So overwhelmed... where do I even begin??

[brooke.jax.gia]

Oh wow, thanks for all of the help guys!!!

So, my first thing to do is to buy a guide book! I will probably actually get a few!

Here's one more question if yall dont mind? LOL When I look at other sites as to when the best times to go are, I see low crowds, moderates crowds and high crowds. Well what is the difference? I understand what low is, and ideally I would like that, but in Disney terms what is moderate? How long would we likely be waiting in lines for rides and what-not?

 

[nbs2]

One small change from the suggestions that others are making - don't buy the guidebook. See if you can check it out from your library. I've had a copy in my hands for nearly 12 weeks now. I got a copy of the Unofficial Guide w/ Kids, then I got the 2010 guide, and the 2011 once that came out. And the timing of my check out on the 2011 is such that I will be able to take it with us to WDW. Of course, I've had enough time to pour through it that I really won't need it.

Also, figure out how much you enjoy planning and what you rtolerances are. I've posted a few threads where I've been frustrated and ready to walk away. I've developed a bit of a twitch from this. But, that's just how I roll - we leave this Saturday and I'm still tweaking our ADRs. If that's not you, don't stress - like any vacation, you need to make the perparation as much fun as the trip itself.

 

[Alabama Minnie]

If the new Animation resort is open you might want to consider it unless you are planning to do deluxe or mod. It is suppose to open sometime in 2012.

I would try to do restaurants that your DS would enjoy since your DD will probably be to young to appreciate the dining part. Sci-fi and 50's are fun at DHS. 1900 at GF is a buffet with characters break./dinner. The only character meal we have ever done at MK is CRT (with the princess'). I hear kids like to eat at Coral Reef in Epcot because of the fish tanks.

We drive down MOST of the time but when we fly we ALWAYS get the best rates with Southwest out of Birmingham. (1 1/2 hr. trip)

Slow times we have been are the first weeks of Sept., even Labor Day. The last week of May. The first 2 weeks of December. We NEVER go in the summer or during Spring Break time.

 

[Mouse's Shadow]

You've gotten some great advice. You are ahead of the game, by starting this early. I'm going to assume that you like to plan. The Unofficial Guide is great, and you have plenty of time to read through it. Just enjoy the process. When I start planning, I create a to do list in printshop. As I read things on the dis that interest me or in a guidebook, I make a note on my list, the date that I need to take action (if applicable), and any links that will help me find it when the time comes. Have fun!

 

[DISNEY1975]

I suggest choosing a place to stay before choosing your dining. Choose dining around where you will be staying and what parks you will be visiting on which days.

MOO, character meals are great, but only for breakfast.

If you are booking airfare, I have found this to be true over the past 3 years. Airfare is cheapest at the 3.5 month mark...bookng on a Wednesday. Although tempting, I wuoldnt book airfare before then. It also is decent again at 4 weeks out. Im not patient enough to wait that long, though have regretted it 3 years in a row. I always think..this year it wont drop, and it always does.

Check out these boards and mousesaver.com for any promos ..resort discount/free dining etc..

Have fun planning and enjoy your trip!

 

[caroline1851]

I'd spend a lot of time on these boards just reading about everything. It can be overwhelming, especially if you're looking to get a good deal, eat at good restaurants, not wait in lines, etc.

I dont' think you need to book anything for a long time. You can pretty much spend the next 6 months or so just researching.

get a book. I like the Unofficial Guide.

Determine when you're going - you've already done that.
Determine your budget -this will help you decide if you want to stay value, moderate, or deluxe
Determine if you even want to stay on site - i say yes! espeically your first time, it can be a lot, Staying on property makes it super easy.

Then just relax and enjoy the process of learning all about Disney.

 

[honeydiane1953]

Let me preface this by saying that I am 26 and have never been to Disney!

We would like to go March of 2012 over the Mardi Gras holiday (we are from Louisiana). My daughter will be 23 months and my son will be 3 months shy of turning 7.

Also, I'm not even sure if I am posting this in the right place, didn't see anywhere that was for planning only, so if the mods need to move this I won't be offended.

I've been lurking on here awhile and there is so much information... I'm on information overload!! LOL So, really my question to all of the experts out there, where do I even start??? Since we are wanting to go in 2012 should I even be thinking about any of this now? When is the best time to start planning for something that is almost 18 months out? I could seriously go on and on!

I would love any tips just to get me going in the right direction!

TIA

The first I would do is buy The Unofficial Book of Walt Disney World sold at Barnes/Nobles and such. It's a good read and gives u more info than u will ever or want to know. But it starts u on authors opinions and gives readers opinions. Then just look here on Dis boards. Above all as we all do from time to time let this be a vacation and not an army maneuver.

 

[Tammy296]

to OP --

You're stressing out wayyyyy too early. First of all, take a huge deep breathe and say "this is only a vacation and a vacation is supposed to mean you RELAX". :

This board has a LOT of info. Just keep reading and then jotting notes (think copy & paste) whenever you see something that catches your eye. Keep a word document just for that info and review it when you're about 6-8 months away from your trip.

The first time we went to disney the first thing I did was make myself an excel spreadsheet (a planner) which listed when all the parks were open, on which day, what entertainment was available that time of year (try googling steve soares site fmi) - the info he has is usually a week out but the entertainment for things like Wishes, fireworks, some shows rarely changes they still occur and on certain days unless you're going during a special event time of year (International Food and Wine Fest or Xmas time for example).

Once you get that spreadsheet started you can adjust it when you're like 6-8months away from your actual trip and then again at a week out when it actually lists what the schedule WILL BE FOR YOU. Other sites like wdwinfo and mouseforless (google discount disney) and you'll also find a lot of info about discounts available, budgeting, etc. These sites like wdwinfo have a wealth of knowledge (restaurant menus etc) and it's not all so compressed like it might be here on this forum. On this forum you probably have to do a search on anything specific you want to know about. If you do your search first and don't find what you're looking for then post about it. You'll get A LOT of FANTASTIC advice.

Make yourself an Itinerary to help you plan that lists your final flight details, dates, phone numbers to call for this or that, your final reservation confirmations, etc. I take this with me every trip so I am prepared. I also had a word document for a daily plan complete with the menus of the restaurants we chose to eat at and made reservations for, another document for the kids to look at for what snack credits are available to them, another list of dining (what places you might be interested in), etc. The best way to start is small and just grow your knowledge. Make a document for those rides you can fastpass. When you're about 1-6 months out then purchase something called ridemax or any of the trip/tour planners. I've used them all. Mike's is good for a first timer visiting!!

Someone also mentioned getting the Disney book (unofficial guide to wdw). I agree and got one for myself. NOW would be the perfect time to get one of those for yourself. and start THERE.

A disney vacation is like no other vacation you'll ever take. The planning will be well worth it tho in the end.

The very thing you will NOT want to do on your first trip is GO COMMANDO. We did that and let me tell you, BAD IDEA. Make sure you plan ahead for afternoon naps, swimming, relaxation. THIS IS A MUST. You will NOT see everything on your first trip to Disney unless you're planning to come for 3 weeks straight. We've visited WDW this is our 4th time (4 weeks each) and we still havent seen everything there is to see. Must be why we keep coming back

The planning part of it is really work but when we're there we often throw the plan out the window and that's when we have the MOST fun. LOL

Just take notes!! Use google, use the search options here, talk to other people when you have questions (when you can't find your answers anywhere else)... you'll be OK

Enjoy the ride!!!

 

[preludejf]

We are from Louisiana as well and usually go to WDW during Mardi Gras holiday. (We are going in 2011 again.) Keep these things in mind when planning during this time: President's Day and Spring Break. I would not go during Mardi Gras break if if falls during Pres. Day week. Very large crowds (we experienced this last year). We won't make that mistake again. When I looked at the calandar for 2011 MG does fall between Pres day and spring break this year so we feel it will be lower crowds this year. You will see a lot of "who dats" and LSU fans during this time (2 thumbs up). Hopes this info helps you.

JF

 

[Planogirl]

Oh wow, thanks for all of the help guys!!!

So, my first thing to do is to buy a guide book! I will probably actually get a few!

Here's one more question if yall dont mind? LOL When I look at other sites as to when the best times to go are, I see low crowds, moderates crowds and high crowds. Well what is the difference? I understand what low is, and ideally I would like that, but in Disney terms what is moderate? How long would we likely be waiting in lines for rides and what-not?

Slightly crowded versus more crowded vs very crowded? Personally I ignore crowd level predictions and try to avoid the really busy times like holidays and school breaks if possible. If you plan wisely and use fastpass, moderate level crowds aren't too bad.

 

[brooke.jax.gia]

Thanks again everyone!

Yes, I am very much so a planner, and I enjoy planning to. But just looking at all of this information left me with no idea where to start my planning! LOL

Preludejf- Well unfortunately Mardi Gras does fall during President's day week in 2012, so it looks as though I'm going back to the drawing board as to when we should go. Now I'm thinking I'd like to try for Halloween time next year!

 

[madcam]

Just wanted to add:

If you are flying and using Disney Transportation, you may want to factor in the cost of a double stroller rental. The Disney parks rent them out and they were a lifesaver for my girls when we went in 2007. At that time , my oldest was just about the age of your oldest and my youngest was just shy of 3. It is ALOT of walking for those little legs and being as it is your first time....you are going to want to fit in as much as possible. They aren't "strollers" like you are probably thinking....more wagon-like carts with canopies so your oldest won't feel like a "baby" if he needs to hitch a ride. Plus it is a great way to not have to constantly wear your bag and provides a great seat for the kiddos when you stop to rest as well as let your little one take a cat nap. It will definately help with melt-downs and help extend the hours you will be able to spend in the park.

You can rent for the day or for your entire trip and you just leave them at the gate. If you are park hopping, you just go get another one at the next park. I say "factor in the cost" because I don't remember them being super cheap to rent but are definately worth the cost.

FWIW: We went at Halloween that trip and it was a FANTASTIC time to go. We would be going at that same time for our upcoming trip but I wanted to do a "Christmas" trip and have my DDs birthday there this year so we are doing Dec. But in case you were wondering....the fall/Halloween time is awesome: great weather, low-ish crowds, beautiful decorations.

Welcome to the DIS......it is the BEST Disney planning source out there!!!