Our first trip- need any and all ideas

[super_crunch]

This is our first trip to WDW.

It was all booked on a whim, and we did the best we could. It is a complete surprise for the kids 6 and 3...and they won't know we're going there until we drive up

We will be staying at the Carribean Beach Resort from the 27th to the 29th.
We will start the trip off with a late Chef Mickey's breakfast on the 27th, and have the rest of the day to do whatever. We will be going to the Magic Kingdom on the 28th and 29th.

I would love any ideas for (cheap or free) things to do on the 27th.

And is there any hope of finding Cinderella in the park?
My 6 year old daughter would just fall over and die if she saw her...but we were unable to get a character breakfast with Cinderella. (the only one available was the Royal Table dinner during the Pirates and Princesses party...which we can't afford the additional admission to)

This may be our one and only Disney trip, so I really hope we can track Cinderella down.

Thanks!!

 

[mousescrapper]

We did the whole pack the kids and suprise them thing too! IT WAS GREAT! It was May 05 but we were there for 10 days. My diz kids then were DD 6, DS 6 and DD 2 1/2.

We were there for their 6th b-day.

You can "see" Cinderella during the show at the castle in MK (mid morning) I think and then during the parade. But I don't think she's roaming around for autographs.

Chef Mickey's bfast is a blast you will love it! Plan on about 2 hours there with waiting for your table, going thru the buffet (go more than once) tell the pancake chef this is your kids first trip here and he/she may give you MM shaped ones! Get ready to wave your napkins in the air and have tons of fun. We have pictures with all the characters. Goofy is usually upfront and not walking around with the others.

Must see's if this truly is your only time...
at MK:
Peter Pan
It's a small World
Tea cups
If DD 6 likes roller coasters take on Goofy's Barnstormer and Thund Moun Railroad
Go into to Toontown, you won't have to wait in the character lines cause you got your autograph's at your bfast.

***Speaking of autographs BUY THE BOOK or make your own and have a THICK PEN so the characters can write with it. our 6 yr olds went to every character make the time, our 2 1/2 just liked MN MM and any with "faces".
Leave a blank page next to each autograph to paste a picture in.

Catch any parades, especially Spectromagic (you'll see CINDY again) and then swift location with the crowds and watch Wishes fireworks show.
Take everyone on Pirates and in the Haunted Mansion. Our 2 1/2 old wasn't afraid.

Epcot: Our kids loved doing the passport books where you get stickers and a signed native language message from each country.
Imagination ride: one liked it the other didn't but all loved the Kodak fun labs, especially the musical carpet.
The Land ride is a tame one for the whole family. And if your kids arn't afraid of the dark do Spaceship Earth.

I'd recomend possibly going to Animal Kingdom too! My kids loved going there. Great parades and shows: Festival of Lion King, Flights of Wonder, and now Nemo the musical. There are good character spots too, to see WTP and friends. And the kids can play in the boneyard (my DD 2 1/2 took a nap while DH climbed around with them).

Bring travel cups for your kids with straps and fill with water and add the Kool aid or Crystal Light packets. Have rain gear as it does rain the end of August!
Take tons of pictures to always remeber. Share kid meals they won't eat as much as they do at home. Consider bringing or renting a stroller for DD 3

On your first no park day. Go to Downtown disney and check out the stores, my kids liked the Leggo store and the smaller toy store where you can get a whole box stuffed with Disney themed parts for Mr. Potato Head-Big HIT!

Have awonderful Magical Time and I hope it won't be your last1

 

[vanillasoftserve]

Wow! That sounds like so much fun! Remember to have the kids drink a lot, wear lot's of sunscreen, and if they get too tired, just take them back for a nap or even a quick dip in the pool will energize them. Maybe you could let your dd6 have a disposible camara and let her take pictures. On the 27th, you could ride the monorail, go to Downtown Disney, explore your resort, go swimming, or go to the Boardwalk hotel and rent surrey bikes and play some of the Boardwalk games (and if you go at night, you'll be able to see fireworks from Epcot.) Hope you have an awesome trip full of pixie dust

 

[Perditamarie]

Your kids will LOVE their surprise. You may spot Cinderella or other princesses in the judges tent in Toon Town or if you want a Cinderella character meal, try 1900 Park Faire (going under refurb soon, but not sure when).

For your non-park day here are some ideas:

* ride around on the monorail after Chef Mickeys - see if you can ride up front
* swim in the resort pool -- do kids ever have enough time to swim?
* Downtown Disney -- kids will want to buy something, but there is a $10 and under store; the Lego store has super fun Lego building stations; play with and build potatoes and little ponys at Once Upon a Toy; The Christmas Store and World of Disney are also pretty neat; get wet in the interactive fountain (definately bring change of clothes); take family Christmas photo in scene by Christmas Store.
* watch fireworks and water parade from Poly
* go to Fort Wilderness and check out campfire stories and movies (bring stuff to make s'mores)

 

[chobie]

DTD and then hanging out at the resort pool. If you are not going to AK while there you could go over to the Animal Kingdom resort on your free day and the kids can see animals there.

 

[bigbabyblues]

You might be able to find Cinderella in the Princess tent in Toontown at the Magic Kingdom.

I hope you have a great trip!

 

[NJtoATL]

Other options for your non-park day.

* You can hotel hop. I do this even when I stay off-site. I usually go Animal Kingdom Lodge - you can see the animals. I also go to the Poly. Love the the Poly. One day I will stay there.
* Visit Downtown Disney (DTD)
* Enjoy your pool.
* Mini - Golf On or Off property.
* Shop at the outlets

Just a few suggestions. Have a great time.

 

[super_crunch]

Thanks for all the ideas!!

I did try 1900 Park fare, and they are booked too.
I will try calling every couple days between now and the trip to see if anything opens up, though.

Do they even do a parade and fireworks anymore?
On the 28th they're closing the park at 7pm (which is really tacky in my opinion to kick us out early and charge a new admission price if we want to stay for the rest of the night...P&P party), and on the 29th they're closing it at 9
I had no idea they roll up the sidewalks so early down there!

We didn't have much of a choice in dates, so we booked before we found out about the P&P party.

 

[twinspluscade]

Thanks for all the ideas!!

I did try 1900 Park fare, and they are booked too.
I will try calling every couple days between now and the trip to see if anything opens up, though.

Do they even do a parade and fireworks anymore?
On the 28th they're closing the park at 7pm (which is really tacky in my opinion to kick us out early and charge a new admission price if we want to stay for the rest of the night...P&P party), and on the 29th they're closing it at 9
I had no idea they roll up the sidewalks so early down there!

We didn't have much of a choice in dates, so we booked before we found out about the P&P party.

Hi!

They do still have the parade and fireworks. There's an afternoon parade--I think at 3:00--and also a nighttime lighted parade. I don't know what time that is in the summer, but the WDW website should have the times listed. Also they have fireworks, I think at 9:00. However for the P & P party night I don't think they have the regular fireworks and parade (just a special one for people at the party)

If you can swing it, since this will be your only trip I would recommend adding the park hopper feature. That way, on the night of the P and P party you can go to a different park. They do have EMH hours, where one park stays open later for on-site guests. I would also be tempted to add another day to your tickets, and plan on hitting a park after your Chef Mickey breakfast.

 

[paDISnut]

I would suggest....first, think of what your kids like to do....meet characters...ride rides...see shows....then realize YOU CAN NOT DO EVERYTHIHNG...I was there for 10 days on my honeymoon and we still could not fit in everything we wanted to do....

I am taking my 4yo in a month...we will:

Ride the monorail...kids LOVE this....

See lots of characters....ask at your hotel lobby the number where you can call to see where characters are available during the day...if Cindy is out they will tell you where and when you can see her...

I've never done the Fortwilderness camp fire and movies but it sounds like a lot of fun...go see the cow with the hidden mickey on her...i love doing that.

Reading your list of what you are doing I think you said you were going to MK two days....while there is more than enough to do there for two days...if this is realy going to be your only trip I would consider going to MGM as well....lots of stuff for kids...not as crowded...but if you are not doing park hopper your day there will not be as long as MK or Epcot....I would just think of trying a 2nd park to see more of what Disney is about...or get a park hopper option for one day and doing two parks....

don't push too hard trying to do everything...it can't be done...take a rest during the day....enjoy what you can see....don't have kids and parents being miserable trying to do too much....

most of all enjoy whatever you do...it is the most magical place on earth!

 

[super_crunch]

Thanks for all the great suggestions.

Unfortunately, we really can't add another day of tickets, or the park hopper option. We are really over budget as it is.
It would actually be cheaper to add the P&P party than to add the park hopper option to one day.

We were thinking 2 days at MK so that we didn't feel rushed...but if we feel that we've seen all we care to see the first day, we may pick a different park the second day. Would MGM be the best choice for a 3 year old boy and a 6 year old girl?

Luckily, the kids are young and we have never really been on vacation before...so they will be thrilled with whatever we get to do, and not know or care about what they miss.

 

[winjos]

Visit the City Hall at MK and tell them that it's your children's first time at WDW and they will give you a button with their names on it. Great free souvenir.

Take the water taxi that goes to DTD -- you can check out Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, or Port Orleans. It is a nice ride.

My kids like taking the Monorail. If you pick it up at Epcot, its goes into the park before heading towards MK. Neat way to get a glimpse into the park.

In the evenings, the Boardwalk has free entertainment (jugglers, comedians, etc.).

I've heard that Ghiradelli in DTD gives out free samples -- Yum!

I bring face paint from home and decorate my kids' faces. Saves me $$$$. Last year, my daughter had a butterfly on her face. At Epcot, we went around the world and asked each country CM to write down the word for butterfly in their language on her mask. Now she has a truely personalized mask!

Enjoy!

P.S. Go to the Dollar store and buy the glow necklaces and bracelets. Your kids will love wearing them and they will be so much cheaper than what the park sells. We usually bring extras and my kids hand them out to other children (after asking the parents if it is o.k.).

 

[paDISnut]

I like MGM...it is my favorite park....but if you are looking for the most bang for your buck you may want to try epcot...probably open longer hours and there is lots there to do....it depends on your kids...do they go to sleep early? Mine can make midnight no problem...some kids are done at 8 or so...i would look at a list of attractions at each park....including AK if your into animals its a cool palce as well....and just see what appeals to you....MGM has Muppets 4D, great....the BnB stage show...really great...but like ToT your 3yo probably won't be tall enough for...epcot may be better for you....you just have to read up on it and think what fits your family best....and remember you just can not do everything.

 

[Mommyoftwo]

When we went in February, though we waited for an hour (I think the princesses took a break), we were able to meet Cinderella, Belle and Aurora in Toontown tent. It was awesome! The best part about it was that you get like 5 minutes of personal time with each princess, time for a chat, hugs, pictures, autograph and it's only your child with the princess! Worth the wai! It was the highlight of the trip for my 3 year old daughter.

 

[AinsMom]

We saw Cinderella in France at Epcot when we were there in June 2006. She was in a little courtyard by what I think was the back door to a perfume/makeup shop.

 

[RyJMom]

We saw Cinderella at the Toontown Judges tent in April. There were 2 other princesses with her. Each of them spent several minutes w/the kids while getting pics. I've got a good tip for being 1 of the 1st in line. We were there at park opening and went to Tomorrowland. I took my younger son on Buzz several times and Hubby took older son on Space Mt and got fastpasses for later. Toontown opens 1 hour later then the rest of the park. There is a back trail behind Space Mt that leads over to a back entrance to Toontown. We were there about 15 min before the opening. Several characters came out and saw the kids. They also picked 1 family to tour Minnie's house with her. The judges tent is right next to this entrance so we were 1 of the 1st in line. This may seem silly rushing to be 1 of the 1st but the line gets super long fast and it goes slow because they do spend so much time with each family. This back trail is on the map but I don't think alot of people know about it because we were 1 of only about 5-6 families at this entrance.

Veronica

 

[super_crunch]

Thanks Veronica- that is a great tip!


I just ran across another question...

We are doing Chef Mickey's for breakfast on the same day we check in.
I know that parking is free for guests of the resorts...but we will not have checked in yet.
(we plan on kicking off the WDW experience with Chef Mickey's...then spending the day at DTD and the resort. We'll start with the parks the next morning)

Will we have to pay for parking at the Contemporary? (and if so...any idea how much it will be?)