Where to go and what to do?

[DISoriented]

Is there any place on these boards where I can get a quick overview of what WDW has to offer? I'm getting more anxious as I read the threads. You all seem to know where you're going and what you're doing. Many of you are doing PS months in advance. I know it's necessary, but I have no idea of where we'll be at any given time.

I have a 5 yr-old and 10 month-old. We'll be going the week before Memorial Day weekend.

Thanks to anyone who can help ease my stress levels.

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

Run to your nearest book store (or Amazon.com) and purchase a copy of the Passporter.

There is also the Unofficial Guide and Birnbaum's...

You may even be able to borrow them from your local library.

 

[ChrisNif]

There are great books mentioned in the previous post, but if your here, it seems to me like your an internet kind of person, check out www.wdwinfo.com and www.allearsnet.com for some GREAT information.

Best advice from someone who has "been there done that...still thristy for more," DONT STRESS....yes try to figure out what park you'd LIKE to be in each day of your trip and make a PS or 2 for each park, but unless your doing a fancy sitdown meal for each meal, 1 PS per day or less should suffice.

I'm going on my honeymoon in april for 6 nights, I've got 3 PS's for the whole trip. (HIGHLY Recommend Dinner with Cinderella at 1900 Park Fare on a Day your in Magic Kingdom so you can take the monorail to the Grand Floridian)

What i do for my parents when they go is put park hours w/ magic hour into a chart for their travel dates and put a star next to which parks they should do based on hours. Most days i start them in one park and switch them around dinner. There are many ways to do it tho.

Enjoy your trip and be safe

Chris

 

[lovethattink]

We have a 10 month old too. It's worked best for us not to have any type of formal touring plan. Our other DS(11---yes they're a decade apart) will tell us in advance which attractions he doesn't want to miss at each park. We take our time as not to wear the baby out. We usually don't leave the park to take naps. He seemed to fall asleep either on the bus, monorail, etc. Then by the time we got to the room, he was all napped out. As for food, we've found that buffets and counter service seemed to work best for us. The sit down restaurants that weren't buffets just took too long for him to sit. Be sure to check out the baby care centers for diaper changes and feedings. Also, if you are nursing, they have a nursing room with rockers in each of the major parks. If you have any questions, just PM me, I'd be happy to help!

 

[sunny04]

Here's another vote for allearsnet.com

You can choose which things you want to know about, dining, parks, events, etc. They have great info.

 

[Princess Wannabe]

Keep in mind that a lot of us here on the DIS boards are DIS-obsessed! We are probably not the "norm" when it comes to visiting WDW!

Don't get stressed out over the details...just do enough where you are comfortable. Some people NEVER like to have a plan on vacation, and that is fine...for them! Now me- I'm very Type-A personality, and I don't like surprises. I like to know where, when, how, why etc at any given moment! Now, my DH, on the other hand...HATES to plan... hates to research on the internet... ...however, REJOICES when I spend all of MY time planning so that HE gets a stress-free, wonderful trip! Figure out what type of person you are, and then act accordingly!

With that being said, though, you SHOULD at least have a general plan on what park you think you're going to visit each day. Check out the hours that the park is normally open...check out the various restaurants they offer... and then decide if a PS is worth it. To me, PS's mean "peace"....as in peace of mind. I like to know that I have somewhat of a chance to get into a popular restaurant, without waiting forever!

Just make some notes on some notecards, or on a piece of paper, and have that in your fanny pack/purse/pocket.

You'll be fine!

 

[DISoriented]

Be sure to check out the baby care centers for diaper changes and feedings. Also, if you are nursing, they have a nursing room with rockers in each of the major parks. If you have any questions, just PM me, I'd be happy to help!

This is key for me.

We probably won't leave for naps either. I'm thinking dd will sleep in the sling or the stroller. We'll leave only when ds has had enough.

As for restaurants, ds doesn't eat anything on a menu. Except for maybe a pizza or side order of bacon. So, not sure what the plan is there.

Thanks for the responses everyone. I'm starting to plan out a general plan about which parks to visit on each day. Then I'll work on PS for those days.

We get in Saturday, May 21st at 1:30pm. The day is practically over, but we'd still like to visit a park. Any suggestions? I was thinking of going somewhere for the afternoon into the evening hours and then watching fireworks somewhere. Is it MK that does it on Saturdays (or every night)?

Thanks again.

 

[lovethattink]

If you are staying on Disney property, and your room is not ready when you arrive, you can go and check in, get your tickets and go to a park. They'll put your luggage into storage til your room is ready, then transfer the luggage to your room once ready. You can go to guest services inside the park and have them call your front desk to see if your room is ready. If so, they can activate your key while your on the phone and you won't have to stop back at the front desk! You'll be able to go straight to your room where your luggage is waiting for you! Watching the fireworks somewhere the 1st night is so much fun and gets you psyched to what's ahead. The only drawback is that you're tired and the bus wait back to the hotel could be long. It's also possible it might be standing room only, which is super hard with a hand held baby and sleepy 5 year old. If that's the case, just stay at the front of the line, and let people pass by and fill that bus. You'll be 1st to enter the next bus and get a seat. I'd recommend either Epcot or MK for your 1st night's fireworks. Have fun!