Going to DISNEY!!! - Sulphur,LA

1. Pick up the Unofficial Guide to Disney World - they come out with a new edition every year and it's invaluable for planning things out, especially when it comes to trying to hit as many rides and attractions as possible while minimizing waiting in line.

2. Get the park when it opens and be there for rope drop - it won't be as crowded as it will be later, when most people decide to take their time, linger over breakfast, and then show up at 11 and complain about all the lines. Then you can take a break in the middle of the afternoon if you want to and head back in the evening. Hit the most popular things first. if you want shop or just mosey around, you can do that later.

3. Use Fast Pass wherever you can - saved us a ton of time when it came to waiting. The Disney Photo Pass is awesome too. They have photographers stationed around that will take pics of you guys and they get saved to a card that you carry around. Then you can use that card to get pics on CD, etc.

4. If you decide to do the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique thing, save it for toward the end of the trip, in case your daughter decides she just can't have it all undone. I heard a story about a mom whose daughter had it done the first day and then refused to shower, wash, undo the hair, etc. She said by the end of their trip, daughter looked like "Belle on crack". The barber shop in Magic Kingdom does do a mini version of it for a lot less money.

5. HAVE FUN! Sometimes, you are just going to have to give in and buy the $10 Mickey Mouse balloon or whatever. It's totally worth it. Enjoy every minute. Savor it as much as you can. That's so awesome you get to surprise her like this and at the time you are going, it shouldn't be that crowded either. :)

Repeat of my answer to where to stay at Disney minus the staying part... :-P

The attractions all depend on the age of the kids. If you want character experiences, you need to book them before you go. We really liked the dinner with Cinderella and her step sisters, the breakfast with Mickey at Ohanna, and the breakfast with Donald at Tusker House.
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/reservations/dining/

We really enjoy Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Epcot. I can't say the studios park was all that interesting and the breakfast/lunch there with the Disney Jr characters is awful!

Downtown Disney we had my daughter dressed up like a princess. This was overrated! She loved the outfit, but they put make up on my 4 year old and they only have certain hair styles they do that look awful. Best bet is to buy the outfit, put it on, and have the fair godmother at the desk sprinkle her with pixie dust. Much better idea for next time!!!

Loved the night shows at MK! Well worth the stay! Would liked to have seen the one at epcot. You have to make reservations for this show and it is supposed to be spectacular!

There are photographers in the park that will take pictures for you and have special effects and signatures that are really cute. Your best bet for park photopass purchase...
1. Sign up for a Disney Chase visa card
2. Use the card to purchase your trip (6 months no interest)
3. With the points earned for your trip purchase, pre-purchase the Disney Photopass CD (unlimited photos - http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/digital-photos.htm)
4. At epcot, you get a special photo op with characters no one else sees
5. Tell all photographers you pre-ordered the CD because they will take extra photos
6. When you get home, make edits to your photos to include special effects like characters and frames
7. order CD with code from pre-purchase

By doing this, I got over 250 photos of our family for $60 that I can print anywhere.

Ok... I could go on and on. If you have specific questions, send me a message. :)

Check out the Ridemax web sight. Sooooo Worth it! just be sure to schedule yourselves breaks and down time, and picture time.
Good luck
E.

We took our daughter to Disney last summer right before her 5th birthday. The highlight of our trip was when we had dinner with Cinderella, the Prince, the Stepsisters and the Stepmother at the Grand Floridian. It was awesome and even my husband and I were in awe. My daughter was so overwhelmed that she hardly ate anything at all. The food was also really good and there were lots of things to choose from.

The Main Street Electrical Parade and the fireworks afterwards were really neat and much, much better than I expected.

I agree that Fast Pass is the way to go when they are available and lines are long. You can have two Fast Passes per person at a time.

Check out Downtown Disney. My daughter was in heaven when we went into the Disney store there. It is HUGE. We also ate at the T-Rex Cafe there and it was a really fun experience. The Rainforest Cafe is also fun.

Hat, sunglasses, sweater (layers for hot & cold temps), wipes & ALWAYZ rent a stroller (they have bigger ones) even if she doesn't get tired & need it I use it so I don't have to carry things, so far after MANY years of going with MANY kidz & adults I haven't had ANYTHING taken from a stroller...I never took my own cuz' the price of the rental was marginal compared to having to lug one!

Have fun! Try to have breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc. with the characters if you can, it's fun, inexpensive & gives the child access to characters w/o having to push their way through a big crowd.

Can I come???? ;p

Lucky you! Where should I begin....There's so much info....The character breakfast at Chef Mickey's is by far the best character breakfast. Request a small refrigerator for your room and keep your own bottled water, soda, etc. in it. Take bottled water & snacks into the parks with you; this will save you money, as all food is pricey in the parks. Are you staying on Disney property? If so, take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours. January is a great time to go if you don't mind the cooler weather, because there are usually no crowds or lines at all. Remember to take sweaters, jackets and long pants; it can get really cold in Orlando in January. One January when I was there, the temp was only 41 degrees during the day & in the 30's at night. If you have any specific questions, please feel free to send me a message. I have been to Disney World countless times! By the way, pick up the Birnbaum Disney World guide book - it's a big help! Have fun!!!

You have to book sit down meals by calling the reservation line if you are using the dining plan.

There are some staff who know the times and locations of the characters. If you are not there in line right away, they close the line to take photos with them.

Wear COMFORTABLE shoes and wicking socks. That place is one big line.