WOW!!!!
First time for both places, that is going to be so awesome for you !!!
Your kids are th eperfrct age to really make the most of it. So many thing to say. I guess I should tell you how I know what I am going to post for you. We live close to WDW and over the past 6 years we have been about 500 times. we go every weekend, unless we are on a cruise or we are sick. In the summer we have grandkids come out and go everyday it seems. I also have a son who works in guest relations there, so if I cant answer a question, he can. Also we have done 10
DCL cruises so far with 2 more 7 day ones booked this fall. So I do have somethings I can share with you. Usually May is a perfect time to go to WDW, because the crowds are not bad at all and the humidity isnt too bad yet. Usually around 90 each day.Unless mothers day is when you are there, i dont know the date for that this year, but it will be close for you.
!. Always arrive at least 15 minutes before the park is to open. Use the fast pass system for the most popular rides to save waiting in long lines. It is easy to use. Some rides have kiosks by them labeled fast pass. Insert your pass that you used to get into the park and out will pop a little piece of paper that will have a time posted for you to return to that ride and there will be an entrance marked fast pass return. That is where you go. Sometime before you get on the ride they will take that paper from you so hang on to it.
As soon as you use it, get another one for the next ride. While you are waiting for your time you can zip on attractions that dont have along line.
Any cast member will explain it if you have trouble using it, they are always standing near the fast pass kiosks to help.
2. time to eat.NEVER try to eat right at noon or 5 p.m. unless you have a reservation somewhere. Always eat early or late. Most of all, drink lots of water!!! The medical staff at WDW takes out dozens of people everyday that get dehydrated and dont even realize it until it's too late and they are ill or dizzy. this can really ruin your trip. I know pop tastes better, but save that for meals, drink water first. I know this from first hand experience of living here.
3. Take a few minutes to study your park map while waiting for your park to open, it iwll save you time if you can plan out what you want to do. Dont try to do it all, or you'll be disappointed. Let each person pick out 2 must do attractions in what ever park you are in and try to do those. If you do that and still have time left, then go for the extras.
4. If you want to see the parade at MK youwill need to stka eout a spot an hour in advance if your in frontier land, 2 hours in advance is your on main street. But if you dont care about the parade, this is a great time to hit a few rides because so many people are at the parade that the line goes way down. If you want to swim, just use the pools at your hotel because the water parks max out early in the day and you dont have many days here.
5 If the kid slove video games, go to downtown disney and go to disney quest. It is a 5 story building full of all kinds of games and virtual reality stuff, not just for kids. It does cost extra, around $30 per person.
6. If your pooped from the parks but still want to go out and do something less stressful, there is a 24 plex movie theater at downtown disney too and there are a couple of places with miniature golf. The best is the winter/summer wonderland. it is 2 courses that are themed for Christmas.I think they are open until 11p.m.
7. Late night show at MGM called fantasmic is awesome, If possible see that while your there, it is one of thos emust see things.
Cruise:
relax and have a blast !!! DCL will take care of everything for you.
Just a few tips you may or may not of heard on these boards.
1. take a couple of new, washed and ironed pillow cases with water proof pens. Put in a zip lock bag with a card with your name and room number on it. Leave this on the FIRST day at guest services and asked to have them autographed. Then the last night they will be delivered to your room or you can pick them up at guest services. A great free souvneir.
2. While at guest services ask for the scavenger hunt paper foe the hidden Mickeys on the ship. This is a fun family project to do.Kids love reading the clues and finding them all over the place.
3. On CC there is also a scavenger hunt that takes a little over an hour to do. I know you can pick up the clues at the gazebo on CC. I'm sure there would be somewhere on the ship to get it too. But this is fairly new so I havnt done it myself, just read about it.
4. The day before you get to CC you will see in your navigator a kite making event. take the kids to this and they will make and decorate a kite. then on CC they can fly them and they fold up quite small and they get to take them home, another free souvenir for them.
5. If they go to the kids clubs make sure on the last day they join in on the kids program for the parents becuase the club usually give the kids each agift at that show. I have seen t-shirts, hats, bakc packs, all kind of neat things, but they must attend to get them. Again a free gift for them.
6. Pirate party. This is a deck party where everyone is invited to dress as pirates. On the Wonder not many seem to dress up, but on the Magic almost 2/3 rds of the ship dress up. Anyway you will all be given bandanas to wear, take along a few eye patches and you'll be all set to party. This is a late night deck party with music, pirate dancing, characters, skits, fireworks which are awesome , plus a late night buffet on deck. The desserts are awesome!!! save some room at dinner that night. You'll need it.
7. be sure and check out the family events at studio sea. They have lots of family stuff in there. If the kids are in the clubs, you can go without them if you want to see the event. Just go, see, enjoy everything!!
8. On deck 7 way at the back of the ship is a secret verandah that most people dont know about. It's fun to check it out. you almost never see anyone there.
9. deck 4 has the padded lounge chairs and is a quiet deck, so if you want to read, relax or take a snooze this is the place to do it.
10. DON'T miss the sail away party!!! this sets the mood for the entire cruise. if kids want to see the characters up close, then be close to the stage because they will appear about 4:40 p.m.
Well I'm all tyed out for now I fI think of more tips I will post them later,
Hope this helps some,
mom x4, grandma x4
