first trip to WDW, tips, advice much needed

[magicmirror]

Hi everyone!! (First of all let me say I am a complete dummy at message-boarding, I have never done it)
We are planning our first ever trip to WDW for the week of Thanksgiving. I have made the reservations for POR and got the park hopper with dining plan option. I have been reading everything disney related that I can find online. I am extremely excited, November can't get here soon enough for me. We have 3 children, DD15, DS12, and DD4 (assuming I have figured the dd,ds, lingo out correctly.
Anyway, mainly I am wondering if there is anything special Thanksgiving related going on that time of the year? Also, the children don't seem nearly as excited as I want them to be, I know this is because they have no idea what they are in for. My son at this point actually thinks he would rather spend the week in Texas hunting.
Can anyone tell me what must-do's there are for us, and also I would like to know of anything we should do that each child would enjoy the most,(considering their ages) I would really appreciate any advice or tips you can offer. I want to make this the best vacation ever, which I am sure won't be hard to do. I imagine they will want to make it an annual thing after they experience it. DH and I want to spend one evening checking out the night life, any ideas on what would be fun? Thanks in advance!! 235 days and counting!!

 

[goofy's friends]

Welcome!! Watch out--message boards can be addictive!!!

Your oldest (and probably next-to oldest) won't want to miss Disney Quest--it's an interactive arcade that is awesome.
I would do at least one character meal for fun.
If they like culture, the World Showcase at Epcot may be a favorite--it is ours!! Be sure to catch some of the shows there. Epcot will appeal with Soarin, Mission Space, etc. too.
Speaking of shows, they might enjoy Cirque Du Soleil---it is phenomenal.
They will probably also enjoy the fast rides at MGM--most kids that age do.
I think your oldest DS will be pleasantly surprised and love it!!
Your youngest will LOVE it all and hopefully, your oldest will catch the magic

Oh, nightlife! We prefer the Boardwalk to Pleasure Island, but it depends on what you are looking for. Slower-paced, piano-bar, quiet meal OR bar-hopping, loud music, crowded.

 

[poohraedopey]

HI Just wanted to say WELCOME to the DIS! And yes it can be addicting! You will LOVE love LOVE WDW!!!!!!

 

[micci41]

I have planned 3 disney trips and 2 cruises and have never had anyone in my family as excited as I am. I have tried to get everyone involved only to have noses turned up. That said, my son and daughter loved each trip though I did not realize it at the time. I felt a little let down because I had so much fun planning and knowing what to expect and I wanted my family to feel that too.

Enjoy each day and be sure to take time to relax. Look at the scenery and all the subtle things the imagineers have created. They put up the Christmas decorations during right after Thanksgiving and it is beautiful. Definately do a character meal. And most of all..smile and enjoy the happiest place on earth!

 

[weirdpaintballr]

My advice....just do what you want. HAve fun and enjoy your trip. To get the most done, get up early, try to eat a quick breakfast, be at the park at opening. Do the popular attractions first, then slow down a little bit. If anyone gets hungry, eat a little snack. Try to eat early or late meals in the parks to avoid the crowds, if you go back to a park and have already seen the parades/fireworks, skip them and go on some rides(lines are usually shorter) If you aren't too tired, try to do the extra magic hours. Most importantly, just go with the flow of your kids. Don't be so concerned with doing everything, just have fun.

 

[PrinceGoofy]

what happens to kids (and adults) once you get there. Older, too cool kids, start out (sometimes) almost resisting having fun. Others just let the magic flow over them. Once you're there a while, they just about can't help themselves - they give up and start having fun.

For your youngest, if she likes the Disney Princesses, if there's any way you can get breakfast in the castle - do it. We have two young girls and the looks on their faces when they get to meeet the princesses - priceless. She'd probably like the Beauty and the Beast show, Pocahontas, and Little Mermaid also. They're all good. Even the older kids will probably like them.

Disney Quest for the older ones and the faster rides. Do a character meal - Chef Mickey's is good. Tower of Terror - awesome. Illuminations, Wishes, Fantasmic! - do all of those.

And remember to try to just relax and have fun. It's your vacation too. Take a break, your little one will probably need it. Play in the pool.

I hope you have a great time.

 

[maddhatir]

You are lucky you will be there for the christmas decorations-- make sure to see the Osborne Family Specticle of Lights @ MGM- it snows!

Mickey's Very Merry christmas party - its fun!-- hot chocolate, cookies and it snows there too!

The tree lighting at Epcot every night just puts you in the christmas spirit!

 

[jillp221]

just go with the flow and don't stress

 

[magicmirror]

Thanks for all the very helpful advice, very good info. I definitely don't want to tire everyone out so that they don't enjoy the last days, especially DH, he sprained an ankle a few years ago and it still gives him problems if he walks too much, so I will have to go (a little) easy on him.
My littlest one loves the princesses, especially Snow White. Its actually "Snow Wipe" to her, she's her fav. Of all her books she picks "Snow Wipe and the Seven Dwarfs" for me to read probably 4 nights out of the week. That raises another question, I have read places to meet characters but haven't seen anything on the Dwarfs, are they there??
I was telling my 15 year old DD the other day about getting autographs from the characters. I told her we would all get an autograph book, even me. She thought I was nuts. She thinks she's even too old to want Mickey's autograph, I told her once she's there the magic will take over. I think it will be, to me, like at Christmas and I take the little one to see Santa, while we are there, I even believe in him. Same thing with the Tooth Fairy, when they awake to find money under their pillow, just the look on their faces, makes me believe in her too, even though I know I snuck it under the pillow the night before. Thanks again everyone, you have been very helpful.

 

[Mom to 2]

Before our first trip I researched every inch of every park!! I made a complete list of everything (ride, show) we wanted to do, and took that parks list with me when we went. We got there at opening did everything we wanted and then put the list away, and spent the rest of the day/evening, until closing doing everything over and over again. That way when we got home we didn't have to say "Man, I wish we would have been able to do that". It worked out good for us. We didn't know when we would be back so we didn't waste any time napping or sitting down at fancy restaurants to eat(we dont do that anywhere). We did a nice lunch at counter food places and carried on.
We did MVMCP but for us it didn't seem worth the extra money. It was packed (a thursday night) but I guess I'm glad we tried it once.
We'll be back for our 3rd trip this Nov/Dec and we cant wait

Lory