Newbie from TN.

[andiee1123]

Hi everyone! I have been reading the boards here for a few weeks, but just joined today. Everyone seems so nice and helpful here and I love it already.

I haven't been to disney since I was 11 and my kids have never been. We are planning our trip for Dec.26-Dec.31. I have read and heard that it will be very very crowded, but I have no choice. With kids in school and hubby working this was the only opportunity we had to go. I don't care how crowded it is I am going to have a blast. I think I am more excited than the children are.

I have been doing alot of research on this trip and I think I know alot of what I need to know, but I do have a few questions. Can I pack lunch and snacks in a small cooler and take it in the park? Would a fanny pack or small backpack be better? I'll be staying on W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy., does anyone know the best way to get to disney from there? Or will it be a no-brainer? I saw on my directions that there will be toll roads, how much do they charge so I can be ready?

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[Izeesmom]

Hi and welcome. I am from TN too, I live around Knoxville area. We are leaving for Disney in tomorrow and will be staying at the Grand. I am not even packed . Hope you enjoy your trip!

 

[ArronandStarr]

Hey im from TN to im in Johnson City me and my family are going in march. Have fun on your trip

 

[tchan03]

Welcome to the DIS!

 

[angela3676]

Welcome! I 'm from TN too.

I can answer one of your questions. No you cannot bring a cooler into the parks. You are not suppose to bring in food but disney does not enforce it so you can put food items in your bag/backpack etc. I know the rest of your questions will be answered soon. I hope you have a great trip. You seem to be in the right frame of mind to visit around a holiday like Christmas. Again, . And ->

 

[lovetoscrap]

We are planning our trip for Dec.26-Dec.31. I have read and heard that it will be very very crowded, but I have no choice. With kids in school and hubby working this was the only opportunity we had to go. I don't care how crowded it is I am going to have a blast. I think I am more excited than the children are.

I have been doing alot of research on this trip and I think I know alot of what I need to know, but I do have a few questions. Can I pack lunch and snacks in a small cooler and take it in the park? Would a fanny pack or small backpack be better? I'll be staying on W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy., does anyone know the best way to get to disney from there? Or will it be a no-brainer? I saw on my directions that there will be toll roads, how much do they charge so I can be ready?

Thank you in advance for your help.

to the DIS!

It will be crowded then but it sounds like you have the right attitude! Just realize you will NOT be able to do everything. Make sure you understand Fastpass and make use of them. The biggest advice I can give you to beat the crowds is to get up early and be at the park BEFORE they open. I have found that you can do so much in the first 3 hours! It is really worth it to get up early. And this is coming from someone that is so not a morning person! My ideal wake up time is around 10am normally, but at Disney I force myself up at about 6 am. And since you are staying offsite I would avoid going to the Extra Magic Hour park on any particular day since you can't take advantage of that and it will typically be more crowded.


As for snacks and drinks, you are able to bring them in, within reason (leave the entire turkey dinner with all the trimmings at home ). You can not bring in a hard sided cooler or even a large soft cooler. I had no problems with small lunch sized cooler in my stroller. If you won't have a stroller then just remember you have to carry it and keep up with it in all the rides and shows. Certainly a backpack or a fanny pack would be way more comfortable and easier. You will have to open your bags for security, but they don't care about your snacks and drinks. Juice boxes and water are easier than soda since it might get all shook up! They are just looking for weapons or other contraband like drugs or alcohol.

Have a great time and make sure you enjoy the Christmas decorations- Don't miss the Osborne lights and the MK fireworks

Hey im from TN to im in Johnson City me and my family are going in march. Have fun on your trip

Hi! I used to live in Bristol! Took many trips to the "big city" of Johnson City.

 

[DavidH]

I'm from Bristol originally and was a WDW CM for several years. It is going to be big-time crowded, but you will have fun.

You can't take hard coolers into the parks, but a few snacks and some water in a backpack is okay. Central Florida is weird about road names - the same road will have 3 or 4 different name is just a few miles. Irlo Bronson Prkwy is 192, Disney is in the northwest corner of 192 and I-4.

Since your going the busiest week of the whole year - MHO is get up and be first in line, pick a couple of must-do's and take it easy the rest of the day. Take advantage of the Fastpass. We would usually close the park (MGM) before lunch every day between Christmas and New Years.

Have fun.

David

 

[lovetoscrap]

You are not suppose to bring in food but disney does not enforce it so you can put food items in your bag/backpack etc. I:

I just want to clarify this. Disney does not have any rules against bringing food into the parks. This is a big misconception that gets debated around here often, but when Disney has been contacted about this they have clarified that they have no official policy prohibiting food or drink being brought into the parks. They have no problems with you bringing in water, juice, soda, sandwiches , snacks etc... They do have a policy of no coolers, but generally will overlook a very small one, particularly if you have a small child with a stroller. They will allow soft sided coolers for medical needs and for bottles and baby food.

 

[PrincessHope84]

Have a great vacation!!

 

[campingpug]

We are on our way Friday from Tn to FtW. Just get ready for the crowd and enjoy

 

[kaylajr]

Looks like your questions have been answered but let me join in
Welcoming you to the DIS

Glad your here stop back and tell us how the trip goes

 

[cameyer85]

Hello from Whitehouse TN.
Origianally from NY state.

Hi everyone! I have been reading the boards here for a few weeks, but just joined today. Everyone seems so nice and helpful here and I love it already.

I haven't been to disney since I was 11 and my kids have never been. We are planning our trip for Dec.26-Dec.31. I have read and heard that it will be very very crowded, but I have no choice. With kids in school and hubby working this was the only opportunity we had to go. I don't care how crowded it is I am going to have a blast. I think I am more excited than the children are.

I have been doing alot of research on this trip and I think I know alot of what I need to know, but I do have a few questions. Can I pack lunch and snacks in a small cooler and take it in the park? Would a fanny pack or small backpack be better? I'll be staying on W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy., does anyone know the best way to get to disney from there? Or will it be a no-brainer? I saw on my directions that there will be toll roads, how much do they charge so I can be ready?

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[mom2disprincesses]

welcome . you must be so excited going over the christmas holidays!

 

[andiee1123]

Thank you all for such a warm welcome and answers to my questions. Just to make sure that I am completely clear on this. I could take a small backpack with sandwiches and snacks and that would be okay?