"These 1st timers go to Disney and get hooked!!! (UPDATE 4/10!)" trip report

[lilyfrog73]

Hello everyone!! My name is Tanya (35) and this is my first Pre-trip/Trip report (I will combine it all in one). The cast on this trip will include myself (of course), my DH-Shelby (34), DD-Macie (7) and DS-Cameron (1). We are staying at POP March 28 - April 3, 2009. This is a first time trip to WDW for all of us so it's very exciting!! DH and I have been talking about going for a few years and this trip kind of just happened. It was just like the commercials basically. I was searching the Disney website back in early August, typed in some dates and said to DH, "I think we can do this". After looking through the calendar at work, I picked our time frame and two weeks later we were at AAA booking our trip. We chose a value resort for just that, the VALUE. We wanted our 1st trip to be affordable and to allow for extra spending. We chose POP for it's theme. Our AAA agent talked us into the DDP. We didn't know much about it and thought the horror stories about the food prices were just that, but she showed us examples of receipts from one of her trips and we were sold! We probably didn't pick the greatest time frame but it doesn't matter. We were disappointed that they announced the new "Celebrations" theme after we booked and DD's 8th birthday is April 4th (the day after we come back) but that's OK too. She'll have lots of "Celebrations" after we get home as well as during our trip. We booked our own direct flights through JetBlue and the cost to change is just not worth it.

Now on to planning. Who would have thought there was so much to do.....

 

[bertegirl]

Well maybe we can learn from each other. I just started our pre-trip report as well. We are going for the 1st time in May. Can't wait! Just got into Chef Mickeys for Mother's Day!

 

[lilyfrog73]

Well maybe we can learn from each other. I just started our pre-trip report as well. We are going for the 1st time in May. Can't wait! Just got into Chef Mickeys for Mother's Day!

Thanks for stopping by and good luck with your planning!!

 

[lilyfrog73]

I found the DIS boards not too long after booking our trip. I have to say this is a great site!! I would not have known about ADR's, dinner shows or any of the extensive planning that goes into these trips. These boards have been a wealth of info for me. I am definitely addicted and have already mentioned bounce back to DH!! He said "bounce what?" I wonder that this trip isn't just for me and not the family . Anyways... our plans so far are as follows (I was able to make all our ADR's this past weekend ):

Day 1 Sat 3/28/09

We arrive at the airport at 9:45 am so we should probably be at POP around noon I figure. We have DME booked but have tossed around a rental (have it reserved but can always cancel). I get nervous about all the wasted time on buses. Figured we could have lunch at POP once we get checked in and wonder the grounds for awhile utilizing all the photo ops.

Chef Mickey ADR at 5:45 - thought this would be a great place for our first day.

Day 2 Sun 3/29/09 Magic Kingdom Day

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at 8:00am - DD is so looking forward to this. Made an appt for DH for a cool dude that he doesn't know about yet . We'll see how that goes. We bought 3 dresses from an eBay seller I found on these boards, Aurora, Jasmine and Ariel ball gown. So far I think for this appt. DD wants to wear Aurora. (I have been a Sleeping Beauty fanatic since my vinyl 78 storybook kid years - definitely will be souvie shopping to add to my collection!!)

CRT for breakfast at 9:35 - can't wait to see that castle!!

Crystal Palace for dinner at 5:30

Some must do's would be Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Haunted Mansion, It's a Small World, Dumbo, Barnstormer, Mickey's Philharmagic and Wishes.

Day 3 Mon 3/30/09 Animal Kingdom Day

Tusker House for breakfast at 9:00

Some must do's would be Kilimanjaro Safari, Kali River Rapids, Expedition Everest. This will be mostly leisure since we love looking at animals.

Day 4 Tues 3/31/09 Epcot

Akershus Princess Storybook for breakfast at 9:15am - DD wants to wear her Ariel ball gown for this.

Garden Grill for dinner at 5:45

Some must do's would be the strolling looking at the Flower & Garden Festival, Test Track, Turtle Talk w/Crush, Soarin', Living with the Land (DD saw this on Discovery Channel and wants to see those Mickey pumpkins!!) and Illuminations. Planning a lot of "sight seeing" here as well.

Day 5 Wed 4/1/09 Hollywood Studios

Play & Dine at Hollywood & Vine for breakfast 9:15

Sci-Fi Dine In for lunch at 1:15

We were hoping for a Pirate & Princess Party for this night but so far it's not happening. Still leaving the option open just in case .

Some must do's would be Indiana Jones, Lights Motor Action, Tower of Terror , High School Musical 3 and Fantasmic.

Day 6 Thur 4/2/09 Downtown Disney

'Ohana for breakfast at 9:10

T-Rex for lunch 1:00

Mickey's Backyard BBQ for dinner 6:30 - 8:00 (must be there by 6:00)

Some must do's would be Disney Quest, World of Disney store, Goofy's Candy Company. Since this is our last official day, we plan on shopping and trying to get to any things we may have missed that were must do's. Maybe a waterpark or mini-golf.

Day 7 Fri 4/3/09 SeaWorld

We don't have any dining plans yet. A definite must do is the Shamu show.

Day 7 Sat 4/4/09 Daughter's 8th Birthday and heading home

This is Macie's 8th birthday!! We are going to let her pick her favorite park, get her Celebration gift card (since we already have tickets) and let her lead the way. Our flight doesn't leave until 5:15pm so we'll have a decent amount of time.

No ADR's yet.


So, how do we look so far for first time planning???

 

[lilyfrog73]

OK, when's too early to start packing? I have started picking up things for the kids on clearance and asked DH to bring down the suitcases. He looked at me like I had 2 heads. How's the weather end of March beginning of April?

 

[KBaum]

It's never too early for packing!


Here are the average temperatures:

Perrrrfect weather for some mickey bars.

 

[DisneyLifer87]

I agree that it's never too early to start packing! Or, more to make a list and begin buying what you need.

As for your ADRs.. from one first-timer to another.. they look excellent but you will be changing them constantly if you read the DIS dining reviews. I'd also recommend RideMax and PassPorter if you're obsessive about planning. It will keep you entertained while you count down.

Great read so far. Keep it up!

 

[bertegirl]

No worries I have been packing already for months. I have a tub under my bed. We picked up Disney items on clearance, disposable bibs, ponchos, a water mist fan, swim pants, etc. I can't wait to actually get to move all those items to a suitcase...when the time comes!

 

[lilyfrog73]

It's never too early for packing!


Here are the average temperatures:

Perrrrfect weather for some mickey bars.

What a cool thing with the temps. Thanks. We'll definitely need some warm things I see.

I agree that it's never too early to start packing! Or, more to make a list and begin buying what you need.

As for your ADRs.. from one first-timer to another.. they look excellent but you will be changing them constantly if you read the DIS dining reviews. I'd also recommend RideMax and PassPorter if you're obsessive about planning. It will keep you entertained while you count down.

Great read so far. Keep it up!

Thanks for the tips!. I do have a PassPorter but haven't really done much with it yet. I'll have to check out this RideMax. I have read some reviews that made some of my choices seem questionable but for the kiddies, we wanted to do as many character meals that we could and I like forming my own opinions. We'll have to see what my reviews are when we return.

No worries I have been packing already for months. I have a tub under my bed. We picked up Disney items on clearance, disposable bibs, ponchos, a water mist fan, swim pants, etc. I can't wait to actually get to move all those items to a suitcase...when the time comes!

LOL , I have a tub too! I've been throwing stuff in there but I want to see the suitcases. Thanks for mentioning the swim pants. I didn't have those on my list.



HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

 

[lilyfrog73]

Well, it's officially 2009. Now I get to say "We're going to Disney this year!!!"

 

[bertegirl]

Can't wait to hear all about your trip when you get back. Just in time for us to get super excited about our trip! Let me know the must do's!

 

[lilyfrog73]

I was able to make my Mickey's Backyard BBQ ressie today ! This was the one ADR that my DH requested. We have this booked for our last night. It should be a fun way to end our trip.

 

[DISNEYJAZZ]

oh man i wish i were planning another trip! we were 1st timers in april 08...seems so long ago!
your plans look great! here's my take on some of the things we did that are in your plans...and by the way,ponchos were a big hit!...needed them the 1st 2 days we were there...
on our 1st day we did dtd...really loved it and then spent the evening at mk { ended up doing2 more full days here!} we did all the thinsg you have planned for mk and also lots in tomorrowland...really love the mk! we had lunch at crt dgd wore her chiderella dress and dgs got a big red kiss form snowwhite! we loved it! food was good too ,and i am a picky eater.
we loved ak,ate at flametree bbq...really good...dgs loved the dino dig site! and the safaris was wonderful as was the nemo show...
really wnjoyed spcot the 1st part of the day was wonderful and we loved soarin' the rst of the day was wet wet wet! hence the ponchos were a wonderful addition! we ate at coral reef and loved turtle talk w/crush.dgs was chosen to talk w/crush and when she just answered 'yes' to all his questions he decided to talk to my dd ! what fun! your kids will love the aquarium too! we didn't see much of the world showcase for all the rain { next day the news announced it was a record rainfall...hehe...we swam through it!
we enjoyed dhs too...dgd loved the hsm show and we ate at hollywood and vine..really enjoyed watching the kids get up and singa nd dance around the room...
we didn't see wishes or fantasmic... dd had planned to go back for naps each day...that happened once then never again..we missed out on alot of stuff and opted to instead stay all day and be 'home' and in bed close to reg time so we could be up and out early for opening at each park...will go later and stay later in a few years when we go back...
i can't wait to read more abut your plans....they look great ! oh and if you have a dollar tree near you they have tons of thinsg to decorate your window and also for treats for the kids...i made baskets and hid them in the room and they thought they were from mickey and minnie! all bought at home so wayyyyy cheaper than at wdw...
sorry to go on and on but i get all dizzy thinking about disney!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Are you on the regular dining plan or deluxe?? You have some great ressie's there!!!

Maybe you could do Chef Mickey for a late breakfast/brunch on departure day.

 

[lilyfrog73]

.and by the way,ponchos were a big hit!...needed them the 1st 2 days we were there...
i made baskets and hid them in the room and they thought they were from mickey and minnie! all bought at home so wayyyyy cheaper than at wdw...
sorry to go on and on but i get all dizzy thinking about disney!

I've been looking all over for ponchos and can't find any. I'm sure I'm not looking in the right place, did you get them at the dollar store? I've been thinking about surprising the kids with baskets or something. This sounds cute. I read some of your trip report and can't wait to finish it up. The kids are adorable and I love the captions added to your pics - how'd you do that?

Are you on the regular dining plan or deluxe?? You have some great ressie's there!!!

Maybe you could do Chef Mickey for a late breakfast/brunch on departure day.

We are on the regular DDP and planning on paying OOP for the extras. We took advantage of the 4/3 deal and may use the $200 gift card towards them. We wanted to do as many character meals as possible to take advantage of interaction the kids will get. I had thought about Chef Mickey's for breakfast since that one seems like the "to be" place and we could go for both breakfast and dnner but found that there is one character breakfast we didn't see - Cape May Cafe. Not sure yet but probably should decide soon.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

We are on the regular DDP and planning on paying OOP for the extras. We took advantage of the 4/3 deal and may use the $200 gift card towards them. We wanted to do as many character meals as possible to take advantage of interaction the kids will get. I had thought about Chef Mickey's for breakfast since that one seems like the "to be" place and we could go for both breakfast and dnner but found that there is one character breakfast we didn't see - Cape May Cafe. Not sure yet but probably should decide soon.

Definitely do Chef Mickey's! How about breakfast there on departure day????

So far we have:

CRT lunch
Chef Mickey dinner
Crystal Palace dinner
Akershus breakfast
1900 Park Fare dinner
Ohana's dinner
LeCellier dinner

I can't wait!

 

[lilyfrog73]

I'm starting to work up a packing list. DH and I went on our first cruise in 2006 and I WAY over packed. I want to make sure we are prepared but not go overboard. So far (thanks to my readers) I added swimpants and ponchos to the list. Any ideas or tips ??

A little background on our cast. DH and I have been together 9 years and married almost 8. I am a manager in a casino and DH a bank manager.
Our DD is a 2nd grader and is a girlie girl in a tomboy's body, if that makes sense. She likes to dress in skirts and shoes but will be the first one through the mud puddle or skidding across the yard. Her birthday is the day after we return home. Thinking of something to do special for her while in Disney, any suggestions?
DS is "our little surprise". He is definitely an adventurer and has no fear. This trip will surely be a test on Mom
and Dad with his new found independance.
We are focusing this trip on Macie since she is the older and will be able to do more, basically letting her pick what she wants to do. DH's plan is to go on this trip and then, say in 3 years, go again and then it be Cameron's focus trip. Between us... I'm not thinking on waiting that long . I would love to get a Halloween trip and a Christmas trip in there somewhere. Hopefully we'll get some sort of offer in our room.

Well.. doin' some online shopping. Let's see what goodies I can find for the trip.

 

[lilyfrog73]

Definitely do Chef Mickey's! How about breakfast there on departure day????

So far we have:

CRT lunch
Chef Mickey dinner
Crystal Palace dinner
Akershus breakfast
1900 Park Fare dinner
Ohana's dinner
LeCellier dinner

I can't wait!

I wanted to try 1900 Park Fare and LeCellier (based on reviews). I definitely will try those next time. We did a lot of breakfasts because the kids are better eaters in the morning than the evenings. I would have liked to get more bang for the buck with the dinners though but they get antsy. You're going the week before us right?

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I wanted to try 1900 Park Fare and LeCellier (based on reviews). I definitely will try those next time. We did a lot of breakfasts because the kids are better eaters in the morning than the evenings. I would have liked to get more bang for the buck with the dinners though but they get antsy. You're going the week before us right?

Yes we switched it due to the wedding we are attending. It just works out better.

My kids are late breakfast eaters. They don't eat a lot right when they wake up. Plus...DS is NOT a morning person. He is scary in the mornings so I didn't want to push it! Our one breakfast is at 11 am! So not even breakfast.......more like brunch! Plus DH requested dinners. He likes dinner more.

And yes......there is always next time!!! I'm thinking 2010 already!

 

[michellem1118]

I'm starting to work up a packing list. DH and I went on our first cruise in 2006 and I WAY over packed. I want to make sure we are prepared but not go overboard. So far (thanks to my readers) I added swimpants and ponchos to the list. Any ideas or tips ??

Check Walmart or Target for the ponchos - you can usually find them for just a dollar or two, as opposed to the $10+ for them at WDW. DH & I don't have kids yet, but I can tell you what our packing list usually looks like for a week-long trip, which might help you a little...

Our packing list:
1 pair of jeans each
1 dressy outfit each, if we have an ADR at a "nice" restaurant
3-4 pairs of shorts each
shirts - one per day each --> usually all short-sleeved t-shirts or tank tops for me, mostly polo-style shirts for DH
We generally throw a lightweight hoody/jacket/sweatshirt into the bag for cool nights, but haven't needed it at all on our 3 recent trips... temps vary 20-30 degrees throughout the day, so layering is necessary
1-2 swimsuits apiece, depending on season
Toiletries & medicine: toothbrushes, toothpaste, makeup for me, hairbrush & clips/elastics, comb for DH, shaving stuff for both of us, allergy medicine, upset tummy medicine, SUNSCREEN (lots of it, the Florida sun is brutal, and its EXPENSIVE on property)
Shoes - I take my Crocs flip-flops & usually a pair of good tennis shoes; DH takes his Crocs flip-flops & his Crocs canvas sneaker-type shoes.
Camera(s)!

I can pack the two of us in a carry-on bag when we're flying, although I usually don't - we need the extra suitcase room for the souvenirs!

oh, and on the rental car vs. buses question... I've driven to WDW once, and will most likely drive for all 3 (yes, 3!) of our trips in 2009... never once in the trip before where we had the car have we moved it from the parking spot outside our room. I haven't found waiting on buses to be problematic, or especially long, except for one time, on the last 3 trips we've taken. BUT... I think you said your son is only a year old, right? So I'm guessing still in diapers? You might want to rent a car just for the day you arrive, so you can run to the local Walmart & buy the week's supply of diapers there, so you don't have to try to cram them into one of your suitcases.