Where do I begin?!?

[spectrecat]

Hi everyone!

Where do I start? How do I attempt to put a trip together? I am literally feeling ridiculously overwhelmed...and feeling embarrassed for feeling this way! lol

First of all, we are not new to WDW. I have planned a few trips with our family (see my sig.) I feel so comfortable in our abilities to plan for WDW, and I'm hoping for a trip back in late 2013. But now that we live in New Mexico and not less than 8 hours away in NW Florida, we're thinking about a trip to Disneyland this fall or maybe spring 2013.

Second, I have been to Disneyland once- my high school marching band took a trip to CA and we marched in a parade and spent the rest of the day having fun in the park. But that was almost 20 years ago...for one day....as a teen! It's SO different now!

Should I just start reading the posts here?

<---- I feel like this guy

 

[nicolispicoli]

Start here, this would definitely help

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[skiingfast]

You could start by reading the DLR guide for WDW Vets.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[Mr Snappy]

It's like the old saying "Q: How do you eat an elephant? A: One bite at a time!"

My suggestion is to tackle it in logical groups such as travel, hotel, places to visit, tickets, meals, etc.

In a lot of ways, planning the trip is part of the fun. Don't get stressed and don't rush.....one...bite...at...a...time

 

[GrandBob]

Both nicolispicoli and skiingfast gave you a pointer for the DLR Guide for WDW Vets, which is great. It's a tremendous resource, and will give you a great grounding on what's what at DLR.

But mostly, just take a deep breath and relax! Planning a DLR trip is so, so much easier than planning for WDW. And you've already done that! Really, once you know how you're getting there (plane, train, or automobile?) and where you're staying, the rest is really easy. You could almost just show up and wing it from there, and not miss too much.

-Bob

 

[HydroGuy]

Hi everyone!

Where do I start? How do I attempt to put a trip together? I am literally feeling ridiculously overwhelmed...and feeling embarrassed for feeling this way! lol

First of all, we are not new to WDW. I have planned a few trips with our family (see my sig.) I feel so comfortable in our abilities to plan for WDW, and I'm hoping for a trip back in late 2013. But now that we live in New Mexico and not less than 8 hours away in NW Florida, we're thinking about a trip to Disneyland this fall or maybe spring 2013.

Second, I have been to Disneyland once- my high school marching band took a trip to CA and we marched in a parade and spent the rest of the day having fun in the park. But that was almost 20 years ago...for one day....as a teen! It's SO different now!

Should I just start reading the posts here?

<---- I feel like this guy

I would say begin in the sticky thread for newbies:

* DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here!

 

[spectrecat]

Woohoo! Great links!

You guys rock (as always!)

To be honest, I think I'm worried that we will be underwhelmed...which I know is CRAZY. My dh had fun on his first trip ('06), but I don't think he really "got" the Disney magic until our trip in '09, and he was really into our trip last summer. So we've created such amazing memories with our boys in WDW....I guess I feel snobbish. lol

 

[Skylarr29]

Woohoo! Great links!

You guys rock (as always!)

To be honest, I think I'm worried that we will be underwhelmed...which I know is CRAZY. My dh had fun on his first trip ('06), but I don't think he really "got" the Disney magic until our trip in '09, and he was really into our trip last summer. So we've created such amazing memories with our boys in WDW....I guess I feel snobbish. lol

I grew up in Florida and have taken over 100 trips to WDW, even got married there, I love it. Having said that, Disneyland is amazing. There is just something so special about it. I think you'd be hard pressed to not like it! I wasn't expecting to fall in love with it so much having been to WDW so many times but it is my favorite now.

 

[spectrecat]

I grew up in Florida and have taken over 100 trips to WDW, even got married there, I love it. Having said that, Disneyland is amazing. There is just something so special about it. I think you'd be hard pressed to not like it! I wasn't expecting to fall in love with it so much having been to WDW so many times but it is my favorite now.

Yay! Love to hear this! We lived in FL for years with the military, so being 'out west' is so different for us. We just figure that we should explore this part of the country while Uncle Sam has us here!

 

[Skylarr29]

Yay! Love to hear this! We lived in FL for years with the military, so being 'out west' is so different for us. We just figure that we should explore this part of the country while Uncle Sam has us here!

I think as long as you go with the expectation that things are different but still great you will be able to appreciate it. It's really quite charming there. Pirates there is amazing, the Nightmare before Christmas overlay on the Haunted Mansion is awesome, plus there is the new carsland at DCA, they still have the submarines and Mr. Toads wild ride.

 

[HydroGuy]

Woohoo! Great links!

You guys rock (as always!)

To be honest, I think I'm worried that we will be underwhelmed...which I know is CRAZY. My dh had fun on his first trip ('06), but I don't think he really "got" the Disney magic until our trip in '09, and he was really into our trip last summer. So we've created such amazing memories with our boys in WDW....I guess I feel snobbish. lol

I grew up in Florida and have taken over 100 trips to WDW, even got married there, I love it. Having said that, Disneyland is amazing. There is just something so special about it. I think you'd be hard pressed to not like it! I wasn't expecting to fall in love with it so much having been to WDW so many times but it is my favorite now.

Yay! Love to hear this! We lived in FL for years with the military, so being 'out west' is so different for us. We just figure that we should explore this part of the country while Uncle Sam has us here!

I think as long as you go with the expectation that things are different but still great you will be able to appreciate it. It's really quite charming there. Pirates there is amazing, the Nightmare before Christmas overlay on the Haunted Mansion is awesome, plus there is the new carsland at DCA, they still have the submarines and Mr. Toads wild ride.

OP, here are two big expectations to get a handle on:

1. The DL castle is much smaller than the MK castle (77 ft vs. 189 ft)

2. The DL Matterhorn is much taller than the MK Matterhorn (147 ft. vs 0 ft )

 

[chrissiecutie]

OP- I always start by narrowing down my dates. Fall OR Spring is a pretty wide spectrum...so I suggest you start by simply figuring out when you want to go.

Personally, I would lean more towards late fall (that's when we are going this year!) because of all the awesome Halloween decor, the cooler weather, less crowds & I won't have to worry about spring breaks.

Once you figure out your days, the rest is pretty easy. Off site or on, how many days in the parks, will you do anything else on your SoCal trip? etc.

We always stay off site at the HoJo and typically do 3 days in the parks. Although I think for newbies, I would want at least 2 days per park. But definitely read through those great links and then ask any questions.

 

[smiles33]

I haven't been to WDW since the early 1990s, so I defer to PP who can give you advice on how to adjust your expectations. I will say that I, too, was overwhelmed by all the incredibly helpful information here. There are so many great posters who generously share advice and feedback. What I found most helpful was to scan the first few pages of the recent posts here (which often cover the same types of questions you might have), read Trip Reports, and then post threads seeking advice for your specific situation (e.g., my DD with a peanut allergy loves pasta, so which counter service restaurants make sense?).

The basic questions, like where to stay, how many days to plan, what to do about RSR (Radiator Springs Racers in the new Carsland at DCA), have likely been asked dozens of times already so definitely read some of the recent posts before you post a new thread with a similar question. I sometimes used the Search engine but found that can be equally overwhelming! Plus, you usually want the more recent posts since things are always changing.

Have fun planning!

 

[gatorfreud]

OMG yes, that is true. The castle is SHOCKINGLY tiny.

I had a bit of a hard time the first day or so... I didn't really know what to expect. And we were off site too which was just so different.

But then little by little there were things that I came to love and I now love to visit DL. It's just a really different experience than WDW, for me anyway. So I would say to find and appreciate the differences and accept and love DL for what it is, and don't compare while you are there. Many of the rides are better than at WDW - sometimes A LOT better (Pirates, Space, Grizzly v. Kali, Screamin' v. RnR, BUZZ, FANTASMIC is WAAAAY better, etc....). Enjoy the things that are different, NO Square, Toontown, WOC, etc... and mainly just really appreciate that everything is so CLOSE. You can be BACK IN YOUR ROOM, even at the HoJo, faster than you could even make it to the bus at Epcot. That is one of the main things I love. Watching the 9:25pm fireworks and IN BED by 10. Sweet!

Kim

 

[martikus]

We too were worried it wouldn't be as good or underwhelmed. We had our first trip in April and can't WAIT to go back (and we're in SC so WDW is closer). We all agree to do DL again before we do WDW.

DS was 5 and there were just so many rides he enjoyed. We did 6 days in the parks so we didn't have to rush and we didn't regret it. We actually loved DL and DCA and park hopped back & forth a lot - something I wouldn't dream of in WDW with a 5 year old!

We stayed offsite (Fairfield) and it was fine but we agreed we'd rather stay onsite if we could $$ wise - especially now if it will get early mornings for hotel guests.

I'm a huge planner but really didn't plan much aside from reserving a Minnie's Character Breakfast.

I guess the only thing we didn't like was it always felt crowded (narrow walkways) as is mentioned a lot on here. But once you got to the rides were lucked into very short lines since it wasn't peak season. DS's favorite ride was Buzz Lightyear. But Monsters Inc, TSM, Little Mermaid & Winnie the Pooh were close favorites.

You'll have a blast. Pick a hotel, buy park tickets, and nothing to worry after that

 

[spectrecat]

I do remember thinking about how small the castle is! But I love the little bridge, and I have a wonderful picture of a group of my high school friends in front of that tiny castle!

Thanks again for the responses!

chrissiesutie - Yes, spring or fall....except that we just found out that we may not have fall this year because of military training. We have the month of August open- so *maybe* late August, but I think I'm going to have some extra planning time. We plan on taking a trip in August because the last few months have been brutal on our family life, and we're looking for a chance to just be a family...but DH wants to go to AZ, see the Grand Canyon, relax, etc.... Personally I would rather go in late fall, but I think there's a better chance of us going next spring....maybe before spring breaks kick off. We homeschool, so we've got some flexibility.

Martikus- we went to WDW last summer with our 5.5 year old and almost 4 year old, and it was our first time to really use the parkhopper....we didn't use it everyday, but it was great for the end of our trip and our little guys did wonderfully. We actually let them start calling the shots (sort of....) as we had set aside extra days for MK, but they begged us to keep returning to Epcot! We were shocked how much they loved that park, but we were so glad to have paid for the parkhopper (as I love starting my day at MK...just something about it!)

 

[chrissiecutie]

I do remember thinking about how small the castle is! But I love the little bridge, and I have a wonderful picture of a group of my high school friends in front of that tiny castle!

Thanks again for the responses!

chrissiesutie - Yes, spring or fall....except that we just found out that we may not have fall this year because of military training. We have the month of August open- so *maybe* late August, but I think I'm going to have some extra planning time. We plan on taking a trip in August because the last few months have been brutal on our family life, and we're looking for a chance to just be a family...but DH wants to go to AZ, see the Grand Canyon, relax, etc.... Personally I would rather go in late fall, but I think there's a better chance of us going next spring....maybe before spring breaks kick off. We homeschool, so we've got some flexibility.

We homeschool too! I love the flexibility that it offers! If I can suggest anything to you, it would be to really focus on your dates. Disneyland can get SO crowded that you literally CANT MOVE! I'm not kidding here...anyone who's been through "the gauntlet" near Indiana Jones in the middle of summer will agree.

By simply picking a less crowded time of year, this problem is virtually solved and will make your trip much more enjoyable, IMO. Spring can be a good time but like I said earlier, watch out for those Spring Breaks. I've been late May and that really wasn't too bad at all, you just have to be careful of upcoming Grad Nights. But if I remember correctly, the parks are also open later in late May and you can take advantage of the extra parade times, fireworks & F!. Another favorite time of mine is after Thanksgiving and before Christmas. I know...I know...it's not Spring or Fall...But it's quiet and you get to enjoy the great Christmas decor. We've also been late Feb/early March (so EARLY spring) and this was a really good time too. Weather was good & crowds were low. There's lots of good times to go in between all those peak crowd levels. Sometimes even adjusting your schedule by a few weeks can really make a difference.

And I totally get needing to get away and focus on being a family! We've had a tough year as well and our upcoming trip is our reward as a family! You'll have a great time, no matter what!

 

[spectrecat]

We homeschool too!

Cool! This past year was our first time to homeschool, and as a military family, I just really appreciate the fact that we have more flexibility for DH is gone...among other reasons!

Our trip to WDW in '09 was over the week after Thanksgiving, and in many ways it has been my favorite trip! I would LOVE going back at that time again, so yes, a DLR trip at that time would be high on my list!! Late Feb/early March would be great as well if DH is home. I just love the Christmas decor so much!

 

[spectrecat]

Finally got through a few of those links, and they were perfect! Totally not freaking out anymore! That comparison thread was exactly what I was looking for and is a wonderful resource for any seasoned WDW visitor when planning a trip to DLR.

Unfortunately (well, not really...LOL) now I want to take a 7-10 day trip so that we can set aside at least 5 days for the whole DLR and spend the other days in SC. Or an even longer trip with some Yosemite camping (we camp frequently as a family.) I guess I'm hoping to not obsess like I have for our last few WDW trips...yeah, right.....

 

[DisneytheKid]

2. The DL Matterhorn is much taller than the MK Matterhorn (147 ft. vs 0 ft )