first time WDW kids 8&10

[cork2009]

Hey All!

I was hoping for a little insight as planning this first trip for my family is quite overwhelming! I plan on going in October with our children who are 8 (girl) and 10 (boy).....I don't want to waste time on anything they will feel is "babyish"....
I was thinking of splurging on the room....is Delux worth the extra money? I like the Yacht or Beach Club ones best....I see they offer fishing which I know my son wants to do (never has fished before) and I see they have something called Stormalong Bay and a beach. So figured for the money we could spend some time at the resort. He also wants to go to Legoland....do they have transportation to downtown? I thought my daughter and I could look through the shops.
I def want to do MK, but what is the difference between Universal and Disney Hwood? Which is better for older kids? I don't think we'll do Animal Kingdom not sure if Epcot would interest them, and thought about doing a water park but not sure which one to do! STRESS!!!!!
Any suggestions on what to do/where to go/stay very much appreciated!

 

[buzyanne]

Hi, We hsve brought our boys down since they where younger. At about the age your 2 are they began to really get in to the thrill rIdes. My youngest loved what is now Disney Hollywood Studios. They have the Tower of Terror. My youngest @8 was on that ride or in line all day. (We the parents were a little afraid and did not try until the next day after we heard about it from him.) We had to go stand there when we wanted to leave to stop him from going back in line. Actually Disney appeals to kids of all ages. You will also find that you and your husband may find yourself feeling a little childlike over some of the things you experience. Tower of Terror and the Rockin Roller Coaster are definet must does. However, don't pass up any of the younger rides and shows, they have just as much magic as the big rides. Each park has plenty of both.

Disney does not provide transportion to downtown you can have your hotel concerige help you contact a local cab or contact Mear who has a large varity of options available.

Staying at Disney or dividing your time you will have a wonderful time.

 

[goopysolelady]

Hey All!

I was hoping for a little insight as planning this first trip for my family is quite overwhelming! I plan on going in October with our children who are 8 (girl) and 10 (boy).....I don't want to waste time on anything they will feel is "babyish"....
I was thinking of splurging on the room....is Delux worth the extra money? I like the Yacht or Beach Club ones best....I see they offer fishing which I know my son wants to do (never has fished before) and I see they have something called Stormalong Bay and a beach. So figured for the money we could spend some time at the resort. He also wants to go to Legoland....do they have transportation to downtown? I thought my daughter and I could look through the shops.
I def want to do MK, but what is the difference between Universal and Disney Hwood? Which is better for older kids? I don't think we'll do Animal Kingdom not sure if Epcot would interest them, and thought about doing a water park but not sure which one to do! STRESS!!!!!
Any suggestions on what to do/where to go/stay very much appreciated!

Welcome to Disboard and be prepared to become addicted! First time for your kids at WDW ... how exciting for you all! You will treasure those memories forever. I still have pictures of my 31 year old DD at WDW when she was 3 on the walls of her bedroom and smile everytime I look at them!
Yes, in my opinion, a Deluxe is worth it especially if you're planning on spending time at your hotel. How long is your vacation? The length of your stay will determine what and how much you'll be able to do. First of all do not skip EPCOT! You MUST experience Soarin'; Test Track is a ball; Spaceship Earth; The Land, etc. EPCOT makes education fun! World Showcase is so interesting ... every country has something special. One of my favorites is Canada with their "surround" movie. That is so cool. And do not miss Illuminations!
On to Hollywood Studios - as the previous post states - there are lots of thrill rides that your children will enjoy. I, too, enjoy (enjoyed) Tower of Terror (getting a little to old for it now!); youngest DD AND 6 year old granddaughter never miss Rockin' Rollercoaster; my personal favorite is Star Tours. And, here again, don't miss Fantasmic. There really is no way to compare HS and Universal. Depending on our length of stay (over a week), we'll make a trip over to Universal for a day and always have a good time there too. Different park and different rides. Check out their website. If we haven't rented a car (which we do if we have plans to drive over to the east coast) we'll do so for a couple of days but it's much easier (and possibly cheaper) to have a limo pick us up. It would be almost the same price as a taxi and really nice to be picked up at your hotel; delivered to your downtown destination and then picked up at the appointed time for the return trip.
No need to say anything about the Magic Kingdom ... always fun ... and don't hesitate to ride a ride because it seems to "babyish" ... they're ALL fun!
I would recommend you explore Disboards AND purchase a WDW/Orlando area book. Can't give any info about fishing since we usually just hang out by the pool when not at the parks. No matter what you decide to do on this trip you WILL NOT get to do everything there is to do. Waaaay to many options. Good luck and have fun doing the research. There's so much information "out there" it will blow your mind! Have fun!

 

[cork2009]

Thank you for your responses! I am so excited about this trip. I'd like to stay at least 5 full days. I'm thinking that way we have a day at MK, a day for the water park, a day at HS or Universal (jury still out on that one!), and some time at the resort seeing they offer some cool stuff. And of course gotta do lego land/downtown.

If anyone thinks of a must see please share your suggestions!

 

[serene56]

.....I don't want to waste time on anything they will feel is "babyish"....!

Just wondering if you think the Disney experience is only for little kids?


With Disney-- the more days you buy on a park ticket the cheaper your vacation will be- buying two days only will costs a lot compared to buying 3 days with 4 days being cheaper yet.


Epcot is a "world" experince for kids- traveling around the world without ever flying is a great way to present it- Passports which get stamped at each country can keep their interests. Plus the new Kim Possible thing they got going could prove very nice for your kids.

Going in October you have the Halloween Party- MNSSHP. Seperate ticket event.

 

[cork2009]

Thank you for the info on Epcot....it sounds cool! And the advice on ticket prices.....these are all things I just don't know about so I really appreciate the advice.

I don't think disney is for little kids only....I was quoting my kids on the "babyish" thing! My daughter is 8 going on 18! LOL! I just want to plan our time there accordingly and not spend time doing anything that they just aren't into anymore. I waited until I thought they were old enough to really enjoy this and remember the experience..we can't afford to take many vacations so just want it to be special and as memorable as possible.

 

[serene56]

Thank you for the info on Epcot....it sounds cool! And the advice on ticket prices.....these are all things I just don't know about so I really appreciate the advice.

I don't think disney is for little kids only....I was quoting my kids on the "babyish" thing! My daughter is 8 going on 18! LOL! I just want to plan our time there accordingly and not spend time doing anything that they just aren't into anymore. I waited until I thought they were old enough to really enjoy this and remember the experience..we can't afford to take many vacations so just want it to be special and as memorable as possible.

Well if you book before June something and go before Oct 3rd youcan get in on free dining-- which can save you some money.

kim possible stuff: http://www.stitchkingdom.com/kimpossible/ (epcot)

Discovery: Animal Kingdom- http://www.stitchkingdom.com/discovery/
or Planetwatch http://www.stitchkingdom.com/planetwatch/

 

[tnkr mom]

The favorite park for my 3 (about your same ages) is hands down - EPCOT! So much science, technology (in a fun way) Soarin', The Land - oh I love it! And the countries are amazing spots for all the magic! DON'T miss it - if we (and many other families I know) had to choose between Epcot or Hollywood Studios, EPCOT would win everytime! Matter of fact; friends of ours just came back this week and they did not care for DHS and wished they'd spent another day in EPCOT. So read a little more and find out what your gang is really looking for outta this trip, enjoy and let us know what your family picks!

 

[richmo]

OK, a few thoughts...

First, don't overstress. Just realize that in 5 days or so, you're not going to see everything. Not even close.

The other thought I have is, from a cost perspective, splitting a 5 day trip between Disney and Universal is very expensive. If you have any thoughts of going back to Orlando in the not too distant future, it might make sense to make this a Disney trip, then do a Universal/Sea World trip another time. For that reason, I'd stick with Disney Hollywood Studios this time. (Plus, remember if you decide to go to Universal, you're going to have to figure out how to get there - rent a car, bus, Mears shuttle, etc.)

As far as "babyish", really about the only thing I can think of that is geared at a younger crowd than your kids is Toontown Fair in the MK. Even so, since they haven't been, it might be worth a quick walk-through.

My pick for the deluxe would be Wilderness Lodge. You can get a bunk bed room, so the kids won't have to sleep in the same bed. Kids (and adults) love Wilderness Lodge, it has great transportation (boat) to Magic Kingdom and it should be somewhat less expensive than Y & BC. Plus you can do a meal at Whispering Canyon Cafe in the Lodge, which is always a blast for the kids. But, your reasons for picking Y & BC are also valid; just givng WL as an alternative.

To get to Downtown Disney, a bus will take you to and from any of the resorts.

My kids have always liked Epcot. At 8 and 10, they can do the Kidcot stops and try out the Kim Possible adventure. Plus Soarin' and Test Track are always a lot of fun.

 

[Kathi OD]

Hey All!

I was hoping for a little insight as planning this first trip for my family is quite overwhelming! I plan on going in October with our children who are 8 (girl) and 10 (boy).....I don't want to waste time on anything they will feel is "babyish"....
I was thinking of splurging on the room....is Delux worth the extra money? I like the Yacht or Beach Club ones best....I see they offer fishing which I know my son wants to do (never has fished before) and I see they have something called Stormalong Bay and a beach. So figured for the money we could spend some time at the resort. He also wants to go to Legoland....do they have transportation to downtown? I thought my daughter and I could look through the shops.
I def want to do MK, but what is the difference between Universal and Disney Hwood? Which is better for older kids? I don't think we'll do Animal Kingdom not sure if Epcot would interest them, and thought about doing a water park but not sure which one to do! STRESS!!!!!
Any suggestions on what to do/where to go/stay very much appreciated!

My kids were the same ages as yours on their first trip to WDW. They had a wonderful time and were amazed by EVERYTHING! There was NOTHING on that first trip that they considered babyish. Don't feel like you'll be wasting time if they don't like something, as you really won't be able to tell what they're going to like or not like. Some of the most "boring" or "babyish" attractions, may end up to be your family's favorites. Of course, there were some things they liked more than others, but I wouldn't let that stop you from having them experience everything at least once. If they don't like it, you know not to do it again.

To be honest, I wouldn't splurge on the room for your first trip. With children the ages that yours are, I wouldn't expect that they would want to spend much time there; they'll really be enjoying the parks....all four of them.

Be prepared for the kids to like Epcot and Animal Kingdom. Both are unique and probably unlike anything they've ever experienced before. Don't count Animal Kingdom out because you think it is going to be like every other zoo; it's definitely a much different, and IMO better, experience than any zoo you've ever visited. Epcot was (and is) my children's most favorite park. Yes, they will be bored by some attractions, but there will be others that they will want to experience over and over again (Soarin' and Test Track for sure).

Universal is not a Disney theme park, so not on Disney property. You will have to travel to get there. I would try and do both if you have time. Universal (especially Islands of Adventure) has more thrill rides than Disney Hollywood Studios, but that doesn't mean you should discount either park, as your children should enjoy both.

Either Disney waterpark will be fun for the kids, you won't go wrong, whatever you choose. If you have time, you might want to spend some time at DisneyQuest at Downtown Disney; my kids always enjoyed their time spent there.

I'd take the money you'll save by staying at a moderate instead of a deluxe hotel and use it to pay for upgraded tix that include the waterparks and Disney Quest and Universal tickets.

 

[Metro West]

 

[antree]

Oh my, there is so much information to give you, I don't know where to start. Start by researching on this site about the parks and rides. Don't pass anything by, try it if you don't like it just don't ride it again. There will be nothing that you are the kids won't like. My DD has been going to Disney since she was 4 yrs old, she is now 15 and last year we took her friend and my daughter couldn't wait to take her on Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh and Small World in MK.{also the big rides} but point made she is not to old for the younger rides. She loved Epcot, when she was 4, I remember here saying it was her favorite park. My DS 6 yrs old also loves Epcot and DHS and they both love AK. What can I say they LOVE all the parks. Their favorite hotel is Boardwalk. I would really make this a Disney trip and do the other stuff another time. There is so much to do and see 5 days will never be enough. In the 11 years we have been going we still haven't seen everything. I would buy a pass for each day you are there it is cheaper, check out the prices at Disneyworld.com play around with different days and hopper passes to see the different prices. Come back ask question, we will be happy to answer, I am so excited for you, It's your first visit. So read up and write down everything, we still do. Then come back and ask away. You are going to have so much fun.

Maria

 

[sherabby]

As far as "babyish", really about the only thing I can think of that is geared at a younger crowd than your kids is Toontown Fair in the MK. Even so, since they haven't been, it might be worth a quick walk-through

Playhouse Disney might also be too young for your kids.

 

[pepe of ohio]

What I think you really need, besides all the info given on this board, is a book on Disney World. The book we've used numerous times is Birbaumm's, it's a very good over view on everything pertaining to a vacation at WDW, local library will have one. We've done 42 trips so far and I still refer to one often. We always try to go during value seasons, room rates are cheaper. There's so much to see and do it's hard to relay the essentials of how to make your trip fantastic, just don't get caught up in the over planning, especially for a first time trip, just list your must do's and free flow from there, you'll never see it all or do it all, like I said we've done 42 trips and our stays are 9-12 nights and we're still learning with every trip. Enjoy.

 

[cork2009]

I will definitely check out the book and will do some checking on pricing, etc. I appreciate all the help and advice given and will be back to update when I get it all planned out.

 

[MelanieC]

to the DIS!

Congrat's on your upcoming trip. Try to take the planning in slow stages, you will soon learn so much here.

 

[sassysasha]

 

[MarkinNM]

 

[cork2009]

I got a quote for 5 days/4 nights at the beach club resort, 3 days magic your way tix and free dining for $2500. Is this a good deal?

 

[sherabby]

Sounds like a great deal for a delux plus free dining and that is for 4 people too! We got a great deal this summer with the buy 4 get 3 free and added dining. Our package came to $2,300 for the three of us. We also need to add in airfare. Our usual trip costs us around $3,000. The plus though is that we have 2 extra days this trip because we usually only stay for 5 nights.