General Tips for 4-12 yr olds

[metsno1]

Hey Everybody....Been a lurker for no more than three weeks! Somehow, I've been internet savvy for many years, and never stumbled across this absolutely incredible site. But then again, I just returned from my first trip back to WDW in nearly five years three days ago. We went with nine people, including five kids, ages 13, 8, 7, 5, and 4. Just a couple of basic observations upon my return home:

1. Bathing suits, bathing suits, bathing suits. Do not leave your hotel without them. I made the mistake of wearing some super heavy duty denim shorts on KRR, was at the bottom of the drop, and was still wet 12 hours later! Plus, every ADR we had at a different resort came with an opportunity to let the kids have fun in a different pool. They absolutely LOVED the pool at Wilderness Lodge. After the first day, I just made it a habit to wear my swimming trunks as regular shorts. Most of the nicer hotels offer towel service, so you don't have to drag yours with you.

2. Disney Dining-For us, it was an incredible value. OK, OK, it was actually FREE, so that was a no-brainer. But the reality is, I'll never do WDW without it again-paying or otherwise. It doesn't strike me as a question of value, because you do still pay a decent amount of money for food, and you can go cheaper by sticking to "food-court-fare." But the reality of this last trip was simple. We ate at places we never would have gone to without the plan. It ended up that over six nights, we had fine meals at Whispering Canyon, Chef Mickey's, 1900 Park Fare, The Plaza (way cool burgers and phillysteaks), Boma, and Akershus in Norway. For our party of nine, those meals alone would have come out to nearly $1500.00!!!!! We NEVER-let me repeat-NEVER-would have gone down that road without the dining plan.And that doesn't include any of the counter service meals or the snacks that we got each day. For us-and we're a group who likes to eat well-the plan would have been worth every penny we would have spent on it had we not gotten it for free.

3. All-Star Resorts. Stayed at Movies. Overall, this was a fine experience. They had a bit of trouble with our requested adjoining rooms at check-in, but overall, the service was just fine for a crazy, in your face, non-stop people everywhere, don't look for a moment of quiet kind of resort. If your hotel is a place to sleep with an occasional swim, and you don't mind food court fare, then the All Stars are wonderful. If you need a little bit of peace and quiet, and require beds that are softer than a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood, then you might want to try Coronado or Port Orleans. Overall, I'd go back to Movies with the kids, but if they weren't with me, I'd look elsewhere on the property.

4. Ride wait times seemed to be exaggerated by at least 300% for our entire trip. If it said ten minutes, there was no wait. If it said 20, it was maybe 5. However, once it got to 40 or more, it was at least a solid 20 minute wait. We arrived on the 28th to absolutely no crowds. Absolutely the quietest I've ever seen Disney in my 15+ visits to the parks. But then once the Food and Wine Festival started, there was a monster increase in the crowds.

5. Disney's Magical Express-just book it and forget it. Great experience to and fro.

6. Cars-Who needs a car if you're staying on site? Not us. We wouldn't personally recommend it.

Anyway, these are just my opinions. Thanks to everybody who posts on this amazing board. I'm so glad to have found it!!!!

 

[annie1995]

1. Bathing suits, bathing suits, bathing suits. Do not leave your hotel without them. I made the mistake of wearing some super heavy duty denim shorts on KRR, was at the bottom of the drop, and was still wet 12 hours later! Plus, every ADR we had at a different resort came with an opportunity to let the kids have fun in a different pool. They absolutely LOVED the pool at Wilderness Lodge. After the first day, I just made it a habit to wear my swimming trunks as regular shorts. Most of the nicer hotels offer towel service, so you don't have to drag yours with you.

When we went in September, I was told that you could only swim in the pool at the hotel you were staying at. That they don't allow pool hopping regardless if visiting different sites or dining. Go figure.

Oh well, to late for us to worry about that now I guess.

 

[metsno1]

Hmmmm....yeah, I seem to remember a thread about limiting pool hopping priveledges. But then again, I absolutely did not ask anyone. I just walked in like I was staying at the resorts. Plus, it was really not very busy at any of the pools we visited. I wonder if others have been "stopped" by CM's????? That would stink. Part of the fun of staying on site for me has always been the ability to visit other resorts.

 

[The Sweetness]

Ive lost count how many times Ive taken DD14 to WDW. And Ive come to 2 conclusions
#1 Simplify. If you have an option of bringing extended family, or friends, or just you, spouse and kids~ You must try to shorten the group at least once. In fact, as much as I love my DH, DD and I had a few wonderfull trips, just us 2. That way, we were the only 2 voicing an opinion (and I do like to control things )

#2 Have the kids choose (from a good guide book or online) what their must sees are in the park you'll be at on each day (not more than a few). If you let her do these first, she will be much less antsy. (at least thats the case with my DD)

 

[tinkerbella1]

What I've learned when I go to Disney is:

1.) Play it by ear. Yes, need to get Fast-Passes for the big rides and stuff, but I think it just ruins the magic if you are walking around and just going on rides because you need them to be "off your list." Especially if you are going with smaller children, or a large group of people.

2.) Always bring an umbrella. It's the worst thing to be caught in the rain and get all wet and you have to buy a $15.00 umbrella or rain coat. Your wet, uncomfortable, and just spent a little less than $20.00. At least that's what happened to me. LOL

Hope I gave some helpful advice.