first time disney family

[love3kids]

Hi We are coming to Disney for the first time with 3 kids ages 3,4 13. the boys are 3and 4 and or daughter is 13 we are lucky enough that she is very excited about the trip but my concerns are keeping all 3 happy!

 

[crisi]

I'd suggest planning on splitting up a little - collect fastpasses for the "big rides" and then have one of you take the little ones back to the resort for some down time (or stay in the park doing something quiet) - while the other one gets some teenager time in with your daughter. Alternatively, have her clear off the big stuff in the first hour after park opens - then have her and one parent join up with the little ones (who will have gotten in Dumbo and Peter Pan) for the rest of the rides.

It will take some planning and some familiarity with the parks (get a good guidebook and figure out where everything is in relationship). Tour Guide Mike might be a good investment for you guys.

 

[love3kids]

Thank you so much for the advice. We appreciate all the suggestions and they will be put to good use! How do we get tour guide Mike?

 

[crisi]

There is a link at the top of the theme parks attractions forum that I think gives you a tour guide mike discount. I find his site to be a little unorganized - but he does offer a money back guarentee.

Or you might buy a guidebook - I like Passporter, the Unofficial Guide is popular, Birnbaums is pretty basic, but its also not intimidating at all (which some guidebooks can be). Plan on looking through for one that fits your family - which may mean an hour of browsing in the bookstore or checking out a few from the library.

 

[SmallWorld71]

Make sure you find out ahead of time what everyone expects to see/ do on this trip. Even the littlest of kids usually has a picture in their mind of something that will happen at Disney. That way you can be sure to build it into your plans. I find my kids to be much more cooperative about doing things their siblings like when they know we will be doing what they want to. And sometimes their answers surprise me, so I always ask ahead of time.

 

[sherreis]

Welcome to the DIS.

And, congratulations on planning your first trip. It is truly a magical place.

 

[crisi]

Make sure you find out ahead of time what everyone expects to see/ do on this trip. Even the littlest of kids usually has a picture in their mind of something that will happen at Disney. That way you can be sure to build it into your plans. I find my kids to be much more cooperative about doing things their siblings like when they know we will be doing what they want to. And sometimes their answers surprise me, so I always ask ahead of time.

Along with this advice - have realistic ideas about what can and can't be accomplished in your timeframe. My sister just took her two and four year old on their first trip - they stayed eight nights - they nearly completely skipped Disney Studios (they saw Playhouse Disney, but that was it). There is so much to do at WDW that you won't be able to do everything (someday, I'd like to take my kids fishing at Port Orleans Riverside - I've only been saying that for five years).

Also, understand the need to plan ahead. A lot of the trip can be done winging it - but don't plan on having breakfast with the characters unless you make a dining reservation to do so months in advance. If you get the Dining Plan, make those reservations in advance or you might not be able to use what you bought.

 

[tzolkin]

Make sure you find out ahead of time what everyone expects to see/ do on this trip. Even the littlest of kids usually has a picture in their mind of something that will happen at Disney. That way you can be sure to build it into your plans. I find my kids to be much more cooperative about doing things their siblings like when they know we will be doing what they want to. And sometimes their answers surprise me, so I always ask ahead of time.

We watched the Disney DVD and went online to look at the different attractions in each park, so my kids were pretty familiar with what was there and what they were interested in. Then, before our trip we made the customized maps (on the Disney website) allowing each person to pick their top 2 attractions in each park to be highlighted. We knew we wouldn't be able to see everything, but figured if each person got to do their favorites everyone would be happy.

We did not split up in the parks (my kids were 2, 4, and 9). We used Fast Pass and rider switch for the "big" rides and my husband or I usually just waited close by to switch off. If the wait is longer or you don't have Fast Passes for the ride, there's usually something to do in the area. (For ex. when we did Space Mtn. the other parent rode Buzz Lightyear or "the blue line" while waiting.) My oldest is a little younger than yours, but she absolutely loved doing all of the "little kid" things. We did plan one evening where my oldest and I went to MK while daddy stayed back at the hotel to swim and get to bed early with the little ones. It was a really fun night and we had some great mother-daughter bonding.

 

[colonelnock]

Also, for the more intense rides use the baby swap where your daughter can go on the ride while you watch your boys - when she gets back, you get front of the line access - just ask the line attendant for a pass at the entrance to the ride.

 

[MJAJmom]

Have fun planning your first trip, but I will say that it can feel very overwhelming!!! I can give some tips from taking my 2 young boys....

- plan to bring/rent a double stroller for the 2 little guys, lots of walking, they'll get tired and you don't want to carrying them too much
- plan for naps or rest time. My 6yo does not nap, but he took a 2hour nap each day. Maybe your DD can swim while they rest.
- do lots of character meals. Look at the characters at each meal and find a good mix to make girls/boys happy.
- Be ok with splitting up, the 13yo can do so many things at the park that the little boys can't do, also she'll want to do a few "girly" things the boys may not enjoy.
- start early at rope drop and use early morning EMH. You can get lots done before 10am each day
- Talk to DD and find out her priorities at each park. The little guys can go with the flow more.
- bring glowsticks for night. Best purchase I made at the dollar store (15 sticks for $1). We used a can each night at the parades, gave them out to new friends sitting around us.

Have a great time!

 

[love3kids]

Hi thanks so much for your great ideas! So many very helpful ideas!! We know we are going to be very overwhelmed. We will take one day at a time plan carefully and accordingly and have a magical time and make amazing memories!We can not wait to go! We are going Jan. 4 We hear that is a great time! I think my husband and I are the most excited right now! We have a double stroller that is coming we are driving.We have been asked are you CRAZY!! But we are planning on making it an adventure! What about the weather at this time? Thanks again for all the great ideas! Love 3 kids!!

 

[love3kids]

 

[love3kids]

 

[GRUMPY D]

Hi and congrats on going to disney, if your staying on disney check out the magic times for each park and check the hight restrections on the rides the little ones can ride on it will shock you on what they can ride , and if yours are like mine make a name tag for them that has there name, age ,a photo of them and your cell numbers on it and put it on a lanured that they must ware at all times so if they get sepertated a cast member can and will call your cell,dinsey allso will let you carry a backpack in the parks so stop and get some drinks and snacks for the park ( grapes gaterade ,apples ,sandwitchs ) find a quiet shaddy spot and eat it will give you a chance for some quality time to talk with the kids about the day and what they liked who they seen and what to do next ,take some extra clothes with you the little ones will get wet and take advantage of disneys photo pass , dont over plan we have gone three times and still havent seen it all hope some of this helps have fun

 

[mgriff75]

Arrive at the parks late, and go back to your resort early. Relax, enjoy vacation, don't overtire the little ones. Disney is wonderful, but you don't have to see it all on your first trip. I have seen many families stress themselves and the little ones out trying to fit it all in. I know many people find disney vacations expensive, and they want to try to get the most bang for the buck. But a highly enjoyable, relaxing, fun vacation, where every member of the family has fun is worth a lot more then a stressed out week of running to try to see all of the sights.

I know its a family vacation and you would like to stay together, but unless everyone is really easy going, go with the flow types, you will end up with everyone being annoyed. The 4 year old crying because he is tired of standing in line waiting for rides that he can't ride, and the teenager bored to death of the kiddie rides. Obviously you will want to stay together a lot but plan for some seperate time. Plan on naps for the younger kids, if you are lucky they will fall asleep in the stroller and then you can walk around and relax, but if not, take an afternoon break, or end the day early. Enjoy what your resort hotel has to offer.

We have been to Disney 10+ times and still havn't done it all. Its our goal though, to eventually eat at all the restaurants, ride all the rides, do all the activities, etc. But it will probably take us another 20 more visits to meet our goal. We normally only spend 5-8 hours at the parks. Any more then that and you are just running yourself to much to truely enjoy the trip.

Matthew

 

[jedspad]

We just returned from a 5 night trip with 6 kids ranging from age 7-20. Although we did split up a few times, some rides too scary for the 7 year olds, for the most part we did it all together. Of course, we are a Disney loving family but even the 16 and 20 year olds still ride Dumbo, Peter Pan,etc.
We had a blast.