Special Movies to Acquaint Kids With Disney World

[fredms]

I am taking my nieces and nephews (6, 4, 4, 1) to Disney World in January. I really want to get the kiddies acclimated so they aren’t totally overwhelmed/ shell shocked. Any ideas for Disney videos (outside of the typical ones) that would help the kids? Thanks!

 

[oogieboogie]

I think getting the planning video/dvd will give the kids a lot of information about WDW and also show them some of the things they can look forward to.

 

[mistaroo]

There is a website which lists the upcoming Disney related shows for the upcoming week. Maybe one of those shows would be good? Recently I saw the Full House episodes where they vacation at WDW.

 

[tjmw2727]

If you can find them there are some sing along song videos that show kids singing and riding the attractions in the parks. My girls Loved one called "Disneyland Fun" although its Disneyland the rides are simlar enough that they knew what to expect at MK. There is one with flick at the AK, can't remember the name and one with the water parks - both blizzard beach and typhoon lagood are shown.

TJ

 

[alloyd1170]

Order the free planning kit (kids version), and pick up some of the Sing Along videos at Toys R Us, Babies R Us (where I got mine). Be sure to get the ones that are not cartoons (theres DW Beach Party, DL Small World, and I believe one dealing with camping at Fort Wilderness. My 2 yr old loves them, the songs are catchy, and they were a great way for our son to prep for our trip-especially for the characters since he was afraid of Santa last year. He had no problems approaching the characters from the video, but wouldnt go near others without me. The best moment was when we walked down Main Street and he saw the Castle. He pointed and got so excited. Also, I picked up the Where Magic Lives dvd at the park once we got there. Its ok, not as good as the free planning dvd, but it shows some other stuff as well.

alison

 

[BevS97]

we also have a singalong video - ours is frmo Disneyland Paris but it seems to be close enough that the kids know what to expect.
it's quite fun to watch myself, the songs are fun - the only negative is that as a result of the video my dd will not go on Haunted Mansion

 

[ahutton]

We've used the Sing Along videos too, Beach Party at WDW, Campout at WDW, Flik's Animal Kingdom and Disneyland Fun all have shots in parks and going through rides. The show Great Hotels on the Travel Channel has shows for Animal Kingdom Lodge, Wilderness Lodge, Grand Floridian, Yacht/Beach Club where she goes all around the hotel and also the parks. It is on 3-4 times a day and they episodes come around every couple months. We've also shown the kids our home movies from prior trips, they love seeing Mommy when she was high school age, and Grandma and Pawpaw too.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

We did the Disneyland Fun and Planning DVD also. It really does familiarize them with the rides and what to expect.

I also started showing several classic Disney videos a few months ahead so that my kids would "know" the characters. It is alot more fun to meet the Mad Hatter if you have seen Alice in Wonderland

 

[TDS373X]

You may want to order the CD "The Offical Album of WDW- Where the Music lives" especially if you are familiar enough with the rides that as you listen along you can say" Ok this is where we go down a big hill" like on Splash Mt for example. The soundtrack helped my dd(5) become familar with the big attractions and for Splash we got to that part and I"d say this is where we scream really loud" and even riding along in the car we'd practice our scream so when it came time to do it on the ride she was so not focused on the hill that it was no longer scary for her...we also listen to the soundtracks to Spectromagic and Fantasmic...She really connected on Splash that she'd been listening to the music all along. Now she asks to hear the music when she wants to go to WDW the music triggers memories of the trip and she talks about them. Especially memorable for her for some reason is the Tiki Room and Iago getting blown up. Must be an age thing

 

[fredms]

These are great suggestions! Thank you. I didn't realize there was a planning video for kids - I have the Disney I guess adult planning video and thought of showing that - but its a little too boring for kids - a 4 year old doesn't care about fastpass. Alright - I will look into these.

Thanks again!

 

[kccmommy]

We got the Sing a long Disneyland fun when my DS was 2 and we were going to Disneyland. Another tip I got at the time was to point out "Wow, isn't Goofy tall, I bet he is bigger than Daddy" so that they can see the size relationship while they are watching and it doesn't totally freak them out for the first time when it's real life. It worked great for us!

 

[Whosemom]

We camped at FW last time, and watched that sing-a-long to get ready. But I had to keep repeating that, no, the Characters would not be camping with us...no, we will not ride that bus with Goofey, etc etc etc _ My kids came up with some pretty high expectations LOL

 

[fredms]

alloyd1170 - Can you direct me to the kids planning video, I can't find it on the Disney website? Thanks!

 

[dsnymomadopt2china]

hi,
For the budget minded, I know our library has most Disney Videos and DVDS. I have seen most of the "sing along" videos there, too. I have put on hold with our library all of the videos that my kids have not seen, letting them see 1-2 a week.

 

[alloyd1170]

I found the link, but it may be what you already have. There is a section Myself where you can plug in the ages of your children. I think they use this to determine which package to send to you. The dvd might be the same across the board and just the paper material is different. In any case, the dvd is pretty good-very long too. Heres the link:

https://secure.disney.go.com/wdw/my...eyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/myVacation/overview

alison

 

[LuvindisCruiser]

I also have got the Disneyland Singalong which the kids loved to watch before we went two years ago. But, I am having trouble finding any like that for WDW. I haven't tried babies R us yet. Any other places someone has found these videos? And how about the soundtracks, where can I find those? Thanks everyone!

 

[BevS97]

we have the one from Disneyland Paris, but it is similiar enough that the kids still get the idea.

I have never seen one for Magic Kingdom in WDW - but I think there is one from the Campfire at Fort Wilderness

 

[ErinInCT]

I taped the Travel Channel shows relating to Disney World. Dh & I found the history stuff fascinating & dd4 liked seeing the rides. It helped with HM & PotC for her to see it & prepare herself ahead of time!!! She did great! Rode everything. Only thing she did not like was 3D.

 

[turnerx5]

The Apple iTunes music store has many Disney movie soundtracks and special edition songs, as well as read aloud "storyettes" which are 15-20 minute renditions of many of Disney's movies and stories.

Good luck!

 

[kerry34]

I too also bought the Disneyland sing a long and my kids loved that as well. Definately check out the travel channel online and check to see if they will be playing their disney shows again, I also taped those and my 5 yr old twins have become very familiar with the rides by watching those occasionally. The planning video holds their attention in some spots and not in others but they still enjoy watching it overall. Have fun on your trip!