Our family of 4 (dh, me, sons ages 11 and 8), just returned from our first visit from Disney. We stayed 4 nights.
I was so afraid that after 2.5 months of research, this board, books, etc...that I was building Disney up in my mind and I would be disappointed!
WOW!....it actually exceeded my expectations. What a magical, happy place. My boys had such joy for 4 days straight, as did dh and I. I was even teary that first evening coming off some rides. I don't know what it was, I'm usually not like that.
Tip #1. The unofficial guide book WORKED! Although the crowds weren't horrible in the mornings, it really did keep us one step ahead..no waiting. We did 10 attractions and rides in 2.5 hours. The most we had to wait was 5 minutes at Splash Mountain. Plus, even if the crowds weren't that bad...it gives you a plan of where to go, because it can be overwhelming visually. It is worth the commando style for a few hours in the morning, then relax later.
Tip #2. GET UP EARLY! Get to the parks when they open or use EMH. AFter just 1-2 hours, the crowds start getting heavy. It is so worth it to do that. When we came back in the evening time, there were 60-90 minute waits. We decided to use that time for a few things with small waits, meander in stores, get an ice cream and just take it in.
Tip #3. Take that afternoon break. We thought our kids wouldn't want to, but they did. We took a 2-3 hour pool break every day. That was really relaxing and nice.
Tip #4. I got this tip on this board and it was WONDERFUL. Make an early morning PS at Crystal Palace (in MK). YOu get in the park before it opens. We had an 8:05 and we were finished at 8:35. Took pictures outside, then went to stand by the rope to get ready to go to splash mountain. They dropped the rope and we could see the people swarming down Main street. We were the 2nd family in line to SPlash Mountain!!!! Great tip. Plus, the breakfast was really good, the characters were darling and it just got us in a happy mood before starting the morning at MK.
Observations:
1. We ended up canceling half of our PS. It seems that when we got to the parks in the evening, we didn't want to give up our park time to sit in a restaurant, so we ended up eating Counter food.
2. We made a lunch PS at Biergarten at Epcot, which we kept. For some reason, I was thinking it would be outside, but it's inside and really dark. None of us were thrilled about that on such a beautiful day, nor did the kids think the food was great. I didn't like their desserts either. Next time, I'm making a PS at Rose and Crown which is located right on the lagoon. Very pretty location! Can't wait to try the fish and chips.
3. I didn't use half the stuff I brought. I didn't need moleskin, or water bottles. We walked ALOT, too. The weather was nice, so we never really felt dehydrated.
4. Mickey's Philharmagic in MK is not to be missed. It was my favorite attraction. I also LOVED Beauty and the Beast show at MGM and even got teary afterwards.
5. Disney does everything well! The parks are clean and even have clean smell.
Thank you Walt! You wanted to build a place that parents and children could have fun together and you succeeded. We connected with our kids and they to us and to each other. What is it about the magic?
We are going back next springbreak and I can't wait.
conmama
I was so afraid that after 2.5 months of research, this board, books, etc...that I was building Disney up in my mind and I would be disappointed!
WOW!....it actually exceeded my expectations. What a magical, happy place. My boys had such joy for 4 days straight, as did dh and I. I was even teary that first evening coming off some rides. I don't know what it was, I'm usually not like that.
Tip #1. The unofficial guide book WORKED! Although the crowds weren't horrible in the mornings, it really did keep us one step ahead..no waiting. We did 10 attractions and rides in 2.5 hours. The most we had to wait was 5 minutes at Splash Mountain. Plus, even if the crowds weren't that bad...it gives you a plan of where to go, because it can be overwhelming visually. It is worth the commando style for a few hours in the morning, then relax later.
Tip #2. GET UP EARLY! Get to the parks when they open or use EMH. AFter just 1-2 hours, the crowds start getting heavy. It is so worth it to do that. When we came back in the evening time, there were 60-90 minute waits. We decided to use that time for a few things with small waits, meander in stores, get an ice cream and just take it in.
Tip #3. Take that afternoon break. We thought our kids wouldn't want to, but they did. We took a 2-3 hour pool break every day. That was really relaxing and nice.
Tip #4. I got this tip on this board and it was WONDERFUL. Make an early morning PS at Crystal Palace (in MK). YOu get in the park before it opens. We had an 8:05 and we were finished at 8:35. Took pictures outside, then went to stand by the rope to get ready to go to splash mountain. They dropped the rope and we could see the people swarming down Main street. We were the 2nd family in line to SPlash Mountain!!!! Great tip. Plus, the breakfast was really good, the characters were darling and it just got us in a happy mood before starting the morning at MK.
Observations:
1. We ended up canceling half of our PS. It seems that when we got to the parks in the evening, we didn't want to give up our park time to sit in a restaurant, so we ended up eating Counter food.
2. We made a lunch PS at Biergarten at Epcot, which we kept. For some reason, I was thinking it would be outside, but it's inside and really dark. None of us were thrilled about that on such a beautiful day, nor did the kids think the food was great. I didn't like their desserts either. Next time, I'm making a PS at Rose and Crown which is located right on the lagoon. Very pretty location! Can't wait to try the fish and chips.
3. I didn't use half the stuff I brought. I didn't need moleskin, or water bottles. We walked ALOT, too. The weather was nice, so we never really felt dehydrated.
4. Mickey's Philharmagic in MK is not to be missed. It was my favorite attraction. I also LOVED Beauty and the Beast show at MGM and even got teary afterwards.
5. Disney does everything well! The parks are clean and even have clean smell.
Thank you Walt! You wanted to build a place that parents and children could have fun together and you succeeded. We connected with our kids and they to us and to each other. What is it about the magic?
We are going back next springbreak and I can't wait.
conmama
Thanks for posting 
It was very hot with not enough shaded areas/seats to go round, and the kids were all getting fed up and cranky because they were starving. Finally seated around 8.40 at a table right by the kitchen door - and I mean one inch away! 
Huge queues for all the food, and when we finally managed to get a piglet waffle for younger DS it was as hard as a roof tile and he couldn't eat it (he's 5 years old with a full set of teeth in case you wondered). The food was mediocre, and generally barely tepid, and only one server to about 10 tables as far as I could see meaning long waits for refills of juice etc. 
