DISNEY EXPERTS---1st timers need help!
Find a Conversation
| 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!

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?
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
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.
Send a free greeting card on me!!
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