Silly questions from Disneyworld first timer

[RayTheFirefly]

Good tips, thank you!
Especially for the purchases, this sure is convenient (we are not planning to buy a lot of things, but our little girl has just finished chemo so we may want to spoil her a little anyway).

What baldy said!

 

[Cubfan300]

Our son has chronic medical issues and we have to take supplies with us in the park. Instead of a standard backpack, I got a single strap sling bag as it is easier to get on just one shoulder and just not as bulky.

 

[Sudcaro- Sudcaro]

Thanks everyone.

 

[BigRedDad]

Not reading through all of the posts, so this may repeat.
1. You need Park Hopper option on the tickets to go Park-to-Park. No way around this.
2. You can check in to your hotel when you get there. Most hotels, even offsite hotels, will take your luggage for you.

I would not be too concerned with theft. Simply lock the car door. Thieves do not want to be bothered with breaking in. They want to open the door, take what they want, and move on.

 

[Sudcaro- Sudcaro]

OP - it really is fun to read your questions and responses. I can "hear" the excitement in your posts. I hope this is a wonderful vacation for you and your family!

Thanks! We sure are excited. Well I am, my husband won't show anything, lol, and our little girl still doesn't know we're going! (we'll tell her shortly before going, otherwise she is going to drive us crazy!)

 

[Goofyernmost]

Thanks for your reply. Our backpack would be carried by the stroller, so we should avoid being a nuisance for other guests.
Good to know about the parking lot too. Sounds fun to take the ferry or the monorail. I'm sure our daughter will enjoy it.
We are actually going to stay at an onsite resort, so WDW buses are still an option. We'll see what we decide to do once we're there - maybe take a resort shuttle one day, and take the car another!

Cool, but remember it is the queue line that is the biggest problem with a backpack. If you drive to MK from an onsite resort there is no charge for parking in any of the parking lots.

Both the Monorail and the Ferry have their own features. One the monorail is fun and usually not something that people get to experience often, if at all. The highlight is riding through the Contemporary Hotel on route to and from TTC. The ferry, on the other hand, isn't as high tech or different but it affords a nice scenic view of the lagoon and the Hotels surrounding it as well as seeing the Castle get closer and closer as you cruise along. Personally, after riding the Monorail a gazillion times, I prefer the openness and views from the Ferry. Coming back at night you have all the reflections of the lights from MK and the Resorts. If you time it right and leave just as the fireworks show starts that is a nice place to view it from. The reflections of the fireworks in the lagoon are spectacular.

 

[Sage of Time]

As a first timer, I would recommend the following:

Take your time. Don't rush off to New Fantasyland or any one ride in particular. Your first arrival in the Magic Kingdom should be grand and memorable. Take it all in!

Have you been to a Disney park, before? If you've seen Disneyland, coming to the MK will offer you a very different sense of scale and much different thematic experience. I've been going to WDW since it opened, but I only made it to Disneyland a few years ago. I spend about an hour just walking into the park. Walked up Main Street, though the Hub, through Fantasyland, and ended up at Pirates. I would suggest something similar for your entrance to MK. Walk in, drink in the atmosphere, and walk through the castle. THEN go to a ride. Perhaps Haunted Mansion? Perhaps Pirates? Your choice.

Also, yes, take the ferry. It'll take a little longer, but don't concern yourself with timing on the first day. But the view of MK and the skyline of the Seven Seas Lagoon is really worth it from the water.

I would also recommend a similar trajectory for EPCOT. Walk in the front entrance. Marvel at Spaceship Earth. Take all the time you need to look around- you won't get to make this awesome first impression ever again!

 

[Sudcaro- Sudcaro]

Thanks again for such good advice.
We plan on taking it all in the first day, look around us... rides and meet and greets are not the first thing we are planning to do - day 2 will definitely be more busy, I guess. We'll know our way around a little better and will be able to decide on what to do first etc. (I'm not saying we don't have a plan at all, but we are flexible and can change our minds).
I have never been to any Disney park, but my husband has been to Disneyland Paris several years ago. He's not as huge a Disney fan as I am, though, because he hasn't been raised with Disney (I know... ).
We want it to be a great family experience for the three of us (our daughter is almost 4, BTW). We don't want to tell her too much about what rides or meet and greets are available, because we don't want her to be disappointed if it can't happen. It's a vacation, not a bucket list, so no must-sees or dos! Anything will make us happy (although the little girl in me really hopes she'll be able to see princess Aurora, lol).

 

[NeedMoreMickey]

We take advantage of sending our purchases to the park entrance or our resort all the time. The one thing that we found works for us we try to figure out how long we will be in the park and set an alarm on the cell phone to remind us to pick up our package before we leave. Nothing like taking the boat back to the parking lot and then remember your package.

 

[JillC LI]

There are also lockers at the entrance to all the parks if you'd like. If you pay for a locker in one park then move to another park, show your receipt for a discounted price at the second park. We spend from rope drop til nightfall at the parks, so we usually throw some jackets and rain ponchos in a locker when we first arrive.