Hayes Family at WDW: Prelude - Decisions and Planning
This trip report covers our trip to WDW - December 10 -17.
Characters:
Terri - 34 year old mom and trip planner. I went to WDW several times as a child, and twice as an adult. My last trip was about 8 years ago.
Pat - 32 year old dad. Went to WDW twice as an adult.
Sarah - 5 year old daughter. 1st trip to Disney. Loves all princesses, especially Sleeping Beauty, eager to go on "fast" rides, prone to crying when she gets upset.
Sam - 3 year old son. 1st trip to Disney. Likes Captain Hook, very mischievous, extremely chatty, does not like rides that are too fast or scary but sometimes decides to go because he wants to be with Sarah.
This was to be our first vacation with just the immediate family, as we usually visit grandpas and grandmas and aunts and uncles when we have time off. However, my parents just moved to Florida so I couldn't resist inviting them for a few days. We decided on just two of the seven days we would be spending at Disney; we selected days that we were planning on going to MGM-Disney Studios and Animal Kingdom as they had not yet been to these parks. This sounded like a great plan since these parks had rides Pat and I wanted to try that were not for the kids (Rock-n-Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, and Dinosaur). I originally scheduled our trip for 5 nights, but I added 2 more about two months before the trip - there was just so much I wanted to do, but I did not want to stray to much from our basic schedule and I did not want to feel rushed.
The hardest part of this trip involved making decisions and planning. The following were some of the decisions I agonized over (I have a tendency to worry and second guess myself) - I will let you know how these things worked out:
Timing - We had contemplated going to Disney last year, but decided our youngest was not quite ready for it. This year seemed perfect, our only disappointment being that our youngest was not old enough for the kid's clubs (child must be 4). We selected early December because it is supposed to be a time of relatively low crowds, off season rates, and Christmas decor.
Hotel - We would have liked to stay at a monorail hotel, but the only one that really appealed to us was the Polynesian. However, the Poly pool was scheduled to be closed (for rehab), and since my kids love swimming, we decided against it. We then selected the Yacht Club because of its convenient location and pool. I planned time to visit the Polynesian and Wilderness Lodge in advance of future trips. We reserved a water view room.
Stroller - I went back and forth whether to bring one. My kids don't really use them anymore, but I thought better safe than sorry. I decided to purchase the sit and stand stroller so my oldest could sit without feeling like she was in a stroller which she would have hated.
Planning - I made detailed itineraries ahead of time, which I then revised many times. I researched rides so we would not have to waste time at the parks determining whether or not a ride was appropriate for my kids. I also planned all meals, making priority seating where ever possible. My basic schedule was get up early (everyone in my family is an early riser), go to parks for early entry, eat lunch, go back to the hotel for naps and swimming, eat dinner, and do one event each evening (i.e., Illuminations cruise, MVMCP, Fantasmic, Hoop De Doo). I also made/bought gifts for my kids for each day. I did this to occupy them (on plane, in lines, while waiting for meals), give them things I thought they could use at the park (small flashlights, snacks, fanny packs) and reduce buying things at the parks.
__________
Yacht Club, December 2000
This trip report covers our trip to WDW - December 10 -17.
Characters:
Terri - 34 year old mom and trip planner. I went to WDW several times as a child, and twice as an adult. My last trip was about 8 years ago.
Pat - 32 year old dad. Went to WDW twice as an adult.
Sarah - 5 year old daughter. 1st trip to Disney. Loves all princesses, especially Sleeping Beauty, eager to go on "fast" rides, prone to crying when she gets upset.
Sam - 3 year old son. 1st trip to Disney. Likes Captain Hook, very mischievous, extremely chatty, does not like rides that are too fast or scary but sometimes decides to go because he wants to be with Sarah.
This was to be our first vacation with just the immediate family, as we usually visit grandpas and grandmas and aunts and uncles when we have time off. However, my parents just moved to Florida so I couldn't resist inviting them for a few days. We decided on just two of the seven days we would be spending at Disney; we selected days that we were planning on going to MGM-Disney Studios and Animal Kingdom as they had not yet been to these parks. This sounded like a great plan since these parks had rides Pat and I wanted to try that were not for the kids (Rock-n-Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, and Dinosaur). I originally scheduled our trip for 5 nights, but I added 2 more about two months before the trip - there was just so much I wanted to do, but I did not want to stray to much from our basic schedule and I did not want to feel rushed.
The hardest part of this trip involved making decisions and planning. The following were some of the decisions I agonized over (I have a tendency to worry and second guess myself) - I will let you know how these things worked out:
Timing - We had contemplated going to Disney last year, but decided our youngest was not quite ready for it. This year seemed perfect, our only disappointment being that our youngest was not old enough for the kid's clubs (child must be 4). We selected early December because it is supposed to be a time of relatively low crowds, off season rates, and Christmas decor.
Hotel - We would have liked to stay at a monorail hotel, but the only one that really appealed to us was the Polynesian. However, the Poly pool was scheduled to be closed (for rehab), and since my kids love swimming, we decided against it. We then selected the Yacht Club because of its convenient location and pool. I planned time to visit the Polynesian and Wilderness Lodge in advance of future trips. We reserved a water view room.
Stroller - I went back and forth whether to bring one. My kids don't really use them anymore, but I thought better safe than sorry. I decided to purchase the sit and stand stroller so my oldest could sit without feeling like she was in a stroller which she would have hated.
Planning - I made detailed itineraries ahead of time, which I then revised many times. I researched rides so we would not have to waste time at the parks determining whether or not a ride was appropriate for my kids. I also planned all meals, making priority seating where ever possible. My basic schedule was get up early (everyone in my family is an early riser), go to parks for early entry, eat lunch, go back to the hotel for naps and swimming, eat dinner, and do one event each evening (i.e., Illuminations cruise, MVMCP, Fantasmic, Hoop De Doo). I also made/bought gifts for my kids for each day. I did this to occupy them (on plane, in lines, while waiting for meals), give them things I thought they could use at the park (small flashlights, snacks, fanny packs) and reduce buying things at the parks.
__________
Yacht Club, December 2000
