Disney Trip

Amy - posted on 01/15/2009

We own a timeshare down there so we go about every year.... LOVE IT, but the GREAT news about Disney parks is they really don't care what kind of food you are bringing in. I always pack a softside cooler with sandwiches, grapes, veggies and PLENTY of bottled water! It is much cheaper to do this than to spend the money at the parks to eat. I even freeze some of my bottles of water to use as ice packs in my cooler.....just let them sit out in the stroller for a while and they will thaw! Hope you and your family have a wonderful time....btw, mine are 9, 6, and 3 we went to Hollywood Studios this year because it seemed to have the most to choose from with the differant ages. My kids had a wonderful time and I still think it was a good pick!

Emily - posted on 01/15/2009

Ooooh... I'm so jealous. We went to Disneyland in CA with my parents and siblings about 5 years ago... the summer before I got pregnant with my first. It was one of my favorite family vacations and we still have so many wonderful memories from there. We considered taking our girls last September, but it didn't work out. Now DH is going back to school for a Master's Degree, so it will be at least two years before we get a chance to take our kids... but I'll be dreaming of it until then. :)

One thing I wanted to mention.. if you find a ride that everyone loves... do it multiple times. We rode the Pirates ride about 8 times, and the Grizzly River Run in California Adventure park about 12 times. We just had so much fun that we kept going back, and it was still fun the next time around! We also discovered that several rides have super short lines right before a big event like a parade or something. If you want to watch a parade, have someone save seats (maybe with the baby) and the other parent can go nearby with the other kids and take advantage of shorter lines.

Jennifer - posted on 01/15/2009

The matching clothes thing is helpful.  I only had two little kids and a teenage brother and the matching clothes helped me!  (Yes, the my 17 year old brother even wore the same color shirts as the kids... he's a good uncle!)

Shauna - posted on 01/15/2009

I can't explain enough how AMAZINGLY HELPFUL all of you are!  God's richest blessings, and thanks for all the advice!  There are so many things that you all have said that I would have never known or thought of!  This site is GREAT for this stuff!

Nina - posted on 01/15/2009

Sheesh...you asre brave!  But good for you!  It's been awhile since I have been to the Orlando park, but the rules of Park going are universal in my opinion.  So, here are my thoughts. 

1.  Do dress your kids all in the same shirts if you can possibly manage it... finding them is so much easier if they become lost from sight for a moment.

2.  Do bring your own snack.  No joke, $20/kid/day on snacks is lame.  You could take another vacation with that!

3.  Don't rush.  That rocks that you have so much time in the park.  Enbjoy it and even spend a whole day in each "land" to find all the awesome stuff.

4.  Do take naps/make the kids rest/nap.  You will love yourself for it by day 3.

Thats the big ones.  have a super trip.

Laurie - posted on 01/15/2009

I have four children and we go to disney yearly. couple of things.

1. If you plan on satying on property the food plan is a big money saver. It also includes character dining if you want. Those character meals if well planned avoid waiting on long line so see the character. The characters come to you.



2. The photo pass is awsome if you can afford it. anywhere you see on of their photographers let them take the picture. You have enough to worry about without worring about a camera. They take better pictures then you anyway. some of the candids they get are wow. The CD with all the pictures will cost about $130 and you can make all of the coppies you want at your regular photo developing store. The best part is you get to enjoy the moment instead of trying to capture it. (I take a picture of the numbers on the back of the card incase it is lost)

3. I try to schedule one day on then one day off. The children will enjoy the day at the pool, downtown disney or any one of a million other things and be refreshed for the next day in the park instead of cranky

Finally if you google "Disney Deb" you will find the "all ears network" and there are a million tips on there. I read it all the time. You can even see pictures of the resorts and menues. It is a wonderful planning too.



Oh wait. We let each child pick one activity for each park and gaurentee that one thing and explain that everything else is bonus. They are happy because they get their special ride and each one has a different day to be first. Do not try to do it all. You will just stress out yourself and your whole famliy. Plan, Plan, Plan then relax and enjoy

Mellissa - posted on 01/15/2009

i took my 4 year old in october just gone. Make sure you take lots of bottles of drink cos the hot weather and over priced drinks you will need it. Spare pair of clothes as it will be a long day.

We only went to magic kingdom, animal kingdom, universal studios and hollywood studios and that was enough for just one week. Your children will be exhausted and prob need a sleep during the day. Mine did thats for definate.

Good luck hope it helps.

Shauna - posted on 01/15/2009

Thankyou so much!  I will have to look into that website.  The FastPass is a must!  Especially considering a child or two will have to stay back with me or my husband at times.  I will definetely keep in mind the Garden Grill.  Oh my girls would LOVE it.  Maybe make a date for Princess' & while the girls & I do that, my husband & son could do something else.  Again, THANKYOU SO MUCH!

Jennifer - posted on 01/15/2009

Oh, here are some sites for restaurants and FastPass info:  http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/restaur...

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/fastpass....

You can make dining reservations online about 6 months out, I believe.

Jennifer - posted on 01/15/2009

Most important piece of advice: take advantage of FastPass. Little kids don't want to wait in line for an hour to do anything (not that we do, either!) and FastPass will keep the waiting to a minimum... plus, it's free.  Also, don't be afraid to go early, come back to the hotel to nap, and go back later. The last time we went was in the summer so the heat was a factor. That won't be the case with you but still be sure to pack sufficient layers, earwarmers, gloves, etc. in your bag to bring to the park. Consider making reservations for your dining. I didn't make them for ALL of our meals - just dinner. I also made a reservation for my daughter and me to have breakfast at Cinderella's with the princesses and we really wanted to go but she had a headache so we skipped it. We LOVED the Rainforest Cafe in Animal Kingdom. Cosmic Ray's is always good for a quick burger or chicken fingers. The best, though, was the Garden Grill. TONS of characters came to visit and have pics with the kids while we ate. It was 3 years ago and just looking at the expressions on their faces during that one meal was enough to make me want to go back. They were SO excited.  Anyway, have fun!

Wendy - posted on 01/15/2009

We have never been, but really want to! I just wanted to say have a great trip! Do take plenty of pictures so the little ones can see how much fun they had when they get bigger!