Originally Posted By kimblebee I am planning on taking my DD who is 8 to WDW in September. It is my first trip in 10 years and her first trip ever. We will be staying at POP from Sept 11-Sept 19. I am so excited. I have done lots of reading so far on what to do and where to go. I am looking for advice on what we should avoid. I'm talking about things that have been built up as awesome but really don't live up to the hype. I don't want to wait in line for an hour to go on a ride that will be disappointing. I realize everyone has different opinions but I would love to hear what you think. We will be going to all the parks and also a day at Universal Studios. Thanks for the thoughts. Kim
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Must...be...positive..... Have you been to Disneyland before, that makes it easier to answer if so. In the main, most crowd pleasers have long lines for a reason.
Originally Posted By jkayjs Birmbaum has a WDW for kids guide. It is broken down by age groups evaluating what is appropriate for each group. You may find this very helpful. It's designed to get your child involved with reviews by kids her own age. During the time you're going you shouldn't be waiting an hour for anything that isn't worth it for the most part. In fact you most likely won't be waiting that long for anything. Kids are back in school. F&W doesn't start till the 25th. There may be some international groups but it shouldn't be a real problem. The neat thing is MNSSHP will be going on. Great fun for an 8yo. You're right there are very differing tastes & many who aren't timid about sharing. Just remeber that something that is a complete waste of time to a 40 something childless adult my not be so for an 8yo young lady. How exciting for you! There are few things as wonderful as seeing Disney thru the eyes of your child esp for the 1st time. Take a relaxed pace & enjoy every minute you share together.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Where's Happy Haunt? Last summer she had her 7 1/2 and 9 1/2 DDs at WDW, she should be able to tell you plenty.
Originally Posted By The Duck Be sure to plan your meals VERY carefully because the price for Disney food has gotten ridiculous! It was always a bit high but the past year or so, it's much worse. I was there this past January and was soaked everytime I ate. They offer the Disney Dining Plan which may be helpful but even that may steer you towards Wendy's after you leave the park. Of course, it's fun to splurge now and then but there's no reason why 2 hotdogs w/chips and 2 cokes should cost over $20.00.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo That's ok, sticker shock. Currently at DLP, $21 will get you one hotdog, fries and 1 coke (no refills).
Originally Posted By Mr X **Currently at DLP, $21 will get you one hotdog, fries and 1 coke (no refills).** Seriously? $21 for a fast food value meal? Suddenly living in Japan feels downright cheap!
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt Avoid FantasyLand during the day, go at night when all the little darlings have gone home!! Last trip we had the place to ourselves!!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Yep - crazy huh. That is why the $45 set menu for three course in the Steak House or Walt's is such a great deal. With the cheap $24 bottle of wine.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo $75 for a meal at Auberge, but the wine and cocktail are included in the price.
Originally Posted By Doobie Some suggestions... As much as I absolutely love Soarin', if you don't have a FastPass, it's not worth the long wait, so go very late in the evening when the wait is under 60 minutes. It's not just the length of the wait, it's that it's an excruciating wait because such a high percentage of riders are FastPass. The line simply doesn't move and that drives me up the wall. Toy Story Mania is another that while it's worth the wait, the pain of waiting forever in that queue really detracts from the ride itself so it's a FastPass must. The Norway boat ride often has a long wait and is certainly not worth it. Both the Great Movie Ride and Spaceship Earth sometimes have a long line because of their location near th entrance of their parks. With a long line, neither is worth it, but you should have no trouble coming back at a different time and riding with a short line. Everything else I can think of - the expected wait is pretty much worth it. Doobie.
Originally Posted By jkayjs Since you're staying on property utilize EMH. If you use it wisely you really shouldn't be waiting for anything. This will free you up to try some of the attractions that aren't don't miss. It will also provide a good chance to ride the must sees more than once.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros "Currently at DLP, $21 will get you one hotdog, fries and 1 coke (no refills)." Well part of that is just the higher price of living in Europe in general, isn't it? How much would that same thing cost in the Paris or London? I've seen from my experiences there that some things that are very cheap in the US are quite expensive in other countries (soda for one). I don't know of any places that sell hot dogs and fries in the US, but a burger combo from a fast food place in LA is around $5-6, depending on where you go and how big of a burger you want. At DL, a similar burger combo (but fewer fries and a generally cold burger) will run you $11+. Is there a similar mark up at DLP (charging around twice as much), or are the starting prices more like that in the US (so they would be charging 4 times as much)?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Well a Whopper Meal runs about $8 and a McDonald's Meal about $6.50 in London. Though a sandwich, fruit and drink often runs me between $7 and $11 a day. But we were shocked in Spain last month. 2 adult value meals and 2 happy meals were $45.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom My advise would be to have fun. There is so much to do at Walt Disney World there is no way to do it all. So devise an "attack plan" of attractions and rides that intrest you and your DD. Be flexable with your attack plan, if you see something that looks like fun, try it. You can alway get back to what attraction/ ride you wanted to go on at a later time. I always find it helpful to learn my way around the parks and what transportation is available. For example a quick way to get from Mainstreet to Adventureland is to jump on the Walt Disney World Railroad, that way you don't have to fight the crowds on Main Street especially during parade times. And most of all have fun!!!!!
Originally Posted By mstaft I'd add this to everyone's great ideas. If you know you (or she) have a favorite park, make that park your first and last days if you have an extended time. Its always a great way to end your trip. Also I'd add using Extra Magic Evening Hours in Epcot to walk around the World Showcase at night. Even if you are not staying at the resort property and cant go on the rides, WS is gorgeous at night with all the countries' streets and gardens to wander through.
Originally Posted By Roger Rabbit Since you're gonna have a frist timer with you, see it all!! Enjoy it this time and next time, you can avoid it. That's what I do, and it works for me. But then again, I'm constantly going to WDW with first timers who want to do everything, which I completely understand and I let them choose what they want to do.
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt The Early Morning Extra Hours worked great for us. We walked on most E-tickets!
Originally Posted By sharpc Hope you have a great time! As far as traveling with a first-timer, most of the rides are definitely worth it. Just kind of think through wait times in relation to how many days you have left. I wouldn't actually plan out the actual order of anything that you are going to do in the Park, because spontaneity is definitely a good thing, but it might be good to look at what days you want to spend in which park. There isn't much I can tell you apart from stuff you've already read, so I hope that you have a great time!
Originally Posted By TMICHAEL >>>Extra Magic Evening Hours in Epcot to walk around the World Showcase at night. Even if you are not staying at the resort property and cant go on the rides, WS is gorgeous at night with all the countries' streets and gardens to wander through.<<< Yes, GREAT IDEA.......for adults! But with an 8 year old, she could get extremely bored with really nothing to do except look.
