Planning First Trip to Disneyworld.

[STXMom]

Hello, everyone!

I'm planning on booking a a short trip to Disneyworld May 12-16(Port Orleans French Quarter) for my daughter's 4th birthday, and I am completely overwhelmed by acronyms, fast passes, and magic bands.

I only have a few simple, and probably foolish, questions.

I plan on buying the a 2-day Base Tickets(I'm planning through Southwest Airlines). I'm wondering, can I use these base tickets to go say Magic Kingdom one day, and another Disney park the next day? Do base tickets allow me to go back to my resort hotel for a break/nap and then back into the park?

Any other tips for taking a 4 year old and a large husband to Disneyworld for the first time?

Any advice is greatly appreciated! I also apologize if this thread is repetitive, I'm new to this and very nervous.

 

[POOHsie]

Your base tickets will allow you to enter your choice of one of the four theme parks per day. It's up to you to choose which park-which date. The tickets expire 14 days from first use, and you don't have to use them consecutively. These tickets are also upgradable up to 10 days. Do that at a ticket booth or guest relations outlet at any theme park.

You may enter and leave your chosen park as many times as you like during that day. You don't need a hand-stamp upon exit. Being your first trip, it's a bit overwhelming but any CM you encounter will likely be able to answer your questions. Learn as much as you can from books and online. However, experiencing the parks will give you a real understanding so your next trip won't have as many questions.

At the lobby concierge desk are park maps and schedules of shows, fireworks, etc. for each park. If you're doing any table service dining, make sure to make your reservations in advance. Walk-up will be near-impossible. Allow travel time wherever you're going. WDW is huge.

Here's a good calendar for May 2014 which shows hours, shows, EMH for each day, etc. http://media.disneywebcontent.com/S.../pdf/ParkHours/WDW_Operating_Calendar_may.pdf

Have fun! You'll be at my favorite resort!

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

If you're going to be there from the 12th - 16th, have you thought about more than 2 day tickets? There's so much to do, you'll never do it all, even in 5 days, but you could see soooo much in that time! You'd be able to visit each of the parks at least once. Or spend a few days just at MK. Or do you have other things planned for your trip?

 

[mrsmorrow]

Hello, everyone!

I'm planning on booking a a short trip to Disneyworld May 12-16(Port Orleans French Quarter) for my daughter's 4th birthday, and I am completely overwhelmed by acronyms, fast passes, and magic bands.

I only have a few simple, and probably foolish, questions.

I plan on buying the a 2-day Base Tickets(I'm planning through Southwest Airlines). I'm wondering, can I use these base tickets to go say Magic Kingdom one day, and another Disney park the next day? Do base tickets allow me to go back to my resort hotel for a break/nap and then back into the park?

Any other tips for taking a 4 year old and a large husband to Disneyworld for the first time?

Any advice is greatly appreciated! I also apologize if this thread is repetitive, I'm new to this and very nervous.

It is overwhelming, I understand! But the biggest thing to remember is that it is an incredible and magical place! You will have so much fun no matter what! Your base tickets are for one park each, so if you choose Magic Kingdom (MK) one day, then Animal Kingdom (AK) the next that's fine. Or do both days at Magic Kingdom or any park combination you choose. You may go back and forth with your ticket in and out of the park multiple times per day but just cannot switch to a different park once you entered a park. May is a great time to go - not really crazy crowded and nice weather! Port Orleans French Quarter (POFQ) is a terrific resort! You will have lots of fun enjoying some time there and also the "sister" resort Port Orleans Riverside (POR). I'm not sure of your thoughts on dining but I would try to schedule one character meal so that your daughter will have guaranteed interaction - does she have preference with characters? You mentioned a "large" husband and for what it's worth, that shouldn't be an issue at all Congrats and happy planning!

 

[wuzzy6]

Everyone else has already answered your questions, so I just wanted to wish you a very wonderful vacation!

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

Your daughter is going to have such a wonderful birthday! Be sure to have her birthday noted on your resort and dining reservations, and ask for a birthday pin at your resort or at guest relations at the parks. She will get TONS of happy birthdays from guests and cast members alike! My oldest son spent his 7th birthday at WDW and he couldn't get enough of the happy birthdays.

As for going to WDW with a 4 year old, I have a couple of suggestions, for what they're worth:

First, get to the park before the scheduled opening time. You'll get tons done in the first couple of hours before it gets busier. Well worth the "early" wake-up to allow her to do more with less waiting.

Second, follow her lead. If she's tired, take a break. Sit down and people watch, get a drink and a snack, go to a show where she can sit quietly for a while. Many people say that an afternoon break is absolutely imperative, but it never was for us. You know your child and what she can and can't do. If she's going fine, stay at the park until you're finished with what you want to do for the day. We always have gone at rope drop and stayed until we are finished in the early evening, with a couple of late nights with fireworks. Our kids were fine with napping in the stroller or resting during a show. Again, you know your child best so do whatever works for her. The amount of time it would take for us to leave a park, travel to the hotel, nap or swim, and get back was never worth it for us. Too much fun to take in! Following her lead holds true in choosing attractions too. If she's interested, do it. If she's hesitant or scared, skip it. Not much worse for me than seeing a parent push a child into something they are not quite ready for. Save it for next time.

Last, consider a stroller for your daughter, even if she doesn't use one much at home, unless she is used to doing A LOT of walking. Miles and miles of walking. We took our own double stroller when both kids were smaller and then rented a single stroller from one of the Orlando stroller rental places (cheap and dropped off at the hotel for us) when my littlest was 5. He didn't use it the whole time, but he would have struggled by the end of the day without it. By the time we went again when he was 6, he was fine to walk the whole time. Something to consider at least. You can likely rent one at the park if you don't take one and then end up needing it, but the Disney stroller prices are ridiculous in my opinion.

Have fun planning and counting down the days until your vacation!

 

[STXMom]

If you're going to be there from the 12th - 16th, have you thought about more than 2 day tickets? There's so much to do, you'll never do it all, even in 5 days, but you could see soooo much in that time! You'd be able to visit each of the parks at least once. Or spend a few days just at MK. Or do you have other things planned for your trip?

The only reasonable flight we can get out of Texas leaves at 6am and gets to MCO at 1:45. I figured we'd take that day to settle in, check out Orlando, and try to rest. We're all night owls. The 13th we would have one day at Universal Studios because my husband and I are Potterheads and I'm a Simpsons fanatic. The next 2 day will be at Disney parks. Probably Hollywood studios on the 14th Magic Kingdom on the 15th(my daughter's birthday). We have an early flight out on the 16th as well.
I wish we could stay longer, but my husband doesn't have much vacation time.

Huge thanks to everyone in the thread for their information, help, and well wishes! I'm sure we'll have a great time!

 

[SolitaryPhoenix]

I would say definitely lurk here, read, and post questions if you have any come up - DIS is a great resource and people here are helpful as well as full of knowledge about WDW!

Have a great trip, and hopefully there will be more in your future!

 

[STXMom]

Ah, I do have one question. Since we'll be staying at POFQ, Downtown Disney is right upriver(or downriver), do we need special passes to enter Downtown Disney, or can we just go?

 

[glocon]

You are lucky- you can take a boat to DTD from your resort! Anyone can go and it is shopping and restaurants. No tickets needed. I would recommend parking by the Marketplace section. That is where you will find Once Upon A Toy where your daughter can play with different toys, see the huge Lego creations by the Lego store where she can also play with Legos, there are sprinklers to play in, Gherardelli chocolate store and ice cream shop, the Disney Christmas Store where you can get a WDW Christmas ornament to remember your first WDW vacation, and more! Spend as little or as much as you choose there. It's easy to spend a whole day there!

 

[POOHsie]

You can just get on the boat and go to DTD. About a 20min trip.

 

[STXMom]

You are lucky- you can take a boat to DTD from your resort! Anyone can go and it is shopping and restaurants. No tickets needed. I would recommend parking by the Marketplace section. That is where you will find Once Upon A Toy where your daughter can play with different toys, see the huge Lego creations by the Lego store where she can also play with Legos, there are sprinklers to play in, Gherardelli chocolate store and ice cream shop, the Disney Christmas Store where you can get a WDW Christmas ornament to remember your first WDW vacation, and more! Spend as little or as much as you choose there. It's easy to spend a whole day there!

That sounds amazing! Thank you so much!

 

[waynesgirl]

I recommend an umbrella stroller from Walmart. Under $20 and you can start a stroller swap for anyone who will be there after you!