First timer..for all of us. Help!!!

[The QueenVee]

My brothers family, my mom and my family will be visiting WDW for the very first time ever. We are going during the week of Christmas (Saturday / Saturday) and don't have a clue how to begin planning. We are staying at a non Disney resort in kissimee. The children's ages are - 13 boy, 10 girl, 10 boy, 8 girl, 6 boy and 4 boy. I dont want to spend everyday at a park, would like to do downtown disney, the boardwalk, fort wilderness...don't know if these things are recommended? Here's what I need help with

1. Good books for planning my trip

2. Scavenger hunts, keepsake books for the kids - reasonably priced. Should we do autograph books? Do you recommend a certain type.

3. Must see /do for the various age groups (don't mind splitting up for the day if needed)

4. Don't waste my time / money doing

5. Can you bring outside foods into the parks? Two of the kids have very severe food allergies

6. Good websites to assist with itineraries ...I have never been to Disney so would like a guide on what you should do first, last, how much time needed for each activity so a website with sample itineraries I can tweak would be awesome

7. What are some must do Christmas things since we will be there during the holidays?

8. We are renting a house and will do most cooking at home, however wanted some suggestions on restaurants for the times we do eat out.

9. Things to do after hours for the grown ups as well spa suggestions for the ladies day out and suggestions for the guys day out.

Oh, and this is a surprise trip for the kids so any ideas on pulling that off would be great. I am super super excited!!! Thanks in advance for all of your feedback.

Thanks in advance for all of your help!

 

[Disvillain63]

I was doing some 'research' for my own trip and found this site. I thought it might be really helpful for a first-timer.
http://www.eringrieger.com/2013/03/29/walt-disney-world-tips/

 

[luv]

... if you want to pay for an extra hard ticket, MVMCP...

This poster gave a lot of good info! But on the subject of MVMCP, they don't do this during Christmas week..

Fret not! You'll still get to experience what goes on during that - special parade, pretty castle, Christmas fireworks, Christmas music. Except for no mediocre cookies , you won't miss much, if anything.

Now I'm humming "Jingle Bells."

 

[JillC LI]

This poster gave a lot of good info! But on the subject of MVMCP, they don't do this during Christmas week..

Fret not! You'll still get to experience what goes on during that - special parade, pretty castle, Christmas fireworks, Christmas music. Except for no mediocre cookies , you won't miss much, if anything.

Now I'm humming "Jingle Bells."

You're right! I was thinking of Christmas "season" events to suggest as opposed to Christmas "week." Thanks for the correction.

 

[KarenKlo]

Christmas at WDW is just fantastic!! I would go with the others that if you do want to go to a park-get there early. The MK often closes to off-site guests. A couple of friends of mine left mid-day to take the kids back for nap and then couldn't get back into the park. We surprised our kids last June with a trip. Wasn't their first trip, but the surprise at the airport was great! A couple of days to explore the resorts is nice-they are decorated so beautifully! Adults might enjoy that, but my kids at that age woke up every morning and wanted to head to a park!! All you can do is prepare yourself by learning about fastpasses and touring plans and then be laid back about what you can get done and what you cannot fit in. Just enjoy the season there!

 

[c1aire.griffin]

First thing that springs to mind for me is research your restaurants and get it booked as soon as it becomes available 190 days before the date!!!! This is so important especially since you are going at the busiest times.
I would say do not miss the fireworks mk, Epcot and hs they are great really finish off a trip to disney.
Blue man group at UNi are great one for all ages I would say!
Hope you have a great time, I have to say though a trip to Orlando for me is never complete without a trip to sea world?!?!?

 

[HouCuseChickie]

-Unofficial Guide was my fave book when I was booking our girls' first trip.

-Allears is my favorite WDW website for info outside of logging on here.

-MK seems to be the park most prone to capacity closings, so you might try using the crowd calendar on the free Easy WDW website to decide which are the best days to hit each park. I mean, it's going to be crowded no matter what, but better to know which parks are recommended.

-If you want to do TS meals, book them at 180 days out since walk ups are very difficult when the crowds are at their highest. Also be prepared to pay higher prices for some of these since this is a peak time.

-Agreed about getting to the parks early. Not only will it help ensure you get in...it will be your lowest crowd levels of the day.

-In addition to splitting up at times, devising a touring plan is most useful when the crowds are at their highest.

That's all I can think of right now.

 

[armyfamilyof5]

While Christmas is a beautiful time to visit the world it is also one of the most hectic. You can bring whatever food you feel you need into the park in your backpack, we try to never take a bag because you have to have your bag checked before entering which holds you up. Make sure you get to the parks early and have a plan. Review the park maps throughly and know where you are going before hand. I am a pretty seasoned visitor and would suggest touringplans.com as your go to website. Make sure on your Hollywood Studio Day you make the Toy Story Mania run and get your fast passes and your first ride, them head to RRR or HTT and plan to do Fantasmic which is limited based on weather and park crowds, check into ressies to get the perferred seating. Epcot days plan to run to do Soaring and get your fast pass then plan on waiting in line for Fast Track, don't miss doing Nemo and our fav, Spaceship Earth when the lines are lower later in the day. Plan meals and make ADR's ahead of time for your special meals and try to plan even your counter service so you don't run around wondering what is available. Animal Kingdom you have to do the safari the minute the park opens unless it's terribly cold as it won't matter then as the animals will be snug in their beds, MK has so much to offer I could go on and on and on. Basically memorize those park maps and plan you meals and then you have time to enjoy everything without wasting a lot of time wondering where to go and what you want to eat. We always plan the day before exactly what our objective isfor the following day so we can fit in what we most desire, you have months to plan and ADR's are a MUST, don't make the mistake of thinking you'lljust "grab" something because just grabbing something at a counter service is just as time consuming as going into some place nice to eat with an ADR. Check out the menus at allears.net and by the way, WELCOME!

 

[The QueenVee]

Thanks all for the information! Very appreciated

 

[ronmeri28]

This poster gave a lot of good info! But on the subject of MVMCP, they don't do this during Christmas week..

Fret not! You'll still get to experience what goes on during that - special parade, pretty castle, Christmas fireworks, Christmas music. Except for no mediocre cookies , you won't miss much, if anything.

Now I'm humming "Jingle Bells."

Just to clarify, I can still see the special parade and holiday fireworks without spending the extra money for MVMCP during Christmas week?

 

[luv]

Just to clarify, I can still see the special parade and holiday fireworks without spending the extra money for MVMCP during Christmas week?

Yup! Unless they change something this year, which I doubt, you'll see the parade and fireworks.

The last MVMCP is on the 20th, I think. They don't even run it through the week.

 

[Andrew Drummond]

My favorite book for planning is The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World - it will give you descriptions of the attractions and you can decide which ones you don't want to miss and which are not on your priority list. Autograph books are fun for the kids - you can find them pretty cheap on eBay. Bring a large marker too. But again, plan on long lines for character autographs. Try TouringPlans.com for itineraries and crowd calendars.

I know you've seen this piece of advice twice already, but it can't be emphasized enough. Get the Unofficial Guide.

 

[Andrew Drummond]

And ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS be there for park opening.

 

[The QueenVee]

I know you've seen this piece of advice twice already, but it can't be emphasized enough. Get the Unofficial Guide.

Should I get the unofficial guide or the unofficial guide with kids?

 

[Rodney2Rescue]

1. We always grab a "Passporter" travel book. Besides maps, reviews and advice, it also doubles as a binder to carry any papers (tickets, reservations, etc...) that you need. It's a unique little Disney travel book.
2. If your kids are willing to stand in line for characters, then definitely get an autograph book. But those lines can take 20 minutes. It takes dedication. My DD (who was about 6) was able to get almost every Disney princess during one trip. Granted, it helped that we had Cinderella's Royal Table reservations that knocked out over half of the list but it was an adventure for her to find the princesses. For Epcot, you can purchase a world showcase passport and each country will stamp it. If you don't want to spend the $$$, there are Kidcot locations at each country where the kids are given a small craft for free (usually something to color with markers) that attach to a main craft, also free (one year it was a paper mask). They collect a different craft at each country. And each park (except HS) has a kid scavenger hunt (Agent P's @ Epcot, Pirate Adventure @ MK, and soon to open Wilderness Explorers @ AK) in case some of the kids are not interested in the rides (or more likely standing in line). In Epcot, our family enjoyed the Agent P adventure (which was Kim Possible at the time). The kids are given a communicator than has them run around each country looking for specific landmarks within that country. When found, the landmark will activate (light up, make a sound, animate, etc...) and send them on their next search. This game allows the grown-ups to enjoy the countries (food, beverage, shopping) while the kids run around completing the interactive search. Its a good way for everyone to walk the World Showcase.
3. Get there early or grab Fastpasses for:
MK: Pirates of the Caribbean. It's Jack Sparrow!
Epcot: Soarin, Spaceship Earth, Test Track.
HS: Toy Story Mania, Tower of Terror.
AK: Expedition Everest.
4. Anything that requires you to stand in a line longer than 60 minutes. There are too many other attractions to see. Don't waste time crammed in a cattle chute for 90 minutes with someone else's kid bumping into you from behind twice every minute using the railings as if they were an Olympic gymnast. At Christmas though, you might find most of the lines are long waits due to the crowds.
5. Yes, just no glass bottles. Definitely bring waters. Buy a case at Publix and water is 25 cents outside of park. Otherwise, a bottle of water costs 10 times as much from Disney. We have a picky eater and would pack lunch prior to the park. Then, as an example, we'd go to MK and sit at the tables next to the piano player at Casey's Corner.
6. Besides the advice here at wdwmagic, there's also mousesavers and allears.
7. Osborne lights @ HS! Stand at the end of the street right before they are turned on and prepare to be amazed. I knew that the street lit up but to watch the street go for dark and gray to a million colored lights was impressive. Another free Christmas activity is to visit some of the deluxe resorts to see their Christmas displays. Grand Floridian produces a massive gingerbread house. Keep a good grip on your children because the cookie smell could drive them to eat the house.
8. Fun places to eat with kids, but need ADRs:
- Whispering Canyon @ Wilderness Lodge. All you can eat barbecue. The waiters/waitresses are humorous. Kids get to twirl their napkins and hop around the dining room on wood stick horses. Have one of the kids ask for ketchup. Also, the Wilderness Lodge lobby has a massive Christmas tree.
- Crystal Palace @ MK. Buffet has something for everyone (usually), and Pooh and friends visit every table (unless you are speed eaters).
- Tusker House @ AK. Great character meal breakfast buffet with Mickey & company touring the tables.
9. Depending on the mom and dad interests, there's La Nouba, WDW golfing, Disney fishing trips, or just bellying up to the Irish bar at Raglan Road.

One other recommendation, leave the parks after lunch every other day so that your kids can take time to use the pool at your offsite resort. No matter where you go, every child remembers one thing from vacation: the pool!

Most importantly, have fun but be realistic. There's hundreds of attractions at WDW. Don't think that you are going to see them all. It would take a month with no crowds. Visiting Disney is an experience not a race.

 

[The QueenVee]

Tha

1. We always grab a "Passporter" travel book. Besides maps, reviews and advice, it also doubles as a binder to carry any papers (tickets, reservations, etc...) that you need. It's a unique little Disney travel book.
2. If your kids are willing to stand in line for characters, then definitely get an autograph book. But those lines can take 20 minutes. It takes dedication. My DD (who was about 6) was able to get almost every Disney princess during one trip. Granted, it helped that we had Cinderella's Royal Table reservations that knocked out over half of the list but it was an adventure for her to find the princesses. For Epcot, you can purchase a world showcase passport and each country will stamp it. If you don't want to spend the $$$, there are Kidcot locations at each country where the kids are given a small craft for free (usually something to color with markers) that attach to a main craft, also free (one year it was a paper mask). They collect a different craft at each country. And each park (except HS) has a kid scavenger hunt (Agent P's @ Epcot, Pirate Adventure @ MK, and soon to open Wilderness Explorers @ AK) in case some of the kids are not interested in the rides (or more likely standing in line). In Epcot, our family enjoyed the Agent P adventure (which was Kim Possible at the time). The kids are given a communicator than has them run around each country looking for specific landmarks within that country. When found, the landmark will activate (light up, make a sound, animate, etc...) and send them on their next search. This game allows the grown-ups to enjoy the countries (food, beverage, shopping) while the kids run around completing the interactive search. Its a good way for everyone to walk the World Showcase.
3. Get there early or grab Fastpasses for:
MK: Pirates of the Caribbean. It's Jack Sparrow!
Epcot: Soarin, Spaceship Earth, Test Track.
HS: Toy Story Mania, Tower of Terror.
AK: Expedition Everest.
4. Anything that requires you to stand in a line longer than 60 minutes. There are too many other attractions to see. Don't waste time crammed in a cattle chute for 90 minutes with someone else's kid bumping into you from behind twice every minute using the railings as if they were an Olympic gymnast. At Christmas though, you might find most of the lines are long waits due to the crowds.
5. Yes, just no glass bottles. Definitely bring waters. Buy a case at Publix and water is 25 cents outside of park. Otherwise, a bottle of water costs 10 times as much from Disney. We have a picky eater and would pack lunch prior to the park. Then, as an example, we'd go to MK and sit at the tables next to the piano player at Casey's Corner.
6. Besides the advice here at wdwmagic, there's also mousesavers and allears.
7. Osborne lights @ HS! Stand at the end of the street right before they are turned on and prepare to be amazed. I knew that the street lit up but to watch the street go for dark and gray to a million colored lights was impressive. Another free Christmas activity is to visit some of the deluxe resorts to see their Christmas displays. Grand Floridian produces a massive gingerbread house. Keep a good grip on your children because the cookie smell could drive them to eat the house.
8. Fun places to eat with kids, but need ADRs:
- Whispering Canyon @ Wilderness Lodge. All you can eat barbecue. The waiters/waitresses are humorous. Kids get to twirl their napkins and hop around the dining room on wood stick horses. Have one of the kids ask for ketchup. Also, the Wilderness Lodge lobby has a massive Christmas tree.
- Crystal Palace @ MK. Buffet has something for everyone (usually), and Pooh and friends visit every table (unless you are speed eaters).
- Tusker House @ AK. Great character meal breakfast buffet with Mickey & company touring the tables.
9. Depending on the mom and dad interests, there's La Nouba, WDW golfing, Disney fishing trips, or just bellying up to the Irish bar at Raglan Road.

One other recommendation, leave the parks after lunch every other day so that your kids can take time to use the pool at your offsite resort. No matter where you go, every child remembers one thing from vacation: the pool!

Most importantly, have fun but be realistic. There's hundreds of attractions at WDW. Don't think that you are going to see them all. It would take a month with no crowds. Visiting Disney is an experience not a race.

Thanks so much, very helpful advice!

 

[KCheatle]

My brothers family, my mom and my family will be visiting WDW for the very first time ever. We are going during the week of Christmas (Saturday / Saturday) and don't have a clue how to begin planning. We are staying at a non Disney resort in kissimee. The children's ages are - 13 boy, 10 girl, 10 boy, 8 girl, 6 boy and 4 boy. I dont want to spend everyday at a park, would like to do downtown disney, the boardwalk, fort wilderness...don't know if these things are recommended? Here's what I need help with

1. Good books for planning my trip - I do all my planning through this website by asking questions and such. I also do a lot on Disney's website. So, I can't tell you a good book - sorry

2. Scavenger hunts, keepsake books for the kids - reasonably priced. Should we do autograph books? Do you recommend a certain type. When you get there, there are many stores that sell scrapbooks which are Disney-themed. I always buy one when I go. As another poster recommended, Pinterest has great ideas for scrap-booking. My kids (7 yo girl and 3 yo boy) LOVE getting autographs of characters. We also buy those one property. My only recommendation there is to buy the dark blue one with all of the characters on it- it has more pages than the other books they sell. My daughter bought a Tinkerbell one and ran out of pages for characters to sign about 1/2 way through the trip.

3. Must see /do for the various age groups (don't mind splitting up for the day if needed)

13 yo boy - Tower of Terror (HS), Expedition Everest (AK), Space Mountain (MK), Rockin Rollercoaster (HS), and Test Track (Epcot)
10 yo girl - depending on how adventurous she is, then maybe the same must-dos as 13 yo boy, but otherwise, she would probably like Splash Mountain (MK), Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (MK), Soarin (Epcot), Test Track (Epcot) and Kali River Rapids (AK)
10 yo boy - depending again on how adventurous, either the same as 13 yo boy or if he's more timid, then same as 10 yo girl
8 yo girl- if she's into princesses, I wuold recommend the Bibbidi Bobbodi Boutique. My daughter is 7 and she will do it this September. A lot of girls wear princess dresses all around the park all day long. You may think that it's uncomfortable (and it probably is for them), but they LOVE it! Otherwise, she'll probably like the same rides as the 10 yo girl. But, I wouldn't push the same rides as the 13 yo boy with the exception of Test Track - that's pretty do-able.
6 yo boy - you may want to consider Pirates League - if he likes Fantasy, costuming and pirates, this is pretty fun. It's basically the boy-equivalent to Bibbidi Bobbodi Boutique for girls. My son will do it this fall. As far as rides - I would gravitate towards Splash Mountain (MK), Toy Story Mania (HS), Tea Cups (MK), Pirates of hte Carribean (MK), and he could probably handle Soarin' (Epcot)
4 yo boy - again, consider Pirates League. For this age, the only must do is Fantasy Land in MK. At this age, Dumbo is huge, Peter Pan's Flight, Small World - all of the classics.

Side Note - I think every age gets a kick out of Monster's Inc Laugh Floor too (MK)


4. Don't waste my time / money doing- trying to ride every ride in MK - there are simply too many. Pick your favs because with the crowds there's no way you'll get done with them all. Also, don't waste your time waiting to meet characters if you can reserve dining with them. For example, eat at chef Mickey's if you want to meet the gang - it will save you hours of waiting to meet them in the parks.

5. Can you bring outside foods into the parks? Two of the kids have very severe food allergies - yes.

6. Good websites to assist with itineraries ...I have never been to Disney so would like a guide on what you should do first, last, how much time needed for each activity so a website with sample itineraries I can tweak would be awesome - this website. Otherwise, Buildabettermousetrip.com is one I have used in the past.

7. What are some must do Christmas things since we will be there during the holidays? Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party I hear is amazing. Also, Christmas around the countries in Epcot and the lights in HS. If possible, try and visit the Grand FLoridian to see the life-size Gingerbread house or Wilderness Lodge to see the massive Christmas Tree. Also, the Boardwalk hotel has a gingerbread carousel I think?

8. We are renting a house and will do most cooking at home, however wanted some suggestions on restaurants for the times we do eat out. Chef Mickey's and Le Cellier in Canada (Epcot) are my 2 must-dos.

9. Things to do after hours for the grown ups as well spa suggestions for the ladies day out and suggestions for the guys day out.Because I have young children our afterhours is typically sitting on our balcony drinking wine I packed in plastic bottles But, I hear a lot of people enjoy The Boardwalk and Downtown Disney afterhours. You kids may enjoy Disney Quest if they like playing video games (which is at Downtown Disney)

Oh, and this is a surprise trip for the kids so any ideas on pulling that off would be great. I am super super excited!!! Thanks in advance for all of your feedback. I am quite possibly the worst secret keeper ever, so I'm of no use to you with this

Thanks in advance for all of your help!

 

[MOXOMUMD]

1. We always grab a "Passporter" travel book. Besides maps, reviews and advice, it also doubles as a binder to carry any papers (tickets, reservations, etc...) that you need. It's a unique little Disney travel book.
2. If your kids are willing to stand in line for characters, then definitely get an autograph book. But those lines can take 20 minutes. It takes dedication. My DD (who was about 6) was able to get almost every Disney princess during one trip. Granted, it helped that we had Cinderella's Royal Table reservations that knocked out over half of the list but it was an adventure for her to find the princesses. For Epcot, you can purchase a world showcase passport and each country will stamp it. If you don't want to spend the $$$, there are Kidcot locations at each country where the kids are given a small craft for free (usually something to color with markers) that attach to a main craft, also free (one year it was a paper mask). They collect a different craft at each country. And each park (except HS) has a kid scavenger hunt (Agent P's @ Epcot, Pirate Adventure @ MK, and soon to open Wilderness Explorers @ AK) in case some of the kids are not interested in the rides (or more likely standing in line). In Epcot, our family enjoyed the Agent P adventure (which was Kim Possible at the time). The kids are given a communicator than has them run around each country looking for specific landmarks within that country. When found, the landmark will activate (light up, make a sound, animate, etc...) and send them on their next search. This game allows the grown-ups to enjoy the countries (food, beverage, shopping) while the kids run around completing the interactive search. Its a good way for everyone to walk the World Showcase.
3. Get there early or grab Fastpasses for:
MK: Pirates of the Caribbean. It's Jack Sparrow!
Epcot: Soarin, Spaceship Earth, Test Track.
HS: Toy Story Mania, Tower of Terror.
AK: Expedition Everest.
4. Anything that requires you to stand in a line longer than 60 minutes. There are too many other attractions to see. Don't waste time crammed in a cattle chute for 90 minutes with someone else's kid bumping into you from behind twice every minute using the railings as if they were an Olympic gymnast. At Christmas though, you might find most of the lines are long waits due to the crowds.
5. Yes, just no glass bottles. Definitely bring waters. Buy a case at Publix and water is 25 cents outside of park. Otherwise, a bottle of water costs 10 times as much from Disney. We have a picky eater and would pack lunch prior to the park. Then, as an example, we'd go to MK and sit at the tables next to the piano player at Casey's Corner.
6. Besides the advice here at wdwmagic, there's also mousesavers and allears.
7. Osborne lights @ HS! Stand at the end of the street right before they are turned on and prepare to be amazed. I knew that the street lit up but to watch the street go for dark and gray to a million colored lights was impressive. Another free Christmas activity is to visit some of the deluxe resorts to see their Christmas displays. Grand Floridian produces a massive gingerbread house. Keep a good grip on your children because the cookie smell could drive them to eat the house.
8. Fun places to eat with kids, but need ADRs:
- Whispering Canyon @ Wilderness Lodge. All you can eat barbecue. The waiters/waitresses are humorous. Kids get to twirl their napkins and hop around the dining room on wood stick horses. Have one of the kids ask for ketchup. Also, the Wilderness Lodge lobby has a massive Christmas tree.
- Crystal Palace @ MK. Buffet has something for everyone (usually), and Pooh and friends visit every table (unless you are speed eaters).
- Tusker House @ AK. Great character meal breakfast buffet with Mickey & company touring the tables.
9. Depending on the mom and dad interests, there's La Nouba, WDW golfing, Disney fishing trips, or just bellying up to the Irish bar at Raglan Road.

One other recommendation, leave the parks after lunch every other day so that your kids can take time to use the pool at your offsite resort. No matter where you go, every child remembers one thing from vacation: the pool!

Most importantly, have fun but be realistic. There's hundreds of attractions at WDW. Don't think that you are going to see them all. It would take a month with no crowds. Visiting Disney is an experience not a race.

The free crafts at every Kidcot Station are no longer. We were there recently and they do have free cutouts of Perry and Duffy to color.

 

[englanddg]

The free crafts at every Kidcot Station are no longer. We were there recently and they do have free cutouts of Perry and Duffy to color.

That's a shame. My kid loved making kidcot masks...

I guess construction paper, glue, glitter and Popsicle sticks broke the budget?

 

[MOXOMUMD]

I too cannot stress enough that if you are doing Christmas Day at MK DO NOT leave for an afternoon swim. (Besides it may be too cool to swim. Your preference.) You have a 99.9% chance you may not get back in until the crowds thin.

My first WDW park I ever stepped foot in (many trips and years ago) was MK on Christmas Day. My advice also is don't let the crowd (or your family since you are the planner) stress you out. It will be overwhelming.

 

[MOXOMUMD]

That's a shame. My kid loved making kidcot masks...

I guess construction paper, glue, glitter and Popsicle sticks broke the budget?

They still have the wooden paint mixer stick. I guess since they are sponsored by Sharpie all you get is markers. Just great for kids to get inky multi-colored hands. The cutouts do look like something out of a coloring book but the stamps are the same. Can't complain, it's free.