taking my family for the first time

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Re: taking my family for the first time

Post by BRWombat » Sat Jan 03, 2009 8:52 am

Big Wallaby wrote:Welcome! I call dibs on your kids' first monorail ride. I promise they will never forget it.

Just look for a marsupial having fun at TTC or Epcot. If you see someone you think is me, then say, "Marsupial Madness!" and I will respond with something witty.

I'll also PM you some info.
Take him up on his offer, jerlove -- he'll give your whole family a wonderful, memorable experience.

Speaking of which, BW, New Years Day was the anniversary of our first meeting, riding with you on Kilimanjaro Safaris! We'll never forget your pre-ride spieling, asking the guests boarding if there were any particular animals we wanted to see. I of course shouted, "Wallabies!" You cracked us up as you "officially" replied in the mic, "Sorry, I don't think we'll see any wallabies today" -- all while pointing repeatedly at yourself! :D:

(Wallaby, did I ever send you any of our pictures with you in them? PM me.)


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Re: taking my family for the first time

Post by JAG » Sat Jan 03, 2009 8:53 am

Ya know, you guys are all amazing. I found this site a while ago and used the tales to make sure I would never be an SG. I did not think I was, but there were things, I may have done in jest that could be considered SG like, and I made sure I did not do them.



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Re: taking my family for the first time

Post by Monorail_Red » Sat Jan 03, 2009 11:30 am

jerlove wrote:I am so glad I came across this site. I am learning what not to do so I can avoid the title "SG" lol. Perhaps just making this post may qualify me.....

Anyways I am taking the family on our first ever Disney Vacation at the end of Jan, I have 2 children one is 7 the other is 2 and we are staying at the ASsports resort. I think I am even more excited than the kids. So far my interactions with CM's thru the WDW travel company and the reservations phone lines have been fantastic. I am looking for some tips to make this the most memorable family vacation ever.

1)My son loves the mono-rail and I would love to get him up front. What is the best time of day to attempt this?

2)Pin trading? would most 7yr olds enjoy this?

3)Should I drive to the parks from the resort or are the buses the better way to go?

4)any other tips to make our trip fantastic?

Thanks in advance for all of your help
:welcome: to :sgt: !!

1) I pretty got catching the front cab down to a science...the Resort Monorail (the one that goes around the Lagoon CW & stops at each station) is hard to catch because there are 5 stops, so chances are slim that a cab would be available wherever you board. I've had my best chances boarding a Resort Monorail from athe Magic Kingdom Station (since a majority of the people get off there). The Resort Monorail is about a 20min round trip.

The Express Monorial & Epcot Monorail lines are a one-way service either to the Magic Kindgom, Transportation and Ticket Center or Epcot. In other words, if you board an Express or Epcot Monorail, you must exit at the next stop (if you're in the front cab). Just ask a CM if you can wait for the front of the next available train.

On the Express Monorail is the loop that travels CCW around the Lagoon and stops only the TTC and the MK. At both stops (which ever you prefer to board at) there is a small queue area towards the front of the platform to board the front of the next available train. You're guranteed to board unless there is a group already waiting, or if they are not loading the front cab due to training, weather, etc. If you were to board at the TTC it would be about a 5min ride to the MK, or if you were to board at the TTC it's about a 5min ride back. I would suggest doing it both ways. :)

The Epcot Monorail runs directly between Epcot and the TTC. Same deal as the Express Monorail, guranteed to board unless there's already a group waiting or of they're not loading the front for whatever reason. There is no queue area for the front, but the CM at the station will make sure that you get up there. The ride from the TTC to Epcot is about a 10min ride. I would suggest doing that once the sun sets, since that the Monorail goes over the park, and it's cool to see everything lit-up at night. From Epcot to the TTC it's about an 8min ride. Again, I would suggest doing it both ways.

Here's a map of the system:
Image

I should also mention that you can only take 4 at a time to ride up front. If there is a wait and you're in no hurry to get anywhere, it's well worth it. It's one of the things you can do in WDW to have a blast that is absolutely FREE.

2) Both of my siblings continue to have a blast pin trading and have been doing it for several years now. But however, just as a heads-up, pins can range from $6-8, and some $15/each. But as mentioned above me, you can get a starter kit with 4 pins and a lanyard for around $15-20. Just make sure that the pins that you trade for have the Disney backstamp so you know that they are official.

One thing that I recommend doing, which I have done with my siblings all the time is something we call "Resort Hopping", where we stop at each monorail resort (Contemporary, Polynesian, Grand Floridian) to stop in each gift shop, where they have a pin board that you can ask for, which has Cast Member edition pins that you can trade. Max of one trade per person per board per day.

Maybe your son can collect all 12 of the lanyard monorail pins! Although, most of them are hard to come by:
Image

3) I would use the Disney Buses, never had many problems with the buses, espically at the All-Star resorts. On a few occacions had to wait for 40min+ but other than that, no other big issues. On occasion we would drive if we had an early breakfeast reservation, we would just drive. We always drive to WDW so we have our own vehicle anyway.

4) If I can I would like to direct your attention to the Disney Mom's Panel: http://disneyworldforum.disney.go.com/home.aspx

The Moms Panel is a forum where online "Moms" answer your questions and offer advice about family vacations to WDW.

My Mom is one of them :D:

Hope all this information helps! Have a wonderful trip!


Regards,
Monorail_Red

The views and opinions expressed on this post are mine and do not necessarily represent or reflect those of The Walt Disney Company.

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Re: taking my family for the first time

Post by kurtisnelson » Sat Jan 03, 2009 2:42 pm

Monorail_Red wrote: Image
Lime is missing the white chevron!


Kurt

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Re: taking my family for the first time

Post by Monorail_Red » Sat Jan 03, 2009 2:43 pm

kurtisnelson wrote:Lime is missing the white chevron!
Same thing with Coral!


Regards,
Monorail_Red

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Re: taking my family for the first time

Post by hobie16 » Sat Jan 03, 2009 2:50 pm

kurtisnelson wrote:Lime is missing the white chevron!
They're also missing the rest of the cars. :D:


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Re: taking my family for the first time

Post by jerlove » Sat Jan 03, 2009 7:34 pm

I am going to try to find the Big Wallaby to take him up on his offer.

Another question. We are having breakfast with Mickey at the Contemporary early in the morning and then planning on heading over to Magic Kingdom on the monorail after breakfast. Can we park at the hotel and leave the car there while we go to MK? Also I understand there is room for 4 people in the front of the monorail. Will a stroller fit as well?

Again Thank you all for your responses.



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Re: taking my family for the first time

Post by kurtisnelson » Sat Jan 03, 2009 8:58 pm

jerlove wrote:Another question. We are having breakfast with Mickey at the Contemporary early in the morning and then planning on heading over to Magic Kingdom on the monorail after breakfast. Can we park at the hotel and leave the car there while we go to MK? Also I understand there is room for 4 people in the front of the monorail. Will a stroller fit as well?
Stroller will fit if you can fold it up. You should be able to leave your car there, but it would be better to ask the mighty ZASU (Spelling it wrong tends to get him here faster)


Kurt

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Re: taking my family for the first time

Post by BriDon51 » Sat Jan 03, 2009 9:02 pm

jerlove wrote:I am going to try to find the Big Wallaby to take him up on his offer.

Another question. We are having breakfast with Mickey at the Contemporary early in the morning and then planning on heading over to Magic Kingdom on the monorail after breakfast. Can we park at the hotel and leave the car there while we go to MK? Also I understand there is room for 4 people in the front of the monorail. Will a stroller fit as well?

Again Thank you all for your responses.
As for parking at the Contemporary for breakfast, you will be given a 3 hour pass. They frown on people taking up parking for any longer.



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Re: taking my family for the first time

Post by BriDon51 » Sat Jan 03, 2009 9:05 pm

mechurchlady wrote: ..portions snipped

http://www.mousesteps.com/index.php
Go on a walk with this guy. He has some interesting photos so that you really can understand how to get around WDW but usually not where you will be at, lol.
Actually the webmaster is a gal :) She started the web site as a way to show off her pics as well as a way to exercise to lose and keep off weight.



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