help! Veterans touring with "Newbies"

[Jfstorm]

OK, here's the sitch: Uber veterans DDad and 11 yr. old DS. We are bringing new(er) GF and her 5 year old son to WDW for the first time for his birthday (and mine). She does not think he can hang for a full day (we are known to start at 10 am and go til closing even if it's 3 am). He is ADHD (mild) and has bundles of energy. His issue is with behavior and listening usually. No problems w/ size or scariness of rides. I suggest the whole " nap and swim in the middle of the day plan" and maybe not do EMH (except for one night at MK that will be "our" night with my son). Any experiences you guys and gals can share?????????

 

[Mike_M]

How many days are you thinking? I was used to that kind of schedule as well and my DS on his first trip got sick the 4th day after breakfast. All it turned out to be was that we were going too strong and he ran out of steam. Took most of the 4th day off as a result, and he was back full force for the 5th day. That trip, he almost never made it all the way to closing. We only stayed to closing one night. We left once he got tired the other days (Which took some interperting on our part cause he will go 100% and then just zonk out).

Since this is his 1st time and he is 5 (Same age my DS was his 1st time), I'd recommend taking it a bit easy.

Also, since your GF is new as well, try not to be too much of a tour guide unless she asks you to. Let her and her son lead the exploration. My DW never went to a disney park until I took her to WDW right before we got married and I had always gone clockwise in DL (The way the old souviner guides were laid out) so I tended to want to lead that way and she wanted to just explore so that took a little change in my old habbits before we were both in sync. Best to let the newbies do what they want to and adjust your old habbits to it. Eventually, everyone will be on board with the flow and it will be fun for all.

 

[minkydog]

Mike has good advice. Since they have never been before, try to let them discover the magic rather than you telling them about it. You will probably not be able to go commando Disney with this 5yo and his mom. If you go at the slowest members pace you'll ward off meltdowns and tears. So what if you don't close down the park? That's not what this particular trip is about. Think of this as their First trip--as in, the first of Many. Don't stress over what you don't get to do. Just make a mental note to get to it on the Next trip.

PS--be sure you clue in your DS so he isn't blindsided. He's used to going to Disney with you and may not quite appreciate doing it this way. Good Luck.