New to os travelling

[carlnlisa]

Hi everyone! Fellow Aussies here in the process of planning our first big overseas adventure. With the latest release of DCL dates we booked a Eastern Caribbean in August next year and plan to follow it up with 10 nights at WDW then a week to 10 nights in NYC (undecided on how long for there). Travelling will be DH, myself and our 3 children DD will be 11, DS1 will be 8 and DS2 will be 3 and are all very excited, well DS2 doesn't have a clue what we are talking about but he loves Mickey Mouse so I am guessing he will be excited when the time comes. Anyone with children these ages have any handy hints?

 

[Vicky2jeff]

Congrats on your first big holiday...we did our first big holiday last year..and loved it so we are going again.
We did a 7 day Carribean cruise on the Fantasy after 16 days at Disneyworld.. AMAZING!!!!!! We loved everything we did and we still didn't get to do everything in Disneyworld.
The only tip I would have is Dining.. We didn't do the dining package as we didn't want set times for dinner. This time we are doing the dining option..as much as you are set for times we got sick of the food at POP century..it was generally all the same and it got boring.. So we will be booking dinners.. Not worried about lunches just eat at the quick dining. breakfast we ate in our hotel as we went to Walmart and got loads of cereals...lol .
Mostly though enjoy the planning...I loved planning !!! You will have a ball.. My kids were 10 and 6 when we went . Still talk about it all the time even though it's almost a year ago.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Yay! A first trip and you certainly aren't doing it by halves.

I loved everything about the Fantasy and have written a little bit about it in my yet to be finished blog (see my signature).

 

[shushh]

Congratulations! It sounds like you've planned an awesome first trip. Nice to see that you've allocated a good amount of time for both WDW and NYC although some would say you need more for WDW! But 7 days is a good start.

The children will have a ball. There is something for everyone in all of your chosen destinations. Our kids were 5, 8, and 10 when we visited WDW and went on the Fantasy this last Dec/Jan. Although the experience was different to our first visit 3 years prior, they had a blast.

I would take the time to look at the dining options. There are some pretty cool experiences and start looking at accomodation options. August in Orlando will be hot so be sure to plan some down time in the afternoons.

Feel free to ask questions. There are many many people here who are frequent visitors and know a lot! Having an Australian perspective on things is nice as we don't always have the same tastes and expectations as the poms or the Americans.

My advice would be to plan as much as you can before you go, and this might seem contradictory but...when you get there be prepared to let it go and go with the flow.

Happy Planning!

 

[carlnlisa]

Thanks everyone, we have settled on the grand Floridian villa so we can do some breakfast and dinners ourselves. We are doing a Disney dining plan to do quick services for lunch and hoping to get some character dining for a few dinners. We have been stuck on a hotel in NYC though at this stage we are looking at the Hilton Midtown.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Happy planning and welcome to the Dis.

 

[shushh]

Thanks everyone, we have settled on the grand Floridian villa so we can do some breakfast and dinners ourselves. We are doing a Disney dining plan to do quick services for lunch and hoping to get some character dining for a few dinners. We have been stuck on a hotel in NYC though at this stage we are looking at the Hilton Midtown.

The grand Floridian villas are beautiful and so convenient! We only stayed in a studio as we were only there for 2 nights but would have loved to 1. Be able to stay longer 2. Stay in a bigger villa

 

[Tashinwdw]

We went with 4 children and stayed in a 2 bedroom villa and that extra space makes so much difference. Having a kitchen was also really helpful, we ordered food from greengrocer and had it delivered the day we arrived - will do it again this next trip. It was also great to have the big fridge, we always had food left over from eating and would get a doggy bag and the kids would eat it later etc. We could never fit in dessert (we were on the dining plan) and the kids would want it so we would take it with us, made everyone happy.

WDW was our first stop on our trip and jet lag played a big part on day 3. I had never travelled with children before so really had to change my way of thinking. I was getting really stressed that we were not doing and seeing everything which was starting to ruin my holiday. I did finally let go and decided that we wont be able to ride every ride and see every show but to just enjoy what we do get to do. Made a big difference. Oh and even though you are in the most magical place, the kids will still whine and fight with one another - I dont know why that shocked me, I guess I thought the Pixy dust would stop all that.

I love NYC and wish I could go there, but it will wait until another holiday. I cant remember where we stayed, sorry. Enjoy the planning. I find it helps to get the kids involved, let them search the internet to find things whey really want to do and see.

 

[LisaAJ]

We are spending 7 nights in NYC and I have booked the NYC Salisbury. It comes highly recommended by many if my friends and is a great size for a family.

 

[carlnlisa]

We went with 4 children and stayed in a 2 bedroom villa and that extra space makes so much difference. Having a kitchen was also really helpful, we ordered food from greengrocer and had it delivered the day we arrived - will do it again this next trip. It was also great to have the big fridge, we always had food left over from eating and would get a doggy bag and the kids would eat it later etc. We could never fit in dessert (we were on the dining plan) and the kids would want it so we would take it with us, made everyone happy. WDW was our first stop on our trip and jet lag played a big part on day 3. I had never travelled with children before so really had to change my way of thinking. I was getting really stressed that we were not doing and seeing everything which was starting to ruin my holiday. I did finally let go and decided that we wont be able to ride every ride and see every show but to just enjoy what we do get to do. Made a big difference. Oh and even though you are in the most magical place, the kids will still whine and fight with one another - I dont know why that shocked me, I guess I thought the Pixy dust would stop all that. I love NYC and wish I could go there, but it will wait until another holiday. I cant remember where we stayed, sorry. Enjoy the planning. I find it helps to get the kids involved, let them search the internet to find things whey really want to do and see.

I remember the jetlag from when I was a teen which made me insist on going 3 days before our cruise and just staying at a hotel in Orlando (thinking the Hyatt at the airport) to just adjust to the time difference and sleep. I expect my kids to fight no matter where we are lol so fully prepared for that.

 

[carlnlisa]

We are spending 7 nights in NYC and I have booked the NYC Salisbury. It comes highly recommended by many if my friends and is a great size for a family.

Thanks I will check it out

 

[AussieNSW]

We stayed at the doubletree Times Square NewYork . We are also a family of 5 and had plenty of room. A few tips Central Park is fantastic the children loved the row boat on the lake. Our children were uncomfortable with the crowds in Times Square and it took them a while to get used to the number of people.

 

[dabecs]

Sounds like a fantastic trip!

My girls were 5 and 6 on our last trip (WDW, Washington DC and NYC) and we all loved every minute of it

WDW tips:
If we didn't go back to the hotel for a midday break (which most people suggest), we had a sit down table service lunch which gave us a chance to rest in air conditioned comfort

You can't see everything in one trip, so let each person pick one attraction they 'must do/see' and everything else is gravy.

My girls loved spending time in the playgrounds (the boneyard and honey I shrunk the kids), it was a good chance for the adults to relax and stop the 'rush rush' that happens at WDW.

NYC tips:
Children under a certain height (think it might be 130cm?) can ride the subway free with a paying adult. The subway weekly pass is about $30 so great value!

An addition to the last trip - catch the subway! It is part of the experience and will save you walking so many blocks. We found the staff and other patrons very friendly and they would see hubby peering at the map and give us advice

Everyone recommends the Top of the Rocks so your photo of the NYC skyline can include the Empire Stare Building but we did the ESB because my 6 year old wanted to say she had been to the top. The view is magical

The museum of natural history is amazing and while they give you a suggested entry fee you can choose how much you pay.


I will keep thinking of more tips, the group on this board (the Aussie/NZ contingent) are so friendly and helpful.

My blog is in my signature if you want to have a look

 

[carlnlisa]

We stayed at the doubletree Times Square NewYork . We are also a family of 5 and had plenty of room. A few tips Central Park is fantastic the children loved the row boat on the lake. Our children were uncomfortable with the crowds in Times Square and it took them a while to get used to the number of people.

My sister in law just stayed there with their family of 5 and suggested it as well

 

[carlnlisa]

Thanks everyone for all the wonderful advice, i have been writing it all down so I remember it all