Never been before!!

[wedreamofdisney]

Hello Everyone

We are planning our 1st ever trip to Florida and WDW

We will be staying in RCI timeshare accomodation, but have to purchase everything else separatley.
We plan to go in September 2010, and would like any hints and tips to help us out, I am in panic mode already. Things like when to book flights, how much spends, where to get tickets ( and breathing techniques) etc.....

There will be my Hubby and I, Isabelle 7yrs and Henry 4yrs (just)
We don't want to eat in the cheapest of places, and we want to visit other parks to.

I know this is a big ask and any help will be greatly appreciated ( and it will calm me down)

Thankyou

 

[disneyholic family]

how long are you going for?

personally, i wouldn't buy theme park tickets until you're much closer to the trip....

 

[tracipierce]

Wow how lovely, a very first trip,,, you do realise that after this one you will want to go back every year haha!!

You have plenty of time to plan and organise, and you have come to the right place to find out everything you need to know.

For our first trip I bought a guide book from ebay that must have been written by another dismember as all of the tips contained in the booklet I found right here on the dis (although I didn't find the dis until after our first trip )

I know it seems overwhelming at first as there are thousands of threads to read through, but if you put aside a little time everyday to read through (and use the search facility) you will be more than prepared :

Happy planning

 

[wayneg]

Hi
You need to decide if you are going direct or willing to go indirect? with Sept being low season hopefully you will pick up direct at a good price planning so far in front.
One option to look at is Virgin holidays Flydrive. Just priced a random date 8th Sept 2010 would cost £1860.00 for all 4 of you from Manchester. Might be a little more than flight only but you can book now pay £480 deposit then balance 8 weeks before you go.
Flight only will be on sale around October this year(11 months before your return date) You should get a little cheaper than the flydrive but prices vary a lot. Indirect flight only probably around £1,200 possibly as low as £1,000 but could mean waiting a long time and some luck.
Tickets you need to wait until next year and see who has offers on, last year Attraction Tickets Direct were popular, this year Virgin have been having good prices.
Spend, every family is different, we are family of 3 some days we can spend as low as $60-70/day and eat well but others days $200. Meals in Florida range from around $5pp upto around $125pp, There are endless places to eat for all budgets.

Main advise, relax and enjoy your planning and ask anything you want to know.

 

[Gaynor]

I recommend buying the book 'Brit's Guide to Orlando' by Simon Veness. I could not have planned my 1st trip without it.
Then spend time here (I'll warn you now though, these boards can be very addictive ) You will find lots of knowledgable people who are happy to answer all your questions. So fire away .
You may get more answers if you start a new thread for each question.

 

[Macl1uk]

Hello Everyone

We are planning our 1st ever trip to Florida and WDW

We will be staying in RCI timeshare accomodation, but have to purchase everything else separatley.
We plan to go in September 2010, and would like any hints and tips to help us out, I am in panic mode already. Things like when to book flights, how much spends, where to get tickets ( and breathing techniques) etc.....

There will be my Hubby and I, Isabelle 7yrs and Henry 4yrs (just)
We don't want to eat in the cheapest of places, and we want to visit other parks to.

I know this is a big ask and any help will be greatly appreciated ( and it will calm me down)

Thankyou

email me at chris.martin@tiscali.co.uk and I will send you my notes that I have just updated today following my return from our latest trip. This offer is open to anyone but aimed at first timers.

 

[wedreamofdisney]

Thanks everyone who has taken the time to reply
Thanks to Wayneg, that was very helpful!!
Macl1uk I will email you, thankyou for the offer
Oh and we are planning to go for 14 nights

I really can't wait, we are going to DLRP this year, it will be our 2nd time, but the kids will be older next year so we think its an ideal time for our 1st visit!!
Thanks to everyone once again

 

[disneyholic family]

you might want to consider the free dining packages, since from what i've heard on this board, they're already available...

 

[Pegasus928]

Good luck with all the planning, and you are in the right place for a whole host of advice from well travelled and experienced Dissers.
A couple of other good sources of information that we have recently discovered are:

The Passporter http://www.passporter.com/wdw/guidebook.asp
We have just bought one of these for my sister as it is her first time in October and she tells me she hasn't been able to put it down yet. I had a flick through before handing it over to her and was impressed with all the information it contained, as well as the sections for planning, taking notes whilst there and pockets for keep sakes. I am sure it will make a lovely momento for her when she is back.

Also if you have the iPhone or iTouch you can download applications for the different parks etc. My DW has done this on hers and the information is constantly updated to include prices, opening hours, EMH and times to avoid certain parks - everything you need to help you plan but also the information needed in case you need to make last minute changes.

Happy planning and I look forward to seeing you around with all your questions.