questions from a first-time visitor

[svetter]

My husband, 21-month daughter and I are going to be in Orlando next weekend (Jan. 14-18). We plan to go to the Magic Kingdom on Saturday. I wish that I knew about this discussion board earlier, but I have been reading a lot of posts the past few days and feel that I am really in for it as the "Trip Mommy." If you can answer any of the following questions/concerns, I would really appreciate it. Thanks for all your information posted in other messages, I am learning a lot!

1. Do other visitors really steal your stroller? Even if your diaper bag, water, and blankie are sitting right in it?

2. What is best then to do in terms of a stroller? rent one? bring my cheap one and just carry everything that I would put in the basket?

3. Can I bring in snacks for my daughter? ones that would be in her diaper bag anyway?

4. Do most of you bring your "good" camera? Ours is sort of heavy after a while so I was going to just bring disposable ones? But of course then the pictures are not as sharp or nicely framed... but I would be beyond miserable if someone took if from our stoller...

5. Can adults bring bags/diaper bags onto the rides? What I am asking is will my husband and I have to take turns going on the rides with our daughter so that the other can guard the stroller and bags? Which rides are best for a nearly-two-year-old?

6. January weather? would we be comfortable in khaki pants and cotton shirts?

7. is there a schedule that I can get for the fireworks show and the parade? how early should we try to position ourselves before they begin?

8. is there a "quiet spot" in the park to have a brief "rest" during the afternoon?

9. since we are just going to the park for one day, is there any discount availible or should we just buy our tickets at the gate that day? I saw on another post that the lines for buying tickets is pretty long... can I buy one-daytickets in advance? all I have seen on some of these web sites and at the Disney store are Hopper tickets....

10. What are the chances of finding Mickey himself (or even Minnie)? My daughter has been asking for him everywhere (yesterday in the mall and at the grocery store) ever since we said that we were going to see him (BIG mistake)... are the characters walking about most of the day? I don't want to spend my entire day stalking him, but if you know a tip....


THANKS so much for any help you can give. We are going for a principals' conference and so this is a quick trip... I'm sure there will be others in the future.

Shannon

 

[luvsTink]

Hi Shannon!
I am pretty new to all this too, so I am sure there are others that will be better help than me, but I wanted to welcome you and tell you to look over this entire site. It has tons of info. Also, others will disagree probably, but I found Tour Guide Mike (an online planning site - costs about 20 bucks) very helpful to me. Also, I bought The Unofficial Guide and I LOVE it. Tons of info including touring plans and dining reviews. Believe me, the more questions you ask and get answered, the more you will have But check out this site and other resources and you will feel much better.

Anne

 

[tjkraz]

1. Instances of stroller theft are few and far between. Probably LESS than the odds of it getting stolen at the park or some other venue if you left it unattended. Just don't leave anything of value in plain sight (cameras, camcorders, etc).

2. We always bring ours. Disney rentals are very expensive, and remember that you will only have access to it while in the park. From the gates to your car/bus, and then on to your hotel room, you will be carrying the little one. Some people don't like having to lug their own stoller on the bus. We didn't mind at all.

Since you are only going for one day, I guess the expense issue isn't a big one. But just remember you will have to carry the little one everywhere but in the park itself.

3. Yes.

4. We always bring our good (digital) camera. It's up to you whether you want to lug it around or not. But don't think there are camera thieves scoping you out waiting for you to let your guard down. Everyone around you will have a camera and most bring one from home.

5. You should be able to bring the diaper bag on rides. But again, there aren't a lot of people who try to earn a living by hocking stolen formula and diapers. My suggestion: bring a fanny pack or other small bag for your camera, wallet, etc., and leave the diaper bag in the stroller. Nobody wants your diaper bag.

6. You will need to bring LITERALLY EVERYTHING in your closet. It could be in the 50s during the day, or it could easily get into the 70s. At night it will definitely be cold. You need to bring everything from jeans, sweaters, AND WINTER COATS to shorts, t-shirts and swimsuits. If you don't believe me, check the historical data on accuweather.com. We were there in January last year. The week before we arrived there were days when the high temps did NOT hit 50 degrees. The next week, while we were there, it was in the 70s almost every day.

If you don't pack adequately, you will end up in line with all of the other unprepared people waiting to spend your hard-earned money for warmer coats and gloves if the weather goes south.

7. Schedules are posted on disneyworld.com, but are subject to change. Printed schedules are available as you enter the parks. Yes, it is wise to line up before the event begins. The amount of advance time depends upon how busy the parks are. Just keep an eye on others. If you start to see the streets lined with people, I'd suggest following the pack. It will probably be at least 45-60 minutes ahead of time if you want to get "front row".

8. There are baby changing centers at each park, if that's what you mean. If you just want to sit down on a bench somewhere, I'm sure you can find a somewhat secluded location in the Magic Kingdom. But there is no one place you can go that is labeled "go here to get away from the crowds."

If you are referring to your child's typical nap time, my advice to parents is to ALWAYS plan an afternoon getaway to return to the hotel and let the little one nap. We took our son twice at 18 mos and 22 mos, and made plans to be our room daily for his typical nap time. It worked out great. I hate to force him to sleep in a cramped stroller--particularly when you don't know how comfortable the weather will be.

9. There are no discounts and you cannot pre-purchase. You need to get them at the gates. The one-day, one-park pass will let you into one park only (no hopping), although you can leave the park and return later if necessary.

10. Mickey is always available in the Judge's Tent behind his house in Toontown. The spot should be marked on your map. Take the tour of Mickey's house, and as you walk through the garden you will see a large structure in the rear. That's where people line up to see Mickey. This is one of the fixed greeting locations at the Magic Kingdom. Others will be marked on the map with a picture of Mickey's gloved hand.

You will see characters out for ad hoc greeting sessions in areas like the main entrance and castle courtyard. But just be aware that the characters will not stay out indefinitely. We usually don't wait if there are more than 10-15 families in front of us.

 

[kaygela]

Hi and welcome to the boards. We always rented a stroller wjen my DS was younger and never had a problem. We tied a bandana to the handle which would make it easier for us to identify it when we left the attraction. You won't have a problem bringing the bag on many of the rides. It can usually sit on the floor. The rides that it would be a problem on would be rides that you wouldn't be taking your 2 year old on anyway. BTW, they let you do a "baby swap". One of you can ride while the other waits with the child in a special area and when the ride is over, you can swotch without waiting on line again. Just let the CM know at the ride that you want to do this.

Mickey and Minnie can usually be found in Toontown. There are also character meals where you can find them in the park. A good restaurant for this is Liberty Tavern (not sure if Mickey is there,it may just be Minnie). They are both at the breakfast at Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary.

I'm sure your daughter will love "It's a Small World and many of the other rides in Fantasyland. In Tomorrowland, there is BUzz Lightyear. She won't be able to play (it's like laser tag), but it's very colorful and fun. Also Country Bear Jamboree would be a good show for her.

The Unofficial Guide to Disney is a great resource. It gives alot of touring plans and tips.

I'm sure that you will have a wonderful time. There are quiet nooks and crannys around the park if you want to take a break and just sit for awhile.

Have fun.

 

[Shells9]

Hi, Shannon.

We have never had a problem with our stroller, diaper bag or anything in any Florida park we have visited. There are designated stroller parking areas, and we always use those. Not saying nothing could happen, just that in all of our visits, it is not something we experienced.

We always brought our own umbrella stroller. It folded up nicely for trains, monorails, buses, etc. I think the rentals are too big, myself, and our umbrella stroller was just the right size and easy to handle in a crowd.

We used to bring snacks in the diaper bag. Dry cereal, raisins, cookies.

I have always brought my good camera -- I would hate to miss ANYTHING!

I think you will be okay leaving your diaper bag with the stroller so you can all enjoy attractions together. YOu have to do what you are comfortable with, though. Many times I have taken my backpack with me. If it is a high impact ride (like Test Track or Big Thunder), I out my bag ont he floor and put my foot through it, so the strap is on my ankle. Never had a problem.

January an be unpredictable -- bring some warm clothes just in case you need them. We were there in December and it was like 40 degrees and we froze! You could see your breath during Wishes!

If at all possible, get youyr tickets before you arrive! It will save a bunch of time. I am not sure about where to get one day passes, but you might check if you are a member of AAA to see if they have them there.

Check with guest services about character availability, and like everyone else said, check out the judge's tent. Or, you could always do breakfast at Chef Mickey's before the park opens, and get your visit with Mickey, Minnie and Goofy out of the way first thing!

Enjoy your trip!

 

[luvsTink]

I have been thinking about your post and I would like to suggest, if at all possible that you go to MK on the 16th instead of Sat.

Saturday is always busy, but since it will be MLK weekend I think it will be extra busy.

Just a thought.

Anne