WDW First Time with Children ... Tips?

[Abracadabra]

My wife and I are taking my niece (6 yr. old) and her step-sister (8 yr. old) to WDW in Nov. This will be their 1st trip to Disney; my wife and I have been numerous times by ourselves or with other adults -- never with children. (We don't have any children of our own.)

I've been doing some prep work, such as purchasing the big pens and an autograph book for each young lady. We have reservations at the Contemporary Resort for the Tower. (Yes, I am trying desperately to spoil them rotten. ) We're working on where to eat and which park to do on each day -- it'll be a short visit (11/11 - 16).

We are definitely not interested in doing "commando-style" touring. But we'd like to get some advice, tips, hints, whatever from those who've been there with children. I know this trip will be very different, but I want the young ladies to have a wonderful experience. (It's been a tough year for them. My dad, their granddad, passed away in Feb.; they've moved into a new home with a new school/new neighborhood, etc.) So, we want to give them a magical trip, while trying to avoid major goof-ups on my part. Thanks for your help!!

 

[natalielongstaff]

i just wanted to say it sounds like you have a lovely trip planned for them

 

[beaubeau8853]

What a wonderful Uncle you are!!!

I myself do not have any girls, just one son (5), but of my friends with girls the must do is a character meal (or two) with the princesses. If I were you I would maybe post an additional question about which one to do and if breakfast, lunch or dinner is better.

The other thing other than autographs that are popular with the kids is pin trading. We have yet to do it with our son, but we will this Christmas. As I understand some of the kids get really into it. Some CM's infact only trade with the kids.

Hope this helps as a beginning, since I myself don't have any girls I am sorry I don't have any other ideas.

Have fun, Disney is completely different when travelling with children. You get to see "the magic" through their eyes!

 

[Missy1961]

There is a breakfast at Epcot with the Princessess. I've never been there, but I've heard it's very nice.

Do Epcot with them. I think they'll enjoy the World Showcase. They have "Kidcot" stations for the kids where they do arts & crafts. They seem to be a good age for that.

At Magic Kingdom, don't miss Mickey's Philamagic! It's a wonderful 3D movie featuring the current movies.

 

[gigi1313]

i don't think you could "goof up" such a great trip... no matter how much or how little you do for them, it will be magical!

princess meal is a must-do... whether it's cindy's royal table for breakfast, princess breakfast in epcot or princess dinner at grand floridian, or even princess tea party at grand floridian, is totally up to you and disney dine (whether they have availability on your dates)

another think i suggest is letting the girls have some say in what you plan... find out their tolerance for thrill rides, scary rides, etc... possibly even give them some of their own spending money to select their own souvies...

are they water rats? if so, blizzard beach would be great for them... or are the a bit on the "prissy" side? if so, a "my first manicure" or "my first facial" at the grand floridian will be right up their alley...

follow their lead, while having a background plan, and the trip will be wonderful!

 

[DutchsMommy]

re: the previous post and giving them $$ for souvenirs.....you might want to think about getting some Disney Dollars at your local Disney store to give to them to spend. The dollars have pictures of disney characters on them and are on par with "real" money at the Disney parks/hotels etc.

A word to the wise re: Cinderella's Royal Table character breakfast - it is very hard to get PS's for this event. You might try "searching" for it on these boards or check out the details in the "Unofficial Guide to WDW" which details how to go about getting the ressie.

I think with kids that age and a fairly short time period, Magic Kingdom should be your main focus - even if you spread it out over 2 days. You will be on the monorail line at the Contemporary so getting there and back will be a snap.

Best of luck and have fun.

 

[SoCalKDG]

Do Epcot before MK. If you do MK first, it can make the other parks more difficult to go to due to expectation levels.

Get "Unofficial Guide to WDW", great book with many hints for kids.

Reserve a day to just go to the pool.

 

[Abracadabra]

Thanks so much for the great advice! Our dinner on the first night will be at 1900 Park Fare. We're planning to take the monorail over there and hopefully the girls will be able to sit up front. For dessert, we plan to order each of them the Chocolate Slipper.

I appreciate the advice about Epcot. We were wondering if they would like World Showcase, and I completely spaced out about the Kidcot stations.

We were thinking of spending 2 days doing MK. Neither of the young ladies can swim yet, but they could enjoy the pool/water parks with some floatation devices.

Thanks again for the help! I'm still somewhat nervous, but a little more prepared to make a good plan.

 

[Kimberle]

What a wonderful trip you have planned!!

Just listen to what they want to do, not just their words, but their body language. If they seem nervous, it's OK to skip a ride. When they start getting cranky, head back to the resort for some swimming. Take at least 1 day for a water park. We loved TL. We are going to try BB on this next trip.

There is a campfire and movie every night at FW. You can take the small boat over from CR. When you check in, ask for the schedule. I don't remember them giving it to us automatically at the CR like they did at WL. You can buy mashmellows for toasting (they are not to expensive). Chip & Dale make an appearance. The small boat (CR/WL/FW) runs from 7am-10pm every day. If the campfire is over later, you can take the bus directly to the TTC then monorail to CR. (Dbl check the directions with someone in purple pants, not a regular CM when you arrive).

I'd also recommend having dinner or breakfast at Whispering Canyon at WL. It is a lot of crazy fun! Don't forget to ask for a really BIG glass of water or soda and lots of ketchup! A PS is necessary as this is a very popular resturant. Just take the small boat. It's maybe a 5 minute ride.

Enjoy!

 

[tweetylori]

Uncle!! I do believe you're my long lost uncle! Please let me know where to meet you.

 

[Eeyore2003]

First of all you must enjoy all this yourself!!! You are bound to be nervous, but so far you have done absolutely the right things. We have just taken my brother and family for thier first trip in July. The kids were my nephew 11 and my niece 8. Now she is a very active, daring little thing and tried ALL the rides including TOT and RNR. But her favorite thing that she bragged about when we got back were the autographs.

She of course had the autograph book, but she also bought a "Bride Minnie" at MGM, they are in the back by the Backlot Tour, anyway, any stuffed animal of choice would do, and she had Mickey and Minnie sign it when we went to Chef Mickey at the Contemporary. She also brought her Cinderella Barbie from home and had Cinderella sign it on the leg at the breakfast. BTW, we LOVED the Contemporary with our kids!!!

We did Cinderella's Royal Table, and it was also, a highlight of her trip. I also took them to the Grand Floridian Cafe for the slippers. I think she was soooooooo excited she didn't know what to do and just acted so goofy chomping it down. The slipper broke when she lifted it, and she gobbled it. She wasn't really acting naughty or anything, I just think she was SO excited!!! Beyond normal!!!

I just picked the highlight rides. I did go upon opening, but we really didn't rush. We stopped whenever she wanted for autographs. Try a variety of rides. I found out that you never know which ones they love the best. I think the headliners are your best bet. They offer a nice variety and I just did the best ones first and if we didn't get to the rest, OH WELL!!!

We went to Typhoon Lagoon and she LOVED jumping in the waves of the wavepool!!! At DisneyQuest, the only thing she really liked was the Buzz ride, and just kept doing it over and over again with my DH. I wouldn't bother with that really.

Take that afternoon break in the pool if weather permits, or let them run around Tom Sawyer Island etc. The manicure or pedicure in the PM would be nice too. I really think they need that break away from the parks and all the stimulation. The Contemporary has the largest game room on property, and our boys would go swimming and to the gameroom for afternoon break. You get tickets and at the end of the week can pick a prize. Typical Chuck E. Cheese type stuff, but it's a break.

She didn't care for World Showcase allot. We did eat at Germany and she "polka'd" on the little floor they have. It depends upon whether they are "shy" or "outgoing" if they will enjoy this. We also did Illuminations there. She fell asleep at the American Adventure. In the other part, we did Test Track, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, the Land, and the Living Seas. She didn't care for the Living Seas. We didn't do any simulator rides as several of us get motion sick and there was plenty else to do.

We did all 3 night time shows.

Well, that's all I can think of for right now. She was a little scared during the "dark parts" of the 3-D things, but she really liked them and we warned her about those things.

 

[Abracadabra]

Kimberle -- thanks for the great tips! We are definitely going to try to take the ladies to Whispering Canyon. They'd probably get a kick from seeing their uncle put on the spot. Good tip about their body language. Sara (youngest) is afraid of thunder, so I'm not sure how she will handle some of the rides. We'll have to play it by ear, I suppose. I'm just worried they'll want me to ride with them on Space Mountain! (Sorry, I am not a coaster fan.)

tweetylori: LOL! I just remember one aunt & uncle who took my brothers and I on several trips when we were growing up. Maybe I can continue the "tradition." We'll be at WDW 11/11 - 16. Would be happy to meet up with you in front of the Castle!

 

[The Sweetness]

I thought 1900 park fare was a buffet, and planned on going there myself next summer. Do they DO a la carte orders there at all?

Also, Do save EPCOT for last (I would, with kids that age). OR~ Visit Epcot for a small part of more than one day. EPCOT can be borring for really little girls.

 

[princess lovers mom]

May I ask where you are staying and what kind of pases you have?

We were there in Oct with our then 8 and 4 yr old girls so I can let you know what they loved....

we went to MK first afternoon, although I respect the opinion that it is better to go to EPCOT first so as not to set expectations it sure is hard to take 2 kids to "disney" and not see the castle first thing!!!

*they both loved to get autographs of everyone and everyone no matter how long the wait
*LOVED the parades and fireworks at MK- try to look ahead for spectromagic times before your travel as it may not be every night
*make a plan as to what rides/attractions they most want to see or do so you can get fast passes early if needed
* we would often do EPCOT world showcase in the evenings after a day in another park...small bits seemed to go over well...they loved Japan, Mexico and Norway and the trains in Germany...Illuminations was the 4 yr olds favorite fireworks- actually only saw the Living Sees in the front half and the shooting fountains
* would recommend MGM for the Beauty and the Beast show, little mermaid, great movie ride, muppets and fantasmic at least
*We could skip AK and the water parks in favor of another day in MK, but I am sure others would have a different opinion about AK....

MEALS
definately dinner at chef Mickey
the princess breakfast at Norway is a good choice if too you cannot get the castle (you need to start calling today- your 90 day window is about to close!)
also liked SCI-FI for late lunch before Fantasmic (still have the glow in the dark ice cubes from their drinks!)

have a great time! you are soooo sweet

 

[Abracadabra]

Originally posted by The Sweetness
I thought 1900 park fare was a buffet, and planned on going there myself next summer. Do they DO a la carte orders there at all?

Also, Do save EPCOT for last (I would, with kids that age). OR~ Visit Epcot for a small part of more than one day. EPCOT can be borring for really little girls.

I don't know if the do a la carte or not. I read that this dessert has to be ordered 48 hours in advance and it's available only at the GF restaurants. We decided to get it for our 2 princesses as a nice way to end their first meal at Disney.

Thanks for the tip about EPCOT.

 

[Minnie Mi]

How about buying them each a disposable camera and giving it to them in the airport? They'll have alot of fun taking pictures of the moments they want to remember and it's not too expensive.

I think you're a great uncle. Have a fun trip.

 

[Abracadabra]

princess lovers mom: We have reservations at the Contemporary Resort for a Tower room. (Not sure how we got that, but when I was checking our resorts on the Disney website, a Tower Room popped up, so I snagged it. We are getting the UPH tickets. That's what my wife & I always get.

I'm fairly certain we'll go to Chef Mickey's for breakfast one day. I think it'd be hard to get away from the resort without that.

Sara (the youngest) is afraid of thunder, so we're not sure how she will handle fireworks. I am hoping we can watch Wishes from the resort the 1st night and gauge her reaction then.

I have stronger feet than my wife, so our plan is for me to snag FastPasses for the next ride as soon as we can; my wife will stay with the girls.

I'm just afraid they'll have more energy than I will!

(As for me being sweet -- that was so nice. Thank you. Now I am really blushing!)

 

[DISUNC]

All these suggestions are great.
You will all have a great time.
However try try try Try for Cinderellas Castle breakfest.
Also, have plenty of pennies & quarters on you for the penny presses!
Dont forget the personalized Mickey ear hats (in the store next to Peter Pans flight!)