Update! 1st trip, head above water and feeling great! Thanks!!!

[cleopenn]

We (me, DH and 10yo DS) are taking our first trip to WDW the week after Thanksgiving. DH and I were there as teens but that is 30+ years ago so those experiences are of no use to us.

I joined Dis back in 2008 when we entertaining planning a trip but those plans fell thru. I spent the last couple of days reading the various forums and now feel ready to ask a couple of questions.

I'll try to keep my questions focused.

I apologize in advance if my questions are so stupid that they will make the experienced posters punch their screens in frustration.

If it matters, we are staying at the Polynesian.

Background info - This is our first trip to a theme park trip of any kind as a family. My DH is NOT a fan of crowds or waiting. He will be on his best behavior because he will want our son to have a great experience but I am trying to trouble shoot a few things ahead of time to smooth our way.

DS loves Disney movies but isn't necessarily fixated on anything in particular besides Star Wars. In general, he has zero interest in meeting characters (but would flip for anything SW), getting autographs, etc. so I feel like that will take some stress off advance planning.

My questions -

Backpacks - do many people take bags into the parks?

My thought is a change of clothing might be needed (see next question) and the bag would be good to carry fleeces, poncho, etc. if those items are necessary.

I thought maybe it would be a good idea to take some bottles of water along daily as well, is that allowed?

Can I take my backpack on rides? Or are there lockers available for rent at the rides? (I am not kidding about having ZERO clues about how WDW works.)

Getting Wet - I was shocked to read that we might get splashed (at best) to soaked (at worst) on Pirates of the Caribbean. For me, a change of clothing is an absolute must as I hate to be wet in clothing. Are there any other not-obvious rides where we will get wet that I should be aware of?

Lunches - Everyone I know who is a Disney regular was beyond horrified that we booked a trip 60 days out because of ADR. A sit down, table service lunch and dinner will be essential to our (well, the parents) sanity. I was able to get some ADRs.

What are the chances of walking up to a sit down restaurant at say 1-20pm and get seated within a 30-45 window without an ADR? (I'm not talking about the super popular places like Cinderella or BOG.) In the meantime, I will keep checking on ADRs.

(Is there a specific ADR and/or Dining thread I should be reading?)

Thanks so much in advance for your thoughts/opinions and patience.

CP

 

[staceyrhood]

Hi! I'll try to help...

yes, you can take backpacks...most people do. And yes, you can carry them on rides.
You can bring bottles of waters into the parks along with food if you like

As far as getting wet...Pirates might be a tiny splash, splash mountain you could get soaked! Other than that Kali river rapids at Animal Kingdom you will get soaked also...but, that's about it.

As far as dining it all depends on how busy the parks are, we have gone over for lunch and been seated during non busy times within 15-20 minutes at a sit down. But, it was lunch around 11 or wait until 2.

Have a great trip!!!!

 

[patdoc98]

Just to confirm, as staceyrhood said, it really is no problem to bring backpacks on most/all rides at Disney. We even saw people bring backpacks on Rock-n-Roller Coaster, which goes upside down, and no cast member said anything. We saw the people get off after the ride, and their backpacks seemed fine. (Personally, I wouldn't try it, but we're still at the stroller stage, so we just leave our backpack under the stroller when we go on bigger rides.) On our second ride on Mine Train roller coaster, I brought a DSLR camera and took pictures, and it was fine. The Disney rides are definitely more family-friendly; with only a few exceptions, they're not going to knock your stuff around too much.

There are lockers available for rent, but they can be a pain since they're generally not by the thrill rides. You're probably better off just keeping your bags with you most of the time. This is especially the case for a November/December trip, when it probably won't be too hot or humid to wear a backpack.

Water and other outside food and drink is generally permitted, as long as you don't bring glass or alcohol (there are probably some other restrictions, but those are the big ones).

I wouldn't try to do a walk-up at many table service places in November (with free dining for many people), but definitely check ADRs in the window from 48 to 24 hours prior to when you want to eat. A ton of availability opens up when people cancel at the last minute that they won't be charged. Last November, we had booked Ohana at 180+5 days, and we saw no availability from 180 days until our trip started. But then, while we were at Disney, a ton of times opened up for Ohana, Akershus, etc. - for the less popular places, there were even more times available. (I assume many people drop Crystal Palace when they can get Be Our Guest, and then someone else drops Tusker House when they can get Crystal Palace, and then someone else drops Boma when they can get Tusker House, etc.) We canceled our original time and picked up a better time that was available 2 nights before eating at Ohana. So we never needed the ADR at 180+5 days at all.

Hope that helps.

 

[siskaren]

I would highly recommend buying this book:

http://www.easywdw.com/site-news/th...t-walt-disney-world-visit-2016-now-available/

 

[Alesia]

We (me, DH and 10yo DS) are taking our first trip to WDW the week after Thanksgiving. DH and I were there as teens but that is 30+ years ago so those experiences are of no use to us.

I joined Dis back in 2008 when we entertaining planning a trip but those plans fell thru. I spent the last couple of days reading the various forums and now feel ready to ask a couple of questions.

I'll try to keep my questions focused.

I apologize in advance if my questions are so stupid that they will make the experienced posters punch their screens in frustration.

If it matters, we are staying at the Polynesian.

Background info - This is our first trip to a theme park trip of any kind as a family. My DH is NOT a fan of crowds or waiting. He will be on his best behavior because he will want our son to have a great experience but I am trying to trouble shoot a few things ahead of time to smooth our way.

DS loves Disney movies but isn't necessarily fixated on anything in particular besides Star Wars. In general, he has zero interest in meeting characters (but would flip for anything SW), getting autographs, etc. so I feel like that will take some stress off advance planning.

My questions -

1. Backpacks - do many people take bags into the parks?

2. My thought is a change of clothing might be needed (see next question) and the bag would be good to carry fleeces, poncho, etc. if those items are necessary.

3. I thought maybe it would be a good idea to take some bottles of water along daily as well, is that allowed?

4. Can I take my backpack on rides? Or are there lockers available for rent at the rides? (I am not kidding about having ZERO clues about how WDW works.)

5. Getting Wet - I was shocked to read that we might get splashed (at best) to soaked (at worst) on Pirates of the Caribbean. For me, a change of clothing is an absolute must as I hate to be wet in clothing. Are there any other not-obvious rides where we will get wet that I should be aware of?

6. Lunches - Everyone I know who is a Disney regular was beyond horrified that we booked a trip 60 days out because of ADR. A sit down, table service lunch and dinner will be essential to our (well, the parents) sanity. I was able to get some ADRs.

7. What are the chances of walking up to a sit down restaurant at say 1-20pm and get seated within a 30-45 window without an ADR? (I'm not talking about the super popular places like Cinderella or BOG.) In the meantime, I will keep checking on ADRs.

8. (Is there a specific ADR and/or Dining thread I should be reading?)

Thanks so much in advance for your thoughts/opinions and patience.

CP

1. Most people bring some kind of bag. I prefer something small, but I only bring park tickets, ID, a credit card, $20 in cash, a pack of gum, an autograph book, and a pen. I used to carry more, but I realized that I was just weighing myself down with unnecessary junk that no one ever used.

2. I would never consider bringing a change of clothes for anyone old enough to be potty trained, but if you really want to have that stuff in the park, do yourself a favor and rent a locker. Lugging that stuff around will make you miserable.

3. You can bring food and drinks. No glass or alcohol. I think its easier to just get the free water at CS locations than to carry water bottles around.

4. You can take your bag on all of the rides.

5. I have never really gotten wet on PotC. If you're concerned, just don't sit in the front row.

6. I'm not a fan of TS lunches - we find that they're momentum killers and that everyone stays much happier with a counter service lunch and several snacks throughout the day. There is no way I would consider 2 TS meals in one day. It's just too much food and too much time out of the day. But, to each his own.

7. In a park? Very slim.

8. You should check out the restaurants board.

 

[Alesia]

I would highly recommend buying this book:

http://www.easywdw.com/site-news/th...t-walt-disney-world-visit-2016-now-available/

Yes. Seriously. Buy this book.

 

[kwdw]

Backpack - put everything you think you want to take to the park and carry it around all day. When you need that massage and aspirin at the end of the day - re-think what you need. Yes - you will see people carrying bags. But, with a 10 yo - you really shouldn't need much stuff. Something small and light for essentials. Unless you take something gigantic - bags can go on rides.

Change of clothes, ponchos, fleece. Okay - Kali River Rapids - you WILL get wet. POTC - unlikely you will get wet (don't sit in front). I avoid Kali because I don't like to get that wet. Splash - I don't ride in November unless it's REALLY warm and I will dry quickly. Really can vary how wet you get on Splash. You do get spit at on the Magic Carpet ride in Adventureland - but I don't think that counts as getting wet. When the temp is going to vary alot during the day - I do sometimes rent a locker to leave a jacket/long pants I might need in the evening. If I do that - I also often leave an extra water bottle. Poncho. Okay - it rarely rains for hours at Disney. I do sometimes bring a cheap one (like from a Dollar Store) with me if rain is really predicted. Only used one once - when it was raining while I was waiting to watch Fantasmic. I bought one at Disney one time to cover a stroller that was with us that trip. But MOST of the time - the rain is brief and you can swing into a store or attraction to wait it out. I also frequently don't get a locker but I might tie a long-sleeve item around my waist mid-day when I don't need it.

Lockers are ONLY in the front of each park. Trust me - you aren't going to walk from "America" in EPCOT to pick up a jacket/poncho at the front of the park. I usually only use a locker if built into my plan is a trip to the front of the park. Usually it's because I'm park hopping or headed to dinner at a resort and then returning to a park. For example - I have Dec trip planned. Headed to EPCOT one day - and I will probably leave the jacket in a locker in the morning since we are booked for dinner at Garden Grill (in Future World) and we plan to stay late that day to watch Illuminations. Lockers are good for emergency items you just can't convince yourself to not take or if you KNOW you will be back at the front of the park during the day. Otherwise - too much walking.

TS lunches are often a part of my plan - we really like the break. That said - walk-up at a TS place in a park? No. You need an ADR. Keep looking. At MK - you can try monorail resorts, too, but that does take lots of time out of the day. BUT - I do NOT recommend TS for 2 meals a day every day. That's going to be too much times at meals - and you likely won't need that much food. Sometimes I book two TS meals per day - but that's the exception, not the rule. I almost always have ONE TS per day. I think you've got time to still make ADR's if you are flexible with your times and places. My sweetie can't stand the CS places at peak lunch/dinner times - too crazy, noisy, etc. So - when we are going to eat CS in a park - we pick mid-day - between 1:30-4 or after 7pm. They tend to be a bit quieter then.

Water bottle - okay - so I have one water bottle carrier that attaches to my hip and in the middle of the summer, I'll probably start with a second bottle in my hand that's gone before 10 am. When using a locker, I might bring one to pick up later. But usually - just one to go with me in the morning. You can get free water. You can re-fill a water bottle. Water is HEAVY. Don't plan alot and don't YOU carry it for the DH or DS. They are big boys - if they want it - they can carry it.

I bought different book than the one suggested already - I recommend heading to a local bookstore and browsing your options. A book for a first-timer IS a useful investment.

 

[cleopenn]

Oh, great info! Thanks all!

I was thinking of a backpack primarily for extra clothing. Know more about "wetness" risk, I feel a bit better. I already laid down the law about the water rides like Splash Mountain and Kali, I will only go on if it is VERY hot or we are on our way back to the resort.

I know its too soon to worry about the weather but I am wondering what to pack for late November/early December. I live in the Northeast so shorts and a long sleeve top at 67 degrees would be comfortable for us.

I was thinking about getting cheapy ponchos and throwing them out.

DH is solidly in the no-backpack camp. We aren't taking a camera (exploring the photo programs is on my to-do list) and DS requires no gear. Thanks for the locker education, I'll cross that idea off the list.

This trip is WAY outside of our normal vacation and comfort zone, which will be a good thing. I had no idea how much planning is involved. If I did, I might not have agreed to this spur of the moment trip

I do have some lunchtime ADRs booked and I'll keep trying. I stumbled across a BOG dinner reservation and took it, not knowing anything about it. Seems like I got VERY lucky with that!

 

[cleopenn]

I would highly recommend buying this book:

http://www.easywdw.com/site-news/th...t-walt-disney-world-visit-2016-now-available/

Book is purchased!

 

[siskaren]

We aren't taking a camera (exploring the photo programs is on my to-do list) and DS requires no gear.

I can't imagine not taking a camera on a vacation, especially to a place you've essentially never been to.

 

[Alesia]

I can't imagine not taking a camera on a vacation, especially to a place you've essentially never been to.

I completely agree! Photopass can't capture everything. Bring a small point-and shoot camera.

 

[NorthshoreTigerFan]

Some good, basic advice here. I agree with with lack of need for 2 TS meals (unless one is an early B'fast and the other is an early dinner/late lunch), it's too much average food and too much time spent in restaurants when you are going to want to be experiencing everything. No need for extra clothes. I'm one of those people with a backpack, but I may not bring it next trip because my kids are getting older (11, 10 and 6 for our upcoming February trip). If you are concerned about needing extra clothes then rent a locker and store them there. If I don't have a backpack I pick up (free) cups of ice water throughout the park at the QS locations rather than carry a water bottle. If I do have a backpack then I have a few bottles of water in it and refill them as I empty them.

And tell your husband to cool his jets and enjoy himself. You would have to be wound REALLY tight in order for the crowds to get your panties in a bind at Disney World! LOL

But most importantly....relax and have a GREAT time! You are going to the most magical place on earth!

 

[MataHari22]

I was thinking of a backpack primarily for extra clothing. Know more about "wetness" risk, I feel a bit better. I already laid down the law about the water rides like Splash Mountain and Kali, I will only go on if it is VERY hot or we are on our way back to the resort.

I know its too soon to worry about the weather but I am wondering what to pack for late November/early December. I live in the Northeast so shorts and a long sleeve top at 67 degrees would be comfortable for us.

I was thinking about getting cheapy ponchos and throwing them out.

Instead of taking extra clothing, you can always take the cheap ponchos and put them on before going on any water rides. The ponchos can fit in a pocket. Much better option. I would not rent a locker.

I am going down later than my normal October trips this year, will be going in November and the first time I ever went was in November and it was a crazy cold snap and was absolutely freezing. In November - December you can have 30°-40° temperature fluctuations, so the packing thing stinks. Especially for someone like me that only takes a carry on. Layers is the key. I am also coming from up North, so I'm hoping it will be nice weather since PA can have snow that time of year. I am taking a couple of long pants in addition to my skirts and will also throw in a fleece hoodie. I am also going to throw in a pair of stretchy knit fingerless gloves, just in case it gets very cold. I have neuropathy and I will be miserable if my hands are cold. Let's hope for wonderful weather.

You are so much more ahead of the crowd, since you read the dis, and you have the easywdw book. Relax and have a magical trip!

 

[Barbydoll8]

You are way over thinking this. ;-) No extra clothes. Bring only what you REALLY can't live w/o. Water is free at any counter service location and it's not the local water. It's filtered through the soda machines so I always bring a water bottle and fill it up for free. I sometimes bring drink sticks to flavor it. You may bring snack items in with you and I suggest you should if you can. Lot's of people bring things like crackers/nuts etc to get them through the day.
Weather in Nov is usually quite lovely and being originally from the NE (PA) but here for 20 years, you will find the weather to be similar to the end of Sept in Nov. Yes we can get cold snaps but not typical.
TS - w/o an ADR in Nov can be a challenge. If you are really wanting TS, consider leaving the parks for one of the TS places in the close hotels. If you are ok with loosing some time in the parks, you will have a better shot at getting a walk up. If you want to do walk up for a late lunch, sign into your place of choice EARLY and put your name on a waiting list. They will tell you what the wait is but I'd plan on at least a 45 min wait anywhere. So plan ahead and you should get your walk up. They normally will give you a pager.
Breath. Relax. don't over plan. (I know easier said than done).
When you are in the parks, I can not stress to use the cast members to your advantage. Ask questions and get suggestions. They are a valuable resource in making life easy. You will run into a few veterans that usually will help you too.

 

[hsmamato2]

I agree....don't overthink this.... Disney parks and resorts are set up for comfort! That means there are plenty of places to find what you need, you don't have to pack like a sherpa climbing mount everest!
Alesia is 100% right on target-great list! And for the 3 of you, probably at most a light backpack to toss a jacket into is all you will need- and BRING A CAMERA. The Disney photo options are not going to be what you need(only certain spots,very posed) At least have your phone cameras ready to go! You will be SO sorry if you don't have a means to take pics of your trip.(I just use my iphone,and carry a spare mini battery charger in my purse)
You don't need to worry overmuch about extra clothes,only for babies,etc would I bring those.
ALso 2 TS meals is probably too much, pick one nice sitdown place per day-and then enjoy exploring all the fun quick service places for the other meals! there are so many,and it's fun to find new things as you walk.For you I would recommend a sitdown dinner,and remember, some of the resort hotels NEAR the parks are GREAT options to get a TS meal,if you can't get ressies within a park.(you're staying at Poly? Capt. Cooks qs is SO SO good,as is Kona TS and Ohana for dinner)
Relax and enjoy...Disney has it all ready to enjoy,just bring the most important things,your wallet and your sense of humor! (and a few FP+ and Ts ressies on your phone lol)
My list of 'must haves' for parks is....
Wearing Comfortable clothes/shoes-
A purse/bag for my wallet,phone,snacks and assorted tiny items like lipstick.
A light jacket tied around my waist or worn depending on weather.
That's it. Free ice water anywhere you ask works for us. And buying meals as we go also works for us.

 

[cleopenn]

I am feeling much better about the trip. We eliminated some of the things we were planning and that gives up much more wiggle room to go with the flow. We are already talking about a spring trip....

My son rattled off a list of things he wanted to do that took me by surprise. When I asked him how he knew about the Osborne lights, he informed me his "hair cutter man" told him we needed to see it. (my husband's barber is hard core Disney.)

I have a lightweight backpack (its really more like a nylon purse worn like a back pack) that I'll take. And I'll take my camera. I was going to rely on our cell phones for pictures but if I am taking a small bag, no reason not to take the camera.

Nov weather = to a PA late September is very helpful, thanks for that comparison.

When explaining the Magic Bands to my DH, he remarked they sounded like house arrest ankle bracelet monitors. So now he refers to them as "mouse arrest" bracelets. We ordered character ones.

Can we use them for all purchases in the park? Even food and drinks? He loved the idea of going without a wallet.

I am going to abandon the TS lunch idea and focus on dinners, which is when we will want to relax anyway. We eat late so I'll plan those for when we are leaving the park.

 

[greentea]

Can we use them for all purchases in the park? Even food and drinks? He loved the idea of going without a wallet.

Yes, you can -- you set up pin numbers for each magic band (so if they are lost no one can use them to charge to your room). The only thing is that sometimes the system could go down, so since you're taking a bag, I'd just keep a backup credit card in there just in case. We've never had problems with that, but others have. Also, if your husband will want to order any alcohol, he'll still need his ID (which is a good thing to take with you anyway).

I'm glad you're feeling better about things!

 

[hsmamato2]

haha I call them the same thing!!! I'm not a huge fan. that said you still need to bring all your wallet stuff IMHO I would NEVER trust that technology with everything- just in case a card reader goes bad,something is off, you should have your actual wallet with tickets inside with you,and credit card,etc.(plus your id anyway) too many glitches to trust just that bracelet....

 

[cleopenn]

Yes, you can -- you set up pin numbers for each magic band (so if they are lost no one can use them to charge to your room). The only thing is that sometimes the system could go down, so since you're taking a bag, I'd just keep a backup credit card in there just in case. We've never had problems with that, but others have. Also, if your husband will want to order any alcohol, he'll still need his ID (which is a good thing to take with you anyway).

I'm glad you're feeling better about things!

I will need a drink too! We did wonder about ID when talking last night. We were some where this summer that required ID for alcohol purchases, no exceptions. Silly because no one would ever mistake us for 20yo but businesses have the right to set their operating procedures. I have a small, flat wallet that holds three cards and bills and I'll put that in our bag.

We have done a couple AI vacations and my husband hated the wrist bands.

Any thoughts on a good park for our first afternoon? We are staying at the Poly and I expect we will get to the resort by 1-ish.

As it stands, I got fast passes for MK for late afternoon but I can change those. We arrive the Friday after Thanksgiving.

DS and I had a long conversation about the resort pool and he said he rather go to the park. (ETA - this is his internal struggle, we didn't influence him either way) So unless something changes, we will check-in (if we can) grab a bite to eat and head to the park.

 

[disneyseniors]

Hi,souds like you have a great trip planned and you've gotten some good advice:

I would add another perspective to them: I don't think you need any bag at all. Why? You are staying at the Poly, right? So you can go back to your room easily enough for change of clothes, more clothes, medications, etc. It's very convenient to hop on the monorail. If you or your hubby wear pants with pockets, just put some apirin in a small pounch/bag. Also carry one credit card for ID and if the magic bands don't behave. That's what we do, and love waltzing thru the no bag line. Even a small camera can fit in your pocket. Take advantage of being at the Poly.
Good luck and have fun. We will be their in Nov. too.