Suggestions/tips for a VERY special 1st timer

[MB MinnieGirl]

I just wanted to say thank you to each and every person who has and will responded so kindly to this thread!!

You are all giving me such great ideas for Lisa and her girls - Brittany and Savy. What a special trip this is going to be for them!

I'm putting together a book of all the responses here for her and the girls as a little trip planner and guide. Thank you for making it possible for me to be able to do this!

And for those of you who have expressed a wish to donate in one way or another to their trip, you are special Disney Angels! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

The Dis is truly full of wonderful people, with great ideas and terrific hearts of gold. Thank you to you all!!



~~~Kelly

 

[lunabkat]

Here's another tip.

Have your friend purchase a couple of small notebooks with disney princesses on them for autograph books, much cheaper than buying the book in disney and they will have more pages. Also purchase fat pens so the characters with gloves can grip the pen and write.

Also let her know that it is imperative to a great vacation to leave the park around lunch and get in a nap or pool time and then go back later (make sure to get a hand stamp when leaving the park for readmittance to that park or another).

They are going when the Christmas decorations should already be up and running. make sure to see the Osborne family lights at MGM studios, i beleive that you now walk down the street and see thousands ( if not millions) of lights strung up with holiday characters.

Pack snacks and water bottles for the parks so you don't have to pay big bucks for a bottle of water (refill at water fountains or counter restaurants) and consider having the kids share a platter at counter service restaurants as they geneerally don't eat a full meal.

Also, one of the best Character meals is winnie the pooh at crystal palace in Magic Kingdom, buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner, you can almost always get a ps.

If the girls really want a princess meal, try getting into the Storybook breakfast in epcot, they may still have openings or cancellations for that date.

If a meal is not in the cards, there is a princess meet and greet area that just opened up in Magic Kingdom. She can ask at the gate where it is located.

Tell her to take plenty of film, it is very expensive at Disney and you would be surprised at how much film you can go thru. Take plenty of pictures with the characters too, try to get into some of the pictures with your kids and the characters - ask another parent or cast member to help - these pictures of you with the children are going to be among your greatest treasures!

Many outside hotels have shuttles, some free, most go to the Ticket and Transportation Center, not the parks so leave enough time for travel for a character meal priority seating. You take further transportation from the TTC to the parks so you are traveling for a bit if you use shuttles. Parkingat the park is $7 a day, save your receipt if you are going back so you don't have to pay again that day at any park.

If she has a car, bring your own stroller, it will save you approx. $8 aday for a rental and with a 4 year old you will probably need it, if not for the child, for the stuff that comes with the child.

If you eat at a buffet breakfast, take some fruit of boxed ceral for the road, makes for a great and cheap snack.

Lastly, let the girls know before had what kind of souvenir is in the budget. Let them pick their souvenirs the last or second to last day so they get a chance to "shop around" and really know what they want. also, they can wear their princess costumes to character breakfasts or just around thepark if you want, it makes for a cute picture and you could let them wear it when you went to Magic Kingdom, the princesses love it. (and pack an extra set of clothes if you can, in case they get wet at toon town or ariel's grotto, wear confortable shoes and pack a couple pair in case one pair starts to rub you the wrong way, bring some"moleskin" to put on blisters, it doesn't wad up like bandaids do, and if you don't have supplies there are nursing stations in the parks where you can get some help if and injury or blister develope.)

Also if she has a car, she can get an Orlando Magic card and coupon books at the visitor center which has discounts for meals and parks other than disney.

Good luck, have fun!

 

[michelewdw]

Your story was very touching if it is not too late ,send me a PM and I would love to send the Girls some disney dollars for their trip.


Michele

 

[MissionMouse]

Studies have shown that kids number one park is the Magic Kingdom, so plans should focus on this park if the intention is to provide the children with the most memorable experience.

Consider splurging and purchasing prior to the trip and provide to the children (considering their ages) a copy of Birnbaum's The Offical Guide, Walt Disney World for Kids by Kids. It tells you what kids tend to like and dislike within all the parks.

1) Bring a camera and be prepared to take lots of pictures and remember you can take pictures right along side CM's who take prospective photos of families in all the parks too...it is not a problem and it doesn't cost you. I also found our photos to be better than the CM's.
2) Collapsible coolers are allowed into the parks so you can bring your own food and drinks into the park to save money. They can also be stored in the park's lockers at a low cost in comparison to food cost at Disney's Resturants.
3) Use FAST PASS to manage and maximize your time.
4) Check the Character Location Guide -- The Magic Kingdom has these at every character location, the main tip board on Main Street, and at a lot of merchandise locations too.
5) If you don't stay on location you can still use can still use Disney's monorail, yachts, boats, and Disney buses...if time allows the AKL viewing areas may be of interest if the girls are animal lovers. Request to have the kids ride up front when you ride the monorail...you might have to wait a few monorails but the kids will probably love it and remeber the experience. They should also ask for a certificate from the driver too.
6) Understand Early Magical Hour (Early Entry) designated parks will be busier than normal on their desinated days.
7) If money allows splurge on a Character Breakfast or Dinner at Chef Mickey's-Contemporary Resort

MAGIC KINGDOM
1) Everything in Fantasyland (for little girls...Dumbo, Snow White, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, Cinderella's Golden Carrousel, Mad Tea Party, PhilharMagic, Sorry but It's A Small World is Currently closed ).
2) Toontown (Barnstormer, Toontown Character Meet and Greet [Judges Tent], Mickey, Minnie Homes, , etc)
3) Buzz Lightyears Space Range Spin
4) Stitch's Great Escape
5) Share A Dream Come True Parade
6) Wishes Fireworks Display

EPCOT
Living Seas
Honey I Shrunk The Audience
Test Track
Illuminations
Mexico Pavillion -El Rio del Tiempo
Ice Station Cool - Innoventions Plaza (free drinks from around the world)
Jammitors - Future World (musician using trash cans to make music)
Talking drinking fountain - Near land pavilion
Cool Wash by Test Track to cool down (water mister)

DISNEY STUDIOS
Muppets
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Disney Playhouse (don't try to sit to close to the stage since the stage itself will obstruct your view)
Studios Backlot Tour
Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Playground
Al's Toy Barn (mmet and greet Buzz, Woody, Jessie)
Monsters Meet & Greet across from ABC Commissary (special times)
Disney Stars & Motor Cars Parade

ANIMAL KINGDOM
Festival of the Lion King (must see for children)
Kilimanjaro Safari

Ok, I think that is enough from me.

Oh, I think it is a unwritten rule that every kid has to have a setMickey Mouse Ears hat too to make the trip offical.

 

[mommy2mrb]

Don't miss the Lion King Show at AK, I think its the best one around, my DD LOVES it. Also try to get at least one character meal, I know they be pricey, but they are a blast.

 

[katysquid]

Thank you for all these tips. My family is going next week and I still love reading and learning things. Oh, the brain is spinning!

THANKS!!!
:thewave:

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

MB Minniegirl, I sent you a PM

 

[jellymanoffspring]

The Beauty and the Beast stage show at MGM is fantastic.....

A mini broadway show!!


Carol

I hope they have a fantastic trip!!

 

[amwhitaker]

Please let us all know how your friends trip went after she gets back.

 

[amwhitaker]

OK, I can't wait any longer. How was your friends trip?

 

[MB MinnieGirl]

I have tried to start a thread twice on this yesterday but had pc trouble both times. I'm sorry.

I'm heading out to the office and won't be back in until later this afternoon. I'll start working on it again this afternoon or tomorrow morning.

They all 3 had a FANTASTIC time!!! Never wanted to come home.
No problems, everything was like clockwork and the girls fell in love with everything but Epcot. I cracked up when Lisa called me from Epcot and I could hear the girls in the background screaming, "Mommy, come on! We want to leave. We want to go back to the castle or MGM. Pleeeeasse Mommy! Come on!" Tee hee!! The magic of Disney (and the Dis) bit them big time. Thanks to all of you that made it possible!!

I'll write more on the trip this evening.

 

[Drizzo67]

So glad to hear that your friend and her girls had a great time. Your original thread has me in tears. It's nice to know there are wonderful, generous giving people out there.