Momof22010
New Member
Hi!! We are planning our 1st family disney vacation for the fall of 2015. I have no clue where go start. Do I book a hotel first? Should I get a travel agent? I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.
I agree a resort hotel and a time frame to travel are a good place to start. Many of the other elements will start to fall into place with that. Take a look here for some information on the onsite resorts: http://www.disneywebcontent.com/dcc/4137/9b4296b1c8aa7210VgnVCM100000d864a8c0RCRD/ Please feel free to contact us with help for booking your trip, our services are free to you, the client and it will help to have someone talk you through the process. MarieHi!! We are planning our 1st family disney vacation for the fall of 2015. I have no clue where go start. Do I book a hotel first? Should I get a travel agent? I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.
Since you didn't give any background information about your family, likes/dislikes, ages, budget, members, or any special events you'd like to enjoy, anyone who gives you advice would be driving blind.
That being said, I can give you some general information you should find useful and could take as gospel.
#1. I can say that my first time back at WDW in a 13 year gap (first time as an adult), we got the park hopper and we didn't use it. We spent a full day at each park, so that was money down the drain. There are plenty of things to do and see in each park for first timers. The more days you stay, the cost per ticket goes down (so if you stay for 5 days, it'll be $69 per day, per "adult" aged 10+ w/tax). There are special offers on the Disney Parks page all the time. See if you can take advantage of one of them.
#2. Download the My Magic Experience app for your phone and learn to navigate through it (no matter how frustrating the load times or how difficult it is to remember the navigation). You'll need this to set and/or change your FP+ experiences and any reservations before you arrive. The new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is the newest attraction, so if you don't plan on showing up early to get in the standby line, make this one of your selections. Also, after you use your allotted three, there are kiosks scattered throughout the parks where you can choose a 4th selection. If you wait too long, your choices will be slim and would have a comparable time to the standby line (if it's real late).
#3. Definitely make time at 3PM to watch the new Festival of Fantasy parade at Magic Kingdom. I despise parades, since they usually get in my way, but the amount of detail and wide range of characters showcased throughout-it's probably the best one to date.
#4. Look on this board and find out which attractions to avoid. There are multiple threads.
#5. Plan a rainy/rest day since you'll be walking 7+ miles per day in a park. The different resorts have plenty of activities to offer and DTD is just a bus ride away. Snack points are welcome at Earl of Sandwich if you get the dining plan, so...
#6. Find out if a dining plan is right for you. Quick service dining works for us, since we only visit one or two sit-down restaurants and we usually end up bringing snacks home. Some buffets have a flat price (even for children! ::gasp:, so they might be out of the question for you. I recommend you avoid Tortuga Tavern in MK and the "steak" at Pecos Bills.
#7. Enjoy the night time entertainment. Wishes! at MK, Illuminations at EPCOT, and Phantasmic at HS.
I agree a resort hotel and a time frame to travel are a good place to start. Many of the other elements will start to fall into place with that. Take a look here for some information on the onsite resorts: http://www.disneywebcontent.com/dcc/4137/9b4296b1c8aa7210VgnVCM100000d864a8c0RCRD/ Please feel free to contact us with help for booking your trip, our services are free to you, the client and it will help to have someone talk you through the process. Marie
First of all .......Welcome!!! You will find this board very friendly and informative with members who are more than willing to share and give advise.
Now.....sit back......relax......and enjoy the research and planning.
I am wondering if your name @Momof22010 means that you became a mom on 2010 which would mean that you have a 4 year old. Please fill us in as to who will be on this trip with you.
1. Research hotels......if $$ is an issue, you will want to stay at a value or moderate. But look at all of them...they each have their own personality and advantages from price to convenience.
2. Use Youtube to see videos of the hotels.....there are actual tours so you can get a feel of the property
3. Allears.net will give you the menus of each restaurant
4. buy a good Disney guide....fun the read and informative.....
For our first trip may years ago when the kids were small....3 and 5, we used a travel agent....AAA to be exact. Ever since then, I have planned through the Disney website and booked my own airfare.
Do whatever is more comfortable for you, but do start now....it is not too early but there is no need to panic.
Have a good time researching and enjoy!
My daughters will be 5 and 8. I'm getting overwhelmed looking at all of these responses. Are the 2015 prices out yet??
My daughters will be 5 and 8. I'm getting overwhelmed looking at all of these responses.
I have always booked my own through Disney but researched my prices first on their website. I enjoy the planning phase. I would check out which resort suits your family first. There are many choices but prices fluctuate greatly. I have found that specials come out within 2-3 months of booking. You may book now, have a reserved room but you must call Disney two months prior to credit your account the difference. If you book this far ahead you will definitely be quoted a higher price. Fall is a great time to visit Disney!! We usually go in November so we can see Osbourne Festival of lights. My suggestion is go a week before Thanksgiving...prices, weather and crowds are perfect!! Christmas decorations are up and the parks are magical. Trust me festival of lights will leave your children n you a lasting memory!! We usually get the free dining plan at that time too. Again if you book now, they will not offer that. You must check prices n promotions and have them apply to your reservation. We have stayed at Coronado, Port Orleans Riverside and Animal kingdom lodge. Our favorite was AKL but pricey. All of the resorts are fabulous!! Port Orleans has a pull down bed so if you have more than one child you can separate them to sleep. It is the most inexpensive way to go for a family of five. Definitely get the dining plan that allows one quick serve, one sit down meal. Character meals require a sit down credit. Book dining reservations online or call Disney direct. Our favorite meals O'hamas character breakfast, Chef Mickey for character involvement (but gets crowded), Cape May breakfast for characters and relaxing meal. Sci fi restaurant in Hollywood studios is our kids favorite...They eat in cars while watching Sci-fi movies n cartoons. Check into Disney fantastic package at Hollywood studios. You should book this early. You have a choice of three restaurants to eat at Hollywood n vine, Mama Melrose or Brown Derbyshire. Our favorite for food is Mama Melrose. Go there hungry!!! Hollywood n vine is great for characters. If you call Disney they will help you...patiently!! Disney makes your experience so easy. If anyone has allergies they accommodate enormously!! Make sure to tell Disney that it's your first trip or celebrating a special event. They sometimes give you a room upgrade at front desk. There is so much information online. One great resource is all ears.net. They give you complete menus and pricing, pictures of resorts and reviews, park info everything!! These blogs are also extremely helpful. Don't stress...it's your first time. My opinion to save money skip park hoppers as there is so much to see at each park. You will exhaust your self going from park to park. Enjoy your trip. Plan ahead meals, parks and know where the characters are for photo opportunities. Enjoy! Hope you don't mind my lengthy post. I am a lover of all Disney!! If wish someone would have told me info before my first trip. Happy planning!Hi!! We are planning our 1st family disney vacation for the fall of 2015. I have no clue where go start. Do I book a hotel first? Should I get a travel agent? I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.
Don't try to do everything in one day. Plan your trip accordingly, and pick several attractions/rides to visit each day. Our family likes to try to ride our favorites in the mornings, go back to the resort mid-day, then go back later for more fun.
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