OK. I'm almost there...

[wdwrookie]

Hi Everyone,

I am almost all set witht he planning of my first trip to WDW/Universal! Hotel? Check (POFQ), Tickets? Check (Dream Maker and 2 tx to Universal good for 5 days), Air? Check (Great fares on Southwest), Transportation to and from the airport? Check (Mears it will be).

So I was feeling really good about myself, it being my first trip and having everything ready. I figured, all I have to do now is figure out a rough idea of what we want to do when (allowing for some major flexibility), and I'm all set! And then I started reading about restaurants and PSs and fireworks and where to see them and people waiting 150 years for certain reservations...

And I am officially overwhelmed again.

So I ask you:

1. Do I really have to make reservations now for dinner for a trip in April? We aren't interested in the whole character thing. We would like some flexibility as far as where we eat, though. For instance, can we decide in the morning where we'd like to eat that evening and make a PS, or is that cutting it too close? If we don't make a PS, how long would we wait typically (in Boston, we have waited 45 minutes with a reservation, so we're used to that)?

2. Speaking of fireworks, I think (and please correct me if I'm wrong) there are fireworks every night: once at Epcot and once at MK. If this is true, can you see them from certain restaurants? Are there any restaurants in MK that are nice (as in 2 adults with no children nice)?

3. And finally, and this is not food-related...we are arriving at 10:00 am on a Saturday. The plan is to go to the hotel, drop the stuff and head to a park (we have the UPH pass). I have never been to WDW before (my husband has, but a looong time ago). Should I go to the MK first? I get the feeling that would be a good first WDW experience. Am I dead wrong? What would you do if it were your first trip?

Thanks a million!

 

[litlpixie]

If I were you, I would avoid MK on Saturday(Viciously busy!!!)Especially the time your going to be there (april and midmorning-afternoon)If your staying on site, you can take advantage of EMH, it'll get you in the park an hour before it opens to the public. As far as restaurants in MK, we really like Liberty Tree Tavern. PS's are pretty convenient when your going in a busy month like April. You can try to call in the morning to try and get PS for the evening. If you have no kids w/ you, you'll probably be more flexible with your dinner times than us w/ 3kids. As far as fireworks, I'm not totally sure about where you can see them in what restaurants except for the California Grill in the Contemporary. I hope I helped. I'm sure you'll get lots and lots of great advice. Stick the boards!!

 

[XStAnt]

If your flight lands at 10:00 am, you probably won't get to your hotel until about 11:30, and checkin could take 20-30 minutes. (Your room also may not be ready but you can leave your luggage at the resort and get the room number later). You could probably be at a park by 1:00 pm at the latest (assuming you don't want to eat lunch first). Whether you go to MK that day would depend on when it closes that day, whether you plan any additional MK days (since it typically takes about 2 days to do most attractions), and who is going with you (any children, etc.). If you have another MK day planned then go ahead and check it out, esprcially if you have kids. If that is your only MK day, go to Epcot.

As for PS, it is very helpful, but we don't overplan. We know on our Epcot day that we will eat at Epcot. So we make a PS for an Epcot restaurant. We usually like to have one other nice sit down meal and so we pick a restaurant we want to try. If it is in a park we make a PS for the day we plan on doing that park. If it is at a resort we figure out which day would be best to eat there. The rest of the time we do counter service or take our chances with waiting.

I'd make at least one or two PSs. Even if you don't typically mind waiting 45 minutes for dinner, who wants to waste valuable park time waiting 45 minutes for dinner?

As for fireworks, I know Epcot has Illuminations every night at (usually at 9:00 or 9:30 but check the schedule). I'm not sure if MK has Wishes every night. Check the schedule on the Disney website. Also, MGM has Fantasmic every night.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[4greatboys]

April is a busy time at WDW and I would definetly make ps for the meals you really want to do. Our family normally plans a few ps meals and mainly counter service since we dont really like sticking to a sch on vacation. Our next vacation we will be there for 2 weeks in June so we will be making about 5 or 6 ps meals, like RFC, Sci Fi, Whispering Canyon etc.

 

[Micca]

Make the PS, you can always change your mind. I too would avoid Saturday at MK. I think Epcot would be a good Saturday afternoon/evening park choice. Welcome to the Dis

 

[Lexxiefern]

1. Yes. You need to make PS. When we were there in October, we were turned away many a time because they were only seating people with PS. I asked if we could just wait and was told NO. So I would make a few anyway.

2. Epcot every night; MK varies

3. I think going to MK is fine. Yes it will be busy on saturday. But most likely (I did not check) they will have both Spectromagic and Wishes that day/night. I always like to start my trips at MK. Will you be going back again to MK? In case it is too busy that day, you may want to go back to hit the stuff you missed.

Have fun planning!!

 

[Pembo]

When are you going in April???

We went the week after the week after Easter. (Did you get that? ) Crowds were lighter and we did not have any PS. If you are going when it is a slower time and you don't mind eating off hours, we always ate dinner early, then you should be okay. But if you are going peak times, then I'd make some ps.

As for your first park, go where you WANT! It's a Saturday, it will be crowded but have fun. Just be prepared for crowds. Ask for an early check-in at your hotel. You may or may not get it but it's worth requesting. Always nice to dump your stuff in your room.

Epcot has Illuminations nightly. MGM has Fantasmic nightly. MK has Spectro and Wishes nightly during peak times, not as often other times. Check the WDW Official site for the schedule.

Have a great trip! It's been a few years since we went 2 adults no kids.....but it was so much fun. I'd do it again in a minute, but my boys would be a little upset.