DD3 1st trip to WDW!

[knoxt]

Hello,
My DH and I have always been to WDW alone and this will be our 1st trip together as a family. I am getting worried that I won't be able to "SLOW" down and go at my daughter's pace because I'll be too excited when I get there!!!Has this ever happened to anyone else and any suugestions?

 

[CEDmom]

That particular issue hasn't happened with us but I didn't want to share some things we learned from our first trip with DD when she was also 3.

Of course every child is different but ours tends to be one that hangs back and observes before joining in. She also doesn't like dark places or loud noises. Anyway, we went into MK the 1st day of our trip and it was a complete disaster. We ended up leaving after an hour. In hindsight, we should have hung around the resort that 1st day and maybe done a park in the late afternoon/evening. DD needed time to adjust to her new surroundings and we didn't allow for it.

We discovered that DD loved Epcot but still didn't really enjoy MK when we went back another day. We completely dropped MK from our plans and spent most of our park time in Epcot. We also took a day off and toured different resorts etc.

One important thing to remember is that kids see the little things like the Pooh shrub in the UK pavillion that DD had to visit repeatedly.

Another thing is that it's ok to split up and allow yourself and your DH time to do your own thing. We did this during our DL trip in Dec and it worked great. DH went off for awhile and then I had a turn. DD loved being able to show DH all the things she found during her time with me. Have a wonderful trip.

 

[Desnik]

Trust me, once you get there it will be easy for you to see WDW through her eyes. The little things they notice and enjoy will amaze you. The look on her face when she first sees the castle at MK will be priceless!! You won't have a problem slowing down and you will be going back! They just have a way of forcing you to slow down LOL!

I also wanted to add that we have been taking our now 6yo DD to WDW since she was 9mo. At 3yo she wouldn't go near the characters. She was only OK with the face characters. This may be the case with your DD so be prepared for that. That year we only got 1 autograph-Belle. She actually loved the Haunted Mansion since the age of 1!!! She has never been afraid, go figure! She loved all the 3D shows and the Goofy's Barnstormer at MK. She's my little daredevil, like her daddy!