1st visit suggestions

[gondep Member Find all posts View Profile Close gondep]

Hi all,

Here's my question: knowing what you know now about Disney, what would you put on your "Must see/do/eat" list for a first time visitor.

Here's some more info on my family and our vacation to help tailor your answer(s):

My family (wife, 23 month old son, and the in-laws) is going to Disney the week of Sept 18th. The in-laws will be in a 1BR @ Old Key West. My family will be in a 1BR @ the Villas at Wilderness Lodge. My son is still pretty young and doesn't really know many of the characters, but we'd obviously like for him to experience meeting Mickey. From what I've read, I'm thinking breakfast @ Chef Mickey's but will wait to hear some responses. My son usually takes 1 nap/day around noon. So we think that we will be coming back to the resort for his nap during that time each day. We plan on going to WDW one day, a water park one day, and probably a day of just lounging around at one of the resorts. Beyond that we don't have much planned. We are not wanting to try to "see it all" in one week.

I'd really appreciate hearing what everyone would do if they could do their 1st trip over again.


Thanks,

Jason

[Ryne08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ryne08]

I would purchase a five (5) day or seven (7) day hopper pass with no expiration day to lock in the admission price for future visit to Disney. The hopper pass will include admission to all the theme parks and all the water parks.

[PigsDad Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PigsDad]

The first time we took our daughter to WDW, she was still taking naps as well. We bought a park hopper ticket and that worked out very well for us. We would go to a park when it first opened and stay until 2pm or so. Then back to the room to nap. Then we would often do a different park for late afternoon / evening. That way we could pick our the best fireworks / parade / show for the evening, and not have to be tied to what you do during the day. Our favorite was to go to Epcot in the evening for dinner, but not having to spend all day there.

Kurt

[rikkis_playpen Diamond Club Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close rikkis_playpen]

Great advice.. I have a daughter who will be turning 3 on Saturday. We also tend to get a park hopper (or an employee passcard that is basically the same) and then break the day into two parks. Epcot always seems to be the choice in the evening- it's just calmer and full of good food and drink after a long day in the sun (at least ever since the Electrical Light Parade was driven into storage!)..

If you visit Animal Kingdom- try to do the animal exibits first thing in the morning as they seem to be very active and visible then.

When you end your day- try to ride the monorail (ask to ride with the driver) to Epcot. The view of that giant globe is breathtaking at night from that vantage point and makes for a great photo!

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

When we took the kids when they were little we did pool hopping. They seemed to enjoy the pools just as much as the parks if not more because some of the characters were "scary" and they get real tired. There is a nice pool with a slide in OKW and you can pool hop to SSR right next door.

Also the kids enjoyed the Hoop dee Doo review in the campground at Ft. Wilderness. They also do a campfire smores thing at night and you can see the firewords from the campground. There is also a water parade that goes by the campground at night.

Make a visit to the Lego store in Downtown Disney. Lots of keep the kids busy stuff to do there and it's free.

The kids also liked the Rainforest Cafe. The mood is like being in a jungle with thunder and lightning (mild) and rain falling. I even enjoy this place although the food is not the greatest but it is entertaining for the adults too.

In OKW there is an activities/recreation room near the main pool. They have crafts and games for the kids and a nice pool table for the adults. There is also a nice snack bar next door for a quick bite.

You can go to Boardwalk villas and rent a 4 seater bike on the boardwalk and ride around the lake which is fun and also have dinner at one of the restaurants. They also have face painting. You can also ride the boat on the lake around Epcot and to BCV and back to the Boardwalk for a nice easy ride.

Of course you can try to sneak into Storm along bay in Beach Club Villas and do the pool hop thing. (best pool at Disney) Just act like you belong there.

If you get on the boat behind Wilderness lodge around 8:45pm you will be arriving about just in time to see the fireworks behind the contemporary resort. You can get off in the Contemporary and go the front of the hotel and have a great view of the fireworks and not have to deal with the crowds in the parks. Or hop on the monorail at that time and just ride the loop and watch the fireworks.

[bnoble Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bnoble]

We are not wanting to try to "see it all" in one week.

You already know what you need to know.

With a kid that young, less is more. Simple is best. Getting wet (in the pool, a fountain, or waterpark) is often more fun than riding rides. Quiet things (the monorail, the ferryboat, the train) are probably better than over-stimulating attractions. Your kid might be young enough for this not to happen, but there's an age where kids find the characters very scary. If you go the character meal route, I'd recommnd something a little less chaotic than Chef M's. I believe Mickey appears at 'Ohana for breakfast as well---double check, but if so, that might be a better choice.

Just enjoy being there, and take it easy.

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

You already know what you need to know.

With a kid that young, less is more. Simple is best. Getting wet (in the pool, a fountain, or waterpark) is often more fun than riding rides. Quiet things (the monorail, the ferryboat, the train) are probably better than over-stimulating attractions. Your kid might be young enough for this not to happen, but there's an age where kids find the characters very scary. If you go the character meal route, I'd recommnd something a little less chaotic than Chef M's. I believe Mickey appears at 'Ohana for breakfast as well---double check, but if so, that might be a better choice.

Just enjoy being there, and take it easy.

I agree with Bnoble. Keep it simple. simple. simple. We made the mistake of taking the kids to the Magic kingdom and they freaked out with the characters. They actually enjoyed the pool and the monorail and riding in the front car more than any of the parks at 2-4 years old.

I think you really can't appreciate Disney as a kid until you are 6 or 7 because by then you are familiar with the characters and they are not so scary. That is why I suggested alot of non park activities by experience. It's almost a waste of money on small children.

My nephew got so excited that he got a major case of diarrhea and you can imagine how awful that was for us. He was wearing a bunny suit because it was Halloween and he was in costume and we had to go back to the resort to change because he just get way too nervous on the first visit.

I'm sure every child is different but ours were actually frightened at the whole ride and character thing. Of course when they were 7 or 8 they were pulling on Tiggers tail and pissing off the caracters which I got a kick out of.

Just enjoy the grounds and the parks and pools. They really are beautiful and you are paying alot to stay onsite. Of course if you want to brave the parks then God bless you but I'm not sure I'd invest in a weeks worth of tickets until I tried it out, unless of course you are DVC members then you will eventually use the tickets.

Have fun.

PS: You can buy a one day ticket and Disney will let you upgrade it to a 7 day ticket if you decide to do that by getting a credit on the used portion. So you really don't lose much if you find it doesn't work out as you plan.

[bnoble Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bnoble]

It's almost a waste of money on small children.

The kids don't care, but the parents usually enjoy it.

I wouldn't avoid the parks. Just don't go commando, and take them in small doses instead.

[gondep Member Find all posts View Profile Close gondep]

I really appreciate the advice and responses here. Thank you all.

As far as parks go we are planning on 2 (Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom) days at the most. And being that my son will nap around noon, each of those might turn out to be half days.

We will definitely plan on enjoying the grounds at the various resorts and especially the pools.

BTW - I thought of another question --> is there a train somewhere we can ride? My son loves trains.

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

is there a train somewhere we can ride? My son loves trains.

Magic Kingdom has a train that goes around the park. It's an open air train but it'll be fun for him and for the adults too. Of course you also have the monorail. Make sure to ask if you can sit in the conductor car with him.

[mdurette Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mdurette]

We started taking my daughter when she was 23 months. She just LOVES it there. She is not even quite 3 1/2 now and has been 5 times.

The nap never bothered us in the park. We brought our own stroller (which I highly recommend) Laid the seat back and she just napped in there. Was great for my husband as he rode all the rides he wanted to during that time.

Request a crib for your room unless you plan on having the baby sleep with you. They have pack and plays - but I have found some dirty (even at Disney). These are not full size - but they are much better than the pack n play.

We have done all the charachter meals. By far Chef Mickey's is the best for Mickey and the gang.

There is a train at Magic Kingdom that rides around the whole place.

Keep the packing light - there will be a washer and dryer.

Bring extra hand disinfectant and use it often. No fun when your 2 year old catches a germ from one of the million things she touches at Disney and ends up in the ER. Been there - done that. I now Lysol to room down to. (Actually, I do this at all hotels now).

You will be 90 days out soon - you can start to make your dinner reservations then. (highly recommend for Chef Mickeys)

Most of all - have fun - never listen to "your son is too young - he won't enjoy it" because......YOU will remember the look of on his face the rest of your life.

[jamstew Member Find all posts View Profile Close jamstew]

You already know what you need to know.

With a kid that young, less is more. Simple is best. Getting wet (in the pool, a fountain, or waterpark) is often more fun than riding rides. Quiet things (the monorail, the ferryboat, the train) are probably better than over-stimulating attractions. Your kid might be young enough for this not to happen, but there's an age where kids find the characters very scary. If you go the character meal route, I'd recommnd something a little less chaotic than Chef M's. I believe Mickey appears at 'Ohana for breakfast as well---double check, but if so, that might be a better choice.

Just enjoy being there, and take it easy.

I agree almost 100%. Mickey isn't at 'Ohana, but he is at Tusker House in Animal Kingdom, which is far less chaotic than Chef Mickey's.

[mattmommy Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mattmommy]

I like Chef Mickeys for older kids, but with little ones it's tough. You have to sit down, meet your server who will take your drink order and then you have to get up and get your food. Doesn't sound too bad, but when you're trying to juggle your plate, your kids plate and wrangle the child not to get lost in the kids running around to the characters (they do come to the table), it's rough.

I suggest Ohana's where they serve you.

Try wdwinfo.com. Great chat room for Disney visits with tons of great advice.

DS8 started at the World when he was 4 months. Outside of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Space Mountain he was able to do everything. Yes he was young, but we had our stroller like the OP stated. When it was nap time he had a bottle and took a nap in his stroller.

We would walk through the shops and having things sent to our room. DS had a nap and we had all our gift buying done.

I agree with buying a larger pass than you think you will need. I would skip the water park and just enjoy the pool where you are.

[MargeS Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close MargeS]

We have been taking our granddaughters since they were about 12 months.
We didn't think they would be too excited about the parks at that age either. We were wrong... they loved the parades and laughed and clapped. They loved the characters (just not too close) and craned their little necks to get the last glimpse. They loved the music and colors and were fascinated by so much more than we ever imagined.

The Tusker House character breakfast in Animal Kingdom is great, and very close to the safari ride.

We thought going back and forth for naps and rest was a good idea too... it is very time consuming and tiring from all the extra walking. We found it much easier to have our stroller with us, and the kids just slept when they were tired. We either took turns going on rides, or found a nice place to rest ourselves. Even the littlest ones get over stiimulated, then horribly tired and cranky. The stroller is also a wonderful "moving van" to carry water, jackets, purchases, etc, in addition to the baby gear!

[longtimer Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close longtimer]

The first time we went to WDW my youngest was two and my oldest was five. It was very overwhelming for both of them. Since they tend to wake up early anyway, we found it was best to visit the park that opened early for the extra magic hours, then head back to the room just before lunch. We would get a bite to eat, take a nap and head back to the parks around 3 or 3:30. My kids loved the character breakfast. I agree with others here that you need to go somewhere where you will be served. It can be quite chaotic at the self-serve places with kids running around all over the place and adults not paying attention where they are going. If you take your own stroller, make sure it's one that folds easily and quickly. If you are using the WDW transportation system, it's much better for getting on and off the buses. If you ride the train or monorail and plan to get back off at the same location, you can leave the stroller in the stroller parking area. Same goes for any of the rides you get on. I recommend It's a Small World - it's a nice relaxing ride with bright colors and animation that will please small kids. Take cues from your child - if she gets tired, stop and rest. It'll be good for everyone.
It will still be hot. Take along plenty of water bottles. We like to put them in the freezer overnight so they stay cold as long as possible during the day. Also remember to pack a rain poncho or plastic cover that you can place over the stroller if it rains. Don't know if they still get the afternoon pop up storms that time of the year. Most importantly - have fun. The best thing you can do for yourselves is to create some happy memories. There will be time to come back when your child is a little older and enjoy some of the things you can't do this time around. Enjoy your trip!