New to DIS, Countdown to 1st WDW Vacation!

[jfite9]

Hello all. I just joined DIS and have been looking around finding great tips and ideas to make the most of my families first trip to WDW. We are coming with a group for a soccer tournament in mid-January and are staying 6 days.

My wife and I, along with our 5 children are overcome with excitement as we count down the days.

Our children are ages 9, 8, 5, 3, and, as of today, 1 week All four of our older children have birthdays during or within 3 weeks of our visit, so we really want it to be a special bithday for all 4 of them. We are hoping to start a tradition for our family with this trip.

So, if anyone has any ideas I am absolutely open to find ways to make this a memorable trip, and one that will start a tradition of annual trips for our group.

Thanks.

 

[KSBelle]

Hello and WELCOME ! Our family like to take a group picture at the same spot every year. That way we can chart the children's growth. I'd recommend at least one character meal during your stay. (Chef Mickeys or Crystal Palace). It's one of the best ways to see the characters without standing in line. And the foods good,too! Enjoy your trip.

 

[mouseketeer_mom]

Hello all. I just joined DIS and have been looking around finding great tips and ideas to make the most of my families first trip to WDW. We are coming with a group for a soccer tournament in mid-January and are staying 6 days.

My wife and I, along with our 5 children are overcome with excitement as we count down the days.

Our children are ages 9, 8, 5, 3, and, as of today, 1 week All four of our older children have birthdays during or within 3 weeks of our visit, so we really want it to be a special bithday for all 4 of them. We are hoping to start a tradition for our family with this trip.

So, if anyone has any ideas I am absolutely open to find ways to make this a memorable trip, and one that will start a tradition of annual trips for our group.

Thanks.

How exciting! Welcome

Tell us more.... where are you staying? doing the dining plan? park hoppers or basic tickets? How about a Hoop Dee Doo Revue dinner to celebrate birthdays? From what I've heard, it would be a blast for your kids!

 

[jfite9]

That is an awesome idea, to take the picture at the same place every year.

We have Royal Table reservations in late afternoon so we can be finished before the fireworks. My daughter is 5 and that was her pick.

Are there any special things to look for or do in regard to the birthdays?

As part of our grand gathering group coming for the soccer tournament, we are staying at ASM. We are on the dining plan, and so far have reservations at Kona, the Royal Table, and Breakfastasaurus. I am working on our evening dining as we speak.

 

[WeirdTigger27]

Make sure you get birthday buttons for the kids(they're free)! You can get them at your resort's front desk if you are staying on property or at guest relations at any of the parks.

Congratulations on the new little one! I wish you lots of on your trip! Come back and let us know how it went!!!

 

[Minniespal]

Welcome to the Dis

 

[hniki234]

Welcome! I'm sure you and your family will enjoy your trip to WDW! I'd recommend doing a character meal, too. Those are a lot of fun. The Hoop De Doo Review is pretty cool, too. Also, definitely get the birthday buttons!

 

[byoung]

Welcome to the DIS!

 

[luvgrumpy]

Wow! 4 birthdays that close together. That must be fun every year. I was going to say buttons as well but thats been covered. But imagine walking around with 4 kids wearing them at once. Magic times 4! You will have an awesome trip. Just stick with this board, you can't go wrong. Oh and BTW congrats on the baby too.

 

[StephSFL]

Have a great trip! I agree, do a character dinner! You can see Mickey and the gang at Chef Mickey! Have fun planning!

 

[kimis]

I am so excited for you and your family. Here a few suggestions that might help:
*be prepared----read the guide books and get on the computer
*go to the dollar store (because the usually have a lot of disney items) and put
together "busy bags" for the travel time. You know colors, paper, cards, ect...
*Call ahead and tell your resort that it is all 4 kids birthdays. Then when you
get there get them all birthday pins and watch the attention each child gets
*put something disney (small since you have so many kids) on their pillows at
night while they are brushing their teeth.
*take an alarm clock so you and your wife can get up and get ready for the day
but ask for a wake up call & let the kids answer the phone. Wait for a second
to see who is on the phone.
*get autograph books for all the kids and take lots of pictures
This is the most important tip:
HAVE A GREAT TIME AND MAKE LOTS OF MEMORIES!!!!!!! ENJOY

 

[jfite9]

Speaking of autograph books, we are trying to decide between letting the kids make their own or trying to order them. I found some on eBay and other places to order, but if I am ordering I want authentic.

Any opinions?

 

[Rhaine78]

Welcome to DIS! Hope you have a wonderful vacation! My DH and I are going on our honeymoon in WDW we leave in 4 days.. I can hardly contain myself! We are going to Cinderella's Royal Table for lunch on our first day in the park, and also attending MVMCP that evening. Should be a great time. I hope your family enjoys it as much as we do!

 

[magicaldisney]

As for the autographs books, don't fret, if you don't have any by the time you leave, you can purchase them all over once you're there. You can get one from you resorts gift shop when you check in.

One idea I have is to "Leave A Legacy" in Epcot. If you will be returning each year this is a fun thing to do. My kids love checking there's out each year.

 

[maedelken]

The birthday buttons are awesome. We were there two times when it was my DD's birthday. The CM's saw the buttons and gave her such special treatment. Everyone wished her Happy Birthday. She got birthday cards at the character meals we went to. She also got one from Mickey and Minnie. You guys are going to have such fun. The first time at Disney is so magical. We also take a picture at the same place each time we go. It is so neat to compare and see how your family changes and grows each time. If you are driving a DVD player for the car is a lifesaver. Have fun!!!!!!!

Oh Autograph books are so great. My kids have so much fun getting all the characters to sign them.

 

[mouseketeer_mom]

Speaking of autograph books, we are trying to decide between letting the kids make their own or trying to order them. I found some on eBay and other places to order, but if I am ordering I want authentic.

Any opinions?

check out this site for autograph books, pens, lanyards etc. I ordered from them, I just thought it would be cheaper than what I might find in the park and having them before hand would mean less time spent shopping.

www.disneysmilesstore.com

 

[mom0299]

I echo the suggestion to read the guide books and this site. There are so many helpful tips out there.
I don't know when you're going, but I would suggest planning a break in the middle of the day. Maybe go swimming, take a short nap, or go to Downtown Disney. Don't try to see it all. You won't. Relax and enjoy yourself.