Looking for General Advice.....

[DRS_Are_Best]

....for travelling to WDW as a family of 5 -- myself and DH, DS (nearly 4 when we go), and twins DS/DD (26 months). We will be driving down so that we have our car, carseats, and strollers as well as not having to deal with airports and airlines, but it's a 14hr drive (by the book) from home.

So, my question is this -- we are compulsive planners -- we've already made reservations for breakfast and dinner nearly every day we're there, spending 3.5 days in MK and only 1 each in the other parks (since we think the kids will have the most fun at MK); keeping the kids on a semi-normal food and sleep schedule (at least attempting to).....is there anything else that people here suggest?

I just want this trip to be as much fun as possible and dh and I have NO problems planning every detail.

Thanks so much in advance for any advice.

 

[2TxAgs]

Hi, and welcome to the DIS!

As a planning mom myself, as well as a mom who traveled with twins and a single, my best advice would be to relax and be flexible. Hanging around a park with tired, cranky kids because you have a dinner reservation in an hour could make your day miserable. Go with the flow - if the kids are still going strong, great, but when they start to poop out (and it may happen sooner at WDW than at home due to all the stimulation), be prepared to chuck your plans and head back to the hotel for a quick dinner and an early bedtime.

On our first trip, our twins were 5 and the youngest was still a toddler - not quite 3. Since we went in December, the hours were shorter, and still the kids fell asleep early as soon as their heads hit the pillows. It's a long day to keep moving and taking in all that fresh air - for both kids and parents. (Not sure when you're going, but the heat may be a factor too)

Enjoy your planning, cuz that's half the fun, but take it easy and don't stress when you don't hit all your targets each day. I might make plans for b'fast and lunches, but go easy on dinner ADRs with such young kiddoes - many days they may not make it to dinner.

TxAg

 

[IllumFan]

When we brought my son who was just about to turn 3, he loved the Mickey (ie, Tinkerbell) gifts that we left for him every day by Mickey. When we returned from our day out, he ran to his bed to see if Mickey came and what he brought. They were little, Disney related items. For example, he got CARS Sunglasses, disney flip flops, disney bendy straws, Disney "containers" for his treasures, etc. I picked them up at our local Disney outlet before we left.

Also, this may put me in the category of "bad" parent, but it was useful when the excitement of Disney got too much and he misbehaved. I told my son I was going to call Mickey and tell him not to come tonight because my son wasn't listening. It worked like a charm and the behavior improved immediately.

 

[noahdove]

Personally breakfast times should be later. I had all early ones in August and it did take a toll on all of us. Seeing as we had to leave 45-60 minutes prior to ressies, that made for early mornings. The children I took were 14 and 8....and we did take at least 1 hour every day to rest...good luck and have a very magical time

 

[ilandrazdsw]

FLEXIBILITY!!!
If you are staying on grounds take advantage of EMH (especially AM) you get so much done...but if not don't worry about it!
Enjoy your meal and don't let anyone rush you through them (characters), but leave a good amount of time at least 1 1/2 hours for character meals to see each one...some cycle faster than others (CP seemed to take forever for only one cycle).
Don't be afraid to take breaks...it makes for a much nicer afternoon.
Watch your kids cues...if they start getting cranky it could be hunger, over stimulated, or tired. Ok, this is a common sense thing for parents, but I would have to stop and thein when mine were on the verge of meltdown...when did they last have a snack/drink...usually after a quick refueling they were ready to go again.
HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!

 

[Ellester]

As another compulsive planner, I highly recommend checking out Tour Guide Mike's site. If you link through the banner on the Theme Park Stategies board you can get a discount. I've been to Disney plenty of times, but I really like his advice and planning tips. Even my very skeptical DH was sold after we waited in virtually no lines last trip.

 

[DRS_Are_Best]

Also, this may put me in the category of "bad" parent, but it was useful when the excitement of Disney got too much and he misbehaved. I told my son I was going to call Mickey and tell him not to come tonight because my son wasn't listening. It worked like a charm and the behavior improved immediately.

That sounds like a GREAT idea for my older DS -- bribery may not be the best thing, but IT WORKS!!!!!!!!!!!! And when I read this aloud to DH, he laughed with me!!!!!

Thanks everyone for the advice! We are staying at PNO-R and feel like little kids ourselves planning everything and looking forward to watching everything through the kids' eyes......

 

[ilandrazdsw]

I second TGM!!! Totally worth it!