What advice for family coming over for first visit to WDW

[iankh]

I'm in the middle of planning a family trip to WDW. This would be the first time my step-kids and the step-grandkids will be visiting WDW. They have been to the best part of the United States before, Chicago (of course!), but never to WDW.

So what would you suggest for a first time visit for my British family?

I own at DVC (VWL and BWV) so we'll be staying at either VWL, BMV or possibly OKW.

Do have any advice to make this a spectacular visit?

 

[Frances999]

Do have any advice to make this a spectacular visit?

How about reserving an Illuminations Cruise?

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Accomodation is no problem , wherever they stay at DVC they will be fine.

The best advice for 1st timers is to take things at a nice pace, do not try and rush around too much, it will spoil the enjoyment.

Plan some rest days between the theme park visits because it can be a bit overwhelming going to the parks each day, especially if they have never been before.

Plenty of research into the attractions they really must see, arrive at the parks early in the morning, break for lunch and return in the evening.
Thereby missing the worse of the crowds.

BWV would be an ideal choice as us brits like our evening entertainment.

Make sure they see the afternoon parade and also sample the amazing fireworks displays at night.

 

[iankh]

Thanks for all the advice. Anything I should be aware of for a first time Brit point of view of WDW?

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Thanks for all the advice. Anything I should be aware of for a first time Brit point of view of WDW?

Probably depends on when you are going? and where you are staying? how long are you going for?

 

[disneyholic family]

I'm in the middle of planning a family trip to WDW. This would be the first time my step-kids and the step-grandkids will be visiting WDW. They have been to the best part of the United States before, Chicago (of course!), but never to WDW.

So what would you suggest for a first time visit for my British family?

I own at DVC (VWL and BWV) so we'll be staying at either VWL, BMV or possibly OKW.

Do have any advice to make this a spectacular visit?

how old are they grandkids?

 

[ErikaM]

Best advice I can offer is wear well broken-in , comfy shoes. You'll be doing a lot of walking and there is nothing worse in WDW than a blister!

 

[iankh]

The grandkid is 7 years old (and a he). I'm planning for October and I think we'll probably stay at VWL since it is close to MK.

I was also hoping that by that time they have launched the breakfast for boys, Breakfast and Beyond at Hollywood & Vine in MGM. It is intended to be the Cindy-like breakfast for boys with Buzz Lightyear and the Toy Story characters.

I had really wanted them to come to Chicago towards the end of November for a big family Thanksgiving in Chicago, followed by the following week in WDW, but they just won't take Ben out of school It would have been nice to have a really BIG Thanksgiving with everyone together.

 

[disneyholic family]

The grandkid is 7 years old (and a he). I'm planning for October and I think we'll probably stay at VWL since it is close to MK.

I was also hoping that by that time they have launched the breakfast for boys, Breakfast and Beyond at Hollywood & Vine in MGM. It is intended to be the Cindy-like breakfast for boys with Buzz Lightyear and the Toy Story characters.

I had really wanted them to come to Chicago towards the end of November for a big family Thanksgiving in Chicago, followed by the following week in WDW, but they just won't take Ben out of school It would have been nice to have a really BIG Thanksgiving with everyone together.

I'm not so sure about Thanksgiving in Chicago - talk about COLD (i went to grad school at the University of Chicago - i had to start wearing wool hats by early october - brrrrrrr....)

anyway....back to WDW -
VWL is a great choice for a little boy.....kids love the lobby of the main building (especially the bridge over the hotspring).....be sure to take him into the main building to see it....and those huge totem poles....and the geyser out back behind the pool.....and the boat to the MK....
perfect for a 7 year old boy (perfect for me too, but that's another story)..

and he'll certainly also enjoy the toy story breakfast...

I bet he'd also like eating at Whispering Canyon at the WL. Most kids adore eating there (make sure he knows to ask for ketchup - it's a hoot).

Let's see. What else for a 7 year old Brit. Well Brits are pretty much like Americans, just with funny accents .
So anything you can think of that an American 7 year old would like, will work for a Brit.

 

[iankh]

I'm not so sure about Thanksgiving in Chicago - talk about COLD (i went to grad school at the University of Chicago - i had to start wearing wool hats by early october - brrrrrrr....)

Thanks for all the advice. I lived in the UK for 4 years so, I'm very middle of the Atlantic. The reasons we moved back to the US were purely economic rather than lifestyle (I lived in Bath, what could be better than that?).

A little off topic, you'd be surprised by Chicago winters. The east coast has all the bad weather now. I haven't seen a bad winter since about 1995. Today it's going to be in the upper '40'sF and tomorrow it is supposed to go up to 60F. I can't wait for them to start planting palm trees on Lake Shore Drive.

 

[misskrystal]

Try making a long list of everything you think they might like to do. Then, pick put a few special ones (meal, tours...) and make reservations.

That way, you have a few great things prepared and a good idea of how to spend the rest of your time.

 

[Miffy2003]

We always like to do some things offsite as well as on (though that is my favourite, of course ) including shopping

I would say definitely do a character meal (but you already have thought of that), maybe take a boat out if you are going to be at VWL, offer to look after your grandson for a couple of hours so parents can have a nice meal out somewhere maybe? Then you can have some quality time one to one with your grandson

My DDs absolutely loved the Pirate Cruise and did it at a similar age to your grandson, they run one from the YC if you stay at BWV and the GF if you are at WL.

We had an absolute ball doing the Family Magic Tour in MK, one of my best memories from our last holiday. Perhaps not one for shy, retiring types but we LOVED it.

They also loved the Kidcot Fun Stops in Epcot (funny how small things can be so magical to children )

That's a couple of ideas off the top of my head!

 

[disneyholic family]

A little off topic, you'd be surprised by Chicago winters. The east coast has all the bad weather now. I haven't seen a bad winter since about 1995. Today it's going to be in the upper '40'sF and tomorrow it is supposed to go up to 60F. I can't wait for them to start planting palm trees on Lake Shore Drive.

Oh my....talk about global warming....that's unbelievable.....
so they're going to have to change the name from the windy to the balmy city? doesn't sound right....

i'm originally from suburban Detroit....i haven't asked my family if the lake they live on (that i grew up on) froze this year, but from your description it sounds as if ice skating would be a tad risky....

 

[susieh]

Hi

First time we went to Disney our youngest son was just 8 so pretty similar in age to you DGS. He loved (and still does) the waterparks. As a young child of 3 he had a bad accident on a water slide and has a scar all down his left cheak because of it. He was terrified of water slides after that and that was still pretty much the case when we landed in the US but by the time we came home from America he loved them. That is my special memory of that trip.

He also enjoyed collecting the characters autographs and the round the world stamps at Epcot (do they still do those?). And I wouldn't worry too much about quiet days or resting in the afternoon - we were on the go from 9am to 10pm every day for 14 days and he loved it all.

 

[disneyholic family]

that's a good one - the autograph book suggestion...
my son also liked that when he was young..
you can buy these little autograph books at WDW, then when you go up to a character for a picture with them, you can also hand them the autograph book and a pen and they'll sign the book for you (with very cute signatures)...

my daughter never got into that, but my son did....at about that age...