the pass, but you can always use it after. We try to collect Fastpasses during the early part of the day and then use them later in the afternoon when the parks become more crowded.

Click on this link from fellow Diser, Doconeil, and it will give you an excellent overview of Fastpass:
http://www.oinc.net/disney/fastpass.php

If you still don't understand, just ask your specific questions.

11. I like the Photopass. You can pre-buy it before your trip for $99.00. When you enter the parks you will see the staff photographers, they will take your pictures and give you a Photopass and you can use that for the rest of your trip. Each time you see a photographer have them take your picture and they will scan your picture. Then when you get home you can pull up the pictures, with the code they email you after purchase, and pick the photos you want on a CD. They will then mail you the CD and the copyrights to the CD and you can take them to Walmart or Walgreens or wherever and get them developed. They also have a lot of cool software that you can use to edit your photos before you have them put on the CD.

My favorite Disney planning sites are:

www.disboards.com
www.allearsnet.com
www.wdwinfo.com

I think i can quote now lol thank you again!!!!!!

 

[Jen0504]

 

[Mitsypris]

All-Star Movies is my kids favorite resort, the classic Disney Theming just can't be beat. It's a little known secret, but for us Mighty Ducks is the best place to be at All-Star Movies Resort. Since all three of the All-Star resorts, sports - music - movies, are all side-by-side, the seemingly far off section of Mighty Ducks at All-Star Movies almost directly connects with the front entrance and bus stops at All-Star Music. Mighty Ducks rooms are actually closer to the food court and bus stop at All-Star Movies, than the preferred rooms at Movies are to their own bus stop and food court.

Of course, our kids LOVE Toy Story, so they woudl probably say that's their favorite section. But, really, you'll have a great time no matter what building you are in.

Well im glad we are staying their !!! Did yall take advantage of the movies they played at the music resort and did yall do the DDP?

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Well im glad we are staying their !!! Did yall take advantage of the movies they played at the music resort and did yall do the DDP?

Really, all we do at the resort is sleep, shower and get in the pool once or twice while wer are there. We usually go about once a year and we usually go for 8 or 9 nights. For us, there's just too much to see and do in the parks to be at the resort very much.

As for the dining plan, YES, we always get the basic dining plan, 1TS, 1CS and 1 Snack. In my opinion, it's the best thing Disney has come up with since Fastpass! lol! Actually our trips the last couple of years pretty much revolve around when Disney is offering the Free Dining Promo - which is usually in mid to late August through the first week of October. We are Disney Visa holders, so we also got a free dining code for December in 2008. We are a family of 6 and it saves us about $1,200.00. We are big fans of the "plan!"

I really do want to emphasize again that you really need to have advance dining reservations for all of the popular restaurants and character meals, especially if you are on the dining plan. The dining plan isn't practical or economical if you can't get into any restaurants that accept it. Of course, if you are on the Counter Service Plan, then you don't need to worry about ADRs.

 

[stacygirl]

Welcome! We will be taking our first trip the week after you

Thanks for the Fast pass tip, I wasn't exactly sure how they worked!

 

[JoePa4Ever]

welcome!

 

[Disneydonnam]

Welcome to the Disboards.

 

[ItsDisney]

Hi all Im new to the board im hoping to find out lost of important info and tip for our first trip to WDW WAHOOOO any helpful tips and suggestion welcome and wanted !!!!!!!!!! Me and my DH and my 2 DD are going!!! July 30 to Aug 5

WELCOME....Congrats on your first trip to Walt Disney World. I hope its more MAGICAL than you ever dreamed it would be.