Planning our first trip, feeling overwhelmed!

[jaamee96]

I just found these boards as I was searching the internet for Disney information. They are great! I'm sure you get many of these type of posts, but I figured that means you're the perfect group to ask.

We are planning our very first trip to Disney. I was there once when I was 9 or 10, but not since then. My DH has never been and neither have our sons, ages 7 and 1. We just recieved our video from Disney and our oldest son was so excited. He kept saying, "It feels like I'm there already!" I can't wait to get there!

I am feeling so overwhelmed with all of the information out there. We would like to make the trip mid to late October or early November. We will be driving from Michigan and would like at least five days for the parks. We plan on just doing WDW this trip. My grandmother and mother may be joining us, not sure about that yet.

We were thinking about either staying at Pop Century or Fort Wilderness this trip. If my mother and grandmother join us, we definately won't be camping though. If we stay at Pop Century, is there enough room for four adults and two children in any of the rooms, or would we need to get two rooms? My children will be ages 8 and 2 by the time we take our trip. The 2 yr. old doesn't sleep in a crib. We've also considered staying in either a condo on site or some of the family first homes that we've seen advertised. We would prefer on-site lodging since it would be more convenient if we needed to take the little one back for a nap or just some chill-out time.

I'm pretty sure we will be getting hopper tickets. We would like to visit at least one of the water parks while we are there. Which would you suggest?

What about character breakfasts? My oldest DS really wants to see Goofy and Max, which I'm thrilled about. Goofy has been my favorite since I was a child. Those are the two most important characters that we see. My youngest DS would love to see the Pooh characters.

When should I start booking these things? And what is priority seating for? What are some "not to miss on the first visit" rides and events?

Guide books? I see so many available and while I would love to buy them all, I think one or two should be sufficient. What ones would you suggest?

I have many more questions, but I will spare you all for now. I'm looking forward to getting to know you and having your expertise to help me in planning this exciting event.

Amanda

 

[Big V]

WOW! You have a lot of questions! Welcome to the Dis jaamee96! Where do I start? OK, you will not be able to fit 4 adults and 2 children in any rooms at Pop Century. You will need two rooms. You can make priority seating arrangements at 90 days prior to the date. For guide books, if you are going to buy two, I would suggest "Passporter" and "The Unofficial Guide to WDW" As for which rides ect., just keep reading the Dis and pick what you like. I'd also make the suggestion to read a lot of trip reports. You get a lot of good info from them. And the most important thing to remember is to HAVE FUN!
Scott

 

[Disney Fool]

I would also recommend Birnbaum's WDW Guidebook--good maps and good info for first timers. For your 7 year old, get Birnbaums WDW guide for Children. It explains the rides to them and tells them what to expect. It's also a memento for the trip as it has places for them to write what they enjoyed.

Pooh, Tigger and friends usually show up at the Crystal Palace for meals; they've been known to be at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian,too. Priority seatings are not reservations for restaurants. If the restaurant is busy, you will be called before others if you've made a priority seating. During busy times, it is recommended that you make priority seatings, at least for some meals.

The first week in November is usually very busy at Disney (New Jersey kids are out of school, a lot of special activities at Disney also).

Here's a link to all the abbreviations you'll see on these boards:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/abbreviations.htm

It's not too early to make your reservations for an on-site Disney hotel. Read the resorts board on this forum and get more info on the resorts--and any discounts that may be available. Ask as many questions you need to ask. That's what we're here for. Oh, and a big "Welcome"!!! to the DIS!

 

[kangaandroo]

The Crystal Palace at the Magic Kingdom has the pooh characters. Goofy is at Chef Mickey's, Breakfastosaurus, Cape May Cafe, and O'Hana, but i'm not sure about Max.

I second the motion for the Unofficial guide and the Passporter. They are both great and compliment eachother well. In fact, each one recommends the other.

Priority seating is Disney's version of a reservation. The Unofficial guide explains it well.

I have traveled to WDW twice with my daughter (once at 10 weeks and once at 14 months) and we'll be back at 16 months, 17 months and hopefully this fall. It is SO much fun seeing WDW through the eyes of your toddler!

Have fun, and enjoy!

 

[ahutton]

For rooms, you might look at the cabins available at Fort Wilderness. They can sleep 6 (I'm pretty sure) but have the comforts of home and are less like camping. Another option would be to look at renting DVC points from someone at staying at one of the DVC properties. Then you are onsite, but have an apartment like room.

As for time of the year... Events to keep in mind would be there is a golf tournament every year in October, this year looks like it will be the 18-24th. After that things will slow down some, although we have not been there when the New Jersey thing was going on (we've come in as that week was ending). Just after the Golf tournament the Food and Wine Festival usually starts at EPCOT, and during October at MK they have a Halloween Party that is a special event ticket but sounds like lots of fun.

Don't stress about what you don't see, you'll spend more time worrying about that than you will enjoying what you do see.

 

[Twigs]

To help you decide which guide book is best for you, take them out of your local library. You can decide that way which to invest in.

 

[jaamee96]

Thank you all for your suggestions.

The only book our library had was Fodor's 2001. I'm going to try and get to some other close by libraries or see if they can get the books from another library for me. That will help me in deciding which ones to purchase.

I would like a bit more information on Mickey's halloween event. Does it run most of the month of October? That would be something we would definately be interested in.

How do you rent DVC points from someone? I wouldn't even begin to know where to find them.

I'm heading over to read some trip reports.

Amanda

 

[marcyinPA]

Hi Amanda and welcome to the boards!

I would definately recommend the cabins at FW. You can sleep 6 in them (double bed and bunks in the bedroom and a murphy bed ...double bed that pulls down from the wall...in the living room). You also have the benefit of a kitchen with full-sized appliances which is WONDERFUL. If you are worried about it being too "campy", no need! I am not the woodsy type and I LOVED it. It is very quiet and peaceful, but also very modern!

If you have any questions about them, just pm me and I will try my best to answer them!

Good luck with the planning! You will probably get all the info you need from these boards, mousesavers and allears. I have a book, but I never use it! The info here is better!!

 

[jaamee96]

My hubby and I were actually thinking about camping (we LOVE to camp). However, with my grandmother and mother who don't like to camp so much, tenting it is out for our options. If it was just us, that is most likely what we would do. From the pictures I've seen, I love the environment that Fort Wilderness offers.

How much are the cabins per night? Do they have full size kitchens in them? What about restrooms...are they in the cabins?

 

[marcyinPA]

Hi again!
Let me assure you that the cabins ARE NOT like camping at all. They are actually considered a "home away from home" resort. They have modern conveniences like full sized appliances (stove, fridge, dishwasher, microwave) in the full kitchen (dishes, utensils, pots & pans, etc.). The bathroom is a regular modern bath, inside the cabin, with double sinks, and a one unit tub/shower combo. The cabin has a t.v., table & chairs, and is themed in a woodsy, cottage like theme. It is very comfortable, has central air and heat, a deck outside with a BBQ grill... The setting is wonderful, a very peaceful and quiet respite from the parks. It was so dark and quiet at night, you could hear a pin drop! Unlike hotels where people are constantly coming and going above and below you, slamming doors and whatnot!!

If I knew which link to post, I would! Try www.allearsnet.com I think they...n-camping" person would enjoy them! :bounce:

 

[Memaw2Wm]

I second (or third) the FW cabins ... it's great having a kitchen. Plus you can put the kiddies to bed in the bedroom's bunkbeds and have adult time in the great room.

I also recommend the Unofficial Guide to Disney and Birnbaum's "Walt Disney World for Kids by Kids" ... lots of great info in both. I also like Passporters ... I have a collection of guide books, LOL!!!

My grandkids (currently 7 & 8) enjoyed both water parks, but I especially liked the Ski Patrol area at Blizzard Beach ... lots of fun stuff for them to do and I was able to sit in a beach chair and still keep an eye on them.

I suggest making priority seating ressies for breakfast or dinner at Chef Mickey's (Contemporary Resort) ... you see Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Chip and Dale. Then do the same to have breakfast or lunch at the Crystal Palace in MK to see Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger.

We've seen Max in the MK town square in the morning.

For not to miss rides/events I suggest browsing thru the kids guide ... it will give you lots of ideas. Just remember there's no way to "do it all" ... just choose your "must see."

My grandkids love getting hair cuts at the MK barbershop ($12) ... William gets a "spiky do" with colored gel and "pixie" dust. Cissy gets a trim and has her hair pulled back in various ways, then colored with gel and sprinkled with pixie dust.

They also enjoy hunting for pressed pennies machines and smooshing pennies. These make great souvenirs.

See: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=517184

 

[jodifla]

I've tent camped at Fort Wilderness since the 70s, and it is a terrific campground, if you decided to go that route. So much to do that you can make that a whole vacation, without going to the parks. In fact, when my friend's kids were little, that's what they used to do (that was before the kids were old enough to figure out they were that close to MK!) October/November is a pretty time of year in central Florida. Warm mostly in the day, cooler at night.

I would really recommend staying on-site. There's a magic factor you just don't get staying off site (and I've done plenty of both). I'm now a DVC member, so we pretty much only stay at the Vacation Club resorts.

To check out renting points, go the the Vacation Club Board and click on the rent/trade points button.

 

[daystar]

Hi,
My family went over christmas we seem to see Goofy all over but not much of Max..... My son had his autograph and picture in MGM done with Max.....I don't know if he goes any where else...Just incase you don't find him any where else....Check out MGM..
My family first trip to WDW was at Christmas 2003 i actually started planning almost a year in advance....I read every thing i could and if you have questionsthese boards are the best help you can get... I became addicted to this web site and still am, now planning my next trip...
Here are some web sites that i used as well as this one allearsnet.com and wdwmagic.com....

 

[jaamee96]

Thank you all again for your help, suggestions, and tips. Especiallly on where I might be able to find Max. My son will be thrilled if we can find Max. He's now watched the Disney video at least 4 times and gets more excited each time.

I have some questions about the penny pressing. Where would be the best place to post those questions?

 

[jaamee96]

Oh yeah, we've prety much decided our travel dates will be September 24-October 2. Arriving at Disney on the 25th and departing on October 2. Is this a crowded time? (We were hoping to go in October, but dh has gone back to college and will be starting classes the first week of October.)

 

[jodifla]

That is an excellent time to go. Warm enough to swim, but all the kids are back in school. Stay away from the MK on the weekends, and you'll do great. Crowds are really low then.

Check out what restaurants you really want to go to, and make Priority Seating arrangements 90 days out. These are kind of like reservations (you get the next available table for your size party) and can really cut down on wait time.

No matter where you stay, you'll have a great time. But if you can at all swing it, stay onsite and surround yourself (and your kids!!) in the magic. The cabins sound really perfect for you, or if the rest of your family decides not to go, you'll really like FW campground tent sites. The comfort stations with bathrooms and showers are even air-conditioned. And they have a nightly campfire with a movie.

You might want to consider getting a Disney Visa. It's a no-fee card, you get 1 percent of what you buy back in Disney credit to spend even more money on Disney, and you get access to deals on rooms.

For books, I like Birnbaum's official guide, or Disney With Kids, which has tips for traveling with little ones.

Any more specific questions, just fire away! Besides DS, Disney is my favorite subject.