Leaving Saturday Need Advice!

[runmom]

Hello, we are leaving Saturday for our first Disney family vaca! (DH, DS7, DS 4 1/2). I have really been trying to plan, but I have some questions. First of all, do you think it will be so crowded that we really need a plan of 'attack' for the attractions when we enter the park. I've been trying to plan one, but it is so hard being that we have never been. I'm afraid that when we get in the park the kids are going to want to stop at every ride that they see that is 'cool' - or should I shuttle them along to the things that I've read that will fill up quickly? For example should we head to Fantasyland first? And then just proceed from there? I don't know what to do first - where do you suggest we go first in MK?

Also, we are planning on going to MGM the day we arrive and I just realized it is an extra Magic Hour morning, do you think the park will be extra crowded that day? We probably won't get there until about 1:30 or so, and plan to stay until Fantasmic, do you think it will thin out by then? I appreciate any advice, I can't believe its finally here, I've been gathering so much info and now I feel unprepared!

Nicole

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Oh, my gosh! Run to your nearest bookstore and get yourself a copy of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2006. Right now! Do not pass go. Do not collect $200.

After you get back, let us know what you want to ride and you'll get a bunch of different answers on how we'd do it.

 

[chuchubipretu]

Yep.......get some kind of plan in your head or you could go out of your mind!! There is SO much to see and do that it will be impossible to do it all in one trip. I'd recommend grabbing a fast pass for a major attraction first, such as Splash Mnt. and then riding Big Thunder, since they are close by. Go to your local library and grab the "Unofficial Guide to WDW," if you haven't already. It gives some great advice for the parks. The best advice I can give is to get to the parks early, early, early. IMHO, I don't think the parks ever "thin out." Every day is crowded!! But you're in the World, so have a great time and don't stress if you don't have time to do it all. You can always come back again!!

 

[BrianD]

While I too really like the Unofficial Guide, you might also want to consider the (Official Guide) Birnbaum's Walt Disney World, because it is not near as many pages as the Unofficial Guide, which could be a bit overwhelming with such a short amount of time left before your trip. Birnbaum's has some decent one day park plans and some pretty color photos which will help get the rest of your family fired up about the trip (which they probably don't need anyway! ).

Either book would be a great help for you! And then get back here and obsessively plan this week like the rest of us!

 

[runmom]

Thank you guys - yes I have already checked out many times the Unofficial Guide - and I was going to take 'notes' b/c it is too big to lug around (my friends think I am nuts!). And I have looked at the Birnbaums book, it doesn't seem as detailed, but maybe that is what I need b/c then the kids can look at it too and decide where they want to go right? I actually have an older (2002) version of Birnbaum's Kids for Kids version but its not photos. The Unofficial Guide is stressing me out b/c I feel like I need to take notes on it, and I was thinking of using the plan in the back - I don't want to subscribe to the plan on the internet, b/c too much info from what I've read on people's reviews. Plus I think my family would not be happy if I held them to such a schedule. So agreed, that I should write down the attractions that everyone wants to see and then put them in order as to which ones to go to first? Some of the books suggest 'back tracking' in order to avoid lots of lines, is that worth it? Walk by some rides and tell the kids we will come back? What about the crowds this weekend how do you think they will be? And do you think we are ok with the Magic Hours at MGM on Sat??? Thank you!!

Nicole

 

[50 anniversary]

We're in the same boat - leaving Sat - family reunion parents 50th anniversary, children niece 9 and nephew 4.5. We have read it all, last time I visited the world was prior to 1980!

My sister, mother of the kids, is putting together the schedule - read the books, participated in foreums and today we just decided it is tooo much. We have our meals organized and reserved and have named, which park which day and have generated the family top 5 for each park including shows. We are just now going to experience the good time and fun. We are going MK (arrival day Sat - anniversary dinner at the castle); AK - Sunday - grand gathering safari tour; MGM - Monday 50 cafe lunch; MK - Tuesday LTT dinner; Wed - Epcot and Fanstamic for dinner; Thurs and Friday will be kids choice of favorite park and to cover what we don't do the other days.

If we want to do something we will if the line is too long, we'll put on the Thurs/Frid schedule. With the 4.5 he may or may not want to experience all of the dark rides so we are going to start on the friendly ones and work our way up - or he'll opt out and we'll split up to do some events.

My opinion, don't stress it is vacation, let everyone pick their top 2 and hit those so no one leaves dissappointed everything else you do will be fun. See you in the park - though we'll never know if we cross paths!

 

[runmom]

That sounds fun - your brave with so many people, but such a nice occasion. Our plan is MGM the day we arrive - long day (Sci Fi res), Sunday AK - (Whispering Canyon) then back to MGM if we were too tired for Fantasmic the night before, Mon MK - (Plaza), Tues kids choice of favorite park. I'm hoping we can do MGM in 3/4 of day - if not we'll go back for 1/2 on Tues and 1/2 of MK on Tues (that is what I'm thinking they might want). I don't have a dinner res for Tues b/c I don't know where we'll be, I should make one just in case tho.

Enjoy your family - that is special! Cross your fingers for

Nicole

 

[djkeenan]

I just got back a few days ago. Spent the $20 and signed up on the Tour Guide Mike web site. I found his site to be confusing, was disappointed in what I got from it EXCEPT: his plan as to what days / which parks was amazing. We waited on one ride 24 minutes. Everything else was under 5 minutes or walk right on. Considering that our 3 families spent over $1,000 on tickets, the $20 spent on Tour Guide Mike was the cheapest and best "upgrade" we could have found. There are different plans depending on the age of your kids (if any) and what type of attractions excite you.

I'll pay the price again next time no questions asked.

 

[runmom]

I was considering signing up for his website, but I've been turned off b/c a lot of people hae said how confusing his site is to navigate - and now I've only got less than 6 days until we leave. Did you follow his plan - go to this ride first etc. is that why your wait times were so little, or was it b/c you followed which days at which parks...for that it might be worth it.

Nicole

 

[QuickGold]

I'll be down there this coming weekend as well. Seeing as this is last minute, I'd get the Unofficial Guide to WDW, read as much as you can and post questions as you develop them in this forum.

 

[ntengwall]

Hey---I'm another "Nicole" leaving on Saturday except I have 3 boys..not two. I am also curious about this since my friend (who happens to be at Disney with her 2 boys as I type) keeps saying that she thinks I will be suprised at the lack of crowds this time of year (she goes every other year or so).

What about clothes? What are you thinking of packing for the boys? With highs in the upper 60's/low 70's, I was thinking of capris, a tee and a sweatshirt for me and zip-off pants, short sleeve tees and a sweatshirt for the boys. I also think we may need heavier coats for nighttime fireworks and Fantasmic show etc...

 

[ntengwall]

I have to say that I HIGHLY recommend Tour Guide Mike! Yes, his site is a bit confusing, but his pages where he tells you which days to go and even his sample touring plans are wonderful! My friend who is there now didn't use it to the extent I have (I made cards to take to the parks etc...) and I just talked to her last night and she said, "I'll tell you what, Tour Guide Mike sure does know his stuff! We haven't waited more than 5 min in any line yet."

I think it is WELL worth the $20 and I still do it if I were you!

 

[airtime]

The first time we did a commando WDW trip was April 1997. It was me, dw, dd7, dd5, and ds4. We planned ahead what we wanted to see (we had the old WDW Explorer CD-ROM and the UG). The kids were drilled in understanding that we needed to plan what we would ride so that we didn't wait too long in line. It worked great (although dw got run a little ragged!) We were offsite, so we avoided early entry parks, arrived at our chosen parks early, took time off in the afternoon (the kids were also schooled on the need for this), and stayed late. BTW, this was before the advent of Fastpass.

Knowing where to go and what to do ahead of time and arriving early really helps to enjoy the parks without getting stressed out in the busy afternoon. Having the kids prepared as to why they need to cooperate keeps them from freaking out. IMO, having an early morning game plan is the most important thing you can do for yourself. For example, if you're a quick-moving family that doesn't mind criss-crossing the park , it's very easy to go to MK and do all three mountains, PPF, Buzz, and Pooh in the first two hours the park is open. You now have ridden the attractions with the longest wait times that will develop, and can take the later time to enjoy others that don't get as crowded. Similar plans will work at the other three parks.

You don't have to go over the top with the planning, but you should know the attractions that you want to see at each park, and have a game plan for how to get to do them. You'll be glad you did.

Tim, who thinks WDW is a lot more crowded in January now than it used to be!

 

[peter pan217]

ya DO all the big attractions first! whatever you do don't like for example choose a no wait TTA over a 5 min. space mountain! anyway have a great trip!

 

[joy0302]

There are not many rides at MGM so depending on what your family wants to do it may not take long to get through it. The only bad thing about getting in late is that if you are wanting to ride the rides the fast passes may be gone for the day, depending on how busy the parks are. In my opinion the must see at MGM is Fantasmic. You will love the Whispering Canyon! Lots of fun! I would also like to suggest the Crystal Palace at MK if you are looking for another place to eat. My husband and I have visited WDW every year since '99 and that is one place we always eat. As far as at the MK, again not knowing what kind of things your children are up for, you may want to head to Fantasy Land first. The rides there are very short, but fill up fast. And do yourself a favor, run to Peter Pan as soon as you get in the gate. That is a really cute ride for the kids. Unfortunately, though, the ride only lasts like 30 seconds, but for the life of me I can not figure out how people can wait well over an hour for it. If you are going to Epcot head to Test Track or Mission Space to get fast passes. If you are wanting to do both I would get a fast pass to Test Track and ride Mission Space because it seemed like the lines were a little less for that one. At Animal Kingdom fast pass for the safari first. Above all just enjoy yourself and don't worry if you don't get to do everything! Then you will just have an excuse to go back soon!!

 

[runmom]

I just bought Birnbaum's book b/c I think it is a bit easier (faster) to read than Unofficial Guide, which I've been reading for some time. I'm going to take notes on both and write down which attractions to do first so we know where to go - definately heading to Fantasyland first! As far as TourguideMike, I'm concerned that I don't have enough time to pour thru the website before Saturday - what do you think NTENGWALL? Or anyone else that has used his site. I don't think I would use it to the extent of go to ride A first, then zig zag across the park to ride B - tho Unofficial Guide sort of suggests that in their Touring Plans in the back, and I am thinking of trying to follow them - I guess the advantage to TGMike is that I plug in my dates right? Nicole, how much is your friend following it? Its nice to know that its not so crowded now - is that what she said?!?

As far as clothes, yes I am bringing the zip off pants for the boys, but I think they are going to want to wear shorts (Bringing hooded sweatshirts for am & pm tho). And jeans & Capris for me I guess.. Breaking in my new running shoes now! Hope my husband can handle all this walking back and forth across the park, he has a bad back - that is the hardest part, convincing the family that this is the way to do it to avoid the lines!

Also, anyone planning on doing Spectromagic? I was planning on that & Wishes (& Fantasmic of course) - what do you know about Spectromagic?

Thanks for all the advice - you guys have been great!

Nicole

 

[runwad]

When we went on our first trip I just made copies of the itineraries in the back of the unofficial guide and carried it with me in the parks. We followed the ones for early morning entry and never had a problem riding all that we wanted without long waits, and I'm talking longest was maybe 20 minutes. I'm pretty sure some of his plans make it so you are not criss crossing the park, we did those I wasn't for running this way and that with 3 kids. Have fun I'm sure you will!! And if you find when you get there its not crowded scrap the plans and play it by ear, but at least you'll have a plan if need be.

 

[runmom]

Thank you, I am planning on copying the plans in the back too - I really can't see my family running from place to place, it will defeat the fun of it! I just can't wait to get there and see what its like - its been so long I forgot! I'm also so curious about the crowds. This is really giving me something to do this week - tho I should be packing!

Nicole

 

[ntengwall]

I do think you would get plenty out of TGM's site over the next 4 days. You go to his site and he has each day listed and the parks to go to or not go to. He also has tons of other helpful things like what to bring to the parks with you and lots of other hints. He's not so much into zig-zagging as much as choosing the right park on the right day. Great message boards there too.

My friend did say that it is lower crowds, but she hasn't been to MK yet...only Seaworld and Busch Gardens. I will let you know as soon as I talk to her on Thurs what she said. Today was their day off and tomorrow is Epcot I think.

 

[joy0302]

If the parks are not that crowded you may not even need to run back and forth across the parks, which would probably keep the kids from getting tired too fast also. Sometimes you can just group things that are close like maybe fantasyland and liberty sqaure for the Haunted Mansion. You could do Frontierland and Adventureland together because those are close to each other. In my opinion Tomorrowland is best at night. It is pretty all lit up especially the astro orbiter. Spectromagic is beautiful. It is my favorite parade at the parks now. All of the characters have lights all over their costumes and the floats are really beautiful. I don't know if they are having it every night when you are there. Sometimes it varies and they only have it on certain nights and that makes the crowds extra heavy for the parade. When that is the case I have seen people finding spots on the sidewalk up to 1 1/2 hours in advance. It is worth it though. I love sitting on Main Street so that I can watch the castle change colors while waiting on the parade. It is so pretty I never get bored of looking at that thing!! A good rule of thumb that I have read in the WDW books is that to avoid crowds go to the park with the early opening just for the extra hour(s) and then leave and go to another park. I guess the thinking is most of the people who go early stay at that park for the day and the other parks are less crowded. Also last year when we went we took advantage of the late nights that the parks stayed opened. That was the most fun we had ever had. We practically had MK to ourselves. I have not planned my trip for this year yet, but you are really making me want to start!!!