WDW First Timer - Page 2

Hakuna Makarla · 04-25-2008, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shortiemetoo

I was hoping someone could help me with a few questions.

I am planning a trip to disneyworld for the first time. I have been to disneyland about 25 to 30 times, but disneyworld seems very overwhelming the more I look into it.

The trip will include myself, my daughter (24), my son in law (26), my grandsons who will be 6 mos old and 3 years old.

We are planning on staying at the New Orleans Riverside (I think that is what it's called, I'm so confused now), for 11 nights and going into the parks for 10 days with the park hopper feature. This will give us a couple of days down time!

I figure this way we can go at my 3 year old grandsons pace and still get to see and do a lot over the 10 day period.

We are going in Sept. and taking advantage of the free dining plan. This is really making the trip a lot more affordable!!
The questions I have are:

The character meals I would like to take my grandson to include:
The Crystal Palace char. dinner
Liberty Tree Tavern char. dinner, and the
Chef Mickey Char. dinner
are there any that I really need to add to the list? Or would those be the best for a 3 year old?

I also had a question concerning the fantasmic/dinner package. Has anyone on the dining plan ever done this combo and do you know what the additional fees are for the fantasmic portion?

One last question ( for now anyway...lol ) can anyone share their favorite rides, restaurants and do not miss shows?

Thank you so very much!!!

when are you going ??

shortiemetoo · 04-26-2008, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hakuna Makarla

when are you going ??

Thank you so much everyone!!! I am on total brain overload. Our plans keep changing...
We were planning on WDW during free dining, then my son in law was told he had to go to two training sessions, one is 3 1/2 weeks in Sept...
So we were going to go to our old faithful disneyland....
Than after talking to Hakuna Makarla yesterday....I think we are going to go to WDW after all in Sept...and just change from a family suite to a regular room and enjoy the free dining.
Talk about headaches....lol
Thank you one and all for the helpful hints and advice!! You guys are AWESOME!!!

shortiemetoo · 04-28-2008, 08:52 PM

Well....plans have changed yet again!! We are going to the world....and we are staying at port orleans french quarter...
We have all our ADR's booked.....except we may still forego Hoop De Doo and go to the pirate dinner off site.
Thank you everyone for all the answers to my questions!! You guys are awesome!!

Chickles · 04-28-2008, 08:57 PM

Have a great time!

MJMcB · 04-29-2008, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shortiemetoo

Well....plans have changed yet again!! We are going to the world....and we are staying at port orleans french quarter...
We have all our ADR's booked.....except we may still forego Hoop De Doo and go to the pirate dinner off site.
Thank you everyone for all the answers to my questions!! You guys are awesome!!

off-site? whats that?

shortiemetoo · 04-30-2008, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJMcB

off-site? whats that?

lol cute! And ty chickles!

Lindsy1052 · 05-02-2008, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nutz4Disney

Hi! Glad to hear you are going to WDW!!! I have stayed at Port Orleans Riverside and really liked the resort. We stayed in Alligator Bayou in building 15...close to the food court etc. One recommendation is if you are going to Downtown Disney, take the boat from the resort. It's such a relaxing, scenic ride!

As far as character dinners, one of my favorites is Liberty Tree Tavern. It's like sitting down for a Thanksgiving meal! So delicious! I have only been to Chef Mickey's and Crystal Palace for character breakfasts, but I'm sure they are good for dinner. If you decide on choosing a character breakfast, Donald's Safari Breakfast at Tusker House is a good one. Because you are on the free dining plan, my suggestion would be to call right away and get priority seatings. If you wait, you may have a slim choice of restaurants to choose from.

Must sees with little ones are:

Animal Kingdom:
Kiliminjaro Safari
The Lion King show
Finding Nemo show
A Bug's Life is great but sometimes little ones can get scared.
Mickey's Jammin Jungle Parade

Epcot:
Living Seas with Nemo and Friends

Hollywood Studios:
Playhouse Disney Live
Toy Story Mania (Opening in May, not sure of height restriction)
Fantasmic!
Block Party Bash

MK:
Pretty much everything!
SpectroMagic Parade

I may have left things out, but those are off the top of my head! I'm sure others will list them!!!

Have a great time!!!

Nice answer Kristen. You really put some time into giving some great details. Go girl.....

AlwaysImagineer · 05-02-2008, 07:54 PM

It is not so overwhelming when you actually get there. (>'')><(''<)

shortiemetoo · 05-04-2008, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlwaysImagineer

It is not so overwhelming when you actually get there. (>'')><(''<)

I hope not!! I'm really looking forward to it!! Thank you one and all for your awesome answers and taking the time to help me make decisions. Everyone here is so great!

Nutz4Disney · 05-04-2008, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindsy1052

Nice answer Kristen. You really put some time into giving some great details. Go girl.....

Thanks Lindsy!!!

Hakuna Makarla · 05-04-2008, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shortiemetoo

Well....plans have changed yet again!! We are going to the world....and we are staying at port orleans french quarter...
We have all our ADR's booked.....except we may still forego Hoop De Doo and go to the pirate dinner off site.
Thank you everyone for all the answers to my questions!! You guys are awesome!!

I am so glad you get to go! I can not wait to see the trip report, and all the pics ( not just family, but of the acual parks to

do not forget to budget in all the tipping you will be doing with the dining plan . 18 %
I look forward to hearing all about your adventures!! we changed our dates, we did not want to go when the cheerleaders are there

shortiemetoo · 05-05-2008, 08:14 PM

Hi Karla,
I don't blame you for not wanting to go with a park full of cheerleaders... my daughter was one in junior high, I coached when she was in 8th grade. I remember Great America when the cheerleaders took it over for competition! Woah!!!!!!!!
So when are you going now Karla??
And no, I wont forget tipping. I already made up envelopes. One for each table service meal that I can fill with the correct amount for tips ahead of time. That way I don't have to worry about having the correct change or anything like that. I am figuring more than 18% in case I get really good service though. And then can tip accordingly!
Let me know your plans Karla.

WDWImagineer · 05-05-2008, 08:27 PM

Take your grand children on Buzz Lightyear!! It is the most addicting ride in the Magic Kingdom and the pictures are priceless! Have a Magical Trip!

Hakuna Makarla · 05-05-2008, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shortiemetoo

Hi Karla,
I don't blame you for not wanting to go with a park full of cheerleaders... my daughter was one in junior high, I coached when she was in 8th grade. I remember Great America when the cheerleaders took it over for competition! Woah!!!!!!!!
So when are you going now Karla??
And no, I wont forget tipping. I already made up envelopes. One for each table service meal that I can fill with the correct amount for tips ahead of time. That way I don't have to worry about having the correct change or anything like that. I am figuring more than 18% in case I get really good service though. And then can tip accordingly!
Let me know your plans Karla.

we are going the first week in November. I am feeling better about these dates, though my travel agent I am sure is tired of hearing from me I am now doing my dining plan again, and making reservations this week.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WDWImagineer

Take your grand children on Buzz Lightyear!! It is the most addicting ride in the Magic Kingdom and the pictures are priceless! Have a Magical Trip!

Is it better then the one in disneyland? I thought that was the most cheeseiest ride ever.

WDWImagineer · 05-06-2008, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hakuna Makarla

Is it better then the one in disneyland? I thought that was the most cheeseiest ride ever.

Uh, YEAH! I'm not a HUGE fan of the dark rides, but Buzz Lightyear was really awesome. Be sure to check out Kilimanjaro Safari. Whatever the wait is. Fair Warning, the line can be 3 hours long.

04-28-2008, 08:52 PM	#18
shortiemetoo Minion Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Texas, USA Posts: 332	Re: DW First Timer Well....plans have changed yet again!! We are going to the world....and we are staying at port orleans french quarter... We have all our ADR's booked.....except we may still forego Hoop De Doo and go to the pirate dinner off site. Thank you everyone for all the answers to my questions!! You guys are awesome!! __________________ Any day at Disneyland is a Happy Day!!!!

04-28-2008, 08:57 PM	#19
Chickles Figment-a-holic Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 67	Re: DW First Timer Have a great time! __________________ [SIGPIC]

05-02-2008, 07:54 PM	#23
AlwaysImagineer RCMC BlackSmith Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: 12 hours from the World... Posts: 2,290	Re: DW First Timer It is not so overwhelming when you actually get there. (>'')><(''<) __________________ Around here, however, we don't look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things... and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." -Walt Disney

05-05-2008, 08:14 PM	#27
shortiemetoo Minion Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Texas, USA Posts: 332	Re: DW First Timer Hi Karla, I don't blame you for not wanting to go with a park full of cheerleaders... my daughter was one in junior high, I coached when she was in 8th grade. I remember Great America when the cheerleaders took it over for competition! Woah!!!!!!!! So when are you going now Karla?? And no, I wont forget tipping. I already made up envelopes. One for each table service meal that I can fill with the correct amount for tips ahead of time. That way I don't have to worry about having the correct change or anything like that. I am figuring more than 18% in case I get really good service though. And then can tip accordingly! Let me know your plans Karla. __________________ Any day at Disneyland is a Happy Day!!!!

05-05-2008, 08:27 PM	#28
WDWImagineer Rear Window=Best Movie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Fantasyland Utilidoor Posts: 417	Re: DW First Timer Take your grand children on Buzz Lightyear!! It is the most addicting ride in the Magic Kingdom and the pictures are priceless! Have a Magical Trip!

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