Tips for WDW first timers?

[california_screamer]

Hello everyone!

First time poster, here.

I am a huge Disney nerd. My fiancé and I met on a Disneyland message board. Needless to say, we are Disneyland experts. When it comes to WDW, we are total newbies! We are so excited to have booked our first trip to the world! We will be staying from Jan 20th-30th 2016 at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Jambo House. We are renting a DVC studio with the Savannah View. We got a 10-day ticket, with the water park add ons. We won't be park-hopping, since we are people who love little details. We expect to spend a day, even in the parks that can be done more quickly just to look around and absorb it all.

We chose Jan 20th-30th because we read that was a slow time in the off season. I am hoping that nothing too major is down for re-furb. I know this is a very general and vague question, but do you experts have any tips for a first timer like me? Small things to look out for? Must-do's that aren't the big E-ticket showstoppers? Where should we eat? (We chose the regular dining plan) Things we should bring to keep in the room that others think are essential? I'm so excited to finally visit, and I know you can't plan every detail, but I am sure you guys are full of great tips and tricks!

Thank you!

 

[englanddg]

You're so right about the DLR food quality. DCA has really stepped it up when it comes to variety and deliciousness, recently. I think the deluxe will be the way to go for us.

The one thing that I was really upset (in a good way, more that I was jealous, that's the right word...) about was New Orleans Square. I loved the food there. It's hard to find that sort of food (cajun inspired) that's done very well at WDW...which, is rather surprising, because you'd think, being in the south (well, Florida isn't really the "south")...

But, it is. I thoroughly enjoyed that section when visiting Disneyland. Absolutely loved sitting there listening to the band. And then there was the Kitchen place at DTD that had cajun food too. Some of the best Shrimp and Grits I've ever had.

Unfortunately, while I was really excited to try Cozy Cone, nothing really spoke to me once I actually saw the food in person...

 

[englanddg]

the deluxe + the 10 day tickets you bought might still be more than the premier pass. It is worth looking into.

It's only price difference right? That would come out to something like $1099 - DL AP @ $549 = $550 each. Sound about right?

 

[Mukta]

correct, it is only price difference.

 

[california_screamer]

It's only price difference right? That would come out to something like $1099 - DL AP @ $549 = $550 each. Sound about right?

@Mukta is right! It would be cheaper in the long run. Also, New Orleans Square has amazing food! I love that Blue Bayou and Cafe Orleans share a kitchen, so you can get the same quality of food regardless of the atmosphere you want in that area.

 

[Mukta]

And having an AP is an automatic park hopper. When AK closes at 5 pm, you can hop to MK and stay there for evening EMH. My trips are all about freedom if you can't tell.

 

[englanddg]

So, $550 each for the upgrades, plus the $100 for TiW (which only works as certain locations)

vs

$456.89 for their current tickets with no Park Hopper, just 10 day discounted with WP&M.

DDP adds about $615 per person
DLX adds about $1100 per person

WAY cheaper (potentially, depends on where you decide to eat and if they accept TiW).

One note, if you do drop tickets completely off your reservation, you will not be able to get the Dining Plan. However, if you wanted to do both (and skip TiW), you can purchase a 1 day ticket, and then get the Dining Plan for the full length of your stay.

 

[englanddg]

And having an AP is an automatic park hopper. When AK closes at 5 pm, you can hop to MK and stay there for evening EMH. My trips are all about freedom if you can't tell.

Right, and the premium version gets them WP&M and other benefits as well...and TiW discounts booze (not sure how much booze they drink, but...)

What a great proposition!

 

[Mukta]

Not true! AP holders can get the dining plan. I used to get it all of the time.

 

[englanddg]

Not true! AP holders can get the dining plan. I used to get it all of the time.

Odd. Maybe phone only? When I tried to do it through MDX to check the costs a few mins ago (right before my post), if I removed the ticket options, Dining Plans were removed from my package deal.

Is it how you link your AP in MDX? (again, not an AP holder, so this is uncharted territory for me)

 

[KikoKea]

The end of Jan is a great time to go and one of our favorites. AK is awesome and has amazing decor and landscaping inside and out, with great places to eat. My husband and I like to go in the room off the lobby (on the right, facing the back of the lobby) where there's a small fire. There's also a porch to watch the animals from and pictures to identify them. There's also a fire pit on the right side of the lobby that is nice, particularly when it is cool outside. Downstairs is the Sanaa restaurant, one of our favorites. They samplers and the food is good, plus a wall is windows to the animals, who sometimes like to peer in at you. They have a bread sampler that is wonderful. You can get it as an appetizer, or you can order it in the bar for a snack.

If you have a free day, try visiting several resorts to look at the decor and landscaping. Ride the monorail and stop at every resort, ending with the Contemporary. Then, take the boat to Wilderness Lodge and follow the water from the lobby's hot springs down to the pool. A free day, if you are not wasting a park day, is a nice way to rest and catch your breath. We schedule one in now for our trips, preferably in the middle.

In the MK, our favorite place to eat is Cosmic Ray's, a large QS that features Sonny Eclipse on the Astro Organ. The far end of the dining area looks out over the water and castle- a lovely view. A quiet QS place is Harbor House, upstairs. At AK, we like the Flame Tree BBQ- good food and the shady seating area is by the water. At HS, the 50s Prime Time Cafe and the Sci Fi Drive In are fun. For Epcot, we like the Tangerine QS at Morocco, and the Ankerhaus at Norway- if you don't mind princesses coming by and the children's parade. The Sunshine Terrace in The Land pavilion has good food and many choices.

BTW, our first trip to DL was last Oct for the Halloween Party and we had a great time. We're going to WDW party in Sept, but I have doubts that WDW can top the DL party- we'll see. We are going to DL the 2nd week in Dec- any suggestions on what not to miss? We are definitely eating at the Blue Bayou again.