my brain hurts ....

[tinkertaylor05]

Finally got our first trip sorted I was here last year planning for Oct 13 but have cancelled that and will be doing our very first wdw (and flight over 3 hours ) next May '14 .... flights are booked so we're on!

We are doing 9 nights at SSR with ddp, very excited to be there for my birthday too ... makes a change from being in work!

I've looked at this years park hours to give me an indication of what we could get and am trying to start putting a plan together .... it is really overwhelming

I've programmed in when I can book adr's into my calendars, we will want to do a fair few character meals as very soon my dd will lose all interest in princesses etc so I intend to make the most of it. I'm trying to come up with a plan that makes sense and won't have us bouncing all over the place.

Can anyone please point me in the direction of some websites or books that may be useful for a first timer?

 

[tinks_1989]

Websites I like are

www.easywdw.com - Josh the site planner/blog writer publishes recommended days to visit each park

www.kennythepirate.com - I love this site as DD loves characters and this is where you will find every character.

www.disneyfoodblog.com - great for all reviews etc and has links to menus on allears.net which is also a great site

 

[scoobydooby]

the best resources I found for our first trip, that I still use now are.

Book - The Unofficial Guide to WDW. And their linked website touringplans.com

And

Website - www.allears.net

Best pod cast. WDW Today

Happy planning

 

[MichelinMan]

Micechat is another good website, and the affiliated Unofficial Universal podcast is also worth listening to for Universal stuff (especially as its hosted by a couple of Brits).

The Brit Guide to Orlando might be worth checking out, but if you've already booked, it won't be as much value as if you hadn't (for actual touring plans, restaurant reviews etc. I find the Unofficial Guide is much better). Might be one to get from a library if you can.

The other guide books I don't find much value in to be honest.

The Disney Food Blog website is a good resource, but I wouldn't buy any of the advertised e-books. I bought one, and most of the detailed stuff is on the website via links from the ebooks.

I would also recommend looking at reviews and pictures on Tripadvisor, and videos on Youtube, to get an indication on the type of restaurants and food.

 

[Sundancer UK]

To echo above:
Book - The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World

It became my bible on the lead up to our first WDW holiday! On our first day I realised I'd FORGOTTEN TO PACK IT and cried. Seriously.
There was no wifi at Disney then, so we rented internet for a day - I thanked God I had brought my laptop and we downloaded the book online Each night I made a plan for the following day, which mostly we followed in the morning, then went back to the resort for a nap, then went with the flow more in the afternoon/evening.

Also, this site! Of course There were things I found here that weren't in the book because they had come up since it was published, like how to get to see Rapunzel and Flynn.

Try not to stress too much, it will be fine. I think having some structure helps, but also leaving time to explore and relax is good too.
We're planning to go in May 2014 also! What dates are you going for?

 

[tinkertaylor05]

Thanks for all your responses, gives me a few places to start firming up the ideas I have so far ..... I know it's all relative until you get there anyway!

I don't want to over plan whilst having a good plan there if that makes sense I intend to do mornings and evenings trying to plan a nap or swim in the afternoons.

Will be watching to see what changes happen too before we go, I've seen the magic bands or whatever they're called that are being rolled out and I think there's a possibility it will be a Star Wars weekend whilst we're there looking at past calendars ....

Sundancer UK - we're going 10th-19th May '14 when we'll be boarding the Magic for the transatlantic cruise