Have a wonderful time, your family is going to love Disney World, of course you probably already know that it is much much bigger then Disneyland (4 theme parks, 2 Water Parks, 2 miniature golf courses, 22 onsite resorts which could be more now, Downtown Disney, etc...compared to 2 theme parks, a Downtown Disney, and 3 onsite resorts) so make sure you take your mid day breaks and enjoy your resort's pool or take a nap. Also you have to see the opening ceremony at MK, you will be dancing and singing along and also wait until your little ones sees Cinderella's Castle for the first time....have your cameras ready
. Take a whirl around on the monorail and get off at the different resorts to check them out, they are all gorgeous. You are going in September which means that it is very hot and really humid so just be prepared and make sure you all keep hydrated. Also, since that time of year it rains quite a bit, don't get frustrated by it, instead embrace it....my family loves it when it rains in WDW (not so much in the "Real World" however
) because lots of people tend to shy away and head back to their resorts, because of this you will be thankful that you stuck it out (which rain doesn't last very long anyways) because the lines for rides will be much shorter and the park will be a lot less crowded. Other then those few things, have a Magical time and I hope you write a trip report when you come back because I would love to read how it went
.
As for what not to miss...nothing read the park maps, which you can do either at home on your computer be for your trip or wait until you get to the parks, but also know that you are not going to fit everything in, just map out the attractions and shows that are most important to your family now, because you can always come back to do more....we have been going to WDW since 2005 and we still haven't seen or done everything that Disney has to offer. And when it comes to where to eat, I am guessing you have a general idea as to where your family is going to eat and what you want to make ADRs for, but here is a list of our must eat restaurants at the individual parks, resorts, and DTD also there is a list of QS restaurants that we really like to go to as well.
MK Table Service:
- Cinderella Royal Table for either breakfast or dinner, there is just something about eating in the castle
- Be Our Guest for dinner, had lunch there once and thought it was good but we really like the dinner and you can meet the Beast at the end of your meal
- Tony's Town Square....a lot of people don't like this restaurant but my family does
- Crystal Palace for breakfast before the park opens
MK QS Restaurants:
- Columbia Harbor House
- Pinocchio's Village Haus
- Pecos Bills
Epcot Table Service:
- Akershus breakfast for before the park opens
- Teppan Edo
- Biergarten
Epcot QS Restaurants:
- Sunshine Seasons
- Any of the QS restaurant World Showcase
DHS Table Service:
- Sci Fi...love their cheeseburger, cherry coke (with real grenedine), hot fudge sundae
- Mama Melrose
- Hollywood Brown Derby
DHS QS Restaurants:
- Writers Stop....not really a QS restaurant but love their carrot cake cookie
- Starring Rolls for a couple of their awesome cupcakes (we are on vacation so don't judge
)
AK Table Service:
- Tusker House for either breakfast or lunch
- Yak and Yeti
AK QS Restaurants:
- Flame Tree BBQ
DTD Restaurants:
- Fulton's Crabhouse for some great seafood
- Earl of Sandwich for a couple great QS sandwiches
- Ghiradelli Ice Cream for one of their ice cream sundaes
- Paradiso 37, great mexican food and a fun atmosphere especially if you go when there is a band playing
Resort Restaurants:
- 1900 Park Fare in Grand Floridian for breakfast...you see Mad Hatter, Alice, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, and Mary Poppins
- Whispering Canyon Cafe in Wilderness Lodge...they like to do some antics though
- Beaches and Cream at Beach Club...great food and awesome ice cream concoctions
