Need advice on taking children first time to WDW

[HollyNEd]

Hi all,
I have been lurking on these boards for years but have just started posting. My question is about taking our Foster children who are about to become our adopted children to WDW. I have been thinking of taking each one individually for a few days first before the big family trip next summer. The reasons behind this are these kids get overwhelmed very easily. Just 6 months ago was their first trip to McDonalds!! They are 5 year old girl and 7 year old boy. Also DD's 6th bday is in December and when we had the discussion of where she wanted to have her birthday party she without a pause said WDW! Well being the Disney fanatic I am DH and I began to try and find a way without going broke to make this happen. Since this is going to be a very big christmas for them since it will be their very first one with us and also the first one of really seeing the magic of it.

Anyway, I really want to go in Dec with DD but also am torn about my DH not getting to sse her precious face when she sees it for the first time. Also her brother not getting to go until next May for his birthday makes me worried how he will react.

I guess I want to give my children the world and make everyone happy at the same time. Also DH and I think that this way we will have one on one time with each of them and be able to keep the overwhelmed feelings at a min if we go for 4 days for each of them.

Any ideas or input?

Holly

 

[chyam]

First off congradulations! Secondly I think the WHOLE family should go, it would be so wonderful to see their amazement together as a family and even if they are overwelmed they have each other and "their parents" to help them through it. I think it would be such a great family experience. Dec. is a fantastic time to visit the world (the first couple of weeks of Dec) You could schedule a PS for a character meal for the birthday celebration and get tickets for the MVMCP. With kids like yours having so little most of their lives this trip would probably far exceed anything they have ever imagined and just cut back on the presents somewhat. Instead of 4 days make it a week............it's a wonderful story and a great way to start out a new family! Lot's of luck!

 

[Amirah95]

Amen to the take your whole family comment. If one becomes cranky then it's time to leave the park. You all will definitely enjoy the park and each other. Congrats to you!

 

[Snow Shoe]

Congradulations to you for taking a hugh step from one who is adopted, and from our DD who we adopted 15 years ago. There's nothing like it!

This is a special moment for the "family", and IMHO I feel the entire "family" needs to go. Seeing their facial expressions of seeing the castle, Mickey, or Wishes for the first time involes everybody. It's these kind of moments that you, and they will never forget. The kids might want the other there so they can share the experience together. Why not celebrate both of their birthdays on two seperate nights at Disney with different charecter meals. What ever you decide, take loads of pictures, get a bunch of autographs, and make memories that all of you will share for life! Have a great time.

 

[kathmzh]

congratulations on your new family! I also agree with the other posters, go as a family. Just take it slow -- a couple of hours here, a couple there, maybe stay away from large parade and fireworks crowds, which tended to be what overwhelmed my children their first time. Enjoy!!

 

[cart-mom]

CONGRATULATIONS!

I have to agree with everyone else. Do the whole family thing - that's what you are/will be. I have 4 kids myself and just couldn't imagine missing any of our trips to WDW. We've been there every year since our oldest was born in 1995 except for 2002 when my DS was born in July.

I've done the trip with our 3 month old DD, and been 7 mos. pregnant while at WDW. The main thing to remember is to just take every day as a new adventure and roll with the punches.

Stay onsite so you or DH can go back to the room if the kids get too overwhelmed. Also, if money is a factor - one trip for all instead of two individual trips and then one family trip would save a bunch of money for you.

Good luck and God Bless!

 

[liznboys]

Hi Holly, congratulations!! I agree with everyone, all of you should go together as a family. You could all go for both birthdays. I think your ds might feel a bit bad about not going on that first trip, I know I wouldn't want to do that to my boys and cause friction between them and towards us!!

Good luck!