Jill in Chicago
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2007
- Messages
- 1,156
Someone already mentioned "The Unofficial Guidebook to Disney." This is so worth the money! It lists every single ride and attraction, and then ranks it overall, and by age. I think it is a much better way to choose what to see, versus asking other people.
For instance, after reading about the Hall of Presidents at Magic Kingdom I gave my husband and (at the time) 14 year old son the option. They both said yes and loved it. I fell sound asleep.
My best friend did not look up anything ahead of time and missed many of the "not to be missed" (from the book) attractions. That's fine if it is a choice, but she didn't even know they were there.
Especially at Epcot you want to know what is at the front of the park, not just Soarin' which everyone talks about, but Living with the Land (our family loves this little attraction).... In the back there are so many little nooks and crannies to enjoy in the different countries.
I agree with more days at Disney and less at the beach. Maybe a one day break at the end of your week. Honestly though i don't think your family will find it restful to haul it out to the beach and drive back. I think you would be more relaxed sleeping in, sitting by the pool, ordering pizza and enjoying an adult beverage, but that's just me. And the water parks, if your family is into that, are soooo awesome. For us they are not to be missed. I even swam with the sharks. Yikes!
I suggest making some lunch sit down reservations. It is great to get out of the heat. You can always cancel them if you change your mind.
Rope drop makes the parks much easier. The first hour the park is open is so calm. It's a nice way to start the day.
Learn how Fast Pass works.
Make everyone take mandatory sit down drink breaks. Then drink some more.
Apply suntan lotion before you arrive. It gives it time to sink in. I am very fair, and there was no need to reapply. You know your skin, but it's one less thing to haul around.
Pack for the park as little as possible. I had just my camera in it's small case, bandaids, dental floss (I hate food in my teeth.), credit card and money, carmex, a couple tissues (allergies), and Advil
We do not bring snacks. Our family can pack away the food, but in all that heat, small snacks are more than enough, and we pick them up along the way.
The Disney Photo Pass folks will take pictures with your own camera. They do not mind.
When you walk in the park there is this small sheet of white paper, with black printing. That is where you will find the times of the shows, where characters are....
Photo copy or take a photo of your tickets so if you leave them at one of the Fast Pass kiosks they are easy to replace. You can photograph your parking space too.
Allears.net has menus for every place at the parks, and prices.
Make a plan for each park so you hit your top three choices first. After that just list what you want to see in each area of the park.
Any water rides at a park do last. (Except Magic Kingdom's Splash Mountain where you usually don't get that wet.) That way you can end your day drenched and you won't care.
Don't go out to dinner every night. One night hang out by the pool, relax and order in dinner, or pick it up at the hotel. Otherwise you all have to get dressed, blow dry hair....
You need one outfit for the day, BUT, if you then swim and plan to go back out you will need another outfit. Your first outfit will be drenched with sweat all the way to your underwear. Yuck! Don't forget extra new socks for the evening. Or better yet sandals for the evening so your toes can air out.
You are going to have a blast!!!
For instance, after reading about the Hall of Presidents at Magic Kingdom I gave my husband and (at the time) 14 year old son the option. They both said yes and loved it. I fell sound asleep.
My best friend did not look up anything ahead of time and missed many of the "not to be missed" (from the book) attractions. That's fine if it is a choice, but she didn't even know they were there.
Especially at Epcot you want to know what is at the front of the park, not just Soarin' which everyone talks about, but Living with the Land (our family loves this little attraction).... In the back there are so many little nooks and crannies to enjoy in the different countries.
I agree with more days at Disney and less at the beach. Maybe a one day break at the end of your week. Honestly though i don't think your family will find it restful to haul it out to the beach and drive back. I think you would be more relaxed sleeping in, sitting by the pool, ordering pizza and enjoying an adult beverage, but that's just me. And the water parks, if your family is into that, are soooo awesome. For us they are not to be missed. I even swam with the sharks. Yikes!
I suggest making some lunch sit down reservations. It is great to get out of the heat. You can always cancel them if you change your mind.
Rope drop makes the parks much easier. The first hour the park is open is so calm. It's a nice way to start the day.
Learn how Fast Pass works.
Make everyone take mandatory sit down drink breaks. Then drink some more.
Apply suntan lotion before you arrive. It gives it time to sink in. I am very fair, and there was no need to reapply. You know your skin, but it's one less thing to haul around.
Pack for the park as little as possible. I had just my camera in it's small case, bandaids, dental floss (I hate food in my teeth.), credit card and money, carmex, a couple tissues (allergies), and Advil
We do not bring snacks. Our family can pack away the food, but in all that heat, small snacks are more than enough, and we pick them up along the way.
The Disney Photo Pass folks will take pictures with your own camera. They do not mind.
When you walk in the park there is this small sheet of white paper, with black printing. That is where you will find the times of the shows, where characters are....
Photo copy or take a photo of your tickets so if you leave them at one of the Fast Pass kiosks they are easy to replace. You can photograph your parking space too.
Allears.net has menus for every place at the parks, and prices.
Make a plan for each park so you hit your top three choices first. After that just list what you want to see in each area of the park.
Any water rides at a park do last. (Except Magic Kingdom's Splash Mountain where you usually don't get that wet.) That way you can end your day drenched and you won't care.
Don't go out to dinner every night. One night hang out by the pool, relax and order in dinner, or pick it up at the hotel. Otherwise you all have to get dressed, blow dry hair....
You need one outfit for the day, BUT, if you then swim and plan to go back out you will need another outfit. Your first outfit will be drenched with sweat all the way to your underwear. Yuck! Don't forget extra new socks for the evening. Or better yet sandals for the evening so your toes can air out.
You are going to have a blast!!!
