Never been to DW - The DIS Discussion Forums

cajmom · 12-28-2012, 07:46 PM

My friend and I are planning a trip to DW during Spring Break. Her DD is 6 and my DS is 12. We have never been before and will be staying at my cousin's in Jacksonville. Can you take in food or do you have to leave it in a cooler? Is it cheaper to buy a 2 day ticket, or single days? What are the must see/do for newbies? Is it cheaper to buy a meal plan or just bring food? Thanks for all your responses!!!

MOpGrad2013 · 01-01-2013, 03:01 PM

To answer a few of your questions...

Yes, you may take food in with you. Cannot be alcoholic bevs, glass container (baby food exception). You may carry a small cooler or medium backpack. Stop by the FAQ's on the WDW site and they give the dimensions of the cooler. Also, no drag behind coolers, wagons, carts.

Dining Plans can only be purchased if you are staying onsite in a Disney owned property. And then you need to purchase it as part of your package (lodging, tickets, and the dining). There a couple of special situations where you don't have to purchase the tickets (Annual Pass or military special rate...) in order to get the dining plans, but you do have to stay in the Disney hotels.

The Dining Plan may or may not be a good price for you. You should look at the menus here on wdwinfo.com or allears.net website and choose what you would really order.

There are quite a few threads that really explain that. You'll want to stop over to search those. I am new here so I haven't learned how to post threads. Definitely read through the sticky posts...

Tickets...Disney tickets are "front loaded" meaning that you pay more for the first day and then added on days are less. So two single purchase tickets will generally cost more than on 2-day tickets. The base tickets are one park per day. If you are hoping to visit 2 parks in the same day, then you will need to add the Park Hopper. It you have a 2 day PH, you could spend a short amount of time in all parks (2 or more each day), but that is not an efficient use of your visit IMO.

As this will be your first visit, you will want to pick which attractions and entertainment are the must do for you and each member of you party. Then look at the maps and decide the best way to tackle it.

Fast pass will be another good thread for you to learn about.

Arrive early. Earlier is always better than staying late.

It can be overwhelming to plan the trip and then to also execute the plan. Remember you WILL NOT do everything. You have to be willing to change your expectations and then you will find pixie dust of all sizes and types.

We made our first (and so far only) trip on 2010. We didn't get to visit all of our must do's but we did find quite a few of the "overlooked attractions" that the veterans have spoken of. And those were by just stumbling upon them!

Glad you are h-ear!

wlwilliams9 · 01-01-2013, 04:17 PM

Previous poster has some great info for you, but if you're only planning 2 days at Disney, during spring break, you might want to consider Universal/Islands of Adventure instead. 2 days at Disney during one of the busiest times of year, you won't be able to accomplish much. US/IOA is much manageable in 2 days!

roushcivic · 01-01-2013, 07:42 PM

spring break? its gonna be crowded. but enjoy it.

cajmom · 01-02-2013, 10:57 AM

Thank you for your responses. We are planning on visiting family in Jacksonsville for Spring Break so I thought since we are done there, we might as well do Disney. It will probably be the only time I can get down there and being that my son will be 12. There are so many other places in the US that I'd like to visit, so that is why I plan on doing it while I'm down there. Even if we don't get to ride much, the experience will be worth it

minnie4me · 01-02-2013, 11:17 AM

I would look at Disney's website, look over the 4 parks and pick the two that fit your party the best. A 12 year old boy and 6 year old girl are going to have different interests, so I'd find two parks that will make them both happy. The more research you do the better off you are. We have been to Disney, many times, but I still plan and research each trip. No matter what you decide is right for you and your group, enjoy the time together in this magical place !!

PrincessAmyLu · 01-02-2013, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cajmom

Thank you for your responses. We are planning on visiting family in Jacksonsville for Spring Break so I thought since we are done there, we might as well do Disney. It will probably be the only time I can get down there and being that my son will be 12. There are so many other places in the US that I'd like to visit, so that is why I plan on doing it while I'm down there. Even if we don't get to ride much, the experience will be worth it

Get a two day park hopper and arrive as soon as the park opens! My husband took me for his first time back since he was like 6 when we got engaged. We were only there for two days! If you arrive as soon as the park opens...eat lunch and dinner at odd times and ride while they are eating you can get in a lot! In Epcot a 12 year old won't be impressed with much that could be a quick trip. There is only test track, soarin, and mission space. As far as thrill rides go. You can then hop over you magic kingdom and go counter clockwise. Most people go the other way! Also if you look at the map and want to do something at another land... To get there faster you can ride the train to several stations throughout the park! Day 2 start at animal kingdom and make a b line straight back to the safari ride! The animals are everywhere in the morning! Then you can go to Everest, and then to dinosaur. If it is hot you will want to catch the Kali river rapids there as well. If you have time for a show lion king is my favorite! Then hop over to Hollywood studios. And do tower of terror and rockin roller coaster, also toy story mania is very fun for a competitive group!

Good luck! A Disney trip should never be missed because you don't think you have enough time. View the maps and check out YouTube for Disney must dos! Depending in the week you have spring break it should be a great trip! Have a magical time!

cajmom · 01-02-2013, 11:33 AM

Thank you! We don't mind if we separate during the trip. I know my son would love HS and MK and she would probably do 2 days at MK. I'm sure we will love the entertainment and just being there instead of trying to get in as much as we can. We live by Cedar Point and have passes so riding all the thrill rides isn't what we are aiming for. Also, what is rope drop? Is it just where the park opens early? Is there an extra cost for that?

12-28-2012, 07:46 PM	#1
cajmom Mouseketeer Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 78	Never been to DW My friend and I are planning a trip to DW during Spring Break. Her DD is 6 and my DS is 12. We have never been before and will be staying at my cousin's in Jacksonville. Can you take in food or do you have to leave it in a cooler? Is it cheaper to buy a 2 day ticket, or single days? What are the must see/do for newbies? Is it cheaper to buy a meal plan or just bring food? Thanks for all your responses!!!

01-01-2013, 04:17 PM	#3
wlwilliams9 "It's green and evil...I call it greevil!!" -Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: 1161.12 miles north of the castle Posts: 2,402	Previous poster has some great info for you, but if you're only planning 2 days at Disney, during spring break, you might want to consider Universal/Islands of Adventure instead. 2 days at Disney during one of the busiest times of year, you won't be able to accomplish much. US/IOA is much manageable in 2 days! __________________ Wendy(38): Mike(38): Emily(6):Eva(3): Disney Vacation Specialist - www.facebook.com/wendy.fte wendy@fairytaleescapes.com or (734) FUN-0095

01-02-2013, 11:17 AM	#6
minnie4me DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Greensburg, PA Posts: 884	I would look at Disney's website, look over the 4 parks and pick the two that fit your party the best. A 12 year old boy and 6 year old girl are going to have different interests, so I'd find two parks that will make them both happy. The more research you do the better off you are. We have been to Disney, many times, but I still plan and research each trip. No matter what you decide is right for you and your group, enjoy the time together in this magical place !! __________________ me , DH , DS , & Mario

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01-01-2013, 03:01 PM	#2
MOpGrad2013 Mouseketeer Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Kentucky Posts: 90	To answer a few of your questions... Yes, you may take food in with you. Cannot be alcoholic bevs, glass container (baby food exception). You may carry a small cooler or medium backpack. Stop by the FAQ's on the WDW site and they give the dimensions of the cooler. Also, no drag behind coolers, wagons, carts. Dining Plans can only be purchased if you are staying onsite in a Disney owned property. And then you need to purchase it as part of your package (lodging, tickets, and the dining). There a couple of special situations where you don't have to purchase the tickets (Annual Pass or military special rate...) in order to get the dining plans, but you do have to stay in the Disney hotels. The Dining Plan may or may not be a good price for you. You should look at the menus here on wdwinfo.com or allears.net website and choose what you would really order. There are quite a few threads that really explain that. You'll want to stop over to search those. I am new here so I haven't learned how to post threads. Definitely read through the sticky posts... Tickets...Disney tickets are "front loaded" meaning that you pay more for the first day and then added on days are less. So two single purchase tickets will generally cost more than on 2-day tickets. The base tickets are one park per day. If you are hoping to visit 2 parks in the same day, then you will need to add the Park Hopper. It you have a 2 day PH, you could spend a short amount of time in all parks (2 or more each day), but that is not an efficient use of your visit IMO. As this will be your first visit, you will want to pick which attractions and entertainment are the must do for you and each member of you party. Then look at the maps and decide the best way to tackle it. Fast pass will be another good thread for you to learn about. Arrive early. Earlier is always better than staying late. It can be overwhelming to plan the trip and then to also execute the plan. Remember you WILL NOT do everything. You have to be willing to change your expectations and then you will find pixie dust of all sizes and types. We made our first (and so far only) trip on 2010. We didn't get to visit all of our must do's but we did find quite a few of the "overlooked attractions" that the veterans have spoken of. And those were by just stumbling upon them! Glad you are h-ear!

01-01-2013, 07:42 PM	#4
roushcivic Earning My Ears Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 24	spring break? its gonna be crowded. but enjoy it.

01-02-2013, 10:57 AM	#5
cajmom Mouseketeer Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 78	Thank you for your responses. We are planning on visiting family in Jacksonsville for Spring Break so I thought since we are done there, we might as well do Disney. It will probably be the only time I can get down there and being that my son will be 12. There are so many other places in the US that I'd like to visit, so that is why I plan on doing it while I'm down there. Even if we don't get to ride much, the experience will be worth it

01-02-2013, 11:33 AM	#8
cajmom Mouseketeer Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 78	Thank you! We don't mind if we separate during the trip. I know my son would love HS and MK and she would probably do 2 days at MK. I'm sure we will love the entertainment and just being there instead of trying to get in as much as we can. We live by Cedar Point and have passes so riding all the thrill rides isn't what we are aiming for. Also, what is rope drop? Is it just where the park opens early? Is there an extra cost for that?