Never been to a Disney Park Before

[icepickjazz]

We are planning our first trip ever to any Disney Park April 2009. We have a reservation for FW, but that's it. Any tips on scheduling what to see, what to skip?

We like to camp and will be brining our Hybrid Travel Trailer. How many people do mean plans when the camp?

We have 2 boys ages 8 + 10. They enjoy amusement parks; especially roller coasters.

Any tips/insights would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Scott

 

[Rhonda]

Welcome to the DIS Camping Board!! You're going to have a blast (both here on the board, and at WDW!!!)

All the 4 Disney parks are great -- the boys will find something they love in all of them!

From FW, you can take the boat directly to the Magic Kingdom! Then, from there you can take a monorail to Epcot.

You can take buses from FW to Epcot, Disney Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.

Have you checked out the Theme Parks Board? You'll get TONS of information from those folks over there, on the rides and attractions!

Have any camping/FW questions? We're happy to help!

 

[CampingChristy]

Welcome!!!!

 

[2goofycampers]

try this thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1742188

 

[BigDaddyRog]

You said your kids especially like rollercoasters....get ready for surprise!!! While Disney has some excellent coasters...I bet your kids will will be equally amazed by what m ay seem to be much simpler than coaster rides. Many go to the parks looking for great thrills but end up finding so much more...their really is a complete change of personality when you enter disney property. I know its sounds corney, but that overused term "Disney Magic" is for real. Something just overcomes you when youre at Disney...it cant really be put into words, those that have been-know......those that are going-will find out!! You are going to be hooked for life!!

 

[Rhonda]

You said your kids especially like rollercoasters....get ready for surprise!!! While Disney has some excellent coasters...I bet your kids will will be equally amazed by what m ay seem to be much simpler than coaster rides. Many go to the parks looking for great thrills but end up finding so much more...their really is a complete change of personality when you enter disney property. I know its sounds corney, but that overused term "Disney Magic" is for real. Something just overcomes you when youre at Disney...it cant really be put into words, those that have been-know......those that are going-will find out!! You are going to be hooked for life!!

That.......is just......so........beautiful!!

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Hey...that stupid magic gets to everyone.....even insensitive blockheads like me!!!

 

[ram101]

Don't expect to see and do everything while there. Take some time and enjoy yourself. We tried to do it all and failed! That means more trips back to FW and WDW!! There is so much to do that you couldn't list it all on one reply!
You will enjoy WDW and the Boards. There is a little magic here but a lot in WDW!!!

 

[2goofycampers]

Hey...that stupid magic gets to everyone.....even insensitive blockheads like me!!!

Everytime we arrive we always get goose pimples, goose bumps, chill bumps, whatever you want to call them. Anybody else get these ?

 

[AuburnJen92]

of course, i thought that was the norm???

 

[djblu883]

I highly suggest buying Birmbaums Official Guide to Disneyworld.(Found at any bookstore chain) Before I take anyone new I usually give them a book...so they can look at it to see and help make plans. Planning is a good idea because there is soooo much to do it can't all be done but atleast you can have an idea of what you don't want to MISS!!!!

We are planning our first trip ever to any Disney Park April 2009. We have a reservation for FW, but that's it. Any tips on scheduling what to see, what to skip?

We like to camp and will be brining our Hybrid Travel Trailer. How many people do mean plans when the camp?

We have 2 boys ages 8 + 10. They enjoy amusement parks; especially roller coasters.

Any tips/insights would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Scott

 

[HappyCamper87]

Hey, I'm a little jealous that you are going to experience the parks for the first time - Get ready for goose-bump heaven!

The most important piece of advice I can give is do not over-plan. This is just my opinion and you should go with your gut but, pick two attractions you must do in a park each morning or first trip and two attractions you must do in the evening. Plan one special meal a day and everything that happens in between is gravy.

The most special thing about Disney happens in the unplanned moments.

I used to be a COMMANDO planner and have since learned that it just does not pay. I was at MGM one time on our very planned out day. EXHAUSTED and trying to enjoy the experience at the 50's Primetime Cafe and it was just pure TORTURE. Not because I wouldn't have enjoyed the ambiance in a normal day, but because I was so tired I could barely keep my eyes open. It was a very planned trip and it was a good plan, but I took away some of the magic.

Anyway, I don't mean to scare you, but plan less and experience more.

Happy everything.

 

[djblu883]

I agree you can overplan but going without any plans can make you sad later when you learned what could have done something really special...I took my daughter and grandaughter on a girls only trip last Halloween and made all the plans and ressies...she has told all her friends that it was the most absolute best vacation ever because all she had to do is worry about taking enough pullups and wipes...after that trip we decidied we always wanted to do the dining plan so we all felt like it was a luxury vacation for everyone!!!...no cooking after a LONG day at the parks was great!!!!!!!!!! Seeing the plays/shows was something she hadn't done before and what the grandaughter loved...even more than the rides....so yes planning , being informed is GOOD!!!

 

[WeCampDisney]

You said your kids especially like rollercoasters....get ready for surprise!!! While Disney has some excellent coasters...I bet your kids will will be equally amazed by what m ay seem to be much simpler than coaster rides. Many go to the parks looking for great thrills but end up finding so much more...their really is a complete change of personality when you enter disney property. I know its sounds corney, but that overused term "Disney Magic" is for real. Something just overcomes you when youre at Disney...it cant really be put into words, those that have been-know......those that are going-will find out!! You are going to be hooked for life!!

Well said Big Rog, I felt some pixy dust magic while reading that.Thanks for the little rush.

 

[disney4dan]

I'm so jealous too, first time is always a fantastic treat, and it will be something your kids will always remember. Some good points about the planning part. You will want some planning and advice to get to see some of the major attractions, but many of my happiest memories were unplanned, little things in an out of the way spot. Like the first time the kids hear a voice talking back to them from a water bubbler while they take a drink. The look on my little guys face as he waited out a Florida downpour tucked in underneath the awning of the Buzz Lightyear concession stand. He was "stuck" with a nice CM who had a good 5 minutes or more of un-interrupted time solo with him to show him all the fascinating toys that Daddy was too cheap to buy! He was in heaven and the wallet was a little lighter after.

I work in a relatively large office and get to hear the stories of first timers when they return. Most people know we go regularly, and many ask why we keep going back. None of them ask that after they go and see it for themselves. If you go, you'll get it.

P.S. - If I were you, I would spend the money to pick up a CD of music from the parks. It's amazing how that can be a great stress reducer and keep the magic going when you return home. There is a lot of background music in Disney, and sometimes you may not even notice it, but it's all part of the story.

 

[DavidH]

Scott,

You are going to love it and be hooked!!!!

BDR is right, the "magic" gets everybody. I worked there for years and have seen the working side of the magic, but still get goose-bumps when we drive on property and the signs turn purple (you'll see).

You need a plan, but a "loose plan". The saddest things were seeing either the family with no plan standing in the street not knowing what to do or the other extreme - the dad screaming at his kids who stopped to look at something because "it is 6:00 and we have to ride X before dinner and we have reservations at...." Plan enough have-to-do to fill up half the day and the rest is all gravy.

This site and www.mousesavers.com are great sites for info. On Disney's site they will send you planning DVD's, maps and stuff....

Enjoy,

David

PS, If you need a tour guide, I think I'm free next April

 

[icepickjazz]

The excitement about the "magic" is something I have noticed on my short time on this board. I have rarely seen such excitement and engery surrounding something. I suppose you have to really experience to understand.

I'll have to to check out the books. We have ordered the planning DVD. I like the idea of having a general plan but not specific. I used to be the uptight drill seargent as well. Every minute of every day was planned and if we were 15 minutes behind schedule, I was upset. I have learned to relax and enjoy he vacation.

 

[mamaloya]

Best planning book I ever bought was the Passporter. It has pockets and charts and graphs and grids and it is awesome. It takes you throught the planning process step by step. It covers everything. I love it. They have it at amazon, just search for passporter walt disney world.

 

[AuburnJen92]

Best planning book I ever bought was the Passporter. It has pockets and charts and graphs and grids and it is awesome. It takes you throught the planning process step by step. It covers everything. I love it. They have it at amazon, just search for passporter walt disney world.

I have heard really great things about that book, but personally have not seen it in person.

 

[We4mickey]

Best tip I can give is take time to enjoy the Fort! Don't be afraid to take a break from the parks during the day either. We used to do commando when we were kids with my dad. Way too much packed into a single day. Just go with the flow.