Can you help a Disney Virgin out

I finally did it and pulled the trigger and booked Disney. We have said we were going to do it for the past 2 years but always chicken out because I feel like its so over whelming and won't be in the least bit relaxing and its sooo expensive. Neither dh or I have ever been.

We're going in mid September. We are staying on Disney property for 2 nights/3 days at the art of animation. Than we are staying at the Sheraton Vistana (we got an insane deal) for 5 days. For Disney we got a 3 day basic pass for tickets, and The Dining plan for 2 sit down meals and 2 quick service.


I have no idea what we should fast pass, what we should eat. I feel like you need to go to school and get a degree is Disney to go there. My girls will be 5 & 7 when we travel. They love everything princess, love finding dory/nemo, toy story, Sophia the first.

Any advice would be helpful

Can you help a Disney Virgin out

For Princesses:
Meals: Cinderella's Royal Table in Magic Kingdom (very hard to get reservations for), Akershus in Epcot (look at menu to see if it appeals to your family) or dinner at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian (my personal fav)

Fast passes: Meet and greets to a specific princess (lines CAN get long and especially if they love princesses), Encounter with Belle at Magic Kingdom

There is also the Bibbity Boppity Boutique - I have never done it but that's an option. You can look into that.

Nemo:
No dining experience but they have a Nemo ride at Epcot. Don't think you need fast pass for though.

Toy Story:
No dining experience but they have a Toy Story Mania ride in Hollywood Studios that you def need a fast pass for.

Sophia the First:
Dining at Hollywood and Vine for breakfast and lunch in Hollywood Studios

She will also meet in the courtyard of Dining Jr Live Show, and you don't need a fast pass for it.

I might be missing some other stuff.........I will add as it comes to me.

Message edited 1/6/2017 2:59:12 PM.

Re: Can you help a Disney Virgin out

I personally would go to Animal Kingdom or do a 2nd day at MK over going to Hollywood Studios. Much of the stuff there is closed, and a lot of it heavily Star Wars focused right now.

Can you help a Disney Virgin out

In Magic Kingdom I would absolutely FP Peter Pan's Flight, and 7 Dwarfs Mine Train Ride. To meet & greet the princesses, I would make reservations for breakfast at Akershus in Epcot. It's an easier reservation than Cinderella's Royal Table, it's less expensive, and the breakfast is a solid meal with something for everyone (vs lunch or dinner, which many people do not enjoy due to the cuisine). You have the added bonus of meeting 5 princesses without waiting on lines. I would also try and get reservations for breakfast at Chef Mickey at the Contemporary Resort. That way you can meet the Fab 5 - again at a meal where they come to you, instead of standing on line for a meet & greet. For Toy Story & Sophia, the only way to have any real interaction is by going to Hollywood Studios. Not worth it IMO. But, if they really want to, you can meet Buzz & Woody together (I'm not sure if FP is available for that), and Sophia. For the ages of your girls, the only ride would be Toy Story Mania, which you absolutely shouldn't ride without a FP, because the line is typically 60-90 minutes. Right now, as I type this, there is a 55 minute wait. The first week in January is the slowest week of the year at Disney.

As for other dining choices - it depends on what you like. For hearty traditional dining, Liberty Tree Tavern in MK is good. It's really hard to go wrong with any of the choices in Epcot - there it's just a matter of taste and price. Art of Animation has one of the best food courts on property in terms of variety.

Re: Can you help a Disney Virgin out

Message edited 1/9/2017 2:29:01 AM.

Re: Can you help a Disney Virgin out

Yay for pulling the Disney trigger! You will have an excellent time.
The ladies here have good suggestions for you. Did you book through a travel agent? If so, don't be afraid to ask them your questions. Most agents that sell Disney love to help their clients plan their vacations and will help make your dining reservations and fast passes too.

It's funny that you mention needing a degree. Disney actually has a course for travel agents that we need to complete that is called the Disney College of Knowledge lol

If you did not book with an agent, I may be able to help you with all of the above as well. Please feel free to reach out to me. It can be overwhelming for a repeat guest let alone a Disney virgin and I want EVERYONE to love Disney because it is my happy place.

September is my favorite time of year to go to Walt Disney World. Art of Animation is great. You will love it!
With a 3 day base ticket, do you plan on visiting 3 different parks or will you be spending 2 days at Magic Kingdom?

Re: Can you help a Disney Virgin out

Re: Can you help a Disney Virgin out

Can you help a Disney Virgin out

2 days in MK and I would do morning/afternoon in HS so they can do the Disney Jr stuff and Toy Story and evening in Epcot. I personally love Epcot in the evening, walk around and go to each country. You can also get the schedule for when the different princesses from each country does their meet and greet.

Re: Can you help a Disney Virgin out