Prepping kids for (basically) 1st trip

[bsmcneil]

So, I realize/assume there are threads about this but my search isn't finding them (I must not be stringing the right words together). I'm wondering what you all use to engage kiddos before going to WDW. Background is this: I've been 15+ times (last was a brief trip in early December 2015, with my oldest (2 at the time)). The youngest wasn't born yet; so, it'll largely seem new to both of them (we go through some of the pictures with the oldest but he doesn't really remember). When we go (late Jan 2022, week at AKL), the two boys will be 9 and 5.

They generally like Mickey Mouse shorts; have seen many classic Disney Animation but aren't tremendous fans in the way that I was growing up. They're biggest connection is probably Stitch (which is mine, as well). It's a shame there's no more Phineas and Ferb stuff - they love that (and Big City Greens, Amphibia, etc). They have some general understanding of Star Wars stuff (haven't really seen them all but some of the Lego shows, etc). Youngest has been a HUGE fan of Frozen, though that's easing off. They're aware that cast members are "friends of Mickey and Minnie", lol (imagination and suspension of disbelief is not their strong suit). Because of Covid, their connection to theme parks and rides, etc is minimal (the older one, in addition to the trip in 2015, has been to Worlds of Fun and Holiday World - both small Midwest parks - and really enjoyed them). The youngest really hasn't had any of those opportunities.

Any week by week activities? I'd love to pull up some old planning DVDs (but surely they're outdated) - but anything else like that you could recommend? I did buy them the 2020 Birnbaum Kids' Guide so that we can look through it and give them some ideas.

 

[Rory607]

Ride videos on YouTube. I would try to watch some Disney movies they haven’t seen that are represented at the parks. I would have them each pick a few things that they absolutely want to do and try to plan around those lists.

Also, it is very outdated and also shot at Disneyland, but there is the old Disney sing-a-long video on YouTube. My kids loved it and it’s fun to see the characters go around the park. You would just have to explain that it’s not exactly what it’s like anymore.

 

[sponica]

My house is littered with Donald Ducks...so we use that as a starting point. I guess.

I'd tread lightly with the ride videos, I think they're ok for coasters, especially if you have a kiddo that doesn't like surprises. But I had the Pirates of the Caribbean ride video on and my daughter was like "this is boring"

My kids are younger (they'll be 5 and almost 2 when we go) so my older daughter is basically asking me every day when we leave. And she really just wants to go to the volcano pool at the hotel.

 

[yaya74]

The kid's guide would be a good tool to use for the prep. During my DD's first trip to WDW, I gave her the guide to read and she got excited about the hidden Mickey. None of my kids were big into the Disney characters. During their first WDW visit, I took them to the character meals to see all the characters. They were more into the food than the characters. But they still had a great time.

At that age, my concern would be physical endurance and the dark rides. There is a lot of walking so make sure your children are okay to be on their feet throughout the day. Also, are your kids okay to be in the dark rooms? Many of the rides have some pockets of darkness. When DD was 5, I took her to Disneyland. The first ride on the first day was the Little Mermaid which was a cute dark ride. That scared the crap out of her and she was crying and wanting to go home. After that, she was hysterically crying on the Winnie the Poo ride too because it was also a dark ride.

I am the only big Disney fan at my house. My husband is more a Universal pal. But my excitement influences my kids. They want to have fun with mommy so they tag along.

 

[Momma of 4]

My older kids were 4 and 7 when they went for the first (and only) trip. We do have another planned for 2022 and I plan to do the same things to prepare: we watched alllllll the Disney movies. Well, the most represented ones at least. I got a ton of Disney planning books (some aimed at kids) and let them read/read to them/looked at pictures. We watched a bunch of YouTube videos...food reviews (bit hit ), general walkthrough, rides (they are timid, and while I was bummed to ruin the "surprise" element, I didn't want to get in a situation where they were scared and didn't want to do anything the rest of the trip) etc. We bought pins and talked about pin trading, we picked out some shirts to wear together, I basically let them 'plan' (or think they were planning) the whole thing. We also flew for the first time, so we watched a bunch of videos to prep for that. The more excited I got about it, the more they got, so that helped too. Watching videos of kids at WDW, or planning or packing videos helped them feel excited, and helped give me some ideas!

 

[Momma of 4]

Oh! And I agree about physical endurance. We took walks every day leading up to vacation! My 4 year old still laid on the floor in a shop at Epcot on our second day crying that she wanted to go home RIGHT NOW and she was too tired to take another step

 

[MrsPete]

Something I used to do for vacations, trips to the dentist, camping trip with the cousins ... whatever when my kids were little: I'd make homemade coloring books for them that described the upcoming trip. My artwork is nothing to brag about, but I'd include things like this:

- First we'll pack our suitcases. Draw /list in this suitcase what you want to take.
- We'll drive in the car all day long. We'll stop for lunch. Draw /list what you want to take for the car.
- We'll sleep in a hotel. We'll share a bathroom, and we'll have to be quiet because people are just through the walls. What stuffed animal do you want to sleep with in the hotel?
- Inside Disney World we'll ride buses. We sit down and stay still for the whole ride.
- When we see Disney characters, we have to wait our turn to see them. We'll take pictures and get their autographs.
- Sometimes it rains at Disney. We'll carry ponchos -- let's try them on right now.

You get the idea. I'd try to think up things they needed to know /my expectations for their behavior. They'd color their books, and we'd talk about the upcoming trip. They'd ask questions -- often about things I hadn't anticipated. I did this not just for Disney trips but for all sorts of things. When I took the time to do this /let them know what was coming up, their behavior was always better, and they seemed to enjoy the experience more.

I agree with the above poster who suggests building up their walking muscles.

One more thing for this age group: are they used to ordering their own food at a restaurant? If not, that's an age-appropriate skill to work on.

 

[bakerworld]

Truthfully, the only engagement I brought to my kids first WDW trip at 9, 7, and 4 was a soft lecture on behavior. I have to admit that I didn't tell them they were going until about a month before so I wouldn't have to deal with the questions/angst, etc. I told them it was similar to another amusement park we'd been, they couldn't refuse a ride until they tried it and if they felt tired of the park they needed to say, "I wanna go back." clearly.

I planned that first trip from front to back and those kids - and us - were beat by the end. When we returned 18 months later I asked each what they wanted to do that they missed the first trip. One wanted to swim and the other wanted to spend more time in the 'apartment' (we stayed at the Fort Wilderness trailer/cabin. LOL

 

[NYCgrrl]

The only other pretreatment I can think of besides @bakerworld excellent suggestion is to take them on longer walks at home if you are used to “car life”.
On this end public transport and walking is the norm so kids here are often more used to both modes of transportation when they get to WDW.

 

[Dis Dragon]

We had watched the movies, but they had no idea what WDW actually was besides a vacation. (they knew there was a pool) It was the best time possible. My kids were 4 & 5 at the time, they were star struck. I would hate to think if their first trip was at a time when there wasn't meet and greets, they thought they were meeting the real deal. It was a great experience, and we also discovered they both loved roller coasters, which was a surprise.

 

[OliviaB]

Something I used to do for vacations, trips I'd make homemade coloring books for them that described the upcoming trip. My artwork is nothing to brag about, but I'd include things like this:

Genius. Absolutely love it!

 

[Disneyfan754321]

Youtube !!!! We watch small parts from disney movies ... we found family friendly vlogs to watch.

 

[pigletgirl]

YouTube! We have also really been enjoying the documentaries on the parks on D+ too. Get them involved in the packing! My 8 year old daughter loves to makes lists and help me gather the necessary items (Disney trip or not). She usually opens and we talk about what will happen on the trip, etc. I love that time with her!

 

[disneydreamer1980]

My kids have been a zillion times but I still do this every few years in anticipation of our next upcoming trip: we do a weekly “ Disney night”. We do a meal themed to the nights movie, I decorate, we do a craft or game related to the movie and then we watch the movie with snacks to go with it that are related to the movie. I really go all out for this and it’s a lot of work but the kids LOVE it, even my older ones. My 21 yo makes sure she’s home for Disney night each week lol. Last week we did Country Bears and this week we’re doing Sword in the Stone. We do movies that have a presence in the parks, even a minor one. I found a really neat mind puzzle thing that’s a “sword” stuck in a “stone” that you have to figure out how to release to go with this weeks movie. We’ll also be eating “medieval” style food and I’ll decorate to look like a castle. Just an example of what we do.

 

[Disney Fool]

don't forget to clean pennies for pressed penny machines (if they still have them) and save quarters. small pen lights are good choice for little ones scared of the dark. it doesn't disturb other guests but it comforts the child. countdown calendars are awesome because they eliminate the "when are we going" endless questions! Birnbaum's DisneyWorld guide for kids is awesome for older children. they can read descriptions of rides and it builds anticipation. Movies, movies, movies. So sad to see children (and adults) at the parks and they don't even know who the characters are!

 

[MainMom]

Are you flying? If so, I would prep them on what to expect with security & everything else.