Our First Trip

B

Bazlar

New Member
HI All

We are going on our first trip to WDW in a weeks time. I have been doing as much research as i can but thought it best to get the opinions of those who have been there before

There are 5 of us going. Me and me Wife and 3 boys (12yrs, 7 yrs and 18 months)

I have been looking at the 1000's of attractions on offer but i am unsure which to do.

We have tickets for Disney, Universal and Seaworld.

Any suggestions based on the age of the children?

Also are there any restaurants/experiences you would recommend. All opinions welcomed

We are staying on International Drive but have a car so travelling isn't a problem

Thanks in advance for your help!!

Baz
 
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ratherbeinwdw

ratherbeinwdw

Well-Known Member
Bazlar said:
HI All

We are going on our first trip to WDW in a weeks time. I have been doing as much research as i can but thought it best to get the opinions of those who have been there before

There are 5 of us going. Me and me Wife and 3 boys (12yrs, 7 yrs and 18 months)

I have been looking at the 1000's of attractions on offer but i am unsure which to do.

We have tickets for Disney, Universal and Seaworld.

Any suggestions based on the age of the children?

Also are there any restaurants/experiences you would recommend. All opinions welcomed

We are staying on International Drive but have a car so travelling isn't a problem

Thanks in advance for your help!!

Baz
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Jump in your car and head to Barnes & Noble and pick up a Passporters or Unofficial Guide to Disney and start reading it right away. There is so much you need to know. The Passporter lists each ride and rates it by the age of your children. It gives a good plan of attack. Did you sign-up for a My Disney Experience account? Do it right away and if you already have your tickets, you'll be able to make fastpass choices. At this busy time, you need to do fastpass.
Edit I see where you have already been researching, so you may already have one of the guides.
 
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ratherbeinwdw

ratherbeinwdw

Well-Known Member
Bazlar said:
Thanks for your info. I will head to the book shop today!

Whats a My Disney experience Account? Apologies this is all new to me
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It's an account you need to make advance fastpass choices. You can download it's app to your phone to use in the parks to change fastpass choices or make dining ressies etc. Go to the Disney World site, and it will lead you through how to sign up.
 
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ratherbeinwdw

ratherbeinwdw

Well-Known Member
Bazlar said:
Thanks for your info. I will head to the book shop today!

Whats a My Disney experience Account? Apologies this is all new to me
Click to expand...
You also need to try to make reservations for if you want to do any table service restaurants. They are also on the Disney site. Sometimes, you are able to get into a table service if you are willing to wait in line, but during spring break weeks, it may be harder. We have been able to get into Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom without a ressie by being there as soon as the park opens. I recommend Crystal Palace, 'Ohana breakfast, and Tusker House in AK for your boys for a character meal. Any one of those would be a good choice. It also saves you from standing in line for autographs as the characters come to every table and let you take a picture(s) with them and signs autographs.
 
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popcenturylover

popcenturylover

Well-Known Member
I would recommend Chef Mickey's(at the Contemporary) to see the fab5. It is a buffet where the food is just meh but, the character interaction is priceless! I also recommend Garden Grill in Epcot. The restaurant rotates & the food is family style.(also quite good!) The characters are Pluto, Farmer Mickey, Chip & Dale.(We've had some of the best interactions with these two!)
 
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C

CheshireCat12

Well-Known Member
JillC LI said:
Exactly what park are you referring to?
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I think he's referring to Medieval Times dinner show? It may be interesting but I think its a bit pricey. I would be careful how many different places you go with three kids (one a toddler). You are already going to WDW, that's four parks, and you didn't say whether you like water parks; and Universal- both parks?; and SeaWorld. That's a busy trip! How long are you planning to stay? If you are going for a week, you have more than enough to do!!!
 
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kamr211

kamr211

Active Member
It will be crowded so you need a plan. We always read and use the Unofficial Guide to WDW and follow the touring plans to a tee,, with being at the turnstiles at opening being the #1best tip. There are plenty of dining options both sit down and counter service. Some of my favorites are

Ohana; table service at the Polynesian Resort
Caseys Corner (hot dogs) ;counter service in Magic Kingdom
Columbia Harbor House ;counter service at Magic Kingdom

Epcot has quite the variety... the Unofficial Guide rates and describes every single restaurant and food option.

* Of all the parks, I find the food choices and quality to be good except at Hollywood Studios where we only eat at 50's Prime Time (sit down) and Starring Rolls (quick serve)
 
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ginadee

ginadee

Well-Known Member
kamr211 said:
It will be crowded so you need a plan. We always read and use the Unofficial Guide to WDW and follow the touring plans to a tee,, with being at the turnstiles at opening being the #1best tip. There are plenty of dining options both sit down and counter service. Some of my favorites are

Ohana; table service at the Polynesian Resort
Caseys Corner (hot dogs) ;counter service in Magic Kingdom
Columbia Harbor House ;counter service at Magic Kingdom

Epcot has quite the variety... the Unofficial Guide rates and describes every single restaurant and food option.

* Of all the parks, I find the food choices and quality to be good except at Hollywood Studios where we only eat at 50's Prime Time (sit down) and Starring Rolls (quick serve)
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Those are all on my favorite places list.
 
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B

Bazlar

New Member
Original Poster
Thank you all.

We are going for 14 days but staying off Disney (although this seems to be a mistake not to be made next time)

Would like to go seaworld but Disney is the main target.

What do you do in the evenings / night? Stay in the parks? Is there anything at that time that we should go to?
 
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harryk

harryk

Well-Known Member
Bazlar said:
Thank you all.

We are going for 14 days but staying off Disney (although this seems to be a mistake not to be made next time)

Would like to go seaworld but Disney is the main target.

What do you do in the evenings / night? Stay in the parks? Is there anything at that time that we should go to?
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The fireworks show at World Showcase (@9:00 P.M.) EPCOT is a not to be missed. The boys would appreciate the operating railroad train (model size) near 'Germany' - it is quite a set-up. The remainder of Wold Showcase is really aimed at adults. Magic Kingdom is more their speed. The Fireworks in the evening a MK is a good take, but the younger boys may get a bit tired after a full day in the park. The new daytime parade has some great floats, especially the fire breathing dragon. You best know how much the boys can take as night-time approaches. If they are still running the pirates cruises on Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon this would be a good take.
 
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aahlers

aahlers

New Member
We have kids around the same age and have gone to DW several times. We too are planning on going for 2 weeks next time. We stay on International Drive too in a Timeshare. Don't feel bad about not staying onsite. Sure it would be "nicer" but since this is their first time their will be plenty to blow them away! I couldn't imagine how much more it would cost to stay on property for 2 weeks. I would rather stay longer like 2 weeks than stay for 5 days on site.

Make sure you bring a comfortable stroller (one that reclines and has a cover from the sun) for your 18 month old. Disney rental strollers are not very comfortable and get very expensive day after day in the parks. You can also bring in a small cooler (lunch box size) for beverages/snacks and stick in the bottom of the stroller. They will just check the cooler and any bags you bring in at the park entrance.

After a few days most likely your kids will run out of steam. One thing to consider especially since you are staying off site are the long days. It is really important to arrive at the parks at opening. You will get the most done in the first hour and a half. Depending where on International Drive you are staying it could be too far to go back for a rest in the afternoon. One thing we do is schedule a water park day every few days or maybe the day after you stay in a park for one of the night time shows. The water parks open a bit later and you can relax. Even if you are not big swimmers there is a lot geared towards each age of your children. You can buy a refillable mug there to refill for the whole day and then bring it back the next day and buy a sticker to use again. We always bring in sandwiches, fruit and chips. If you get there in the first half hour of opening you can usually get a covered area to go back to through out the day.

We have done the Medieval Show a couple of times and the pirate dinner show. They are ok. My family really wanted to go. I would much rather go to sit down dinner at Chef Mickeys, Ohana's or one of the Restaurants on the World Showcase in Epcot. Make reservations ASAP. They book up fast!

There is also a night time show at Hollywood Studios called Fantasmic. Just make sure you arrive early for it. It is amazing! To be honest all the night time shows listed here are excellent! I agree with the other posters. There is plenty to do at Disney World without going to the other shows offsite or other parks. But if you want a break from Disney SeaWorld maybe a better option than Universal. Just check your children's height and compare it to what they would want to do at the park. Universal has a lot of roller coasters and have higher height restrictions than Disney.

One other important thing to know about is a Parent Switch Pass. It is for those rides with height restrictions and lets you bypass most of the line your 2nd time through. For example, say you and your wife want to go on Splash Mountain but someone has to stay behind with your 18 month old. So you go to a cast member before you get in line (I think it is the castmember at the fast pass entrance) and they will give you a pass that your wife and up to 3 others can ride again and bypass most of the line. They will tell you where to come back - usually the fast pass line up.

Have a great trip! Just recognize you may have to course correct after a few days. There is so much to do and see at Disney World. Do not be surprised if your kids just want to stay at the hotel pool some afternoon/evenings. We are planning that in for our next trip.
 
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