NEED ADVICE! do we need a game plan or not?

[traci]

Hi all!
Would love any advice you can offer

We are taking our 22 month old and 8 month old to DW late September. My question is do we need a solid plan for the parks, or just go and not have a specific plan. I mean I know there are attractions we need to hit, but do we just stroll around or plan? We are staying at GF so we are close to our resort for naps and such. I don't want to add any added stress. With babies it's sometimes easier to go with the flow, but I'm a crontrol freak!!! Help this momma out!

What would you do? I bought the Unofficial Guide's Trip Planner (for $6.95 no biggie if it's a bust). Should I use that as a guide?

 

[can'twait]

I would plan but keep in mind that you need to be flexible too. You know what they say about the best laid plans... Wandering aimlessly wastes time though. There is SO much to see that I like to at least try to get the most out of our time there. Buy one of the guides and tailor it to what you want to see and what you think the kids can handle.

 

[jann1033]

guessing this is your first trip and if so i would use the guide as a"guide" to weed out what you don't think you would like so you can have a basic "this is a must see and popular list" then what works for us is get there at park opening and head for what we have on that list first thing and things close to each other( ie Mission space and test track, tot and rnr) we go at a fast pace in the morning so by the time we go on a few things the park is starting to get busier but we have gone on the big things. we try to be in the general area of our ps at lunch( when we always eat a big relaxing early meal since we eat a cereal bar or something for breakfast and it's abetter break for us without leaving the park) then spend the afternoon on less popular attractions...Sept is not the busiest time but not as slow as when we go but you do have to be flexible or it is too much stress

 

[eeyore45]

Yes, I agree, you need to plan to RELAX!!

I also bought the UG touring plan, and I think the website is very helpful too! I printed the plan out and love the hidden mickey's etc included!

You know your babies best, so go slow, if they are early risers, then do get to the park at opening, and do what they like, but take in the atmosphere, interact with the CM's etc, enjoy Toontown... and enjoy the GF!!!

 

[lisadisney2003]

We took our dd on her first trip @ age 6 months in Sept. 2003. The most important thing for us was to keep in mind where the baby center was at all time. It was a great place to change her and feeding breaks in the a/c. Late Sept. is still hot & sunny. Other than that, I would just take it easy and not follow a schedule. We did plan to have table service lunches every day. Again it got us out of the heat and a nice, quiet break. We are taking dd back next month for her 4th trip and we can't wait!!!

 

[LiteBrite]

Make a plan, by all means, but be prepared to change or scrap it all together at a moment's notice

Go at the little ones' pace, keep as close to their usual eating and sleeping schedule as possible, and take extra breaks as needed. Know the EMH schedule so you can plan to either participate or avoid them. Know what rides and attractions are most important to you, and work out a plan to do those things with the least amount of time waiting in line by using fast pass, being there when it's less busy, etc. When the babies need or want to stop and see or do something, play it by ear!

Keep the kids fed, hydrated, and protected from the sun at all times, and follow the same advice for yourself.

Have fun!

 

[Amyality]

The only planning you need for sure is to get ps for any table dining you wish to do. Also, I like to have a game plan for the first hour or two in the parks. This way you knock out the stuff you really don't want to miss right away.
You will enjoy the parent swap! You can hold fast passes for two different rides at the same time. Example, DH pulls a fast pass for big thunder mountain, you pull a fast pass for splash mountain. Your husband then rides btm then you parent swap. You can then go directly to SM and ride that, parent swapping again. This works well if you wait for the swap in a nice shady place where the kids can play, its actually a nice relaxing way to get lots of rides in. We do this quite a bit as we have been going as a family for three years and our kids are just 3 and 6.
I'd also plan on leaving the parks after lunch to swim at the pool, get naps and showers before heading out again in the early evening (we usually go to epcot in the evening, except for one night to see Wishes and another to see Fantasmic).
This time, I'm booking a massage at GF Spa...very excited to ditch the boys (DH and 2DS) for just a bit!
The Unofficial Guide rocks,its no bust in my book! Be sure to read it before you go and take it on the trip.

 

[traci]

thank you for taking the time to respond. it really helps

 

[ANTSS2001]

We took our dd on her first trip @ age 6 months in Sept. 2003. The most important thing for us was to keep in mind where the baby center was at all time. It was a great place to change her and feeding breaks in the a/c. Late Sept. is still hot & sunny. Other than that, I would just take it easy and not follow a schedule. We did plan to have table service lunches every day. Again it got us out of the heat and a nice, quiet break. We are taking dd back next month for her 4th trip and we can't wait!!!

see you there.... (9-23 to Oct 2nd ASMu)... I agree.. having little ones you really do need to have a very flexible view... When I took my DN age 2 I catered to his age and needs which was great... DN needs a nap.. I need one too .. and you're going on Sept ??? it can still be hot with rainshower in the afternoon.. well this is what we experienced last Sept'04 DN then was 5 and can stand the wait better than when he was 2, also keep in mind that this year maybe even busier due the new MYW... you are in a great hotel.. location wise... enjoy it... all the stuff you'll miss.. more reason to come back.. keyword.. DONT STRESS yourself... relax...

 

[Amyality]

Oh, my I forgot to mention the baby centers...they are awesome. Know where they are in each park. Never went to one at MK but, at EPCOT and MGM they were dimly lit with comfy chairs for breastfeeding. The changing area is hospital clean with tear off paper for each baby to have a fresh clean spot. The sink is for hand washing only. Won't help you now but, they even have child sized toilets that are nice and clean. I was shocked to see how nice they are, and they did not apper to be crowded. They also have stuff like diapers, formula, meds, etc. for purchase. I was WOWED!