Tips on Planning First WDW trip

[lifesgr8]

Yes, I do have a smart phone. Any idea which one is best?

 

[bunkkinsmom]

I am at this time not planning any ts meals. I might plan 1 night where we send the kids to the club and dh & I go out for an adult meal but, havent figured that out yet. Our 6 yr old does not sit well. Our 3 year old would if the 6 year old would. so we barely make it through a meal even when we cs it!

going in january.....will fast passes really be needed?

Yep, you will still need them. We have been the last 3 times in January, and if you didn't get Fast Passes for Soarin or Toy Story Mania by 1pm, you didn't get them at all. Sometimes Test Track and Rockin Roller Coaster as well.

when we go to a park...we get a map...go first turn possible to our left....see everything along that area...keep moving left... until we have seen everything in the park....leave on the other side. (does that make sense) I will usually stop to see the parades, then move on back to where we left off. it never made sense to me to run to indiana jones then get back over to space mountain then back to whatever. especially pushing a double stroller?! I like to stay in 1 area until we have done everything then move to the next. I dont skip anything. even tom sayers island at dl....we still go there. i will usually take the stroller and go fp rides in the area while dh and older kids are in line somewhere.

do you still suggest skipping the park hoppers if I plan around allears suggestions of going to the slowest parks(where most close early?) use that time to enjoy the bcv or would that be good times to go check out epcot etc? there is no fantasmic while we are there. but, thats not the end of the world at this point. i know we will be going back and can see it later. we have seen it at dl, not sure if it is different or not.

Here's a tip for you. When you enter the Magic Kingdom go straight up to the train. Take it to the back of the park and work your way forward! You'll be the first ones in the back, as everyone else will be working there way from Main Street!

For right now, YES, I would still skip the park hoppers. As some have said before, you can always add them on THE DAY you decide to use them IF you want to.

WDW is VERY different from DL. And the pools at BCV are awesome, so you may want to spend an evening or two just enjoying the pool or the Boardwalk area itself. Lots to do around there.

Oh, and you will still need to use FP on some rides...Toy Story Mania, Soarin', Peter Pan, maybe Test Trak. I believe there are now several ride apps for the different smart phones if you have one. That would be a great help in knowing whether FPs are needed on any given day.

I respectfully disagree with this. I would go ahead and get the hoppers. I believe the upgrade is the same regardless of number of days. And I would use the "closing early at the parks" days to roam the World Showcase at Epcot. Especially since you plan on doing mostly Quick Service meals. The World Showcase is like one big International Food Court!

 

[StitchSpawn]

Hello, I will be there last week of January, if your there then, see ya there.

Everyone has given you good tips, so I will just highlight that:

A. It will be cold. I really like ear pockets, I buy them from HSN or QVC, but I think you can find them elsewhere. They stay on riding rollercoasters and that was my concern.

B. It won't be super crowded, so hooray!

C. And mid to late January is pretty cheap time to go.

D. Park hoppers are only necessary depending how much you will use them. I have an AP and I can Park hop, however, I rarely do.

 

[lifesgr8]

What do you mean fast passes gone by 1? Is it not like dl where you get a fp the come back at a certain time?

 

[sharonabe]

I respectfully disagree with this. I would go ahead and get the hoppers. I believe the upgrade is the same regardless of number of days. And I would use the "closing early at the parks" days to roam the World Showcase at Epcot. Especially since you plan on doing mostly Quick Service meals. The World Showcase is like one big International Food Court!

The reason I'm saying "wait" is if you buy them ahead of time and then never use them, you don't get a refund, you're just out that money.

However, if you decide to park hop once you are there, it doesn't cost any more to add it right then than it does to add it now. Just go to guest services on your way out of the park and add it on.


Hey LIFESGR8....the FPs work the same at WDW as at DL. What the PP meant is there are some rides that run out of FPs for the day. They have a set amount of FPs they give for each return hour and once they've issued all of them, they don't issue more. Toy Story Mania is the one you'll have to watch out for in January. They will be gone by around 1:00. Soarin' is a possibility, but less so for that time of year. All other FP attractions SHOULD still have FPs late into the day.

As for the app for your phone, I am pretty techno illiterate, but there is a thread over on the Theme Park Strategies board titled "Best Free Android Apps" and that should get you started.

 

[bunkkinsmom]

Hey LIFESGR8....the FPs work the same at WDW as at DL. What the PP meant is there are some rides that run out of FPs for the day. They have a set amount of FPs they give for each return hour and once they've issued all of them, they don't issue more. Toy Story Mania is the one you'll have to watch out for in January. They will be gone by around 1:00. Soarin' is a possibility, but less so for that time of year. All other FP attractions SHOULD still have FPs late into the day.

As for the app for your phone, I am pretty techno illiterate, but there is a thread over on the Theme Park Strategies board titled "Best Free Android Apps" and that should get you started.

That is exactly what I meant!

Last year we would not have ridden Soarin if not for getting Fast Passes prior to 1 or 2 pm. On Fantasmic days Rockin Rollercoaster was the same way. However, I don't see any Fantasmic dates past the first week or so in January? What's up with that?

Depending on the YES program dates, which have yet to be released for January, it is a good possibility that we will be there at the same time! DisMeet anyone?

And I agree with PP about the pools at BCV/BWV! You will have a blast over there. There are some great entertainment options as well. We must've watched the Boardwalk magician for at least 30 minutes last year. Kouzzina's was delicious and the boat ride to Epcot and DHS was wonderful. Hubby and I have already agreed that we are staying in that area for our first adults only trip! Love love love the Epcot resorts!

You are getting some great advice here, I hope you have a Magical time!

 

[sharonabe]

However, I don't see any Fantasmic dates past the first week or so in January? What's up with that?

They are doing some work on Fantasmic in January. Lots of rumors surrounding this one!

 

[SimplyGoofy]

I've always gone to WDW in January or February, and although the crowds are great, you'll definately appreciate the Fastpasses. As for the previous comment about FP being gone by 1 p.m., certain attractions (TSM, TT, Soarin') are SO popular that all of their FP are gone by the early afternoon.

I believe you asked which park to visit first... I would recommend Epcot. That was the park my parents first took me to, and we took my sister there first, as well. I'm not sure of the age of your kids, but Epcot is great at any age. With the thrill rides for the older kids (and adults!) and the Kidcot stations and passport activities for the little ones, not to mention all the great food, Epcot is the favorite park of everyone in my family. As an added bonus, it's also quite unique to WDW.

 

[ToddyLu]

Excel spread sheet? For what?

Well you can't imagine the scope of WDW til you get there. I have used a small week at a glance spreadsheet that has park hours, EMH, parade, fireworks, ARDs and Conf # on it. THey have schedules printed in all the resorts but I like to plan so I use this website to fill in the blanks. That way I have a general feeling for the day. It is just how I roll. Some folks and Uber Planners like me use various products so that they maximize their time. DH and I go yearly so while it is not very structured, it keeps me in the know.

 

[bunkkinsmom]

Well you can't imagine the scope of WDW til you get there. I have used a small week at a glance spreadsheet that has park hours, EMH, parade, fireworks, ARDs and Conf # on it. THey have schedules printed in all the resorts but I like to plan so I use this website to fill in the blanks. That way I have a general feeling for the day. It is just how I roll. Some folks and Uber Planners like me use various products so that they maximize their time. DH and I go yearly so while it is not very structured, it keeps me in the know.

This is a VERY good idea for the commando traveller! There are several Dissers here on the boards who have designed their own and share them with others. Let's put it this way, all I do is plan my ADR's and I have a spreadsheet! Once you factor in EMH, parades, fireworks (that's just the basics!) it's way too much to keep in your noggin. Now factor in show times, park hours, character times...... you get the picture!