1st trip/taking niece & nephew/HELPHELPHELP

[*wdwvirgin*needhelp]

I've been reading EVERY thread I can read about all the particular areas that I have questions about and THANK YOU all of you wonderful DISers for all of the many opinions, suggestions, ideas, and pic's!!! It's PRICELESS and I have to say that planning this trip is a little bit overwhelming... there's a lot of stuff that seems like you should know it - but not in the Disney literature, you know?!?

DH and I are planning to take niece (will be 2 weeks shy of 4th bday) and nephew (will be 7 1/2) August 2009 for a week!! DH and I do NOT have kids, so BIG BIG step for me.... AND we are used to traveling as such... I still kinda don't know what I'm getting into

Niece: afraid of nothing, busy-busy-busy, likes princesses but doesn't eat/sleep/breathe it, wants anything big brother has/is doing/is eating, etc., only other thing I can think of is that she is like a ferret on crack - gogogogogogogogogogogogogo

Nephew:LOVES crocodiles and fish, skateboarding, guitar hero, thinks he's 15 years old sometimes, i don't think he's been on a lot of rides other than carnival-types so not sure about that department

PLEASE understand that I have read TONS about most of these issues, but am still going to put them here for your feedback (please don't refer me to a previous post!)
Here's my main questions/issues/concerns:



Are the value hotels a lot more crowded than the others?

Are the rooms any larger in the more expensive hotels? (planning to stay on property)

4 year old - stroller??

DINING PLAN-- not sure if I will be able to get it free since we are going in August - is that a standard free upgrade? Also, is it a pain in the neck as far as planning and figuring out at each meal? Do you have to wait in certain lines or something if you are on it??? DH likes to have beer w/ a meal, do we just pay for that cash??

Do most of you plan to have kids wear hats/ something on their heads?

For the most part, should you plan an hour to get from most any hotel to the parks?

Plane ride: what can I bring/do without an entire bag/suitcase filled with stuff - or is that pretty much protocol?

Is my niece going to enjoy Epcot or will it be mostly for older kids? Same for Universal Studios, I've read that little ones don't enjoy it as much?

If you've been during August - any info on weather, crowds, extras?

OK - can somebody please explain about the lime green/heads? I saw something on this but not the explanation?! Thanks! ALSO - I only saw a little bit about the pins/trading - what's this?

I'm a HUGE planner (duh - we aren't even going for 14 months!) but I'm really intimidated about the amount of planning that's involved. Will I be able to eat a meal without ADRs? Or is it for any NICE place? Without memorizing every ride or attraction, how do I know WHAT we want to see and know where it is in regards to where the restaurants are?



OK, that's all for now... again, I REEEAALLLY appreciate all the suggestions and ideas AND I DO USE THEM! I'll be back....

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

I've been reading EVERY thread I can read about all the particular areas that I have questions about and THANK YOU all of you wonderful DISers for all of the many opinions, suggestions, ideas, and pic's!!! It's PRICELESS and I have to say that planning this trip is a little bit overwhelming... there's a lot of stuff that seems like you should know it - but not in the Disney literature, you know?!?

DH and I are planning to take niece (will be 2 weeks shy of 4th bday) and nephew (will be 7 1/2) August 2009 for a week!! DH and I do NOT have kids, so BIG BIG step for me.... AND we are used to traveling as such... I still kinda don't know what I'm getting into

Niece: afraid of nothing, busy-busy-busy, likes princesses but doesn't eat/sleep/breathe it, wants anything big brother has/is doing/is eating, etc., only other thing I can think of is that she is like a ferret on crack - gogogogogogogogogogogogogo

Nephew:LOVES crocodiles and fish, skateboarding, guitar hero, thinks he's 15 years old sometimes, i don't think he's been on a lot of rides other than carnival-types so not sure about that department

PLEASE understand that I have read TONS about most of these issues, but am still going to put them here for your feedback (please don't refer me to a previous post!)
Here's my main questions/issues/concerns:



Are the value hotels a lot more crowded than the others? Never been to a value but I would say yes because they're huge.

Are the rooms any larger in the more expensive hotels? (planning to stay on property) Absolutley. The moderates are bigger than the values, and the deluxes are bigger than the moderates. The deluxes also have queen beds. Go to www.allears.net and look at each hotel fact sheet.

4 year old - stroller?? ABSOLUTELY!

DINING PLAN-- not sure if I will be able to get it free since we are going in August - is that a standard free upgrade? Also, is it a pain in the neck as far as planning and figuring out at each meal? Do you have to wait in certain lines or something if you are on it??? DH likes to have beer w/ a meal, do we just pay for that cash??Don't know much about free dining, but you do have to make ADRs 180 days in advance of your arrival date to get into any popular onsite restaurant. It's really not a pain in the neck and planning is have the fun

Do most of you plan to have kids wear hats/ something on their heads? Always, as well as tons of sunscreen - especially if you're going in August - unbearable hot (from what I've heard anyway).

For the most part, should you plan an hour to get from most any hotel to the parks?At least.

Plane ride: what can I bring/do without an entire bag/suitcase filled with stuff - or is that pretty much protocol?Just bring a backpack with some coloring books, crayons, reading books, and/or electronic toys.

Is my niece going to enjoy Epcot or will it be mostly for older kids? Same for Universal Studios, I've read that little ones don't enjoy it as much?Epcot is great for all ages. Never been to Universal although I've heard it's mostly for kids older than 8.

If you've been during August - any info on weather, crowds, extras?Never been in August, but common sense says that August in Orlando = steambath.

OK - can somebody please explain about the lime green/heads? I saw something on this but not the explanation?! Thanks! ALSO - I only saw a little bit about the pins/trading - what's this?

I'm a HUGE planner (duh - we aren't even going for 14 months!) but I'm really intimidated about the amount of planning that's involved. Will I be able to eat a meal without ADRs? Or is it for any NICE place? Without memorizing every ride or attraction, how do I know WHAT we want to see and know where it is in regards to where the restaurants are?



OK, that's all for now... again, I REEEAALLLY appreciate all the suggestions and ideas AND I DO USE THEM! I'll be back....

First off, I gotta say that you are very nice for taking your niece and nephew on such a great trip! Second, I tried to answer some of your questions in your quote above.

 

[USCGamecocks]

I've been reading EVERY thread I can read about all the particular areas that I have questions about and THANK YOU all of you wonderful DISers for all of the many opinions, suggestions, ideas, and pic's!!! It's PRICELESS and I have to say that planning this trip is a little bit overwhelming... there's a lot of stuff that seems like you should know it - but not in the Disney literature, you know?!?

You should have a good start and a whole lot swimming around in your head at this point. I would say step one should be to make sure you have taken it all in.

DH and I are planning to take niece (will be 2 weeks shy of 4th bday) and nephew (will be 7 1/2) August 2009 for a week!! DH and I do NOT have kids, so BIG BIG step for me.... AND we are used to traveling as such... I still kinda don't know what I'm getting into

What a wonderful thing you are doing. I think you will really enjoy it (though I can guarantee you it will WEAR YOU OUT!).

Niece: afraid of nothing, busy-busy-busy, likes princesses but doesn't eat/sleep/breathe it, wants anything big brother has/is doing/is eating, etc., only other thing I can think of is that she is like a ferret on crack - gogogogogogogogogogogogogo

Nephew:LOVES crocodiles and fish, skateboarding, guitar hero, thinks he's 15 years old sometimes, i don't think he's been on a lot of rides other than carnival-types so not sure about that department

PLEASE understand that I have read TONS about most of these issues, but am still going to put them here for your feedback (please don't refer me to a previous post!)
Here's my main questions/issues/concerns:



Are the value hotels a lot more crowded than the others? Yes, they have more rooms so they are more crowded. However, they are fascinating to most kids because of the larger than life decor and the character pools. However, others love the pools and themes of the other hotels too.

Are the rooms any larger in the more expensive hotels? (planning to stay on property) Yes, they get bigger with more amenities as you go up the price chain.

4 year old - stroller?? DEFINITELY!! I would recommend bringing one if possible (borrow one from their mom) as Disney has gotten expensive. Not only does it allow her to crash if she needs to, it is a great place to keep random stuff without having to carry it all day.

DINING PLAN-- not sure if I will be able to get it free since we are going in August - is that a standard free upgrade? Also, is it a pain in the neck as far as planning and figuring out at each meal? Do you have to wait in certain lines or something if you are on it??? DH likes to have beer w/ a meal, do we just pay for that cash?? Never done the dining plan so I will not comment here

Do most of you plan to have kids wear hats/ something on their heads? My DS will wear one, but my DD won't have anything to do with a hat. Just let them do what they normally do with hats, their hair, etc. Like the PP said, make sure to coat them in sunscreen and reapply every couple of hours and they should be good to go. Dress them in light colors and loose cotton clothing and they will be fine.

For the most part, should you plan an hour to get from most any hotel to the parks? I would plan on an hour or more depending on whether you are waiting for a bus, driving a car, trying to get to an EMH, etc. But an hour would be a good starting point.

Plane ride: what can I bring/do without an entire bag/suitcase filled with stuff - or is that pretty much protocol? Mine used their portable DVD players on our last flight for a huge part of the trip. The key is to buy the right kind of adapters for the plane so you have electricity the whole time and are not relying on batteries. Encourage sleep whenever possible, and let them pack stuff in their carryons to do (their parents should know what they like and can certainly help here).

Is my niece going to enjoy Epcot or will it be mostly for older kids? Same for Universal Studios, I've read that little ones don't enjoy it as much?

If you've been during August - any info on weather, crowds, extras? HOT HOT HOT and HUMID HUMID HUMID! That basically describes Florida all summer long. Crowds will be worse at the beginning of August because school is out most places and then taper off as more places start back with the end of August being decent crowd wise.

OK - can somebody please explain about the lime green/heads? I saw something on this but not the explanation?! Thanks! ALSO - I only saw a little bit about the pins/trading - what's this? The lime green heads are the mickey mouse shaped paint cards from Home Depot (I believe) that are in alien green. It is the official color of the DISBoards and is used for DIS members to identify one another. Many people put their usernames on them and pin them to backpacks or strollers etc.

I'm a HUGE planner (duh - we aren't even going for 14 months!) but I'm really intimidated about the amount of planning that's involved. Will I be able to eat a meal without ADRs? Or is it for any NICE place? Without memorizing every ride or attraction, how do I know WHAT we want to see and know where it is in regards to where the restaurants are? We never use ADRs but we also do not do character breakfasts or many sit down table service meals. We will be mostly doing counter meals this August when we go because we don't want to be tied down to a particular time and place and don't need the expense when the kids (and parents to be honest) would rather be out riding than sitting down for dinner.



OK, that's all for now... again, I REEEAALLLY appreciate all the suggestions and ideas AND I DO USE THEM! I'll be back....

My thoughts are in red above. Feel free to ask all the questions you want. This place is great for that.

 

[*wdwvirgin*needhelp]

Thanks for the GREAT tips!

Hotel:
I'm wondering if it's REALLY worth the extra money (in somecases, TWICE the price) to do the delux hotels? DH and I usually do and see a lot of things on our trips, but also take advantage of the opportunity to RELAX! Becuase of this, I am REALLY considering Poly or AKL - the nicer pools, larger rooms, amenities. I've read here that some poeple just didnt' think it was worth the extra $$ - what do you think??? (maybe I'm just trying to justify spending the $$ for the extra fooffy??)

Also, what are all of the benefits of concierge? Am I going to double my bill just to get cookies between 5:00 and 8:00???