Must do's for first timers...

[sbpuckett]

What would you suggest as must do's for first timers? Our boys are 6 and 4...

 

[Donald is #1]

As long as your kids aren't afraid of fireworks, don't miss Wishes or Illuminations. There is so much to do at the parks that you can tire yourself out by the evening. Plan your day so that you can see Wishes and Illuminations at least once. Disney has the best fireworks displays that I have ever seen!

 

[Foladar]

I've got to agree with the above, don't miss the fireworks! I would also add Fantasmic (IMO) to this list.

 

[BurkeTribe]

Just got back from WDW with our 6yo and 4yo.
Five from each we consider must-dos , some may have height requirements which preclude most 4yos...

MK
Mickey's PhilHarmagic, Buzz Lightyear, Goofy's Barnstormer, Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan

Epcot
Soarin', Test Track, Turtle Talk With Crush, manatees at Living Seas,
Mission: SPACE Advanced Training Lab indoor playground area

DMGM
Muppet Vision 3-D, Honey I Shrunk... Playground, Tower of Terror, Playhouse Disney Live, Lights Motors Action

AK
It's Tough to be a Bug!, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Boneyard Playground, Maharajah Jungle Trek, Expedition Everest

Super secret must for all parks, in code
Use FDaisstnpeayss, always.



Non-park:
On a non-park day, ride the MK monorail loop and check out the monorail resorts....
Eat at Chef Mickey's either pre park or on an off day.

Most important must-do : plan ahead (and go at slower times of year, if possible), and you can do it all if you want to, without rushing


We just got back and did absolutely everything we wanted to in all 4 parks... and nearly everything (all except SpaceM, Bears, Prezs, Stitch, and Dumbo) in MK, because it was open 9am to midnight the day we went... and we even took a long break on Tom Sawyer's Island and a long (because it was crowded) lunch at Cosmic Ray's.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Don;t try to do it all, you will be back. Make those memories.

 

[hniki234]

I would try to book at least one character meal. I'm sure your kids would really enjoy it! I still do!

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

For a first timer, everything is a must do. That one ride everyone says stinks you may like. We love Stitch for example. The Kiddos find it funny and fun and so do we. So my must do is to remember to enjoy what you do rather than worry about what you didn't get to. And remember to take a break when they start to look tired.
All the parades were really good. Fireworks too and Fantasmic. And don't forget to take in a character if you see one and the lines aren't too long.

 

[MICKEEP]

Take the monorail from MK to Epcot and ask to sit up front with the driver, even if you have to wait for it to become available.

Go to the Boardwalk in the evening. The street performers are great.

Do one Character meal. Our favorite is Crystal Palace with Pooh, but you may like Chef Mickey at CR. We always ask for the earliest breakfast ADR time for CP...that way we get to enter the MK before it opens and you have Main Street all to yourself....almost.


Talk to the CMs.. We have met so many wonderful people through the years

AND

Take your time. The key to enjoying yourself at WDW is not to rush from ride to ride but to keep your eyes open and seek out all the little things that the Imagineers have added. Like:
The umbrella at MGM
Talking drinking fountain at Epcot
Background music and how it changes as you move thru the parks
Wishing well behind the castle
Sitting on the beach at Poly watching the water parade and waiting for the fireworks
and on and on

We have been to WDW about 20 times over the years and continue to find new and interesting things everytime we go.

 

[Schucraig]

I would be sure to do Philharmagic, and Splash Mountain at MK!

 

[minnierocks]

It depends on your kids...
If they like big rides...you can't miss Expedition Everest! If they like shows, The Lion King is a must!
Make sure you take the time to enjoy the park and not just run from one place to the other! You can NOT see everything in one trip!
Every queu (line) can be an adventure in itself. Every park has interesting things to see by just walking through them!
Have a great trip!!!

 

[reelmom]

Allow your boys to have a say so on what to do. Even if it means riding Buzz Lightyear 6 times in a row or It's A Small World three times in a row. We tried to do everything the first few days we were there and everybody was cranky and rushed. Then we decided to let our boys(2 and 3) be the tour guides. We went at their pace and enjoyed it so much more.

Take plenty of pictures and video.

Do character meet and greets in the parks. The Power Rangers are at MGM and I think that is what our boys remember the most.

Have fun and enjoy. The time goes by so fast.

 

[sjreed]

As hard as it may seem, try to slow down, soak it all in, the little things. Know that you can't see and do everything in one trip. As far as must see attractions for a first timer...at MK I think Mickey's Philharmagic is awesome, and it is truely Disney at it's best. Also make sure to see at least one parade.

 

[mecllap]

Use PhotoPass a lot -- get a card (free) from first WDW photo you see and go from there -- plan on having the $99 to get the CD at the end of the trip -- do a Search on the boards to find out all about how it works -- get the whole family in some/most of the photos.

Visit Figment, if he's out, up by HISTA in Epcot, and Character Connection in Epcot. Turtle Talk with Crush.

Allow time for the Boneyard in AK -- it's "just" a playground, but the boys will love it.

Keep a journal to help plan your next trip -- no way to "do it all" in one.

Take some of your own snacks and water, and first aid stuff (they have first aid at all parks -- but they're way back at the front of the park).

 

[BarbaraK]

The Lion King Show in the Animal Kingdom. A not to be missed show. Like another Disboarder said don't try to do everything, make your magical moments while your there.

 

[slkant]

Coincidentally our kids will be the same ages. This post has been great.

 

[ClaraBug]

My DDs will be the same age when we go this summer. Great ideas everyone!

BTY, sbpuckett, where in WV are you????

 

[Wendy31]

This past June, our DD was 6 & our DS was 4. Here are some of our "must-do's" from each park:

Magic Kingdom - Buzz Lightyear, Peter Pan, It's a Small World, Cinderella's Carrousel, Dumbo, Tomorrowland Transit Authority (our kids loved it!), Carrousel of Progress (we ended up doing this 3 times believe it or not!), Haunted Mansion (their very favorite ride), Thunder Mountain (DS loves - DD not so much...), Goofy's Barnstormer, Splash Mountain (again, DS loves - DD hates!), Jungle Cruise, Aladin's Magic Carpets, PotC (it wasn't opened this past June, but they loved it in May 2005), the Train

Epcot - Spaceship Earth, Test Track, Soarin', Living with the Land, Turtle Talk, El Rio de Tiempo, Maelstrom, Kidcot Stops in World Showcase, Nestle Tollhouse Cooking Class in The Land, American Adventure

Disney Studios - The Great Movie Ride, Beauty & the Beast Show, The Little Mermaid Show, Backlot Tour

Animal Kingdom - Dinosaur Dumbo (can't remember the exact name - Triceratops Spin?), Kali River Rapids, Safari, Rafiki's Planet Watch, Pocohantas Show, The Lion King Show

Also, "Wishes", "Illuminations", & "Fantasmic" are all must-do's for us. Our favorite parades are Spectro & the MGM afternoon parade.

Our "must-do" character meals are Chef Mickey's, Cinderella's Royal Table, Crystal Palace, Liberty Tree Tavern, & the Garden Grill.

Have fun! I can't wait until we go back next summer!

 

[Hound 109]

Lots of good advice above. My thoughts since my son was 4 & then 6 the last two times we went. (& when he was 6 he/we were with his 5 y/o cousin). I addition to what was already mentioned:

- Arrive at park opening (any park) & then plan to leave for 2-3 hours early to mid afternoon. Helps to avoid meltdowns and allows you to enjoy the night time.

- We got a double stroller & you should to. Sure let them (force them) to walk half the time...but very long hikes (in Epcot & AK for example) can wear them out & slow you down.

- Do NOT take them in counter service line. Get the food & bring it to them. Also, we would get one kiddo counter service (say at 10:45) & let the 2 of them share. & then a second one (at say 1:15 - 2 prior to leaving). & let them share again. It seemed the kiddos basically ate 5-6 smaller meals a day.

- At that age the following are "must do's". In MK - Buzz, Pirates, Jungle Ride, Treehouse, Sword n' Stone, Tom Sawyer's island.

Have fun.

Hound