Rookie mistakes

[Fargoman2]

We are headed to WDW in August with a family of 5, kids are 3, 9 and 12.

Having never been there before, I fear making some "rookie mistakes" that will prevent us from getting the maximum enjoyment.

What are some classic "rookie mistakes" to avoid? Trying to do too much? too little? etc.

 

[Desnik]

Dh and I laugh now about the rookie mistakes we made on our first trip together in '97, it was our honeymoon. First, it was JULY, that was our first mistake LOL It was unbearably HOT Another rookie mistake is goig early and doing one park from opening till closing!! This is just our opinion, but we have never done that again. It is much better for us to do EE in that park which is having it that day, then in the afternoon, take a break out of the park, for lunch at another resort, or go back to our resort to go lay by the pool or swim. Then go to a different park that night. This has worked out much better for us. Also, not having any PS for our meals and not learning about the different food options and restaurants. I don't know about you, but when DH and I are hungry, watch out!! We can get alittle nasty LOL!!! Now we are very familiure with the restaurants and food and we make PS for at least one meal per day. That's all I can think of now, if I remember more I'll post them. Hope I can help you out alittle. Ask if you have any specific questions inkbounc

 

[SandraC]

EXCELLENT POST!

ROOKIE MISTAKES ~ DO'S and DON'T

(1) DO use FASS PASS, I don't get the folks who don't use it.
(2) DO at least ONE character meal!
(3) DON'T let the "buggers" get to you. We aren't rookies anymore, but I was a bit overwhelmed sometimes when entering a park and there were thousands of people who didn't know where to go.
(4) DO know where you are going. LOL. Have a basic plan of what you want to do upon arrival at a park.
(5) Pack half the clothes and twice the money!
(6) SWIM SWIM SWIM
(7) SMILE SMILE SMILE
(8) DON'T Fret the things you missed, enjoy the things you've seen.
(9) Enjoy down time ~ although it's Disney and there are lots of things to do, you are still on vacation and should REST!
(10) PREPARE PREPARE PREPARE ~ but also be PREPARED to ABORT THE PLAN, ABORT THE PLAN, ABORT THE PLAN!

HAVE FUN!

 

[codfish]

My first and biggest mistake at WDW was staying at the MK late enough to watch Tinkerbell & the fireworks. Tink's flight and the fireworks were great but getting out of the MK with everyone else was a nightmare. If you stay at a Disney resort, your bus/boat/monorail will let you off and pick you up at the MK gates. If you are staying at a non-Disney hotel (and we had a free week at the Downtown Disney Hilton) then you have the inconvenience of parking near the TTC and either ferrying across, or monorailing around a lagoon in order to get to the MK. It's a not so subtle way that Disney makes their properties more attractive. It took us two hours to get back to our Downtown Disney hotel from the MK that night, never again. Either leave earlier, stay until they kick you out or try to get a good rate at any MK Disney resort (you can walk from the MK to the Contemporary). It's really only a problem at the end of the day when everyone leaves at once, otherwise the ferry ride is very enjoyable.

 

[merryweather's twin]

I have only one thing to add. Pack moleskin and something to cut it... Have a great trip!

 

[NCRedding]

I second the idea of the advance PS's. When we went in January of 2000, DH said "We don't need to have a plan for eating, we'll just show up--we'll get in" First night--1/2, a Saturday, and DH decides he wants LeCellier. Fat chance--guess who threw the biggest fit. We ended up eating somewhere on 192 and having a less than satifying meal--we were all cranky. I would not go without PS now. Also, realize that you can't do or see it all. Pick your top favorites; swim at the resort pool, sit on a bench and people watch.

 

[lodgelady]

You did not say if you were staying on or off site, but either way, the first time we went to the MK we drove thinking that that would allow us to leave in the middle of the day if we wanted....well, I wasn't prepared for the HUGE crowd pushing and shoving to get onto a monorail at the TTC for MK opening (the paddleboats couldn't run because of fog!) so it was a horrible way to start the day. We were staying onsite and could have taken the bus, but it was a non EE morning-so we thought it would be no problem. The moral: when staying onsite you can drive to the other parks, but ALWAYS take the bus to the MK!

 

[TinkTink]

SandraC writes:

(5) Pack half the clothes and twice the money!

DITTO - You'll end up buying t-shirts and want to wear em, you won't want the jeans, you don't need the fancy stuff...

 

[Gillian]

look over the park maps before you go & get a feel for where everything is. you'll want to have some idea of what you want to see & when, even if you aren't doing commando touring!

 

[jwfla422]

I agree with checking out the maps. Have a little game plan on how you want to cover the park(s) for that day. I know many people go without any type of itenerary but it real helps to have an idea of what attractions you want to see the most and an idea of what you want to do that day. And, definitely take advantage of Fast Pass, (I would never stand in line again for an attraction that has FP).

If you are staying on property, I totally encourage you to just spend a few hours at a time in the parks, you can go back later. You are going to WDW during a very busy and very hot time, so you will need breaks from the parks. If you going for several days, spend one day doing fun things around the resort your staying at or just tour the resorts (that's fun). Swim at your hotel. Go to DD. Take a break from the parks (need I say it again).
Rent a boat or some bikes.

Have lunch or breakfast at a resort and check out the area. Make PS seating. I do for every meal everytime we go, if we can't make the time or the meal I'll just call and cancel or reschedule. In many cases you can make PS that morning for the same day.

A lot of these options do also depend whether or not you're staying on property. I could never imagine going to the world and staying off property anymore because many of our favorite things to do are at the resorts and the convenience is just that, convenient.

You definitely want to bring lots of sunscreen, rain ponchos and humor. Have fun!

24 days and counting...

 

[rogers803]

Great Replies! Bump

 

[rbuzzotta]

My kids are similiar in ages to yours. Let the kids look over maps and decide what they want to see and do in the parks. This may mean splitting up for a few hours. My youngest can't do Splash Mt. and the bigger rides so I take her over to Winnie the pooh and It's a Small World. We plan a meeting somewhere in the middle at a certain time.

Also, make PS arrangements before you go. We usually do Chef Mickey's on arrival day to get us in the spirit of Disney. Great fun!!

Bring along mist bottles and buy some water bottles before you get to the parks. We go in July/August and go throught ALOT of water!!! At 2.75 a bottle in the park I would have to be a millionaire to keep my family hydrated!

If staying in the park, definitely take an afternoon break and head to the pools!!!!! It is hot in the parks.

Have a wonderful time! It's the happiest place on earth!!!!

 

[jjnb7709]

1. PS for character meals is easiest way to see them!

2. Use EE - you get more done in 2 hours than most
people do in a day!

3. Take breaks! Plan for and enjoy down time!

4. Unless this is a "once in a lifetime" trip, it's okay if
you don't do every thing!

 

[DisneyBound4Ever]

We have only gone once as a family, our biggest thing we learned was to take it easy and not try to do everything every day!!! It made for some cranky kids and therefore cranky parents at times!!

 

[DIZZYDISNEY]

Please help this first timmer! Where are the following restarants? crystal palace, hoop dee doo, contemporary Cheif Mickey. is cinderellas castle the same as the crystal palace? is the fantasma fireworks available in 8-25 to 8-28-01? thanks so much!!!!!!

 

[PooooohBear]

Not making and PS arrangements and not budgeting enough money.

 

[CindyAnn]

I think most of my advice would echo some that you've already received:

1) Use fastpass!
2) Make a PS for one meal per day so you know you'll be cool, full, and sitting down at least once every day.
3) Let everyone choose a few favourite things to do at each park, after you've read some good guidebooks.
4) Use the child swap if your youngest doesn't want to go on some of the "bigger" rides (One adult rides with the older kids while the other stays behind with the 3yo, and then the adults switch places. On many rides the older kids will get to ride twice, which is fun for them, too. You can do this even if you're holding a fastpass ticket for an attraction).
5) Use EE if you're staying on-site, and avoid the EE park like the plague if you're staying off-site.
6) If your 3 yo hates loud noises, consider taking ear plugs for shows or fireworks and bandaids to hide the electronic eye on the automatic flushing toilets. Without bandaids those toilets would have spoiled my 4yo DD's last vacation!
7) At least plan to the extent that you know what park you're doing on which day and which restaurant(s) you have a PS for. A plan of attack for which ride to go to in which order is helpful, too, but like Sandra says, you have to be willing to abort/re-think the mission if everyone is getting tired or cranky.
8) Bring or rent a stroller for your youngest, even if he/she doesn't normally use one at home. You'll be able to cover a lot more territory that way.
9) Take time to hit Blizzard Beach (my favourite for a family) or Typhoon Lagoon. Some kids like them better than any other attraction at Disney.
10) Make sure everyone is wearing sun-block, hats, and drinks lots of water in order to stay happy and healthy!

Most important of all - HAVE A BLAST!

 

[Cameo]

Hey Fargoman -

I'm from Bismarck. Plane tickets are killer aren't they?

Our biggest mistake as newbies was:
We went to the park that had EE even though we stayed off site and weren't eligible to get in early. If you don't go to Early Entry, make sure to attend a park that is not an EE park for that day.

With kids - take plenty of time to stop and smell the roses - literally and figuratively. My little one liked the monorail and water fountains the best.

Have a plan. Someone else said it best - plan, plan, plan and then be ready to change it at a moment's notice.

Also, don't forget to stay well hydrated. Being from up north, we don't always love the Florida heat and humidity (although it's better than hail somedays!). Make sure the kids (and adults) drink lots of water.

Hope you have the best time!

 

[babslittleones]

 

[cleo]

Don't underestimate the size of the place. Not just the parks, but the whole place! Plan for longer than you think you might need to get from one park to another, your resort to a park, the back of the park to the front, etc.

Not underestimating the size helps a lot when you're getting to a PS or planning your mid-day break.

And make sure you have fun!