WDW trip info, please!

[bizybea]

Hi everyone!
I've never been to WDW and may be planning on going next year, woohoo!! But I need your help! I have sooo many questions, I'm really, really new to this. It would be 2 adults, one child, girl, 8 years old. We want to see as much of Disney as possible, but want to keep it interesting for 8 yr old DD. (For instance, would she enjoy Epcot, or should we skip it?)

If you had your choice, how many days would you spend at WDW?

What is the best time of year to go?

What kind of tickets to purchase?

We want to stay onsite, with transportation to and from the parks it doesn't need to be ultra fancy, since we'd mostly just be there to sleep and rest.

What parks to visit? What to see/do that everyone will enjoy? Must do's?

And, finally, (for now ) :

Where to eat and how much to budget for food each day?

Can you give me an idea of how much a trip like this would cost? (Just lodging, WDW, souveniers, and food for X many days?) We would find airfare on our own. I know this is a lot of questions, thanks for helping me out! Since this is the first time for me and my DD I want it to be a memorable and magical trip, so if you know of any extras that would make it possible, please mention! Thanks again!

Beatriz

 

[wmarsich]

I really don't feel very qualified to answer your questions since we are going in October for our first visit on-site(we've been to Disney, but stayed off-site before), but I was so curious about your post I had to reply. I am so amazed that you have been tagged three times and have over 700 posts and you have never gone to Disney! Wow, you really HAVE to go. Having said that here is an amateurs respoonse to your questions:

If you had your choice, how many days would you spend at WDW? As many as possible! Actually we are going for 8 days in October and it will seem like heaven. Our last visit we only came for three and we were like maniacs running around the parks. Depending upon what you want to see, I would think anything between 7 days and forever would suffice !

What is the best time of year to go? If your asking for the least busy times to go, I have read that they are early January through mid February, the first 3 weeks of december, late August through early September, and all of May

What kind of tickets to purchase? This is really hard and would need some more information regarding your plans and what you want to see. If you plan to do all the parks and the extra stuff like Downtown Disney and the water parks, you would want the ultimate hopper passes, otherwise the basic hoppers would be fine.

We want to stay onsite, with transportation to and from the parks it doesn't need to be ultra fancy, since we'd mostly just be there to sleep and rest. Depending upon how long you stay, when you go, and what your interests are this question is very difficult to answer. We are staying on-site in order to take breaks from the park and enjoy the hotels perks.

What parks to visit? What to see/do that everyone will enjoy? Must do's? An 8 year old would enjoy so much depending upon her interests. There are so many things to do for that age at all of the parks. The fun of Disney is that so many of the attractions are set up for all ages. However, it depends upon whether she, or you, enjoy thrill rides, shows, eating, water events, etc..

And, finally, (for now ) :

Where to eat and how much to budget for food each day? Your question is so broad, it really depends upon your budget and what you like. Disney has it all and the variability in theme and cost is so broad I'm not sure where to start.

Sorry, I don't feel like I have been TOO helpful. You may want to research on this site and at the site I've listed below and they will give you some good general directions to go. This site is amazing and I know all the posters will be very helpful to you, but you may need to be a little bit more specific.

http://www.mousesavers.com/faq.html

 

[mommystieg]

Originally posted by bizybea
Hi everyone!
I've never been to WDW and may be planning on going next year, woohoo!! But I need your help! I have sooo many questions, I'm really, really new to this. It would be 2 adults, one child, girl, 8 years old. We want to see as much of Disney as possible, but want to keep it interesting for 8 yr old DD. (For instance, would she enjoy Epcot, or should we skip it?)

If you had your choice, how many days would you spend at WDW?

What is the best time of year to go?

What kind of tickets to purchase?

We want to stay onsite, with transportation to and from the parks it doesn't need to be ultra fancy, since we'd mostly just be there to sleep and rest.

What parks to visit? What to see/do that everyone will enjoy? Must do's?

And, finally, (for now ) :

Where to eat and how much to budget for food each day?

Can you give me an idea of how much a trip like this would cost? (Just lodging, WDW, souveniers, and food for X many days?) We would find airfare on our own. I know this is a lot of questions, thanks for helping me out! Since this is the first time for me and my DD I want it to be a memorable and magical trip, so if you know of any extras that would make it possible, please mention! Thanks again!

Beatriz

Definitely do not skip Epcot. It is such a beautiful park and there really is lots for kids to see and do there. This park ranks almost as high as MK on our DDs' list. The Kidcot Fun Stops are a fun way to make your way around WS. Your child can decorate a mask and then stop in each country to add a charm and stamp from that country. Best of all--it's FREE!
If I had my choice, I would spend 365 days at WDW but since that is not possible, our trips usually last 8 or 9 days(and we still don't get to see/do everything).
Although there are times when it may be less crowded, since we don't want to pull our DD out of school, we go during the first two weeks of June. We have found the crowds and weather very manageable during then. (In case you don't know, the first Saturday in June is Gay Day at MK--we just avoid MK then due to the extremely large crowds)
If you don't have a good guidebook, you might want to purchase one (or two or three ). I really like the Unofficial Guide and for this trip we also purchased the PassPorter.
Sorry, I am not much help either--good luck with your planning!! That is almost as much fun as the trip

 

[Grumpy92]

Beatriz Welcome,
You will find alot of information on Disboards and some very helpful people.

First I would suggest a couple books, The Unofficial Guide, Birnbaums or the Passporter. All are available at Amazon or your local bookstore. They will give alot of info on everything and in the case of the Passporter help you get organized. You can also order a free vacation planning video/dvd at www.disneyworld.com.

For a first timer 5-7 days would be idea just for Disney and not turn your vaction into a marathon. I always recommend flexibility building in midday breaks at your resort for lunch, a swim or nap. They make your Vacation much more enjoyable.

Best time of Year: Well the least crowded is Sept, Oct, the first three weeks of Dec. & the last few weeks of Jan. You can also get some great discounts during those time periods and the weather is not as hot. Discounts: www.mousesavers.com

Tiks- Depends on how many days you want to visit the parks. Anything over 8 and the AP is the best deal. If you plan to take a day off or want to visit one of the other area themeparks then I suggest the Hoppers. If you dont use all the days they are good on a future visit.

Resort- What price range are you looking for? With 14 resorts Disney offers different prices, locations and theming. Personally I like the moderates for the Deluxes like WL or AKL.
Room Rates: http://www.mousesavers.com/roomrates2004.html

Food- My family likes atleast one sit down meal a day, usually dinner. But to save a few $$ think about sit down lunches as the menu is generally the same but cost less. You will find menus at www.allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm. If you want a character meal find our your daughters fave characters and then use that as your guide for selecting that meal. Do atleast one.

PS - Priority Seating, not a must unless you want to do a character meal, visiting during a holiday or want to dine at one of the popular restaurants. Most can be made 90 days prior to your arrival.

Finally get your family involved in the planning. Get the DVD and watch it together, then have everyone list what attractions, parks, resorts or restaurants that interest them.

Once you get an overview I am sure you will have more questions, so dont hesitate to post them.

 

[Terk-1]

I think I may be able to help you here.

Days:
I would plan on a week to 10 days, if possible.

Time of Year:
If you have flexibility, I would definitely go in the value season. This means the parks will be less crowded and you will enjoy it more. I would have to say that the day after Thanksgiving through the 1st 2 weeks of December is a great time to go, with all the parks & resorts decorated for the holidays. Another good time would be the beginning of May, Middle to the end of September and October.

Parks:
I would plan on 2 1/2 days at the Magic Kingdom, 2 1/2 days at EPCOT, 1 day at Animal Kingdom and 1 day at MGM.

Make sure not to miss the following shows/parades:
1. Spectromagic & Wishes at the Magic Kingdom
2. Illuminations at EPCOT
3. Fantasmic at MGM
4. Lion King Show at AK

Tickets:
I would recommend either a park hopper pass or an AP.

Where to Stay:
This would depend on what you want to spend on the room and how much time you really are going to be there. I would recommend the following:
Value: Movies or POP
Moderate: Port Orleans French Quarter
Deluxe: Wilderness Lodge

Dining:
Plan on budgeting about $100-150 per day on meals. A great way to save $$ would be to bring snacks and quick breakfast items. Some of my must-dines are:
1. Crystal Palace. Liberty Tree Tavern, Casey's & Cindy's at the MK
2. Garden Grill, Le Cellier & the Rose & Crown at EPCOT
3. 50's Primetime Cafe at MGM
4. Tusker House at AK
5. O'Hana's at the Polynesian
6. California Grill at the Contemporary
7. Whispering Canyon Cafe at the Wilderness Lodge
8. Spoodle's at the Beach Club
9. Beaches & Cream at the Beach Club
10. Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club
11. House of Blues & Ghiradelli's at DTD