First Trip, So Many Questions, Help!!

[Ariel4711]

Hi everyone! My husband and I recently booked our very first family trip to Disney World for December 15-18. We will be staying at AOA, and we have tickets for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on Dec 17th.

Neither he nor I have ever been to Disney, so this is truly a first trip for all of us. And we are superrrr excited!!! :-D

We have two daughters -- oldest is 11 (NOT into princesses anymore) and the youngest will be 6 by the time we go. I have been doing a TON of research and consulting family friends that frequent Disney a lot (like my cousin who is part of the DVC and has been to Disney 13 times in the past 4 years), so I do have most basic questions answered.

I am freaking out over ADR's, though. I keep reading/hearing mixed reviews from people. There are a few places that I KNOW we will be dining at, like Cinderella's Royal Table. But I'm unsure whether to schedule this just before MVMCP or during it. So here is Question #1 -- what do you all recommend; make our ADR for CRT before or during MVMCP? (We have the DDP, btw)

On to my second question/area where I need help -- more ADRs. This is what I have come up with so far in terms of ideas for ADRs:
Tuesday Dec 15 (Spending day in HS)-- Late character breakfast, like 10am, at Hollywood & Vine (opinions please!)
Dinner at Ohana, then watch fireworks from the Poly's beach

Wednesday Dec 16 (Day in AK) -- Tusker House for early breakfast (can I do 8am?) then off to the safari first thing. I am worried about my girls, though. They are very picky eaters. Thoughts?
Dinner -- Rainforest Cafe. I know the food isn't great, but we used to have one of these close by and they closed it when our oldest was about 4, and she actually remembers it and has been wanting to go back.

Thursday Dec 17 (Day in MK) -- Crystal Palace or Chef Mickey's?? this has been the hardest for me to figure out!! Some people have told me the food at Chef Mickey's is bleh but the experience is awesome so it's worth it; others have told me Crystal Palace is better. HELP!
Cinderella's Royal Table either before or during MVMCP.

Friday Dec 18 (Day we leave) -- ?
Don't really know what we will do that day yet.

All the other meals I have not listed will be QS.

PLEASSSSSSE give me any and all thoughts, opinions and suggestions. I TRULY appreciate it!!!

Thank you in advance!

 

[Flyersgirl17]

Good to know. I already downloaded the app because I wanted to see how it works, so I will definitely use it while we are actually there.


The safari is definitely one I was going to do a FP+ for -- it's a must for our oldest, who decided at 3 she was going to be a vet ;-)
Toy Story Midway and TOT are two more that we really want to do and I was considering using FP for, so I'm glad you recommended them. What is R&R, Rock & Rollincoaster? (Sorry, still learning the many Disney abbreviations.)
Thank you for your help!

Yes it's Rock & Rollacoaster! LOL With the safari we usually do breakfast and then get the first fast pass in the morning since that's when they are most active. With HS there's a 2 tiered LVL so you can't do toy story and tower of terror. it's kind of weird but we did them on separate days. Also i don't know if you're little ones will want to do the jedi training. it is free but there is no fast pass available for it (yet). it fills up QUICK!!! so if it's a must do i would go there first thing and sign up for it and then go about your regular day

 

[ColoradoEquestrian]

Yes it's Rock & Rollacoaster! LOL With the safari we usually do breakfast and then get the first fast pass in the morning since that's when they are most active. With HS there's a 2 tiered LVL so you can't do toy story and tower of terror. it's kind of weird but we did them on separate days. Also i don't know if you're little ones will want to do the jedi training. it is free but there is no fast pass available for it (yet). it fills up QUICK!!! so if it's a must do i would go there first thing and sign up for it and then go about your regular day

I'm not sure that's accurate. When we went in September 2014, Toy Story was a Tier 1 attraction and Tower of Terror was Tier 2 so we definitely booked both for the same visit.

 

[Flyersgirl17]

I'm not sure that's accurate. When we went in September 2014, Toy Story was a Tier 1 attraction and Tower of Terror was Tier 2 so we definitely booked both for the same visit.

ok i couldn't remember!!! thanks! it all gets confusing i knew we couldn't book toy story with something...maybe it was fantasmic

 

[ColoradoEquestrian]

ok i couldn't remember!!! thanks! it all gets confusing i knew we couldn't book toy story with something...maybe it was fantasmic

Yeah! Fantasmic! is Tier 1. I was torn on which T1 FP+ to make...tough choices!!!

 

[UnhealthilyObsessed]

You may have never been to WDW, but there's one sure sign that you will conquer this trip: your command of Disney abbreviations is nothing short of astonishing.

Your trip sounds amazing! Have a wonderful time! (and I'm really glad someone convinced you to do Epcot)

 

[Ariel4711]

You may have never been to WDW, but there's one sure sign that you will conquer this trip: your command of Disney abbreviations is nothing short of astonishing.

Your trip sounds amazing! Have a wonderful time! (and I'm really glad someone convinced you to do Epcot)

Thank you!! I have done A LOT of reading and research to try and learn as much about WDW as I can. Hopefully my "studying" will pay off

Do you have any suggestions for "must do's" in Epcot? Thanks again

 

[Ariel4711]

Flyersgirl17 & ColoradoEquestrian,
Thank you for explaining the two-tier level for FP+ in HS. I had no idea they had that! Hopefully I won't encounter any issues because of it.

I thought of another question, though -- is Fantasmic free or do you have to buy tickets to view it? I would like to watch, if we can fit it in.

Thank you so much for your help!!

 

[Figgy1]

Flyersgirl17 & ColoradoEquestrian,
Thank you for explaining the two-tier level for FP+ in HS. I had no idea they had that! Hopefully I won't encounter any issues because of it.

I thought of another question, though -- is Fantasmic free or do you have to buy tickets to view it? I would like to watch, if we can fit it in.

Thank you so much for your help!!

Fantasmic is free but fills quickly. If there are 2 shows that night the second one will be easier to get seats at or my favorite way to see it book a Fantasmic dining package.

 

[Ariel4711]

Fantasmic is free but fills quickly. If there are 2 shows that night the second one will be easier to get seats at or my favorite way to see it book a Fantasmic dining package.

I will add this to my notes. Thank you!!

 

[Figgy1]

Thank you!! I have done A LOT of reading and research to try and learn as much about WDW as I can. Hopefully my "studying" will pay off

Do you have any suggestions for "must do's" in Epcot? Thanks again

My EPCOT must do list includes but is not limited to 1 SSE 2 Turtle Talk with Crush, 3 MS orange 4 TT 5 at least one TS meal 6 snacks from Les Hailles 7 a Grey Goose Slush from Les Vins 8 SHOPPING MG and around WS!

 

[Ariel4711]

My EPCOT must do list includes but is not limited to 1 SSE 2 Turtle Talk with Crush, 3 MS orange 4 TT 5 at least one TS meal 6 snacks from Les Hailles 7 a Grey Goose Slush from Les Vins 8 SHOPPING MG and around WS!

Ok, let's see how good I am at these acronyms lol -- Spaceship Earth, Mission Space, Test Track, shopping at World Showcase and...? MG has me stumped. Sorry lol
Thank you for these recommendations!!

 

[Figgy1]

Ok, let's see how good I am at these acronyms lol -- Spaceship Earth, Mission Space, Test Track, shopping at World Showcase and...? MG has me stumped. Sorry lol
Thank you for these recommendations!!

Mouse Gear a wonderful store with a bit of everything! You did quite well for a newbie!

 

[Ariel4711]

Mouse Gear a wonderful store with a bit of everything! You did quite well for a newbie!

Thank you

I will have to check out MG. I haven't heard of it before.

 

[UnhealthilyObsessed]

Thank you!! I have done A LOT of reading and research to try and learn as much about WDW as I can. Hopefully my "studying" will pay off

Do you have any suggestions for "must do's" in Epcot? Thanks again

My must-do's in Epcot are Spaceship Earth, Turtle Talk With Crush, Living With the Land, and Soarin', all on the west side of Future World. And Sunshine Seasons at the Land pavilion is a great counter service option. And my must-do's in World Showcase are La Cava Del Tequila (great margaritas!) and the American Adventure (you will cry sweet patriotic tears). And definitely grab a snack at either the Norway or France pavilion. And IllumiNations is an amazing fireworks show.

You just got me very excited about Epcot!

 

[Figgy1]

My must-do's in Epcot are Spaceship Earth, Turtle Talk With Crush, Living With the Land, and Soarin', all on the west side of Future World. And Sunshine Seasons at the Land pavilion is a great counter service option. And my must-do's in World Showcase are La Cava Del Tequila (great margaritas!) and the American Adventure (you will cry sweet patriotic tears). And definitely grab a snack at either the Norway or France pavilion. And IllumiNations is an amazing fireworks show.

You just got me very excited about Epcot!

Illuminations with a Grey Goose slush from Les Vins!

 

[SAV]

In my opinion that is a lot of time you will be spending at sit down meals. It will be at minimum 1.5 hours you will spend for each meal x 2 and there is already 3 hours of time gone per day.

For us, dining isn't such a big deal so we only do one sit down meal per trip. Even when my daughter was about 8 we just did CRT the one day.

As for rides, Epcot: Soarin, Turtle Talk with Crush, SSE
At DHS: TSMM, TOT, Star Tours.
At AK: Safari, EE, Kali River Rapids(not sure about December), Festival of the Lion King
At MK: 7DMT if you can get it, A&E, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Personally, I will never use a FP+ for a nighttime show. You can see Wishes & Illuminations from most anywhere in the respective parks.

 

[Ariel4711]

As for rides, Epcot: Soarin, Turtle Talk with Crush, SSE
At DHS: TSMM, TOT, Star Tours.
At AK: Safari, EE, Kali River Rapids(not sure about December), Festival of the Lion King
At MK: 7DMT if you can get it, A&E, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

A lot of these are on our "must do" list, so I am happy to see you recommend them. My biggest trouble area with FP+ is MK -- my youngest will without a doubt want to meet Anna & Elsa, Cinderella, and Ariel. Should I do FP+ for these, or just go first thing in the morning? If we do take her first thing, about how long should we anticipate waiting?

Personally, I will never use a FP+ for a nighttime show. You can see Wishes & Illuminations from most anywhere in the respective parks.

I have heard this from people quite a few times, so I will listen and not bother

Thank you!!

 

[Flyersgirl17]

A lot of these are on our "must do" list, so I am happy to see you recommend them. My biggest trouble area with FP+ is MK -- my youngest will without a doubt want to meet Anna & Elsa, Cinderella, and Ariel. Should I do FP+ for these, or just go first thing in the morning? If we do take her first thing, about how long should we anticipate waiting?


I have heard this from people quite a few times, so I will listen and not bother

Thank you!!

are you by chance having breakfast in the MK before it opens? if by chance you can eat breakfast and run and go hop in line before the 9am opening that may be a choice. or just be on he safe side and FP it. if she really wants to meet he i'd say go for it.

 

[lyssehm]

You definitely need to use the fastpasses for A&E and rides. Cinderella will be at CRT. As for Ariel, stand by line usually isn't longer than 30 minutes. There is very little reason to use all of your FP+ selections on characters, unless you go often enough and are a "character collector."

 

[lyssehm]

Forgot to mention that you could also do the princess meal at Akershus in Epcot. The princesses vary, but we've gotten Snow White, Ariel, Mulan, Jasmine, and Belle. That is a good way to knock some out while eating. If you happen to be able to make the 8am res. on a day the park opens at 9, you won't even eat into your park time.