Going to Disneyworld for the first time with the wife and kids (8 & 7) for 6 days in March. What are the must do's?

get a disneyworld travel book that list out what you should do in what order as far as rides and attractions go

we did that and it was perfect, we hit everything and was able to time it all right

6 days will give you plenty of time to do everything. Definitely do Wishes (nightly fireworks at magic kingdom), and Reflections of Earth (nightly fireworks at Epcot). Do a couple of character meals where your kids get to meet the characters, usually a buffet with good food.

Other than that get a good buck Unofficial Guide or something and get educated about what's there and what you might like to do. ABove all else just have fun. Don't be locked into a plan. Just go with the flow.

Are you staying on property?

Nothing will beat holding my 3 y/o on the tram as she fell asleep and says "Can we stay here forever?"

March will be busy. We went two years ago in March. The trick is to take advantage of the (free program) Fast Pass system. Basically,you use your ticket (credit card type thing) at the front of an attraction. It gives you a printed ticket telling you a window when to return. When you return at this time you walk onto the ride with a minimum wait.

Ways to maximize the benefit.
a) You can only have one fast pass at a time.
If you try to get another one it will tell
you the time when you can get another one.
This time to get another one is when you
window to ride the attraction begins.

Most people get to the attraction at the
beginning of the stated time.

Don't do this instead as soon as you can get
another fast pass do so and then go on the
ride. This makes the wait on the next
attraction not as long. REPEAT THIS.

b) Even though the fast pass says return
within an hour window. You can use it
anytime after the beginning time.

So if you are across the park and the time
begins don't sweat it. Just obtain new
Fast passes and use the previous ones when
you get a chance.

THINGS YOU WILL NEED FAST PASSES FOR:
Magic Kingdom: Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Buzz Lightyears Space Ranger Spin and Space Mountain.

EPCOT: As soon as you get there GO DIRECTLY TO GET SOARIN These will run out quickly.
Test Track.
Boat at Norway.

Studios: GO DIRECTLY TO TOY STORY MANIA they will run out quickly. Torrer of terror and ROCK and ROLLER

Animal Kingdom: The Safari and the Everest ROller coaster.

if you plan on doing any character dinners or Disney restaurants, book them as soon as you are able to do so. It was 90 days in advance last time I checked.

Plenty of good choices, depending on what your kiddos are into.

Staying at Caribbean Beach Resort. Booked dinner at Cinderella's Castle. Have quick dining option. Is this adequate?

Some really good advice above. You will love dinner in the Castle! One thing that has not really been noted is to "drop the ropes". Open the park! The place is normally slow for the first hour and a half after opening, besides it is really cool to see all the characters at the gate to greet you. Have fun till around 2, go back to your room and rest for a couple of hours, then go back to the park for the fireworks.

Fast Passes for SOARIN and Toy Story will go fast so make a bee line to them when the park opens. Dont forget about the single rider lines for each of the rides(15min tops)

Many great places to eat: New Mexican Food place in Mexico(EPCOT), New Pizza place in Italy(EPCOT), Animal Kingdom in Africa(great beer )

I have said it before, relax and enjoy yourself. Dont get caught up in rush rush rush to do everything.

Give Minnie a kiss for me, tell her I will be back for Star Wars Weekend.

My best,
Stump

Chef Mickeys at the Contemporary Resort is also a good charecter meal.

A couple of restaurants we have enjoyed:
- Donald's Safari Breakfast at Animal Kingdom: Good spread of food and it allows you to get to the park early and close to the Safari ride
- Sci-Fi Dinner Theater at Hollywood Studios: Good food and a pretty fun experience

I would also book a dinner at one of the restaurants at Epcot World Showcase. If you are up for something later, you can schedule to finish dinner just prior to the beginning of the Illuminations Firework show.

Just got back from my 6th trip to Disney World and hardly had to wait in any lines despite tons of people in the parks.

We always get there as soon as the park opens. Check for the Extra Magic Hours since you are staying on property. This sometimes gets you into the parks an hour earlier than other guests who stay off property.

Always have a plan as soon as you enter the park. We go in order of how popular a ride is not by going from ride to ride based on location. So we crisscross the parks from time to time . This is how we do it. We go in and get Fast Passes for the most popular ride & then ride it right then without using the fast pass. Have to get there early so lines aren't long. Then we hold the fast pass until the end of the day. As soon as we can get another fast pass we pull it and just hold it. We don't even try to go back during the time it states on it. This works well when you get there early. Ride the things that are popular early in the day and pull fast passes for them too to use later. This way if you really, really liked something you get to ride it twice without the wait.

Sometime in the afternoon we go back and ride everything that we have Fast passes for. They don't care as long as you don't show up before the fastpass time. Depending on the ride these fast passes can save you a 2 hour wait on some rides.

This past trip at Animal Kingdom they handed out some fast passes when you came through the entrance gates. I went through one line & my husband through another and we ended up with Fast passes for 2 different shows. This was better than going through in 1 line because we would have only gotten fast passes for 1 show. Different gate attendants had different fast passes.

Also, instead of waiting in line for characters book a character meal with them. That way you eat & the characters come to your table for pictures & autographs. That way you are guaranteed to meet certain ones. We always do Chef Mickey (mickey, minnie, donald, pluto, and goofy) as well as something with a princess (the castle or 1900 Fare at the Grand Floridian if you just want cinderella).

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b) Even though the fast pass says return
within an hour window. You can use it
anytime after the beginning time.

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No, you can't. If you did you simply had a lazy cast member, and you were abusing the system and slowing it down for others. The rest of us thank you for making our wait time longer.

We need to clear the air here. You can only get one fast pass per ticket at a time. You have to use the fast pass you got from a machine before you can get another one. Now if you get a Fast Pass from a cast member those are good anywhere in the park at any time.

I forgot about another awesome place to eat: Prime Time Cafe, order the Fried Chicken, you can tank me later. Mouth watering as I write this.

I'm sorry Sweet Kitten Feet but as others have mentioned you can use them anytime after the beginning time. Ask a cast member and they will tell you this, it's policy.

This is just a trick the pros use.
Feel free to use it or not, but this is the way the locals do.

You can get more than one fast pass at a time. You can another fast pass as soon as your fast pass return time opens. If your return time is greater than 2 hours away, then you can get another fast pass in 2 hours. So, at worst, you can get a fast pass every two hours, and it does not matter if you have used them or not.

Sweet Kitten - The others are correct. We asked a cast member when we went in June. You can come back anytime after the fast pass time. You do not have to go within the hour.

If you have the quick service option, you do not need to make reservations unless you just want to eat at the nicer restaurants like you did with Cinderella's Castle. However, any you do want you need to reserve asap!

I personally prefer the nicer dining option because it was really nice to sit down every night at a nice dinner. However, some do not think they would normally eat that much food.

I love Disney. My daughter's favorite rides are Space Mountain and Rock n Roller Coaster. I actually loved Soarin' and Buzz Lightyear. Epcot is my favorite. The food and drinks are great. I plan to go back later this year without children and just enjoy Epcot as an adult

We loved Caribbean Beach Resort this summer. Not for sure if I will put up the money next time though. We liked Pop Century just as much.

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No, you can't. If you did you simply had a lazy cast member, and you were abusing the system and slowing it down for others. The rest of us thank you for making our wait time longer.

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I'm a former Cast Member in attractions (May 09-Jan 10) and you can use a fastpass after the time on the fastpass. It even says so on the attraction's OG (operating guidelines). I worked at an info desk for a while so any question that are specific feel free to ask

[This message has been edited by BaylorHistory (edited 1/6/2011 4:47p).]

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You can another fast pass as soon as your fast pass return time opens

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Usually, but sometimes you can get one well before your return time and sometimes its a little after. It just depends on the return time.


Note:It says the exact time you can get a new one on the fastpass.

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You have to use the fast pass you got from a machine before you can get another one.

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Not true at all, but usually there is only enough time to get one fastpass per ticket at a time.


Example: You get a fastpass to Soarin' at 11:00AM and its return time is 6:00. You would be able to get a new fastpass well before 6:00 and probably around 2:00 or 2:30 (it depends on crowd level)

Wife and I took the kids over Thanksgiving and had a blast. I'll start off by saying I've been to multiple Six Flags parks and Cedar Point and no body does it like Disney.

Parks:
I liked Epcot the best but I liked all the country specific stuff. It was fun for the kids but not as fun as the others. Easily the best food in at Disney. I wished we could have eaten at a different place there every day but we didn't get the park hopper. Magic Kingdom was right there w/ Epcot, and the kid's favorite. My wife was a little bit disappointed in Animal Kingdom (she went to Disney as a kid), had seen the travel channel stuff on Animal Kingdom and was very excited to go but it didn't meet her expectations. The food selection for quick service here is lacking at best. Expedition Everest was my oldest's favorite ride for sure though Space Mountain was up there too. Hollywood to me was the least favorite. You will stand in an hour long line to get fast passes for Toy Story if you don't get there when the rope drops. I refused to do so and therefore we did not do the Toy Story ride. We could never get anywhere that soon as we had both sets of grandparents and my wife is notoriously late to everything. Stay away from Pizza Planet if you can (terrible pizza and the longest line I've ever waited in for food). We didn't go to any of the water parks (only one was open being winter and all).

You can't do everything at every park. One of the buss drivers we got to talking to was a retiree who moved there to work for Disney w/ his wife because they loved Disney so much and he said he's been more than 100 times and doesn't think he has done everything yet.

Food:
We lucked out and got free meal plans and I would suggest getting the traditional 1 snack, 1 counter service, 1 table service per night. I we go back, I'll get the meal plan again even if I've got to pay for it. We ate at the 'Ohana at the Polynesian resort, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall at Epcot, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue (everyone's favorite), 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian, California Grill at the Contemporary resort (great food, but shi shi), and 50's Prime Time Cafe (everyone's least favorite).

If we go back we won't eat at different resorts because it was a hassle to get from your room to another resort or from that resort back to your room because the resorts don't typically go from one to the other. There is one exception. The Hoop-Dee Do show was great and everyone loved it. It's also easy to get to from Magic Kingdom. Cali Grill had great food, but you won't want to spend all day in the park and go there dressed like you did in the park. I felt uncomfortable there in a Polo and shorts as most everyone else were wearing jackets. The fireworks show from the top of the Contemporary resort was awesome though.

Resorts:
We stayed at the Treehouse Villa's w/ everyone in one villa which was great except that it's a PITA to get to the Treehouse Villa's from anywhere and visa versa. If we go back we will stay on the tram where we can go tram, boat, or buss. I think the Polynesian resort would be my pick next time or the Wilderness Lodge (not on tram but has boat access).

Misc.:
We went over Thanksgiving and it was still hot. There is no way in hell I'd go there during summer months. I kept everyone's room keys (access to everything related to Disney World) and would make fast pass runs when ever we could get them. When you are getting character pictures and autographs (my kids favorite part) 1) get a picture pass if they have professional photographers 2) get different members in your group to wait in line for your kids so that you can hit them up more quickly. While my wife and kids waited in line for one character I would wait in line for another and then we could get them done faster. If you have a Verizon phone get the Disney World application. It'll give you maps, attraction info, and dining info. It's a good tool for plotting your attraction attack because it will tell you estimated wait times. We tried to go back to the room at lunch time but it was impossible to get my kids out of the parks. They're older now so only my youngest (almost 5) showed signs fatigue from lack of naps. If you can do it, it's a great plan.

I keep saying if, but really we'll go back. I thought I'd hate it, but I loved it. They do an amazing job of making you feel at home.

Go to "Soarin'" at Epcot. You have to get there first thing in the morning or earlier if you dont want to wait forever. GREAT ride.

I just got back from Disney World and the above infromation is spot on. We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge . . . beautiful but I thought the rooms were lacking for a deluxe resort. I would consider them a Comfort Inn at best . . . was disappointed to say the least but it was very easy to get to Magic Kingdom by boat so would probably stay there again. The pools were heated and okay to swim. You know kids will swim if given the chance.

I was disappointed with Animal Kingdom. Hollywood Stuidos was lacking too . . . we did not even consider the chaos of the Toy Story ride and my son was content to ride the Buzz Lightyear ride at MK over and over when there wasn't a wait.

We arrived at the parks daily at opening time and the crowds were small until around noon time. We rode a lot of rides in that time and figured out the Fast Pass 'game'. We had two FP at a time depending on the return window. I am a stickler for rules so if it said to return at a certain time we did . . . one of the rides was down so we were told the FP would work any time that day but during busy times they tried to enforce the return window times. I guess it is to each their own kind of thing.

FOOD . . . make reservaions NOW for your sit down meals! We ended up eating at Epcot three of the six nights because the food was the best! We had the park hopper option so wasn't a big deal going to two parks in one day.

My best meals sit down:
Le Cellier (Canada)
Teppen Edo (Japan)
Garden Grill (The Land) with Chip and Dale
Tony's (Magic Kingdom)

My favorite counter meal was at Mexico in Epcot . . . the cheese empandas were yummy or maybe it was the maragrita?

The meal plan worked great for us and will do it again! Seriously, map our where you are going each day and make reservations for sit down meals! I think MK is lacking for a variety of sit down restaurants. I booked about 4 months out and had a hard time getting the above . . . Le Cellier was very hard and only got a reservation at 2:45 but do it even if the time is weird it was that good.

I used Touring Plans as a guide of what parks to visit each day and followed it. It worked and were were able to see and do a lot before the crowds hit. It cost 10.95 for a year but was worth it to me. You can check out their website but I also think the plans are in the back of one of the unofficial guides but could be wrong.

In my experiences, you could also use your hotel room key to obtain a fast pass, so you could get 2 fast passes with your ticket and your room key.

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In my experiences, you could also use your hotel room key to obtain a fast pass, so you could get 2 fast passes with your ticket and your room key.

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In my 9 months of working attractions I never heard of this working, but I never heard of it not working either though.

Our room key was also our ticket . . . I tried to get a fast pass one minute before the time stated on a fast pass and it spit out a ticket saying it was not valid. I waited 1 minute for the time and got another fast pass. I'm not sure how the above could work?

If you buy the package then the ticket is the room key, but if you buy them separate then I guess its possible.

To echo some of the above, I've been 5 times. Do not rush around, take your time. This is my best advice.
My favorite park, Epcot.
My favorite ride at all the parks is Soarin, get your fast pass as soon as it's available, I think 9am.. Other rides at Epcot: Test track, Mission to Mars. Ride the rides first, then take the World Tour, wear tennis shoes.

Dining at Epcot:
Le Cellier (Canada) is my favorite dining spot anywhere, get the filet, I'm serious.
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall at Epcot for breakfast, excellent.
Snacks at France. You will like Epcot, your kids may not unless you keep them busy. Watch the outdoor shows in France, they are crazy..

California Grill at the Contemporary resort for counter service lunch if you get the meal plan (which I recommend)
Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary for dinner.
We stay at the Contemporary so I am partial to their restuarants...

Typhon lagoon is a lot of fun if it's open.
There is a wave pool that makes 12 ft waves, hope yall are good swimmers, if not skip that.

We love Animal Kindom, the Safari is great get your fast pass right when it opens, many animals are active in the morning.
I forget the name of the rapids ride, it's fun but you will get wet for sure. There is a nature walk, I have a few great pictures of the male Silverback Gorilla. Those gorillas are HUGE!

Typically we just get counter service meals there. Go see "It's a Bugs Life", the bird show is cool, there's lots to do. Dinosaur is a fun ride..

Hollywood Studios:
The Toy Story ride is cool but not worth 1/2 your day to try to ride it. If you ride it great if not there are many other things to do.
The Rock N Roller Coaster is worth it.
Food: Can't help there either, I thought the Pizza was ok. Never had a sit down meal at Hollywood, not my favorite park, we did go last summer during Star Wars week and that was way cool, but it was so hot I'd never go back in the summer...

Magic Kindom:
Space Mountain, Big Thunder Railroad, Splash Mountain, It's a Small World (when you want a break), Peter Pan. Pirates of the Carribean.
We always eat at the Castle, that's a nice dinner.
The fireworks are a must see.

Get a map, ask questions.
We are going back this December, that's our favorite time to go.

Report back when you return.

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Typhon lagoon is a lot of fun if it's open.
There is a wave pool that makes 12 ft waves, hope yall are good swimmers, if not skip that.

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Typhoon is great anytime of year, but in the winter they have heated water and the crowds are very very light. It sucks when you are out of the water, but is great when in the pools or rivers.

Note: the salt water reef does not heat the water, so I would skip in the winter.

You definitely will be bettter off getting there in time for the park to open. That first hour or two allows you to get a lot of the popular rides taken care of with minimal wait times.

Fastpasses are the way to go! And I'll echo what the others said and confirm that, while you can't use the Fastpass prior to the time listed, you CAN use it any time after that point.

At six days, your kids are going to be running ragged by the end. Don't be afraid to hit a park for a few hours, come back to the CBR for lunch and a few hours of downtime/rest before hitting the park again in the evening hours.

Don't be in a big hurry to leave at the end of the night. When the park closes, everyone will make a mad dash to the exit. You and your family however can take your time. Rides will be closed but you can still enjoy the lights and scenery as you make a very casual stroll back to the front. Many a night, we were one of the last families out the gate and, without any crowds remaining, felt like we owned the place!

If Extra Magic Hours are taking place while you are visiting, use them. Much like the first few hours of the day, these EMHs allow you to ride plenty of rides with minimal waits.

Caribbean Beach Resort is one of our favorites but is HUGE. Some of the more distant rooms are a LONG walk from the restaurant/pool, etc. It used to be that you could make a request for rooms and we would always try for Martinique or Trinidad North. Now days I think you might have to pay more for those rooms. At this resort, the premium charge may be worth it!

If you are on the dining plan, use the snack credits throughout the day for drinks, ice creams, etc. Seems like the last few times, we always had snack credits left over that went to waste. Also if on the dining plan, consider a trip over to the Coronado Springs resort one day for lunch or dinner. You can use one of your "counter service" meals to order steak or multiple other menu items. One of our favorite counter style restaurants.

If you aren't on a dining plan, the pizzas that you can get at the CBR restaurant are an economical choice as compared to buying four individual meals. Even better if you have bought a couple of the "endless refill" drink mugs.

Your kids are at the age where they may enjoy pin trading. Only problem is that at the parks, those pins sell for ~$7.00 each so it can get quite pricy. You can go on ebay ahead of time and buy bulk lots of pins for 1/3 that price.

you can buy pin lots of 100 on ebay for about $75 delivered(search: disney pin lot). I have done it several times and have never had any issues trading them. just look at feed back

Here is a good money saving tip if you have kids, you are allowed to take a bottle of water into the park for each person, carry a small backpack and fill it with crystal light or some kind of drink mix. use that instead of sodas and a $4 bucks a pop that will add up over 6 days.

Also pack some things like granola bars, instant oatmeal and the like for quick breakfast snacks in the morning.

Get the photopass card ASAP, but HAVE THE PHOTOGAPHER USE YOUR CAMERA AFTER HE TAKES THE PICTURE WITH HIS!!!! They dont mind doing it all and then you dont have to pay for any of the expensive digital pictures.

Hoop Dee Doo is a great show, if you can do it the luau at the polaneysian resort is great, take the boat from MK to the luau to make it really neat.

Note to self on the PhotoPass card.
When you get a Photopass card, take a personal picture of the number on the back of the card...just in case you loose it. Its the only way to track it.

Im just sayin...maybe read about it....or was told...or something....not that it has ever happened to me....or got an ear full from the wife....or anything like that.

I too am planning our family's first trip to Disney World. I have a specific question:
Anyone have feedback on the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutque? Is the high priced package the thing to do? Seems kind of high priced compared to the base package of like $60.

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Anyone have feedback on the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutque? Is the high priced package the thing to do? Seems kind of high priced compared to the base package of like $60.

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I don't know the difference in the packages, but doing it in the morning before going to the park is the way to go. Your little girl will loved being called princess all day and will get special treatment in the parks.

Most important piece of advice -- don't try to do it all! The impulse is to "get your money's worth" by running yourselves ragged, but if you're exhausted, even Disney World is not fun. Judge your day by the energy level of the wimpiest of you. The advantage of staying on site is the ability to go back in the afternoon and rest. The more energetic can enjoy the resort pool and grounds, trade pins. A successful Disney trip involves plans to see something you missed next time.