What is your favorite Disney World tip for kids?

[edwardsmt]

I ambitiously put together a 100 day countdown for my kids using a Post-it note pad, with the number of days, a Disney sticker, and a kid friendly tip on each page. However, since I have never actually been, I only had enough kid friendly tips (from my guide book) to cover down to 57 days. Does anyone have some to share? Perhaps this could be a great thread for anyone who would like to create a similar countdown.

 

[Keith]

If you don't get enough tips, you could finish off the countdown with a paper chain. Just number and date each link in the chain, and the children can take turns cutting links off.

 

[DVC Dude]

wear sunscreen!

 

[OHIODISNEYFAMILY]

I have a countdown on my fridge....we're down to 25 days! I made a grid on Excel, and then I cut tiny Mickey heads out of different colors of card stock paper to glue into the grid spaces. The last day is a picture of us from last year with all of the characters. It's coming out pretty cute, and I'll add it in with our scrapbook after the trip.

As for kid tips, I can think of only a few:

Take breaks when needed
Try the Mickey-shaped ice cream!
Stay hydrated
Bring suckers
Use hand sanitizer
Try new things

I'll have to ask my kids for their tips when they get home from school today.

Laurie in OH, mom to

Alex, 11 years old
Julianne and Leah, 10 years old
Audrey, 2 years old

WDW visits in 1973, 1986, 1987, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005!
Currently planning a December 9-16, 2006 trip!

 

[Bill From PA]

Leave them home. (Only Kidding) I echo the sunscreen and breaks advice.

Bill From PA

 

[cjb71870]

Leave them home. (Only Kidding) I echo the sunscreen and breaks advice.

Bill From PA

Darn, you beat me to the same remark. Don't let your parents ruin your day if you do something out of the ordinary, or make a mistake. I've seen so many parents get so serious and scorned for the stupidest things. I have heard some speeches. Your at WDW. Relax. I always remark when I hear it.

 

[VickynMickey]

Wear a smile at all times!!
Take things slow and enjoy the little things!!(So many people stick to a well mapped out schedule and don't realize how much they have missed out on)

Good luck with the rest, have a great day!!!!

 

[mamamary]

Consider a stroller for even older kids - my daughter finally agreed to go in one on our last day. She's 7. She could have used one at Epcot. Also, the princess autograph/picture books really don't hold alot of autographs. We had to buy a new one after 3 days. I guess these tips are more for the parents. Also, carry some tums for any bellyaches any of you may get at the parks. Bring extra batteries too for your camera. You'd be surprised how many times you'll change them if you take alot of pics.

 

[jpolak]

Remember there are "home rules" and "vacation rules". Take it slow and take breaks. It's Disney have fun. As far as acountdown we do the last month. I make up a calendar and we cross of the days.

 

[TinaLala]

SLOW IT DOWN - Definitely take it slow..it might be your first time but don't make it your last...when you are with kids sometimes you need to let them be the guides.

STAND IN A LINE - Be prepared to stand in line..doesn't matter when you go you will stand in some sort of line. So bring things to do in line - playing ISPY works good or guess who I am (like charades but you give hints to a character and everyone guesses who you are)

LET THEM BE APART OF THE PLANNING - Depending on the ages of the children let them pack their own suitcase or backpack for the park. My girls like to pack their own carryon for the airplane and they like to bring their own backpack to the park. This year I'm getting the Disney for Kids by Kids book for my seven year old so she can pick what rides she wants to go on. Plus there's a spot for notes in the back.

CAMERA - Bring a disposable camera for them to take pictures! It's great to see their prospective on Disney.

DISNEY DOLLARS - can be purchased at any Disney store or converted at the park. Great way to teach money and math! My kids get $100 to use the entire trip, sounds like a lot, but every time they ask for something (doll) they have to take it out of their wallet and pay for it. Makes them aware of money and what they really want. Plus it stops them from asking you for money every time.

SCHEDULES - I would definitely throw all schedules to the wind. My kids always nap during the day at the parks, but never nap at home. At home my kids go to bed at exactly 9pm, at the parks I've seen them up at midnight and still full of energy.

REMEMBER YOU ARE ON VACATION - tempers seem to rise when loving families get together for long amounts of time. There's nothing like seeing a parent with their children telling them, "We're all going to have a good time, darn it, so shut up and enjoy it!" This is Disney take things in your stride. If you missed a show there's another one again. If someone dropped their icecream, get another, no big deal. Just enjoy and don't sweat the small stuff.

 

[dbmarie]

Let them ride their favorite ride a couple of times. Yes eventually imagination will stop replaying in your head it may take a few days .

 

[finnster77]

Leave them home. (Only Kidding) I echo the sunscreen and breaks advice.

Bill From PA

Bill, I sincerely enjoy your posts. Even though I love my four children, I look forward to the day when they're old enough for my wife and I to duplicate the picture that you have in your signature on our own Disney Adult vacation!! Until then, I'll read your reports with envy.

Cheers,

John from Illinois

 

[Mumbling Jumba]

Whenever you find Buzz Lightyear and Woody look around carefully, my kids always find the green army men there and they will sign autographs to.

Dole Whips and Pineapple spears on hot days.

When the kids get tired in Epcot two things. Spaceship Earth or Ellen's Universe of Energy. These are longer slower rides that allow the kids to cool down, relax and even catch a little nap.

Don't Miss Figment in Epcot, the kids loved it.

Home-made cookies at the Writers stop, Yummy.

Don't forget downtown Disney the kids will love the life size Lego characters scattered near the Lego store, not to mention kid friendly sandwiches from earl of sandwich and Ghirardelli ice cream.

At MGM try Toy Story pizza planet, basic pizza with lots of video type games. The kids always have a ball there.

If you’re in Animal Kingdom take the Maharajah Jungle Trek. My kids loved coming face to face with the tigers.

 

[familyofgoofies]

Take a yo-yo for line time.

 

[timandlesley]

We just went for 8 nights this past summer with my 3 year old and 5 year old. My trip report link is below in my signature, full of tips for traveling with kids. My favorites:
Breaks in the afternoon
stroller rain covers
let em' get dirty eating Mickey bars, you only vacation every so often.
Fast Passes and Parent swapping are the BEST
Buy cool mist fans before you go.
The personalized Mickey ears make GREAT souveniers
Ask to ride up front in the monorail and wait if need be,they will NEVER forget it.
Lesley

 

[edwardsmt]

These are great tips, both for us and the kids!
Since there are others reading this for the same reason, I'll list some that I pulled from my book:

Tony's Town Square in Magic Kingdom is decorated to look like tony's in the Movie "Lady and the Tramp." You can watch the movie while you wait for your table.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Cinderella's Golden Carrousel, Astro Orbiter & Dumbo are beautiful after dark.

If you dine at the Rainforest Cafe, you may get to see a brief thunderstorm inside the restaurant.

(Unfortunately, I did not save the ones we already pulled off, but I wanted to contribute something)

Thanks again, everyone for your help!

 

[Bill From PA]

John from Illinois,

Thanks! and this is a great time of life for a Disney fan. This March my daughter, SIL and 2 grandkids joined us mid-trip, on their own dime this time, and we enjoyed having them but we like the freedom to skip Dumbo and Small World and to replace them with the Rose&Crown and PI. Also, empty-nesters get to trade 7 day stays at AllStar or POR for 10 days at Swan or Boardwalk.

Bill From PA

 

[ajcolorado]

Check out the eyes on the tombstone as you wait to enter the Haunted Mansion - one headstone has eyes that move periodically.

Check out the free international soda samples at Club Cool in Epcot.

Ask the CM at the Kidcot stations in Japan or China to write your name in Chinese or Japanese - either on your kidcot project or in your autograph book. (Don't bother if they are as American as you or I).

The Epcot World Showcase pavilions often have guest workers from that country. Have a word "Hello", "dog", "baseball" or whatever and ask the CM to write that word, in their language, in your autograph book. Then take a picture with the CM for fun scrapbooks and memories.

The Winnie the Pooh ride used to be "Toad's Wild Ride" - there is one scene that features a portrait of Toad passing the deed to Mr. Owl. See: http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=111151831&imageID=1180221245

As you are exiting any room at Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, spin your car around and shoot the targets back in the room. Targets farther away or on the backs of things score high points.

Be sure to see Divine in Animal Kingdom - she is often found on the trail between Asia & Africa - 10:00 & 11:00am, 12:00 & 1:00pm
(45 minute sets). There is a picture of her on this page: http://disneyworldlinks.com/Ticket-Attraction/

The Star Speeder outside of Star Tours at Disney-MGM Studios is a great photo op.

 

[ajcolorado]

Do you have this link? It features a list of Disney World related television programming for the upcoming week. The travel channel shows can be a lot of fun.

http://www.bartlett-sloan.net/tv/agenda.php3?modeagenda=soon

 

[disneygal33]

Great tips

On sunny days kids need a hat or sun glasses. If the sun is bothering your eyes, it's bothering theirs.