My daughters first trip...

[K_Sizzle]

Hey everyone. I'm new to message boards in general, specifically this one. While looking up some things for my upcoming trip to DisneyWorld I came across this site and figured why not jump in.

I'm still reading thru posts and trying to learn everything I can from you all (and I've already learned a TON, thanks!) but I figured I'd drop a quick line seeing if anyone has any kind of special tips or advice.

A quick rundown: I leave from Baltimore the day after Thanksgiving. We are flying down. And by We, I'm talking about my entire "crew". It will be myself, my wife and our daughter... my sister, her husband and their 2 kids... my mother... my mother-in-law... my aunt and cousin... and lastly a close friend of mine with his wife and child. Yeah, definitely a big group, but that's how I've always vacationed.

I've been to D.W. a few times growing up, most recently in 2005 (when I proposed to my wife, actually. I figured she HAD to say yes if I proposed in DisneyWorld). It's going to be cool coming back now having a third member to our family in my daughter. She'll actually turn 2 years old while on the trip. I've gotten some flack from people saying she's too young to go, but I obviously think otherwise. Sure, she may not remember the trip when she gets older... but she is a Disney fanatic (we watch a disney movie before bed EVERY night) and I think she'll have a blast.

All of the children on the trip are around the same age. The oldest is my nephew who is 3, and the youngest is my niece who is 7 weeks younger then my daughter.

I think we've planned well and have set up a few character meals etc., and have tried to at least outline our days there. Yeah, with having kids we all know things will change but we wanted to at least be prepared.

I just wanted to check and see if anyone has any good tips for me, or anything I should make sure to do or stay away from with the kids.

Thanks in advance, and I look forward to checking out this site daily until we leave for the trip!!!

 

[sharonabe]

Make sure you plan some nap time/down time.

Just an idea--"babysit" for each other during the trip so each couple gets a "date night"

Be ready to take your time and let the kids lead the way. Don't try to do it all.

 

[K_Sizzle]

Yeah, definitely a solid idea. We've even discussed having one night where the Grandma's watch the babies and the rest of us hit downtown disney or something.

 

[Rylee]

Hi,

Sounds like you have a great trip planned! Since you have traveled with others in the past, you probably know what to expect, but going to Disney with a large group isn't like going to the beach with a bunch of people. (We done both, and had a great time doing both!)

Vacationing with a large group can be a lot of fun, especially sharing your daughter's experience with her Grandmothers, etc. It works well if everyone is laid-back, relaxed, and has the same expectations. Touring the parks and taking in the attractions can require more time though, as someone always need a bathroom break, diaper change, drink, rest, and a moment to get that perfect snapshot. Also, without a loose plan, you can end up with 9 different answers when someone ask, What do you want to do next?:

I'll share what we do...

We have get-togethers to go over plans, talk about what we want to see and do, etc. We all agree, right up front, Disney is too expensive and no one has enough vaction time, to spend time and money doing what others want. If someone really wants to do something... they should go do it. No hard feelings.

That said,
we all stay at the same resort,
we usually schedule all our table service meals together,
we all plan to visit the same park on the same day.

In fact, we actually plan to, and do spend most of our time together. We pick a time to start out each day. If someone can't make that time, we just agree they'll catch up with us when they get to the park. (Can't have a bunch of kids waiting at the bus stop because others chose to sleep in.) After lunch, we might split up for a little while. Some choose to return to the resort for an afternoon nap or swim, while others stay in the park. (Same goes for the Extra Magic Hours - Some want to stay late at the park, while others want to return to the hotel.) Or we might split up by interest, younger/older kids or big ride attractions -vs- shows. If we split, we meet in the evening for our dinner reservation and spend the evening together watching the nightly shows.

For the most part, we usually stay together... 3 Families = 6 adults, 14 children. If the adults/older kids want to ride a bigger attraction, we all stayed in the same area of the park. Example - While some ride Space Mountain, others took the little ones on Buzz Lightyear. Or we watched Beauty and the Beast while they rode Tower of Terror and Rockin' Roller Coaster.

We always have a great time... I'm sure you will, too!

 

[Rylee]

Forgot to add...

If your daughter likes Disney movies, she and the other kids would probably enjoy Mickey's Philharmagic (3D) in Magic Kingdom. Our 4 year old made us watch 4 times in a row. (We didn't mind.)

 

[K_Sizzle]

Thanks for the response.

We've definitely been doing the get-togethers to go over things. And, we do have that mindset to make sure everyone does what they want to do, even if that means splitting up from time to time. Great advice!!! It makes me feel pretty good because it seems like we are doing the right things.

And, my daughter LOVES Disney movies so we will definitely check that out. Thank you sooo much for the tip!