The reality of Disney is setting in

[jamieT]

My family has been planning our trip for about a year and a half and I have been on a Disney high. I have planned meals and what parks to go to first. Made reservations at BBB and of course 1900 Park Fare for dinner with Cinderella. I have bought a ton of odds and ends on my many trips to the Disney store and I have listened to the DIS religiously and have prepared as well as I could but now it is setting in.. OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!!!!!! We will be in Disney in 47 days. now I have been so excited but it is now hitting me.. Six adults and four children will be in Disney for 9 days during huricane season....My mom and Dad,my brother his wife their two DD3&6 my husband and my DS7 and DD5. I was feeling so good and I think it just hit me.... It's been a long time but have been to Disney before.. It is awesome, but it is hot and overwhelmingly exhausting, and we have four small children, and ....... My head is starting to go WHAT ARE WE GETTING IN TO?? Are the kids ready, Have I been dillusional picturing his awesome trip? We are also slipping in a day at Universal. Anyone else feeling like this or have any tips to keep my sanity before I leave. We have been trying to walk every day to get our legs ready. And I have read the go early and leave mid day for naps and return later advice..which I plan on following, but what else??? How do we keep these kids sane on this trip??? In line, all the time on the buses, how do we deal with two double strollers on there and ten of us. These are the questions that keep creeping in and stealing my joy!!!! Anyone with some words of wisdom??? Other than simmer down! HA. Can ayone tell me how many hours the kids will make it in the park and still enjoy themselves?

 

[jamieT]

I should add that this is my kids very first time to Disney!

 

[DisneyCheshire]

My family has been planning our trip for about a year and a half and I have been on a Disney high. I have planned meals and what parks to go to first. Made reservations at BBB and of course 1900 Park Fare for dinner with Cinderella. I have bought a ton of odds and ends on my many trips to the Disney store and I have listened to the DIS religiously and have prepared as well as I could but now it is setting in.. OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!!!!!! We will be in Disney in 47 days. now I have been so excited but it is now hitting me.. Six adults and four children will be in Disney for 9 days during huricane season....My mom and Dad,my brother his wife their two DD3&6 my husband and my DS7 and DD5. I was feeling so good and I think it just hit me.... It's been a long time but have been to Disney before.. It is awesome, but it is hot and overwhelmingly exhausting, and we have four small children, and ....... My head is starting to go WHAT ARE WE GETTING IN TO?? Are the kids ready, Have I been dillusional picturing his awesome trip? We are also slipping in a day at Universal. Anyone else feeling like this or have any tips to keep my sanity before I leave. We have been trying to walk every day to get our legs ready. And I have read the go early and leave mid day for naps and return later advice..which I plan on following, but what else??? How do we keep these kids sane on this trip??? In line, all the time on the buses, how do we deal with two double strollers on there and ten of us. These are the questions that keep creeping in and stealing my joy!!!! Anyone with some words of wisdom??? Other than simmer down! HA. Can ayone tell me how many hours the kids will make it in the park and still enjoy themselves?

Sanity is hard to keep in control

Hmm. I would say just relax and think of how much fun the kids will have, eh? I'm pretty sure the kids can make it 3-4 hours in parks...They're highly energized. Just make sure everyone has a good time and FEED THEM. Lol I know that sounds silly, but then again..Have fun!

DC

 

[jamieT]

Thanks! I have been so excited and maybe slightly dilusional as to how much fun we would have, that now I am just questioning my excitement?? I think I will just go back to dilusional At least I was happy instead of nervous!

 

[Jubilee]

Growing up a Floridian from age 1-13, I can recall many-a-Disney trips of waiting in 2-3 hour lines and this was pre-water bottles, misters and FastPasses. Also, we were "broke." Sure, we were at Disney, but our family could not believe that it cost $30 for some burgers and fries for our family of 5. I remember having to share a meal with my sibs a couple times.

Nowadays, you can take advantage of FastPasses, air-conditioning, keeping hydrated, meal plans and getting lots of rest. I really do think you can make it in the park for several hours without meltdowns but flexibility is key.

Enjoy your trip! My husband just went for the first time in 2006 and he is hooked as well. Course, I dunno if we're ever going to be able to go without dining being a focal point, but that fits in for us right now.

By the way, I always start to worry right about now that I'm so excited that it will ruin the trip...it won't but try and live in the moment!!!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Don't worry Jamie -- You're all going to have a fabulous time!!! The only thing I would suggest is try not to set the bar too high...sometimes people get so involved in the planning that when even the slightest little thing goes awry they feel like disaster has struck, when it's usually something very minor. Just enjoy each moment (whatever it may hold) and don't sweat the small stuff. Disney parks are a lot like childbirth: you wonder what in the heck you've gotten yourself into...but can't wait to do it again!

 

[pklein09]

I agree with Calypso - don't set the bar too high. If someone in the party just isn't having a good time, drop back 10 and punt. It might also mean the party splits up. If one set of kids can't handle the heat/crowds, let that set go back to the room earlier for naps/swimming. Meet up again later in the day. You've got 9 days, which is great. There's no rush to get everything done.

Enjoy!!!

 

[tinkbutt]

yeah just relax and enjoy the ride kids are very sensitive to their parents if your stressed they'll be stressed so relax and hopefully your kids won't melt down!

 

[rlduvall]

I do this everytime I go to Disney - and I have been alot. The months of planning are fun and I can't wait to get down there - until about 2 weeks before. Then I start to panic about the weather, crowds, will we get everything done; I have never had a bad trip yet. But I do understand what you are going through. And I don't have 4 small children.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Yep, you gotta reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelax. I know just how you feel, but believe me, it will all work out and you will have a WONDERFUL time!

I planned a big family trip a couple years ago, there were 12 of us, parents, kids, siblings, I practically made myself a wreck, but I finally stepped back and realized I had to relax and we had a truly magical time, it was near perfect. Did we miss some stuff? Yep, we sure did. Did we go off my "plan?"
Yep, went off the plan, but it was FINE, everyone had fun and still talk about what a great vacation it was to this day. So don't worry, take some deep breaths and just enjoy!

 

[lovethecastle]

I agree with another poster-feed the family. One thing we always try to do is eat lunch(at a cs in the theme park of the day) early. Before the mad rush desends upon the restaurants. For us anyway it gets a little ugly when we get hungry.
______________________
sandy

 

[princess&her4princes]

I completley understand!! I planned our first surprise family trip last year with our boys...4, 2 and 3 months at the time and it was just soo magical! As a parent, you know, just go with the flow...see the world through the kid eyes, if you thought it was magical before kids wait until you see your babies loving every minute of it. It's sooo unbelievable. Take lots of breaks, even if it means having ice cream every afternoon to regroup or sitting in the lawn somehwere to let them run. You will have a blast. As a matter of fact, we had such a wonderful time, we've now planned another trip for the holidays and the boys will be 6, almost 4 and 17 months then and we're going with our best friends with kids the same age. I am so excited but keep asking myself...what are we thinking going to WDW with SIX kids under the age of 6!?! LOL!! But it will be wonderful and we'll have so many great memories...that's what it's all about....quality family time. Enjoy!! Btw, we did the parks all day and into early evening with a sit down lunch to cool off and regroup, break in the afternoon in the park,rented a stroller the kid could ride in and relax and headed out about dinner time most days...they hung in there and we only had one meltdown (on our last day!) at the hotel...not too bad!!

 

[jamieT]

I do this everytime I go to Disney - and I have been alot. The months of planning are fun and I can't wait to get down there - until about 2 weeks before. Then I start to panic about the weather, crowds, will we get everything done; I have never had a bad trip yet. But I do understand what you are going through. And I don't have 4 small children.

Oh what would I do without you guys?? Thank you for the great tips and encouragement. My biggest fear has been that have I gotten myself so excited that we will be disappointed. thats what started my worry! I am feeling better this morning

Here are some questions... What do we do when one person wears out and the rest are going strong and want to keep going?

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I agree with a Calypso as well. Relax, enjoy yourselves, and do whatever you can. Don't try to cram everything in as if this will be your very last trip. I can almost gurantee you'll be back.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Oh what would I do without you guys?? Thank you for the great tips and encouragement. My biggest fear has been that have I gotten myself so excited that we will be disappointed. thats what started my worry! I am feeling better this morning

Here are some questions... What do we do when one person wears out and the rest are going strong and want to keep going?

Have that person go back to the resort for a break at the pool or nap. Also, consider planning some low-key attractions mid-day or morning. Think Tomorrowland Transit Authority, Carousel of Progress, Country Bear Jamboree, etc.

 

[abish19]

All of the previous suggestions are great. Don't get too worried about doing everything, but try instead to just enjoy being with the kids. Like Nikki said, attractions like the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, Carousel of Progress, etc., are interesting enough that the kids will like them but they're a welcome opportunity to SIT in the AIR CONDITIONING and just relax.

I get the same way - just a little overwhelmed - shortly before we leave, but feel so grateful once we arrive - like it will all be wonderful. And it always is.

 

[Becx N Gav]

Have to say I agree with all these posts, I can understand where you're coming from (no kids yet but we've been with a fairly large group) and just don't expect to do everything, set yourself realistic travel times and take it all in rather than focusing on the next ride or whatever.

Maybe the parents could take it in turns to take the kids back, it's good to listen to what each person wants and maybe split up (unless everyone wants something different ). Also have you told everyone what to expect? I think that really helps - the heat, the crowds etc. There's nothing worse than being unprepared esp. if you're not used to the heat. Also maybe you could tell your kids not to be disappointed if they don't do everything, have them pick their top things 'to do' then if they all get something that's fair

I really hope you guys have a fab time and am anticipating a trip report

 

[Geef]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't forget to keep a bottle or 4 of water with you. Every time you get in line, have everyone take at least a swallow. We have always done this, until this last trip. We didn't follow our own advice/routine, and our DS7 suffered because of it. He ended up with heat exhaustion.

We usually freeze a couple of bottles the night before and add watter to them throughout the day.

You know they are getting enough fluids when they ask to go to the bathroom. If they don't need to use the restroom for an unusual amount of time, get watter fast.

 

[jamieT]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't forget to keep a bottle or 4 of water with you. Every time you get in line, have everyone take at least a swallow. We have always done this, until this last trip. We didn't follow our own advice/routine, and our DS7 suffered because of it. He ended up with heat exhaustion.

We usually freeze a couple of bottles the night before and add watter to them throughout the day.

You know they are getting enough fluids when they ask to go to the bathroom. If they don't need to use the restroom for an unusual amount of time, get watter fast.

Great advice thanks! I will make sure I do this! That is one thing I was a little worried about. Were you at the park all day or did you leave and come back at all?

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I definitely agree about the water trick. You might want to stop by Wal-Mart before you leave too and pick up a water mister. It's a pump with a long tube that sprays water. You don't get drenched, but it does an amazing job of keeping you cool in the Florida heat. If you can't find one there, get a fan/mister.