Our First Wdw Vacation

[jmb1962]

My wife and son and I are planning our first WDW vacation for 5 nights 6 days on a Gold package vacation. We are planning now in march to set up shows and people have told us to even make reservations at some very popular restaurants now in March. We are so overwhelmed with everything and I need to take a deep breath. We are using one day at each of the main parks and one day at Universal Studios for our 12 year old Son Nathan. Any tips for first timers would be appreciated. We are so excited. We haven't been on a family vacation ever! This is our first big vacation and first trip to WDW and we are ecstatic!

 

[BriarRose59]

If you haven't been to http://www.allearsnet.com you need to check it out. The site will give you menus for the restaurants, reviews of shows, tell you how far out you can make your ressies for shows, character meals, restaurants, and provide a link to the PS calculator where you can put in the dates you are going and it tells you the dates you need to call to make your priority seating arrangements. WDW does not have "reservations" they have "priority seating" which is a whole lot like reservations. With your son being 12 you will be able to move around a lot easier than having a small child and be able to spend more time at the parks. I don't think you can comfortably do USF in one day unless you are not planning on doing both USF and IOA.

Just try to relax and have fun. If you are going in the summer expect lines, hot weather and thunderstorms that come up quickly. Be patient and flexible and you will enjoy your visit much more. Do not expect to be able to do everything in 6 days. Go through and pick out your "must do" list and work from there. Please drink plenty of water and don't wait until the last minute to eat. You will very likely be told at every restaurant that there is at least a 30 minute wait and then you will be miserable. Take breaks and enjoy your surroundings, don't just run from ride to ride.

Have a great time!

 

[Lisa AF]

I am so happy for you!!!! What a great place to visit on your first family vacation. Our first trip to Disney with our children is still the most precious to us.

My suggestion is to look through the "tips" board and buy the unofficial guide book. As time gets closer post about best places to watch parades (if you haven't already read a thread on that. There are many on these boards).

Everyone here is so helpful. So....get out your notebook and pencil. I'm sure you'll get some great responses.

 

[ColoradoDis]

My best advice is to enjoy the things that make Disney special. It's not your typical amusement park. Look at the landscaping as you walk around, have a "special" ice cream bar, watch the street theater in Epcot, see Illuminations, Wishes and Fantasmic, send your family something special to your hotel, like a cookie bouquet from www.cookiesbydesign.com, and don't just spend all of your time running to the next big ride. Hopefully, you'll get to return for another visit soon to see other new stuff.

Enjoy your first family vacation!

 

[Disney Debbie]

Whoo hoo!! You'll have a great time. My best advice is get the Unoffical Guide and then - DON'T OVERPLAN! With a 12 year old son I doubt if you're planning on Cinderella's breakfast - so most other meals can pretty much wait until the day you go. I know folks will jump on here and so NO WAY - but we NEVER make PS's more then a day ahead - and usually the day of - except for Cindy's. We like to decide which park when pretty much on a day to day basis so we don't want to be tied to one park for a meal. Since it's your first time you might find you want to spend more time at MGM (ToT and R&R for that 12 year old!) then you orginally thought. If you want the California Grille during fireworks or V & A's then go ahead - but as far as in the parks and most of the hotels you really don't have to decide 3 months ahead of time!

Also - I'm not sure what all is in the Gold Plan - but I think you have to do a TON of eating at the nice restaurants to get your money's worth. You might want to rethink that as that takes a huge chunk of time out of your day. We usually eat lunch at a nice sit-down and then get something quicker at our resort or counter service for MOST - but not all - of our dinners. It saves time and money.

It is WELL worth it to get up way early and be there at park opening - this from an entire family who HATE to get up before 11:00 on Saturdays! But we do it at WDW gladly - shorter lines and cooler temps. We'll eat lunch and then go back to the hotel for a swim and usually a nap for my 44 year old "baby"!! Then back to the parks that night.

As far as Universal goes - if you're just going for one day - I'd suggest IOA. It's got great thrill rides for a 12 year old and beautiful theming. Eat at Mythos - it's beautiful, restful and the food is great!

 

[KristaTX]

Welcome to the DIS jmb1962, Mrs. jmb1962, and Nathan . You must all be so excited - Congratulations on choosing such a great destination! You have come to the right place for information. Be sure to check out www.wdwinfo.com and www.mousesavers.com if you haven't already. Also be sure to sign up for the www.allearsnet.com weekly newsletter.

 

[dansyr]

jmb1962

When are you going???
Where are u staying ??
I'm just asking because when you go depends on whether you need to make all your ps's or if you can play it by ear a little more.
I was wondering where you are staying because where you stay will dictate how easy it will be to use all your recreation on the gold plan.
If you have any questions about the gold plan....let me know. We've done it once before and have booked it again for our upcoming trip in Sept.
Cirque du soleil is included in the gold package and ressies can be made 180 days out. When you call to make ressies have the seating chart in front of you so you have an idea of where your seats are and if you don't like where they are don't be afraid to ask if there are any alternatives.
Have a great time...I know it will be magical
Oh, btw, if you need Univeral or IOA tickets check out their site online or check out mousesavers. It is usually cheaper buying them ahead of time.

 

[Planogirl]

Be sure and check out the Universal boards too. You can get one day, two park tickets if you want and just hit the highlights at both parks. I agree that IOA is beautiful and Spiderman is the best ride anywhere IMO but Universal park has Men in Black and Back to the Future which my 10 year old loved plus it has some brand new stuff.

As for Disney, the main thing is to get to the parks when they open, tour fairly hard and then go slow that afternoon. The Magic Kingdom and Epcot are particularly nice at night too but there are fireworks and so on to see to in 3 of the parks. Just take your time planning, get a good guide book (I like the Unofficial Guide) and have fun with it.

 

[XStAnt]

JMB1962,

Others have given you good advice on planning. Allow me to make a suggestion about your trip to Universal. I would drop one day from your Disney reservation (either the first or the last) and book a reservation at a hotel at Universal. There are two reasons for this. First, with the gold plan you get UPH tickets. You are paying for admission to the parks on every day you are staying at the hotel. Since you will not be going to Disney at least one day you are paying more than you have to. By excluding your first or last day from the package you are not wasting money. Second, if you stay at a Universal resort you get Front of the Line access for all attractions. That's right, you walk right on to every ride with virtually no wait!!! If you don't want to switch hotels then make your first or last day a room only reservation and go to Universal that day. This was you are not paying Disney for a day in the parks when you won't be going.

Now, whether the gold package is a good deal, that's another story. It's very expensive and may only be economical if you plan on eating sit down meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. That's a lot of big meals and takes a lot of time. You may want to post another question on these boards asking people for their thoughts on the gold package vs. the regular dream maker package vs. making separate room only reservations and getting PHP passes.

I hope I haven't overloaded you with too much info.

 

[Disney Debbie]

Very good points XStAnt! jmb - be sure and check out mousesavers.com and read what she says about packages vs. buying each component separately. She explains how to figure out what's best for your needs. Right now the Summer Dream Maker's pkg is a good deal for someone who is going to the parks every day. But if you're taking a day out for Universal, XStAnt is right - you're paying for Disney tickets that you aren't using.

And the Universal Hotels are awesome - we've stayed at Hard Rock and Royal Pacific and loved them both. You can't beat that Front of the line access - it makes it where you can EASILY hit the best parts of both parks in one day if you want to.

 

[dansyr]

I agree with the above posters.
We really enjoy the gold package but we've been there a few times and don't mind taking time out of our day to sit and eat a nice meal.
Gold package is good if you like nice sit down meals at the more expensive restaraunts
if you plan on seeing cirque
if you plan on making use of the recreation or tours.

Not good if
you plan on eating mostly quick meals
if you will spend most of your time in the parks

In my opinion.....I would do either the dreammaker and pay for extras or the gold. We originally booked the silver plan and changed because I couldn't find many one wish restaraunts that we would have used the one wish and spent more than $34...which is approximately what one wish is worth. However ....since on the gold plan your wishes are not counted per activity.. ex. Futon's 2 wishes on the silver plan which means you've used your wishes for the day....on the gold plan Fulton's is one meal...you still have 2 meals left for the day plus you can use as much recreation as you want......we choose to eat at the better places and are basically still paying about $35 per wish....plus have all the other options recreation, health clubs, tours, etc.


This is just my opinion and this is what we enjoy. However we are not going with children. But your son is 13 right???? so if he is a typical 13 yr old boy....I'm sure he can do his share of eating plus he would probably enjoy renting the water mice and maybe even parasailing and such.

 

[XStAnt]

I just looked at Mary's site (www.mousesavers.com) and she says the gold package is an extra $139 per night per adult (and $94 per night per adult for children) over the dream maker package. That's $1488 extra for your family!! In 5 days/ 4 nights (including one day at Universal) are you going to eat, go on tours, see that many shows, etc to justify that extra expense??

JMB1962, I hope we haven't scared you away or made you feel bad about the gold package. For some it is a good deal. But for most it's not. Let us know your thoughts.

 

[bjakmom]

jmb1962 - welcome to the Dis!

So much great advise here - just wanted to put in my 2 cents and say - be sure and take it easy !! When we go to WDW it is still actually difficult not to get caught up in trying to "do it all" - the surest way to ruin a great vacation IMHO - there is just literally too much to see and do in 5 days! Even my family (on our 14th trip!) had a mini melt-down on day 4 - just a good reminder to ourselves that we were pushing too hard - the excitement, heat, and stimulation can be overwhelming - remember, it's vacation and first and foremost you want to be having fun ! - Enjoy!

 

[daystar]

Hi,
My families first trip to WDW was at Christmas of 2003....My boys are 5 and 12 years old.....We had alot of plans for them but had to cancel some as we couldn't fit them into the schedule like we would of like to.....I would say plan only some things and then take things as they come because there is just so much to see and do, you just wont get it all done in one trip....We also stayed the same length of time that your family is staying and it just doesn't seem long enough when it's time to go home....My advice just take your time and don't over do it....

 

[danny1649]

You are going to have a great time be sure to bring plenty of film and some good broken in walking shoes.Have a basic plan on what you want to see at a park and what your willing to forgo till your next trip.Be flexible and have a magical time on your vacation to WDW.

 

[slo]

I just skimmed over the other posts - did anybody suggest Birnbaums book. We go every year and every year I buy this book. I suggest reading it with a highlighter and sticky notes so you can refer to items easily. After reading I would write out an itinerary w/parade times and PS #'s and times.

I agree w/not doing to much because you will come home exhausted. I would suggest to a first timer:
MK - the parade (definitly)
- wishes (definitly)
- rides that you feel your children will only be interested in -- I've known so many people that try to do every ride in the
park and they may not even like Winnie the Pooh (just an
example).
- Do your shopping at Disney Marketplace and don't take time
to do this in the parks - many stores have the same things
anyway
EPCOT - Research in Birnbaum what you may like to see and
again concentrate on only things you like - if you don't
like fish, then stay out of The Living Seas.
- Be casual about the World Showcase - play by ear what
you want to stop and see - this place can be very
exhausting if you push yourself to see everything.
- Test Track - fun, fun, fun!!!!
MGM - Fantasmic!!!!!!!!!! - A must see
- this parade is fun, but can be skipped to have fun on some
other rides like Rockin Rollercoaster and Tower of Terror
- Research Birnbaum about attractions and show - I go
every year and I have yet to see the Raiders of the Lost
Ark show
AK - Talking about a lot of shows - again research Birnbaum
- The Safari - this is fantastic - go first thing in the morning
while the animals are more active because it is still cool
outside.
- I've yet to see their parade, but it is suppossed to be
great.See what your kids say though, if they can't be
bothered to see the parade then skip it and do other things.
Remember, for parades you have to commit a decent amount
of time. We line up approx. 45 min before the parade begins
to get a good front spot.

Restaurant to not miss
Chef Mickeys - Contemporary
'Ohana - Poly
'Garden Grill - EPCOT
SciFi - MGM
*Of course all Disney restaurants are great and I could go on and on but naturally you are not going to be there for 4 weeks.

I guess my biggest suggestion is to get the free video and really have your children be a major part of your planning. You may be so surprised on what they have to say. The things you believe they will not want to miss, they may not want to do at all.

I hope you all have a good time - you guys are going to the best family destination in the entire U.S.A. Just have fun - and if you feel that you are becoming stressed out, just slow down, look at your kids and know that your vacation is about being together and not what show you may or may not see. Have fun!!!!!!

 

[slo]

Just a sidenote to my own post -- I think I just wrote the longest post that I have ever seen. HOLY COW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My family and friends don't call my a motormouth for nothing

 

[Mickey76]

First, welcome to the DIS!

My advice for your first trip to WDW: Have a great time!

Also, bring lots of film, wear comfortable shoes, drink plenty of liquids, and don't rush yourselves. Yes, there's a lot to see and do, but if you rush it, you'll miss out on the little things that could become significant in future visits. Have fun!

Mickey76

 

[kaylajr]

Well you have gotten all the great advice and ideas already but i wanted to add

WELCOME TO THE DIS BOARDS

This is a great place to learn about disney