Do You Include Kids In Planning

[eeyoregirl]

Hi traciedee:
I butchered your post; sorry in advance! I have a few thoughts for you. I would at least see the Spectromagic parade at the MK. It's AMAZING and unlike anything you'll ever see in your life. Wishes, Fantasmic, and Illuminations are all awesome. They're not just fireworks, they're FIREWORKS. Jaded teenagers think that they know everything, but their eyes will light up like Christmas trees when they see these extravaganzas. Fantasmic, especially, is NOT TO BE MISSED! As fir reservations, pick a few meals in advance, as you may not get to eat at a place you really want if you don't get ADRs. This is ONLY my opinion, please don't take it like I am telling you what to do! We do tend to, however, not to follow a strict agenda in our family. We decide what we want to do that day and get done what we can. We don't stress out over little things... this I do agree with your teenagers. And, yes, pool time and waterpark time is essential to all of your mental health! FASTPASS? Absolutely necessary--it's a great time saver. Use it. All the time.

FYI: my DD7 LOVES to help me plan, too.

 

[eeyoregirl]

phisig

Sorry that this is off topic, but I LOVE your signature! Pittsburgh's going to the Super Bowl!

 

[kakiegirl]

Our first trip dd was 3 we did all 4 parks and then let her plan the rest of the week, she enjoyed us getting out the maps to each park and her picking out the attractions she wanted to do again. We seemed to accomplish more that trip than any other. Our trip last year I went crazy and planned everything from which parks on which days to what rides we would ride at what time. It really worked out good in not having to wait in lines. We did all of Fantasy Land in less than an hour and road Peter Pan and Winnie the Pooh twice. However, after that vacation DD and DH both told me they did not enjoy such a planned vacation. So next trip I will definently let DD help me plan and listen to her input at what she wants to do and when she wants to do it.

 

[jennyl772003]

When we go we make sure we do things DS (8) would like. He got to pick the first ride we went on last year. We also try to make time for swimming, it's one of his favorite things.

He's been poring over his Birnbaum's For Kids by Kids and picking things he wants to do.

However, he is an only child, and sometimes we need to remind him that this trip is mine and DH's, and he is lucky he has parents that like WDW and take him with!

 

[Hannathy]

I have always consulted my kids on our trips. I have final say on the big items like where to stay, fly or drive. Heck my daughter (14) was posting on here before me. But they help pick everything else.
I like your plan it sounds alot like ours. We don't do ADR's and sit down meals other than maybe one. They don't like to give up the park time for that.We aren't big eaters and counter service doesn't always mean burgers. "Mom what if there is no line for splash you want us to not do that and go sit and eat for an hour?" Have them take a look at the menus. At most of the sit downs my kids don't like enough to make it worthwhile.
Parades with older kids you don't need curb seats so standing in the second row will be fine. So I agree don't give up two hours waiting. And I do not stand in front of anyone that has been there We would never do that! that is a pet peeve of mine because I am short. but if you aren't on mainstreet you can often walk up shortly before and stand behind people and see.
Don't underestimate the time at the waterpark with teens it will take a full day.
Have fun, plan some. get there early but don't let people stress you out if you don't have every minute scheduled and an ADR for every meal. We went at Easter 2 years ago without any ADR's and we didn't starve.

 

[lorli]

DD is going to be 5 this year and it will be our 3rd trip in so many years and she is a part of the planning each year. She gets to choose the character meals we do, what rides she likes best, which ones she thinks she wants to try, even which ones she is going to chicken out of, spend time in the water fountains, and how long we stay at the park. She loves the parades and fireworks, but of course she is young, but I hope that does not change. As she gets older we will include her in more of the planning.

 

[airtime]

It must be nice to have so many kids want to be involved!

I have begged dw , dd 16 , dd 14 , and ds 13 to plan our January trips in 2004, 2005, and 2006. We have been doing this road trip annually (yes, from northern Wisconsin) since 1998, so it's not like they aren't familiar with the route, Orlando, and WDW. My pleas fall on deaf ears - no one wants to make any effort to plan the trips except me. Since I know failure to plan would cost me $$$, I continue to do it myself.

For 2007, I have again implored them to help. They are expected to have their ideas submitted by May 1 so we can brainstorm the whole thing.

I'm not hopeful.

Tim, who really loves doing the planning, but feels like he's dragging everyone else around.

 

[Goofy Rulz]

There is a group of 10 of us going in June (4 kids) and we had a "planning meeting" where I asked everyone what park they wanted to go to, what rides they "had to ride" and what shows were a "can't miss". Then we selected the restaurants to hit. I then planned the days from there. Then once we do everything that everyone wants to do, we'll hit the "extras" that the parks have to offer.

 

[webray]

For teens we always asked what they wanted to do, since once the kids got older we let them go off on their own, while hubby and I went off on our own.

Worked out great!

 

[ougrad86]

My son and I are planning this trip. DH kind of goes with the flow (and I know what he likes). When we started planning I let him know that this trip is for all of us, and together we planned where we would go. DH and I are very interested in WS, he is very interested in FW. We are going to the others but those were are main areas of interest. I'll let him play to his hearts content in some of those areas at Innoventions )and we're going to Disney Quest), and he'll let DH and me wander through the little shops and attractions at WS, and be good during our many long TS meals there.
We are all doing what we want to do, and expect to have a great time
I would've loved to surprise him with it, but there is no way I could've kept it to myself!

 

[bytheblood]

Not initially. My hubby lets me do it all. When my daughter is older, she will make a lot of the decisions as well.

 

[Disneylovers]

When we first started going to WDW, I did all the planning. But as our DDs have gotten older, their right there in the mix! Older DD made a spread sheet about three trips ago, with all the "we have to do this" listed. She went through every ride or attractions at all four parks - I'm not exagerating and as a family we had to yes or no it! (next trip, we just gave her our list of must do's!). She was terribly upset when the list disintegrated halfway through the trip!

Since we're DVC members, there's no question as to where we'll stay. Usually, we plan what park on which day (based on EMH) but we're pretty flexible once we're in the park. Food is counter service, with the exception of one meal where I'll make ressies, we like just playing it by ear.

Our next trip we're bringing SIL, her DIL and two DGS. They're pretty much leaving the trip planning to us experts. I'm going to try to get some input from them as it gets closer, but again, we play it by ear.

 

[fan of the TTA]

i think my view on this is that it's a suprise going to disney anyway.

i think really...by the time they just get there they won't know what to do first.

so....leave it up to the parents!