My families 1ST EVER trip to WDW June 2010

[sshudson99]

OK, I have planned a trip to Disney 6/11/10-6/19/10 and I have read, read, read and read some more on disboards Let me tell you about my family. I am DW the planner, the organizer, the list person, you know, AKA the mom. I am the only one that has ever been to Disney. I have only gone 3 times with the last time being 1992 So, it will be new to me too!! Then we have my DH, he is the driver, the one who always asks the questions AFTER we leave "did you remember, did you get, etc". Well duh honey, where were you 10 months ago when I was making my list That's right, you were telling me that I was crazy. Yes my DH thinks I am crazy, he doesn't realize how much planning and research goes into a vacation, especially DISNEY DH does not care for amusement parks, a lot of people, waiting in lines; He is really going to enjoy Disney, right? Ok, about the kids, I have a DS 11 and a DD who will be turning 7 a week before we leave. My DS doesn't get very excited about much, but he is looking forward to Disney. He will be my sidekick, the one that will ride all the rides He is easy to please, loves to swim, be outside and ofcourse, play videogames. DD on the other hand, gets very excited, she has been by my side planning and looking at the videos and magazines as they come in. However, she will not want to ride everything. She is a bit scared of some rides and says she doesn't want to ride this or that, I will not push the issue

Once we decided we would go to WDW, we had to decide when and where? My kids get out of school 6/9/10 and since I did not want to take them out of school, I decided on the 11th would be the day we would leave. That way, my kids will be used to getting up early. Next, where will we stay??? My family loves to go camping, what better place than Fort Wilderness We have the advantage of staying on sight and also enjoying the comforts of home.

OK, what I know so far is this: My trip is going to be a bit different than most. We will leave Eastern NC around 2am on Friday the 11th and we should arrive to Orlando around noon. We will set up the camper when we arrive and just enjoy the campground. We may go to some outlets and just enjoy learning our way around the World.

Saturday: I did not want to go to a park thinking it would be real busy. My DH loves NASA, so we decided we would go to KSC this day. My kids will enjoy this as well and I figured this would be better at the beginning of the week because, what could follow the parks, really I did make an ADR for Cape Cafe Mays at 7:30am for a character breakfast.

Sunday: I did not want to go to a park this day either, but, HS only does Fantasmic a few days a week now? THis is one of those days. So HS on Sunday.

Monday: Animal Kingdom- no ADR's

Tuesday: Finally, Magic Kingdom. It is AM EMH this day, planning on arriving at rope drop and staying all day, maybe with a mid day brake?? ADR for Liberty Tree at 1pm, then we will find a spot to watch the parade?

Wednesday: Nothing planned this day, just RR or may do a water park??

Thursday: I want to spend a day at one of the gulf beaches and enjoy the clear water

Friday: Nothing planned this day

Saturday: leave early to head back home

WHat I don't know yet: Do I add the park hopper option? Since it is our first trip for the kids, I know we will have enough to do in a day, but we could finish AK early and go to MK for some attractions? Also, may add the water park option? Just not sure yet??

Second, my DD will be 7, but she is small, weighing only 40 pounds, she tires easily, do I need a stroller??

This is all I got so far. What do you all think?

 

[jenn-n-okla]

My first advice ....pay the money to join Tour Guide Mike. WELL worth the money for planning.
I say yes on the stroller too. It is a LOT of walking!
Keep reading the Dis boards. They will be your best source of advice and tips.

 

[jenn-n-okla]

Forgot to mention .....you didn't put down EPCOT. You will need 2 days to do this with kids and a husband. :0

 

[sshudson99]

My first advice ....pay the money to join Tour Guide Mike. WELL worth the money for planning.
I say yes on the stroller too. It is a LOT of walking!
Keep reading the Dis boards. They will be your best source of advice and tips.

I picked up The Unofficial Guide today, thinking about tour guide too

Forgot to mention .....you didn't put down EPCOT. You will need 2 days to do this with kids and a husband. :0

I was really torn about Epcot. I did not enjoy Epcot as a child, my kids said they wanted to see AP. It is not a money issue, mainly a time thing. I have the extra days, just not sure yet. What I have said I am planning is a definate at this time, I will not delete it but I may add to it?

 

[sshudson99]

Ok, so where was I? I went to the book store today and bought The UG to WDW. I mainly want it for the touring plan. I am still not sure on ticket types, amount of days, water park yes/no, etc. I did forget to mention that we did invite my parents. If they go I could possibly use them in the whole touring plan with the fastpasses. For example, my DD refuses to ride any of the mountains, and I am sure my Mom will not either, nor DH and it will probably be just me, DS, and my Dad? (maybe) So, lets say Splash and TMRR have a line, I could use 3 FP at each at the same time, well I hope it works like that. Surely you do not have to scan your finger on every ride right?

 

[MickeyisBeast]

You're kids are going to have an AMAZING first trip!

I think EPCOT is a must-do. I'm a teen and I absolutly love it

 

[sshudson99]

:

You're kids are going to have an AMAZING first trip!

I think EPCOT is a must-do. I'm a teen and I absolutly love it

I have been totally torn about the parks. I know I should probably forget doing anything but "Disney parks" on this trip, but my DH would die if we don't go to KSC. The kids and I really enjoy the ocean, we are only 1 1/2 hours away from the Atlantic Ocean in NC and I think we would really enjoy a day at the gulf beaches. I might do beach on Friday AM, then we leave Early Saturday morning (by 6am) That would give another day at a park. I am still torn about the parks though. I want to makesure they get to see most of what MK has to offer. I know we cannot see everything but I am hoping we can get most. This is a list: Space Mountain, Buzz, Dumbo, WInnie the Pooh, Peter Pan, Snow White, It's a Small World, Haunted Mansion, Splash, TMRR, POC, tour Toon Town, (no Characters) Jungle Cruise (maybe) RIverboat (maybe,)Speedway, Philarmagic, Wishes and one parade. I thought that if they wanted to return to the MK, then we could skip AK and return, or get Park Hoppers I believe I read on Disboards that you can upgrade once down there even after the you used a day Still thinking??