New to the boards! Going to WDW 11/05/06

[momto3girls]

Hi all!

I've been reading the boards for a couple of days and decided to join in!

My husband and I are taking our three daughters (ages 9, 7 and 7) to Disney on November 5. We have booked 6 nights at the Port Orleans Riverside and are using the dining plan. We have 7 days passes with the water park option. I decided not to do Park Hopper because this is the kids first trip to Disney - should I change that?

Right now, we are arriving on Sunday mid afternoon (driving in from Tampa after a wedding on Saturday) and plan on going to Magic Kingdom first. Isn't that the best choice for the girls' first day? Plus, the park is open late that night for resort guests. We have dinner reservations at Crystal Palace based on a friend's recommendation.

Monday, our plan is to go to Animal Kingdom because it opens early for park guests. We have reservations for a character breakfast at 10:45, so we thought we'd do the safari ride first and whatever else (if anything) we can fit in before breakfast.

The only other dinner reservation we have right now is at Marrakesh - it's a favorite for my husband and me and we thought the girls would enjoy the belly dancers as well as the food. Luckily, they're pretty good eaters and couscous is one of their favorite foods. I think they'll enjoy dinner there. I think that reservation is on Wednesday or whatever night the park is open late.

I love the idea of Tinkerbell visiting the room during the night (read on one of the boards here) to make this first trip to Disney special. Any other suggestions? Any dinner suggestions? We want to get the best possible value out of our dining plan and have the opportunity to eat where we probably wouldn't if we were paying regular menu prices.

I love that the girls are the perfect age - big enough to ride everything, little enough to believe.... I am very excited about seeing Disney through my daughters' eyes and would love any suggestions to make this even more special!

TIA!

 

[ThreeAngels]

Hi and welcome to the DIS! You'll get lots of great suggestions here.

I don't have much time to post tonight, but I think you'll have tons of fun with your girls. I think I would save Magic Kingdom for last (we're doing that) because it is just so special and I don't think anything else *quite* matches up to the magic of that. We're eating at Crystal Palace, too. That should be great fun, esp. if your girls are Pooh fans!

We're actually avoiding the parks that have the extra magic hours because I've heard the parks are so crazy busy then. I'd prefer them when they're a bit more relaxed.

One idea that's made it really exciting for my kids (but it's a pre-trip idea):

I got lots of the Mickey head paint chips from Home Depot and taped them together to make a countdown chain. Got all different colors, made the chain in a rainbow of colors and put the number of days remaining til our trip. They take turns getting to rip off the head each morning.

I've heard all sorts of great things about Port Orleans Riverside. That's where we're staying, too. Can't wait!

Once again, WELCOME aboard!

 

[aprilshugah]

welcome--I am a newbie to the boards--everyone is great here--but some are very opinionated--this isn't for the faint of heart--love disney

 

[Frantasmic]

Have fun. Sounds like you have some good planning!! I hope your children enjoy their trip.

 

[munchkin bunchkin]

Welcome to the Wonderful World of DIS! Sounds like you,ve got a good plan , Have a wonderful Trip!

 

[DisneyFairy19]

HAVE A GREAT TIME..

 

[Bev J]

Welcome to the DIS! So Glad you found us so you can have even more fun planning your trip!!

I noticed that you have included the water park option in your tickets and I thought I would mention that Blizzard Beach will be closing October 29-January for rehab, this according to a newsletter I receive. So you will only have one water park available instead of 2. We have been in Orlando at the end of October and it was way too cold for swimming then 2 day later warm again, so you might want to reconsider the water park option and get the hopper instead.
Our family enjoys going to one park in the morning and moving to a different park for the afternoon/evening, this would also give you alot more dining options since many of the resturants are in Epcot.
Since your staying at POR you also can use the cool dragonslide pool over at French Quarter, your girls will love it!
Your trip will be here before you know it, enjoy it!! I think half the fun is the planning part....LOL

Bev

 

[momto3girls]

Thanks everyone for the welcome - I've already discovered that the info on these boards is incredible! I used to work as a travel agent, so I used to be a bit of an expert, but since having the kids, that expertise has been lost! Well, now I'm an expert on other things - LOL!

The main reason for getting the water park passes was for Disney Quest. My oldest DD and my DH are both video game enthusiasts and I have heard rave reviews about Disney Quest. Plus, if it's warm enough (though I doubt it will be), we still have the option of going to Typhoon Lagoon. All three DDs want to try the wave pool (looks a bit scary to me) more than anything.

I am reconsidering the park hopper option, mainly so we can be sure to get a good view of Tink flying at MK and Illuminations at Epcot. Plus, we'll spend the most time at those two parks and it would be nice to be able to go back for an evening....

What time are the fireworks and Illuminations in early November? That is one thing I can't seem to find listed anywhere!

 

[Minniespal]

Welcome to the Dis

 

[DizneyNutz]

Thanks everyone for the welcome - I've already discovered that the info on these boards is incredible! I used to work as a travel agent, so I used to be a bit of an expert, but since having the kids, that expertise has been lost! Well, now I'm an expert on other things - LOL!

The main reason for getting the water park passes was for Disney Quest. My oldest DD and my DH are both video game enthusiasts and I have heard rave reviews about Disney Quest. Plus, if it's warm enough (though I doubt it will be), we still have the option of going to Typhoon Lagoon. All three DDs want to try the wave pool (looks a bit scary to me) more than anything.

I am reconsidering the park hopper option, mainly so we can be sure to get a good view of Tink flying at MK and Illuminations at Epcot. Plus, we'll spend the most time at those two parks and it would be nice to be able to go back for an evening....

What time are the fireworks and Illuminations in early November? That is one thing I can't seem to find listed anywhere!

Maybe this will help with your times? Looks like Illuminations are up for REHAB on the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/november06.cfm?requesttimeout=1000