[iffer92673]

Hi,

I am such a newbie and have been getting alot of very valuable information from this site....Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!! We are in the planning stages of our first trip. I'm not even sure how to go about booking! We are AAA members but I am not sure if I should go through them or is there a better way to book a Disney trip??

We are planning for a September trip and will have our 3 year old daughter with us. I am wondering what is the best resort for such a young visitor? We are also debating on bringing my sister (18 yrs old) and our niece (19 yrs old) with us so what would be a good place that could accommodate 5 of us in one room comfortably?

Also, how do you go about signing up for the Character Dining? How do I even find out what ones are available? Are there any other special things that a 3 year old shouldn't miss when visiting Disney??? She absolutely loves Playhouse Disney so any "don't bother" or "must go" advice related to this?

Thanks in advance for the info!!!

[Dana]

WElcome to mousebuzz. For 5 people to sleep comfortable, I suggest going to a value or moderate resort and getting two adjoining rooms. This will give you plenty of space, two bathrooms, two tvs and some privacy. Pop century would be a good value to go to. As for the character dining, you call 407-WDW-DINE 180 days before your trip and book them. You can book all of your meals at that time. I also suggest booking your trip with the dining option. For $38 a day for adults, and $12 a day for children under 10 you get one table service, once counter service and a snack. Excellent deat. I would contact mousektrips from our homepage. They are a disney only travel agency who will be able to help you tons. They will get you the best price available and be able to make suggestions on making your trip more affordable. I have used them three times and they are great. Link is on the home page. Happy planning!! Grab yourself a copy of the unofficial guide to WDW at your local bookstore. They will prepare you for everything. You MUST do your home work and research to enjoy a WDW trip.

[Cavey]

Welcome to MouseBuzz! You have come to the right place. Now, here is the BEST advice you are going to find anywhere--tomorrow run out to your local bookstore and buy a copy of The UNOFFICIAL Guide to WDW. There is no better planning guide out there (besides MB, but the Guide is portable).

Every resort at WDW is magical. Your 3yo is going to like whatever you pick. But Pop Century has a "wow" factor kids love. My yunguns (2yo, 4yo, 6yo) love it.

Dining--make sure to get a meal with Mickey Mouse and friends--I recommend Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary Resort.

And you'll need a Princess meal. If she's a Cinderella fanatic, then 1900 Park Fare for dinner is your best choice. If she likes all the princesses, then try the Princess Breakfast at Arakesh in Epcot.

Okay, I don't want to overwhelm you in one post. Just get the Guide and follow it's recommendations. TRUST ME! The Guide will put you lightyears ahead of the average WDW tourist who doesn't know what they are doing or where they are going!

[Monique]

Another good source of information is Allears.net. You can go on this website and get all of the information on resorts and dining and then some. There are a lot of character dining opportunities but if you have a little one that loves Playhouse Disney then I would suggest the character meal at MGM Studios at Hollywood & Vine. It has JoJo, Goliath, Leo and June. Another favorite character meal is breakfast at Chef Mickey at the Contemporary.

I could go on and on with information but I would visit the above website and you can get it all at your own pace.

As for a resort, I agree with Dana that POP Century would be my suggestion.

Have a great time planning

[DisneyTeacher]

You have gotten a lot of good information already I just wanted to welcome to MouseBuzz, you found a great place to get all your questions answered.

[Dawn]

Just to add..... if you little one loves playhouse disney then make sure to do the extra magic hours at MGM. The playhouse turns into a dance party with a DJ and characters come out to dance with the children. DD loves this.

Also the highlights for our girls when they were 3 (and still are highlights for them) Voyage of the little mermaid (DD-4 would stay there all day if they would let her.) and Peter Pan's Flight.

I agree with Cavey, get a copy of the Unofficial guide it is really helpful.

[llama]

Welcome to Mousebuzz! Planning your first trip is so exciting.

I just have to echo what others have said - get a copy of the Unofficial Guides and check out allearsnet. Both have invaluable information - and feel free to ask any questions you have - someone here will always know the answer or have been in the same situation as you. We're all here because we LOVE Disney!

I agree that two adjoining rooms at the Pop Century or one of the AllStars (with a 3 year old AllStars Movies would be my first choice) would be the way to go. It's the most affordable way - and will give you some privacy as well.

WDW is an overwhelming place - you're wise to start your planning now - the more you prepare before you go - the more fun you will have. As for what a 3 year old shouldn't miss - Fantasyland and Mickey's Toontown Fair in the Magic Kingdom, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Playhouse Disney and The Beauty and the Beast Show at MGM are musts.

[bransworld]

Since everyone has said what i would. I wont give you any advice. I just wanted to welcome you to Mousebuzz!

[bethishooked]

If I might add, with you going in September, for the last two years, WDW has offered a discount code to have free dining if you stay during that month. If you book your trip through Mousetrips, they will keep an eye out for those discount codes and apply them towards your trip.

Have a great time, and make sure you take breaks within the day so no one gets tired or crabby.

[DisneyTeacher]

Originally Posted by iffer92673

Also, how do you go about signing up for the Character Dining? How do I even find out what ones are available? Are there any other special things that a 3 year old shouldn't miss when visiting Disney??? She absolutely loves Playhouse Disney so any "don't bother" or "must go" advice related to this?

There's a toll free number for making all your reservations--1.877.939.3732

Look over the menus on AllEars.com and then put together a plan so when you call to make your dining reservations you know what you want and when. You might have to be flexable with times but if you call as close to 180 days out as you can you should get everything you want.

A lot of 3 year olds are out of a stroller at home but WDW is different, there's a ton of walking and little ones get tired. I always tell people to bring their own stroller because the walk to the bus stop (and wait) and room at the end of a long days can get very long carrying a sleeping toddler or child.

Grab a guild book and do some reading and look over the menus at AllEars and ask as mamny questions as you need to. There are some great members here and someone almost always knows the answer.

[Erin]

I know it's already been mentioned, but Playhouse Disney in MGM is a huge hit with my (almost) 3 year old.

Not misses with her include it's a small world, Pirates, and the TTA!!
She loves Spaceship Earth, FIGMENT IS A HUGE DEAL, and El Rio De Tiempo.

She loves the animals at the AK.

[Erin]

OH, and Philharmagic at the MK is also a not-miss!

Really anything in Fantasy Land is amazing for a little one :c)

[momofaprincess]

I second Erin... I have a 3 year old myself and she loves everything Erin mentioned. I have a weird kid who doesn't like Dumbo or Cinderella's Carosel...or pretty much anything that goes fast....But she loves Pirates, It's a Small World, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, etc... And she loves all of the characters! She also loves the Muppets show in MGM!

Welcome to Mousebuzz and have fun planning your trip!

[emamasa]

Originally Posted by Dawn

Just to add..... if you little one loves playhouse disney then make sure to do the extra magic hours at MGM. The playhouse turns into a dance party with a DJ and characters come out to dance with the children. DD loves this.

and that, ladies and gentlemen, is why I love mousebuzz! I did not know that about the dance party! THanks!

welcome to MB - it's a great place (for the info and for fun!)!

[rlb]

Def. get the unofficial guide it is so helpful.