What to do and when to do it..

[bigsky]

We will be at WDW for the first time the day before THanksgiving..which is a Wed-Sunday. Then we'll go on the Disney cruise. A little confused as to what to do when. I want to do as much as possible. Our kids will be 13 and 15 when we go.
Reading these posts, seems to be better days to go to certain parks. I'd like to see fireworks too. Just a little confused about it all.
Any things we shouldn't pass up?..or avoid? I've read to avoid the MK on Thanksgiving. And I'm assuming to hit the parks that have EE on those days. But being there only full day of THurs-Sat..not much time. So any tips would be greatly appreciated from you.

Thanks!

 

[forever-groovy]

I can't help you out, as this will be my first time....jjst wanted to say we will be there the same week. I am soooo excited!

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says................................Any chance you can change the dates?

Can you take the cruise first, then do WDW? Or even flip flop so you are cruising first and WDW second on the same days?
You will get three times as much done if you can be at the parks one week later.

If dates are set in stone, then hit the highlites, use FP as much as you can, and basically take notes for a second trip.

EE all that you can, no matter how crowded it gets you can do so much more in the first couple hours than probably the rest of the day. Once it gets really crowded go to EPCOT if you can, it seems to handle big crowds better as it is so large.

Fireworks are a time killer, but you are in luck. Illuminations at EPCOT doesn't start till the park closes, usually at 9:00 pm, so end one of your nights there. It is fantastic. Everyone gathers around WS lake where the show is. About an hour before see if people are gathering around the lake, when it is obvious they are gathering, find a spot. Then go get snacks and drinks for everyone to use that waiting time!

 

[bigsky]

Wish we could change the dates..but we can't. First of all, with the land/sea pkg's, you have to do WDW first, then the cruise. With the kids in school, this is the only way they can miss the least amount of school.
If I had a choice, we wouldn't go at Thanksgiving!
This will just give us an excuse to go back!

THanks for the tips. I'm keeping a file of them all. I'm sure we'll have a great time, just won't do as much as we'd want to.

Laura

 

[mommystieg]

If you don't have any guide books you might want to get one or two. This way you can decide what is really the most important to all of you then make a must-do list. As Disnee Dad said-then use FP and EE to help maximize your park time. WDW is huge and there so much to do that it can be kinda overwhelming at times. Always ask lots of questions here---everyone loves to share their Disney knowledge. Happy planning!!!

 

[bigsky]

I think we'll begin and get a book on WDW. When you really don't know what's even there..hard to have a plan of action as to what you want to see!
Forever-groovy..which place are you staying at??

I just can't wait to go!! I'm more excited than anyone in our family. I go to disboards each and every day. It's MY time.

Thanks for the suggestions. So nice to be able to get answers to my questions so quickly from the experts.

 

[forever-groovy]

We are moving around a bit. The first 3 nights we will be at the all star music resort(the nights we are going to universal) Then the mon.- Fri. we are at the all star movies resort. The last night, just to sleep before we drive back, we will go to the all star spotrts. My kids each wanted a different one so this worked for us...lol. I too, am more excited than they are.