Overwhelmed with planning! Help!!

[blessedmommyX4]

We are booked to go to the World for our first time Dec 6th-16th. I have only booked us a condo off site and a rental van. We have made an estimated budget. There will be 6 of us- 2 adults, 14yo boy, 12yo girl, 5yo girl, and 4yo boy. So, 4 adults according to dinsey.

$850 for 10 nights in condo
$1200 for van rental ($650), gas, tolls, etc...
$1200 for tickets
$1500 for food and spending. We are planning a few character meals (3-4) and I also want to let our girls do BBB

We may fly if we can get a good rate on airfare. And, I am sure that we over estimated/under-estimated on some things.

My husband could care less what we do. I am the one that really wants to go. I have no clue what to plan other than the character meals. Where is a good place to get good ideas on what all to do? I am feeling lost and overwhelmed.

Can you please help?

Thank you

 

[disney54us]

Welcome to the boards!!! Here's one of your first good places to get ideas. Go on WDW web and check through what is going on at the time you will be there. I will tell you, that you picked one of 'the most wonderful' times of the year to go!!! It is beautiful and so many special events going on. Check out the MVMCP, aka Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade. The MK closes early you do have to buy tic's but then for those attending it is open a 7 - till 1 (I believe it is 1) it snows on Main Street there is a special fireworks display going on then a parade, hot coca rides etc. Again, check out WDW's web. There is the Candlelight Choir in Epcot, the Osbourne Light festival in MGM (whatever they are calling it these days). So, so much going on at the holidays. Check out the different forums here. Everything from, theme parks, budget, dinning. etc. You'll be able to gather info.
So again, Welcome and enjoy your trip!!!!!
'

 

[wilde_oscar]

first... breathe... you have plenty of time, and a great start, and are going at a good time with low crowds.

On cable, on the travel channel, every couple few weeks they play some great shows on WDW. These help ya know what ya wanna see, to make a must do list and a would like to do list. you have 9ish days to see as much as possible... this is good, as there is a lot to see. That late in the year, a water park is probably not on the agenda.

hit the library and the book store, you can grab a coffee and take notes. You'll wanna check out, the official guide, the complete walt disney world, the passporter and the unofficial guide. This will help you understand a lot more about what is in the parks.

no matter what time of year, it is great to get to the parks at open, crowds are low in the mornings, and you can see a lot.

WDW is a vacation that for many, will fight back. This is the largest vacation resort in the world, 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, 30 resort hotels, and a large shopping and night time entertainment complex. a little research goes a long way.

Ask questions... the old pros on here have a language all their own.

There is a lot of information on the attached website wdwinfo.com

you can dig though there for maps of the parks, parade times, show times, etc.

and of course, breathe

 

[teacup317]

The PP (previous poster) has pretty much nailed it. You are also going to want to see which restaurants you may want to have dinner at and make ADR's (advanced dining reservations). Have a wonderful trip and if you don't see EVERYTHING and you won't you can always come back again to what alot of posters refer to as "home".

 

[Aliceacc]

Hi and welcome!

THis may help you get your bearings: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1715551

Your 2 older kids are old enough to help with some of the planning. Get them a guide book and have them make a list of attractions: Must See, Optional, or Skip. Also, somewhere in the above link is a list of height restrictions; you'll need that for your younger kids. Also, there's a list of character meals.

Make those ADRs ASAP. Once you have the condo, the van and the ADRs, everything else can wait until you get around to it.

Also, start a coin jar and have everyone scavenge for loose change. Throw any spare singles you have into it now and then too. You may be surprised at how much you can accumulate between now and your trip.

 

[Cee]

Ditto to what all the above posters said. The only thing I have to add is that
you are going at an absolutely stunning time of year at "The World". You will
have the time of your lives.....even your husband!