Getting overwhelmed!

[danielle916]

I am getting a little overwhelmed rigt now, i think its because i am reading way too much on the PC, lol and in my books...

But i was wondering if someone can give me the MOST IMPORTANT ATTRACTIONS I NEED TO take my kids to, an absolute NOT MISS...
they are ages 4, 2.5 and 14 momths

Where are the best places to meet the characters....

My biggest fear is that we get there and we get no chance to meet the characters....

TIA!!!

 

[SC Minnie]

Look on your park maps for time and places to see characters. If you do that you will see plenty.

For children that age-- anything around Fantastland and Toon Towm they will love. Enjoy the parades. DON'T try to pack to much into the day/trip. Your kids will be tired and you will be too. The whole fun of the trip will be lost. Don't expect that you will see everything on one trip. It's not going to happen.

Most of all-- enjoy the looks on your children faces with they see the characters and the lights and colors.

 

[kdibattista]

I would also post this on the Themeparks and Attractions board as well... you will probably get more responses.

Have fun!!!!

 

[kejoda]

Get there early for the opening of Toon Town. Caracters come out and walk the kids into the park. One of the best mornings we had.

Also you can find a lot of caracters right when you get into Main Street.


Have fun!!

 

[Christine]

Danielle,

After reading this post and your "Contemporary Resort" post, I have a few suggestions:

1. Please go get the book "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World" by Sehlinger and read it from front to back. Since you haven't been to WDW in so long, this is going to give a really good *feel* for how the park has change, where everything is, the best times to go to which parks, and how to plan your stay.

2. Spend a lot of time over at the Themeparks and Attractions Board as well as the Restaurant Board.

3. Decide what parks you want to do (including water parks and anything outside of Disney, like Universal or Sea World).

4. Plan your dining experiences around what parks you will be in so you can minimize a lot of bus time or driving time.

5. To guarantee character interaction, plan at least one character meal with your family. Coming upon characters at parks can be "spotty." Sometimes I run into characters all day, and other times I feel like I never see any. The book I mentioned in para. #1, will really help you with where the characters are.

6. I know planning seems overwhelming and you don't *have* to go nuts about it, but I always worry about people like you who do seemed overwhelmed. If you don't plan enough, unfortunately, you can get to Disney World and have a bad time because it *is* so overwhelming.

 

[Planogirl]

It depends somewhat on your kids. I agree with the previous posts. Be sure to also take them on the train. It's fun and it gives parents a chance to relax.

But there's stuff for little ones in each park. Get yourself a good guidebook and hit the themeparks and family boards. And RELAX!!! you'll get it all worked out.

 

[bananiem]

I word of warning- Some youngsters are frightened of the characters. PLEASE don't force them to go near a character they show signs of fearing.
When I worked at a child care center we had a chance to have Cookie Monster visit the center when Sesame Street Live was in town. The kids in the 2-2.5 year old room were trying to climb up the teachers' legs to get away from this 5 foot tall monster. He was fine when he was 2 inches tall on tv or the wallpaper in their room, but not in person!
Same reaction when a local bank sent their 6 foot tall bunny mascot. The kids freaked.

 

[CathrynRose]

I am getting a little overwhelmed rigt now, i think its because i am reading way too much on the PC, lol and in my books...

But i was wondering if someone can give me the MOST IMPORTANT ATTRACTIONS I NEED TO take my kids to, an absolute NOT MISS...
they are ages 4, 2.5 and 14 momths

Where are the best places to meet the characters....

My biggest fear is that we get there and we get no chance to meet the characters....

TIA!!!

Youll always see the characters. They'll announce when & where on the park maps.

Its SO natural to feel overwhelmed! I had planned a Vegas trip this August, and started thinking - okay, this is too much! And when the family started asking for "Disney Fixes" I tossed aside the Vegas stuff - and concentrated on what I knew - DISNEY!!!

But even having said that - Im *still* overwhelmed, and Ive been there 300 million zillion times. I know WDW better than I know the back of my hand!!! There's just A LOT - so no matter what, do your *best* at having a plan of attack, and wing it if necessary...

Most importantly - Have a dang good time!!!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My kids never liked characters and my 9yo still has a "phobia" thing with them. So be prepared for that.

As far as what you do not want to miss....my advice is to go and have good time. Plan your meals for sure, so you can relax in AC between waiting in line for rides.