Never been to Disney before

[laurcolmeg]

Hi All,
I've been a lurker for a few days and finally decided to register. My family of 5 (ages 43, 39, 14, 12 and 9) are coming to Disney for the first time Dec 31-Jan 9. I have reservations at Westgate and airplane tix but don't even know where to begin to plan the rest of the trip....you all seem like Disney experts...could you help me with an itinerary?? What is the best way to get hopper passes? We plan on 5 day hoppers and a day at Universal and a few days of rest and relaxation (so my DH thinks!!??). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Shirley

 

[Dan Murphy]

Welcome to the DIS, Shirley!! You will love it, make those memories.

For a five day, AAA, if you are a member, is the lowest Iknow of. If you think you might be back within the year, AP's (annual passes) might do better. When I went first time, I could not fathom being an AP holder, now Ican't fathom not being one, LOL.

Ask questions here, check the other planning boards here on the DIS, stop by the Community Board to say hello. Also check Mary's site, www.mousesavers.com and Deb's www.allearsnet.com both very helpful for planning.

Maybe give www.tourguidemike.com a look too, very good fro planning if you are new. I like it and have been many times.

By all means, ask, enjoy, make memories.

 

[kidd_freeper]

Visit www.mousesavers.com for accurate "best price" information. I believe the cheapest way to buy 5-day park hopper passes is either on-line or through AAA. (The only advantage to AAA, beside price, is access to Diamond lot parking, which is only an advantage at Epcot).

Learn how the Fastpass system works.

Have at least a loose idea of which park(s) you will visit on each day. Then make Priority Seating arrangements. Not all meals have to be sit-down Priority Seatings - for example, we just eat at counter service areas at MK.

Fantasmic! at MGM is a great show, and shouldn't be missed. The lines for it can be very long. If you don't care to wait, consider getting the Fantasmic Dinner Package. Plusses: short wait for the show, quicker exit from the park after the show. Minuses: limits where/when you can eat, might pay for more food than you care to eat. (warning: Mama Melrose is not for fussy eaters).

 

[loriandmatt]

go to your local bookstore and get yourself a WDW guide book.

i love the one called the "mini mickey" it is soft covered and smaller in size than many guide books. There are tons of guide books though and everyone has their favorites.

I know that sounds nuts....buying and studying a guide book to take a vacation....but trust me, it's worth it.

A little prep (that can help build excitement for your vacation) will help you....

a.) be sure and see the things that you and your fellow travelers deem to be "must see/do"'s. (there are maps of all the parks in the book with a nice description of the rides/attractions. helps you figure out what you want to do/see.)

b.) avoid long lines and crowds. OK - the first day or two it is going to be crowed (over new years) but after that you should find crowds to be very managable. pointers on what days to visit what parks and what "hot" attractions to visit at what time of the day are great for making the most of your time.

Some of the guide books also have some info about the Universal Parks as well as other Orlando attractions.

Ask any and all questions here - I and the rest of the Disney Junkies here love to help folks make the most of their vacations.

And - most importantly - don't be a comando on the planning or schedule. a nice overview of general knowledge and a "soft" plan is better than stressing the rest of your party out by making them stick to a tight schedule.


Have fun - lori

 

[RescueRanger]

Welcome to the boards!!! There is lots of good info here. You said that you were going to Universal as well. With the ages of your children, I would plan on doing at least 2 days there. They have Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Also, you should get a really good travel guide. I would suggest something like the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. It has information on both WDW and US. Like the others have said, Mousesavers and Allearsnet are also very good websites. Check those out as well but you just can't beat the message boards here on the
DIS. Let the questions begin.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Originally posted by laurcolmeg
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Shirley

Please don't forget to take advantage of Fastpass while you are there on the 1st of January. I'm not sure how busy the parks are that day, but it never hurts to be prepared. I can't believe how many people don't know about fastpass and truly believe it costs extra money or is for "special" visitors. Don't worry about what you'll hear walking through line past everyone else, just use fastpass and let it save you time in line. Anything below 20 minutes, I usually wouldn't do a fastpass, but you make that call and decide how long you want to stand in line.
I see that you haven't purchased your park tickets yet. Visit www.ticketmania.com for some of the best prices out there.
I hope I've helped!

Blessings,

Denise

 

[erinz]

How exciting! Your first trip to WDW!!!!

I STRONGLY recommend that you go out and buy The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. I can't remember the author.......But between that book, and these boards, you will have ALL the info you need!

You picked a good time to go! Just take the 31st with a grain of salt.......

I'd check out the Restaurant boards and then make PS (reservations). For the first week in January it probably would be OK if you didn't, but it is really nice to know that you will have a table when you are hungry.

Have a FANTASTIC time!!!

 

[goofyernmost]

This is a reflection of what happened on my first trip. That was in the dark ages when all there was to see were Magic Kingdom and Epcot (opened that year).

I listened and made notes that friends told me were "must see" attractions. Go to them first, they said and then you can wonder around and see the rest.

What a mistake, I spent most of the first day just crossing my own paths, backtracking and walking a gazillion miles. We had a family discussion and decided that the next day we would start walking around the parks and going to everything we came upon as we came upon them. What a difference, we saw everything and I want to tell you...everything is a must see. If you have a 5 day hopper you should have no trouble seeing all the high points. Save a few things for your next trip (oh yes, there will be at least one more, maybe several)

Get the unofficial guide and read through it so you can have a bit of knowledge about what is there. Don't get preconcieved notions that some things are for kids and not for adults. It all must be seen at least once.

Now for Fastpass, personally I hate them but that is just mule headed biasedness from my first visits. I don't think it is advisable to use them right away. Give yourself a few hours to understand how everything works, how much time you have to allow yourself to get from one place to another and check the stand-by times. A lot of times they are just as fast as a fastpass. I don't say not to use them but get the big picture before you start to use them. It helps to get a feel for the parks.

The biggest and best advise is to leave behind your adult hood as you enter the property. Let yourself go and just enjoy. The best life's memory I possess is my first family trip to WDW. I reflect back on that every time life gets tedious.

Have a great time!! I'm sure you will!

 

[Bill From PA]

Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World is by Bob Sehlinger, and I second the recommendation to get it. Sometimes public libraries have that and other Disney World books. Having been off-site for our first trip and staying in WDW resorts in all subsequent trips, I'd suggest looking into staying 'In the World'. It makes all the difference. I'd seriously consider not going if I had to stay off-site. I see you'll be there for many of the days we're going. After Jan. 1, rooms at the value resorts can be had for $55/night and some moderates for $85. We've got 3 days at Swan and 3 at Dolphin for $149 and 2 at AllStar which I'm lookin to ditch for 2 more at either S/D. Perhaps you can keep your ressie for Westgate for the first 2 days then switch to a WDW resort.

If you stay at a Disney resort, use EE, if not, get to a non-ee park 20 mins. before opening. We use ee, then hop to Epcot when crowds get bad, usually around 1 pm. Buy your Passes online and save big $$. Here's a link to folks we've used several times. You'll get your tickets in 3-4 days.
http://www.greatorlandodiscounts.com/bigorderform.htm

Use FastPass, as suggested before. If you want a sit-down meal in Epcot around dinner time, consider a late lunch instead. By doing lunch at 4 pm, you get lower lunch priced for almost the same menu as the dinner menu. Apparently we should prepare for some chilly weather but I looked at the temps for the first 10 days in Jan. for the last 10 years and there's a lot more 70s and 80s than 50s and 60s (for daily highs). ENJOY, don't make a job out of this.

Bill From PA

 

[Sandyincanada]

Hi Shirley, with 3 teens/pre-teens, I think you did the right thing in getting a condo offsite (imho). Park hours are shorter in Jan. We would "park" all day, leave around supper and go to a restaurant offsite and then relax in the pool/condo on alot of the evenings. We felt it was the best of both worlds. Kids had their own room/TV and we had a balcony and some privacy. A few evenings were spent at Epcot which opened until 9. I personally would hate having to pack/unpack (specially the kids) and move hotels....different strokes....

Consider doing 2 days at Universal/IOA, your kids are a great age for it and may even prefer it....ours do. I'm the one that keeps dragging everyone back to WDW, lol.

I agree with getting the Unofficial guide or just read lots on here and the websites. The best advise is to arrive at the Parks early and have an idea where things are and grab a map when you first arrive.

have fun

 

[slimplaw]

I saw that you are staying at Westgate. We stayed there once and it was very nice. It is close enough to WDW to be there fairly quickly. My only warning about Westgate is do not accept their offer to meet for their free breakfast. I would not want to sit through one of their sales pitches and I've heard theirs is very high pressure from what I've heard.

 

[hockey mom]

First timers- How exciting

Even with a 5 day hopper it will be hard to see and do it all so don't stress over what you can't get to and really enjoy what you can fit in.

The osborne lights will still be up at the Studios while you are on vacation so after Fantasmic(a must see) wander over to see these lights.

Most importantly let us know how much you loved it when you return.

 

[riopooh]

I'm looking forward to going with 4 first timers on our family trip. My BIL is excited but plans on having me lead him around the entire time!!

Definitely get some books - Birnbaum is an easy read, very positve. The unofficial guide is longer and dryer but worth it!

There's alot more to Disney than just the four parks - if the waether is nice - I bet your kids would love to try out the water parks (which would be included if you get a park hopper PLUS ticket.) And being from Mass - nice to you might be cold to others, resulting in light traffic!!

I would familiarize yourself with the park maps also - that way you will have an idea about where you are in relation to what you want to do and what else is around.

enjoy!!!! (and let us know how it goes! - see TRIP REPORT BOARD)

 

[leighmidd]

Plan, plan, plan and plan some more. Get 'The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World'. Check mousesavers.com mouseplanet.com wdwmagic.com

Whatever you do, don't show up to WDW without a plan and without a lot of research. You don't want to end up being one of those people that gets on a resort bus asking if it goes to Walt Disney World.

Search throughout disboards, there will be a ton of information that will help you make the most of this trip.

But most of all, even though you will be thoroughly planned for this trip, relax, step back and enjoy yourself. Don't go commando, vacations are for relaxation...you shouldn't need a vacation after your vacation. You'll have an amazing time if you just put a little effort into your research.

Have a wonderful Disney de-virginization!!

 

[popy]

Itinerary, This what I like to suggest. Get a park map as soon as you get inside the gates, they are free and they are every where. Now, look at the show and parade times (they are not to be missed for the first timer). Plan your rides and attractions around the shows and parades. Do as much as you can at each park, you will be glade you did. Go early, stay late, you snooze you loose.

Universal, IOA, well, you better figure more than 1 day, your kids will love IOA.

As far a relaxation for a first timer, I would say you better plan that part when you get back home, no time for rest, go get em, your going to have a BALL!

 

[ilikemike]

Welcome to the boards!!! I'm kind of a newbie to the boards too, and you will find LOTS of awesome ideas and tricks to making the most out of your trip. I've been to WDW 7 times (number 8 is coming up quick) and I still learn 'new' things from all the DISers every day when I log in!

I second the motion previously mentioned about the Westgate deal. If at all possible, avoid the breakfast deal (not sure if it is possible or not - - I got out of it right away because I was seperated at the time and was not making the minimum 40G's a year. My friends went and Westgate people are VERY high pressure sellers. (which turns me off anywhere and the big NO comes out real quick - - look out Car salesmen!! LOL)

I also recommend the Unofficial Guide - - I got mine from the Library for 3 weeks, the first time I went with just my daughter. With your kids being a little bit older, they could flip through it themselves and make a list of things they think they'd like to see and do. Combine everyone's lists (I'm sure there will be many things that are duplicated) and then you've got your 'Plan'!!!

Most of all, don't go Commando - take it easy and relax. You WILL be back again - - Disney fun is very addicting!

Have a great trip!