How much do you involve the little ones in the planning?

[jeepgirl30]

I'm so excited to take DD6 on her first trip to the World. I have been several times as an adult, mostly business trips extended. DH has been a few times with me. We've gone back and forth and this year its just going to be DD and I, leaving DH and DS at home. Before the flames start, DS is just not ready to go. I know a lot of people would feel differently but for us this makes the best sense. He'll get his turn but not this trip.

Anyway I am a planner. I love DIS. I went and bought new guide books, ordered the planning video, printed pages etc for this trip. I wanted to surprise DD but no I couldn't hold such a huge secret in!

She is excited to go but just doesn't quite get "it" yet. I try reading the guide books to her and she says "mommy, why don't you read that as your bedtime story".

She did mention she really wants to go to Epcot. Which is cool because I love the World Showcase and had planned to only do MK. We are only getting 2 day tickets, 3 night stay. I called yesterday and turned them into hopper passes so incase she gets to Epcot and wants to go back to MK we can.

This trip is 100% for her. I've made ADRs at CRT, Chef Mickey's, 'Ohana, etc.

But I want her involved. I don't want to miss something she'd want to do. How can she NOT have my planning gene??

Should I just go ahead or is there a secret in getting them involved in the planning?

 

[homemaker]

My children always help in the planning. I plan our days according to what they want to do and where they want to eat. Of course they have all been there so they know the restaurants and parks very well. Maybe you could try getting your DD the birmbaums(sp?) guide to disney for kids by kids. My sons enjoyed the book and I thought it had alot of information for all of us.

You said she really wants to go to Epcot. Did you know that the kids can make a mask? In World Showcase they have tables in every country for the children to decorate a mask. You can take it to each table and they add another piece and stamp to represent the country you are in.

Enjoy planning and have fun. I'm sure whatever is planned your DD will love Disneyworld.

 

[hollyb]

30 days before we go on any vacation we do a countdown and really start to talk about it. This is thier first time down they really have no idea what to expect. For them less is best to much and they overload and become miserable. They do know we are going just not when.

 

[masterslacker]

I told my DD4 who will be DD5 all about the planning I've done so far and she's totally excited. As we get closer, we talk about autographs(to see if she's interested) and photos(might buy her a cheap digital camera...as she loves taking pictures) and of course a 100 day countdown since she can count to 100. I might have to gauge her interest on certain things but I won't worry about it until we are actually in the parks.

Good luck.

 

[scoolover]

The extent of my DS4 involvement will be picking the events of the last day as I have pensiled in Hunters Choice for that day. It could be very dangerous though. He will probably say, "I want to go to McDonalds" or something similar. That is okay, we will save a hopper day.

I do hope they continue the EMH fantacy land days for the little ones. That way, we can get it out of the way and enjoy the rest of the day at our leasure.

 

[Plantlady]

You could get a guide book for kids. We have "for kids by kids" which all three of my boys (4, 7, 9) love.

Each of my kids get to pick two things they HAVE to do in each park, for each day. Everything else is just bonus.

We also did the countdown chain. We started the chain at 122 days. Each chain has a photo of a different disney character. The chain really helped my four year old understand the concept of how long we had to wait.

We also watched TONS of disney movies. Tons of them. And the planning movie. Many, many times.

I've also taken the kids to target to buy travel stuff. As part of the planning preparations. And they got to pack them up themselves.

We also discussed all of the resturant options before making our ADR's and read over the menus with the kids. They helped pick all of our TS places.

 

[NotUrsula]

I think that young kids can be very helpful in the planning IF THEY HAVE BEEN THERE PREVIOUSLY. They remember the things they loved/hated, or what they would like to do that they could not do before. They can tell you if they want more pool time, or more park time, a water park, a visit to a kids club, or more characters, etc.

However, for a child that is under about age 8 and a first-timer, it doesn't work so well. You can pull out every book, video, and photo that exists, but until they have been there they will not really "get" the place. In that circumstance, I think that with most kids who have never been there, they will pretty much be humouring you, as in "Gee, Mom really wants me to look at this, so I'd better make her happy and look at it."

 

[akamom]

Ds and I have gone and left his sisters at home. I found that he really like seeing their website. We'll go on the website and look at the resorts, the parks, and restuarants. He loves it and he helps me decided where to go!

 

[mommiepoppins]

I ( the only planner not dh) involve the kids in everything. my 2/5 year in to ch dinners and my 9 /14 year old on the room and what to pack

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

I'm so excited to take DD6 on her first trip to the World. I have been several times as an adult, mostly business trips extended. DH has been a few times with me. We've gone back and forth and this year its just going to be DD and I, leaving DH and DS at home. Before the flames start, DS is just not ready to go. I know a lot of people would feel differently but for us this makes the best sense. He'll get his turn but not this trip.

Anyway I am a planner. I love DIS. I went and bought new guide books, ordered the planning video, printed pages etc for this trip. I wanted to surprise DD but no I couldn't hold such a huge secret in!

She is excited to go but just doesn't quite get "it" yet. I try reading the guide books to her and she says "mommy, why don't you read that as your bedtime story".

She did mention she really wants to go to Epcot. Which is cool because I love the World Showcase and had planned to only do MK. We are only getting 2 day tickets, 3 night stay. I called yesterday and turned them into hopper passes so incase she gets to Epcot and wants to go back to MK we can.

This trip is 100% for her. I've made ADRs at CRT, Chef Mickey's, 'Ohana, etc.

But I want her involved. I don't want to miss something she'd want to do. How can she NOT have my planning gene??

Should I just go ahead or is there a secret in getting them involved in the planning?

Go and buy her a copy of the Birnbaum book for kids. They sell it on Amazon for less that $10. I bought it for my DD's and they both love it. DD 9 reads it to DD 6 all the time. They then took turns reading it to each other. They have both gone and put marks on the things that they want to see or ride. I also told them both to bring it with us when we go so that they can make a list of their choices each day as we head out, that way they won't miss the items that they chose. DH and I have said that this trip is for them, so we are letting them have as much or as little input as they want. I also asked them which character they wanted to eat with, and we made ADR's accordingly. I hope that helps some. Have a great trip and let her help if she wants. She will enjoy it too!!!

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

We took our dd when she was 3 1/2. And she wasn't much into planning yet. But Now that she is 4, I could imagine the FUN we would have planning a trip to Disney together. So I am sure you and your 6 yo would have a BLAST! I think we will have to plan another trip just for the planning. I go stir crazy when I have no Disney trips in the works!!
Good Luck. Have fun!

 

[PollyannaMom]

I liked the "by kids, for kids" book too. It was geared a little old for my DS-5, but I loved the memories section where you ask them questions about their favorite things, etc. after the trip.

I did put in the planning video for DS whenever I felt he was in the mood, and noted his reactions to different things, so I had an idea of what he would like best. I borrowed some Disney movies from the library, so he would have background on the themes of some of the rides, and I also involved him in making Disney-temed things for the trip: tip envelopes, an ID tag for his sneaker, etc. He got very excited over taking a circle off our "countdown caterpillar" every day as well.

Have a great trip!

 

[HappyLawyer]

none, ever never
Planning is my fun, i get a kick out of everyones faces when they see what i have planned for that specific day.

 

[lindakmonty]

I have to do a lot of our planning while I am at work since I'm gone 12 hrs. a day...but I do get his input and show him the books... now he's been there a few times, he remembers and tells me what he wants to do.

 

[Laurajean1014]

My son is now 10 and this past trip was his first time to decide on what parks to go to.

Prior to this trip, he would help choose rides.

No restaurant decision, yet.

 

[scouthawkk]

He will probably say, "I want to go to McDonalds" or something similar.

When I told DS3 that he and I were going to WDW in August w/o daddy, I reminded him of all the fun stuff we did last summer while we were there, and then asked him what he thought he'd like to do on this trip. His response..."get some napkins." We had just finished a great conversation of all the fun stuff that he and I remembered, and that was his response! Turns out he absolutely loved the napkins with on them! That's my boy!

I am traveling with a friend and her DS, and neither of us could make up our mind about which resort to stay at. WL or AKL. So we decided to let my DS pick. I showed him a bunch of pictures from each, and told him a bit about each. His choice...AKL. But not for the reason I expected. I figured he'd pick that one because he'd get to see animals, which he loves. But no...he picked it because he thought the pool looked better! Good thing he's taking swimming lessons, I think we'll be spending a lot of time at that pool!