Gimme your input!

[momma2kiddos]

Ok so this is our first trip to Disney and I'm almost pooped with all the planning!

My first question is this: We are actually tagging along with my sister and her family as they are going to WDW courtesy of Make a Wish foundation so they have no worries (or expenses!) ! With my family it's just me, my 11 y/o DD, and my 3 month old son (will be 5 months when we go). If by chance, Make a Wish has their own itinerary for her family and we have to enjoy WDW without them, will my 11 y/o still have as much fun? My sister has 4 boys (12, 9, 7, and 4) and our kids are very close.

2nd question! LOL: Are there rides where we all can ride but DD doesn't feel like a "baby"? LOL I really do want her to enjoy this trip but I don't want her to feel that we have to be in "babyland" the whole time. Any suggestion to rides or attractions are really appreciated here!

3rd question: Should I bring my stroller and my carrier?And yes I'm bringing the big industrial size stroller (You know the ones that come with the carseat! I'm assuming there is a "pitstop" to leave strollers and get in line and I don't feel like holding my lil heavy one for any given length of time!

Last question: We wanted to do a character breakfast at Tusker House. I'm seeing all these things about reserving 90 and 120 days out! So being we're going in less than 40 days , can I still call to make a reservation?

Okay, that's it for now . I'm so excited, I can barely stand it!

 

[Perditamarie]

I'm not sure I can help you w/all your questions, but I know some one will be along that can!! Here is some info:

* make your dining reservations asap and have a plan b and plan c if you can't get the times/place you want.

* bring your stroller and baby carrier/sling....the carrier/sling will save you in lines, etc. I wouldn't bring the car seat part of the stroller (unless you are driving), just the stroller. Have a plan for who is in charge of the stroller on the buses...you need to be able to empty the basket, carry the baby, carry the diaper bag and baby and fold the stroller and handle the stroller on the bus...totally doable w/an 11 yo helper! It may be a bit of a pain to lug around but it will be great for the parks and most comfortable for your baby.

* if a ride is not appropriate for your baby, you could inquire about doing a baby swap w/your dd (not sure how old she needs to be for that), or just accompany your dd through the line and exit at a "chicken exit". I believe she is old enough to ride by herself, if it is just you 3 touring alone. The good news is, you can do a surprising amount of rides w/a baby...unless there is a height requirement really, baby is good to go. Maybe your dd can do single rider lines on the thrill rides!


* I don't know how the MAW program works....hopefully someone will come along and share their experiences. I would think that you would be able to tour w/your sister, unless she gets special front of the line or other priveleges.

Happy planning and have a trip to remember!

 

[Bluetickmom]

Just to let you know that you and your kiddo's can visit them at the Village. You can even pay I think it is $1 or $2 and eat with them there. I really recommend you do this at least once.

When we went on my daughters MAW we had family follow us down too, and she loved getting to show them around the village.

MAW does vary by chapter, but ours just arranged the lodging at the village, a rental car/van and tickets to the world, sea world and universal and spending money.

We opted to buy additional days at the world and skip the others since my two were so little and we had 12 additional people who flew down to be with us.

Also, you and your kids will probably be able to ride with them. Depending on when you go. I would say 80% of the time my group was allowed on together. Even when we would try to split up since it was such a large group a lot of times other guests would insist we all go together.

I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[momma2kiddos]

Thanks! I didn't know if MAW had their own itinerary or not and my sis's kids and my daughter really wanted to ride alot of attractions together. I'm not much of a thrill seeker so I'm content walking around looking for Disney characters and trying to get photo ops!

 

[Sandi]

I'm wondering if maybe one day or part of a day, a cousin or 2 could come along with you and your children? It might actually help your sister's family to have fewer children to deal with for awhile.

I think your DD11 will have fun no matter what. There are many attractions that are not rides, but still very enjoyable. As another poster suggested, on the thrill rides, you can send her on her own or get in line and do the chicken exit. Also, get FastPasses where possible.

Definitely bring your stroller. There are lots of "stroller parking" areas by the rides and attractions. There are not many rides where you can use your stroller in line -- the Kilimanjaro Safari at AK is an exception -- but you'll cover miles during your visit.

Go ahead and try for a Character breakfast reservation. Call NOW and be flexible with your times.

Good luck and best wishes.

 

[momma2kiddos]

Thanks for your input! My sister actually called MAW and found out that she does in fact get the tickets to roam WDW freely so all the kids can go bananas and ride together and drive themselves silly! And we may go to their village once or twice and they intend on visiting us at our resort too (although they're opting not to eat their after unfavorable reviews on the net! LOL We're at CSR)