WDW Planning? how do you do it?

[wideeyes]

Hi well I am going to my first ever trip next year.

What I am wondering is when do you start planning?
How do you Start?

I am a bit confused already, so far I have obviously managed to choice a TO and Hotel (AKL, My travel with Air tours) now what must I do? Wait till the time is nearer or begin now? I have read simon's book and that's about it!


Any tips on getting though this mine field.

TIA

 

[carolfoy]

its so difficult to know where to start, I'd grab a trip report from someone who went last year at the same time as you, see how they started off, if their first day ended with them all tired and teasy then you know it wasn't a good start. You can go by Simons book or the UG or TGM but they aren't going to know the specifics of your own family.
Personally I HAVE to start day one with the opening of the MK, just so it kicks in that I'm really there! with the fact that you're jetlagged usually waking you up at the crack of dawn its not as difficult as you imagine getting to MK by say 8 am.
I'll pm you my own 2 week plan if it helps and then you can rearrange to suit your own needs.

 

[jonkatony]

Great start chosing AKL. We were there last August, it was great

 

[jen_uk]

I agree with Carol that the Magic Kingdom always has to be the first park I go to, there is nothing like walking down Main Street and seeing the castle for the first time! If I were you I would make a rough plan of what parks you want to go to, don't try and cram too much into one day as you will just burn out. People do Disney at different speeds but as a rough guide you will probably need to spend 2/3 days in each park, possibly more in your favourite one. Once you have an idea of where you will be on each day you can start thinking about booking restaurents but don't restrict yourself too much as you might decide once you are there that you want to change your plans! Hope this helps.

 

[jns]

don't do what I do
and keep changing plans

when are you going

check to see if there is anything happing around then ect Food and wine festival / Garden festival Epcot
or the Halloween / xmas party at MK

but most of all enjoy the planning
it is a part of the hoilday

and i find just keep asking question on this board
you get all the right info
Thanks everyone

 

[JohnnySharp2]

As far as planning is concerned it depends on what you have in mind, are you concentrating on WDW or taking in the likes of Universal and Sea World too?

Naturally fitting all this into a holiday can be difficult so the 1st step may be to decide on what you what to do with your holiday, how many rest days away from the parks etc

When you are going can be a factor, bearing in mind it could be a busy or hot time of the year.

 

[carolfoy]

As far as planning is concerned it depends on what you have in mind, are you concentrating on WDW or taking in the likes of Universal and Sea World too?

Naturally fitting all this into a holiday can be difficult so the 1st step may be to decide on what you what to do with your holiday, how many rest days away from the parks etc

When you are going can be a factor, bearing in mind it could be a busy or hot time of the year.

Johnny makes an excellent point (doesn't he always? )- you really need to figure out which parks will matter to your family, I've seen so many clients book a fortnights holiday and get tickets for ALL the parks with no amount of persuasion that they won't be able to fit it in. Don't underestimate the size of these parks they're HUGE and it can take twenty minutes to walk into the centre, especially when you're distracted by beautiful shops, street entertainment, characters etc.
I'd say a two day minimum for each WDW park and probably the same for the Universal ones (but I haven't been yet so I'm estimating!)
Seaworld is at least 1 day but 2 to make sure you catch all the shows and don't race round at breakneck speed.
Also you may think that this is once in a lifetime but it almost certainly won't be, so take not eof things you think of that'll do for next time!

 

[wideeyes]

hi we are going August 16-30th not ideal as it will be very hot however this is the only time we can go as we are going to California at Easter. ( I was thinking of swapping them around, as I read that wdw is easier to manage with high crowds that DL at California, however as there booked with two different TO i can not be botherd)

well I have a daughter who is 5 and loves princesses as MK will be most popular with her..
MGM also seems to be very good with lots of shows we all will enjoy. I am thinking we could spend quite a bit of time at both of these.
My dd also loves animals so will enjoy seeing them at AK other than that they does not seem to be much else here for her so will a day be enough.
I don't think she will like Epcot however I think dbf will like this one the best and there is lots of restaurants I would like to try here.

US/IOA is the one that I am most unsure about as there does not appear to be much for dd to do here, she will enjoy meeting scoobi doo..she won't want to meet characters like spider man etc though..I am thinking a day here and an evening at City walk?

She will love Sea World I was thinking 2 days however we are going to the one in San Diego so maybe 1 day is enough however is that a bit like saying that as we have been to DLP we don't need to spend as much time at MK?

sorry for the long post

 

[AndRu]

I'd have to disagree with the park to do first ... start with Epcot and it's uphill all the way. Visiting Epcot after MK / AK / MGM is a step backwards IMHO!

 

[wideeyes]

Also you may think that this is once in a lifetime but it almost certainly won't be, so take not eof things you think of that'll do for next time!

oh I definitely don't think that as I thought that when I went to DLP last September and I would of been 3 times in less than a year when we have been this July. We also going to California Easter next year, not a coincidence that a DL happens to be there! ( Just can't let dbf know that!)

We originally went to DLP as we thought dd was to young to go to wdw with the size of it, the long flight and heat, we had planned not to take dd till she was 7, however I can not wait that long! DLP gave me a taste of it! I am already planning on going to wdw for Halloween in 2008.

 

[carolfoy]

I'll agree with seaworld for one day if you're going to see the san diego one. It'll leave another spare day to go over favourite things. Also check out the princess tea party for your daughter - its held at the grand floridian, it may be better value to you than doing a character meal

 

[gems_smiling]

I agree start with Epcot and then its uphill all the way (not including MGM - its my least favourite). We will be doing Epcot on the first day in fact here's our itinerary (we are going September 1st till 10th) :
First full day is 2nd so that's day one for us - Epcot and MK at night
Day 2 - AK and MK EMH at night
Day 3 - BB and Epcot at night
Day 4 - MK and Downtown Disney shopping early evening
Day 5 - MGM (just to go on backlot, see stunt show and look in shops) then AK EMH at night
Day 6 - Epcot and MK at night
Day 7 - AK and Epcot EMH at night
Day 8 - Mk and hotel at night
Day 9 - AK and then got to go home

I would suggest to start planning at any time soon. You should start doing some research on the internet about the time of year you will be visiting and start to decide what you want to see/do. Then start to think about an itinerary. For our first couple of trips we found "the unofficial guide to Walt disney world" very useful.

 

[Shooby doo]

The main thing is to pace yourself,we try to do 2park days followed by either a water park or pool/shopping day but we now go for 21 days & have that luxury. As much as I can see why some posters start with Epcot ( & a few of the guide books recommend this) we always start with MK - it's what it's all about!! I normally do all the planning though it isn't rigid once we are there. I lay it out as a sort of timetable with day/date then what we are doing.Then as the holiday gets closer I add more details ie opening times,adrs,shows..... then from there in it's just tinkering about until it's time for the holiday!
As far as DD is concerned I wouldn't totally dismiss US,IOA is certainly geared to older kids/adults,but US has a fair bit on offer (you would need to go there to get Scooby & Shaggy anyway!)
You can always PMme & I can send you a sample of one of our timetables
HTH SD

 

[wideeyes]

Hi I Am not dismissing US/IOA I am unsure of how much time to give to it as my dd will only be and I am not sure how interested she will be in it. I would definitely visit even if it just for a day., and just in case we feel we could spend more time here I will leave a day free.

Also I really don't see Epcot appealing to dd however we will be visiting however will be devoting more time for MK, and MGM, (AK seem like we could do in a day)

 

[JohnnySharp2]

US/IOA is the one that I am most unsure about as there does not appear to be much for dd to do here, she will enjoy meeting scoobi doo..she won't want to meet characters like spider man etc though..I am thinking a day here and an evening at City walk?

There are loads of attractions for kids at Universal, to be honest along with MK, US is Joshua's favourite park.
You have Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster, ET , Barney , Curious George children's playground, Jimmy Neutron etc - possibly less for kid's at IOA but Suess Landing is themed very well with plenty of rides for kids of all ages

I think there is a degree of opinion that US/IOA are for thrill seekers and coaster lovers only - something that I totally disagree with

I guess it depends on your child, Josh hasn't really taken to MGM or EPCOT but always has a smile on his face as we approach Universal.
Also having a mulit storey car park, citywalk with it's shops and restaurants, plus the fact you can easily walk from one park to another in some ways gives Universal the edge over the Disney parks.

Whatever you decide I am sure you will have a great holiday.

 

[wifey]

Epcot have a couple of fun things to do for kids look out for kidcot stops around the world they can stamp a 'passport' for her to show where she 's been and there are face masks to decorate and at each stop she can talk to the CMs and they will add something to the mask that represents the country she 'visits'. Also there are fun things at Innoventions Plaza too DS loved the interactive areas which get the kids to use their imagination and she will love the Figment ride it has some really funny moments. The boat ride in mexico is good and a great relief from the heat on busy days and she might like to meet the candy lady, outside Japan, Miyuki very lovely and makes amazing toffee sugar creations.The "turtle talk with Crush at the Living Seas" is a must with the kids very funny and interactive where the "humans" are in a bowl and Crush answers questions !! Circle of life is a show narrated by characters form the lion king and is lovely and the theatre is cool too as is the one for the american adventure, so don't rule out this park there is lots to see and fun to be had!!

 

[wideeyes]

I am really looking forward to city walk in the evening..seems much better than DTD (IMO)

I really can not see my dd liking Epcot.. I am sure my self and dbf will love it.

 

[wifey]

i wonder does DD like shrek the show at US is great Men in Black is similar in style to Buzz, depends how tall the child is. Woody Woodpecker's kid zone is great. At IOA definately take her to the "Cat in the hat" ride and the carro-seuss-el and one fish two fish and if I ran the zoo.Seaworld enjoy the shows and do the Penguin Encounter, feed the rays, and go to the Wild Arctic there's an option to skip the 'Helicopter ride" bit and go and see the rest of the ''base''. Don't forget the Clydesdales they are often in the stables.

 

[wideeyes]

i wonder does DD like shrek the show at US is great Men in Black is similar in style to Buzz, depends how tall the child is. Woody Woodpecker's kid zone is great. At IOA definately take her to the "Cat in the hat" ride and the carro-seuss-el and one fish two fish and if I ran the zoo.Seaworld enjoy the shows and do the Penguin Encounter, feed the rays, and go to the Wild Arctic there's an option to skip the 'Helicopter ride" bit and go and see the rest of the ''base''. Don't forget the Clydesdales they are often in the stables.

My DD loves shrek..
She will have no idea who woody woodpecker is however I don't think that will stop it being fun. She knows Cat in the Hat, so should enjoy that.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

My DD loves shrek..
She will have no idea who woody woodpecker is however I don't think that will stop it being fun. She knows Cat in the Hat, so should enjoy that.

Cat In The Hat is great for kid's but not so much for adult's, all that spinning makes me feel ill - Joshua is usually screaming with laughter!