How to avoid just "serial riding" at WDW with kids

[QueenGoblin]

Our trip in January will be DD's (6) 5th trip to WDW and DD 's (2) 3rd trip. The kids love it, but we seem to fall into the trap of running from ride to ride for the whole trip (and we usually stay for a week or so). After a couple of days, DH and I are getting a little tired of "Now Peter Pan! Now Pirates! Now Small World!" repeat. I know there is a lot more to enjoy about the parks, any tips on how to get the kids to slow down a bit rather than feeling like they have to run over to Peter Pan to ride it for the 17th time?

 

[mom2aredhead]

Sorry, I have little advice because our trips are like that too . We were able to get him to try some new attractions by looking at You-tube videos and pictures beforehand to build up the hype. Although (don't laugh) the only reason he tried Everest was because Stacey (the one on the resort TV) said it was a "must do".
But yes, our trips are a pretty endless blur or rides, but that's honestly is kind of how we like it!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I'm too am going to try to avoid some of that on our next trip. I don't mind a little bit of it, but I feel like we miss out on doing new things because we're riding the same rides over and over. I have an idea, but I haven't actually tried it yet so I don't know if it will work. I'm going to let DD pick x number of things she wants to do at each park, then I get to pick the same number of things. We can't repeat anything until we've done everything on our combined lists. I haven't decided what the magical number will be, and it will probably be different for the MK (where we will spend the most time) versus AK where the shows are longer and will consume more time. I will let her pick first, then I'll pick things that we maybe haven't done before.

I'm going to surprise DD with the next trip and not tell her until right before we need to leave for the airport. I figured I'll pack park maps in our carryon and we'll start on the lists on the plane.

 

[dizneechic]

I'm not sure if this concept would work at Disney, but a mom recently did it at a co-ed kids party to get the boys to do "girl" things and vice versa.

The mom made up mini passports with boxes of a picture/name of each activity. The kids had to go around to each station throughout the party and get a sticker from that stations host for completing the activity and once the cards were complete they got to receive their grand prize (goodie bag).

For Disney it might be possible to make a card for rides, sights, finding something new, try a new food, and add in anything new you might want to explore, and just bring some small stickers to place over each activity once done. When they have filled up their card they could get a bonus ride (or what ever their special thing is) as a treat.

 

[QueenGoblin]

The list seems like a good idea. On our last trip our older child was finally big enough to ride some of the mountains but it was really hard to convince her to try them. We finally got her on Splash Mountain which she LOOOVED. She added it to her rotation, so then it was Small World, Splash Mountain, Pooh, Peter Pan, repeat!

Maybe I could add searching for hidden mickeys, or something like that to my list? I'd like her to try some new attractions but I also just want her to soak up some of the atmosphere, especially later in the week, so we can relax a bit.

 

[QueenGoblin]

oh, I like the passport idea too!

 

[2binak]

My DD isn't old enough to ask to go rides yet, but I've taken my nieces & nephews to theme parks before. Before we go, we explain that everyone gets to pick x number of rides, shows, etc., including the adults, and we all take turns. It works really well because the kids know what to expect going into the situation.

I like the card idea the pp had to keep track of who's done what on their "wish list". I think your oldest DD is at an age where she can understand that everyone gets a turn and that the trip is for everyone so I think it would work really well.

 

[mom2aredhead]

She added it to her rotation, so then it was Small World, Splash Mountain, Pooh, Peter Pan, repeat!

I have to laugh...my sister just took my niece on her first trip this Spring. My niece does not like anything too loud, too fast, or too dark. For her it was Teacups, Small World, Pooh, Indy Speedway, repeat.
She came home joking that she spent a few thousand dollars to go stay at one of the monorail resorts, and they only went to one park (MK), stayed basically in one area (Fantasyland/Tomorrowland) and rode the same 4 things over and over.

Seriously though, you daughter is about the same age as my son...go on YouTube and check the rides out. There are a lot of videos that people take in/on the rides so they can see exactly how it will be. I think its more fear of the unknown with them at that age...

 

[iheartdisney]

Try adding in some extra activities. We started Pin Trading, which super-slows us down! Especially with the kids...at WDW there are cast lanyards every 5 feet for the kids to check out.
Are they into meeting characters? Our last trip to WDW, the kids took turns being sick, so we took it slow, and did every character meet we could. It was really fun, because I'd never done the character spot in EPCOT or the trails back at Animal Kingdom.
If your kids are young enough (or old enough) for the resort activities, like the pirates cruise.
When we go when it is super-busy, we will lay out the map and have the kids pick a favorite (or 2) per park. And tell them anything more than that is lucky.