My first trip to WDW - advice needed

[2clssy]

hello all! I'm looking for a few quick tips for my famiy's first trip to WDW. We are going for my daughters 5th birthday in April 2017 the week after Easter. If will be a party of 10 because my mom and brothers family are joining us. We're currently booked at AoA, but haven't gotten tickets or airfare yet. I've begun my research and read lots of your posts but still had a few questions on details and preferences:


* how do you choose which park to go to on which days? Do you look at EMH as the indicator or do you go by what reservations you were able to snag?

* if we do 5 parks days with one of those days scheduled for our departure day (so park from 8-4), which park would you recommend going to twice in the week and why?

* when can I expect to see park hours for April 2017?

* how many ADR should I try to make for dinners? For instance, should I make an ADR for 4 of the 6 nights or 3 of the 6? (I know this is preference, so I'm looking for opinions)

* what's the best way to get from hotel to hotel with Disney transportation? We will have a group of 10 people including 3 toddlers, and are hoping to do the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Cruise. We're staying at AoA, so I'm thinking about the best ways to get from our hotel to the Contemporary

* how long does the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique take? Is it located inside a park or at Disney Springs?

* what are the tops MUST do shows per park for a 1st timer?

Thanks so much for those that respond!!!

 

[figmentfan423]

Run do not walk and Get a copy of the Unofficial Guide to Disney. For first timers with kids do Crystal Palace pre park opening breakfast, Garden Grill any meal and Askerhus princess meal. If this is a once in a lifetime trip make a dining ADR for every day. For what days for which parks we use both touring plans and easywdw's crowd calendars. expect park hours about 190 or so days out but the hours will most likely change a bit before you get there. Make all dining ADR at your 180 day mark. happy planning

 

[BrianL]

Welcome to the Dis and your journey to WDW! I'll answer what I can.

* how do you choose which park to go to on which days? Do you look at EMH as the indicator or do you go by what reservations you were able to snag?

Pros typically use a crowd calendar. EasyWDW and TouringPlans are popular ones (TouringPlans I think has a subscription fee - unless you are trying to plan to the minute, I'd go with Easy). They will tell you crowd levels, but also, more importantly even, the best parks for a particular day. When crowd level is a 6 for example, most of that 6 might be gravitating to one park for one reason or another, making the others less crowded.


* if we do 5 parks days with one of those days scheduled for our departure day (so park from 8-4), which park would you recommend going to twice in the week and why?

Magic Kingdom. It will require the most tim eand is the Most Magical Place on Earth TM.

* when can I expect to see park hours for April 2017?

I think about 5 months or so out, though they can change. They typically will not shorten hours thoughm only extend them. They might move around an EMH or two.

* how many ADR should I try to make for dinners? For instance, should I make an ADR for 4 of the 6 nights or 3 of the 6? (I know this is preference, so I'm looking for opinions)

I'd probably only do a couple of sit-down dinners. They take up valuable park time!

* what's the best way to get from hotel to hotel with Disney transportation? We will have a group of 10 people including 3 toddlers, and are hoping to do the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Cruise. We're staying at AoA, so I'm thinking about the best ways to get from our hotel to the Contemporary

AoA to Contemporary - Bus to MK and then walk over to the Contemporary. If you are already at a park, just bus (or monorail from Epcot - 1 transfer) to Contemporary.

* how long does the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique take? Is it located inside a park or at Disney Springs?

There is one at MK and one at Disney Springs. I do not know how long it takes.

* what are the tops MUST do shows per park for a 1st timer?

Oh man...everything! I mean, the classics, Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Jungle Cruise. If you like the bigger rides, Space Mountain, Big Thunder, Splash. I like 7DMT. Soarin' is amazing and recently redone (or will be by the time you get there). I highly recommend seeing Fantasmic! There is just so, so much to do!

 

[hallen4]

Since this is your first time I suggest you do 2 MK days as opposed to 2 days in the other parks. I agree wholeheartedly with figmentfan423 on the Unofficial Guide. With 3 toddlers a meal at Tusker House in AK with the characters would be a good idea as well. BBB is located both inside of MK and at Disney Springs. As far as top shows, my family loved the Lion King show at AK and the Frozen show at HS the best. Happy planning!

 

[loves to dive]

It depends a lot on what you are wanting to accomplish and how much planning you want to do. There are going to be people who tell you to plan every minute of every day and those who tell you to at least book all your meals 180 days out and get up at the crack of dawn on your FP booking day and get them booked, at the very least. There are going to be those who will tell you religiously follow a crowd calendar and those who will tell you to at least check them for what parks to do on what days. Some are going to tell you to avoid parks on EMH days and those that tell you that is the best time to go. There is no right or wrong answer and no matter which advise you follow know one thing, you are not going to see and do all there is to see and do and especially with that many people there are going to be plans that are made that might not go off. Knowing that from the get go is going to make your trip a lot easier and more enjoyable.

Now my opinion.

I generally choose my park on a whim. Seriously not a popular opinion on these boards but it is what I do. I don't look at crowd calendars, they are someones somewhat educated guess based on previous years numbers. I don't even know half the time what parks have EMHs since those tend to be moving targets. If I am going to make and ADR, that is going to determine what park I'm in that day.

Given you have at least one small child, I'd say MK is your best bet for a park to do twice.

I have no guess as to when you can see park hours and even when those get published, know they are a moving target. I tend to only schedule the few things I do schedule during normal park hours and don't plan on any early or late hours.

How many ADRs is going to be tough. You have a large party and I'm not sure you are going to be able to please everyone. You can certainly as everyone what they think but I would just plan for my immediate family and tell the rest of the group you will be happy to add them when you make yours or let them do their own. How many depends on how often you are planning on returning. Is this your once in a lifetime trip or do you plan on returning? I would say for 5 nights at least 3 dinners at TS, 4 at most giving you at least one night to go on the fly (yes it's possible). With a little one at least one character breakfast.

Going from resort to resort using Disney transportation can be challenging. To any of the MK resorts, take the bus to MK and hop a boat or monorail. Going to the Epcot resorts, I'd take a bus to HS and then hop on the boat to those resorts. To AKL, bus to AK and take the bus to ASL. Any of the others, take a bus to the nearest park and hop a bus to the resort. Allow plenty of time no matter which option you choose.

Never done BBB.

Wishes at MK is a must. Beauty and Beast at HS is great for a little girl.

It can be very overwhelming so just remember, relax and just don't stress. Enjoy what you get to do, don't expect to do everything and there is no ride and no ADR that if missed is going to ruin the whole thing.

 

[2clssy]

Run do not walk and Get a copy of the Unofficial Guide to Disney. For first timers with kids do Crystal Palace pre park opening breakfast, Garden Grill any meal and Askerhus princess meal. If this is a once in a lifetime trip make a dining ADR for every day. For what days for which parks we use both touring plans and easywdw's crowd calendars. expect park hours about 190 or so days out but the hours will most likely change a bit before you get there. Make all dining ADR at your 180 day mark. happy planning

Thanks I'll look for the guide today

 

[2clssy]

Welcome to the Dis and your journey to WDW! I'll answer what I can.

* how do you choose which park to go to on which days? Do you look at EMH as the indicator or do you go by what reservations you were able to snag?

Pros typically use a crowd calendar. EasyWDW and TouringPlans are popular ones (TouringPlans I think has a subscription fee - unless you are trying to plan to the minute, I'd go with Easy). They will tell you crowd levels, but also, more importantly even, the best parks for a particular day. When crowd level is a 6 for example, most of that 6 might be gravitating to one park for one reason or another, making the others less crowded.


* if we do 5 parks days with one of those days scheduled for our departure day (so park from 8-4), which park would you recommend going to twice in the week and why?

Magic Kingdom. It will require the most tim eand is the Most Magical Place on Earth TM.

* when can I expect to see park hours for April 2017?

I think about 5 months or so out, though they can change. They typically will not shorten hours thoughm only extend them. They might move around an EMH or two.

* how many ADR should I try to make for dinners? For instance, should I make an ADR for 4 of the 6 nights or 3 of the 6? (I know this is preference, so I'm looking for opinions)

I'd probably only do a couple of sit-down dinners. They take up valuable park time!

* what's the best way to get from hotel to hotel with Disney transportation? We will have a group of 10 people including 3 toddlers, and are hoping to do the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Cruise. We're staying at AoA, so I'm thinking about the best ways to get from our hotel to the Contemporary

AoA to Contemporary - Bus to MK and then walk over to the Contemporary. If you are already at a park, just bus (or monorail from Epcot - 1 transfer) to Contemporary.

* how long does the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique take? Is it located inside a park or at Disney Springs?

There is one at MK and one at Disney Springs. I do not know how long it takes.

* what are the tops MUST do shows per park for a 1st timer?

Oh man...everything! I mean, the classics, Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Jungle Cruise. If you like the bigger rides, Space Mountain, Big Thunder, Splash. I like 7DMT. Soarin' is amazing and recently redone (or will be by the time you get there). I highly recommend seeing Fantasmic! There is just so, so much to do!

It depends a lot on what you are wanting to accomplish and how much planning you want to do. There are going to be people who tell you to plan every minute of every day and those who tell you to at least book all your meals 180 days out and get up at the crack of dawn on your FP booking day and get them booked, at the very least. There are going to be those who will tell you religiously follow a crowd calendar and those who will tell you to at least check them for what parks to do on what days. Some are going to tell you to avoid parks on EMH days and those that tell you that is the best time to go. There is no right or wrong answer and no matter which advise you follow know one thing, you are not going to see and do all there is to see and do and especially with that many people there are going to be plans that are made that might not go off. Knowing that from the get go is going to make your trip a lot easier and more enjoyable.

Now my opinion.

I generally choose my park on a whim. Seriously not a popular opinion on these boards but it is what I do. I don't look at crowd calendars, they are someones somewhat educated guess based on previous years numbers. I don't even know half the time what parks have EMHs since those tend to be moving targets. If I am going to make and ADR, that is going to determine what park I'm in that day.

Given you have at least one small child, I'd say MK is your best bet for a park to do twice.

I have no guess as to when you can see park hours and even when those get published, know they are a moving target. I tend to only schedule the few things I do schedule during normal park hours and don't plan on any early or late hours.

How many ADRs is going to be tough. You have a large party and I'm not sure you are going to be able to please everyone. You can certainly as everyone what they think but I would just plan for my immediate family and tell the rest of the group you will be happy to add them when you make yours or let them do their own. How many depends on how often you are planning on returning. Is this your once in a lifetime trip or do you plan on returning? I would say for 5 nights at least 3 dinners at TS, 4 at most giving you at least one night to go on the fly (yes it's possible). With a little one at least one character breakfast.

Going from resort to resort using Disney transportation can be challenging. To any of the MK resorts, take the bus to MK and hop a boat or monorail. Going to the Epcot resorts, I'd take a bus to HS and then hop on the boat to those resorts. To AKL, bus to AK and take the bus to ASL. Any of the others, take a bus to the nearest park and hop a bus to the resort. Allow plenty of time no matter which option you choose.

Never done BBB.

Wishes at MK is a must. Beauty and Beast at HS is great for a little girl.

It can be very overwhelming so just remember, relax and just don't stress. Enjoy what you get to do, don't expect to do everything and there is no ride and no ADR that if missed is going to ruin the whole thing.

Thanks for the pointers. After this trip, if all goes well we will go back in 2019 for my sons 5th birthday. but living in CA we have passes to Disneyland, so Disneyworld is more of milestone and special occasions trips. Is 10 considered a large party (5 adults and 5 kids)? Now I wonder if it will be that much harder to get reservations for 10

 

[glassslippergirl]

Ten is a large party. Make sure you are ready to make ADRs exactly 180 days out at exactly the moment you can start booking. I'd recommend minimizing TS dining. With such a big party, it will be really time consuming. Having fewer hard plans also gives your large party a chance to split up from time to time. I'd plan to eat breakfast in your room (cereal, protein bars) and start looking at CS places you'd like to try. Flame Tree Grill at AK, BoG lunch at MK, and Sunshine Seasons at Epcot are unique and quality options. For TS, I'd recommend Akershus for the day you do BBB. Dinner with princesses with your DD dressed as a princess-- what could be better? CRT would also be good for photo ops, but I'd recommend not doing BBB on a MK day; the time is better used in the park.

I'd recommend 2 days at MK. Beware: DHS is pretty limited right now, with lots of things closed. I'm not sure I could fill a whole day there with young kids.

Are you just looking for show recommendations? Not rides? Every night time show is worth it-- Wishes, Illuminations, Wishes (haven't seen AK's yet-- hopefully RoL will have debuted by the time you go). FotLK in AK is great for young kids. I love the Finding Nemo musical, but your kids may be too young to sit through it. Catch a few of the street entertainers in Epcot, and Voices of Liberty are a must.

Finally, with a large party, I'd recommend making a plan for FPs together. Will you do all FPs together (that can get hairy as you'll never please everyone)? Will you do some together and some separately? If so, which ones? If you plan to have even some together, put one person in charge of making all reservations. Otherwise, it will be a big mess.

Enjoy!

 

[Grumpy92]

I would suggest getting the free WDW trip planning DVD. Have your group members list their top 5 must does. There will be some overlapping and that is good. It gives you a good way to hit those rides/attractions.

Especially with little ones plan those breaks for lunch or the afternoon. Rope drop is a great way to beat the heat and crowds but by the afternoon some tend to get a little testy & tired. Get out of the park go to a cool resort for lunch or return to your own resort for lunch, a nap or swim.

If you are going to do it a breakfast make plans for one inside the parks. Those who do a nice character breakfast miss out on the early short lines.

I also want to tell you warn you about the biggest mistake I have seen large groups make and that is to think that they can visit the parks together everyday. I suggest letting everyone break into smaller groups and go their own way, then meet for dinner. Everyone has different expectations for their vacation, some want to move at a slower pace then others or some may not want to do the tamer rides. WDW will seem huge compared to DL and it is as well as much more crowded.

 

[erik jensen]

I like how WDW Prep School lays out the process, but I'd supplement some of her advice on park touring and which park/which day with EasyWDW's. If you're interested in meeting characters, Kenny the Pirate has all that detail.

Agree with the advice that it's better to break apart the large group so that groups with similar interests can do things they're into. Also agree that you'll probably want to do Magic Kingdom twice.

Three main points of advice
-you can't do everything, so prioritize (full lists of attractions/shows/characters can be found on touring plans or kenny the pirate)
-you'll probably need to leave for a nap/dip in the pool/AC in the afternoon (my kids are 5 & 3)
-get there at opening (rope drop) and use the first two hours to knock out attractions without FP+, then eat and use FP+

 

[2clssy]

I like how WDW Prep School lays out the process, but I'd supplement some of her advice on park touring and which park/which day with EasyWDW's. If you're interested in meeting characters, Kenny the Pirate has all that detail.

Agree with the advice that it's better to break apart the large group so that groups with similar interests can do things they're into. Also agree that you'll probably want to do Magic Kingdom twice.

Three main points of advice
-you can't do everything, so prioritize (full lists of attractions/shows/characters can be found on touring plans or kenny the pirate)
-you'll probably need to leave for a nap/dip in the pool/AC in the afternoon (my kids are 5 & 3)
-get there at opening (rope drop) and use the first two hours to knock out attractions without FP+, then eat and use FP+

My kids will be 5 and 2. My nephews 10 and 3 and and my niece 8. I was probably too loose calling them toddlers. Do you find it too time consuming to go back to the room for naps? About how long is the trip from thr AoA to MK with wait times and bus schedules?

At Disneyland my kids just nap in the stroller while my husband and I get Vodka Lemonades from cars land or take that time to get all the desserts we don't want to share with them lol. They usually nap from 2-4pm after lunch and after fighting sleep. But once they're back up, we're ready go full speed all over again. Maybe Orlando will be different because of the humidity?

 

[2clssy]

I would suggest getting the free WDW trip planning DVD. Have your group members list their top 5 must does. There will be some overlapping and that is good. It gives you a good way to hit those rides/attractions.

Especially with little ones plan those breaks for lunch or the afternoon. Rope drop is a great way to beat the heat and crowds but by the afternoon some tend to get a little testy & tired. Get out of the park go to a cool resort for lunch or return to your own resort for lunch, a nap or swim.

If you are going to do it a breakfast make plans for one inside the parks. Those who do a nice character breakfast miss out on the early short lines.

I also want to tell you warn you about the biggest mistake I have seen large groups make and that is to think that they can visit the parks together everyday. I suggest letting everyone break into smaller groups and go their own way, then meet for dinner. Everyone has different expectations for their vacation, some want to move at a slower pace then others or some may not want to do the tamer rides. WDW will seem huge compared to DL and it is as well as much more crowded.

Trying to think of how we can split up since it's two families and my mom for the ride. We might have to ditch the younger kids and leave them with my mom so the bigger kids and other adults can go on the real rides. Luckily all the adults (my mom doesn't care either way) want to do the same things. So planning will be based on what the kids want to do and see. I'm hoping my son has a growth spurt to get to 36" so he can be included in the things his cousins will want.

 

[erik jensen]

My kids will be 5 and 2. My nephews 10 and 3 and and my niece 8. I was probably too loose calling them toddlers. Do you find it too time consuming to go back to the room for naps? About how long is the trip from thr AoA to MK with wait times and bus schedules?

At Disneyland my kids just nap in the stroller while my husband and I get Vodka Lemonades from cars land or take that time to get all the desserts we don't want to share with them lol. They usually nap from 2-4pm after lunch and after fighting sleep. But once they're back up, we're ready go full speed all over again. Maybe Orlando will be different because of the humidity?

It is time consuming (4-5 hours in all), but we need it for our kids. Also, the park is at its busiest and hottest between 1 and 5, so that makes it a good time to leave or visit some of the lower demand/air conditioned attractions like Hall of Presidents, Enchanted Tiki Room, Country Bears, Carousel of Progress. Of course, we're from Wisconsin, so usually we're dealing with a 20 degree temp increase. We've done naps in the parks, but it just doesn't work out well. If your kids can nap in the stroller, that'd work. No vodka lemonades at MK though .

 

[2clssy]

Ten is a large party. Make sure you are ready to make ADRs exactly 180 days out at exactly the moment you can start booking. I'd recommend minimizing TS dining. With such a big party, it will be really time consuming. Having fewer hard plans also gives your large party a chance to split up from time to time. I'd plan to eat breakfast in your room (cereal, protein bars) and start looking at CS places you'd like to try. Flame Tree Grill at AK, BoG lunch at MK, and Sunshine Seasons at Epcot are unique and quality options. For TS, I'd recommend Akershus for the day you do BBB. Dinner with princesses with your DD dressed as a princess-- what could be better? CRT would also be good for photo ops, but I'd recommend not doing BBB on a MK day; the time is better used in the park.

I'd recommend 2 days at MK. Beware: DHS is pretty limited right now, with lots of things closed. I'm not sure I could fill a whole day there with young kids.

Are you just looking for show recommendations? Not rides? Every night time show is worth it-- Wishes, Illuminations, Wishes (haven't seen AK's yet-- hopefully RoL will have debuted by the time you go). FotLK in AK is great for young kids. I love the Finding Nemo musical, but your kids may be too young to sit through it. Catch a few of the street entertainers in Epcot, and Voices of Liberty are a must.

Finally, with a large party, I'd recommend making a plan for FPs together. Will you do all FPs together (that can get hairy as you'll never please everyone)? Will you do some together and some separately? If so, which ones? If you plan to have even some together, put one person in charge of making all reservations. Otherwise, it will be a big mess.

Enjoy!

Thanks for the dining recommendations. So far each look like good menus and descent food pictures on Trip Advisor. Im going to be at 2:30am PST on my ADR day trying to get dining reservations for all 10

 

[Scar1199]

hello all! I'm looking for a few quick tips for my famiy's first trip to WDW. We are going for my daughters 5th birthday in April 2017 the week after Easter. If will be a party of 10 because my mom and brothers family are joining us. We're currently booked at AoA, but haven't gotten tickets or airfare yet. I've begun my research and read lots of your posts but still had a few questions on details and preferences:


* how do you choose which park to go to on which days? Do you look at EMH as the indicator or do you go by what reservations you were able to snag?

* if we do 5 parks days with one of those days scheduled for our departure day (so park from 8-4), which park would you recommend going to twice in the week and why?

* when can I expect to see park hours for April 2017?

* how many ADR should I try to make for dinners? For instance, should I make an ADR for 4 of the 6 nights or 3 of the 6? (I know this is preference, so I'm looking for opinions)

* what's the best way to get from hotel to hotel with Disney transportation? We will have a group of 10 people including 3 toddlers, and are hoping to do the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Cruise. We're staying at AoA, so I'm thinking about the best ways to get from our hotel to the Contemporary

* how long does the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique take? Is it located inside a park or at Disney Springs?

* what are the tops MUST do shows per park for a 1st timer?

Thanks so much for those that respond!!!

One of my favourite shows is in MK and its the Celebrate The Magic light show on the castle. Not sure why that show grabbed me so much, but as a 41 year old male, I still get teary eyed watching it on Youtube. My kids really like Finding Nemo and Lion King at AK. I also really enjoy Fantasmic! at HS. Turtle Talk with Crush at Epcot is fun to go with the little one's. Whatever you pick, I'm sure you will enjoy.

 

[2clssy]

One of my favourite shows is in MK and its the Celebrate The Magic light show on the castle. Not sure why that show grabbed me so much, but as a 41 year old male, I still get teary eyed watching it on Youtube. My kids really like Finding Nemo and Lion King at AK. I also really enjoy Fantasmic! at HS. Turtle Talk with Crush at Epcot is fun to go with the little one's. Whatever you pick, I'm sure you will enjoy.

I'm excited for the Fantasmic show since it's closed at Disneyland and my kids have never seen it. And I bet the finding Nemo and Lion King shows is really nice too, I'm making plans to see all three for sure.