39 Days Left: First Trip Ever

[ktlovexx]

My husband, daughter (7), and I are going to Disney next month! None of us have ever been. For the past year, I've been planning this trip based on research I've done through websites, books, friends/family's recommendations, etc...... And now I'm starting to panic that I did it all wrong, and I hope someone can ease my mind (or tell me what changes I need make before it's too late).

We'll be going during Mardi Gras week and staying 6 nights at Art of Animation in the Little Mermaid rooms. We have 5 park days scheduled with the Dining Plan and Memory Maker. We'll be driving in, so we'll have our own transportation to and from the parks.

Arrival Day (Sat): Check in at the hotel around 5pm. Head to Disney Springs for dinner at Planet Hollywood.

Day 1 (Sun): Magic Kingdom. Mid-morning appointment at Bippidi Boppidi Boutique. Quick service lunch, and dinner reservation at Cinderella's Royal Table. FP+ for Peter Pan, Seven Dwarfs, and Big Thunder Mountain.

Day 2 (Mon): Epcot. Quick service lunch, and we plan to use a Table Service credit for dinner this day. I'm really hoping I can grab a reservation that morning for dinnertime. FP+ for Frozen, Spaceship Earth, and Mission:Space.

Day 3 (Tues): Hollywood Studios. Quick service lunch, and dinner reservation at Sci-Fi Dine-In. FP+ for Toy Story Mania, Star Tours, and Frozen Sing-Along. (We might sleep in on this day since we were told that HS isn't a full day if we don't do Rockin' Rollercoaster or Tower of Terror. We didn't get Park Hopper tickets, and our first FP+ isn't until 11.)

Day 4 (Wed): Animal Kingdom. Quick service meals for lunch and dinner. FP+ for Na'vi River, DINOSAUR, and Kilimanjaro Safari.

Day 5 (Thurs): Magic Kingdom. Quick service lunch, and dinner reservation at Chef Mickey's. FP+ for Buzz's Space Ranger Spin, Tomorrowland Speedway, and Splash Mountain.

Departure Day (Fri): Check out and head home.

I'm not sure if my daughter will be brave enough (or tall enough) for any of the more intense rollercoasters, so I haven't scheduled any FP+ for those rides. I'm hoping I can get some additional FP+ times after our first 3, so I scheduled them all for morning/early afternoon. All of the crowd calendars put the projected crowd levels at moderate.

Since I've never been in the parks myself, I'm not sure if any of this is right. I probably should have gotten a vacation planner, but I'm a control freak and wanted to do it all myself. Hopefully, I haven't ruined my family's first trip before we've even left.

Any suggestions? Changes needed? Recommendations? Alcohol? Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[mesaboy2]

I think your plans look just fine.

 

[LSUmiss]

Looks good to me too! We’ll be there too that week! But, I wouldn’t go by crowds calendars. It will be crowded. Every Mardi Gras we go it’s crowded. But we are still able to get Fps after your first 3. Just don’t want you to be disappointed when it looks crowded. I used to get upset when I thought it wouldn’t be. Are you from Louisiana? Only ask b/c you knew it’s Mardi Gras week.

 

[3gr8boys]

I am not experienced enough to critique your plan...but will share

I grew up in Florida...but hadn't been to WDW since I was little when we made our first family trip in February 2008 (sons were 13 months, 5 yrs and 9 years). As we got close to our travel day, I started to worry that I couldn't justify the cost and effort - that I would feel silly for pushing a Disney vacation. I was mistaken. It truly was magical! Immersively magical! We didn't come close to doing everything there was to do, but it didn't matter...being there with my family and watching them experience it was fantastic.

Looks like you've prioritized experiences that your daughter will enjoy. Also sounds like you have done a lot of research. Time to relax (just kidding, relaxing optional) and enjoy the magical adventure! Hope it is a fantastic trip!

 

[NJlauren]

Plans look great!

My only comment is You say you have your own transportation to the parks are you driving every day? If so thats fine, but for MK you may want to take the bus. For MK you need to park then take a monorail or bus from the parking lot, other parks just a tram. So for MK May add time to drive and not take the bus from the resort.

Someone with more experience driving can correct me if I’m worng.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Plans look great!

My only comment is You say you have your own transportation to the parks are you driving every day? If so thats fine, but for MK you may want to take the bus. For MK you need to park then take a monorail or bus from the parking lot, other parks just a tram. So for MK May add time to drive and not take the bus from the resort.

Someone with more experience driving can correct me if I’m worng.

Agree, if you are staying at a Disney resort, definitely take the bus to the MK.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Your plans look great, enjoy!

 

[ktlovexx]

Looks good to me too! We’ll be there too that week! But, I wouldn’t go by crowds calendars. It will be crowded. Every Mardi Gras we go it’s crowded. But we are still able to get Fps after your first 3. Just don’t want you to be disappointed when it looks crowded. I used to get upset when I thought it wouldn’t be. Are you from Louisiana? Only ask b/c you knew it’s Mardi Gras week.

I'm from New Orleans. Good to know about the crowds. Since I have nothing to really compare it to, I pretty much expect it to look crowded regardless. I think I'd rather deal with Disney crowds than Mardi Gras crowds though!

 

[ktlovexx]

Plans look great!

My only comment is You say you have your own transportation to the parks are you driving every day? If so thats fine, but for MK you may want to take the bus. For MK you need to park then take a monorail or bus from the parking lot, other parks just a tram. So for MK May add time to drive and not take the bus from the resort.

Someone with more experience driving can correct me if I’m worng.

The only reason we were leaning towards taking the car to all of the parks was because we planned on bringing a jogging stroller to keep in the car in case we need it. We don't want to deal with it if we don't need it, but we also don't want to be without it if we do.

Maybe for MK, we can leave the car, take the buses, and rent a stroller if we need to though.

 

[LSUmiss]

I'm from New Orleans. Good to know about the crowds. Since I have nothing to really compare it to, I pretty much expect it to look crowded regardless. I think I'd rather deal with Disney crowds than Mardi Gras crowds though!

No I agree! I’m from NOLA too, that’s why I asked. It’ll be packed with ppl from LA. They’ll be saints, LSU & Mardi Gras shirts everywhere!! You’ll be in good company !

 

[Mesh]

Looks like you will have a great time! I agree with using the bus transportation (we actually use it for all the parks-but would definitely use it for MK). On the dining plan, I’d try to get an ADR for lunch at Be Our Guest. It’s a quick service credit for breakfast/lunch. Have fun!!

 

[LSUmiss]

The only reason we were leaning towards taking the car to all of the parks was because we planned on bringing a jogging stroller to keep in the car in case we need it. We don't want to deal with it if we don't need it, but we also don't want to be without it if we do.

Maybe for MK, we can leave the car, take the buses, and rent a stroller if we need to though.

Just FYI, for MK, you’ll have to park at the ticket & transportation center so if you need to go back you’ll still need to take the monorail back there.

 

[Nohal]

Your plans look good. It's so easy to second guess yourself. I still do it and I've been many times. I would make sure I had an ADR for your Epcot dinner. Check the menus for food you like. You want to make sure you use all of your DDP credits. Make sure you use all of your snack credits. If you have some left you can get things at the Candy store in MK or your resort store to take home. As PP said try to get a breakfast or lunch ADR at BOG it is a QS credit and you will love the decor inside.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Your plans look great! I agree with the others - take the bus to MK. Driving to TTC adds extra layers of transportation onto your trip which are quite time consuming.

You should have no problem finding a TS on your EP day. It may not be a hard-to-get one (Le Cellier, Akershus, etc.), but something will be available. You can always walk out of World Showcase through IG and eat a YC/BC or BWI as well.

 

[Klayfish]

The only reason we were leaning towards taking the car to all of the parks was because we planned on bringing a jogging stroller to keep in the car in case we need it. We don't want to deal with it if we don't need it, but we also don't want to be without it if we do.

Maybe for MK, we can leave the car, take the buses, and rent a stroller if we need to though.

I disagree with other posters who say take the bus. I wouldn't ride a WDW bus, I insist on my car...even at MK. Take your car. The monorail/ferry, while it adds a bit of time, is something you and your family should experience. They're neat, and part of the experience for us. Take one on the way in, and the other on the way out. I like having my own personal transportation that I can access whenever I want. We stay offsite, so we need a car anyway, but even if I were onsite, I'd use my car. Bring the stroller into the park with you. Leave it somewhere in a stroller parking area. If you find you need it, go back and get it. If not, leave it there until you leave MK. A good place to park it would be near the Carousel. It'll be fine for many hours...we do it all the time. Renting a stroller would be a complete waste of money, IMO, if you already have one. Just bring it in, easy peasy.

Your plan looks great. Don't sweat it. If it's your first time, you won't get to see everything anyway, so don't even try. Enjoy the plans you have to their fullest. Anything else you add in is wonderful, but don't try to rush and see it all. Ignore crowd calendars. It's Disney, it's busy. It shouldn't be horrible, but it won't be empty. You should have no problem getting additional FP+ for most things. Unless she's really short, your daughter should be able to ride coasters if she wants.

Most of all, just relax and enjoy. As I always tell first timers...you're going to be a deer in headlights. Embrace that, don't fear it. Just soak it in and let things fly. If your plans don't go perfect, it's OK, you're in Disney.

Oh, and HS isn't a half day park if you don't want it to be...even without ToT and RnR. If you see all the shows, you can spend the better part of a full day in there.

 

[Minniemoo15]

I agree with taking the bus to the MK. The parking situation is so massive that it's not just as easy as running back to your car for something you've forgotten (or to get your stroller). You would need to exit the park - which can be a journey in itself depending on where you are, wait for a monorail, take the monorail to the Transportation and Ticket Centre, wait for a tram, then board a tram to the parking lot to your spot. Then do that in reverse to get back into MK, as well as go through security again. When I drive myself to MK I always wish I had taken the bus, especially at the end of the night when everyone is trying to do the same thing. If I take the bus in the AM I can uber or take a Minnie van back to my hotel is the bus line is long after the fireworks. The other parks we usually drive.


Your plans look awesome !! You will have a great trip. Enjoy !

ETA; I just see you posted about renting a stroller if needed on your MK day - I think that's a great plan .

 

[bperk3]

Overall, I think your plans look great. The overarching advice I give to first timers is to know that you won't get everything done, there will be something that goes wrong, and mistakes you found out you made. However, there will be so much more that you get to do, things that went right, and planning that went perfectly. Don't let the little missteps ruin the good stuff. I did just one note on each day for you, so here they are.

Day 1: I originally said "take the bus this day". But after reading the post about experiencing the monorail and ferry, I agree with that. Especially for a first timer. You absolutely need to get the grand entrance to the Magic Kingdom the way it was originally designed. When you come back in the future, then save time and take the bus, but take the monorail today, and the ferry the last day, or vice versa. You pick.

Day 2: I would recommend making a dining reservation for the dinner time if there is one place in particular you are hoping to go. If you are going to be flexible about where you eat, and Epcot is a great place to be able to do this, then you should be fine.

Day 3: Sleep In! in my opinion, you will have plenty of time to get the things done that you want to at DHS. But, check those fastpass times, if you set those up for first thing int he morning, you will want to try to get them pushed back.

Day 4: Animal Kingdom is my favorite park to just relax and explore all there is. And it is in a great spot in your plan to do that. My advice is take your time and walk slow. If you see a path that looks like you shouldn't go down it, but you don't see a sign telling you not to go, GO! There is probably something interesting down there.

Day 5: Just wanted to point out that you could walk to the Contemporary from the Magic Kingdom and some people find that easier. However, if you haven't ridden the monorail through the Contemporary yet, you should definitely go that way. Maybe walk from the contemporary back to the Magic Kingdom, there is a shorter security line to get back into the park if you come that way. Or at least that's the way it was the last time I was there.

Have a great time. I will be down there in a couple weeks, so if I find anything I posted to not be current, I will try to remember to come back and update.

 

[WDWFan0813]

I actually saw this post on the PTR board earlier as well when browsing on my phone. To echo part of the advice that was there, remember to relax and enjoy...that part can be easily missed on a Disney vacation. You have no reason to panic, just by having your FP+'s and ADR's you are ahead of a fair # of people who go to WDW.

One thing I wanted to chime in on, having stayed at AoA in a LM room (which we loved!), is the bus to MK debate. I really think this can go both ways. In many cases the bus will be quicker, but the one time we stayed until closing and left right after fireworks it was a disaster getting on the bus. We waited at least 40-minutes to get on an AoA bus and there were people who waited even longer based on the line behind us. Now, YMMV as far as the bus waits goes, but I also think driving at least once so you can do the monorail / ferry is worthwhile.

Hopefully your trip goes well and whatever you happen to miss you are able to get to the next times you go!

 

[DisDreaming4116]

I know a lot of people really like driving themselves to the parks but after 6 trips to WDW, I've driven myself/family to a park one day. I didn't like the feeling of reality it brought and have taken the bus EVERY other time. At times is it crowded? Yes. Occasional baby that cries the whole ride back to the resort? Yes. The feeling of never leaving the fantasy world that is the Disney bubble and not having to do real-life things? Priceless.

And if you do choose to take the bus, feel free to use a POP Century bus if it arrives before the Art of Animation one. The two resorts are very close and just a short (pretty) walk across a lake from each other. Have a great trip and your plans look good!

 

[ArwenMarie]

Looks good

It's already been said, but pack your patience for the crowds. We went in February a few times and the weeks where Mardi Gras hit up against Presidents Week were high crowds. Then add in the Northerners trying to get a break from the winter

I hope you have a great time!