Potential WDW trip

[midnight star]

Hi everyone,
I am an AP Holder at Disneyland, but have been entertaining the idea of going to WDW sometime next year (potentially late spring or late fall). I've gone twice before in 1998 & 2000 (I was 5 & 7). So I know a lot has changed. I also don't remember too much about it since I was on the younger side. Where is a good place to begin planning a trip to WDW? For the record, I'm VERY used to the laid back planning style of DL, so I'm a tad scared with WDW lol. Any help is appreciated

 

[Michelle James]

Dis is a great place to start but try not to get overwhelmed with all information. There's a lot of it!

Several other websites I also find helpful:

Mousesavers
Undercover Tourist
WDW Prep School

I'd suggest first trying to figure out how long your trip will be. And realize that you likely can't do it all (unless you're there for a month!).

 

[midnight star]

Ok thanks. My parents said when we went, it was for a week. So I'll probably go for that long. Plus, since I live out west, I wouldn't want to do a short trip for that long of a distance.
My next big question that i don't see much info on: Is it worth it to use the Premiere Passport? I have signature plus at DL and it expires in March. Would it be worth it to upgrade it then before coming?

 

[NH-to-FL]

I'll suggest a book called the Unofficial Guide to WDW. A thick book with lots of great information. The 2019 edition just came out. It was my bible for my first few trips to WDW.

Also try the web sites your first visit and easywdw.

And of course you could just binge DISboards.

One thing to acknowledge is that you will not be able to "do everything" at WDW in one visit. Spend some time picking out your "must do's" then the list of "would like to do if we have time". Since you are making the effort to come from the west coast I would encourage considering a stay on site. The perks are worth it. 60 day FP reservations and Extra Magic Hours for example.
Have fun planning and wishing you a visit!

 

[Michelle James]

Ok thanks. My parents said when we went, it was for a week. So I'll probably go for that long. Plus, since I live out west, I wouldn't want to do a short trip for that long of a distance.
My next big question that i don't see much info on: Is it worth it to use the Premiere Passport? I have signature plus at DL and it expires in March. Would it be worth it to upgrade it then before coming?

It looks to me like there is about $400 in the price difference from what you currently have and the premier passport, which would give you access to WDW and Disneyland. So if you were going to do 4 WDW park days or more, it'd be worth the upgrade.

 

[Fangorn]

Ok thanks. My parents said when we went, it was for a week. So I'll probably go for that long. Plus, since I live out west, I wouldn't want to do a short trip for that long of a distance.
My next big question that i don't see much info on: Is it worth it to use the Premiere Passport? I have signature plus at DL and it expires in March. Would it be worth it to upgrade it then before coming?

As previously mentioned, with only a $400 price difference between your Signature Plus AP and the Premier Passport, doing the upgrade for a week long trip is a no brainer. You'd spend much more than $400 for a 7day ticket that matches entitlements with the Premiere Passport.

As you correctly surmise, even if you don't truly understand it yet, the two places are very different. I grew up at Disneyland - I was literally there on opening day. I wasn't 2 yet and remember nothing, but I was there. I love Disneyland. I enjoy WDW more for entirely different reasons. Living in Portland, we actually go to WDW more than Disneyland.

Don't be afraid of all the hype you'll see here and on other boards about how much you need to plan. Is planning important? Sure, but your trip will not be a complete disaster if you're not able to make dining reservations exactly 6 months ahead of time, or if you can't get every fastpass you want for the exact 5 minute window your master planning spreadsheet says you must have. You can (we do all the time) have a wonderful trip without planning much of anything more than a day or so ahead of time. Use the tools available (MDE, FP+, ADRs) to help you lock in the few things that are really important to you or that are time sensitive. Don't get overwhelmed feeling as if you need to plan and schedule every waking moment of your trip. That laid back vibe you mentioned is possible at WDW. It's a mindset. Nothing more

We have a 10 day trip planned starting on Oct 27th. That's 62 days away. We have exactly 2 ADRs booked. Both are for brunch on each of the 2 Sundays we're there. I'm not planning on making any others until we're on site, and then, only for the next day - maybe. There is always somewhere to eat. Likewise, FPs aren't really that big a deal. It's great to have them, for sure, but unlike a whole lot of my cohorts here, I'm not adverse to waiting 30 minutes in the standby line to ride something if i really want to. My wife and I have a great time taking to people in line and *gasp* to each other. After 30 years of WDW trips we tend to do a lot of reminiscing about doing such and such with the kids, or "remember when 20,000 Leagues was where the Mine Train is now"?

All that to say, enjoy the journey as well as the actual stay. Feel free to ask questions. Read the stickies about FP+, tickets, etc. Lots of great info there.

And try to keep in mind that the size and scope of WDW is humongous compared to Disneyland. Tidbit to demonstrate that point: think of everything inside the berm at Disneyland. ALL of that would fit in the water of World Showcase Lagoon at Epcot. Both are approx 40 acres. Google map WDW to get the size perspective.

Have fun!

Steve

 

[midnight star]

As previously mentioned, with only a $400 price difference between your Signature Plus AP and the Premier Passport, doing the upgrade for a week long trip is a no brainer. You'd spend much more than $400 for a 7day ticket that matches entitlements with the Premiere Passport.

As you correctly surmise, even if you don't truly understand it yet, the two places are very different. I grew up at Disneyland - I was literally there on opening day. I wasn't 2 yet and remember nothing, but I was there. I love Disneyland. I enjoy WDW more for entirely different reasons. Living in Portland, we actually go to WDW more than Disneyland.

Don't be afraid of all the hype you'll see here and on other boards about how much you need to plan. Is planning important? Sure, but your trip will not be a complete disaster if you're not able to make dining reservations exactly 6 months ahead of time, or if you can't get every fastpass you want for the exact 5 minute window your master planning spreadsheet says you must have. You can (we do all the time) have a wonderful trip without planning much of anything more than a day or so ahead of time. Use the tools available (MDE, FP+, ADRs) to help you lock in the few things that are really important to you or that are time sensitive. Don't get overwhelmed feeling as if you need to plan and schedule every waking moment of your trip. That laid back vibe you mentioned is possible at WDW. It's a mindset. Nothing more

We have a 10 day trip planned starting on Oct 27th. That's 62 days away. We have exactly 2 ADRs booked. Both are for brunch on each of the 2 Sundays we're there. I'm not planning on making any others until we're on site, and then, only for the next day - maybe. There is always somewhere to eat. Likewise, FPs aren't really that big a deal. It's great to have them, for sure, but unlike a whole lot of my cohorts here, I'm not adverse to waiting 30 minutes in the standby line to ride something if i really want to. My wife and I have a great time taking to people in line and *gasp* to each other. After 30 years of WDW trips we tend to do a lot of reminiscing about doing such and such with the kids, or "remember when 20,000 Leagues was where the Mine Train is now"?

All that to say, enjoy the journey as well as the actual stay. Feel free to ask questions. Read the stickies about FP+, tickets, etc. Lots of great info there.

And try to keep in mind that the size and scope of WDW is humongous compared to Disneyland. Tidbit to demonstrate that point: think of everything inside the berm at Disneyland. ALL of that would fit in the water of World Showcase Lagoon at Epcot. Both are approx 40 acres. Google map WDW to get the size perspective.

Have fun!

Steve

Thank you for this. I've heard so much about how much planning is involved it was really starting to scare me.I began to refer to it as the Beast out East When my family and I took trips to DL growing up, we would legit just show up, buy tickets, then go and have a great time. Glad to know I can still plan a good WDW trip without being super hardcore about it.

 

[Eve & Wall-e]

I'll suggest a book called the Unofficial Guide to WDW.

Getting this book was my first step when I planned my first trip to WDW. It has everything you would ever want to know about WDW. After that I searched and found several blogs that I now follow. Plus this site, of course.

 

[StageTek]

CA local, long time Disneyland goer. Worked there for 10 years. Annual Pass holder for 15. Did my first WDW visit in 2007. My first trip was 10 days. It was just right - worth the trip across the country, spent two full days in each park with a day to just explore The World. Felt relaxing because I wasn't thinking about missing something. I'd suggest at least 7 days. But if you can, do 10.

Reading the DIS forums does give you the impression massive, detailed planning is required. Not really. Yes, you need to get FP in advance for the top rides in each park but it's not a deal breaker. Here on the forums you read about people getting quite upset if they don't the the dining reservations they want. If you MUST, MUST, MUST go to a specific, very popular restaurant then you MUST plan early. If you're more like me not getting into a very popular restaurant isn't a big deal - there are so many great places to eat. And sometimes tables open up on the day of.

So if you aren't a natural planner you can get a lot out of a WDW trip with minimal planning. If you can afford 10 days even not getting the top FP's in advance won't be much of an issue. Sure, you'll wait for 90 minutes for the "top" rides, but you'll also have enough time during your visit.