I just returned back from my 19th trip to Walt Disney World. Yep, next year, it'll be the
big 2-0! I started going to WDW pre-children, mostly for Toy Tips business, speaking at
conferences. But, when Maxx was born, a trip south took a whole new role. Just to see the smile on his face was worth every second.
When my daughter was born, toting two kids could have been a challenge but we quickly learned to balance our time and fun with
age-appropriate entertainment.
I've been documenting each trip as a parent with ideas on the best things to pack, best parks to visit, and
the best rides to go on with kids and without them.
Below is my personal opinion on how to "DO" Disney!
Pre-plan:
Start by reviewing resources, advice and tips, on-line, in
books, or from the advice of experienced friends. WDW can be overwhelming and is geared
for all ages, so you want to be sure to do things you really want to do, but still make time to
discover the rest!
In today’s economy, parents need to carefully determine a realistic budget for a family
vacation, knowing there will be last minute changes to plans wherever you go.
Allow your school-age children to help with the planning. The more excited they are and the
more input they give will reduce stress once you get there. For kids, waiting in line for rides may not seem as long
if they are the ones who can't wait to do what "they" planned. And, splurge for the Park Hopper Pass. You can visit more than one Disney theme park in the same day. There is free transportation between the parks and you usually can get at least two in! Three is pushing it.
Once you determine travel dates, airline reservations and the number of days you plan to
spend in the WDW parks (I never recommend less than 4), decide if you will stay at one of the WDW properties.
If you do, you can avoid having to rent a car (that is a nice expense to save on) any avoid
worry about directions or finding your way through the WDW property.
Worth the Read:
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Walt Disney World
(idiotsguides.com)
By Doug Ingersoll
The 2010 edition has current up-to-date information on the most recent changes to the parks. I
liked the advice about the 3 "R's" -rides, resorts and restaurants.
Disney MOMS panel.
The Mom’s Panel is a chat room on the WDW.com website where you can log-in and ask
questions of the members, who are professional Disney-goers. You can also search for
answers to many commonly asked questions that are kept in their database and arranged by
topic or keyword. You won't find advice from a first time parent but you will find advice on
questions that many parents would like to know ahead of time. I found this to be a wonderful
way to ask those real-life parent questions to other parents. Ex: What do I do if I have 3 older
kids and a baby? How can the kids ride on a ride even though I can't?
Answer... The ride--option is to wait in line, but don't get on. Just wait on the other side when
they get off. If you really want to ride, you can do an adult swap parent switch so no one
misses out on the fun.
ACCOMODATIONS:
On site? Off site? Or both?
Well, this depends on how long you stay, how many people are with you, if you want to rent a
car or not, and if you plan to do things in Orlando outside WDW.
Personally, I love staying at the resorts. Each has a theme and a great pool, which you will
learn quickly, needs to be factored into the day (or night). Most pools are open late but parents
must be there to supervise.
I love this part. If you are staying at a WDW resort, there is never a need to rent a car. WDW
buses will pick you up and pick your bags up too! You need a reservation for this and it is free
but don't forget to make it at least a week in advance. You can do that online at wdw.com
Dining & Character breakfasts:
I recommend you make advance reservations for character breakfasts, and other dining
reservations. (It's easy to program the dining reservations number into your cell phone.)You
can either choose a Dining plan or simply "spend as you go". We did the budget and ate as we
went. Although we didn't choose the dining plan this trip, it is not too expensive. It offers
flexibility, especially with younger children (they may not be hungry, can share a meal with you,
etc.)
Cinderella’s Royal Table –This is a "must see" for any princess at any
age. You will be able to see all the princesses and get photographs and signatures. Grandmas love this as much as 4-year-olds!
Make reservations but if you are not able to get one, it never hurts to ask again once you arrive.
You just may be surprised. On a whim, we literally walked up, asked if there was any possible openings for the
day and she took us in 2 minutes! Thank goodness for the people who cancel. So, if you are
not able to get a reservation, don't give up hope. You may also try the dinner at Epcot. Refer to the country of Norway.
Chef Mickey- No one can leave WDW without seeing Mickey Mouse, right? So, here is where
to cinch that. Located at the Contemporary Resort, (the resort where the monorail runs right through),
features a buffet breakfast with so many options, no one will leave hungry. Mickey and Minnie
will visit your table and so will some of their friends.
OPTIMIZE YOUR TIME
Don't plan on sticking to this hour by hour or even day by day because there is so much to new to discover. Keep in mind, wait lines for rides can
be long if you don't get a fast pass. Make sure you take note of the hours for each of the
parks. Most importantly, you want to arrive early. This is the best time of the day to use your
fast-pass if you don't want to stand in line. Plan ahead for any special dining reservations that
you want. For the last 3 years, on our visit to Epcot, I tried to dine in Canada without a
reservation. Well, I guess next year, I will finally have to break down and make one. In fact, the
staff in Canada told me some families book as much as 6 months in advance! I'm guessing
their steaks and cream cheese mashed potatoes are worth it! If you don't have a reservation
though, don't give up hope. There are plenty of places to eat at Epcot that don't require
reservations. However, if you want to dine in a certain country, I highly recommend making an
advance reservation. My favorites are Germany, Italy and Mexico but each one it unique.
When you plan your daily itineraries, remember that the best laid plans do not
always work out as expected. Consider multiple factors, like the weather (heat/rain/etc), ages
of children (be able to recognize cues when they are hungry, need a nap, are tired from the
sun, are ready for swim time or are just plain done for the day.
I find it's good to split up the day because right when you hit the "MOM, let's go back to the
hotel to go swimming" phase, they are ready for dinner and more action right after that. Each
day, one park has Magic Hours for resort guests and stays open late. You may not know which
park will have this until you arrive but juggle that into your schedule because the wait lines
slow down and the kids can ride their favorites sometimes over and over again.
PACKING
Bring ponchos. Don't laugh. Get them at the Dollar Store. I didn't listen to my
sister-in law and they cost me $8 each when I was caught in the rain. Raindrops are normal for
Orlando so many times it won't ruin your whole day but you just have to deal with it.
RESORTS
I have 2 favorite resorts that I think are best for families with children under 8. I stayed at both with my kids and found them to be very comfortable for family travel.
The Boardwalk Inn Resort
The Boardwalk is fun. It's centrally located and really easy to get around.
I love it in the morning to go for a run (with a jogging stroller). Grab a muffin at the Boardwalk Bakery or treat yourself to a full breakfast at Iron Chef Cat Cora's new restaurant, La Koussina.
The healthy options prepared just for kids will make any parent happy. Or even just have a cup of coffee while the
kids sip strawberry milk sit and enjoy watching the birds on the lake (just don't feed them!) Later in the day, rent a
surrey bike and really feel what it is like to be on the Boardwalk. Just don't miss the slide in the pool. You will slide right through a
clown's mouth. Fun!
Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary Resort
This is the new condo resort steps away from the Contemporary. There is a private key entrance and if you need to check in at the Contemprary upon arrival.
Conveniently located for a quick walk to Magic Kingdom, you can catch the monorail in the Contemporary too. The deck has the best view for fireworks.
The kids will enjoy the pool which had an amazing slide and you can play shuffleboard and even rent grills for family fun.
Animal Kingdom Lodge
I have not stayed her yet but I already know it will make me feel like I went on a safari in Africa!
This is where I would like to stay next.
THE THEME PARKS
Each one has it's own charm and I recommend visiting all. However, if you don't have time, the
one NOT to miss is Magic Kingdom. This is the one that truly captures the magic of WDW. The
parades, the rides. the entrance and the characters walking all around make every one feel
like a kid again. And, if you are a kid, there is no better place to be at that time. If you are
pushing a stroller, stay off the street on Main Street because you can get the stroller wheels
stuck on the trolly's tracks. You can most likely get it out easy but it's a pain. I like the
sidewalks plus you don't want to miss the window shopping. On Main Street, my favorite stores
are the confectionary (of course), the barber (where, yes, your little boys and dads can get a
real haircut with no appointment necessary, but you may have to wait) and the souvenir shops. There
is so much great WDW merchandise that you will only find here. It is really worth the trip.
MAGIC KINGDOM
There is not a moment where the magic in this kingdom does not move you. Whether you are
walking on Main Street, watching a night time parade, riding Splash Mountain in Frontierland, taking the Jungle Cruise in
Adventureland visiting the Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square or dining at Cinderella's Royal
Table, each land in the kingdom will keep your mind moving and kids enjoying each new stop..
The daily evening fireworks are a must-see.
Don't miss:
The Pirates League.
This is the place where your child can transform into an official pirate, take the pirate oath,
receive a pirate name and choose a face-painting of their favorite pirate.
For a little more, you can buy a costume and order a photograph. I think the entire experience
is worth every penny. I was amazed at the work they do inside the League and, of course,you
must then take your new pirate on the Pirates of the Caribean Ride.
This ride is a must-see for all ages. Make your reservations early and plan to watch. Get your
video cameras out for the Pirates Oath. You'll want that on tape.
It's a Small World Ride. On this iconic ride, the hole family will have the song memorized by the end of the ride.
Then, get on again. This is my favorite ride in all of WDW!
Peter Pan Ride This is my daughter's favorite ride in all of WDW. Although, she now tells me she
added Space Mountain as a close second. (She's 5!)
Mickey's Philharmonic. Babies and toddlers may not like this because of the 3-D effects and
things coming out at you. But it's not scary.
Buzz Lightyear Ride- Challenge your kids as you ride through a lasertag game of obtaining
points and have your picture with Buzz taken after.
Fireworks. You can enjoy them each night and, if you are staying at the Contemporary of Bay
Lake Towers, you can see them right from your hotel.
Get a Dole Whip-just get one. You'll see why! The best cool refreshment in the park.
*Toontown will be going through an entire renovation soon, so you may want to check on the
status before you book your trip.
ANIMAL KINGDOM
Think of a zoo and a safari. Now combine them together and Animal Kingdom is what you get!
As you walk in, you'll feel like you are in a jungle, rainforest and in parts of Asia.
I can't make a trip to WDW without a morning trip to AK. I find breakfast at the Rainforest Cafe
kick starts the experience.
Don't miss:
Kilmanjaro Safari- I've never been on a real safari in Africa but I've been on this one more than ten times and each time, it sure feels like I am in Africa. The animals are up front and close and it's easy to get incredible pictures.
Festival of the Lion King- This is UNBELIEVABLE and will leave you with a warm feeling in
your heart. The production is so beautiful and moving, you will feel it should be on Broadway.
Flights of Wonder- This is the most amazing bird show I have even seen. It makes for a nice
break to sit for a while in the shade too.
Expedition Everest-- This roller coaster is not for the faint of heart, but last year, my 7-year-old son made
me go on it! Never thought I liked going backwards on a roller coaster.
The Jungle Parade.. This one is a MUST do.. That's for sure.. Mickey and friends are all dressed in safari garb singing and dancing really puts you in a groovy mood!
Eats:
Great coffee and ice tea at Safari Coffee in the Discovery Island Section. Don't miss the stroll
around the Tree of Life. The It's Tough to be a Bug Show may be a bug too much for little ones
who don't like loud noises and quick reactions.
Yak and Yeti- If you can get a window seat at around 4:00, you'll have the best view as the
parade goes right on by! Many characters are tall enough so you will not have a problem
seeing them.
HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
This park is really best for older children who want to understand movies and see how they are
made. We've been coming since Maxx was 3 and there was just enough for him to do in one
day that, by naptime, we didn't really miss anything. Now that he is 8, we need the full day. And
Mia, at 5, was ready for everything from the Voyage of the Little Mermaid to the Tower of
Terror. (Since neither child begged Mom to go, we opted to save that ride for next year!)
Toy Story 3 Ride is a 3-D must do ride, but fast passes are usually gone by noon. So, expect
long wait lines or get there super early. You could come for Magic Hours at night and hope the
lines are less lengthy.
We lunched at the Sci-Fi Theater. Uppon arrival of a reservation or wait in line, you are escorted to your " car" and watch old movies and commercials clips "drive-in style". What I found the most fun is how QUIET kids get while watching. Love
that. The food was great: burgers, shakes and fries, or healthier options, of course. It's a bit
challenging eating in a darker room, so use your cell phone light to read the menu. (At least I
did)
Don't miss:
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular: This is a must for those who want to learn how stunts
are done. I don't recommend this for small children, though. They may get scared and it does
"look" dangerous, so they may not understand what is really happening. Same with the Lights,
Motor, Action Extreme Stunt Show. I passed on that one but, on one trip my husband and
brother couldn't miss it. For car enthusiasts, it's a must-see.
Muppet Vision- This 25 minute show is great when the kids start getting to that "antsy" stage.
The show is adorable. and then you choose you own future. Bring the emails of friends and family, because when
you are done, you can send a free email postcard of yourself in the ride! At least send one to
yourself.
The Great Movie Ride... This is a refreshing ride through old film scenes and Hollywood
moments with a bit of a surprise. ( But I won't ruin that for you!) Take the kids on this one, but
not little kids who could get a bit scared of fake fire. It's not scary, though.
Rock N Roller Coaster-Starring Aerosmith. This super fast roller coaster features loud music
and, yep, you'll go upside down on this one.
Regardless of what you have planned in your day, don't miss the walk through Walt Disney:
One Man's Dream. There is a 15 minute film at the end of your walking tour. Looking at the
artifacts, drawings and early memorabilia, will leave you in awe of all this man created.
EPCOT
I always seem to visit Walt Disney World at the time of the Flower and Garden Festival. March-May is a beautiful
time to see flowers in full bloom. The tapestries are shaped like Tinkerbell and princess. A relaxing stroll through the gardens will make any tired baby enjoy a stroller ride.
DO not miss the Countries. You'll feel like you went on a European vacation just by
walking around this area.
Kids can get passports and stamps at each country and can do little art projects at each (no cost).
Take this opportunity to teach them about foreign lands and if you happen to be of the heritage of one of them, don't
miss that "teaching moment" to talk about your ancestry.
German Restaurant – Biergarten (sp?) GREAT place for families to eat buffet style. We ate
late and walked right out into the fireworks (name?) show.
France- Bon Appetit!
Italy -Everything you think it will be.
Japan- worth a sip of soda with a marble. Yes, you push a marble into the bottle, but it's
impossible to drink the marble or even get it in your mouth. It's a fun novelty and it's Japanese.
United Kingdom- If you don't have a reservation, there is a walk up counter to get authentic Fish and Chips and they taste good.
Mexico-The artisans have some incredible pieces to sell and don't forget the boat ride to learn
more about the history of Mexico.
Norway- make sure you visit the bakery and take the Vlking boat ride.
There is also a Royal Table Dinner with the Princesses. So, if you are not able to get a
reservation at Magic Kingdom, try this one.
Don't Miss:
Reimagined! Spaceship Earth--This is FUN! You ride around in a cart learning about the past
while choosing what you want in your future. Be sure to bring your friends and family emails addresses because you can email a free postcard.
Test Track- Board a GM vehicle and get the thrill ride of your life. You'll want to become a race
car driver after this one.
Mission Space-- Don't ride this if you are claustraphobic or afraid of small dark places.
The Sea with Nemo and Friends.... This rid is best for families with children. A relaxing ride on
a quest to find Nemo! I like to go on this ride before dinner, then head over to the nearby Coral
Reef Restaurant.You'll be surrounded by aquariums of fish for a great dinner atmosphere.
Soarin- Kids must be 40", but this one is exhilirating and gives you the thrill of hang gliding
without ever leaving your seat!
CLOSING THE NIGHT-DOWNTOWN DISNEY
Whether you are ready to rest, swim in the pool, take a trip into Orlando, or enjoy some other
nightlife, you must visit. Downtown Disney. You can get there from any resort shuttle or, if you
are driving, there is free parking. You'll find restaurants galore and plenty to do while waiting for
dinner.Our favorites are the Raglan Road and Cooke's of Dublin for their authentic Fish "N
Chips. Bongo's has amazing Cuban Food, and T-Rex is a must-go to for any dinosaur fan. You will be
surrounded by huge animatronic dinosaurs and the feel of the restaurant is similar to the
Rainforest Cafe. After you eat, visit the gift shop where your kids can make a stuffed dinosaur.
This comes from the Build-A- bear folks, so you know what you will get, but the cutest part is the dino's
tail- it sticsk out of the box! Too cute. Really.
Don't miss:
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique This is a magical experience. Transforrm your little princess into a real one!
A bit pricey but something she will never forget. You can also find this at the Magic Kingdom in the castle.
Ridemakerz - Create, build and make your own R/C vehicle. Both Maxx and Mia made a car
and, let me tell you, WOW! From the options available to the tools they used, (all safe) this
experience really allowed them to boost their self esteem to rev up their imaginations! These
cars can run you from ,about $30, at the lowest, to over $100 if you make it extra fancy. Their
cars had sound, R/C, lots of glitz and the decals and ran about $84 each.
When we packed the cars to go home, we did not have a problem taking them on as a carry-
ons, but I would still pack them if there is extra room in your suitcase. (Which reminds me bring
an extra suitcase. No ones goes home empty--handed!)
LEGO Imagination Station... This is your chance to build a car out of LEGOs and race it on an
incline. If you missed out on the Pinewood Derby as a kid, here is your chance to enjoy that
thrill!
The World of Disney is by far the largest and best souvenir shop to get everything you ever
wanted that is Disney. They have everything from princess costumes to candy.
The Pantry - My favorite collection of Disney ideas for your kitchen and home.
WATER PARKS
I've never made it to the water parks, yet. My kids are just too little. I would suggest to check
out the Disney Mom's Panel for this one.
They sure look fun and I think next year, at 9 and 6,my kids will be the perfect age.
Blizzard Beach
Typhoon Lagoon
LAST MINUTE TOY TIPS
Go the the Disney Store in your hometown. Stock up on the character shirts. You'll find them a
little less expensive and hide them in your suitcase to surprise the kids.
I told a "white lie" when my kids were really little and told Mia that Snow Cinderella visited her
at night and surprised her with a shirt in the morning to wear on her first day at the Magic
Kingdom.
That didn't work for Maxx, though. He wasn't the least bit interested in princesses... Ever. One
pirate patch did the trick for the whole trip when he was 4 and guess who never took it off!
If you do have a car and a kitchen in your resort, or off-property condo, drive to Wal-Mart (open
24 hours) and stock up on food. We did this when the kids were younger. Maxx could not
make it past 3 o'clock in the parks and I didn't want Mia to nap in a stroller all day, so we had a home
cooked meal every night.
Need a cool drink? Freeze bottled water and put them in the bottom
of your stroller. They melt perfectly into icy cold water.
Meeting the characters - pictures and autograph books:
Bring your own notebook, but don't ask a character to sign a napkin or business card you pull
out of your bag. It must not have a logo on it. You can buy big huge pencils in the souvenir
shops so the characters can write more easily.
Enjoy the parades. I mean reallly enjoy them. The music is moving and the floats are amazing.
They may bring you to tears and that is okay too.
Don't stress. No matter what you do, where you do it, or what little surprises life will bring on
your days at WDW, it really is magical. I never met a person who didn't like Disney World.
Enjoy your time with your children. I can't wait to go back from trip #20!
Marianne
