New- tell me something I must know

[Mother2two]

Happy weekend everyone!
I am going to Disney World for the first time. It will be me, my husband, my young adult son and daughter. They have all been at some point in their life, but I have never been. We are planning to go around the beginning of December.
Tell me something I need to know when booking everything. Ie.. traveling, resorts, food, places to visit

Thank you so much! I look forward to reading your posts.

Christina

 

[disneydreamer1980]

There’s a whole lot to know. You’ll want to do a lot of research before going. Thus is a great place for that.

Book your restaurant reservations 60 days out from arrival, budget more than you think you’ll need (look at food prices online beforehand to get an idea of what you’ll need), if you want to stay deluxe without the huge price tag look into renting DVC points.

Magic kingdom has more attractions to the other parks, so I’d plan on spending a little more time there than at the other parks.

Early December they’ll have all their Xmas stuff going on. There are Xmas parties at MK a few times a week that force MK to close early to regular guests. These are good days to visit MK crowd wise, just make sure you have another evening there to see the fireworks. The parties are pretty expensive but they’re fun. Epcot has a Xmas festival going on, with lots of Xmas food and things from around the world. There’s a candlelight processional nightly there, which is like a reading of the Xmas story by a celebrity. You can buy a dinner package for a seat or wait in a long line.

Resort guests get into all the parks 30 min early each day and deluxe guests get 2 hours twice a week after close in two of the parks, where only deluxe guests are allowed and there are very low waits,

There’s a way to skip most of the ride lines and wait in the “lightning lane” queue. It’s called Lightning lane multi pass, it costs money but saves time. You’ll want to look into that to see if it’s something for you.

There is a dining plan you can prepay for, but it’s for convenience not saving money.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Start stashing Disney gift cards. Save your receipts. Some people use them like a "budget" for daily spending.

Keep a box or bin where you can toss things you come across between now and then that might be handy. Today I picked up a small hand sanitizer with a scent I like and some small plastic travel bottles to fill with my shampoo etc. The tiny toothpaste from the dentist along with the tiny floss go in the box. You get the idea!

Pick up tee shirts from a brand that you like on clearance. I buy Land's End. I then order iron on's appropriate for the trip from Etsy. Make sure you have really good socks. I buy wool Bombas. Two pair per park day is best.

Bring laundry pods and dryer sheets. Take a pool break and do laundry at the same time. Plan to enter a park after dark on this day. It is a gorgeous experience - especially MK!

Read Allears.net menus and make note of where your family may like to eat. Prices can vary widely. Many QS meals can be split. Snacks are a big part of the experience. Better to eat lite every few hours to keep your energy up.

Eat breakfast or at least a snack before you leave in the morning. If you are coffee drinkers and can pick up bottled coffee to bring into the park with you (I like DD), it is a real time saver in the morning for that pick me up as EVERY line takes forever it seems. We also bring in a couple waters. Those strategies alone save about $150/day for 4 people.

Time is your most precious commodity. Use it wisely, but stop and smell the roses. Take in the architecture, flora and fauna and take a break to people watch.

I could go on, but others will have plenty of ideas. Enjoy!

 

[Djm_in_buffalo]

Spend a few bucks and get Birnbaum’s Disney guide. That way you don’t have to be glued to your phone or computer to read up on all the nuances associated with WDW.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I would recommend reading this thread and the corresponding links. It was created for those new to Disney or returning after a time away.

 

[Mother2two]

There’s a whole lot to know. You’ll want to do a lot of research before going. Thus is a great place for that.

Book your restaurant reservations 60 days out from arrival, budget more than you think you’ll need (look at food prices online beforehand to get an idea of what you’ll need), if you want to stay deluxe without the huge price tag look into renting DVC points.

Magic kingdom has more attractions to the other parks, so I’d plan on spending a little more time there than at the other parks.

Early December they’ll have all their Xmas stuff going on. There are Xmas parties at MK a few times a week that force MK to close early to regular guests. These are good days to visit MK crowd wise, just make sure you have another evening there to see the fireworks. The parties are pretty expensive but they’re fun. Epcot has a Xmas festival going on, with lots of Xmas food and things from around the world. There’s a candlelight processional nightly there, which is like a reading of the Xmas story by a celebrity. You can buy a dinner package for a seat or wait in a long line.

Resort guests get into all the parks 30 min early each day and deluxe guests get 2 hours twice a week after close in two of the parks, where only deluxe guests are allowed and there are very low waits,

There’s a way to skip most of the ride lines and wait in the “lightning lane” queue. It’s called Lightning lane multi pass, it costs money but saves time. You’ll want to look into that to see if it’s something for you.

There is a dining plan you can prepay for, but it’s for convenience not saving money.

Tell me what you think is the best family style restaurant. Not based on price but based on food.

 

[Mother2two]

Start stashing Disney gift cards.

Why gift cards?

 

[MICKIMINI]

Why gift cards?

You are putting money away for your trip. They are handy to use at the parks.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Tell me what you think is the best family style restaurant. Not based on price but based on food.
[/

In my opinion the best food at family style meals are Garden Grill in Epcot (it’s also a character meal and it rotates!). Liberty tavern in MK is good with similar style food as Garden Grill and Whispering Canyon in Wilderness lodge is good bbq style food. Ohana is hit or miss, sometimes really good sometimes not so much but we still go every trip anyway.

 

[WIDisneyFan]

Remember to ENJOY your trip and don't worry if plans are not perfect. There is an amazing amount to know and learn and while preparation is important the time with family matters more. All of the above are excellent advise but in our 20+ years of trips the most amazing moments have been unscripted moments of family and friends

 

[ShannyMcB]

Double triple quadruple check park hours! You don’t want to find yourself at a park closing early without hopper tickets and being stuck for evening entertainment.
Also if you are night owls check out all food venues around your hotel they close surprisingly early. Have snacks in your room for late night needs

 

[BostonEd]

Spend a few bucks and get Birnbaum’s Disney guide. That way you don’t have to be glued to your phone or computer to read up on all the nuances associated with WDW.

@MICKIMINI do this. Disboards is good for fine tuning your trip, but if you are a total newbie, you really should get a good guidebook and read it first. Then come back here when it's time to do more nut-and-bolts planning (and find out what have might have changed since the book's publication).

 

[MICKIMINI]

@MICKIMINI do this. Disboards is good for fine tuning your trip, but if you are a total newbie, you really should get a good guidebook and read it first. Then come back here when it's time to do more nut-and-bolts planning (and find out what have might have changed since the book's publication).

Well...I think my 50+ years and many hundreds of park days and 30 years of DVC is plenty of education for me! But, thanks for thinking of me...

 

[Mother2two]

Well...I think my 50+ years and many hundreds of park days and 30 years of DVC is plenty of education for me! But, thanks for thinking of me...

I appreciate the personal experience. Not everyone has the same view or experiences. Plus, someone with different experience in life may be able to give a better insight into something I might not think of.

 

[Mother2two]

@MICKIMINI do this. Disboards is good for fine tuning your trip, but if you are a total newbie, you really should get a good guidebook and read it first. Then come back here when it's time to do more nut-and-bolts planning (and find out what have might have changed since the book's publication).

I will do this as suggested. It definitely can’t hurt anything.

 

[BostonEd]

@MICKIMINI I mis-tagged you but I thought it would be obvious that I was referring to the OP who very plainly said this:

I am going to Disney World for the first time.... I have never been.

 

[BrianL]

Tell me what you think is the best family style restaurant. Not based on price but based on food.

WDW has a lot of good family style restaurants with all you care to eat food! My personal favorite like that is Garden Grill at Epcot. It is a character meal where Mickey, Pluto, Chip, and Dale will come around to your table for pictures, all in a rotating restaurant that offers views into the Living with the Land ride. The food here is fresh and comes as a hot skillet with turkey, steak, mashed potatoes, and veggies, plus a crock of mac & cheese, cornbread, and salad. You can get more of anything you like (the steak with chimichurri is great!) or just a whole new skillet. There is also a dessert (looks like currently it's strawberry shortcake, though when I was there recently it was apple pie - may change seasonally). You do pay a premium for the character, but I don't even care about characters, but just really love the food. This is also one of the older places that represents "Classic Epcot" from the 80's. You won't have any nostalgia for that of course, but it has a cool, old-fashioned feel.

 

[Madteaparty001]

If food quality is the object for a buffet then Boma, hands down. If characters are the name of the game that's a different conversation. Biggest question is: what's more important to you, vacation time or money? That will dictate the correct advice for you. If time then people will recommend things like dessert parties, lightning lane passes, character dining, etc. If money then grocery orders, rope drop, and discounted gift cards will be what's talked about. An ideal vacation looks different to everyone, is pool/down/nap time important? Do you have a thrill seeker who wants to ride all of the coasters? Figure out these things and the advice we can give you will be much more helpful.

 

[Mother2two]

If food quality is the object for a buffet then Boma, hands down. If characters are the name of the game that's a different conversation. Biggest question is: what's more important to you, vacation time or money? That will dictate the correct advice for you. If time then people will recommend things like dessert parties, lightning lane passes, character dining, etc. If money then grocery orders, rope drop, and discounted gift cards will be what's talked about. An ideal vacation looks different to everyone, is pool/down/nap time important? Do you have a thrill seeker who wants to ride all of the coasters? Figure out these things and the advice we can give you will be much more helpful.

Food is definitely a plus for my kids. Characters, not so much.
Most important: vacation time! Hands down!
My husband has a TBI so down time will be important for him. He will probably be the only one using a pool and taking a nap. No thrill seekers here. My husband and I like log rides and such. Hope that helps.

 

[Madteaparty001]

Food is definitely a plus for my kids. Characters, not so much.
Most important: vacation time! Hands down!
My husband has a TBI so down time will be important for him. He will probably be the only one using a pool and taking a nap. No thrill seekers here. My husband and I like log rides and such. Hope that helps.

If you're going in December then make sure to pack layers as the weather can go from 80s to 60s. And depending on if you're from the North or the South that will feel different for you. It was mostly 60s the week in December we went a few years ago, DH was in pants and a t-shirt while I was wearing leggings under my jeans and a coat. The humidity in Florida makes the cold feel much colder then what I'm used to at that temperature.

If maximizing your time and wanting to add in downtime is a priority then paying for the lighting lane multi pass and maybe some of the individual passes for high demand rides (like Rise of the Resistance) is a good strategy. If money is no concern at all then Premier Pass for Magic Kingdom will let you ride everything in that park whenever your want once without having to constantly book times on your phone, I wouldn't really pay for it at any other park. If crowds are a concern or you really want to get a good spot for fireworks without sitting on a curb for an hour or two then a dessert party would be a way to guarantee an uncrowded reserved area. Just note that the offerings are middling at best, you're paying mostly for coveted seating, but the kids will get a kick out of a buffet of sweets, cubed cheeses, and juice while the adults will have access to some cheap (in quality, the price is included) alcoholic beverages.

Staying in a Disney Resort will get you access to early entry which can also get you more time for your money as the lines will be shorter until about 10 AM. But if you want to sleep in and aren't focused on hitting every ride then the lightning lane pass can help with that by making sure you get to reserve 3 of your MUST rides while offering a chance at reserving more.

As others have mentioned deluxe will also give you access to extra hours after closing on certain days in certain parks, but if your kids have earlier bed times this may not be useful to you. The other things Deluxe resorts offer is usually convenience in terms of proximity to certain parks and preferred transportation such as the monorail, boats, and/or the skyliner. The cheaper Deluxes such as Saratoga Springs and Animal Kingdom Lodge do not have these but offer different benefits such as close proximity to Disney Springs and live animals respectively. Many people offset the cost of these resorts by renting DVC (disney vacation club) points, but note these reservations are often non-refundable.

If your husband will need frequent breaks and you'll be focusing on Magic Kingdom (as most people with young children do) or even Epcot, then I would recommend reserving your budget and using it on staying in a monorail resort such as Grand Floridian, Contemporary, or Polynesian. These are expensive, DVC point rental makes them slightly less expensive, but it would allow for your family to easily go to and from the resort or split up more often with confidence whether by using the walking trails or the monorail. This is especially more convenient if you're using strollers and/or wheelchairs/ECVs.

My DD is special needs and needs frequent breaks, this means our typical day looks like: Roll into a park around 10 AM using DAS (Disney Access Service for those with certain disabilities that makes waiting in a queue difficult), leave around 2-3 PM for afternoon break/early dinner, return to park for either a few hours or to close it out depending on how she feels. We rent DVC points for several reasons, the in room kitchenette (or full kitchen if you pay for a bigger room), better restaurants and pools, access to free communal laundry room (in room laundry for bigger rooms), less time spent on transportation (usually).

You usually want to pick your restaurants after you've picked your park days and resort, this narrows down the pool of convenient locations unless you have some must do picks such as Cinderella's Royal Table or Topolinos (both popular but for atmosphere experience vs. quality).