Planning a trip to WDW can be overwhelming. There are a million things to think of and plan for. So here are my top five tips for first timers. These are absolutely general tips – nothing too specific. Mainly because I can get specific and obsess about trip planning in other posts.
So here they are, off the top of my head and with very little thought:
5. Fly Southwest if you can, or Jetblue. I can usually get $79 each way on Southwest. Sometimes it rockets up to $99 each way – which still isn’t bad at all. If you have to go to Logan (Boston) or an equally large, confusing, maddening airport, Jetblue can have decent rates. But more importantly they have little TVs on the back of each seat to make the flight go by more quickly.
4. Use Magical Express. It’s free transport from the Orlando Airport to your hotel. For that matter, use the Disney transportation system during your stay. You won’t need to rent a car. The buses run fairly regularly, and again – it’s free.
Now, I feel like a bit of a hypocrite because I’ve recently been introduced to the joys of having a rental car during our vacation. There’s no waiting for buses, no standing after a long day in the parks, and it cuts way back on the time spent traveling to and from places. However, if this is your first time, the buses are the way to go. It’s an easy way to get around.
3. Stay on-site. The on-site resorts are clean, colorful and fun. Plus they allow you to use the aforementioned bus system.
On our first trip in 1998 we were strong-armed into staying off-site. Long story short: We checked out exactly 90 seconds after we checked in and headed over to the All Star Music resort. While it is one of Disney’s ‘value’ resorts, I firmly believe it helped make me the Disney geek I am today. It introduced us to Disney’s famed customer service at a time when we desperately needed it.
Another benefit to staying on-site: The magic never ceases. You’re immersed in the Disney atmosphere 24/7. It’s better than drugs. I think. I’ve never really done drugs. It’s just an analogy.
Here are my preferred resorts:
Value: All Star Music (or Sports or Movies. They’re all the same.) I’m not as big a fan of Pop Century, but plenty of people really like it. Pop Century does have the best food court.
Moderate: I have no real opinion here. I’ve stayed at a couple of the moderates, and they were nice, but for the price I’d either go value or deluxe. Port Orleans was OK, but a little far away from things. The Caribbean Beach Resort isn’t much different from a value resort – nice, but rather huge.
Deluxe: Disney’s Boardwalk Resort. It’s got an amazing location – you can walk to Epcot and MGM (Disney’s Hollywood Studios), and there’s plenty to do at night along the boardwalk.
All that said – rent points and stay at a DVC resort. It’s the cheapest and best way to stay at a deluxe level resort.
2. Plan your day so you do not miss the nighttime shows. The other Disney Sherpas may mock me, but a mid-day siesta can work wonders. Here’s an example: We’re up and rolling very early every day. I get my coffee, we’re standing at the park entrance for the rope-drop. We tour the park, maybe get a light lunch around 1 p.m. and then head back to the room. There, Amy sleeps, Katie struggles not to sleep, and I watch the in-room resort channel. (I have a strange obsession with that channel.)
After a couple hours we’re refreshed and ready for a long night out. We head to a park or to dinner, then pick out a prime spot for Spectro Magic/Wishes, Illuminations or Fantasmic. They are all great shows that are not to be missed. Also, the parks really come alive at night, so you owe it to yourself to make sure you see the property at its best.
My Favorite: Illuminations (at Epcot.) It goes off at 9 p.m. every night. There really isn’t a bad spot to watch it from.
1. Make your ADRs now. ADRs are ‘Advanced Dining Reservations.’ The amount of dining options at WDW is staggering, and it does take some planning due to the evil Disney Dining Plan. *Shakes fist at DDP* The DDP ensures that pretty much any seating at a table service restaurant that you want will be filled up months before your trip.
You can make most ADRs 180 days in advance. So make sure you do (407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463)
Because really… It’s all about the food.
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