First Time With Freedom

[psuchad]

I have been to WDW about 5 times in my life, but all of those times it was with my parents. They did all the planning and I had absolutely no say in what we did.

No in a month I will be going down for my honeymoon. This is the first time I have planned a trip like this on my own. I think I did pretty good for myself too. I have been shopping around for a year and found the best prices on just about everything.

Now for my question. Is there anything that you discovered your first time that you either were unaware of or just took for granted?

Ok I will start you off with an example that I just thought of. I guess it is what made me start this thread to begin with. Of all the times I have been to WDW I have never myself driven from the airport. I just realized that I don't know how to get there. Are there tolls? Is the drive confusing? How long does it take? The last question was more for the drive back to the airport.

 

[PintoColvig]

Okay, so you're getting married and you associate that with freedom? :lol:

Congratulations, by the way, and I hope you have a wonderful marriage.

I discover things every time I go to WDW. Discovering them is part of the fun. As for learning about some those things before you get there browse around wdwmagic.com and allearsnet.com. Both sites have plenty of alternative info.

As for airport transportation...
Are you staying at a Disney resort? If so, Disney's Magical Express is a free service offered only to Disney resort guests. They will pick up your bags from the airport for you so you don't have to go to the baggage pick up area. You just go to the DME check in area and get on a bus. Your luggage will be delivered to your room at your resort. If you're not staying on property, you can get transportation from Mears, approx. $35-40 round trip but make sure your resort has bus transportation to the Disney parks. The other option, of course, is to rent a car. It is more expensive (you have to pay for rental, gas, and parking) but it affords you greater flexibility.

If you want directions from the airport to a Disney resort, try this link:
http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/directions.php

By the way, depending on how you go, there could be tolls but I forget how much. Less than $5, I believe. And it will take you approx. 30 min. to make the trip.

Have fun and enjoy your freedom! ha ha!

 

[shoppingnut]

The Beeline tolls are about $1.50 each way. The way I always go is the beeline to I4w and there are plenty of signs for the disney exits.

 

[TimonRulz]

Grats on getting married!

Well, this is something at Disney itself that my girlfriend though was very cool (since it will be for your honeymoon). You can call the trip planning hotline thing and get a pantoon (spelling?) boat to go out around have a nice evening on the water and then watch teh fireworks at either the Magic Kingdom or Epcot from it. They can serve you food and drinks and wine and chocolate covered strawberries. Just a romantic thing that is pretty neat that I personally didn't know about at first when I went. Grats again!

Oh yeah, and if you haven't rode Soarin'... gotta do that!!! Lines get long so try to do that first thing in the morning at Epcot!
:wave:

 

[tink81]

The first time I went without my family and I got to do the planning, I didn't make any Priority Seatings! EEEK! Luckily, we were visiting during January and crowds were very light so we go to eat, but I will never make the same mistake again!

Also, get a map beforehand so you can get oriented with the Orlando area. We too had to drive from the airport to our timeshare and had a hard time firguring out if we needed to go east, west, north or south! Don't forget about extra cash for parking!

 

[eroyee]

first time freedom?

:wave: There's a romantic carriage ride at Port Orleans Riverside at night after 6. I think they want reservations, though. Also, you can have flowers, cakes, etc. delivered right to your room. We spent our honeymoon there 7 yrs. ago and now 2 anniversaries and 9 times since!! Love Disney. Have a magical honeymoon. Oh, yeah, go to guest services at whichever park you go to and ask for the buttons for honeymooners. All day long you will get lots of attention from everyone. Congrats!! :wave: :wave:

 

[jim1051]

happy

Congrats. Have a great time. Do make some dinner reservations for places you like. Patio at rose and crown is a great place to dine and see fireworks.

 

[NoNoNoNoNo]

get free dining if you can!

 

[TTFN-Tiggger]

For driving - I found there is less traffic on 417. From the airport we took the south exit (417) to Disney. I recall 3 tolls - no more than $1 each. There are plenty of signs on 417 as well when you get closer to Disney. Enjoy your trip!