Originally Posted By tigger_twin89 Hey I am planning my very first trip to WDW and the other Florida parks this summer Any tips? this is a first for me
Originally Posted By Elderp <a href="http://www.allears.net/ae/issue348.htm" target="_blank">http://www.allears.net/ae/issu e348.htm</a>
Originally Posted By Superjosiah stay in a disney hotel... It is so much better and about a million times more relaxing.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey I second that you should take your time. Unless you're going for a month, there's no way you're going to see everything on the first trip, so don't even try. Te best way to enjoy the parks is not to run around trying to cram everything in - take your time. I also think you should read Deb Wills' site, as others have recommended. The site is wonderful and very detailed - I don't think there's anything that she's missed covering about the parks. Decide which attractions you definitely want to see and read the touring recommendations on Deb's site. That way you can see the things most important to you in the most reasonable amount of time. You'll love WDW - I've converted to skeptic adults who were convinced they weren't going to have a good time into WDW fanatics!
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<use the dining plan>> At a minimum, you'll probably want to make reservations for the restaurants you will want to try. Unfortunately, in the past few years things have changed to the degree that it's not a good idea to go without reservations. Without them, you could be relegated to eating at counter service places or at places that are not your first or even second choice.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>Any tips? this is a first for me<< Well... as a first timer, and wanting do to the other theme parks in Orlando (based on your initial post...) I would recommend you don't waste any more than 4-5 days at WDW. Don't buy into the Hopper option either. You are better off concentrating on one park per day, trying to take in as much as you can from each as possible. Park hopping is a waste of time at WDW as it takes too long to go from one park to the next, wasting glorious time you should be enjoying *inside* the parks. Allow for time to visit Downtown Disney on days when the parks close early... like Animal Kindgom...which usually closes at 6pm. Then head to Downtown Disney for the evening. Should you change your mind about park-hopping..then you can always upgrade to do so later if the need be.
Originally Posted By tigger_twin89 Thank you for your wonderful advice. I am planning to stay for 4-5 days if not a tad bit longer. I am really excited beacuse I am a born Disneyland fan and I have always wanted to get the WDW experince (I can navagaite DL with my eyes closed lol) I really want to stay in teh Animal Kingdom Lodge. Do you having other Hotel suggestions?
Originally Posted By Buzz Lite-Snack If you'd like to save a little money (as opposed to going to AKL or WL) Port Orleans Riverside is very relaxing. If you can - try to get to other resorts that you are NOT staying at and look around each one for 30 minutes to an hour. It's one of our favorite things to do when we go to WDW. And after 5 or 6 one week long trips, there are still TONS of things we haven't done at WDW - so just relax, but so some research so that you don't end up missing the things that are really important to YOU.
Originally Posted By demderedoseguys If you want to park hop and avoid what TDLFAN says about spending time getting from one park to the other, you may want to stay at either the Yacht/ Beach Club or Boardwalk, where you can walk from one park to the other and have the convenience of getting to stop at your room or go swimming for a little break.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN True. The Boardwalk resorts are about the best located hotels OFF the monorail loop.
Originally Posted By danyoung I know this will come as a shock to some, but I disagree with TDLFAN's advice about park hopping (sorry, my friend). What he said is true if you are going to stay in one of the parks from park open to park close. But during the summer season, when the parks are open longer, it's just about impossible (unless you're an energetic young'un!). For me the best plan is to hit a park at open, ride and see all you can, have lunch in that park, then go back to your hotel for a swim and/or a nap (and a break from the cruel Florida summer sun for a few hours!). Then go back into the park of your choice for the rest of the late afternoon and into the evening, closing out that park if you can stay awake. You can still do this without the park hopper option if you want to. But having the hoppers gives you the freedom of seeing whatever you want to see in that second part of the day, as opposed to having to go back to the park that you started out in that morning. Especially with a 4 to 5 day visit, the hoppers will let you see and do much more. You might be done with everything you want to see in the Studios by mid-day. Now what do you do if you don't have a hopper option? With the hopper, you can skip over to Epcot for IllumiNations, one of the best outdoor multi-media fireworks shows ever. You might even want to hit it more than once, or you might fall in love with the Magic Kingdom's nightly show and want to see it again. With the hopper, you have options. Without it, you have less. Anyway, as a first timer, pick up a couple of books - Sehlinger's Unofficial Guide to WDW, and Birnbaum's Official Guide to WDW, available at any book store, and read them cover to cover. Then ask all the questions that you need help on right here - we love helping newbies!!!
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>(unless you're an energetic young'un!)<< Enough said, and at least..she has a boyfriend.
Originally Posted By AuroraRose i like the hopper to, if a park closes early, you then have the option of going to a second park that closes later. I second Port orleans riverside as an awesome hotel.
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