First Time Overwhelmed !

[MOM POPPINS]

Hi! I also have 5 kiddos

Every trip I let each child pick a restaurant they want to eat at for a PS, DH and I also pick one. If the child does not understand enough about the restaurants then I have them pick a character they would like to eat with. We only make 1 PS a day and we usually have a day or two that we do not have any PS's at all. We also take a night or day to eat around the world at Epcot. We go around and eat at the counter services at the different countries. This is one of our favorite meals, my kids really enjoy all of the different foods and desserts...

My most important tip is to utilize the fast pass system. I am always surprised by how many people are waiting in long lines and not using fast pass.

 

[LSUDis]

Go early--can tour faster; eat a cereal bar? on the run.
Have a late restaurant breakfast (character meal, maybe?)
Ride, if not crowded. If crowded, watch shows and get autographs.
Go back to hotel and nap
Return to the park and ride;watch fireworks, parades, etc.
Go to bed early, if you can, for the next early morning.

Have fun! (Gosh, I love that dancing banana!)

 

[WEDWDW]

Arrive at MK before opening and go STRAIGHT to Fantasyland as soon as they open the park!DO NOT MISS Spectromagic,Wishes,Fantasmic! and IllumiNations-Reflections of Earth!HAVE A GREAT TIME-FIRST TRIPS ARE INCREDIBLE!

 

[anb163]

For dinner shows I would suggest Hoop Dee Doo Revue. It is my favorite show and the food is wonderful. I am 16 and I love it so I guarantee your kids will.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

My advise is not to try to do it all in one day -- or even in one trip. Tell yourself, "I will be back" and then keep that promise.

Stop and enjoy the moment. Some of our favorites are the memories of the kids trying to eat their Mickey Bars before they melted on a hot April afternoon. Or the time we spent in the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground in MGM, just sipping cold sodas while the kids let off some steam. There was the afternoon in August when we got caught in the MK during a cloudburst that last over an hour. And the amazing sunset that evening that we witnessed from the Coronado Springs pool.

There's always that drive to get as much done as you possibly can, but often it's when you're doing nothing in particular that the memories are made. Make sure that you allow those moments to happen.

 

[siennacrew]

Hi! We just got back from our first trip & here's my advice:

1. Get guidebooks and make notes as you go...make a 3 ring binder & put tabs for each park, restraunt menu's, Reservations (car, plane, hotel), tips, transportation maps, etc. This really helped me. I only wish I would have done it earlier in the process.

2. Ask Questions! We got lost once...not fun! It will get you there quicker & less headaches!

3. Plan to go to attractions that are near each other. We went to Beauty & the Beast show straight to fantasmic! It is right around the corner! We also went to Little Mermaid right after playhouse disney. We went to Lion King and straight to Pocahantas...timing worked out very well!

4. If you have seen the parade and want to hit more attractions....now is the time! We were second in line for Playhouse Disney during this time. We could walk right on Kali River Rapids! We also rode Dumbo several times during the fireworks & still got to see most of them! It seemed like after the fireworks everyone left....very short wait times! We walked right into Mickey Philharmagic! (Very very cute show....we all loved it saw it several times)

5. Pack as lightly as possible going to the parks. They will check every bag you have. If you have lots of zippered sections you will have to unzip them all!

6. Grab a fast pass for something as soon as you enter a park. Have one person do this....saving you time and 7 people going there!

7. Take advantage of extra magic hours at night! I wouldn't plan all of your priority seatings for morning. The pooh lunch is very yummy! Chef Mickey's for Dinner is ok. Cinderella's breakfast is ok...but you pay for the princesses & atmosphere! You may need a morning to sleep in a little & regroup.

8. If you grab a fastpass just about 30-45 min. before the parade...you can go right on it after the parade. .

9. Sit in a parade area w/ other attractions you can see while you wait. My kids went with my hubby to see County Bears Jamboree while I held our parade spot.

10. I might also suggest walkie talkies if the group wants to divide up at times.

11. My 6 year old rode in the stroller the majority of the time. You may want to rent a double one and let each of your kids have a break from walking.

12. Swim in the pool! Our kids loved having that break! Go to your favorites lots of times...you won't regret it!

I think that's it...sorry it's so long winded...just excited from our trip! You will have the best time!

 

[doodlebug]

siennacrew thank you for being so long winded!! Some really great tips in your post that I am writing down to use!!

 

[soccermom5]

this site is helping so much I took the advice on letting the kids pick a dinner and wound up with crystal palace, storybook princess , mickeys back yard, chef mickey and brown derby/fantasmic dh had to get in on the action we have decided to take it easy on fri when we arive and take advantage of th hotel, everything is pretty much up in the air so far of course ps will coinside with shows to make the best out of park time plus we have to figure in a wp day and universal I cant wait till april 21

 

[soccermom5]

one more ?? disers with 5 children where have you stayed on site? i am weary about renting 2 rooms = 2 entrances this kinda makes me nervous

 

[tigger1963]

I think it's important to remember that those special memories don't always result from riding every ride and seeing every show. Having grow up with Disneyland trips, I wanted the first time I took my young boys to WDW to be all about lots of rides and parades. I started to get frustrated that they wanted to spend hours at the hotel pool, until I realized that they were having the experience they really wanted to have. I knew we'd be coming back again (and again) so it wasn't worth trying to stress them out with accomplishing is all.

Now the boys are teenagers and we are preparing to go back to WDW in March. When I asked my 15 year old what he wants to ride while he's there, he said EVERYTHING. I just hope I'm up to the task of keeping up with them now!!!