Planning 1st Trip to Dis!!

[daughartyfamily]

Hi wanted to say thanks for allowing me to join the board. I would like to get as much info possible as my family and a few others make plans for our first trip.

Not sure where I should start so any tips would be amazing.

Thanks so much

Tia

 

[HonnyDipp]

to DIS Tia! I'm sure you will find everything you need here on these boards! Happy posting!

 

[PrincessMama605]

We went on our first trip to WDW this past Sept and I got great advice and answers here! We had such a good time we are going back next month!

I think the best place to start is the theme parks forum and also restaurants especially if you are going to do the dining plan.

Also if you haven't checked it out yet the Disney site is great for planning. There is a place to put your itinerary and you can save rides and other stuff you want to do as favorites.

 

[Sukie]

Glad to have on board.

 

[Rylee]

Hi wanted to say thanks for allowing me to join the board. I would like to get as much info possible as my family and a few others make plans for our first trip.

Not sure where I should start so any tips would be amazing.

Thanks so much

Tia

Hi


We love planning Disney vacations, it's the next best thing to actually being there.


A few things to help get you started...

• Time of travel - Do you know when you want to go? Things to consider... cost, (prices vary throughout the year) crowd levels, weather.
  
• Number of days - How many days will you need/want/can afford? Will you visit the water parks? Do you want time to relax and enjoy your resort?
  
• Accommodations - On or off Disney property?
  
• Are you interested in a package? A package with dining?
  
• Do you want to eat/experience any of the Table Service (TS) restaurants at Disney?

Sign up for the free planning DVD at the Disney site.
Check this site and the mousesavers site for discounts to become available.
Read menus here, and at the allears site.


Have fun planning.

 

[katscradle]

Welcome!!
My DH & I did not find this site until after our second trip to WDW.
We have another trip coming up in Dec.
We have a journal of info that we are looking forward to using this trip.
My advice to you is to listen to the pocast discussion show.
Kevin does the restraunt reviews, We have found from our past experience that Kevin is right on the mark with his reveiws or so we think.

 

[Metro West]

 

[PrincessTiffany]

My number one tips for people new to Disney are to stay on-site and get the dining plan. Both are totally worth it!

 

[katscradle]

We had the dining plan the first year we went (Dec.06) and we did not find it was worth it. We were ordering the most expensive thing on the menu because of the dining plan, and we found we were eating just to use the plan, instead of because we wanted to. The second trip we took (Dec.07) we did not get the dining plan and found we spent less money eatting where we wanted and when we wanted and enjoyed it much more. Also the changes that they have made to the dining plan scares us and we think it would just not be worth it.
Also if we were going to get the dining plan which one?
We have DH,DW,DS 11, DS 5.

 

[Capt. Tigger]

and happy planning!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

My number one tips for people new to Disney are to stay on-site and get the dining plan. Both are totally worth it!

We have been getting the basic dining plan since they first introduced it in 2005. Before they took away the tips this year, we previously saved about $500.00 with the plan vs. out-of-pocket. Now that the tips are not included we would save about $300.00 with the plan. Since we are traveling during the Christmas season, and a huge number of the restaurants have "holiday" pricing, the DDP would again save us around $500.00, because the holiday surcharges are included in the plan. We have always done at least one sit down/table service dinner per day, even before they introduced the DDP, so it is a perfect fit for us. If you are the type of family that brings in your PB&Js to the parks for meals, or eats counter service the entire time, then no the DDP is not for you.

 

[Darkside]

Totally agree with PrincessTiffany, DDP is the best money saver at WDW. I save an average of $500 per trip because of DDP. My children can eat where they want for lunch (so gripe factor is zero), if they want a snack, they just pull out their DDP card and get what they want, and for dinner they order what they are in the mood for (again gripe factor is zero). Not sure where you can eat for $40 a day for adults or $11 per day for children 3-9? As a side benefit a lot of foods are grown right on WDW property.