My neighbor is headed to Disney in a week. She asked me for a must-do list. I told my friend laughing, "She has no idea that I will be providing her with a dissertation!"
So, what are my tips for first timers? (Or someone who hasn't been there for 25 years?)
General -
*Make dining reservations
*Do Early EMH and rope drop!!
*Take breaks - especially if you have young kids. It DOES NOT take too long to return to your hotel (I can only speak for Disney properties) and it is worth it!
*Swim at the pool weather permitting - young children want to and you can't do it all at Disney in one trip anyway!
*Take snacks to the parks and water sprayers (if it's hot). They are great when you are standing in lines.
*People's inclination is to go right; go left. (Of course, Disney people know this, so many you shoud really go right??
)
*
Use Fast Passes
*Create a plan for each park (A list of rides in the order you plan to do them.) You don't have to always follow it, but it helps you decide what to do next, so you aren't standing around staring at the map.
*I have never waited longer than the posted time. Usually, the wait is much shorter.
*Week in advance resource for times of shows, etc.:
http://pages.prodigy.net/stevesoares/index.htm
*You can get REAL coffee at Poly - if you are coffee drinkers - get it at the Kona Coffee Bar -
http://allears.net/din/coffee.htm
*If your kids are into characters, book character breakfasts for around 10:45. You can do the park and ride many rides, have a late breakfast/ early lunch.
*If parades are important to your family, find a seat at least 30 minutes ahead of time.
*Maps by Robo for parade routes, viewing spots, etc:
http://www.stitchkingdom.com/maps/
Poly -
*Try Tonga Toast for breakfast (Capt Cook's has it for counter service). One serving is enough for two.
*Have a Dole Whip - Poly has a self-serve machine in Capt. Cook's. Aloha Isle in MK has them also.
*You can watch Wishes from the beach (Then, you can avoid the mass exodus from the parks.) Check to see where the music is piped in. Also, you can watch the Electric Water Pageant from the beach
*Depending on room location, might be quicker/ easier to walk to TTC to catch Epcot monorail. Also, you can catch buses to resorts from TTC. (You can't catch direct bus from Poly to another hotel.)
*Riding the boat is fun if you aren't in a hurry.
*Park hop from the EMH park to a different park - not the other way around.
*Check times guides as you enter the park and add show times into your touring plan.
Magic Kingdom -
*If you are going at a busy time, make an early reservation at Crystal Palace for breakfast. Then, you can be on Main St. virtually alone. If that isn't of interest, you can make a late breakfast ressie and take a break in AC.
*Rides: I love them all except Stitch's Great Escape...avoid with little ones.
*Use Fast Pass
Counter- I like Pecos Bill; DH enjoys Cosmic Rays (Also, they have an animatronic to entertain kids)
Table - Plaza is a cute burger place; enjoyed meal there. Cinderella's Royal Table is for the experience; ate lunch there - food okay- too much $$$.
Animal Kingdom:
*I read reports about Dinosaur and It's Tough to Be a Bug being frightening for kids. I giggled - not my fearless six year olds! Yes, I found my kids had fears. (However, they did not fear Expedition Everest or Tower of Terror at DHS)
*Flights of Wonder is often overlooked - make time for it!
*Safari is reported to be best seen in the morning or later in the afternoon. For a less bumpy ride, sit toward front.
* If you plan on spending one day, decide what show is more important The Festival of the Lion or Finding Nemo: The Musical. Otherwise, see one each day.
*Use Fast Pass
Counter - Flame Tree
Table - Enjoyed Tusker House breakfast
Hollywood Studios:
*Go to Toy Story Mania first. If the line is less than 30 min, ride it, and get a fast pass as soon as you get off. Otherwise, wait in line for a fast pass.
*Decide on importance of shows: Lights, Action, Motor; Beauty and the Beast; Indiana Jones; American Idol- Probably can't fit them all in your day (especially with the other (mini) shows: Voyage of the Little Mermaid; Playhouse Disney Live; Jedi Training)
*If you want to see Fantasmic go to second show if one is available. Arrive at theater at least one hour early - two hours is more the norm these days.
Counter: spots on Sunset Blvd (the street to RNR and TOT)
Table: We plan on trying Sci-Fi - atmosphere is super cool - haven't been yet. People report mixed reviews; burgers are supposed to be safe. Hollywood and Vine was okay - not exciting.
Epcot:
*In World Showcase, find the Epcot Kid Spots for the kids to make masks.
*Do Kim Possible
*Drink a Gray Goose or Grand Marnier Slushie in France (if you drink).
*Get Fast Pass for Soarin early - they run out (or return time is hours and hours)
*Illuminations- advice from ROBO on Disboards is invaluable:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34500665&postcount=9
*Pick a pearl in Japan...haven't done this yet, but I am very excited to have a cool piece of jewelry to remember the trip.
Counter: so many choices in World Showcase (I enjoyed France; DH enjoyed England. Plan to try others each visit.)
Downtown Disney: (Bus rides always seemed long--only time I noticed and was bothered by bus service.)
*
Lego place is cool
*Cute shops (soap, Christmas, Giant World of Disney)
Counter Service: Earl of Sandwich - YUM!
Meals we recommend:
*Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare (GF)
*Breakfast at Chef Mickey's (Contemporary)
*Dinner at Boma (Animal Kingdom Lodge)
*Dinner O'Hana (Poly)
Books I recommend:
Passporters
Unofficial Guide to WDW
Website/ Forum:
Disboards.com and wdwinfo.com
allears.net
mousesavers.com
Any advice, resources, or comments that you have to offer would be greatly appreciated! (Lurkers
, help please??)
I got a Passporter, but it really doesn't cover the level of planning that I do (DH said- why do you need that? Don't you already know everything in there?) Plus, I love how you used the scrapbooking stickers, etc. Can't wait to read more!
Glad you joined me for my PTR. I adore the Passporter! I fought the urge to buy another. It was ideal for our first trip; I carried it in my Vera Bradley Yellow Bird Small Backpack the whole trip! (I left the Unofficial Guide in our hotel room.) I love that the passporter has pockets. I considered ordering a reusable one, but I wasn't in love enough to pay the $$$.
Topics for further exploration/items to take care of:
Planning for my Disney trip which is 97 days away!
I was glad she asked. My first question was, "Do you have dining reservations?" Thank goodness she said, yes. 
.) Leaving the man perusing Unofficial Guide, I sat down and flipped through "The Official Guide" - Birbaum, perhaps? and maybe a Frommers) Both were disappointing. I wanted to read more about Japan's candy making and pick a pearl. (As if I need any resource other than the dis???) I also wanted to read more about Innovations. Neither of these books had more than a blurb about Japan and not much more about Innovations.
