Helping a friend plan for his family!

[StuartMI]

Alright, so DW and I have been to Disney several times, but it's always just been us. We don't have kids -- yet -- and as such I've never attempted to plan a WDW vacation for a family *with* kids.

One of my very good friends has decided to take his family to WDW from August 3rd - 10th of this year and being the "expert" on these sorts of trips, I told him I'd help him with it.

A few questions, though, from those of you *with* children. What sorts of rides/shows would be too intense for kids? His children are DS9, DS7, and DD5. Would his kids even be *able* to ride some of the more intense rides like MissionSpace, Test track, ToT, or any of the Mountains at MK? I've also heard that shows such as "Tough to be a bug" can be too intense for kids, can anyone confirm?

The other thing that I need to keep in mind is the PS ressies for meals (which I'm working with him on now). Has it ever happened that when a little one is getting attention at say, Whispering Canyon, or 50's prime time, that it has become more of an upsetting experience for them rather than fun?

Anything else I should be thinking of? I know. Where to start, right? At any rate, any small tidbits of help would be very much appreciated.

 

[Gamblers]

A few questions, though, from those of you *with* children. What sorts of rides/shows would be too intense for kids? His children are DS9, DS7, and DD5. Would his kids even be *able* to ride some of the more intense rides like MissionSpace, Test track, ToT, or any of the Mountains at MK? I've also heard that shows such as "Tough to be a bug" can be too intense for kids, can anyone confirm?

When we went we had kids ranging from 4 to 12(2-4 year olds, 2-6 year olds, 1-10 year old, 1-12 year old). The 4 year olds rode Buzz Lightyear, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of Caribbean, Star Tours, Body Wars, Kali River Rapids, Safari Ride, etc. The 6, 10, and 12 year olds rode those rides and also Splash Mountain, Tower of Terror, and Test Track. Tough to be a Bug was too much for the 4 and 6 year olds. We had to get up and leave.

The other thing that I need to keep in mind is the PS ressies for meals (which I'm working with him on now). Has it ever happened that when a little one is getting attention at say, Whispering Canyon, or 50's prime time, that it has become more of an upsetting experience for them rather than fun?

As for the meals we had Cinderella's Breakfast, Chef Mickey's, and Backyard Barbeque. The kids loved the characters. They really liked the Cinderella's breakfast. The characters really were able to interact with the kids. Being a real person and they are able to talk to you does help.

Anything else I should be thinking of? I know. Where to start, right? At any rate, any small tidbits of help would be very much appreciated.

Don't forget to get the kids some disposable cameras. They do love to take pictures and sometimes they do get some good shots. Hope this does help.