New in General

[DetroitDisney]

So I am new to these forums. Not really new to Disney, as I have been to the parks 5 times over the course of my (recently 27yr old) lifetime. I literally just went to all four WDW parks about a week ago and it blew me away. I feel like I was slowly returning to Disney over the past year or so, but going to the parks took me from interested to rabid fan. I hadnt been since I was about 15 years old and didnt know what to expect.

I am already looking to plan a trip to Disneyworld this fall since I havent been there since I was 5-ish.

I suppose I am looking for advice with a couple things. What is the best way to truly get acclimated to everything Disney that I have missed over the past few years? Could someone point me to a guide to planning Disney trips? I tend to be blessed with a job that pays well but is restrictive of time off, so I would generally need to take multiple short trips (aka 4 day weekends).

Also, I got lots of very weird looks and confusion from co-workers when I told them I was going to Disney World. Is this normal?

 

[DizNights]

I say the best way to get acclimated to WDW is to just quit your job and move down here. Its really the only way. Just do it. You'll be glad you did!

 

[DetroitDisney]

I say the best way to get acclimated to WDW is to just quit your job and move down here. Its really the only way. Just do it. You'll be glad you did!

I probably could. I am not sure that i want to make that kind of commitment to Disney quite yet, but I do have family in the fine state of Florida.

 

[MissM]

Haha! When people find out how much I love Disney and how many times I've been, they kind of give me that, "Aww,sweetie..." thing.

As far as getting acclimated... My advice (Especially if you're planning to go somewhat regularly) would be to find a tradition. I always hit the Magic Kingdom first. There's something about walking down Main Street and then seeing the castle that seriously gets me. After that, I have must-dos (For me, it's Pirates of the Caribbean & Haunted Mansion at MK, Biergarten at Epcot, and the Great Movie Ride and Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios)

I've recently started getting Minnie ears every trip. Silly, but I love them!

 

[jimmiej]

Read "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World", and when you go, stay on-site at a Disney hotel.

 

[com_op_2000]

Also, I got lots of very weird looks and confusion from co-workers when I told them I was going to Disney World. Is this normal?

What I tell people is:
Whoever pays the piper calls the music.

If your family/friends/co-workers wants you to go on a vacation and they are willing to pay for it, go and have a great time on them. If you are paying for the trip you go where and when you choose to go.

 

[DetroitDisney]

I was looking into DVC as well, but figure I should go a few more times before getting committed to something like that. I would ideally like to make a 4-5 day weekend trip once or twice per year.

 

[com_op_2000]

I was looking into DVC as well, but figure I should go a few more times before getting committed to something like that. I would ideally like to make a 4-5 day weekend trip once or twice per year.

I have been a DVC member since '93. Make sure you do plenty of research before making a final descision on that MAJOR purchase. You will be making up to a 50 year commitment to at least every thrid year vacationing with Disney.
Read as many of the DVC forum's threads as you can.

 

[DetroitDisney]

I have been a DVC member since '93. Make sure you do plenty of research before making a final descision on that MAJOR purchase. You will be making up to a 50 year commitment to at least every thrid year vacationing with Disney. Read as many of the DVC forum's threads as you can.

I mean the money isn't really an issue, I just want to make sure that DVC makes sense for me as far as going to disney so often.

Do you really need to book things 7mo in advance? I'm more of a 2-3mo planner.

 

[bryanb]

DVC is a bit of a commitment. But it sounds like you would definitely benefit from an annual passport if you make a couple of 4-day trips within a 12 month period.

Most of my co-workers have no interest in Disney, so I guess it's normal. I recently was in Orlando for the first time on a business trip, and everyone wanted to spend time at the hotel bar/pool during their off time rather than go to the parks. That's fine by me... so I just ditched them!

 

[DetroitDisney]

Also, i notice lots of solo travel people out here. I have a gf so I'm not really looking for a singles hookup, but she's not really into disney.

What advice do you folks have? She will go to the parks and such but doesn't love it. And it's like pulling teeth to get her to stay past 5pm, and as you all know when you pay to travel to disney you want to make the most of it.

 

[DizNights]

I think a lot of people like your GF that aren't big Disney fans are under the impression that WDW is just an amusement park. They don't realize the magnitude of the place and how much there is to do outside of the actual parks.

I think you just have to introduce her to the resorts and all the great restaurants and activities there are to do outside the 4 main parks. I'll admit, in recent years, I've been drawn more to the non-park activities.

If someone who doesn't enjoy the parks also doesn't enjoy downtown Disney, or the boardwalk, or any of the resorts...I'd say they are just anti-Disney altogether...which is a shame.

 

[playnascar]

join the club about people give you wierd look when people here I am going by my self they think I am crazy I am going in sept 15 tru 22 and have the same proble at work to about limt time off only get 3 weeks of paid vacation leave

 

[DetroitDisney]

If I was to actually move to Florida (which isnt only for Disney, Detroit winters kill me), where would be a good area near Orlando? I cant imagine living in a tourist area, but would be interested in knowing what areas are good. I work in finance, and know I would be ok finding a new job in any populated area.

Any good areas to look into close by? Or what would be the best alternatives within an hour or so away?

 

[com_op_2000]

If I was to actually move to Florida (which isnt only for Disney, Detroit winters kill me), where would be a good area near Orlando? I cant imagine living in a tourist area, but would be interested in knowing what areas are good. I work in finance, and know I would be ok finding a new job in any populated area.

Any good areas to look into close by? Or what would be the best alternatives within an hour or so away?

I have lived my life within 30 miles of Orlando except for college.
Within an hour of WDW, you have all different sorts of living options:
beach areas
forests
downtowns newer and older types
lots of surburban areas
farmnig communities
Based on your finance work, I would suggest downtown Orlando area where all the big banks/other financial businesses are located but some of the other downtown areas within one hour have their own local banking businesses.

 

[com_op_2000]

join the club about people give you wierd look when people here I am going by my self they think I am crazy I am going in sept 15 tru 22 and have the same proble at work to about limt time off only get 3 weeks of paid vacation leave

What I tell people is:
Whoever pays the piper calls the music.

 

[DetroitDisney]

I have lived my life within 30 miles of Orlando except for college. Within an hour of WDW, you have all different sorts of living options: beach areas forests downtowns newer and older types lots of surburban areas farmnig communities Based on your finance work, I would suggest downtown Orlando area where all the big banks/other financial businesses are located but some of the other downtown areas within one hour have their own local banking businesses.

Cool. From my initial looking, it seems like I would most likely go with something in either Tampa, Jacksonville, or Orlando area. Given that I am in my 20s and plan on starting a family in the very near future (3-5 yrs hopefully on some kids), which area would suit me best? It is it fairly even?

 

[jagfanjosh3252]

I live in Jacksonville. What kind if info you looking for?

 

[DetroitDisney]

I live in Jacksonville. What kind if info you looking for?

Awesome! I guess my main question would be your perception of the safety of the city, the quality of the schools, and how much you like living there. Also are there certain areas of downtown or the suburbs which are the best to move to for safety/schools/etc?

 

[amfie928]

Cool. From my initial looking, it seems like I would most likely go with something in either Tampa, Jacksonville, or Orlando area. Given that I am in my 20s and plan on starting a family in the very near future (3-5 yrs hopefully on some kids), which area would suit me best? It is it fairly even?

My brother and family live in Tampa and love it. There are so many different 'sides' to Tampa that you can pretty much find anything you are looking for. Its a great area. Close to the beaches. 1 hr 45 min from Disney and about an hour from Sarasota. Some great schools too!