planning my first DW trip!

[car_car]

hello all!

planning a first trip to Disney World here. been doing a lot of research and getting really excited, but also a little overwhelmed by it all (so much do to and see and so little time). So, i come to you! the good folks of the DIS Boards for your expertise and advice.

Traveling with a group of 4 adults (only 1 of which has been to WDW before) and we’ve all bought the 4 day pass for Canadian residents. We’re thinking of going in the Fall of this year, probably October, and possibly check out some of the Halloween events at the Parks. we’re thinking of going for 7-9 days (also planning on checking out Universal), depending on people’s schedules and what kind of flights we can get. My boyfriend’s father owns a condo not far from the Parks so we have a free place to stay (yay!) and we’ll be renting a car.

Now, question period!

1) With the tickets we bought we received vouchers in the mail that say we just exchange them for the actual passes to the Park when we arrive to our first Park. That being said, i was wondering do we still get to make use of Fast Pass (like, the booking/reserving 30 days prior to travel) since we technically don’t have the actual passes?

2) Also, sort of related to our passes, i’ve been looking up magic bands and at first i wasn’t really interested in them but the more i look into them it just seems kind of handy to have. Being outside the US (and staying off site) is the only way i can get a magic band when i first arrive to one of the Parks? Is it easy to set up with the passes i have?

3) I’ve seen a lot of people suggest taking a mid day break while spending a day at Disney, go back to your hotel or resort and eat or rest. Since we’ll be staying off site i was curious, would this still apply to my group? Would we have to pay for parking again when we come back?

4) Is there anything special or different going on during the day in the Halloween season, or is it just Mickey’s Not So Scary Party in the evening at MK?

5) Anyone know when they typically release dates for the Halloween season?

6) Not a question, but if you have any other lesser known tips/tricks/suggestions for a first timer, please share!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Sue M]

1- you would have to register on the WDW site and make a My Disney Experience account. Then you would link your voucher # with your account. Everyone in your group will have to do so. Then you can all be linked as Family & Frirnds. Then one person can make FAst passes for all in the party to coordinate times together.
Be sure you arrive at the guest service window early, an hour before park opening to exchange vouchers for ticket along with passport and one other ID. Maybe a drivers licence? We bought tickets with Canadian offer too! Great deal.

2- You may purchase magic bands inside park at gift shops. The only thing you'll be able to do is link your park ticket to it being an off site guest. You won't be able to use it for charging. Maybe a lanyard with a clear plastic pouch woukd be just as handy to keep your park ticket in.

3- No, with just 4 days allocated to the parks, and being off site I wouldn't take a break back at where your staying. You can find a quiet place in the parks to sit for a rest. Or going to a show in an AC theatre can be a nice rest.
No, you wouldn't have to pay to park again. Just keep parking reciept.

4- lots of really cool decorations! They have Hallow-Wishes fireworks at MK, but that may just be for the party.

5- Release dates for what? I'm not sure I understand the question. For the Not So Scary party? I'm not sure. Perhaps someone can come along who knows.

6- tips, the biggest tip I can give you is to get the guide book WDW The Unofficial Guide. There is so much to know about doing a successful WDW trip. And planning ahead is key. You are already thinking about that which is great. My first few visits this book was my bible. Their advice works. Pay particular attention to their Touring a Plans. It will do as they say, let you see more and wait on lines less. There is an order to see attractions that allows you to do this.
Another thing is to arrive at the park an hour before opening, with your touring plan in hand!!

Realize with only 4 days you won't do or see it all. So prioritize what's important, must do's.

Make your dining reservations if you plan on eatting more than just counter service places. I highly recommend it. The restaurants in WDW are themed and part of the experience! Don't waste valuable time leaving the parks for dinner.

Don't forget to spend a day exploring Disney Springs. Great restaurants, bakeries, and shops. DeLuxe burger has great burgers! UniQlo has really good Disney tees for a lot cheaper than at the parks.

Our first visit I bought 4 day tickets too thinking that would be enough. I wasn't prepared with the size and scope of WDW. But I was amazed at how much we did get to do using the touring plans. We were in the parks from opening to park closing. And we stayed off site. After that we booked longer stays and stayed onsite!!

Happy planning.

 

[Lesverts]

MNSSHP information should be released either this week or next. I would highly recommend going. I had an amazing time and I am well known to hate Halloween.

Unless you see a Magic Band with a character/theme that interests you I would not bother. You are not getting any extra special usage out of them. But if you are so inclined, when you go to a ticket window/guest relations (only need your passport, nothing else) you can buy plain MB there.

No to breaks, but if it is going to be a long day you could always go to DS for lunch to relax. And you only pay parking once per day.

 

[mjhtvchick]

I think Sue has covered most of it, honestly - I would totally ditto her recommendation to pick up a copy of the Unofficial Guide - it was so useful to me when planning our first trip.

We have also primarily stayed offsite so the only thing I would add is just a little tip on how we split up our days. As Sue said, it is really not practical to leave Disney mid-day if you are staying offsite...the only way this would work is if you had Park-Hopper tickets and went to one park in the morning, left midday and went to another park in the evening. We are also not into "Commando-style" morning to night days. What we did was alternate - getting to the park early one day, then leaving mid-afternoon to return to the hotel/condo for a swim and dinner, etc. - the next day, we would sleep in, linger at the pool, do a bit of shopping, etc then head to the park later in the afternoon and stay for the evening.

I would also recommend checking out a crowd calendar for your dates - Undercover Tourist has a good free one: https://www.undercovertourist.com/orlando/crowd-calendar/ This can really help plan your days.

 

[ottawamom]

Agree with most of what's already been written above. I would suggest that you sign up for the TouringPlans website access instead of picking up the book. You get all the important park information there and you can personalize your touring plans for your group. Gives you access to all that info in the park via your phone.

I would also only make on MDE account for all of you and just add everyones names to it. Much easier to manage than individual accounts if this is a one and done trip. Your traveling companions can always make up their own MDE if they decide to go again.

 

[kerreyn]

Welcome!

I would also like to suggest - looking into adding a park hopper on to your passes. Stop at a guest services before you leave your first park and see about adding the park hopper option (I think for 4 days it would be under $100). That way, instead of only going to one park per day, you'll have the option of going to several, or even going back if there was something you really enjoyed at a certain park.

 

[car_car]

awesome! thanks for all the info guys. will definitely have to check out those recommendations
also, a little disappointed about the magic bands. i thought the charge option was as simple as attaching a credit card to it. ah well, lanyard will be just as function able

thanks again guys!

 

[Hockeyfan17]

If you are travelling in October with all adults, you may want to look into the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot. It could be a very fun day if you are interested.

 

[car_car]

i've heard about it. but haven't seen too many details about it. anyone care to share?

 

[squirrel]

I would try and get more time to spend at WDW. 4 days is one day per park. Just know that you won't get to see and do everything that you want.

The MNSSHP is a good way to add an extra evening (almost a full day) onto your trip. There is a special parade, Fireworks and merchandise only available during the party.

I would skip going back to your resort/condo. You don't have any kids so just use restaurants and shows with A/C to rest and recharge.

October is getting busier as they have the Halloween Parties, Food &Wine Festival, Free Dining and a lot of schools get a fall break during that month.

Doing two days at Universal will also be short trying to do everything without Front of the line. Staying onsite at one of their more expensive hotels will give you that perk. I wouldn't go again without it. We stayed at Cabana Bay and with all the smokers walking into the parks was horrible. Having the boat drop off and Express Pass would be the way to go on a short 2 day trip. P.S. you would only need one night stay as you would get both check-in and check-out day.

 

[Sue M]

Orlando Informer is a good resource for Universal. I forgot to mention this web site, got all caught up in WDW!
Again, with only 2 days for Universal, you'll be hustling to see as much as possible. I would suggest the park to park pass so you can ride the Train from Diagon Alley to Hogwarts, or visa versa. It's amazing.
I ditto staying at a Universal resort while there. We've stayed at Hard Rock and Portofino. Getting the Front of the Line pass, priceless!!

 

[car_car]

actually i was only thinking of doing one of the universal parks (haven't decided which) so that one of our days there could be a 'break' day.
and i totally understand 4 days isn't really enough time to see eeeevvvvverything. the plan was a park a day, we see what we see, and hope that this is just the first of more trips to come

 

[ottawamom]

actually i was only thinking of doing one of the universal parks (haven't decided which) so that one of our days there could be a 'break' day.
and i totally understand 4 days isn't really enough time to see eeeevvvvverything. the plan was a park a day, we see what we see, and hope that this is just the first of more trips to come

You guys seem like you're on the other side of ??? (don't want to insert a # and insult anyone but you get the idea) I'm on the downhill side of 50 and I never take a break day. We're go, go, go when we visit. You can sleep when you get home. You could probably do two days at Universal and that way you'd be able to see more there.

 

[Pkltm]

actually i was only thinking of doing one of the universal parks (haven't decided which) so that one of our days there could be a 'break' day.
and i totally understand 4 days isn't really enough time to see eeeevvvvverything. the plan was a park a day, we see what we see, and hope that this is just the first of more trips to come

WE have done both parks in one day that time of year, I would not go without Park to Park passes at Universal as Hogwarts express should not be missed.

Don't forget to take your passports with you on your first day as you must prove Canadian residency to activate the ticket before entering. Plus as a fellow Canadian i can confirm if you want to buy an adult beverage you DL will not be accepted as proof of age. Make sure to link the vouchers to your My Deisney experience so you can take advantage of the passports.

 

[car_car]

You guys seem like you're on the other side of ??? (don't want to insert a # and insult anyone but you get the idea) I'm on the downhill side of 50 and I never take a break day. We're go, go, go when we visit. You can sleep when you get home. You could probably do two days at Universal and that way you'd be able to see more there.

we have someone in our group that has knee and hip issues, hence we're trying to take it easy. plus a lot of people i've been reading up on/watching on youtube had recommended this kind of format (like the mid day break thing i had also mentioned above). again, first trip to Disney, just trying not to over plan and then be really disappointed i/we didn't get to see or do what i/we wanted.

 

[ottawamom]

I do take a mid day break each day, we just don't take a whole day off.

 

[HeatherLassell]

Maybe a lanyard with a clear plastic pouch woukd be just as handy to keep your park ticket in.

Great suggestion and a much better use of your money in this case.

 

[Sue M]

we have someone in our group that has knee and hip issues, hence we're trying to take it easy. plus a lot of people i've been reading up on/watching on youtube had recommended this kind of format (like the mid day break thing i had also mentioned above). again, first trip to Disney, just trying not to over plan and then be really disappointed i/we didn't get to see or do what i/we wanted.

Being off site I wouldn't go back for a mid day break. Instead if needed take a break at the parks. Go to see a show, lots of attractions where you can sit to get off your feet. Or go to one of the hotels closest to the park you're in. At MK hop the monorail to The Contemporary and find a comfy place to sit in the lobby. At Epcot you can go to The Beach or Yacht Club, or Boardwalk Inn. Lots of comfy sitting areas in lobbies.