Very random, basic (probably dumb) questions

[CrystalSnow]

I'm hoping some of you might be able to help me. For some reason I seem to be terrible at navigating around to find Disney info--maybe because there is just so much of it!

Anyway, we are leaving for my daughter's Make A Wish trip on October 11th and it is our first time to Disney. And I have some random questions:

1) My parents will be joining us for a few days and need to buy tickets. Are there any places to get discounted tickets, or is it not worth searching and just as easy to wait and buy them at the parks?

2) The transportation thing is still confusing me. For example, at MK we park far away and then take a monorail to the park, right? (I told you these were basic questions ) But I've heard it can be difficult to do strollers (we are renting a double from Orlando Strollers). So can we drive up and drop off some people if need be?

3) Any advice on the very best things for a three-year-old. She isn't really into princesses that much, likes Pooh and friends, and she loves silly stuff.

4) Any advice on the best cheap places to eat. I would love for her to do some of the cool ADR places, but we simply can't afford it...so are there any cheap, but neat, places she might enjoy? Maybe in downtown Disney, or elsewhere?

Okay, that's probably enough for now. Any info would be wonderful. Thanks so much!

 

[lovetoscrap]

You have quite a few questions that would be best answered by putting them on our different forums. Post your dining question on our Restaurant board, your question about the best things for 3 year olds on either our Theme Parks board or the Families board, and we have a an entire board for Transportation.


I will say that you can't drive to the front of MK and drop off, but the double stroller will have no problems on the Monorail or the boat you will need to take from the TTC to the park.

 

[nanlou]

I agree with the PP that you won't have trouble with your stroller on the monorail or boats. Disney is fairly stroller-friendly, and while some people find it a hassle to deal with the stroller, face it, for most folks with young kids it would be much more of a hassle without the stroller.

As for tickets for your parents.... How long do they plan to stay? If it's only a day or two, it's probably just as easy for them to wait and purchase tickets from WDW when they get there. But if it's longer than that, discount brokers can save a few $$$. I've had great experience using Undercovertourist. (Just add the www to the beginning and .com to the end, and you'll be able to find them online.)

 

[lovetoscrap]

Since you are going on a Make a Wish Trip also be sure to check out our disABILITIES forum. If you have any specific questions on your child's needs while there, you will get great advice from them.

If your MaW child needs to remain in the stroller during the trip, like for lines and in shows then make sure you get a tag so you can use the "stroller as a wheelchair" from Guest Services. Also with your little one you may really enjoy the Baby Care Centers found at each park for changing, feeding and just relaxing when needed.

You will have to fold up the stroller if you go on a bus so you will want to avoid that if at all possible. Since you have a car that shouldn't be a problem, but just wanted to let you know.

 

[CrystalSnow]

It just figures...I know so little about what I'm doing that I couldn't even post correctly!

So thank you for the tips and info. We are getting so excited and can't wait for our first trip.

 

[SueM in MN]

There is a link in my signature that goes directly to the disABILITIES FAQs thread. When you get there, look in post #3 of that thread. There is a section in post #3 about Make a Wish trips, with a number of helpful links. One of the links is to the WISH Trippers Unite thread on the Community Board. You will find lots of people there who have been on or are planning their MAW trips who will be very anxious to help you out.

 

[TSWJan78]

Hey Crystal.. Please don't let these big boards sacre you... You can buy park tickets right though this website or you can checkout www.mousesaver.com. They have some great links to discounted tickets and I would ask at GKTW... maybe they can help you.

The only time you may have an issue with the stroller is on the Tram. You will have to fold it up so it is more of a pain then anything else. Every parking lot has a tram to get you from your car to the gate or in the Magic Kingdom's sake the boat or Monorail. That being said if you are close enough to walk vs taking the tram I would say do it. I would also ask at GKTW if they can give you a special parking pass to get perfered parking (I am not sure if they do but it can't hurt to ask)

As for fun things to do plan on spending lots of time at Magic Kingdom... that is where you will have the most fun with her. There is a Pooh ride and Pooh has a playground there as well. You can also find him in the United Kingdom at in Epcot. I am sure she will have a blast in Fantsyland. If she is skidish start with Mickey's Philharmagic for the 3D Movies... things like a Bugs life scare me. There is a great Playhouse Disney show at Hollywood studios along with a little mermaid show. Check out the Theme Park boards or the family boards and you will find a TON of information and advice on this one.

As for "cool" counterservice places to eat... remeber you can always share at Counterservice... If you can manage to splurge for one meal try the Christal Palace.. Pooh is there and you can do a late breakfast or a late lunch and make it two meals. Cosmic rays has a cute show if you time it right but the food is kinda boring. I love the Main Street Bakery for breakfast and you can always snack around the world at Epcot. Try the resturant board with this question.. I am sure they will be creative. You will also be going durring the Food & Wine festive so there will be some grat food kiosks in World Showcase.

I know Mary (Maroo) is following your pre trip and she has done alot with GKTW so I am sure she can answer some of you logistic questions. I work for an Organ Procurement Orgnization so I love hearing recipent stories so a Disney recipent story makes me feel so good!! Have a GREAT TRIP!!!

 

[lovetoscrap]

It just figures...I know so little about what I'm doing that I couldn't even post correctly!

So thank you for the tips and info. We are getting so excited and can't wait for our first trip.

Oh Hun! I wasn't trying to say you weren't posting correctly! On this board we get lots of questions and my job is to help direct you to the best places to get the best answers. We don't have as many posters that stop by here. You may get one or two opinions/answers here but if you post on the boards I suggested you will probably get tons of responses.

This is a huge board with lots of forums. Sometimes I am not even sure where to send someone to get the best answers. It can be overwhelming, but once you visit the other areas you will probably find answers to questions that you didn't even know you had! And you are always welcome here for help or to ask a question that you aren't sure where to post. If I have a better place for it I may move it, suggest you ask it somewhere else or posters here may answer it for you.

Make sure you take a look at the "Advice for Newbies" thread at the top here--it has some of the best advice you will find-- take a deep breath and relax and just enjoy the time with your family and your precious children.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Oh, and there are NO dumb questions!

 

[Metro West]

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

1) My parents will be joining us for a few days and need to buy tickets. Are there any places to get discounted tickets, or is it not worth searching and just as easy to wait and buy them at the parks? try mousesavers.com

2) The transportation thing is still confusing me. For example, at MK we park far away and then take a monorail to the park, right? (I told you these were basic questions ) But I've heard it can be difficult to do strollers (we are renting a double from Orlando Strollers). So can we drive up and drop off some people if need be? you will have to break down the stroller before boarding the shuttle to the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC). Then you can board the Monorail or a ferry to the Magic Kingdom (which you won't have to break down the stroller). We did it with a double last spring with little interruption.

3) Any advice on the very best things for a three-year-old. She isn't really into princesses that much, likes Pooh and friends, and she loves silly stuff. we did character greets (DS had his own autograph book), character meals, lots of time spent on the little things (Toontown, exploring World Showcase, walking the trails at Animal Kingdom) - tons to do with the young set - probably a lot more than you think you can.

4) Any advice on the best cheap places to eat. I would love for her to do some of the cool ADR places, but we simply can't afford it...so are there any cheap, but neat, places she might enjoy? Maybe in downtown Disney, or elsewhere? check allears.net they have sample menus and prices for you to compare. You can also order kid meals at counter service places and save a few bucks.

 

[momma2minnie]

Wishing you all the best trip ever!

 

[CrystalSnow]

Thank you again for the info and replies.

lovetoscrap: no worries...I was just poking fun at myself. Thanks for the help.

TSWJan78: How wonderful that you work for an OPO. I think it would be really rewarding...also really hard. Just our one experience with Melia's donor family has been so incredible, but also so heartbreaking. And thanks for the info. The Crystal Palace lunch looks perfect, but we just aren't in the position to spend any money. I guess that's what those 1.5 million dollar babies will do to you.