Newbie that has researched and still no clue!

[billy_steph]

Ok, this trip came somewhat unexpected and is set for the 6th through the 12th of May. It will be just my wife and I. On three of the days (Sun, Mon 8-5 and Tuesday 8-12) my wife will be attending a business seminar. I have decided to purchase two 6 day passes with park hopper and water park and more. I first chose the 4 day but figured with the small price differance why not the 6.

We will be staying off site at the Caribe Royale. So my question to the veterans. How would you aproach this? What would you do and when? She is not so much into the water parks as I am but I would like for her to atleast give it a try. We want to experiance as much as we can get in in the time frame we have! And prefer to have hit all the parks once said and done.

As far as some of the meals go, I have a few places I want togo and while I realize it may be designed for children I seriously want to hit Mickey's Backyard BBQ. I have searched WDW's website and have not found much info on times and such for this. Am I already to late to reserve or will this be something I can just purchase tickets on the same day? I have a ton of questions but will spare you guys !

 

[Maridw]

Try this page on Allearsnet.com

Mickey's Backyard BBQ

It gives you the days and times for this plus the cost.

Hope this helps.

PS Dis'ers are always ready to help. Bring on the questions.

 

[MDDisneyFan]

Make sure to visit all the places you want to experience - even if you think they are geared for children. We are all children at heart. My DH and I go to WDW alone often (my DS is grown). We go to everything! Us big kids have fun too!

I have always found the folks at this site to be very helpful. Do some surfing or get a guide book. Finding out what's available is half the fun.

 

[billy_steph]

Thanks very much for the info on the site! It will be helpful with other questions as well!

One quick question that I am sure gets asked all too much, what kind of crowd will be at the parks around this time frame? My logic was, this would be an ok time since we are post spring breakers and pre summer crowd.

Also, the fast pass. I am still abit confused about lol. I swear guys I am searching my heart out!

 

[MDDisneyFan]

The crowds are definitely less than the summertime crowds. You may want to check for park hours and events (e.g. evening fireworks, etc.). Not everything may run throughout the week this time of the year.

You will great weather! I'd definitely check out the water parks if you are interested.

 

[billy_steph]

Ok, cancel the fast pass question. I have it figured out . If I am this excited with a month away what will it be like as it draws closer whew. It's a shame that I am 32 and just now taking first trip!!! I have not even been yet and I am hooked and thinking about future trips!

 

[lustergirl]

Ok, cancel the fast pass question. I have it figured out . If I am this excited with a month away what will it be like as it draws closer whew. It's a shame that I am 32 and just now taking first trip!!! I have not even been yet and I am hooked and thinking about future trips!

This happens to the best of us. Like the disney commercial where the parent says "I'm too excited to sleep"

 

[abitjaded]

My DH was at a conference on at least one of our WDW trips. I liked World Showcase, especially, on my own. It is very nice when it first opens. I enjoyed wandering the shops, seeing the films and just looking at all the nice touches you do not notice when you are power walking from ride to ride. You can wine or beer taste, too. Sign up for a special tour. Check out the train town.

Another nice park on your own is Animal Kingdom. Ride the safari a couple of times. Take time to see the bird show. Look for De Vine. There are wonderful touches on the buildings, look high and low. Get a glass of wine and watch the drummers at Tusker's. Watch the carvers in Harambe.

If DW is available in the evenings, have dinner at Spoodles then get a front seat at Jelly Rolls. Rent a bike or surrey on the Boardwalk and peddle around.

At Pleasure Island, go to Adventure's Club, by yourself you will still have a great time. Ditto the Comedy Club. Catch some Jazz. Take the boats to and from anywhere to anywhere. Do Disney Quest if it rains.

On your own is a great chance to just slow down and enjoy.

Carla

 

[phyllis1966]

...It's a shame that I am 32 and just now taking first trip!!! I have not even been yet and I am hooked and thinking about future trips!

Hey - I was 30 for my first trip (solo with DH) and I was hooked from the moment I set foot on Main Street! The last few weeks before a WDW vacation are almost torturous for me, especially since I usually make my resort reservation at least 8 months ahead of time. It's getting close now and I've just about run out of things to plan, so I just read these boards every day to keep the mood going and soon we'll be there...

I learned more from this site and allearsnet than anywhere else - just keep reading and make your meal reservations as soon as you can. There are lots of great places to eat (we enjoy the character meals as much as our DD does).

Welcome and enjoy your trip!

 

[GoofyBaseballMom26]

I had never been to a water park until a couple of years ago when we went to Typhoon Lagoon. If your wife doesn't like theidea of big slides etc she would probably like it better than Blizzard Beach. I loved it, had a ball, can't wait to go back this year. (And I'm a lot older that her ) I hope she enjoys it as well.

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

I recommend getting a guide book like the UG to give you an idea of what the attractions at each park are and what they're like. If you want to maximize your time in the parks, it's a good idea to have a touring plan of some sort.

 

[ZoZo]

One thing you can do while your wife is at her seminar sessions would be to go to the water parks by yourself, since you said she doesn't like them much. You can then "save" your together-time doing all of the other wonderful things at WDW.

 

[netposer]

Ok, this trip came somewhat unexpected and is set for the 6th through the 12th of May. It will be just my wife and I. On three of the days (Sun, Mon 8-5 and Tuesday 8-12) my wife will be attending a business seminar. I have decided to purchase two 6 day passes with park hopper and water park and more. I first chose the 4 day but figured with the small price differance why not the 6.

We will be staying off site at the Caribe Royale. So my question to the veterans. How would you aproach this? What would you do and when? She is not so much into the water parks as I am but I would like for her to atleast give it a try. We want to experiance as much as we can get in in the time frame we have! And prefer to have hit all the parks once said and done.

As far as some of the meals go, I have a few places I want togo and while I realize it may be designed for children I seriously want to hit Mickey's Backyard BBQ. I have searched WDW's website and have not found much info on times and such for this. Am I already to late to reserve or will this be something I can just purchase tickets on the same day? I have a ton of questions but will spare you guys !

You should do 3 things before you go:

1. Use this forum (read and post)
2. Purchase the book "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, 2006" only $12.34
3. Visit http://www.touringplans.com

 

[rigs32]

I second those who encouraged you to do research. Know which attractions you really want to hit. Having two sets of adults-sized legs makes doing what you want a lot easier.

Really want to get in the mood? Go over to live365.com and listen to one of the disney stations. Park hopper radio and mouse planet play audio from around the parks.

I'm not big into country music, so I won't be going to Mickey's BBQ anytime soon. BUT, DH and I love character meals (we're 28 and 31 with no kids). Our trick is to make a late reservation. As the crowds thin, the characters like interacting with playful adults. We have photos from Crystal Palace of us with all the Pooh characters and DH had a bouncing contest with Tigger.

 

[chrome64]

I have to put my 2 cents in here. I'm so excited for you that you are about to get to expierence one of the greatest things in the world. My DH visited DW for the first time when he was 25 and he was hooked for life. Now, it has more or less, become our life! With you being as excited as you are now, I know Disney won't let you down, your going to love it!

Now, since you have never been before, I want to tell you about something that took me 26 years to figure out... Staying on property!

I have never stayed at the Caribe Royale although I did check out their website and it looks awesome! I'm guessing that your DW's conference is being held there?

But, anyway my point is, you should check out the rates at the on-site hotels. You might stay in one that is not as nice as teh Caribe Royale but, the benefits of being on property to me are awesome.

You will hear a lot of people on the DIS say, stay away from parks that are having extra magic hours (EMH) on that day. And I agree if you are staying off property, but when you stay on property it is a great way to maximize your time at the parks! We almost always go to the park with the EMH and we never had a problem with crowds!! I say, if you ever do stay on property, try an EMH day and make the decision for yourself! Plus, when you stay on property, you never have to leave the magic! My favorite resort is the Boardwalk! You can walk to Epcot, take a boat to MGM, and if you have good running shoes you can take the monorail to Magic Kingdom. Not to mention the bus system! This might be a good situation if you and your wife are only going to have one car and I assume she will have to use it to get to her meetings!

As for the water park... if she is really not into going, you could always go to the water park while she is in her meetings! As long as she is ok with you having fun while she is having to work!

What ever you decide to do, I know that you are going to have so much fun! I love to see people on here that are truly excited!! It keeps my excitement going!!

Oh, another tip for a newbie, you simple must try out the Dole Whip at the Aloha Isle in MK!!!

As for your other questions, I suggest just listing the one at a time in new posts! You will get your answers and we all love reading them and responding to them!!

 

[renessa]

Call disney dining to check for availability for Mickeys BBQ. It is held on Thursday and Saturday in 2006. The show is from 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm, but they want you there by 6 pm with your tickets. Your get your tickets at Pioneer Hall. See if you can get a reservation for it...now!!! If not keep calling for cancelations. If you have four days in the disney parks together, then plan which park on which day. I agree with the prevoious poster and would tell you to do the water parks in your alone time and save the theme parks for the together time. The BBQ is several hours long, so I'd try and do that in the evening after Animal Kingdom. Have a great time!!! Ren

 

[chrome64]

Really want to get in the mood? Go over to live365.com and listen to one of the disney stations. Park hopper radio and mouse planet play audio from around the parks.

I second this one!!! Go to iTunes (free Apple download) and go to the iTunes music store section for Podcast. They are like little radio shows and so far they are all free to subscribe to! Search for Disney and you will find several podcasts. Just click on the subscribe button next to each one and then each time you open your iTunes you will get any new episodes that are out there! You don't need an iPod or even an MP3 player, you can listen to them on your computer or burn them to CD! It's all I listen to now!

Some of my favorites are:
Mouse Tunes
Mouse Guest Weekly
Inside the Magic
Window to the Magic
Trapped on Vacation (not always kid friendly but funny for adults!)
----I Love Earl!
Meandering Mouseb (not always kid friendly but funny for adults!)
Let's Talk About Disney

There are so many more and I never can get caught up on listening to all of them! But, you will love them! They are great for getting you in the mood to go to Disney and they help prevent the post Disney Trip blues (this is a real diagnosed condition), not to mention that they just make work a little more bareable! There's nothing like walking through the halls at work while listening to a ride through of Haunted Mansion or Pirates!!

 

[ZuZugal]

We've stayed at the Caribe many times now; great hotel and great location. Staying onsite has many benefits, but maybe you can take the time to check out a few of the properties and decide where you would like to stay on-site next time you go!! (always plan for the next trip while you are there!)

Be sure to check out downtown Disney too. You can always have a meal at one of the great restaurants at Animal Kingdom Lodge or other Disney property.

Don't forget to check out www.mousesavers.com. Some of the best info out there can be gotten from Mary!

 

[billy_steph]

I picked up the Unoffcial Guide last night and that book is worth its weight in gold! Great tip!

And I want to thank you all for you help! Great group of people you guys have here.

 

[clonetothebone]

Ok, cancel the fast pass question. I have it figured out . If I am this excited with a month away what will it be like as it draws closer whew. It's a shame that I am 32 and just now taking first trip!!! I have not even been yet and I am hooked and thinking about future trips!

I was 37 on first trip and not the least bit interested in going but now DW calls me "King Disney". You will love it. As for Mickeys Backyard Barbeque it is on Thursday's and Saturdays and you should still be able to get in. Starts at 0630 and lasts 3 hours and you have to arrive 30 minutes early.

If you call and can't get in when you want keep checking back. We are going in June and I just canceled our ADR because we decided we didn't want to be stuck in one place for 3 hours in the heat. I'm sure others cancel all the time as well.

Have Fun.