Taking kids for the 1st time...need some input!

[UGAFan0829]

My DH and I are planning to take my DNephew (8) and DNiece (7) to WDW next year. They've never been on a real vacation, so I hope to make the trip as special for them as I can. Since $ is obviously a main concern, I'd like to try and plan for some of the things that I'm going to need so that I can start picking up a few things here and there--that way I won't have it all to do at once. Some of the things that I've already thought of that might be nice to have is: Disney shirts (they both have a couple, but will surely need some new ones before we go), autograph books and pens, and luggage as neither of them have any. Since this will be our first time taking a trip with them by ourselves, is there anything else that I need to add to my list? Obviously, I don't HAVE to get any of the things that I mentioned for us to be able to go, but as I said, I want to try and make this as fun and memorable for them as I possibly can. I really appreciate any ideas/input/advice! Thanks!

 

[Karenj2]

I only have a 1yo, so I have no "big kids" advice, but I wanted to tell you that you are a GREAT aunt to do this!!

Actually, some random thoughts:
- Find out what types of foods they like, and what kind of rides they'll go on.
- You might want to make sure you have a way to contact their parents - they might get homesick.
- Get written permission from their parents for medical treatment (and if you're flying you might need to have a letter to prove you're not kidnapping them).

Anyway, have a great time!

 

[UGAFan0829]

I only have a 1yo, so I have no "big kids" advice, but I wanted to tell you that you are a GREAT aunt to do this!!

Actually, some random thoughts:
- Find out what types of foods they like, and what kind of rides they'll go on.
- You might want to make sure you have a way to contact their parents - they might get homesick.
- Get written permission from their parents for medical treatment (and if you're flying you might need to have a letter to prove you're not kidnapping them).

Anyway, have a great time!

Awww, thanks! I love them as my own and wish that we could take them before next year. I'm so excited about it. Everytime I see one of the new Disney commercials with the videos of the kids getting surprised I just cry. I so badly want to be able to do that for them!

They stay the weekend with us pretty often, so I think I should be okay for their likes/dislikes for food, though Disney food can sometimes be different, so that is a great tip.

What kind of written permission do you think I should get, as in is there certain language that I need to include? My niece has been epileptic since before she was a year old, so this is definitely a concern for me. Though, we are VERY thankful that she has been seizure-free for several years now, I still am very paranoid and afraid of something happening, so once again, that's another great tip for me.

 

[curlybop]

Make an appointment at the Barber Shop for pixie dust. We took our girls ages 8 & 2 for the first time in April. We booked the first thing that morning. They get colored hair gel and a lot of Disney confetti on their hair. It was awesome. Their look lasted the entire day with no problem. Everywhere they went little girls were asking where they did it, and they received many compliments in the park. It was much, much easier on the wallet than BBB, but the kids still got the magical feeling. As a bonus, now when we look at all of the photos/videos from that day, both kids call it their "cool hairstyle day".

Pick up a few small Disney things at Dollar Tree. While they are busy taking a bath at night, leave trinkets on their pillow from their favorite character. Or send them to the pool with the other adult and leave the surprises. It just adds to the magic, thinking Mickey or Tinkerbell stopped by just for them.

 

[TiggerDeb]

You are such a nice aunt to be taking them on a trip. We have traveled a lot with our grandchildren and if flying, make sure they have something to do while on the plane, like a book to read or if you have a portable DVD player bring it and play a movie. Also, put a change of clothing into a carry on for them, if they have never flown, it may cause tummy upset, so if they get sick, you can at least change their clothes.

I agree with the first post, get a medical permission from the parents and have it notarized so you have authority if anything should happen. If they know they are going and it is not a surprise, let them help plan some of the things. I have made posters for our resort room window with the grandchildren and they love it. I have also made a countdown poster for them and they get excited every day knowing how close they are to going to Disney World.

I am sure you will have a wonderful time. Seeing it through someone elses eyes for the first time, makes it even more special.

 

[rie'smom]

Awww, thanks! I love them as my own and wish that we could take them before next year. I'm so excited about it. Everytime I see one of the new Disney commercials with the videos of the kids getting surprised I just cry. I so badly want to be able to do that for them!

They stay the weekend with us pretty often, so I think I should be okay for their likes/dislikes for food, though Disney food can sometimes be different, so that is a great tip.

What kind of written permission do you think I should get, as in is there certain language that I need to include? My niece has been epileptic since before she was a year old, so this is definitely a concern for me. Though, we are VERY thankful that she has been seizure-free for several years now, I still am very paranoid and afraid of something happening, so once again, that's another great tip for me.

Have a medical release form letter signed and notarized especially with yur niece's medical history. Here's a link to one:
http://singleparents.about.com/od/healthinsurance/ss/medrelease.htm

If you're interested in autograph books and/or travel journals go to the Creative DISigns board on the DIS. It's the second to last section on the DISboard front page. There are tons of things that very artistic people make to share for free with other dis members. Besides the 2 I mentioned, there are tshirt transfers, candy boxes, etc. just so many things that it would take a page to write them all. I do these when we're traveling with younger kids and they love them-even my 17 yo and her friends love when I make these for them!

 

[prncess674]

Since you are trying to be budget friendly, I would opt to not buy them luggage and just loan the parents one large case for them to share and each has a backpack of games/activities/personal items. Having one piece will cut down on the room clutter and luggage fees if traveling by plane.

 

[Celidh]

My partner and I have bought glow bracelets at the local dollar store to take with us rather than buying them at Disney.

 

[ltl engine]

How wonderful that you are going to do this. My boys liked the passports for Epcot better than autograph books. Check the Creative DISign board for fabulous ideas. At the Dollar Store or Target Dollar bins--Glow bracelets, necklaces, etc., the spray fans (don't forget batteries), ponchos, spinning light things, Disney socks....Something to keep them occupied in iine (snacks, hand held game, paper & colored pencils, etc.) . If you have them over maybe watching Disney movies based on some of the rides. Walmart & Kmary usually have cheap Disney clothes.

For cheap autograph books I buy Disney 4x6 picture albums (Dollar Store, Walgreens, Target, etc.). I buy blank 4x6 note cards and have the characters sign the blank cards. I usually get 4 different color Sharpies that way it adds some color. You don't have to carry the albums but just some note cards and the Sharpies in a Ziploc bag. When we get back to the hotel the kids put their signed cards in every other page of the album. Once we get home we print the pictures & they match it with their autographs.

Most of all enjoy!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Store in your head that they might ask to leave the park to go to the pool...Our daughters did that on our first trip (age 6) and DH and I were floored! (Mind you, my dds swam nearly every day of June and July before our Aug trip.)

My friend just came back and I forgot to mention that tidbit to her. Her dh was fuming that their nine year old wanted to "go back to the hotel and swim."

Big pen for the characters to sign, maybe a sharpie and a pillowcase instead of books?

Disney movie nights to get to know the characters and films before going?

water mister if hot season? (Walmart)

Check their heights to make sure they don't get excited to ride a ride and find out they aren't tall enough...

 

[dizluvah]

What an awesome plan!! Happy planning

consider getting the click top (retractable) sharpies for autographs - then no fumbling with pen caps and the characters have less trouble signing one handed in their costumes

 

[libraryfreak]

I used to buy used luggage at garage sales/Goodwill, but now with the bedbugs I don't know that I would.

How about Birnbaums Guide, or another guide that has lots of pictures? Order the WDW planning video.

Disney Dollars for them to use?

If you plan to make a scrapbook when this is over, I think there is a section on the DIS about things to save from your trip.

How about doing the Kitchen Sink for dinner one night?

Pool toys.

Is your niece too old for Bippity Boppity? It's soooo expensive, maybe you could find a used dress and do something similar yourself.

I would book SciFi, even if it's just for dessert. I might consider planning on doing the Jedi Training camp.

My kids loved the monorails and ferry's, so I made sure we did those.

 

[Aliceacc]

For Christmas, get them the Kid's Guide to WDW-- give them time to take a look at the kids' reviews of all there is. My kids still adore that book!

Order the personalized maps once you have their input.

For any birthdays/ Christmas/ whatever between now and then, get them a WDW gift card so they'll have spending money of their own for the trip.

Have someone here send them a "fairy godmailer" postcard from WDW a few weeks before you leave, anticipating their arrival.

Get each of then an autograph book and a sharpie pen. We got ours at laughingplace.com

Go to www.mousepinsonline.com and get a grabbag of 25 pins for them to trade. Play "the picking game" he chooses one, then her, and so on. Remind them that the point is to trade some of those pins, so having some they don't want to keep is good!

Actually, beyond that, I wouldn't spend a whole lot of money enhancing what's already going to be a fabulous trip.

 

[malibuconlee]

I agree with the emergency medical treatment form. Also you will want a copy of their insurance card.

We leave a generic form along with my daughter's insurance card in her diaper bag. Whomever is watching her has that. It basically says we give permission to treat until we can be reached. It's not specific to any one person. Luckily we haven't had to use it.

 

[heatherwillmom]

If you are staying on-site, make sure & mention on your reservation & at check-in that it is the kids first visit. When you get to your first park, go to guest services first & get a "My first visit" button for each of them. We took DD's boyfriend last year for his first visit. He was 17 at the time. We got him one of those buttons & he wore it every day!

 

[UGAFan0829]

Thank you all so very much for the wonderful tips and advice! There are so many things that I didn't think of that was mentioned, so thank you!! I'm so excited about this trip...I just wish it wasn't so far away!

 

[ZehnJahren]

Hey! I just posted a thread yesterday asking for tips on how to ask my sister to take her kids - how did you "get permission"?

Man, just reading this makes me want to take them even more! Yay for aunts!!

 

[UGAFan0829]

Hey! I just posted a thread yesterday asking for tips on how to ask my sister to take her kids - how did you "get permission"?

Man, just reading this makes me want to take them even more! Yay for aunts!!

Well, my sister knows how much my DH and I love Disney, and she knows how much we love our nieces and nephews. All along since they were babies, we've always talked about us taking them, and she's always been fine with that. So really, it's just a given that we'd one day take them!!

Yes, Aunts are the best!!

 

[cjlvsccm]

So many good tips already covered! We took my nephew in 06/09, and it was a hoot!

There are some threads here that have fun Disney things to print out, like color pages, word-finds, etc. Those will make the travel time go by better.

We actually did buy him inexpensive luggage for his bday, and put Disney stuff inside... Mickey ears we got for him on the previous trip, maps, a Mickey pin, and a couple shirts (from the Disney Outlet). That was his bday surprise in March, that he was going with us in June.

Definitely get the parental permission on paper... we got a generic free form online for "temporary custody" to include providing medical treatment if necessary, and limited it to the span of the trip and any incidental time required, got it notarized. And we carried his insurance card. Thankfully, never needed any of it, but glad we had it!

And yes, he wanted to leave the parks for the pool in the hot mid-day. We had so much we wanted to show him, it drove DH crazy!

DN had his own spending money, plus what we and his papaw gave him. We held the cash, loaded part of it onto a Disney giftcard, and let him carry it for his souvvies. Then re-loaded as needed. Your guys may be too young to let them carry their own, though.

It's an adventure!! But you'll all have a blast.

 

[veraletta]

I would book Disney Pirate Cruise for both of them.

Children ages 4-12 will board their pirate ship (pontoon boat) under the supervision of the "pirate" crew. At each "port of call" a new treasure awaits. At the final stop, they can share their booty while enjoying lunch. Only last about 3 hours.

The cost is $31.95 per child, a credit card is required at the time of booking

You must sign a waver upon arrival so make sure you get a notarized note from parents giving permission for them to go.

My grandchildren still talk about how they got to go.