first timer tips!!

[kira 2004]

Hi All,
I'm Going To Florida In October This Year I Have Never Been Before And Was Hopeing If You Could Give Me Some Tips....i Have Two Girls One Is 13 And The Other Is 16,
I Am Staying At The Howard Johnson Hotel In Kissimmee And If You Have Heard Of It Or Stayed There Could You Please Tell Me About Your Stay............so Please Reply If You Do That Would Be Very Helpfull

Thanks Again
:) Lauren:) i'm going for 2 weeks!

[tushypat]

Firstly, :welcome: to the boards!

Tips? You'll get loads! How long are you staying? Do you have any 'must do's'? How many days are you planning to visit the parks and do you have your passes yet? If not, have a look at the link 'discount tickets' above. You'll save quite a lot on ticket prices!

[kira 2004]

thanks for reading my messege I haven't got passes yet i don't know where to get them i do know a website that does tickets but i don't know where i can get cheap tickets from???

[TimonAndPumba]

Hey Kira! Welcome to the boards :)

Just ask away on what you'd like to know! You'll get all the tips you need and more ;)

Firstly you should go about planning an itinerary for your stay, as this will make your actual trip a lot easier and plus all the planning is so much fun!

The park hour's for October aren't avaliable yet, I don't think, but take a look at last years to give you an idea: http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/oct.html

Take a look at the parks: http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/parks.html , and see what there is to do and take a note of the thing you'd really like to do! Also make sure you see the parades and shows in each park (apart from EPCOT) as they are spectacular!

If you're not planning on hiring a car, see if the hotel you're staying at offers a shuttle ride to disney and find out the times it takes you there and the times it takes you back!

Hope that helps to get you started :)

[Redkop]

thanks for reading my messege I haven't got passes yet i don't know where to get them i do know a website that does tickets but i don't know where i can get cheap tickets from???
if you click on the link at the top of the page, this will link you to Omar who is a site sponsor and does tickets discounted, he gets great reviews off people on here

[kira 2004]

thanks for the help i am getting a car and i'm going to plan my holiday one night with my family but i don't know where to start!!!!

[TimonAndPumba]

How long are you planning to stay? Because the tickets you buy will depend on that... I've heard good things about Maple Leaf on these boards, you might want to try them: https://secure.wdisneyw.co.uk/form.php

Also if you're staying for 10 days or more, you might find the 10 day world pass works out better for you: http://www.orlando-ticket-deals.co.uk/theme-parks/walt-disney-resort/wdisneyw.htm (these are the cheapest I can find!)

[MystikPiglit]

Hi Kira!

The best tip is to tell you to read all of this excellent website. :) Then if you have any other questions everyone on here is very helpful.

[OKWTink]

You should be ok with the HoJo's. They are basic, but clean and the staff are usually quite well informed and helpful.

One place to NEVER buy tickets is from the several roadside stands that advertize them for "cheap." They are ripoffs and you can lose a lot of money on them. Many times folks get to the parks only to find the tickets are invalid. There is no recourse then, as usually the ticket is confiscated (at least by WDW) as having been bought through unofficial channels.

Omar has a wonderful reputation. Stick with the official ticket places and you won't be sorry. :) :ears:

[kira 2004]

i'm staying for 14 days and i have looked at the 10 day pass but were doing the 4 theme parks, downtown disney and epcot also the kennedy space centre will ten days be ok for me because we was just going to get the 5 day hopper and do two parks one day and two park again anouther day????

[Redkop]

i wouldnt do 2 disney parks in one day as there is just too much to see and do,,,,,,,if you cant see it all the parks will be still there when you go back again, dont rush it

[OKWTink]

Nope, nope, nope! Have to agree with redkop on this! Two parks in one day is way too much. You'll miss a whole lot, and just get frustrated.

Take at least one day for each park (although some parks like MK and EPCOT are better done in two) and you will get a good feel for each park.

[kira 2004]

thanks for all the help guys i will see omar so what are the rides like, coz i have two girls one is 13 and the other is 16 they don't like scary rides as much what else is there to do???

[TimonAndPumba]

I totally agree with redkop and OKWTink!

You don't want to exhaust yourself! Take it at a nice pace, each park has so much to do that you might find you need more than one day of some of them!

Take a look at the attractions around the park - that will give you some idea of how much there is to do!

[kira 2004]

so what should i do then take the 10 day world pass or the 5 day hopper!!!

[kira 2004]

i do want to see everything and do everything i just don't know how meny days i need

[TimonAndPumba]

There is plenty to do that isn't scary, there are lots of shows and calmer rides.... http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/parks.html this link nearly all the things you're going to need to know about the parks! it's really helpful! :)

[TimonAndPumba]

Take a look at that link above I've just posted and it'll take some time but work out what you would like to do and what you'd like to give a miss, that will give you more of an idea of how long you need!

[kira 2004]

will do then thanks alot talk to you laters thanks again you all have been a big huge help to me and my family xx
lauren

[TimonAndPumba]

Anytime :)

[kira 2004]

hi all again sorry to bother you well should i just buy the 10 world specil offer disney tickets and thats all the tickets i need to buy then or is there more????

[tushypat]

Kira, there are different types of passes that offer different things depending on your preferences. Omar offers 4, 5, 6 or 7 day park hopper passes. These basically give you the option to 'park hop' from one park to another in anyone day. Although as Tink and others have mentioned, don't try to do 2 parks in one day in there entirety but park hoppers are good for catching a late evening parade at MK after a day in, say, MGM. Then you have park hopper 'Plus' passes. These are available in the same 4, 5, 6 and 7 day format but with extra 'option days attached. These are good for you if you and you family plan to visit the Disney water parks, Pleasure Island or Disney Quest. If you feel you wouldn't bother with these extra option then a Park Hopper will do you. The 10 day pass you are talking about is as far as I know only available to UK residents (I may be wrong though!) and I'm not altogether sure how many 'option' days you get with the 10 day pass but someone will be along to clarify that hopefully! I went to WDW last summer with my DH and 3 children ranging in age from 12 years to 16 months and we found a 7 day park hopper plus pass did us just fine.

[TimonAndPumba]

The 10 day pass lets you into MK, MGM, AK, EPCOT, TL, BB, DQ and PL for 10 days.

The 10 days don't have to be used one after another, however the ticket expires 20 days after the 1st day has been used :)

[RC Fan]

Hi Kira 2004!

I highly recommend Omar and Mapleleaf Tickets! I have bought all my tickets for my trip in May through Omar, and the service has been excellent!

[mondo1748]

A little late for me to jump in but I like the jumping parks idea. Not everyday but when one park gets to be to much switch .....it breaks up the day a little. Please keep in mind that knowing its your first time you'll try to get everything done in one trip. Take it easy and focus on what your priorities are. Example the tea cups Disney has are pretty similar to any carnival so maybe that will be a low priority. I would also suggest resting at the room in the middle of the day even for an hour. The heat and, wear and tear on your family will make you all very short fussed....a definite first timer problem I see is family members pushing all day till they are ticked off at each other and the vacation is ruined then. My vote is for 10 days get the ticket you'll have more flexability then. If you get five days then the other days you may spend more on doing things then if you got a pass for that day. Also a big suggestion is get the free DVD/Tape disney offers through there website. Its a great video and will help your family plan and learn some inside info ahead of time.

[VALM]

Hi Kira.

Hope you have a great trip. We've been five times and love WDW.

I suggest you get yourself a copy of the Unofficial Guide to WDW by Bob Sehlinger. We've bought an edition each time we have visited. It gives you a rundown of all the rides at all the parks so at least you can get an idea of the types of attractions there are.

[marivigi]

After getting your tickets... I think the best advice I can give you is to RELAX and ENJOY! .. you are in Disney!

Dont worry about scary rides, most rides arent scary at all, and most parks have 2 or 3 fast going, scary attractions at the most!!

Take your time to walk around, check the details, enjoy the atmosphere, eat a turkey leg or two, watch the shows and parades.... dont rush.....

Finally.... drink plety of water and wear sunscreen!

[dizzyknee]

I can't find the 10 day world pass ticket anywhere :confused: What is the price on that?

As the others have said start with figuring out how many days you are going to spend at WDW. If you buy a park hopper and don't use all the days it will never expire whereas the length of stay and worldpass do expire.

You will be there during Halloween time so you might want to attend Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/mnsshp.html) or maybe if your dates are right The Food and Wine Show in EPCOT (http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/foodwine.html)

The MNSSHP is another ticket (cost) on top of your Hopper or World Pass. The Food and Wine Festival is a special event but there is no extra admission.

Keep asking questions! :)

[dizzyknee]

P.S. Dates for MNSSHP are for 2004 but Food and Wine dates on links are 2003.

[Redkop]

I can't find the 10 day world pass ticket anywhere :confused: What is the price on that?

the 10 day pass i think is only available to us UK people

[rjh812uk]

Kira
On a two week visit you get thirteen full days , do you want ten days at Disney parks?This will only leave you three days for potentially two Universal parks,Sea world ,Busch gardens and lots of shopping.
First i would sit down and think what you want to see and then work it around thirteen days.
While Disney is fantastic there is a lot more to see and do in the Orlando area and for that matter Florida itself.
Good luck with your planning its all part of the fun.

[Deb]

On the ticket front, I thought I'd add my 2 cents! First, if you're not going till October - BREATHE!!! You have plenty of time to make your decision! Personally, I have always chosen the 10 day World Pass over the hopper of any kind. It always seems to be a similar price to the hoppers, but gives you more options and more days to play with. I think you could use them only 7 or 8 days and it be more cost effective! I have sometimes used the 9th and 10th days for just an evening visit to EPCOT to see the fireworks for example, after a day shopping or lazing by the pool. Compare the prices and do the maths - and remember, brilliant as Omar is for hoppers, he does not do the 10 day passes (as already said, UK only) so you'll need to check elsewhere for those. Lunn Poly and Keith Prowse are usually among the cheapest.

Keep asking those questions! That's what we're here for!

[Bosox]

Kira, you must pick up a guide book. We did our 1st trip two years ago and the Unofficial Guide combined with the help of the wonderful people on this board made that trip a complete success. The Unofficial Guide is so indepth about every aspect of Disney that you'll feel like you've already been to Disney before you even go. Another good guide book is the Econoguide:Getting the most for your money, Walt Disney World and Uinversal Orlando. It gives very detailed desrciptions of all the attractions. Don't stress out though you will have an awesome time. Ask lots of questions.

[Pigtails]

Hi! I think I know the HJ you are talking about, if it's on 192, near 535. I've stayed at that site once, years ago, when it was a different motel. It's a pretty good location, Publix is right across the street. I think you mentioned renting a car, which is good, but the traffic in that area can get a bit heavy at times.

Defenitley don't try to do 2 parks in one day. You and your family will be much happier if you take your time, even if you see less. When I came here with my family, a few times we tried to rush, and see "everything", we always ended up tired, cranky, and not having very much fun. Better to take it easy, and not worry if you don't see as much as you wanted. WDW's not going anywhere!

[AlisonFromUK]

we only have 13 days so have spaced it out as follows:- 1 day MK (1@MK), 1 day AK (1@AK), 1 day MGM, 2 days Epcot (1 for countries and 1 for future world). 1 for Universal, 1 for IOA, 1 for Seaworld, 1 at wet & wild, 1 at Typhoon lagoon, 1 at Blizzard Beach, 1 at Kennedy, 1 Everglades tour.

As we'd been before we are doing a few water parks but the first time we went to Busch Gardens instead of Wet & Wild.

Only having one day at MK because I found a big part of it was for young children and we are getting on a bit so prefer to have more time at Epcot instead.

Buy the official guide (I'm sure the others will tell you what its called cause I cant remember), that explains what's in the parks and how long you need.

[EmmaJayne]

The 10 day pass is £179 from the new uk ticket place on here (cheapest I've seen it anywhere!) and it is cheaper than the seven day!! And also you get a free breakfast and unlimited access to water parks, dtd and disneyquest!

[ruby tuesday]

we stayed at the howard johnson maingate east last time we went to disney and it was very good, the rooms were spacious and clean, it had a nice pool area with lovely hot tub, pool bar (for all those sneaky cocktails) and a handy launderette (for obsessives like me who have to wash all clothes before packing to come home!).

the location was great, and they provided a shuttle service (which we did`nt actually use) to disney parks.

so all round, a good choice. were renting a villa this time as we`re dragging our parents kicking and screaming (not), along for the fun.:D

[Babymischief]

Hello Kira and welcome (Hugs). I am going in October too and I have to say, after reading this site and looking at the maps page I have got a 10 day pass and already feel alot less stress knowing that I can take my time wandering around each park, having the flexibility to choose how long I can stand it and knowing that I can always come back another day. Yes it was hugely more expensive but I feel it is sooooo worth it, I looked at the maps here and it blew me away! There is a whole new other world out there! The place looks HUGE! This is a brilliant site and the people here know what they are talking about, you sound abit stressed hun...I was until I got the 10 day pass. Hope this helps X

[diamondprincess]

My favorite guide book is the Hassle-Free WDW Vacation. It has suggested touring plans, rates rides and restaurants with stars and gives some good tips on how to enjoy yourself.