DISNEY EXPERTS---1st timers need help!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-12-2004
DISNEY EXPERTS---1st timers need help!
5
Sun, 04-02-2006 - 8:03am

I'm so excited I found this site! We're doing Disney for the first time with kids, and we want it to be fun, not some exhauting nightmare. I have tons of questions, and I'd appreciate any feedback......... We're a family of 6, DH, myself (we've been before, but alone), and 4 girls, ages 11, 8, 5 & 2. The 2 yo can nap or not. We have 3 day park hopper passes and 1 day at Seaworld, with no meal plan. Ok, here goes.

1. We're flying Southwest on 4/22 and getting in around 4PM. We're staying at Holiday Inn Maingate Nikki Bird Resort. Should we rent a van?How are the shuttles?

2. Anyone ever stayed at the Holiday Inn Maingate Nikki Bird Resort?

3. My littler girls are all about princesses right now, are they just in Magic Kingdom or all over Disney? Any suggestions on a MK itinerary?

We were thining about Epcot for another day. Any suggestions there?

The third day will be either MGM or Animal Kingdom. Any suggestions?

4. Are there stroller rentals easily available or should be bring our own? If we rent,can we keep them for the whole time? Are they available at night?

5. Any food suggestions? Are we near enough to a grocery store if we don't rent a van? We haven't set a food budget yet, any estimates? The little girls usually share something when we go out to eat, the big girls aren't huge eaters either. We don't need fancy, just food!

6. What is the weather generally like at the end of April? Really really hot?

Thanks in advance, I've been reading here, and you all seem so "Disney seasoned" and helpful....... I'm sure I'll be back with more questions!

Avatar for cl_ktbugsmom
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 04-02-2006 - 9:38am

Welcome!! You're missing the busiest part of Spring Break, but will still hit some of it so be prepared for a bit of a crowd. On to your questions.


1. We're flying Southwest on 4/22 and getting in around 4PM. We're staying at Holiday Inn Maingate Nikki Bird Resort. Should we rent a van?How are the shuttles?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-1999
Sun, 04-02-2006 - 9:50am
hello and welcome to the board, val will be on soon and she will give you lots of advice she is great. i will try and answer some things and telll you about my expererence, We have stayed on sit eand offsite mostly offsite.because there are usually 8 of us . We stay at the days inn suites in old towne it is 10 minutes away and has suites with 2 bedrooms and kitchen and living room all forabout 69 anight with AAA discount, you may wnat to look into that. Yes youwill need a car, to get grocerys get dinner and the shuttles only have certain schedules, much easier with car. days inn is on rt192 and there are all kinds of eaterys, Mcd wendys ponderosa just about any resturarnt you can think of and there is even a walmart nearby. we stay there because of the price it is a nice hotela nd the pool is nice to.anyway stollers youcan rent howeve ryou have to return them each day and they do cost i think 6 a day. We just bring umbrella strollers for twins. and if youdon't want to drag them with you. like i said earlier there is a walmart you cna get them for 10 bucks and still save money. the strollers only rent in parks so when getting to parking lot to go on trams to park you have no stroller that is why the umbrella strollers work good easy to fold up and compact to carry. oh another neat thing whatever stroller you decide to use tie a colored bandana on it so you can recognize it when you come out of the rides, oh by the way this works for suitcases at airport too. Your idea of a whole day at MK and epcot is a good one. we do that and then do AM animal kingdom and PM MGM. it works out fine, even with going back to hotel to cook a big 3oclock meal to do lunch and dinner i cook and th ekids swim or nap depending on age then we eat and go back, its alot less expensive or sometimes we dothe $1 meals at wendys. Mk is where youwill see the ost of the princess's also mgm each park has parades make sure you get times so you get to see them the late parade at MK is best if the little ones can stay up, while the first parade is going on you get to buzz through the rides. when we go into parks we do oppisite most people we head to the back(get amap so youknow what rides you MUST go on then we cirlce to fantasy land and toon town and work our way back. sometimes this saves time. keep readng here and also check out www.mousavers.com and allears.net you will find great info i willl be talking to you littlebitt
Avatar for shelb31
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-12-2006
Sun, 04-02-2006 - 4:51pm

First of all, congratulations! A lot of people wouldn't take 4 kids (I would and not blink an eye). You will have a wonderful time if you start off with the right mindset. First and foremost, don't think you can do it all! There is absolutely no way. You need to figure out what rides/shows you want to do, and focus on them. Leave out the minor attractions. Also, I highly recommend taking a break in the afternoon. Either return to your hotel for a nap/quiet time/pool time, or find a relaxing spot in the park and chill out for a while.

Secondly, don't stress when you're there (easier said than done!). What I mean is, be flexible. Don't be too strict about your itinerary. If you don't feel like going to your ADRs for dinner, then call and cancel. Sometimes it's a good thing to play it by ear.

You haven't mentioned meals. You should decide quickly if there are any dinners/breakfasts/lunch that you want to do, and try to make ADRs (advanced dining reservations). It's a little late, but you've got a chance of getting some. I really think you need to do at least one character meal. You won't be able to get into CRT (Cinderella's Royal Table) for breakfast, but you may can for lunch. The princesses are there at both, I believe. Another suggestion would be the princess breakfast in Norway. You may want to check the menu for that; they have some different things at other meals, so that's why I suggested breakfast because it's more "common" food. Another great place is Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary. It has Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip and Dale. They're open for all 3 meals. One last suggestion is 1900 Park Fare for dinner. Cinderella, Prince Charming, the Fairy Godmother, and the 2 mice are there. Kind of pricey but good.

I HIGHLY recommend Epcot. My kids are ds (8 on Easter) and dd (6 in June). They have been 4 times (5 for ds). They LOVE Epcot! It rates right up there with MK. I'm not sure which one they'd choose. They love the entertainment in World Showcase. Test Track is ds' favorite ride of any park, so we'd have to go for that reason alone!

Gotta run for now! HTH!

M'Shel

Disney 2010
Avatar for beckymk
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-1998
Mon, 04-03-2006 - 11:28am

I have no advice for you, since we stayed on-site (but I would definitely rent a van with staying off-site).


I just wanted to say have a fun time.

Becky - Mom to Carolyn (17), Aaron (15), Kyle (11) & Luke (8)
Send a free greeting card on me!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2005
Mon, 04-03-2006 - 12:21pm

Welcome to the board! You've gotten tons of great info already; I'll just add on a few bits and pieces! :)


Princesses - in addition to the places at MK and the shows at MGM-Studios (you'll find

Val, Co-CL Disney Vacations