How do you find the balance?

[hkkatie]

We are planning our family's first WDW trip for summer 2018. Our kids will be 15, 11, and 5.5 year old twins at the time of the trip. I've been reading the Disboards for years and am so happy that I finally get to start planning! As this will most likely be a "once in a lifetime" trip, (dh is not a huge Disney/theme park person, so getting him to agree to this trip has been a miracle), I find myself wanting to overplan to make sure that we see and do and eat everything! But I don't want us to feel stressed out about rushing here there and everywhere. I want us to have time to enjoy the atmosphere and explore and feel the Disney love while we are there. (We have been to Disneyland and Calif. Adv. a couple of times, and HK Disneyland many times, (we live in HK), but none of us have ever been to FL or WDW).

How do you find the balance between planning everything out and allowing time for exploring and really enjoying the time? At this point, I'm hoping for us to have about 2 weeks in FL. Probably 7 day passes (not hoppers), and days off here and there to relax or visit other FL sites.

(p.s. I'm hoping I can convince dh to let me take the twins again when they are older, but at this point, it's going to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip)

 

[Barbydoll8]

I think the balance lies in the fact that you probably WON'T do everything and realising that. Make a list of must do's and would like to do's. The must do's should also have some flexibility. The would like to do's are the things that will probably allow time to relax. You should also schedule down time. Seriously. It should be part of the vacation and the experience at Disney. If you are staying on property, a hotel day or a few hours each day are necessary so you don't burn out. You will not eat at every restaurant. You will probably not see every show or do every ride and that's ok.
A huge part of your experience is your family and just being together to enjoy what you can see and do. Deep breath and try to relax. Over planning can really lead to an awful vacation.

 

[yaya74]

You will have enough time to do "almost" everything. Since your DH is not into theme parks, I would say DONT try to do everything. Have proper three meals. Take a break at the hotel in the afternoon. My DH had the same attitude as yours. So I purposely planned lots of breaks here and there. After the second day during our recent trip to WDW, DH was enjoying the trip and wanted me to book a return trip to WDW so we will be going back again next summer!!! The summer weather in FL will be similar to that in HK, probably not as hot.

Since you have been to HK Disney many times and live in Hong Kong, just focus on DHS, Epcot and AK that are unique. Spend less time at MK. I HIGHLY recommend the two water parks here at WDW. Both waterparks are awesome!! My family feel more relax at the waterparks.

People here at WDW (both tourists and cast members) will be different from those in HK. They will give you and your family a different experience. I, as a Chinese, can confess that Chinese people can be very rude, especially those from certain part of China. You will see less rude tourists here at WDW and the majority of CMs are very friendly and courteous.

Hope it helps and have fun planning for your trip!

 

[hkkatie]

I really appreciate both of your input!

 

[Heidi K]

I recommend letting each family member (including parents) choose one restaurant, and also letting each person choose one must-do ride or attraction per park. As long as you accomplish those, then consider it a successful vacation.

I also recommend adding two days at Universal. It's perfect for older kids!

 

[msp2mco]

I think you've been given great advice. You won't be able to do everything and the best laid plans will go amiss.

One of the things we did before our first trip to WDW was to read the "Unofficial Guide to Disney World." I'm not sure if the format of the book is still the same, but we had a lot of laughs reading the reviews of different attractions. Then when we actually experienced them ourselves, we could decide if the reader reviews were relevant to us. It also helped us know what to expect.

I think one of the reasons our family loves WDW is that everyone has something that they love about it. So, if your DH loves golf, you can spend a morning golfing. If it is enjoying a cocktail, find a way to check out some of the nice bars in the parks or in the resorts. If it is hanging at the pool, that's easy too, especially if you are staying onsite.

 

[kcp1377]

I agree with everything said already. Take it easy, make a list of must-dos and take breaks as needed. Don't try to see everything. You've already been to other Disney parks, so while FL is a once in a lifetime, parks themselves are not so don't try to cram everything in. The biggest mistake we see people make is running themselves ragged because it's a once in a lifetime trip. They get exhausted, the kids start whining and everyone ends up miserable until they slow down again.

 

[adisneyaunt]

Great advice so I'll just add:
Hurray for your family!
Have a Magical Trip and enjoy your Family time!!!!

 

[hsmamato2]

If it's a once only type of trip,and you'll be staying 2 weeks, are you eligible for a discounted 14 day hopper ticket? I like the idea of staying onsite (or close to it) and being able to hop around, and be leisurely in your visiting/eating etc. That way you get the full experience,without the rush rush.

 

[Accident]

I think the fact that your recognizing there needs to be a balance will dramatically change your experience for the better when there....

The biggest things that have helped us is:
- have a can't miss list and plan around that. Also include a don't care about list so you don't waste time with things you think others might like and they really don't care about it.
- your plans are going to change for crowds, eating, weather, something you discover while being there and you should have room to do something unplanned for an hour or not get on something.
- get your must do things done early in the trip, especially with 7 days of tickets and being around for 2 weeks. This way weather, ride problems and things aren't an issue and you'll just come back another day before you leave.
- it's not that expensive to add on days if your tickets are already 5 days or more. Even if you've used up all the days, the tickets are valid to upgrade for 14 days from first use. It's roughly $15 per person, per day with tax so if a day you planned to do something else feels like you should be in the park again, you can just add more days on and do it..

And now the big one........ You are going to walk about 7-15 miles per day. Even if you don't leave the resort you'll still do 3-4 miles. some days your going to call it quits earlier, some days you'll want to sleep in. It's a vacation and it's ok to be lazy here and there.

 

[caisland]

Realize that you will not do everything....
Given the age ranges in your group you might want to split into 2 groups. 15 year old will not want to do the same as 5.5 YO. Meet for meals. A lot of time can be wasted just deciding what you want to do once you get there.
A lot of time can be used up just going to meals. We enjoy a sit down evening meal but Disney has a lot of great quick service spots. 5 year olds will not last rope drop to closing.
Staying onsite gives you a chance to go back after lunch to give them a rest.
Summer will be very warm but we love late August.
Youtube has great videos to give you an idea what your kids can handle.