Excited, we leave in less then 3 weeks, have ???

[8timesblessed]

OK I have housing worked out, who's going and how they are getting there. I still need to figure out how far we are going to drive the first day from Seattle.

But now to some more serious questions! If I didn't plan anything would it be really awful?? I'm a total planner and want to look up everything but don't want to overplan, but I figured if I had a good grasp on things it would be so much better with a group of 11 and adding 4 more later in the week.

If you have kids, who hangs onto their tickets and where? Do you carry a backpack or fanny pack???

How does the GAD vouchers work for Fast Passes?? 7 of us were able to volunteer and had a great time but my 3 little kids went but of course didn't get vouchers. So if we have a group of 11, would we use 2 vouchers per day to get fass passes with?? That way they get spread out over the days we are there? Would love to hear from somone who has exchanged them for FP.

If you had GAD vouchers did you bring ID for your kids?? I just read that on the GAD question and it said you had to bring a birth certificate if you didn't have other ID. My kids are 12 and under. Just curious your experience.

I was going to do Ridemax but haven't had time to look yet.

Made reservations for our twins 5th birthday at Ariels Grotto, excited about that! But haven't planned any other food, hoping to do most meals in our Villa.

What else should I plan to bring with alot of kids??? I've read a ton on here and have begun putting stuff in bins for our Disney trip!

 

[DLovinFam]

I can answer one of your questions. I wear a sling pack and I hang onto all of our tickets/cards in my wallet that is in my pack. It's just easier to have them all in one place. This time my mom is coming with us, and I'm going to ask her if she minds if I hang onto hers too. That way I can run and get fast passes and not worry about getting her card from her. This has always worked well for us.

Have a great trip!

BTW...We are big fans of Seattle! Our family LOVES that city. I'm from the Portland area and my kids have told me we have to make a trip to Seattle this summer!

 

[DLovinFam]

Oh, and can I just chime in on the over-planning? I'm a planner too, and my "over planning" has really paid off. My husband, more than once, has thanked me for my "over planning." When the kids are content for a 2 day road trip to Disneyland, my husband, the driver, is a happy camper!

 

[MCSfromWA]

Wow! Your trip is coming up really quickly now. That means mine will also be here before I know it.

Let us know how you like the grand villas.

I would say that you shouldn't worry about planning unless there is a special meal (other than Ariel's, which you have already made reservations) where the whole group will dine together. I really like VGC because of the kitchen and fixing our meals "at home."

Tickets -- my DH usually holds on to them for our family once we are in the park so that he can run off and get fast passes. Some people even use lanyards to hold their tickets but I am not sure I would feel secure about that.

I think it is a great idea to spread out the fast passes from the day of volunteering. I believe you receive 6 per each GAD voucher.

Ridemax -- I have never used that but I have heard good things. Since you are going to be there several days it may/may not be a benefit for you. Our strategy is to get to the park early for every MM and go to fantasyland for at least one morning and tomorrowland for another. Our family rule is that we will not go on Dumbo if the line is more than 20 minutes. Same with other FL rides. We use fast passes wherever they are offered and will not stand in a long line that has FP. It is up to you.

We are also from Seattle and we will be driving when we go this summer. I like to stop in Redding but if I could get farther that would be better. As it is, if we leave Redding by 8 am we pull into Anaheim by dinnertime.

Good luck and have a fabulous trip. I hope you will make a trip report!