First timer

[Adrien Braun-Yusishen]

Hi there I'm planning a trip to disney world for October 2015, there is going to be 5 or 6 of us (ages are 28, 25, 23,and 21) and we will staying at the art of animation. Getting two little mermaid rooms since it's cheaper. Does anyone have any tips for newbies to the park. (Two of them have been to the parks but when they were really young)

 

[jonabyte]

Buy a guide book and read it before you go, best advice I can give you is to plan what you want to go see instead of wandering around the parks.
I've bought one of these one year - http://touringplans.com/unofficial-guide
They also have a touring plan which will help.

 

[CheshireCat12]

Any particular reason a group of twenty-somethings is staying at AoA Mermaid room? Cost? You can do well pricewise at a mod, and I think a moderate resort might be pleasant too- I recommend Coronado Springs highly!

 

[SteamboatStitch]

I will echo Cheshire's opinion above, unless you have some kids going with you, I would highly recommend Coronado, it's lovely. As for park advice, unless you are stressed for time, my opinion for the newbies is to take it slow, let them explore at their own pace. If you are worried about line times and peak points of the day, bring it up if you feel so inclined, but turning the day into a rushed event really dampens the experience.

 

[C.FERNIE]

if it is your first time... take your time... pick rides and experiences that you really want to do, as you will never fit everything in! with that try not fit too much in everyday as you will be exhausted and not enjoy it as much! try take time to experience your resort, it is a good way to take a break during the day then go back to the resorts. Plan some nice meals to to break up your day but don't book meals at lunchtime and dinner time, book them before and after these times as the parks are quieter typically over lunch and dinner!

 

[fugawe09]

1. Go in with an idea of what you want to do, but be open to changing your mind when you get there, and go with the understanding that even in a week you probably won't see every square inch of everything.
2. Think about your priorities and dining. Disney has many delicious and unique restaurants, especially at the resorts. But if you jump in with both feet on the DDP, you may find your day revolving around your next dining reservation. If attractions are what interest you, steer more toward quick service meals for their flexibility (QSR plan or cash) and maybe plan on just a couple of special table service meals or a dinner show.

 

[R W B]

I was in the same boat as you all, I was a young adult (still young, im 27 now) for my first trip too. Since then I've been 8 times in the past 4 years, mostly going with just my fiancé and myself.

How long will your stay be as in actual days in the parks?

My biggest advice is to do your research, figure out what are going to be your "must do's" rides and/or shows, figure out what restaurants you want to eat at also. Familiarize yourself with the new system Disney World is using, My Magic Plus now before you trip. Incase you don't know already you can make reservations at sit down restaurants starting at 180 days from your check in date, you can also book rides too (just not 180 days out, I think 30 for rides/shows). Since you will have a decent size party, is it just a group of friends or do you have couples going too? If so they might want to plan a night to themselves. Besides the parks, I like to do an evening at Downtown Disney which they are in the process of transforming into Disney Springs. By next fall a lot of the work will be done so if you all like to shop you can plan a half day down there.

My second piece of advice is DONT RUSH, take your time and enjoy the theming of the parks. I know families that plan their trips to the minute and IMO it just seems like another day at the office and not a vacation.

As far as your resort, I'd expect a lot of families to be there since Art of Animation is Disney Worlds newest resort and the price is on the low end. If you can spend a little more per night I'd highly suggest upgrading to Port Orleans French Quarter. It's a much smaller resort, shouldn't have as many screaming kids running around and you get a very small taste of New Orleans (where I live) without the crime rate hahaha.

Also, if you or some of your group likes to drink a few adult beverages, look into "Drinking around the world" in Epcot. You'll thank me later lol.

Most of all though, have fun and don't stress. Keep us updated if you have any specific questions. Searching and asking this forum alone will make your trip better!

 

[Adrien Braun-Yusishen]

Any particular reason a group of twenty-somethings is staying at AoA Mermaid room? Cost? You can do well pricewise at a mod, and I think a moderate resort might be pleasant too- I recommend Coronado Springs highly!

The reason for the aoa resort is because my favorite movie from when I was young was (still my favorite disney movie) lion king and a couple others of the group love the little mermaid. We picked two tlm rooms because it's actually cheaper then getting a family suite. But I'm very open minded about staying at differnet resorts since we could always visit this resort

 

[Adrien Braun-Yusishen]

I will echo Cheshire's opinion above, unless you have some kids going with you, I would highly recommend Coronado, it's lovely. As for park advice, unless you are stressed for time, my opinion for the newbies is to take it slow, let them explore at their own pace. If you are worried about line times and peak points of the day, bring it up if you feel so inclined, but turning the day into a rushed event really dampens the experience.

Not to stressed with time going to be staying for eight days so seven days for parks. Because I know what a rushed vacation feels like and it's not fun

 

[Adrien Braun-Yusishen]

1. Go in with an idea of what you want to do, but be open to changing your mind when you get there, and go with the understanding that even in a week you probably won't see every square inch of everything.
2. Think about your priorities and dining. Disney has many delicious and unique restaurants, especially at the resorts. But if you jump in with both feet on the DDP, you may find your day revolving around your next dining reservation. If attractions are what interest you, steer more toward quick service meals for their flexibility (QSR plan or cash) and maybe plan on just a couple of special table service meals or a dinner show.

Plan was actually going with the QSR plan since we only want to do table service meals probably about two times.

 

[Adrien Braun-Yusishen]

I was in the same boat as you all, I was a young adult (still young, im 27 now) for my first trip too. Since then I've been 8 times in the past 4 years, mostly going with just my fiancé and myself.

How long will your stay be as in actual days in the parks?

My biggest advice is to do your research, figure out what are going to be your "must do's" rides and/or shows, figure out what restaurants you want to eat at also. Familiarize yourself with the new system Disney World is using, My Magic Plus now before you trip. Incase you don't know already you can make reservations at sit down restaurants starting at 180 days from your check in date, you can also book rides too (just not 180 days out, I think 30 for rides/shows). Since you will have a decent size party, is it just a group of friends or do you have couples going too? If so they might want to plan a night to themselves. Besides the parks, I like to do an evening at Downtown Disney which they are in the process of transforming into Disney Springs. By next fall a lot of the work will be done so if you all like to shop you can plan a half day down there.

My second piece of advice is DONT RUSH, take your time and enjoy the theming of the parks. I know families that plan their trips to the minute and IMO it just seems like another day at the office and not a vacation.

As far as your resort, I'd expect a lot of families to be there since Art of Animation is Disney Worlds newest resort and the price is on the low end. If you can spend a little more per night I'd highly suggest upgrading to Port Orleans French Quarter. It's a much smaller resort, shouldn't have as many screaming kids running around and you get a very small taste of New Orleans (where I live) without the crime rate hahaha.

Also, if you or some of your group likes to drink a few adult beverages, look into "Drinking around the world" in Epcot. You'll thank me later lol.

Most of all though, have fun and don't stress. Keep us updated if you have any specific questions. Searching and asking this forum alone will make your trip better!

We will be staying 8 days at disney then 8 days at universal. Going to be switching resorts since each have their own perks. Our group is mostly going to be couples but we are mostly all family my wife's brother and his gf. Me and my wife and then my sister is coming along and maybe our friend might tag along as well. Also very tempted to try the drinking around the world. But that can be very expensive

 

[Wikkler]

Don't. Your liver will thank you.

 

[Wikkler]

Do 2 days at Magic Kingdom, 2 days at Epcot, 1 day at a water park, and 1 day at the other two parks.

 

[Adrien Braun-Yusishen]

Don't. Your liver will thank you.

Going to have a couple drinks but maybe not from every country.

 

[Adrien Braun-Yusishen]

Do 2 days at Magic Kingdom, 2 days at Epcot, 1 day at a water park, and 1 day at the other two parks.

Not sure if we are going to any of the water parks yet. Guess mainly don't know much about them and what they are like. Are they worth it?

 

[RMichael21]

8 days at Universal? Honestly, I feel like 4 is a little much. We got almost everything done at Universal in 2 days when we went. However many days you do decide on, you'll have an amazing time.

 

[cw1982]

8 days at Universal? Honestly, I feel like 4 is a little much. We got almost everything done at Universal in 2 days when we went. However many days you do decide on, you'll have an amazing time.

This. Exactly.

I think 8 days at Disney would be great and would give you enough time to not have to be rushed in getting anything in. I would say 2 days at Magic Kingdom, 2 days at Epcot (mainly to really enjoy World Showcase, even if you're not drinking at every country), a day each at Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, and then two wild card days where you could either hit a water park and/or mini golf, go explore Downtown Disney, relax by the pool at the resort, or even revisit some of your favorite things in the parks. Uni, on the other hand, is simply not big enough to warrant 8 days. You'll be repeating the same things over and over by day 3 at best. Maybe add in one more day to relax at your hotel, and hit up Citywalk, and you're really stretching to make the Uni part of the trip last 4 days without getting redundant.

Maybe consider Sea World and some of the other local attractions for some of that time?

Either way, sounds like a great trip!

 

[JillC LI]

Great time of year to go to Disney. Make sure to check out the Food & Wine Festival at EPCOT, and maybe buy tickets to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party (you can forgor other park tickets that day, sleep late, and go to the MK from 4pm-12am the day of the party).

As for 8 days at Universal, I also wonder what you will do there for such a long period of time. 3 days max and then perhaps SeaWorld or other parts of Orlando?

 

[Adrien Braun-Yusishen]

Great time of year to go to Disney. Make sure to check out the Food & Wine Festival at EPCOT, and maybe buy tickets to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party (you can forgor other park tickets that day, sleep late, and go to the MK from 4pm-12am the day of the party).

As for 8 days at Universal, I also wonder what you will do there for such a long period of time. 3 days max and then perhaps SeaWorld or other parts of Orlando?

We are also planning on doing halloween horror nights for a couple nights, sea world, aquatica and wet n wild I think we are doing 3-5 days at universal. 1 day will probably just be spent in both wwohp themed areas.