Disney tips and ideas Please

[Disneymamaof5]

We are taking 2 of our girls down in May for their first trip to Disney World. They are 4 and 5. And we are flying down, staying onsite at the POP Century Resort.

Ok what I am needing is:

1. Ideas for on the airplane to keep them occupied and happy (the best one I have now is coloring books and triangle crayons-so they don't roll)
2. Ideas while waiting in lines at Disney to keep them occupied (the best one so far i have is Bubbles)
3. Tips to save money at Disney (One I love right now is Glow Sticks and glow necklaces for them from the $ store instead of buying the expensive character ones for the fireworks time)
4. Tips for a better trip while at Disney
5. Anything you got to help me out



I will also take any Toddler suggestions too, because we are going back down in September and taking our two 3 year olds. (I had to split them up!!!) That also means more Disney trips for me and hubby!!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Skip the bubbles. Nobody around you will be happy about it.

As far as what to make the trip smoother, well my only advice is to go with the flow. Don't make yourself crazy trying to have the "experience." Enjoy what you are doing at that moment and don't stress over getting to the next ride, show, attraction etc.
Base your travel style on your children. Let them be your guide to how much you can do in a day. Screaming crying children are not having fun and I bet you will agree that it won't make for a happy trip for you either.

As for the plane, bring a couple of books, or maybe bendaroos. They don't make a mess and the kids love them.
Our kids love reading the skymall magazine and one of our dd's loves to sit with the emergency landing/exit pamphlet and tell us all about it.
That's a lot of fun when you hit turbulance! Especially when she is saying "Weeeeeeeeeee!"'

At any rate, the POP is a great resort. The Goofy fountains are our favorite!

 

[Neesy228]

We are taking 2 of our girls down in May for their first trip to Disney World. They are 4 and 5. And we are flying down, staying onsite at the POP Century Resort.

Ok what I am needing is:

1. Ideas for on the airplane to keep them occupied and happy (the best one I have now is coloring books and triangle crayons-so they don't roll)
2. Ideas while waiting in lines at Disney to keep them occupied (the best one so far i have is Bubbles)
3. Tips to save money at Disney (One I love right now is Glow Sticks and glow necklaces for them from the $ store instead of buying the expensive character ones for the fireworks time)
4. Tips for a better trip while at Disney
5. Anything you got to help me out



I will also take any Toddler suggestions too, because we are going back down in September and taking our two 3 year olds. (I had to split them up!!!) That also means more Disney trips for me and hubby!!

I could probably write you a novel! I'll start here and hope it helps a bit!

1. Airplane. I make up little treat bags for my kids - in a bag that they can carry themselves - and give it to them on our way to the airport. There are coloring books, crayons, small sets of Lego's, stickers, treats (cookies, crackers, fruit snacks etc)...and my favorite for the toddler set -- post it note sticky flags. You would be amazed at how entertained they are by sticking those things everywhere! I let them put them on my nose, the window, their nose....it's endless fun for them.

2. As far as lines, I would definitely not do bubbles. A small notepad and a pen to draw? Or maybe a magnetic travel game for them to play together? My kids are often entertained just by the stuff in the que area and they very rarely need anything in the lines...Since you're going in May, i would assume that most lines will be short and you won't have to worry about this.

3. I buy lots of treats for my kids before we go down. This really ends up saving a ton of money because they're feeling like they're getting souvenirs everyday and don't even look at the gift shops. I can find a ton of stuff at the dollar store - not just glow sticks - that are Disney themed. Target's dollar spot also has Disney things frequently. I also make them t-shirts for a few days of our trip. If you want something personalize the DISign board here at the DIS is a great resource and they're super friendly (the board is all the way on the main page.) I also buy pins on ebay to use as traders for their lanyards. They have 15 pins each and I've spent less than $2 for each of them. They love the pin trading! I give each child a gift every morning and they're rarely more than $5 per child. That includes a t-shirt and a toy or pin...not bad!

4. and 5. My best advice to you is to just relax and enjoy. Let the kids guide your plans. My DS's first trip we spent large chunks of our trip riding Buzz Lightyear and the Tomorrowland Transportation Authority. He was in heaven and I have the best memories of watching him take it all in....My other advice to you would be to do at least one character meal during your trip, preferrably at the beginning of your trip. No where else but Disney can you eat breakfast with a princess, a mouse or Pooh!

Have a great trip!!

 

[nessz79]

I could probably write you a novel! I'll start here and hope it helps a bit!

1. Airplane. I make up little treat bags for my kids - in a bag that they can carry themselves - and give it to them on our way to the airport. There are coloring books, crayons, small sets of Lego's, stickers, treats (cookies, crackers, fruit snacks etc)...and my favorite for the toddler set -- post it note sticky flags. You would be amazed at how entertained they are by sticking those things everywhere! I let them put them on my nose, the window, their nose....it's endless fun for them.

2. As far as lines, I would definitely not do bubbles. A small notepad and a pen to draw? Or maybe a magnetic travel game for them to play together? My kids are often entertained just by the stuff in the que area and they very rarely need anything in the lines...Since you're going in May, i would assume that most lines will be short and you won't have to worry about this.

3. I buy lots of treats for my kids before we go down. This really ends up saving a ton of money because they're feeling like they're getting souvenirs everyday and don't even look at the gift shops. I can find a ton of stuff at the dollar store - not just glow sticks - that are Disney themed. Target's dollar spot also has Disney things frequently. I also make them t-shirts for a few days of our trip. If you want something personalize the DISign board here at the DIS is a great resource and they're super friendly (the board is all the way on the main page.) I also buy pins on ebay to use as traders for their lanyards. They have 15 pins each and I've spent less than $2 for each of them. They love the pin trading!

4. and 5. My best advice to you is to just relax and enjoy. Let the kids guide your plans. My DS's first trip we spent large chunks of our trip riding Buzz Lightyear and the Tomorrowland Transportation Authority. He was in heaven and I have the best memories of watching him take it all in....My other advice to you would be to do at least one character meal during your trip, preferrably at the beginning of your trip. No where else but Disney can you eat breakfast with a princess, a mouse or Pooh!

Have a great trip!!

Good advice. I third the motion not to do bubbles in line. Your kids are old enough that they will probably be entertained by the things they see in line. The lines at Disney are usually quite interesting with things to look at.

 

[LittleDickensDesigns]

Here are a couple of other thoughts for in-line.

- Play I-Spy, 20 questions, The alphabet game (A my name is Amy, my husband's name is Andy....), games of tic-tac-toe, rock-scissors-paper, etc.

- Carry a map of the USA or world and have them ask the people in front of them and behind them where they are from. Put a star on the map and see if you can get all 50 states.

- For the tshirts you design you could carry a fabric marker and as the kids make friends in line, have their new friends sign their shirt.