A Little Help Making This Trip Extra-special...

[Tinky Winks]

My husband and I are bringing our children to the park for the first time in February (13-16). We surprised them with the trip on Christmas Day and it has taken up all of our thoughts ever since! I would really like to make this a special trip for them. They have never been anywhere like this before! My son is 10 and my daughter is 5.

When we planned the trip I read these boards a lot looking for tips on restaurants and hotels, etc...so I think I am OK there. But now, I am looking for the little things I can do to make it *magical*. What should I consider to help my kids really feel they are a special part of the experience?

Because my kids have not been to Disney World before, there is no push for riding "everything" or seeing "everything" and I realize that sometimes the magic comes from the small things that are just discovered by chance. I just need a little help figuring those things out. Is there some special little thing you like to do when you go to the parks?

Did you have something special waiting for them in their rooms (a friend told me that you could do that)? Did you press coins? Collect autographs?

Thank you in advance!

 

[MNmom2]

My kids loved pressing the coins and they also had autograph books. I guess I can't really think of anything else off the top of my head - I think just being there makes it a magical experience. It would be fun to have something waiting in the room though. Can't wait to see other's replies.

 

[schatz5k]

Sometimes Tinkerbell comes to visit us while we are away in the parks or at least away from our villa. I have picked up little trickets at the disney store or pins from Ebay and when my kids get back to their beds, there is something waiting for them with a little note.

Hope this helps

 

[tmt martins]

Ds 10 might like the Pin trading (wait will like the pin trading). This along with the pressed pennies are very quick and take up little time .DD 5 well little princesses are just that and will be treated as that .

Have a wonderful time.

 

[MNmom2]

Sometimes Tinkerbell comes to visit us while we are away in the parks or at least away from our villa. I have picked up little trickets at the disney store or pins from Ebay and when my kids get back to their beds, there is something waiting for them with a little note.

Hope this helps

What a fun idea!!!Think I'll do that for my dks this time! They started the trading pins last time we were there, so it'd be fun to do that.

 

[Showe]

I thought about the pin trading too, but didn't know if my DS-10 would be that interested...maybe though.

We let the kids pick what to do at least one day out of the trip. Once, we went to see a movie at DTD just for the heck of it. It was also a nice break from the heat and the hectic parks.

We are going Feb 10-19.....where are you staying ?

 

[makinorlando]

My DD8 has just gotten into pin trading It is fun to look and see what new pins we have when we get back home.

 

[Tinky Winks]

These ideas are awesome. I am definitely getting some pins for my son to start so he can trade them in the park. My daughter is a little nervous about meeting characters because they look so big. Any tips on that, too?

We are staying at the Caribbean Beach. Where are you staying?

You guys are the best!

 

[Showe]

These ideas are awesome. I am definitely getting some pins for my son to start so he can trade them in the park. My daughter is a little nervous about meeting characters because they look so big. Any tips on that, too?

We are staying at the Caribbean Beach. Where are you staying?

You guys are the best!

We will be at Saratoga Springs Resort. Our first trip to WDW was when my daughter was 2. She was a little shy around the characters at first. We just let her do things on her own terms. She also had her big brother to help her out. If he would go up to a character she was a little more inclined to do so as well. It didn't take long before she was running up to all the characters and giving them hugs. Just give her time and don't push it.
Have a great time !!!

 

[Danaans]

I made my Granddaughters aged 3 and 8 autograph books as well as Journals that they could write in every day....

Here's the link to my idea for autograph books
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=957458

as far as the journals go there is a website where you can go and they are already made up all you have to do is print them out, and bind them. Its a good way for the kids not only to learn, but to share thought processes.

As far as the pins go -- with my magical express (we stayed at ASMo) I got two coupons for a trading pin and starter lariat included with my magical express coupons. I would of never noticed them, but one day in the room I was looking at the booklet they sent me in the mail and I read it, and noticed the coupon.....So, I went to the store at ASMo (they tell you where you can pick them up) and I got them started pin trading...they loved it...it was hard to pass a cast member without them wanting to trade....

Have a great trip.

If you want the link for the journals just let me know....

 

[schatz5k]

You can also get pins pretty cheap on Ebay. I just purchased two for my DD 11 for 4.00 a piece. I had to pay shipping on one and the other one had free shipping since I bought two from the same person.

Danaans Is the link for the journel on Mouse for Less?

 

[Tinky Winks]

WOW! I just checked out Danaan's link to the autograph books. What a cute idea and a true guarantee that no one else will have anything else like it! I'm on my way to the craft store now!

And Schatz5K, thanks for the heads up about E-bay. I will look them up to!

You are all making me so excited about our trip!

 

[Teresa Pitman]

When I went with my grandson, we bought him one of the holders for the pressed pennies, and I think that added to his enjoyment of the pressed pennies.

Don't miss the Kidcot tables in Epcot.

What about getting them a Pal Mickey? That would be a great suprise to have in the room before your first day in the parks.

Teresa

 

[Danaans]

You can also get pins pretty cheap on Ebay. I just purchased two for my DD 11 for 4.00 a piece. I had to pay shipping on one and the other one had free shipping since I bought two from the same person.

Danaans Is the link for the journel on Mouse for Less?

Yes and here's the link in case anyone needs it.....

http://www.themouseforless.com/downloads/kids/journal.shtml

You can print them out in color on heavier paper...then go to the craft store and buy some colored paper for the top and back cover...then buy yourself some of the Disney 3D stickers that people use in scrapbooking for the front cover, and personalize it with the childs name.....the last thing I did was bind the cover....you can take it to staples, office max etc, and have this done also....and wallah! A personalized journal for your children to write about the vacation....something that they will share with the family forever.

I also made my family of 12 --shirts...with our family name on them and disney characters ironed on -- it let me not only keep everyone together, but be able to spot them in the park as well....for the little ones, I made name tags....and laminated them....on the spingie wrist bands...so if they got lost in the park, they would be easily tagged....
I put information such as thier name, DOB cell phone numbers home address, reservation number and the hotel we were staying at....it worked out really well if anyone wants to see s sample or needs directions just post, and I'll reply.

Hope this helps you all out....have a wonderful time at Disney!

 

[Danaans]

I took a picture of the journal that I am in the process of finishing up for Pop Pop and I concerning our trip...this is the cover sheet using the Disney 3d Stickers...all I have to do is add the sheets...and then bind them and I will have a keepsake of the trip. On the Grandchildrens I Personalized them see jessica's before I binded it.....

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d168/danaans/jessicasjournal.jpg

 

[byoung]

Welcome to the DIS.