Some interesting and valid points on trip planning

[vernon]

In this article in the Orlando Sentinel.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...524.story?coll=orl-business-headlines-tourism

I find it interesting that when surveyed most kids like a healthy smattering of pool (of waterpark) time mixed in with the themeparks, whereas it's the parents that think their kids prefer to be in the themeparks most days. Probably the most valid points IMHO are the benefits of having some type of plan and to at least show the kids any plans that are made to see if there is anything they particularly do or do not want to do.

 

[TraceyL]

My DD's favourite WDW attractions ?

The ASMo pool and the parking lot trams

 

[BevS97]

that doesn't surprise me, my dd loves the pool and the beach, I'm the one who is bored rigid at the pool and the beach, hence we head to the parks where there is stuff to keep us all interested.

I do think that a plan is important, not because you need to program every minute of your day, but because it means you can see what you are going ot be doing, so if one person is whining 'I really want to go to Animal Kingdom today' and another is saying 'But I wanted Magic Kingdom' then you can look at the plan and say, OK we are going to MK to day, but we will be at AK tomorrow. Or, you can make a concious decision, actually we are all loving AK this year and we'd be happy to lose a day at MK to spend more time there, but if it's on paper then everyone can see how these decisions will affect the rest of the trip. otherwise, I think people worry that you won't get around to doing their favorites.

I also agree with buying the longer passes (as they mention for IOA/Universal), it is much less stressful to be able to pop in and out of the parks for shorter sessions, rather than trying to spend a 12 hour day in a park to get your moneys worth. We were entering IOA one morning and I overheard a dad say to his kids 'Right, stop whining, we will be hear for the next 15 hours and I don't want to hear you complaining all day' All I thought was ' Yuck, who wants to be anywhere for 15 hours...'

Bev

 

[kazzie]

I agree with the article! In the Unofficial Guide book,Sehlinger makes the point that what most kids remember about their vaction was the swimming pool!

We do far less theme parks on our trips to Orlando than most people seem to because the holiday isn't just about theme parks,theres so much more to Orlando than that.If we go to a theme park the next day will be a water park,go to Cocoa beach for the day or shopping and the rest of the day around the pool.I often comment on peoples itineraries wow, you got so much done.But I know the every day at a therme park isn't for us.Just as only spending a small part of the holiday ( and not all of it) at theme parks isn't for others.

If trudging around a theme park isn't for the kids who is it for,it must be for the adults!

 

[vernon]

If trudging around a theme park isn't for the kids who is it for,it must be for the adults

I think it's often that the adults in their desire to give their kids "the best" lose sight of what the kids actually want ( often because feedback is minimal). It's a case of the parent's deciding what they think they kids will want and for the kids, either it doesn't occur to them to have an opinion or they are feeling they can't actually comment because their parents have spent a lot of money. I've lost count of the amount of times I've heard a grumpy,whining or crying child " do you know how much money I've spent on giving you this holiday, you'll bloody well enjoy it or you're staying with grandma next year/being locked in the hotel for the rest of the trip/I'm gonna give you a damn good hiding*

* delete as applicable.

 

[lisag1]

Gotta agree with the pool, my kids love it!! Whilst walking round IoA last month they said that they would rather be at the villa in the pool!!

Lisa