Leaving in 7 days!!! Overwhelmed!

[em-o-so'smom]

I am so overwhelmed about all the planning to make this as magical as possible for my 3 DDs (3 1/2, 2 1/2 & 7 mths), DH and DParents! So much info and want everyone to have the best time...any last minute suggestions?? How about special/interesting ideas for the DDs? I just want to be there having fun! This is going to be a loooong week!

Thanks!!

 

[deekaypee]

What do you already have planned? What do you really want to do? Favorite characters? The more information you give us, the more specific our responses can be.

The first suggestion I usually make is to schedule a character meal. It gives you an opportunity to eat, see the characters, and to have great photo opportunities in a more relaxed fashion. The food is usually plentiful--if not great--but the atmosphere makes up for any culinary shortcomings.

Also, with your DDs' ages, don't worry about seeing everything. Think of this as the first trip of many and "go with the flow." And take naps.

 

[Newfie2000]

I am really interested in hearing the replies... I feel exactly the same way you do! We are leaving in 8 days and I am swamped! I have been planning this for a year but now when the time comes it seems like I have actually accomplished little to nothing ?! I have gotten so used to visiting the boards that I now have a hadr time pulling myself away from them to actually pack and get the house in order! Good luck...we're going to have a great time! I find myslef repeating that phrase over and over!

 

[em-o-so'smom]

We have 4 ADRs scheduled...Chef Mickey on arrival day (10:50) so i hope to get at least Dumbo and some FL in before, day 2Epcot Princess Storybook at 620pm, day 3 cind. @ 1900 park fare at 620pm and day 4 4pm hollywood and vine/fantasmic. Nothing on day 5 our last day. I really want to spend a lot of time with characters and doing stuff for the kids to enjoy. I am thinking 1 day at MGM, 1 at Epcot and the rest at mk...we are in St. Louis and have a really great free zoo so I've heard that AK wasn't really exciting for kids who have access to our zoo.

Does any one know where Prince Eric is ever out to meet ? My 2 1/2 really wants to meet him.

thanks!

 

[em-o-so'smom]

Mickey and friends and the princesses are the main have to sees. Also mary poppins toy story and cars and they love "pirate Jack" as they call him...my oldest might be too timid to actually meet him though (not the middle one though...she's fearless). We decided to go 2 mths ago...so at least i haven't been anticipating ...i don't think I could take any more waiting!!!

 

[deekaypee]

Do you know about this thread? http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=311217

It has many good tips as well as "secrets." For instance, do you know about the opportunity to ride at the front of the monorail or about waking Tinkerbell? (Both of which are great opportunities, but there are no guarantees that you'll be able to do so, btw.)

Most of the information on that thread is available in a word-processing document if you click on this link, post #2465: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=15963616&postcount=2465

As for when/where specific characters are around, I believe you can ask one of the character's handlers for that information on the day you're at the park and they should be able to get that information for you. Can anyone confirm this?

 

[em-o-so'smom]

deekaypee....thanks so much for the link...I haven't read it all yey but it is fabulous...so much info! Great tips and tidbits!!!

 

[chrismom2005]

i've got a tip after everything is all planned dont forget to enjoy yourself too.

 

[NeedaVacation03]

My advice is take a deep breath and relax. It seems like you have everything under control. I way over planned last summer since we had not been back for 9 years. I have 4 girls and wanted to make it magical . Well it was not as magical as I wanted since I was so intense. We went back in Sept. for free dining and only planned our ADR. It was so much more relaxing!! Your children will have a wonderful time and your Dparents will just love watching the kids.
Enjoy your trip!!!!!!!!
Have a glass of wine ( or other beverage) and think about the great time you are going to have next week.

 

[deekaypee]

Jennifer,

About spending time with characters...
It is my understanding that Eric is a little hard to find outside parades, but my best guess outside the Pirate and Princess Party would be Ariel's grotto...

Here's some resources. For getting a sense of where characters are found in advance: you might find the Character Finder link on this page helpful: http://www.disneyzone.net/rustyscupper.htm

For locating characters while you're at WDW: check for character schedules at Guest Relations (MK, City Hall) for a daily schedule.


AND, I'm pretty sure you already know about this but just in case....Have you considered the Pirate and Princess Party, mentioned above? I don't know if it's even possible to get tix for this event while you're there.

Pros: more time in the parks, and the event has both Jack Sparrow and Prince Eric.
Cons: it can be kind of pricey even though you'd only need to pay for your 3 1/2 yo and adult admissions. And maybe you don't want to be in the parks that late.

Anyway, here's a link on the characters: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345775

and the WDW official link: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/specialEvents?id=PiratesandPrincessPartySpecialEventPage

 

[mouseman41]

My advice is to not get yourself all worked up. You sound like you have planned ahead, that is half the battle. Take thing slow, enjoy every moment! Rest if you get tired!!!! Very Important with little ones. I wore my kids out our first trip. I pushed them past thier limit. The parks are huge and crowded. We stayed in the parks from early till very late. If you can head back to the room for afternoon rest. If you are unable to see everything, you can catch it on your next trip( you will be back) Enjoy!

 

[Perditamarie]

You are all going to have a fabulous time! Are you dressing up your dd's as princesses for any of your character meals? Here are a few ideas that I have done that the kids liked...and me too:

1. leave a little "Tink" surprise every night ... a little note saying hi from tink, filled w/glitter, little toys, lip balm, hats/tees etc.

2. give them autograph books and plan time to collect the autographs -- character meals are great for that

3. plan pool time if the weather allows...kids love the pools as much as the parks

4. Do the kidcot stations in Epcot...they are a lot of fun

 

[PrincessTigerLily]

Big hit with all the kiddos! You can buy them in the parks but we like to buy a scrapbook at Wal-Mart or craft store (I like the 5x8 size best) and go armed with a large sharpie marker. We used the page on the right side (when open) for the characters to autograph and then took a photo with each. When we got home, we placed a 4x6 photo on the left hand page with some decorations, depends on how crafty you want to get! Of all the numerous souvenirs we have paid way too much money for at WDW, this is my DD's most favorite, and the cheapest!

BTW, I did this on our last trip in September. Although I went into full, blown-out panic mode, thinking I knew absolutely nothing even though I had 5 previous trips under my belt and spent like MONTHS on these boards. It's natural! Getting character autographs will take plenty of time! My husband had to keep reminding me to chill out and just enjoy the moment instead of thinking of what is next. You are going to have a magical time!

 

[bopper]

I am so overwhelmed about all the planning to make this as magical as possible for my 3 DDs (3 1/2, 2 1/2 & 7 mths), DH and DParents! So much info and want everyone to have the best time...any last minute suggestions?? How about special/interesting ideas for the DDs? I just want to be there having fun! This is going to be a loooong week!

Thanks!!

The oldest is 3? okay, calm down. Just about anything will be magical for them! Don't put so much pressure on yourself. They don't know what they are "missing"...only you do.

Make sure you see some princesses (or other favorite characters), go on some rides, have some pool time, follow their lead when it comes to characters, don't spend all day in the park so they get overtired. Take it slow. Have a basic plan, but then see what they are interested in. If they are having all kinds of fun in the Pooh playground, don't make them rush off to something else.
The worst thing to do is to try to cram in so much "magic" that you are always rushing them off to the "next" thing when they are happy doing the current thing.

Remember, you most likely will go back, and that is when things like riding in the front of the monorail will really make an impact. When you are 3 or 2 or 1 you don't know that is a special thing.

I would say your main goal is that you and your DH have a good time and would want to go back. Don't get upset that you didn't get to do something...that is just an excuse to come back!

 

[em-o-so'smom]

Thanks everyone...we leave on the 8th and our first WDW day is the 10th...I'm starting to relax and plan the basics, have info accessible for the things we want to do and be prepared to go with the flow...my mom keeps giving me all kinds of disney related prizes for the girls at night in the hotel room...we're set with those but I have to pack all of it! Any way, we can't wait and thanks for all you help! WDW here we come!!!