First Time Disney Trip - 9/08 - We might be crazy :)

[Shiningstar77]

We are preparing for our first trip (together) to Disney for 6 nights in September.

Let me give you the breakdown

Me: Never been to Disney. Though I'm looking forward to our trip = I like the planning part, probably the most. Though I'm overwhelmed at the details in planning a disney trip and the amount of work that goes into getting ready. I've been shopping these boards to learn whatever I can (suggestions always helpful.

Partner: She has been to Disney a few times though with adults only and not for 6 years. She loves it so much and can't wait to take the kids (Info coming) It's something she has wanted to do for awhile.

Jessica - My niece - 9 years old (at time of trip) She is my brothers youngest and has never flown or been to anywhere like Disney - She only gets out of the state when my brother is picking up a car in a nearby state - He restores them - the family doesn't take vacations. Though about a year ago she started draing pictures of the castle which is funny as she never really talks about disney.

Tommy - My partner's Nephew - 7 years old (at time of trip) He is my my partner's only nephew. He has the same story as Jessica pretty much - Never flown, never been on vacation - and at the time his parents don't even drive so he goes nowhere.

For both kids the only vacation they officially have been on is with us on a weeekend camping trip... THE BEST PART of this trip is the kids don't know about it yet.

They are both having birthdays in the next week (Turning 9 and 7) We are having them sleep over on Friday and doing fun things - Going swimming and then taking them to the Cheesecake factory - which for them will be the fanciest restaurant the have ever been to, And surprising them there with the trip.

To tell them we have been trying to think of a fun way. So far this is what we were thinking - we'll have a nice meal and check and see if the waitstaff does anything for birthdays - like bring them cake or something - if they will do that - we'll let them eat their cake then hand them their wrapped present - which we have already been working on - We started each one a Disney Scrap book - On the first page of the book - Each One has a similiar thing "Jessica's 9th Birthday Vacation in Disney World" then we ordered each one a shirt that says something like Disney World I'm on my way. We have been toying with lots of ideas to surprise them but that's the best we came up with.
SUGGESTIONS???

So we might be crazy not only are we going to Disney but we are taking two kids - not ours - that have never flown or been on vacation. The best part is we get to see all their firsts that our siblings (their parents) are missing but let's hope they don't have any issues.

So I have been working on our trip details - I'm overwhelmed to say the least - I'm trying not to over reserve ourselves because i'm not sure how it's going to go but I need to start making some reservations.

Here's the meat:
Day 1 - Arrive Mid afternoon - Go to Magic Kingdom
Day 2 - Magic Kingdom
Day 3 - Animal Kingdom / Evening - Tickets to Not so scary Halloween
Day 4 - Hollywood Studios
Day 5 - Epcot / Maybe Downtown Disney
Day 6 - Whatever the kids liked best go back - MK?
Day 7 = Depart in am.

I was thinking on Day 3 at the Animal Kingdom we'd do a character meal? they open at 8:00 that day so I thought that would be good. I want to get us fast pass' onto that Safari which I'm thinking is popular.

Do you have recommendations for kids this age. I wanted to skip the princess meal as we have one boy and one girl and make it something that would just be entertaining for both of them.

Also I should mention I didn't choose to get the hopper but I do have the waterparks and More option on there. Was that a mistake?

More to come

 

[nflder]

Do you have recommendations for kids this age. I wanted to skip the princess meal as we have one boy and one girl and make it something that would just be entertaining for both of them. There is a character breakfastat Tusker House in the AK. This might be a good choice because it has Mickey, Goofy, Donald and Daisy.


Also I should mention I didn't choose to get the hopper but I do have the waterparks and More option on there. Was that a mistake? No you didn't make a mistake. It is your first trip. Take things slowly - you won't see everything. And my best piece of advice is to make sure you take a break in the afternoon.

Hope this helps you.

 

[reyasmommy]

Oh WOW!! They're going to be so happy and surprised! You're all going to have a blast! I've never done a character breakfast so I can't help you there, but I can't wait to hear more.

 

[Shiningstar77]

Do you have recommendations for kids this age. I wanted to skip the princess meal as we have one boy and one girl and make it something that would just be entertaining for both of them. There is a character breakfastat Tusker House in the AK. This might be a good choice because it has Mickey, Goofy, Donald and Daisy.


Also I should mention I didn't choose to get the hopper but I do have the waterparks and More option on there. Was that a mistake? No you didn't make a mistake. It is your first trip. Take things slowly - you won't see everything. And my best piece of advice is to make sure you take a break in the afternoon.

Hope this helps you.

Thank you it does = I really am just reading some trip reports now for tips. I'm afraid these kids are going to wear us out and I'm practicing patience We don't want to be mad in Disney

We are staying in All Star Sports and I'm calling every day to try and get pop century which I understand won't happen (free dining) but there is a slim chance so why not - so I know the kids will LOVE the pool.

 

[Shiningstar77]

Oh WOW!! They're going to be so happy and surprised! You're all going to have a blast! I've never done a character breakfast so I can't help you there, but I can't wait to hear more.

I know they are going to be shocked - The BEST part is Jessica my niece is a Screamer - If you buy her a small thing she screams so we are going to go to cheesecake factory at a slow time of day.... I'm going to try and record on my camera (It does video)

Disney is elusive to them they have no idea other then it's some sort of amusement park and whatever they have seen on tv.... I think it's going to be really crazy for them.

 

[Atlanta WDW Fan]

With the free dining offer, the restaurants are packed. Make your reservations now, and have a great time!

 

[Shiningstar77]

With the free dining offer, the restaurants are packed. Make your reservations now, and have a great time!

Thank you for the info - I got my info together and made all of the reservations today I got all the places I wanted even at the castle so we are SET The time wasn't exactly what I wanted but it will do the rest are perfect.

I have a booking question - We are giving them this as their birthday present. So I was going to see if we could do things like the custom menu's at the Coral Reef - but I wasn't sure if that would be frowned upon cause it's not their actual birthday - I don't want to stir any feathers - we didn't want to go in August (which would be their birthdays) They are 7/30 and 8/5 but it is their present so I am not sure.

Also I had a GREAT surprise today - I was able to switch us to Pop Century which is what we wanted and had nothing left for the free dining by the time we booked. I called yesterday and they said no and when I called today I got the switch - I am sooo happy...

Last night we wrapped the presents for the kids - to tell them about the trip - they will find out on friday.

the top package is a pack of pencils - which will make them think it's school supplies which is PRICELESS and then the second package is a Disney Shirt that says I'm on my way - which they will think is school clothes and MAY overlook

and the 3rd is a the start of their disney scrap books which tells them the surprise.

I can't wait till Friday