[Towncar T]

...............

[Dana]

My DD and I do our plans like this: We get out each park map and pick what we must see. We then see how it coordinates on the map. We try to hit the ones that draw huge crowds first and then go back to the ones that aren't that busy. If you do not have detailed maps of the parks, when I get back on the 4th of February, Id be happy to amil them out to you so you can plan in advance. You denfinately have to have some knowledge of the park lay-out to get the most out if this trip (especially at Easter when it's crowded). You want to be on-hand up to an hour before the park opens to get through the turnstyle and security. Being there for "rope drop" (opening) is essential in getting what you want to get done in that kind of crowd. Do the headliners first then go back to the not so headlining rides. Make sure to take afternoon breaks...you will wear yourself out. This is ALOT of walking!

I never really follow a pattern with attraction. Never in a specific order anyway. We ususally have different ones that we want to see first on each trip. (except for in MGM: must hit RnR first)

This may sound confusing....let me know if I can help further with more spcifics. Someone else is bound to come along with step-by-step plans.

[mattomouseman]

Hello Tom and welcome to DC! Where are you going to be staying?

What we try to do is this:
First off if you want to catch the parades in a particular park try and decide which is more important to you and your family, the parade or the attractions. Now once we have that out of the way we do this. On the days we decide that we want to catch a parade in a particular park we grab a seat nice and early (No small feat with two young boys who just want to bounce around the park all day!:) ) and we enjoy the parade. Once we have the parade out of the way for a particular park we then decide which attractions we REALLY, REALLY want to hit then we go another day to that park and hit the hot ones while the parade is going on. We have literally walked onto HM, BTMRR and SM while the parade is in progress! Also take advantage of the E-ticket night if they offer it as well as early entry into the parks. Early entry in the AK is definetly worth it if you want to do teh safari! The animlas are all out and active in the AM.

Also alot of people don't agree with this because it takes away from the spontinaty of the trip but we plan a PS for every night we are in WDW. The reason being that it's nice to know you have a place to go sit and cool your jets and have a great meal. If for some reason you want to skip the PS it's no big deal, just pick up a phone and give them a shout and let them know you won't be there. Any questions feel free to ask. That's what we're here for!:D :)

[LRTJS]

The "Unofficial Guide to WDW" by Bob Sehlinger is about 2 inches thick and includes all of DW plus Universal and Sea World. It has some excellent touring suggestions for first timers.

[disneydana]

Check out www.tourguidemike.com. It is a site you have to pay for but it gives you several sample itineraries and is loaded with info. I used it for our last trip and would use it again.

[MickeyRon]

Originally posted by Tom Carroll
Thanks Dana. Any help would be great 'from the ground floor' as it were. I've also just discovered tourguidemike.com and subscribed. I think that will be a good investment too. We're pretty seasoned hands at the walking bit because we've been to Disneyland Paris 11 times, but I think we'll be going much much more than the extra mile at WDW!!

Will you give us a review of Tour Guide Mike after your trip?? I almost subscribed for our last trip, but opted out... I would love to hear your thoughts once you return!!

[kentf]

Does the TGM come with detailed maps? Seems a bit pricey - but I know little about it.

Thanks

[disneyguy]

HHHmmmmm yeah I am not sure how we arranged that for you but we some how did. Congrads! There are two ways of touring the parks: 1) Paratrooper Style or 2) Leisurly Stlye. I prefer a combination of the two. You picked a wonderful time of the year to be visiting Disney, it is wonderful weather and the crouds are still on the low side. I have seen fellow DC memebers offer some wonderful sites and books to use. I tend to use the books as a guide, to tell you what days tend to be the least crouded for each park. I am not sure if you are staying at a Disney Resort but.... if you do not take advantage of the Extra Magic Hour then go to a different park than was available for that. I am not sure if that made any sense at all. I just prefer to figure out my itenerary of what parks what days before I go and then when I get to the park I will decide on my touring plan, based upon wait times (and a little expirience). Rides such as Test-Track, Rockin' Roller Coaster, and Tower of Terror, tend to build up a line quickly. So ride them early whatever you do!

[MissDisney]

Tom, we have had much success with the two-park-a-day habit! I plan out the week with each day including a morning at one park, then a lunch/swim break, then a visit to another park. And I stagger them so we get at least one morning and one evening at each of the parks. It makes the day really interesting, and it feels like a bigger vacation! Also, it gives you the chance to re-visit anything you really loved your first trip through! The only time I have us slated to be in one place for an entire day is when we go to Typhoon Lagoon (our favorite!) or Blizzard Beach.
P.S. If you haven't already made meal reservations, you might want to do so now, because some of the best places fill up fast. The earlier you call, the better! The number is 407-WDW-DINE.
We will be there at the same time! Have a terrific time!

[Dana]

Tom -

Do you still want the detailed park maps? I completely forgot I promised them to you. I have them and can mail them to you if you want them. Sorry I flaked on this. This is the first I've checked in on this post...big DUH! for me. Well, if you still want them, please give me a PM and I'll mail then out. Sorry for forgetting about it.:)

[jwdj4lfe]

I'm so excited for you Tom! Your first trip to WDW! I wonder when my first trip to DLP will be? :cry: lol. Quick Question, when you are in Orlando, do you plan on doing the other parks? I noticed you said you will be here for 2 weeks but only have a 1 week park hopper pass. When it comes to my favorite Itinerary for WDW if I have Hopper passes is to spend the morning and early afternoon in one park, once it starts getting crowded and you've done all the highlights hop over to another park and get some stuff done there, and stay for the Fireworks show. The next day do another park in the morning and go back to the park you left early the day before and stay for the rest of the day, and see the fireworks show. That way you get all the parks done and in the end you have the flexibility to hop around to go back and visit your favorites.

Originally posted by Tom Carroll
PS. I love the fact that you all arranged it so the dollar could be at an an 11 year low for my first trip stateside. Yesterday it was at nearly $1.73 to our pound. Thanks. I'll make sure it goes back up when you all come over here.

And about the currency exchange..Thanks! What am I going to do when Im in the U.K. in 4 weeks? lol. Everythings going to be soo expensive! Oh and I have a question that you can help me out with. They use the Pound in Wales, Scotland and England but the Euro in Ireland, right? I'm going to have to change currencies twice then if this is true:dazed .
Joe:)

[jwdj4lfe]

Im arriving in Dublin, Ireland April 3rd and are coming back home on Easter Sunday, April 10th from London. What airport are you flying into? I think our plane is leaving from Heathrow. It would be funny if we bumped into each other in the Airport! Just look for a group of 40 American teenagers, and the one with the Rubber Chicken hanging out of the back pack is me! lol. I dont have my full Itinerary yet though, I will be getting it in about 2 weeks. I could PM you it and you can tell me what the places are like and what you recommend if you want too. I would appreciate it! Frommer's is a good source of Info., but not as good as a local!
Joe:)

[disneyguy]

LOL, glad to hear the chicken will get to see the world outside of WDW.

[Paul S]

Tom,
Here's a hint on the Fantasmic dinner package: SHOW UP EARLY to the restaurant. What you find at WDW is that you never really have reservations. You have "preferred seating" so it's still basically first-come-first-served. We have done this twice, and both times missed the start of the show as the wait was longer than anticipated. Both times WDW employees- being their stellar selves- did escort us back to some wonderful seats after dinner, but it really would have been nice if we'd just showed up 15 to 30 min. early to the restaurant.