Apparently, it's the simple things

[luvmy2babies]

I love this thread and it has been fun reading it.

My 10 year-old has something from each park.

Animal Kingdom
Kilamanjaro Safaris

DHS
Toy Story Mania
Little Mermaid show

Epcot
Seas Pavilion

Magic Kingdom
Small World (yes, I know)
Philharmagic
And she’d add BBB because she is close to aging out of it.

Top of the entire list would be Small World and Philharmagic. We literally probably do each of these 6 times in a trip and they are always the first things we do when we hit MK. If you’ve read my last two TRs you know it’s true. Last trip we were there at Rope drop and I suggested we head back to the New Fantasy Land. Nope, Philharmagic and Small World mom. Those are 2 attractions are now my “Yay, we are really at Disney World” attractions.

My 4 year-old agrees with his sister. He says “I like to watch Donald Duck chase Mickey’s Magic Hat.” Of course that’s Philharmagic. Mostly he just says he wants to go to Disney to play. That’s how we ended up there last summer. For summer 2013, I was planning on a week at the beach as we had done 10 days at WDW in 2012. When I mentioned summer vacation I was bombarded with passionate pleas from both children to return to Disney. My 4 year-old talked about how beautiful it is there and how he could not wait to go back to play to please take him back to play. Took me about a week to cave. I had to throw a trip together in 3 months when I’d taken 9 months to plan our previous one. Turned out to be the best one so far.

 

[JCornell]

I like these posts. We had a similar epiphany about 6-7 years ago. Our DDs (about 5 and 11 at the time) were playing in the Honey I Shrunk the Kids area at DHS and I was anxious to get them going onto the next thing. Thankfully I stopped to think about it and thought, "They're having fun. It seems sort of silly to take them away from it so that I can take them somewhere else to 'have fun'." Ever since then our place has slowed down considerably and we just do whatever we want to next without thinking too many steps ahead (other than ADRs, of course).

Flash forward to 2 years ago and we went with my extended family. Halfway through the trip my father said, "I get it. I get why you come every year, now." Everyone had a lot of fun with this newer, relaxed pace focused on enjoyment over doing everything (which is impossible, anyway).

 

[EricaLynn]

From the mouth of my 6 year old this morning:

See Tinkerbell fly
See the castle
Eat a Mickey Bar
Ride the Buzz ride
Ride the Nemo ride

Although her FIRST Disney option is to swim in the Mickey pool on the Mickey boat!

 

[poohbear999]

Love these responses! I can probably give you my 16 month old daughter's list (based on the last trip, which she loved):

1. Give Pooh and Piglet a "high five" at the Crystal Palace breakfast.
2. Dumbo ride, multiple times if possible.
3. Clap along to the Small World ride song.
4. A taste of our ice cream bars or Dole Whip!

On that note, our daughter has been diagnosed with an egg allergy...anyone know if (i) the Dole Whip or (ii) the Premium Mickey ice cream bars have egg in them?

It really is the simple things in life.

 

[Redmic]

I remember talking DD to the Animal kingdom not long after it opened when she was about 5. A year or so later we went back and while walking the trails she said "Oooh, up ahead are the naked mole rats!"! Shows that you truly don't know what is going to excite them!

Fast forward to today: She is an animal science major in college.

 

[mousekatool]

This thread illustrates precisely why I think that a large percentage of the people standing in the 4 hour Anna/Elsa lines are doing it for themselves, not necessarily their kids. Not that the kids wouldn't enjoy it, but the pressure parents feel to provide every magical experience for them is the driving force behind a lot of the stress of FP+, ADRS, costumes, BBB, etc.

Based on 2 trips, my 8 and 5 year old most enjoyed:
Monorail
Peoplemover
"The big golf ball" (Spaceship Earth)
Test Track (and the "car show" at the end of TT- my 5 yr old is a car guy )

They don't care where or what we eat. They didn't even ask for souvenirs on the last trip. They just sat back and enjoyed the ride. I think there's a lot to be said for that.

 

[ateam79828592]

I must say one of MY favorite things from each of our 4 trips and one of the things I'm looking forward to on our Oct trip...is snuggling with the youngest on People Mover while the older kid(s) / DH did some more rides. After this next trip will have snuggled with 3 of my 4 kiddos as babies/young toddlers on this ride. So sweet.

 

[princessbrulee]

DD 13 top ten:
1) drawing class at DHS
2) Under the sea ride (or the little mermaid thing as she called it)
3) Ohana breakfast
4) meet Genie (she's been dying to do this, thanks to the Halloween and Christmas parties she should be able to finally!)
5) Snow White thingie (pretty sure this is the mine train)
6) eat the giant pickles for breakfast in Adventureland again
7) Jungle Cruise
8) Be Our Guest restaurant
9) the Stitch ride (I know, I know)
10) get a frozen lemonade

DD 8:
1) meet Belle
2) meet Cinderella
3) meet Elsa and Anna
4) meet Gaston
5) meet Rapunzel
6) go on Space Mountain
7) go on Splash Mountain
8) "Seven Dwarves Ride"
9) go swimming
10) breakfast at Chef Mickeys

Interesting that my teenager was more into the little things!

 

[leebee]

I remember talking DD to the Animal kingdom not long after it opened when she was about 5. A year or so later we went back and while walking the trails she said "Oooh, up ahead are the naked mole rats!"! Shows that you truly don't know what is going to excite them!

Fast forward to today: She is an animal science major in college.

We were in AK when my niece was about 4, looking at the naked mole rats. She was enthralled! Her joke- "WHat do you say to a naked mole rat? PUT SOME CLOTHES ON!!" It's become one of those family things that we say every time we go to WDW; niece is now 14 and we still say it!

DD20's list for her 21st birthday celebration at EPCOT/F&W are simple: Grand Marnier slushy in France, wine flight in Italy, beer flight in Germany! Honestly, she wants to sleep in, use FP+ but not worry about the other rides, relax, eat yummy meals, and go to the Food&Wine Festival at least twice. She is far more mature and laid back about this trip than I am! I guess it's time to stop fretting about FP+ holding us back and just enjoy the milestone that signifies my baby's crossing into adulthood

 

[ah1126]

Love these responses! I can probably give you my 16 month old daughter's list (based on the last trip, which she loved):

1. Give Pooh and Piglet a "high five" at the Crystal Palace breakfast.
2. Dumbo ride, multiple times if possible.
3. Clap along to the Small World ride song.
4. A taste of our ice cream bars or Dole Whip!

On that note, our daughter has been diagnosed with an egg allergy...anyone know if (i) the Dole Whip or (ii) the Premium Mickey ice cream bars have egg in them?

It really is the simple things in life.

My son is allergic to Eggs along with Wheat, Soy, Peanuts and Tree Nuts. The pineapple dole whip is egg free! He couldn't have the swirl with vanilla, but I can't remember which of his allergies were in it. We didn't have an ice cream bar, because I was pretty sure there would be soy in it.

If you ask, they will show you an ingredient list! My DS is 16 months old and Disney is where he had his first food that I hadn't made for him. Disney is amazing with allergy requests!!

 

[Angeejoe]

My last trip was with my sister & 4 yr old nephew, we had such a blast on his 1st trip. It sounds funny to say, but I had never been to WDW with a child so it was so cool to see it thru his eyes. We stated at WL & he absolutely loved the pool slide. He was so excited to see Mickeys house aka the castle, meet the talking Mickey & jake, & ride buzz. He made me laugh at the haunted mansion (I thought he may be afraid) because he couldn't get over how "dirty" it was! he kept telling me they needed to dust (he's a little OCD, he likes to dust at my house, reorganize my sister pantry & cabinets)! At the end of the trip I asked him what was his favorite thing thinking it would be Mickey or Jake or the Buzz Ride & he told me his favorite thing was riding the rocket, aka Astro Orbitor! I imagine this has to be an original ride. I had never been on it, it has an awesome view & now I see Disney in a whole new way, up on a rocket thru his eyes!

 

[LisaTC]

I remember talking DD to the Animal kingdom not long after it opened when she was about 5. A year or so later we went back and while walking the trails she said "Oooh, up ahead are the naked mole rats!"! Shows that you truly don't know what is going to excite them!

Fast forward to today: She is an animal science major in college.

AWESOME! I work in Animal Sciences at a University! That is soooo cool! Ya just never know, do ya?

This thread illustrates precisely why I think that a large percentage of the people standing in the 4 hour Anna/Elsa lines are doing it for themselves, not necessarily their kids. Not that the kids wouldn't enjoy it, but the pressure parents feel to provide every magical experience for them is the driving force behind a lot of the stress of FP+, ADRS, costumes, BBB, etc.

Based on 2 trips, my 8 and 5 year old most enjoyed:
Monorail
Peoplemover
"The big golf ball" (Spaceship Earth)
Test Track (and the "car show" at the end of TT- my 5 yr old is a car guy )

They don't care where or what we eat. They didn't even ask for souvenirs on the last trip. They just sat back and enjoyed the ride. I think there's a lot to be said for that.

That is such a great post and true. I know some kids really are obsessed with Anna & Elsa, but I think much of it is exactly as you say. Sometimes, too, kids love a character, but shy away when they see them in person. That's what my DD did at first. My DD loves the 'golf ball', too!

I must say one of MY favorite things from each of our 4 trips and one of the things I'm looking forward to on our Oct trip...is snuggling with the youngest on People Mover while the older kid(s) / DH did some more rides. After this next trip will have snuggled with 3 of my 4 kiddos as babies/young toddlers on this ride. So sweet.

Us, too! We use the PM as a nice break. It's amazing what you can see just riding on it. DD was so excited to see what she saw and it was just a simple, easy ride.

We were in AK when my niece was about 4, looking at the naked mole rats. She was enthralled! Her joke- "WHat do you say to a naked mole rat? PUT SOME CLOTHES ON!!" It's become one of those family things that we say every time we go to WDW; niece is now 14 and we still say it!

WHAT AN AWESOME MEMORY!

DD20's list for her 21st birthday celebration at EPCOT/F&W are simple: Grand Marnier slushy in France, wine flight in Italy, beer flight in Germany! Honestly, she wants to sleep in, use FP+ but not worry about the other rides, relax, eat yummy meals, and go to the Food&Wine Festival at least twice. She is far more mature and laid back about this trip than I am! I guess it's time to stop fretting about FP+ holding us back and just enjoy the milestone that signifies my baby's crossing into adulthood

Now, she sounds like my kind of girl! I love Food & Wine, I could mosey around there all day. Just relax! Hope she has a great B-day![/quote]

 

[LisaTC]

Love these responses! I can probably give you my 16 month old daughter's list (based on the last trip, which she loved):

1. Give Pooh and Piglet a "high five" at the Crystal Palace breakfast.
2. Dumbo ride, multiple times if possible.
3. Clap along to the Small World ride song.
4. A taste of our ice cream bars or Dole Whip!

On that note, our daughter has been diagnosed with an egg allergy...anyone know if (i) the Dole Whip or (ii) the Premium Mickey ice cream bars have egg in them?

It really is the simple things in life.

Try this site...it may be useful to you. Sorry about the allergy. How did your vaccinations go? I know they always ask that every time. Sometimes they do grow out of it. Hopefully, that is your case. Good luck!

http://www.allergyfreemouse.com/top-8-allergies/egg-allergy/

 

[leebee]

Now, she sounds like my kind of girl! I love Food & Wine, I could mosey around there all day. Just relax! Hope she has a great B-day!

[/QUOTE]

I looked at your ticker and I think we'll just miss each other- otherwise you could help us celebrate! I am so excited that she wants to do this with just DH and me. Her bff wanted to come, and she said, "Nope, this is for me, mom, and dad;" I asked her if she wanted to bring her boyfriend, and she said, "Nope, this is just for us; he and I had Mardi Gras, you and I have my 21st at Food and Wine." JUST what a mom wants to know - love this girl!

 

[BradEisenhauer]

So, what you're all saying is that I can safely kill my inner Clark Griswald?

I haven't been to Disney in 20+ years. This will be my five-year-old's first trip, and I keep fighting the notion that we have have to do everything, and everything has to be perfect.

 

[Ali]

When we were trying to decide which Disney resort to stay in my husband and I were at odds, he wanted to stay in the Contemporary to be on the monorail and I wanted to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge. I asked my 13 year old DS which resort he would choose, he told me as long as he could get something to eat for breakfast he didn't care where we stayed. I guess I should have guessed that food would be at the top of a growing boys list.

My 18 year old DS agreed with me so we are staying at Animal Kingdom, plus its someplace new we have stayed at the Contemporary before. Can't wait to see all the animals every morning!

I hope you picked Jambo house and not Kidani for the food options! My son didn't like the grab and go wrapped up biscuit sandwich at Kidani gift shop.

 

[LisaTC]

So, what you're all saying is that I can safely kill my inner Clark Griswald?

I haven't been to Disney in 20+ years. This will be my five-year-old's first trip, and I keep fighting the notion that we have have to do everything, and everything has to be perfect.

Yes, Yes, you can. The best advice I got was, your kids won't know what they are missing if you miss something. There's so much to see/do. Your 5 year old should be your barometer, then there are no melt downs. I let my DD lead the way. She would delight in just watching Big Thunder Mtn Railroad!

 

[jvattes]

We're preparing for our upcoming trip for DS's 6th birthday the first week of June. He's been to WDW once, when he was 4. On the way to school this morning, I asked him what his top priorities were. I thought his list was enlightening amidst the FP+/Magic Band/Throwaway Room/BOG/Anna-and-Elsa hysteria that has been so pervasive lately.

1. Get a popsicle (not even a Mickey bar, just a popsicle!)
2. Dumbo
3. Imagination
4. Spaceship Earth
5. POTC
6. "The Pyramid" (the Mexico boat ride)
7. Country Bears Jamboree

And there you have it, from the mouth of a 5-year old. A short list of attractions that are mostly walk-ons nearly every day of the year, plus one popsicle. If he accomplishes those things in the six days we'll be in Orlando, he'll be happy. While we don't tend to go over the top with a bunch of add-on experiences, his list certainly made me stop to think about how the little things can be as, if not more, magical than many of the "must-do" experiences, especially for a young child.

<3 <3

 

[luv2sleep]

We're preparing for our upcoming trip for DS's 6th birthday the first week of June. He's been to WDW once, when he was 4. On the way to school this morning, I asked him what his top priorities were. I thought his list was enlightening amidst the FP+/Magic Band/Throwaway Room/BOG/Anna-and-Elsa hysteria that has been so pervasive lately. 1. Get a popsicle (not even a Mickey bar, just a popsicle!) 2. Dumbo 3. Imagination 4. Spaceship Earth 5. POTC 6. "The Pyramid" (the Mexico boat ride) 7. Country Bears Jamboree And there you have it, from the mouth of a 5-year old. A short list of attractions that are mostly walk-ons nearly every day of the year, plus one popsicle. If he accomplishes those things in the six days we'll be in Orlando, he'll be happy. While we don't tend to go over the top with a bunch of add-on experiences, his list certainly made me stop to think about how the little things can be as, if not more, magical than many of the "must-do" experiences, especially for a young child.

My son is similar and that's why touring is fairly easy for us and there's no frenzy. We go to Disneyland often and his top priorities are getting a churro and cotton candy and going to the pool.

 

[ShannonMB]

This thread is just adorable. Love, love, love it!

DD is 13 now, and I don't know that her list has changed much since 6. She's finally ready to brave some of the bigger rides on our next trip after a trip to Cedar Point (did I say FINALLY?!), but what she talks about the most when "must-do's" come up are the Mexico boat ride and Spaceship Earth. Oh, and escargot at F&W since we are going then this year. Heck, we can knock that out in an hour and a half!

Oh my gosh, getting SUPER excited for Disney after reading this thread! Oh yeah, I almost forgot that's why I come on the DISboards!!!