1st trip with kids what to do? Maximize their joy? Aslo dinner plan.

[King Tritan]

Ok my wife and I have been, but it's been a few years. We didnt do anything out of the ordinary. We had a blast but didnt know about many extras.
well now its time to take the kids 7 & 5. We (I) want to just blow them out of the water and want to come back and enjoy this trip soooo much. I love seeing things through their eyes.
I have seen the DISNEY AND ME things but didnt know how to sign up. we are visa card holders and have some disney $$'s saved up. What are must do's?

We are going and have the dinner plan as well. What are resturant experiences that we have to do? We like all sorts of foods so we are game for anything. They are BIG princesses fans.

HELP!!!
Thanks

 

[TikiGoddess]

We took our kids for the first time last year and my biggest tip is to just gear it toward them. I went through the guidebooks and asked them questions about what they wanted to do. I even let the 4 yr. old choose our hotel (I did narrow it down to 3, but still). I also showed them rides and attractions on the Disney website. We also did the dining plan. Prime Time at MGM was good for little ones. They also loved the Crystal Palace. Next trip I'm sending them on the pirate cruise. If possible, it's even more fun to watch them light up and love everything about Disney. FYI, we didn't do daily breaks. It worked better for us not to. We tried it one day and it was a total bomb. Do what works for you.

 

[King Tritan]

Yeah my kids are great with food. My oldest loves steak. and has since she was like 2 being in KS you have to right?. My youngest loves Greens. And they both love brussel sprouts and brocolli.
We have not told them about the trip yet. Dont want them to blow up quite yet. We already have those talking Mickey things in the closet.

Thanks Tiki.

 

[o2bacelt]

We do Chef Mickey's on our last night at WDW, our DD is just two and we took her for the first time in March, she's still talking about it. We had a great time there.

I had both sets of grandparents with me (a mistake I won't make again) and I scheduled a great morning with breakfast at Crystal Palace followed by the Family Magic Tour. Everyone had a great time. They are still thanking me for all the things I put together for the trip. Unfortunately I can't tell you first hand about that day, my DD got sick in the middle of the night so she and I were back at the room but from the pictures and stories it was a complete success. I think your kids are old enough to really enjoy that tour. Check into it, it's something that you all can do together.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Mariaºoº]

Ok my wife and I have been, but it's been a few years. We didnt do anything out of the ordinary. We had a blast but didnt know about many extras.
well now its time to take the kids 7 & 5. We (I) want to just blow them out of the water and want to come back and enjoy this trip soooo much. I love seeing things through their eyes.
I have seen the DISNEY AND ME things but didnt know how to sign up. we are visa card holders and have some disney $$'s saved up. What are must do's?

We are going and have the dinner plan as well. What are resturant experiences that we have to do? We like all sorts of foods so we are game for anything. They are BIG princesses fans.

HELP!!!
Thanks

Oh your little one's are going to be sooooooo excited! My first suggestion would be not to pack too much stuff in to where they will be totally overwhelmed. The first day at Disney I take my kidlets around to the different resorts, ride the monorail, look into the different shops at the resorts and take them to FW Campground. I would suggest Chef Mickey's for your first dinner. The second day is MK day. Your girls are princesses so they will love CRT breakfast in the Castle! This is a must do for all little prince or princesses. MK will definitely be their favorite with all the attractions. For other days in the park I would suggest instead of having a sit down dinner to have a late lunch as your main sit down meal around 2pm. This gets you into air conditioning and allows you to spend an hour or so off your feet and out of the heat to re-energize for the rest of the day in the park. I've never been one to take mine back to the hotel for naps.ugh! Not while on vacation...this is Disney! hehe We've always gone from opening to closing and I've never had the kids meltdown. They were too busy having fun. I do suggest getting a stroller....even though they're 7 & 5. It's just easier on their little legs and also easier on parents to keep track of their kidlets. It's also handy to have to hold packages if the kids absolutely have to keep their purchases with them. I also have my kids carry their own hip bag or small backpack to carry their "own money", a jacket, autograph book, small notepad and pen. I dole out so much money per day to the kids and it's up to them what they want to buy, but when they run out of money for the day that's it...they don't get extra. You'll be surprised how well the kids manage "their own money" compared to them saying mom/dad buy this, that and everything. hehe Also, the small notepad will keep them busy drawing while in restaurants. Be sure to take them to see the Ariel show in MGM and the Lion King Show in AK. They'll love them!

 

[susykt4]

I agree with the previous poster that the Family Magic Tour would be a fun thing for your kids. However, I'd highly recommend doing it late in your vacation so they aren't just stressing over NOT getting to go on all the rides they're passing.

Also, if you're taking a shorter trip (4 or 5 days) you shouldn't need to schedule any extras since there will be sooooo much stuff to see and do!

My family really enjoyed the princess lunch at Akershus in Norway at Epcot.

Also, if they're into My Little Pony, DD5 had a BLAST filling a box with assorted princess and other Disney pony parts at the big toystore at Downtown Disney.

 

[King Tritan]

None of these things are things that I would have to reserve or anything? I like some of these Ideas. What about a stroller and going on rides? Would one of us have to stay with it? Or would we have to take everything with us then load it back up when the ride is over?

We already have the fanny packs in mind. I like the money idea. We have quite O bit of "Disney" Dollars on our account.

We were thinking of the halloween stuff. Is it worth it? Or is it just crap?

Thanks for the advice I will def. do Mikey dinner.

 

[lindakmonty]

They have stroller parking about everywhere... a good tip is to tie a lime green hankie or something on it. When you come back out there are SO many strollers. Anything to make it easy to identify will really help! It wasn't crowded at all last month and it was still a pain w/no identification on it. Plus, sometimes the cm's would move it!! Good luck and start taking notes, you'll get all kinds of good tips.

 

[tiff211]

All the attractions have stroller parking, I would take valuables with you, sometimes the strollers tend to walk. Mine never has but I have read the stories here. You can buy a muti day stroller pass the first day which saves you 10% and you get tickets so you can just grab your stroller and go instead of waiting in line to pay each time. Just don't forget your tickets in your room like we did!!

Everything was magic for DD5 and DD3!! I am sure it will be the same for you!! I cried watching them watch wishes and seeing tinkerbell fly from the castle!! When are you planning to go?

 

[DisneyArk]

I agree with the previous poster that the Family Magic Tour would be a fun thing for your kids. However, I'd highly recommend doing it late in your vacation so they aren't just stressing over NOT getting to go on all the rides they're passing.

I agree. My kids loved the Family Magic Tour. If your kids like to act silly then they'll love it. You need to make reservations for the tour.

My suggestions are based on a family that has boys (my sons are 6 and 8).
We just went in May and had the dining plan and surprisingly my sons LOVED the dining plan. Their favorite meals were Chef Mickey's, Coral Reef, Kona Cafe and LeCellier. They really loved the fancy desserts . So start planning your ADRs.

I bought some cheap Disney pins before we left and they loved trading pins with the CMs. On our first trip I bought pins that the boys liked and then they didn't want to trade any of them, so this time I bought pins that they didn't like so they could trade.

You might also buy the hidden Mickey book. My sons really liked looking for hidden Mickey's.

We also went to Blizzard Beach for a 1/2 day. My sons loved the preteen area. They were too tall for the baby area and they loved having a place to do some cool water things. Plus we all had fun on the family ride and the toboggan rides.

 

[Hef4545]

I would definitely do Cinderellas Breakfast at the castle. The atmosphere and excitement I have seen on the faces of all the little girls are priceless. They all wear their princess dresses and crowns. A very nice experience for all.

 

[mickeys friend]

Chef Mickeys is a MUST! Adults and children both love it.We try and have a least 2 meals there every time.You will see adults acting like children and the look on the kids faces when Mickey,Minnie, Goofy,etc, come to each table and have thier pictures made with them is priceless.Also the kids love to be able to get their own food.Make sure you get them a drink with the light up ice cube in it.They can take it home and every time they use it,they'll remember what fun they had.You can get them at just about any place.Have their pictures took by CM's at each park and tell them ahead of time you'd like to have a picture of Tink,etc,added with your child,some have them sitting in thier hands,or a hat,etc.Also take your own pictures at the same time just in case something happens to your photocard from the CM.See if you can get them in the front of the monorail to ride,ask CM's as soon as you get in the monorail line.Don't be in a rush while you're there with them,let them pick rides and if they want to go back to the hotel and rest for a while,do it and don't worry about getting everything done.Make it about what they want and let everyone get to choose things,not just one.Have a great time.Last year was the first year we took a 3 year old (our children are grown and we had never visited WDW with them as young children,only teenagers,adults) and it was wonderful to see his face light up everyday.He still talks about his trip daily and can not wait to return to Mickeys House.He remembers things about that trip that the 6 adults with him forgot.Have a safe and wonderful trip.

 

[NJDad18]

You definately need to do one of the princess character breakfasts. One is inside the Castle and the other is in Norway. The only difference between which princess is there is that Cinderella is only at the one in the castle.

My kids love Chef Mickey's, 50's Prime Time Cafe, Tepanayki (Japan) and LeCellier (Canada). Crystal Palace with Pooh and friends for lunch and dinner is very good too. I can't stress enough to make ADR's (advance dining reservations) ASAP. It seems that everybody is on the dining plan and a lot of the places to eat will be completely booked.

My kids also did the Pirate Cruise and they loved it. DD did cooking with Chef Drew at the Grand Floridian.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[LizzySwan1022]

My family loves Chef Mickey's, the Crystal Palace, and Prime Time. We also liked 1900 park fare, which was a dinner with Cinderella, Prince Charming, 2 of the Mice, and I think the Fairy Godmother was there.

 

[BlindTyldak]

To me the big thing about keeping the enjoyment level as high as possible with kids is to remember two things:

1.) TAKE A BREAK. Drill it into their heads that you WILL leave the parks during the day to go back to the hotel for a dip or to relax on the bed in the AC so that they won't complain about staying and going on more rides then and there. In my opinion this one is the biggest thing that can save a trip is just getting that break in and letting everyone catch their wind, they often don't realize they even need it.

2.) If they'll fit, rent a stroller. Thankfully they are very long and will fit a good-sized child. My very athletic 6 year old was 4 when we went last and she taught herself the hard way one day at AK, insisting she didn't need one (I rented it anyway) and just followed her with it. She was in it again within two hours. Even now she's thinking about whether she'd rather ride than walk for our November trip.

3.) Get the Unofficial Guide, read it, and then leave it next to the computer and make notes in it from here. Those two have been invaluble in my planning.

4.) Da Dinner Thing: Princess dinner at Akershus in Epcot, Coral Reef, Cinderella's (hey, it's their first trip, you have to eat in the castle!), Garden Grille.

5.) Make sure you: Ask to ride up front on the monorail, get to the MK before opening at least once so you can watch them open the park, watch Illuminations, and go out of your way to try to hunt down and meet each of your children's favorite characters (nothing like sitting in the baking sun for an hour and a half waiting for an obscure character to make an appearance, finally, but make sure you check with a CM that they will definitely come out!).

 

[sameyeyam]

My kids (7 & 14) loved the Ohana Rest. at the Polynesian resort. It was so much fun and kept the kids entertained, but food was better than the typical buffet.

The kids joined in on limbo, hula lessons, coconut races & musical parade all around the resturant. The food is very good and is served family style at your table. You can have free refills on any dish you want. They had 4 types of bbq meat (you watch it being cooked on big fire pits in the middle of restaurant), shrimp, salad, wontons w/dips, chicken wings, scalloped potatoes, stir fry veggies, and an awesome dessert (I'm sure I've probably forgotten a few things!).

This is only restaurant in Disney that the kids have asked to go back to next year. I recommend it if you kids like joining in on the fun and aren't real bashful. It is a nice restaurant, nice cushy chairs, more adult type food/atmosphere. But kids are very welcomed and you don't have to worry about them behaving at the table, because they will spend half the time away from the table (but within eyesight)!

 

[lexmelinda]

I signed up DS5 for the Pirate Cruise at the GF--two hour cruise (9:30-11:30 am) for treasure map and then hunt for the treasure. Lunch is included..cost is $30. There are also cruises out of YC/BC, CBR, and POR. All reviews of these cruises were outstanding...kids seem to love them. Reserve cruises through Disney dining. I reserved the 1900 Park Faire brunch for the girls and me while DS is on the Pirate Cruise. DD LOVES Alice in Wonderland so we'll be able to see her there. Also I let each of my girls pick out a TS restaurant for dinner and they loved doing that. Lunch and dinner menus from most restaurants are on allearsnet.com under "rate & review." We are also doing the MNSSHP on our last night. Wondering if it's worth it? Search "MNSSHP" here on the DIS. There are lots of threads regarding that question. My conclusion: We're goin'!

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Will you be there for one of the MNSSHP nights? It is a lot of fun for kids and worth the extra $$. What we are doing for DD is taking her the afternoon of MNSSHP to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Downtown Disney and letting her get her hair and nails done like a princess. She is going to dress up like Belle for MNSSHP. Then we have early dinner reservations at 1900 Park Fare in the GF with Cinderella and Friends before the party starts. She is very excited about BBB (she will be 5). http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/Bibbidi/index.htm

There are also a couple of tea parties in the GF that sound like fun!

 

[budbeerlady]

Princess tea party is an option, or the wonderland tea party is more feasable at $35 per child. Those extras my DD still talks about. And we did Cirque Du Soleil, she loved it. That was one of our favorite family moments of the trip. We went for 7 days, took our time did alot of extras but still took downtime every afternoon so I could sleep and DD could play in the pool (yes, even in Dec she was in the pool alot!)

 

[mommynt]

My daughter loves to get autographs. We premake autograph pages for each character. The characters like to see their pictures. We were in line waiting for Jafar's autograph and he was droping other people's books and pens, but he got really excited when he seen my daughter's book, and had to show everyone his picture in her book. He was very nice to her.

She also loves to dress up like Snow white especially if she knows she will see her. If they want let them dress up as there fave princess at the princess meals, or when ever they feel like it. You can ask CM's and they can help you find your favorite princess.

My daughter also likes to collect pressed pennies. It costs 51 cents.

Her favorite resturant's are Ohana's, Chef Mickey's, 1900 Park Fair, 50's Prime Time, Nine Dragons, Liberty Tree Tavran.