I spent 4 months obsessively planning my first WDW trip. Thanks to the Dis (and other sites and forums but mainly this one!) it was an amazing one. We did 5 days in the parks with some park hopping due to one day being incredibly stormy but on average; 1 day in Epcot, AK and HS with 2 in MK.
A few thoughts from a newbie;
1.) It's fine if you've obsessively planned but be prepared to be flexible. A crazy thunderstorm on day 1 changed our plans but certainly didn't ruin them. Park hoppers were super useful because we had to leave AK by 4 pm (we'd spent 3 hours getting drenched and it wasn't passing) so we went back to the villa till the storm passed. By 6 pm, the storm was gone and AK was closed but we got 4 great hours at MK.
2.) Do not underestimate the exhaustion. If you plan on rope drop till park close on more than a couple of days even with a rest break on a day in between, expect to need a LOT of sleep when you return home. I think I've slept more in the last 48 hours than I did the entire 10 day stay in Orlando.Also, if you're not used to the weather - pale English rose from London here - then it's easy to get even more tired.
3.) You will get grouchy but it will pass. Your fellow travelers will get grouchy and it probably won't be at the same time as your grouchiness. Expect it and have a plan; a drink, snack and a seat in air conditioning was the only way we dealt with this.
4.) You don't have to sit for hours for get a good spot for the parades and fireworks. You do need to be prepared and don't show up 5 minutes before but equally, sitting for up to 2 hours isn't the best use of your time, unless you have 3 weeks in the park and like sitting down and waiting for stuff.
5.) Try the foods recommended on here, these people know their stuff! My personal favourites; pineapple dole whip float (so refreshing!), mickey pretzel, popcorn and funnel cake. Also, don't eat if you're planning on snacking 'round the world at Epcot. We went early evening and had eaten a light lunch which meant we couldn't enjoy the food as much as we'd hoped as we weren't that hungry.
6.) Finally and most importantly; you will be accepted for who you are. At 28, the thought of needing a mobility scooter and wheelchair (at airport) was horrifying but I felt so normal in WDW. I am photosensitive (intolerant to sun) so needed a big hat, huge sunglasses and clothes that covered most of my skin. There were people of all shapes and sizes, of all colours and backgrounds and everyone was accepted as a Disney fan.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU all for helping make my once in a lifetime trip very special.
A few thoughts from a newbie;
1.) It's fine if you've obsessively planned but be prepared to be flexible. A crazy thunderstorm on day 1 changed our plans but certainly didn't ruin them. Park hoppers were super useful because we had to leave AK by 4 pm (we'd spent 3 hours getting drenched and it wasn't passing) so we went back to the villa till the storm passed. By 6 pm, the storm was gone and AK was closed but we got 4 great hours at MK.
2.) Do not underestimate the exhaustion. If you plan on rope drop till park close on more than a couple of days even with a rest break on a day in between, expect to need a LOT of sleep when you return home. I think I've slept more in the last 48 hours than I did the entire 10 day stay in Orlando.Also, if you're not used to the weather - pale English rose from London here - then it's easy to get even more tired.
3.) You will get grouchy but it will pass. Your fellow travelers will get grouchy and it probably won't be at the same time as your grouchiness. Expect it and have a plan; a drink, snack and a seat in air conditioning was the only way we dealt with this.
4.) You don't have to sit for hours for get a good spot for the parades and fireworks. You do need to be prepared and don't show up 5 minutes before but equally, sitting for up to 2 hours isn't the best use of your time, unless you have 3 weeks in the park and like sitting down and waiting for stuff.
5.) Try the foods recommended on here, these people know their stuff! My personal favourites; pineapple dole whip float (so refreshing!), mickey pretzel, popcorn and funnel cake. Also, don't eat if you're planning on snacking 'round the world at Epcot. We went early evening and had eaten a light lunch which meant we couldn't enjoy the food as much as we'd hoped as we weren't that hungry.
6.) Finally and most importantly; you will be accepted for who you are. At 28, the thought of needing a mobility scooter and wheelchair (at airport) was horrifying but I felt so normal in WDW. I am photosensitive (intolerant to sun) so needed a big hat, huge sunglasses and clothes that covered most of my skin. There were people of all shapes and sizes, of all colours and backgrounds and everyone was accepted as a Disney fan.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU all for helping make my once in a lifetime trip very special.
