Our First Disney Tip

[BRANDIRN]

Hey guys! I'm new to this site and new to Disney World. We are planning our first disney vacation, and it's in less than a month! It will be me, my husband, and our 2 boys-ages 5 and 9. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

P.S.
My guys love pirates of the carrabean and animals!

 

[Disney-For-Life]

Wow-you must be very excited!
Where are you folks planning to stay?

 

[susykt4]

My kids are 6 and 4. My best advice is to have some idea of what rides you really want to hit before you leave. At least on your first day at MK and Epcot, try to arrive so you're there at park opening and your waits will be MUCH shorter. Know what a FastPass is and how to use it. Try hard not to overdo it the first day in the parks (when you're fresh and extra-excited) or the whole family will be dragging the next day(s). Be flexible.

The animal trails at AK are much less crowded close to park opening. We usually do the safari first and then do the two major trails (our kids were still too short for Everest last trip, though.) If you love zoos, you'll love the AK trails!

If your boys love trains, riding in the front car of the monorail from MK to Epcot is really fun. You just ask the (uh) monorail people and they'll show you where to wait. We had to wait for the 2nd train but it was sooooo worth it! They gave us these business card sized "Monorail CoPilot Licences" after the trip and my kids thought they were the coolest things. Have fun!!!

 

[BRANDIRN]

We are staying at Port Orleans French Quarter. We are super excited!! I might be even more excited than my boys!

 

[MinMouse]

My #1 advice is to get to the parks at park opening. More folks are willing to stay late than get up early. So my advice is grab some breakfast in the room, catch the shuttle bus and get to the park of choice for the day to see the gates open! Have a great time!

Mindy

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

My BEST advice would be to take it at your kids pace. LITERALLY! GO slow, and go in with the notion that you are not going to see everything, or even 1/2 of everything. You will enjoy your vacation and the experience alot more if you slow down and ride dumbo 6 x's in a row, b/c thats what the kids want to do.

 

[gianna2006]

Research, read, and haunt these boards ...the more you know before you get there, the better off you'll be!!! And as the others have said, don't try to take it all in all at once...go at your kid's pace and you'll have a better time overall. Have fun!!!

 

[Disney-For-Life]

Be sure to take a mid-day break. For us, that means getting to the parks around 8 or 9, and then leaving to go back to our resort around 12 or 1pm. Then we usually take a dip in the pool, watch some TV in the room, or have a snooze until around 4pm. Then we head back to the parks. You feel reenergized after walking around in the parks, especially if you started the trip the a bit of jet leg.

Do lots of reading on the DIS and start to compile a list of what rides/attractions you think you and your family will like. Then, when you check into your hotel and receive maps of all the parks, you can take a marker and circle the ones you really want on the maps. When you get to the parks, you will have a clear plan of where to head off to first, or which way to travel. If you get to the parks when they open, I recommend running over and getting fast passes for one ride (check to see which rides have fast passes available that day), and then heading right over to the next closest ride you want to get on.

Make sure your family wears sneakers/comfortable shoes, and for the evenings, bring a light sweater. You might not need it, but on the days you do, you will appreciate it. Also, bring your sunglasses and try hard not to forget them on any of the rides (like I did!). If you loose something on a ride though, sometimes (not always), people do return found items so be sure to go back and ask.

I'm sure I'll think of more....

 

[mericletwins]

All of the above is excellent advice, go slow, take afternoon breaks, etc.

One thing you may want to consider is the kids Pirate Cruise at some of the resorts. Mine did it last year at the Beach Club and really liked it. They also have it at CBR and one of the MK resorts.

 

[Disney Ron]

Hey guys! I'm new to this site and new to Disney World. We are planning our first disney vacation, and it's in less than a month! It will be me, my husband, and our 2 boys-ages 5 and 9. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

P.S.
My guys love pirates of the carrabean and animals!

I am a new Mom and have read on the DIS board about people who make bags up for there children. I plan on doing this down the line for our son. You could give it to them just before the plane ride or once you arrive. Fill it with disney theme stuff. Glow necklaces, disney playing cards, coloring books, a landyard, snacks, pirate stuff, a hat, fan spray bottle or practical items for the trip.

People also mentioned decorating your hotel door. This seemed like a fun thing to do with the kids. Just thoughts.

Have Fun!
Mrs. Disney Ron

 

[MeMom]

You are in for the time of your life! Disney World is awesome. Prioritize; everybody list their must-do requests. Get to the parks early and get those in. Before the crowds get there you'll get in 2-3-4 rides in the time you might get one in later in the day. Use FastPasses. POFQ is beautiful. Be sure to try beignets while you are there. Your guys will love Animal Kingdom, since they love animals. Just start with the things you really want to do and work your way down through the less important ones. Take time to rest so you don't get cranky with each other. Realize going in that you will not see or do it all in one trip...and make plans to return! Come back and tell us what a great time you had.

 

[BRANDIRN]

What is beignets? Do you guys think Crocs would be the best bet for cool, comfortable shoes--or does anyone have any other ideas? I am so glad my friend got me into this dis, it is proving to be VERY helpful!

 

[Disney-For-Life]

Thats a great question - and it seems that everyone has a different theory as to whether or not crocs are an ideal choice. I always wear running shoes and think they are the best choice because they have good support and shock absorption.

 

[BRANDIRN]

All of the above is excellent advice, go slow, take afternoon breaks, etc.

One thing you may want to consider is the kids Pirate Cruise at some of the resorts. Mine did it last year at the Beach Club and really liked it. They also have it at CBR and one of the MK resorts.

Can you tell more about the pirate cruise? I think my boys would really enjoy that.

 

[MeMom]

Beignets are a kind of puff pastry dessert - hot and sprinkled with powdered sugar. They are very good!

 

[mericletwins]

Can you tell more about the pirate cruise? I think my boys would really enjoy that.

The Bayside Marina near the Yacht Club also offers a special Albatross Treasure Cruise for children ages 4-10 -- Children will wear bandannas as they follow clues and sail to many exotic "ports of call" around Crescent Lake and Epcot looking for treasure. During the voyage, children will hear a reading of "The Legend of the Albatross." At the final port of call, children will have lunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwich, cookie, and juice box, and will split up the "buried treasure." Held Wednesdays 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Children must be potty trained -- no pull-ups. Price is $28.17 plus tax per child. Reservations are recommended. Call 407-WDW-DINE.

It says held Wednesdays, but I know we didn't do it on a Wednesday.

Island of the Caribbean Pirate Adventure - For children ages 4-10 (must be potty trained) -- young adventurers, wearing pirate bandannas, will board a boat to sail the Ports of the Caribbean, just like Captain Jack! They will be told the story of Old Port Royale and of the pirates that used to sail the waters. They will find props and signs leading to treasure. Once they recover the treasure, they will sail to Fort Cay and trade for some grub (lunch). When they return to Old Port Royale, they will unlock the treasure chest and bounty will be shared by all. As of 1/14/07, operates Sundays, as well as Tuesdays from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. $28.17 per child pus tax. Lunch: Peanut Butter and Jelly Uncrustables, Gummy Bears, Gold Fish Treats, and Apple Juice Box. Call 407-WDW-DINE for information on the resort marina at 407-934-2850.