Planning first family trip

[disneydreaming101]

I am so happy to have found this forum! DH and I are planning our first family trip to WDW with our kids ages 10 and 7. We would really appreciate advice on where to stay and what activities we just can't miss out on. We will only have four days there and we are planning to fly down, so we want to stay inside the park so we have transportation. We are on a tight budget, so we are looking at the value or moderate accommodations. I would love any cost- cutting suggestions as well as any tips on the best attractions to work into our four short days! I know we won't be able to do it all, so I would love to learn from others with experience to cram in all the stellar stuff and weed out anything, well, not so stellar! As of right now, we are thinking about March...any thoughts on that time of year? I know I have many questions.. thanks for responses!

 

[Elmo888]

Try posting on the Disney Tips board for tips on saving money. Check out the Unofficial Guide to WDW for when to go, a run down of places to stay, etc.

March is very busy (spring break and Easter is in March next year?). And it might be difficult to do all 4 parks in 4 days. MK and Epcot really need 2 days each. You could do it, but it would be commando style or skipping stuff.

Watch Mousesavers.com for discount codes to apply to your package or room only reservation to save money.

Here is more helpful info...
http://www.mousesavers.com/wdw.html
http://www.mousesavers.com/wdwfaq.html#busy

Enjoy planning your trip!

 

[Janet Hill]

If I had only 4 days, I think I would go during a slower time. It will be much easier to get in lots more activities. Not only will there be shorter lines, but the hotel costs will also be a lot less.

I would also just skip the water parks.

Have fun planning

 

[Disfan3]

we went for 4 days during Spring Break this year. If I were you I would pick three parks and do those. Leave 2 days for MK OR do what we do and do the MK on your arrival night (do Fantasyland and get that out of the way...depending on when you get in to Orlando of course...) It is not that much more to add another day to a 4 day non hopper tix, I want to say 12 bucks?? more a person? Can't remember...you can always add on days once you get there too! We have done 4 parks in 4 days and it can be done. Get to the park EARLY and do the popular attractions. Get fastpasses!

I would look for discounts...but in March (Easter!!) they are really hard to come by. I would suggest a value to save money. I would also suggest a non-hopper tix. We never get hoppers and we just pick one park to tour that day and that is that. That saves you 160 dollars right there!

I would also look into the Dining Plan if you are going to eat at sit down places. This will cost you 38.99 for three of you and 11.99 for the 7 yo. We always take breakfasts to eat in the room before the parks. We do not eat outside of our dining credits. There is enough food you can even spread out credits to last a couple meals if you want! (You and 10 yo can share a sit down if it is not a buffet type meal).
Your total for meals will be about 132 per day if you do what we did...do not buy more food outside the plan....that is a great deal for a family of 4 by the way....(the 10 YO is an adult by the way )

We also give our kids Disney dollars...they had 60 dollars for 4 days. THAT WAS ALL THE MONEY THEY GOT! Period. If they wanted to play arcade games or buy more ice cream or more drinks it came out of their money...they of course got to buy souvies with their money.

We also skipped Downtown Disney on our first trip. I do not think this is a MUST do (unless you LOVE shopping).

We have 5 of us in our family and I have to say going during a value season is probably the way to save the most money BUT having said that...sometimes it is hard to get the kids out of school, etc.


this is a great place to come for some info!! Welcome

 

[carrie1626]

Being budget-minded, go to your local library and check out as many of the lastest WDW travel books that they have.
And keep reading everything on this website (mousesavers is good too!!).
Let your children in on "some" of the planning, this way you might find that only doing 2 or 3 parks is best.
Make at least 1 or 2 advance dinner reservations ( ADR's)If you want a sit down dinner, reservations are hard to come by if you wait until you're in the park and hungry.
Have fun planning

 

[SmallWorld71]

Hi,
Be careful with March 2008. Easter is in March next year and the two weeks straddling Easter are some of the busiest of the whole year.
I have stayed in all of the All-Star resorts and absolutely love them. They are a great way to stay on-site for less money. Unless you are used to staying in places like the 4Seasons, Hilton, etc... you won't be disappointed in value or moderate. See what theme most appeals to your kids. When the boys were little we stayed at Movies because they loved Toy Story, last year it was the baseball hotel at Sports for my Red Sox obsessed kids. This year we are trying a moderate.
Happy planning!

 

[MARCIAKAZ]

Also, make sure to order the Disney Vaction Planning DVD (it's free). It will give you a taste of each park and also of the resorts. When we went the first time, we only had 3 park days--1 day at MK, 1 at Epcot, and we split one day between AK and MGM. We were at the parks from open to close, and even with 2 non-park days in the mix, we were still exhausted!! So, I guess my advice in that regard might be to either skip one of the 4 parks and give 2 days to MK or Epcot (probably MK, considering the ages of your kids), or accept going in that there's a lot you won't get to see.

Another great site for LOTS of info and resort pictures is allearsnet.com. Some more thoughts:
--I second the idea about getting the dining plan, as it takes the
budget "stress" off of choosing what and where to eat.
--Use the fast passes!!!
--Go early!!
--Cheap souvenirs: Pressed penny book costs like $5, and you can bring
pennies and a few quarters to press and quarters to pay for it. The
machines are everywhere, and it's fun for the kids to find and use the
machines. Buy a couple of autograph books before you go (sturdy small
notebooks from wal-mart will do!) and a couple of Sharpies, and collect
character autographs. In Epcot, you can get a "passport", and the kids
can take it around to each country to get it stamped.
--Relax, and have fun!

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

Having stayed at a few different types of hotels on site ... we are very pleased with "POP Century" a value hotel. We are going back again in about 1 month!!!
Also , I would suggest a "Park Hopper Pass"...it gives you the flexability of doing more than 1 park a day . Well worth the extra money , especially for a short trip. For example : you can go to MK in the morning ,come back in the afternoon to your room for a swim and rest and then go out in the early evening for dinner and attractions at MGM! That's what we do .
Get the most out of your trip by watching only 1 parade while you are there. The rides are less crowded as the folks are all watching the parade.
Make sure you stay for the closing fireworks at Magic Kingdom ...I think they are still called "Wishes" ...they are awesome!
Book at least 1 Character meal ...our favorites are Chef Mickey and Crystal Palace . You decide where to go ,depending on the Characters you want to see. Make sure to make ADR (advanced dining reservations)
That's all for now ..... Happy Planning ,have a Magical Trip

 

[ashleypmo]

I would DEFINITELY get the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, (you should be able to find it at any bookstore) as another poster recommended. It is the single best source of info on how to get the most out of a short trip, and it details every single resort, attraction, show, and restaurant (table service as well as counter service) in WDW. Tips for saving money as well. AND they put together these touring plans that allow you to maximize your touring time.

I would get the park hopper. On a 4 day trip, you want all the flexibility you can get.

As far as picking one parade as was suggested, very practical, but oh which one to pick! My favorites are Spectromagic at MK and Jammin' Jungle at AK. BUT you really should see the Fantasmic! nighttime show at MGM and Illuminations at Epcot, too. I'm not a big fan of any of the daytime parades other than Jammin' Jungle, which is amazing! Stilt-walkers dressed as brightly colored jungle animals--not furry character costumes, but flowy, silky, shaggy, amazing costumes that evoke lions and frilled lizards and the like. And the floats are these amazing mechanical/ puppetry animals that you just have to see, IMO.

Remember, AK and MGM are each doable in 1/2 day (for most people). MK and Epcot, you can do 1 full day each, and then split another day between them.

I know several of us have mentioned 4 days as being a short stay in WDW, but don't let that discourage you. 4 days at WDW is better than 4 days anywhere else! You will come home with so many amazing memories your head will swim!

On arrival day, I'd definitely head to a park and take in one of the nighttime shows or parades.

Lots of kids (mine included) spend a lot of time in lines getting character autographs. At your kids ages, they might not mind forgoing this in favor of more rides, but I'd ask & decide it ahead of time before you find yourself mindlessly going along w/ the crowds.

Penny pressing machines: we collected these everywhere, then when we got home we glued them to a picture frame for our family Disney photo.


Have a great trip! Oh, BTW, did I mention how great the AK Jammin in the Jungle parade is?

 

[ashleypmo]

Just one more thing: Here's one of my favorite budget tips, which I'm just dying to try!

At the counter service restaurants that serve burgers, you can get a double burger for a little extra, and then order an extra bun for less than $1. So now you have two burgers at a bargain (just split the fries--they're bad for you anyway!). We're then going to let our kids split the burgers so that they each get half, and feed all four of them for just a little more than the cost of one burger.

Plus at some of the burger places, Pecos Bill's in MK for sure, and the Unofficial Guide lists the others, they have fabulous toppings bars where you can add your own cheese sauce, mushrooms, sautee'd onions, as well as the traditional lettuce-tomato-pickles etc.

Plus remember that ice water is free at all counter service in WDW.

Okay, that was two more things.

 

[f7prez]

The Unofficial Guide To WDW is an essential part of planning. This will provide detailed info on EVERYTHING (when to go, what not to miss, crowds, weather, food, lodging).

Everyone has differing opinions about everything. I think the best advice I can give you is to take your time and enjoy what you are able to see. I am certain that you will return to Disney. Most people do soon after their first trip. You will not be able to see it all in 4 days... don't kill yourself trying.

Find out about Fast Pass and use it. If you visit during busier times and you plan to eat at some of the full service restaurants, make reservations as far in advance as possible. They fill up quick. Some are even close to impossible to obtain.

Unless you purchase your admission tickets WITH the HOPPER feature, your passes will only allow you to visit one park per day. You will not be able to leave one park and be admitted into another park the same day. I prefer to have the flexibility of "Hopping". However, I think if you are looking for ways to help keep costs down, don't pay for this added feature. With only 4 days, I think you will have plenty to keep you busy at each park for an entire day.

I would spend a day at each one of the 4 theme parks. Then you have an idea of what each one has to offer. Animal Kingdom closes earlier than the other parks. You can then spend some time at Downtown Disney that night so you have an idea what that is all about.

 

[mrstomrice]

We find that taking advantage of the Early Mornings at the parks give us a huge time advantage, as long as you don't mind getting up early on vacation. We were in Disney during Spring Break last year and we had Fantasyland completed within a half hour. I wouldn't focus on too many table service meals, because this takes more time and it is easier to pick up counter service. We ordered our food from gardengrocer.com so we don't have to pay the dining hall prices for breakfast. We also can eat in our room as we're getting ready, which is also a time saver. Have a great trip!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I didn't get to read all the responses so sorry if I repeat! With 4 people on a tight budget I would go with an All Stars Room! We can't go there unless we get adj. rooms because we have 3 kids now! I did enjoy it when we did go there. I would consider changing to a slower time because you are going to have to be really time wise with what you do. Keep in mind MK is less busy on Tues, Wed, and Thur-usually and this is just my opinion--for what it's worth!! There are several good books out there, I like Birnbaum's disney books-updated or redone every year. I don't think 08 is out yet, but 07 shouldn't be too different. The Passporter is another good one. I have used both.My boys are the about the same age and we have went at 10 & 7 and they still love everything!!

I would do MGM and AK in the am and maybe even EPCOT then one mid week day and the pms for MK. Then by the last day see what you missed and try to go back. When we had a 4 day trip we did skip the AK because they aren't that into the animals and we had sooo much we did want to see at the other parks. That worked out well for us, but if they love the animals, maybe go there the first morning.

Make sure you are getting your restaraunt preferences lined out now, especially if you are going in March. They do tend to fill up quickly! Of course, we are all willing to answer all your food ?s !!

congrats on getting to take the best vacation ever! And remember, if you don't see it all, that's a great reason to go back!! and it will still be the best trip you ever take!!

 

[disneydreaming101]

I really want to thank everyone for responding and for the valuable advice. We have decided not to go in March! We have two options now, and if I can get even more advice on this one, I would be very grateful. (This forum is so huge, I'm not even sure if this is the right section to ask, so I will at least start here and see if I can get any more wonderful advice from you fabulous people in here! Also, I am going today to get the book on everything Disney) We have two dates that we can deem 'Our first trip to Disney'...The first is Feb '08.. We added a day to make it 5 days,4 nights (at a value and that is just dandy!) but I am worried will it be too cold for fireworks (I read the low is 50), will the parks close too early( 5pm at MGM) , and if it's off season, will there be as much magic? Are there still lots of characters milling around? Plus, we can't find rates for '08 yet, and the airfare we were quoted was actually higher in Feb...maybe since that time is so far away?? Which brings me to the other time we can go which is this Aug- in a few weeks! We have found a room that works for us, but don't know if it's a king only or two doubles, and can't get an answer until we are there in the lobby. This will make a difference between good sleep or not! Question is, I want to make the best decision for our first trip (the pressure!!!)..would you go in August (heat , crowds, rushed plans) or go in Feb. (Truly, I have no idea what it's like?) Thanks for bearing with me throught this loong post...

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

We are actually planning to go the end of Jan/first of Feb. I don't think the weather will be too bad. probably too cold to swim-and it does get cooler in the parks at night. We bring light jackets, and a blanket for the stroller, or for sitting to watch a parade. I am not sure about your climate locally, so it may or may not be too different for you than home. As far as the airfare,keep checking around- and the others here will be able to give you better info. our last trip, we were quoted $260 rt, then I said, you don't have ANYTHING lower and he said oh yeah I JUST found one for $230. But I told him I would get back with him and went to the Cont. website and got them for $211!! I was still thinking this was high, but it was kinda last minute and we didn't have much choice. I do know if you wait till it's 7 days out your fare will go way up!!

 

[mickey2minnie1]

We were going to do March until I realized the crowd level, higher fares for Easter and hotels.

We are taking my 3 out of school in Oct. and got low fares, a little less crowded, and were able to stay at a nicer place with the money we saved.

August is soooooo hot and it can rain daily. The kids will be tired and so will you.

I would go with Feb if that is your only option. The pools are heated and you may get a few warm days. You may be able to upgrade to a mod with a code whick would be fun. You would get a waterslide for the pool and a restaurant on property. You would also have time to save if you wait. We started a fund and the kids did as well. Wow, it made a huge difference for us.

Good luck!!

 

[SmallWorld71]

Hi,
Tough decision. I have been in both February and August and there are advantages to both. The weather in February fluctuates so much, it is impossible to predict. Last year it was in the 80's when I went and we swam almost daily. I have also been in February and needed gloves! Also, if you go the right weeks the crowds are low. However, you need to watch out for Mardi Gras and President's week. Although, I went President's week and found the crowds manageable because we weren't too hot touring and had a good touring plan to help avoid long lines.
When we go in August, we go just before Labor Day and find the crowds to be much less than what we are used to on other school vacations. (I teach and must go on school vacations.) However, it is hot, hot, hot and humid, humid, humid and you need to take a totally different approach to touring than you do in better weather months.
Although I would probably pick February if given the choice, our biggest reason for picking August this year was that the hotels are a much better rate and we got a good price on airfare.
Good luck with your decision. With some planning and preparation either time can be a blast!

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

I myself have been to WDW in August and will be going again in just about 30 days (as you can see below). We went 2 yrs ago and while it was hot we were on "vacation" ,so the heat really didn't bother dd9 and myself . The crowds really weren't all that bad because many of the school districts go back to school in mid August ....before our trip . I also work in the school dept. ,so my vacations are limited. Have gone during Feb. vacation week and it was still hot in Florida during our week, crowds a bit more it seemed because of school vacation and our airfare was very high. We booked our Feb. vacation in September and the rates were sky high.
I suggest that you bite the bullet and go in August !!!! Our room @ POP Century was $62/nite (I think)...can't beat that and each round trip air from SWA was about $148 (roundtrip per person ) I'm so thrilled at the deal I got !!!!
Good luck in your decision ....by the way were are you flying from...
Happy Planning!

 

[angelmav]

You may want to consider spending the $20 for Tour Guide Mike, you will get a valuable park strategy for whatever days you go and know which parks you should be in when. We just completed a trip with his advice and almost never waited in line unless we wanted to. Also, If its within your budget I would recommend the DDP, granted it may seem like alot but we just spent a week there paying OOP for food and it cost us ALOT more for food and we were trying to skimp! It may sound crazy but I would rather go when its hot and relax by the pool than when its cold but thats just my own opinion there, may just be my creaky bones talking

 

[MEK]

Here's my humble opinion:

I like August, but it is already mid July and that doesn't give you a lot of time to plan.

If you do decide to go in August, go as late as possible before your kids go back to school. That last week of August traditionally has very low crowds. I know this because I have traveled to the world 3X during that week and will return this year.

There is a general public code out now for August which is listed on the front page of this site. It is for discounted rooms at all levels of resorts.

For a first trip at a value - I would recommend POP (everyone likes it) or ASMU (since it has been newly remodeled).

Be prepared for heat. Bring lots of water into the parks and invest in the rain ponchos at the dollar store. Even if you fly, you can pack water and gatorade into your checked luggage. This is especially useful if you don't rent a car.

I actually don't find the August heat too terrible because I drink a lot, alternate indoor and outdoor attractions, and take mid afternoon breaks.

If you pick FEB - the weather will be much nicer and there is plenty of time for flight prices to come down. It also gives you a lot more time to plan. There is often a park ticket upgrade offered in Jan/early Feb. The room rates are also reasonable until President's weekend. Then they jump up because this is a popular weekend.

Consider the dining plan if you are staying on site and don't have a car. Why - it may seem like more money than you would normally spend, but you can eat at great places and actually save $. Sure, you could save $ by eating counter service every meal. But for a bit more $ the dining plan adds so much.

One note - if you are going in August it will be hard to make ADR's at the most popular places so the dining plan may not be as cost effective since free dining has filled up many of the restaurants.

Park hopper vs. non park. For a five day trip you may want this for the flexibility. I have done both and I don't mind doing 1 park per day. On the 5th day I would go back to my most favorite park.

For booking - go through CRO or a reputable AAA agent. Other people really like dreams unlimited.

GOOD luck!