Planning help for first-timers

[BrusselsSprout]

Hello,

My husband and I, in our 30's, will visit WDW for the first-time in February 2020 (5-11). This would only be the first week of a 3-week long honeymoon in Florida, so I don't want us to be completely exhausted at the end of the week.

So far, I planned on having a rotation of a heavy / long day (from the opening of the park to the night show) alternating with lighter / shorter day (let's say, from the opening of the park to the mid-afternoon). In our free time, we would use our resort pool and activities (AKL) / water parks / monorail tour / skyliner tour / shopping, etc.

Does it seem wise / manageable? Will we able to do most of the must-do's attractions and shows with that strategy (we are not that interested in meeting characters)?
Of course if we don't feel tired, we could stay longer in the park or even park-hop.

PS: I am a non-native speaker, please excuse any language error

 

[rwdavis2]

The strategy is fine. I would suggest that instead of park opening to afternoon, sleep in and then go to a park. With FP+ you should be able to see most of the attractions you want.

May I suggest you go to one of the planning sites and see which attractions might interest you. It's tough to make a suggestion if we don't know what you like.dislike. Unless you state some parameters, you'll get suggestions for everything.

 

[wdw&sonny]

First visits can be discouraging. Don't schedule everything, but do plan thoroughly. Did you make ADRs? Do you know your FP strategy? Are you on-site or off? Which resort? Disney transportation or car? Give us some more information and we can make suggestions to help make your first trip, the first of many.
I suggest always arriving at rope drop (park opening) and staying until mid-day, take a break, return for the evening. Make FPs for late morning/early afternoon.
Again, don't try to do it all, but it is easier to schedule/plan for more and then cancel, rather than not to plan and try to add when you are there.
Also, go with the attitude that it will be very, very crowded. Everything will be expensive. Transportation will take longer than expected. And, the weather will not be perfect. Once you accept those four things, you can then just enjoy all the magic.

 

[Mome Rath]

My husband and I, in our 30's, will visit WDW for the first-time in February 2020 (5-11). This would only be the first week of a 3-week long honeymoon in Florida, so I don't want us to be completely exhausted at the end of the week.

I like going in February, I think that's a good choice, and during your dates the Festival of the Arts will be going on in EPCOT, so that will add some fun to that park, and more choices for snacking. I also think starting with Disney is a good idea, but do plan to be tired from it at least a bit, plan in rest time wherever else you are going right afterward.

So far, I planned on having a rotation of a heavy / long day (from the opening of the park to the night show) alternating with lighter / shorter day (let's say, from the opening of the park to the mid-afternoon). In our free time, we would use our resort pool and activities (AKL) / water parks / monorail tour / skyliner tour / shopping, etc.

This is just subjective, but I like a longer day of; Rope drop, early afternoon break, then back to the parks and close one. Then, the next day, sleep in, go to the parks a little before lunch, and back to the hotel before closing time. You definitely want to learn how to maximize your FastPasses. I would rethink the water parks unless you are really really into that type of thing (and they are sometimes closed during that time of year, you will want to find a schedule), and I'm assuming you may be going to a beach later in your trip? You will have access to 2 pools at AKL, so you may not even have the desire to go to a water park.

Will we able to do most of the must-do's attractions and shows with that strategy (we are not that interested in meeting characters)?

You definitely can do the must-do's, and have time to tour the different hotels and such.

PS: I am a non-native speaker, please excuse any language error

You're doing great! Hope you have a wonderful first trip to WDW!

 

[Dis Dragon]

The most overwhelming thing that is hard to explain to anyone, especially someone that has never been to WDW, is how large it actually is. Things are spread out, it takes a decent chunk of time just to get to the activities you want to do.

The rope drop/afternoon break/evening park seems to be one of the most popular strategies (it's ours as well), and it lets you see a lot more than you otherwise would. Take the parks in bites (do one in the morning, change it up in the evening), don't kill yourself trying to make sure you fit everything in. There's a lot of planning involved in these vacations but at the same time you need to leave enough fluidity in your planning to just drop some plans here and there just because. Definitely enjoy your resort, AKL is one of the best.

 

[Nancyg56]

On our first trip back to WDW after the kids were grown and we had our DGD so much had changed. 4 parks????? Yikes! I was home so I planned like a fiend, had a schedule, and it looked awesome. Well, on the first day were kind of on track, but not really, No problem. Day 2 is the MK, and all bets were off. DH called me over, told me that trying to haul everyone from place to place stopped NOW> and that was the only time in our lives together that I was grateful for an intervention from him. The touring plan from Hell got tossed and we were "that" family who seems to be lost and whose park tix were a waste. Best trip ever!

I suggest you go to Touring Plans and map out sample plans for each park. Keep making changes. IMO this helps people get familiar with the size each park is becuase you can see how long it will take to get from one attraction to another, and will give you an idea where attractions and restaurants are located. You may or may not use the plans, but by the time you get to teh parks you won't be blindsided when you try to navigate.

Make a rough plan and be prepared to toss it out if you see something that is better for you. A first trip is magical if you let yourself absorb the magic instead of tryign to get your money's worth from the attractions. You cannot do it all, especially if you want to be able to crawl out to the next adventure, so I would not try.

We make a list of must do attractions but limit it to three per park, After that we just take whatever is open and on our way. I book meals for dinner, but not everyone likes to do that. WE enjoy dining and make time for it at WDW but some folks are stressed with "appointments" so they find meals open on the Ap. You know your family preferences.

I also think that you know how you like to tour theme parks in general, so follow that plan. We like to leave in the afternoons, relax, swim, etc and then go to dinner and catch a different park at night. You may not liek that kind of disruption in your day. WHatever you do, be sure to enjoy this magical place. It is not all about attractions, but is about immersion in details throughout evey park.