First trip tips!!

[bethie88]

I Am looking for first trip tips.. We leave in 14 days, staying at the contemporary resort!!!! We have all of our ADR's made... Our family consists of myself, my husband and 9 year old son, 6 year old daughter and 10 month old daughter.... As well as 11 other members of our family!! So any packing tips, hints on how to keep my sanity, or fun things to see would be greatly appreciated!

 

[JoeA]

Relax and have fun! That's tip #1.

We've taken several trips with extended family and my only advice would be to allow and encourage people to do things on their own as smaller groups and meet up at different parts of the day for "milestones" like dinner, parades, fireworks, etc.

We would spend the first few days as one large group and then people tended to split off and come together at various points.

 

[ZoZo]

Relax and have fun! That's tip #1.

We've taken several trips with extended family and my only advice would be to allow and encourage people to do things on their own as smaller groups and meet up at different parts of the day for "milestones" like dinner, parades, fireworks, etc.

We would spend the first few days as one large group and then people tended to split off and come together at various points.

I think this is excellent advice - with such a big group, it will be really important to be willing to split up into smaller groups to help avoid frustration and hurt feelings.

I'd also recommend some basic strategies:

1) Use Fast Pass.
2) Get to the parks before opening as much as possible.
3) Afternoon breaks really help during the summer. Nap/rest in your room, or hit the pool, then return to the parks refreshed. This will be even more important since you have a baby!!
4) The heat can really get to you. Drink tons of water, moisture-wicking clothes, carry battery operated fans or mister fans, and spend time in air-conditioned attractions throughout the day.
5) Ask for cups of ice water at counter service restaurants throughout the day.
6) Realize you probably won't have time to do everything you want your first trip. Have a good, basic plan, then relax and have fun!

 

[DaughteroftheKing]

Definitely go back to the hotel and rest some each afternoon.

Browse the DIS forums for all sorts of ideas on dining, best snacks to get, unique things to pack (glow sticks, etc), autograph book/item ideas, etc.

 

[baseballnut]

Chilly pads really do work - and they take the edge off the heat.

Have fun!!!

 

[CanadianPaco]

Definitely go back to the hotel and rest some each afternoon.

Browse the DIS forums for all sorts of ideas on dining, best snacks to get, unique things to pack (glow sticks, etc), autograph book/item ideas, etc.

I can't agree more! These are always 2 of my 3 top tips. I'll add: don't try to do it all/see it all. If you are like many of us on The DIS, there will be more trips!

 

[bethie88]

Thanks for the advice! We have our fast passes set! We have most of our fast passes together.. But that is because I am the only planner... My OCD took over... However our family gets together almost once a month so we can tolerate each other well... Getting them to the parks early is going to be a challenge lol!!!

 

[iLoveMickey87]

Where do you get the chilly pads from? I've seen them but don't think I have this year. I've seen the hot pads too.

 

[LJSquishy]

Take time in the parks to enjoy the theming & scenery. My husband and I went in 2012 and just blazed through the parks so we could ride everything and I regret not going slower and taking it all in. We don't have kids so we went full force and I regret not slowing down.

Accept that your plans may change. Someone might get sick, tired, hurt, etc and you may need to alter your plans that day. Just go with the flow and don't get bent out of shape if you have one thing written down and the group wants to do something different instead. I had a complete touring plan mapped out but my husband wanted to just go with the flow so we did, and it worked out just fine.

Consider doing parks in the morning, taking an afternoon break at your resort for naps/down time, and going back to the parks in the evening for even a couple of hours. Just play it by ear...maybe you can stay out all day part of the time and other days may need a little rest. Also, if you don't make rope drop...don't worry! Yes, you can get so much done in the morning but it's not worth worrying about. There is still plenty of time do do everything you want to.

A tip for packing...now we don't have kids but a great idea I read was to put each child's outfit for the day in separate ziplock bags including socks. That way they can grab a ziplock and all of their clothes are in it, no searching for shorts that match the top or misplacing socks, etc. Obviously this only works for little kids since their clothes are tiny.

I brought regular band aids, the special blister band aids (they are padded) and moleskin...good thing because I got terrible blisters!!! My shoes weren't new or anything, just happened anyway.

 

[glassslippergirl]

Getting them to the parks early is going to be a challenge lol!!!

Going to echo the advice of PP's-- don't feel compelled to do everything together. There's nothing wrong with some sleeping in while some get to the park at rope drop. You can change some fast passes without changing all. Just have a plan for time and place to meet.

With your little one, use the baby centers in the parks. There is one in each park, labeled on the maps. They have large, clean changing tables, high chairs, a place to heat food and mix formula, and nursing rooms. They are great for taking care of babies.

 

[lindanj]

Just got back. Here are some tips
Get to parks early and rest /pool in the afternoon. Back to parks in evening
Pack clothes in large ziplock bag. They sell 2.5 gallon bags and this worked great for everyone even my DH and myself. Labeled each bag for each day
Misters and frog toggs
Be sure to hold hands when exiting park with kids. Mad rush and easy to lose sight
Always have a poncho in your bag
Take time to enjoy the theming at the parks. I regret not doing this
Most of all have fun. It is such a magical place!

 

[lindanj]

Oh I forgot. Moleskin saved us. Even though our shoes were broken in there was so much walking and some blisters started Moleskin preventd any further damage.