Found out YESTERDAY that we go in 63 days!! What do I do NOW?!?!?!

[dreaminofdisneyx7]

We didn't think that we would be able to take all five of or kidlets to Disney for many years. We found out yesterday that we will be going in April!! There is so much to do, I know. I just don't know what I need to be doing now! My husband is a semianry student, so we will be going on a TIGHT budget, but will be there 6 days/5nights with dining plan.

What should I be doing now to prepare!?!?!?!?

 

[ilandrazdsw]

WOW! Congratulations...so fun. Don't you love those little surprises

Being on the Boards is a great start. There are alos various tour info programs that do help. We used Tour Guide mike, but I know there are others that a more budget friendly other posters can help with that.

Check WDW site to see if hours are up yet. Plan for parks/days for your ADRs. BOOK ADRS NOW! Some are hard to come by, but there are great options too. When booking ADRs be flexible on times...most CMs will do all they can to find you a spot.

Consider rides. Is this the first trip for the kids...get them excited and prepared. DS5 and DD3 were willing to try every ride because they saw what was more or less expected before. We would also talk the rides up to them and point out the fun aspects rather than what they could be scared of.

Start thinking about clothing and child supplies for both the trip and voyage to WDW. What may need to be bought or laundered (those summer clothes).

Have a great trip!!!

 

[Rylee]

Since you have the Dining Plan, make sure you schedule Advance Dining Reservations. (ADR's)

If you have "Hoppers," you'll have more freedom with dining options. (Although, remember... traveling takes time.)

If you don't have Hoppers, make ADR's IN or NEAR the park you plan to visit that day. (Example - the monorail resort restaurants are easy to get to from MK.)

Check the calendar for park hours and parade and show times. Try to figure out which park you'll visit each day.

Also, check the calendar for Extra Magic Hours. If you don't plan to attend the EMH's don't go to that park that day, as it will be slighty more crowded.

Have a great trip.

 

[saratogadreamin09]

The biggest thing that most people do that I think is stupid is plan a sechdual. Its ok to know what park your going to go to on what day and where your going to eat but knowing what rides your going on in advance is silly to me. Espically with so many young kids I wouldnt worry about following an exact sechdual. With kids you never know whats going to happen and theres really no way your going to follow anexact secdual after a while.

Besides that just enjoy the trip, its going to be great.

 

[Perditamarie]

How fun! Here are some things to consider:

* research the rides/attractions at each park and let each child pick their top 2...that will help establish your itinerary. You don't want to be looking at the map after every ride, trying to figure out what to do next!

* You will be surprised...your baby will be able to go on just about everything..as long as there is no height requirement and you think it is appropriate. Beware, many shows and attractions are very loud!

* Bring your own stroller! You can also bring in drinks/snacks. I always bring in a small soft sided cooler stocked w/juice and familiar snacks and it has been a lifesaver in lines and shows.

* Definately make your ADRs NOW!!! We love to do the character breakfasts..we schedule a late seating and have that cover lunch.

* We find it saves time/$$/sanity to eat a quick breakfast in the room (muffins, fruit, bagel, granola bar, cereal, etc) so we can promptly get to the parks!

* If you think your kids would like to collect autographs, determine when you will look for characters and when you will ride rides. It does take a lot of time to wait in line and search out characters, so plan accordingly. If you make your own autograph books at home, you will get a lot of extra attention from the characters. This also makes character breakfasts an efficient, yet delicous, way to collect autographs.

* Another fun souvenir is to collect the pressed pennies...at 51 cents each they are a bargain!!! A character or park icon image is smooshed onto a penny that becomes elongated in the smooshing process.

* It is fun for kids to wear their princess/Disney costumes in the park...and wicked cute!

* If you are staying at a Disney resort, you can borrow life jackets for enjoying the pool.

* Check everyones wardrobe...make sure the summer clothes fit and the kids have broken in shoes for the parks. We like crocs and sneakers.

Happy planning!

 

[miprender]

How long are you going to be done there for? I see you are going a few days earlier than us. We leave on the 8th.

Have fun planning. Its part of the fun and dont worry if the disboards becomes addictive. I seem to be on all the time.

 

[mjkacmom]

The biggest thing that most people do that I think is stupid is plan a sechdual. Its ok to know what park your going to go to on what day and where your going to eat but knowing what rides your going on in advance is silly to me. Espically with so many young kids I wouldnt worry about following an exact sechdual. With kids you never know whats going to happen and theres really no way your going to follow anexact secdual after a while..

Being on a schedule was once of the best things we did! With 5 kids, we would've been standing around, trying to decide what to do next. However, with our schedule, we did every single thing we wanted to do in MK - 2 days, by the afternoon, when we headed back to the resort for a break. We were there at rope drop, had a runner for fast passes, and we didn't wait on any lines (during Jersey week).
Besides that just enjoy the trip, its going to be great

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

Being on a schedule was once of the best things we did! With 5 kids, we would've been standing around, trying to decide what to do next. However, with our schedule, we did every single thing we wanted to do in MK - 2 days, by the afternoon, when we headed back to the resort for a break. We were there at rope drop, had a runner for fast passes, and we didn't wait on any lines (during Jersey week).
Besides that just enjoy the trip, its going to be great

I have to agree with this. We have four kids with varying interests in the rides. It helps immensely to have a game plan before arriving at the park. You'd be amazed how much time it will take after a ride to decide where to go next.

We use TGM and LOVE it! Most sites or books can share a general touring plan that you can use to prioritize your attractions and make the most of your time. I'm not saying that you should be totally commando....ie: hit Dumbo at 9:07, be at XXX by 9:15, etc. But, it gives you a flow to your day. I'm not sure of the ages of your kids, but we found that we had to split up a lot for this trip. The older kids weren't into Fantasyland as much, and wanted to do the thrill rides. The younger ones needed that extra time in Fantasyland, etc. So, it helped to know which rides we would encounter issues with, who would take who on what. Also, plan ahead to use child swap if appropriate.

Get the kids involved in your planning. Let them look at various attractions and choose favorites they want to try. I'm not sure what ages your kids are, but if you have little ones, the sing-a-long dvd's are great for introducing them to attractions and characters. Mine have on the Disneyland Fun dvd right now.

Where are you staying?

Also, please schedule a break each day!! Younger ones may need a nap, but everyone can use a break from the park. Go to the pool for an hour, explore another resort, etc....but get out of the park for a little bit.

As others have said, make your ADR's now! I waited a bit too long this time, and ended up with a late dinner at CM. Go to allearsnet.com, and you can check out choices and menus. Utilize your dining plan credits. I know we like to share meals at counter service dining, since portions are big. Since you are on the dining plan, this is your chance to splurge on the buffet meals and character dining. My son has been begging to go to more buffets since we got back. I guess he got spoiled, since we don't usually hit buffets here.

Happy planning!!!!

 

[nicki.momof3]

1. Call for your ADR's

2. If $ is tight hit the disney store or online and get a few cute things (character t-shirts are $5 each) and pack them without the kids knowing. It will save tons of $$$ if you get there and Mickey surprises them with new stuff - no need to buy stuff at the overpriced stores at WDW.

3. Hit the dollar store - pick up some $1 glow sticks - kids love them at night parades and again save $$$ on buying them. It is also a great way to see them at night when they are walking. Bring them as a surprise.

4. Eat breakfast in the room - we pack instant oatmeal - use the coffee pot and - breakfast is done.

5. Start going through your kids summer clotes - if they are like mine (I did it last week for a april vacation to WDW) nothing will fit anymore - again $5 t shirts come in handy here.

6. Order a WDW planning DVD - your kids will love watching it. They will get very fired up about the trip from the dvd and its free and arrives in a few days.

Have fun!

 

[dreaminofdisneyx7]

Thank you for all the responses! I have a lot to do! YAY!!!!

 

[nicki.momof3]

One more thing -

You have small kids - to save money I would bring your own double umbrella strollers. We took 3 kids 2,4,5 to disney a few years ago and we took a double umbrella and a single umbrella and it worked out great.

Renting strollers is expensive, bringing big ones is a huge pain, all the kids will get tired and carrying them is a nightmare. If I were you I would bring 2 double strollers *(umbrella). The hardest part is not always the parks it is the walk back to the rooms and busses at the end of the night.

 

[Andrea from PA]

What Fun!

Planning is my FAV part.

As far as ADR -- Have some back up choices and times in case what you want is unavialable.

My DD is terrified of masked characters -- we didn't know this until DD gave Piglet a heart attack at Crystal Palace in 2005-- That forced us to cancel Chef Mickey. So, my advice is to mix up character dining with non-character (Ohana for dinner, Whispering Canyon) or at the least have non-character back-ups

small Hand sized flashlights! We used the magnifing "read" lights in the shape of a credit card.

These are a must for small children because come of the indoor attractions are very dark -- for example Animal Kingdom Bug's Life was "scary" in the line queue and initial seating.

Think about destroying the kids sleep habits in order to nap in the heat of the day & saty out past normal bedtime at night. Some families can't work like this, but for my family it kept "Dad" from being Grumpy and makes everyone have a better time.

Explore Tom Sawyer Island and your resort. This "run & play" may tire kids out, but it is a needed break from "stay in line, don't wander"

Make peaced with the fact you WILL NOT see all you want to.

Join a PhotoShare group -- Nothing better than having great photos with the entire family.

Plan for blisters and pack extra socks and blister band aids.

 

[jtopp]

Set priorities. It is impossible to see everything,and some things will not be age appropriate, interesting or available to all members of your family. the best part is that you are THERE, with your family, having a great time. Enjoy!

 

[dreaminofdisneyx7]

I had a friend (who has been to Disney before) come over yesterday and she spent all afternoon helping me with my ADRs. My top two were a CM breakfast and a Princess breakfast. With seven in our party, I was sure it was too late. However, I got a FABULOUS lady and she helped me get both of those and so much more!!! I didn't think that I could be MORE excited, but I am just out of my mind excited.

So, for having just found out a week ago that we were going, I have:

ADRs scheduled: CHECK!
Fridge Swap Coordinated: CHECK!
Parade times and EMHs listed and put into our park strategy: CHECK!

I guess now I need to: look for a double stroller swap, start looking at kids' clothes, and begin hunting for Disney sales to pre-buy some tokens and reasure to give them while they are there.

FOlks, this kind of excitement could prove VERY dangerous!!

Thanks again for your advice and help!!