What to do on the kids' first trip

[HayGan]

We are just starting to plan our first family trip to WDW next Nov/Dec (2005). We are planning to get annual passes so we can get two trips done in 1 year (yipeee ) Our boys will be 5 1/2 and almost 4 on our first trip and I'm wondering what else we should do on the trip (IOA, SW, etc.). We will definately be hitting the MK, Epcot, AK and MGM but should we plan for anything else? I think we will probably be staying offsite but we have not decide where yet (depends alot on what we plan to do!)

There have been so many great tips here and its so overwhelming getting started! I'm just having so much fun reading all the great info and tips!!!

Thanks everyone and I hope to see you with Mickey

 

[Amirah95]

Welcome to the Dis!!!!

First, check out All Ears Net to get info about WDW (http://www.allearsnet.com). If you need anymore links just ask and we all will throw millions and millions of them at you.

Then if you're not caught up on what's going on in the World around the time you'll be staying then grab a guide book from your nearest bookstore like...The Passporter, The 2004 Unofficial Guide or Birnbaum's Official 2004 WDW. Also Birnbaum's has a WDW book written by Kids...so maybe you can get one for your children so they can help out in your planning.

You will need to start drafting your itinerary (a day by day schedule) and try to find out what kind of park tickets you're going to need, if you will want to do any PS's and/or dinner shows...etc.

Disers are going to want to see a draft because it's easier to help you out better if we can see what you and family want to do. And what you will find is that your questions will be "straight to the point" and you will get the "straight to the point" answers you'll need from your fellow Disers.

Plan on!

 

[Jordan's MOM]

I think most people have no idea how much there really is to see and do just at WDW. All four parks you mentioned, plus water parks, downtown disney , resturants and so much more. For a first trip with young children I would plan to do just WDW attractions. There will be more than enough to fill an entire week. I am also a big beliver in staying on site. There are so many choices to fit any budget. We have stayed from the values to the deluxe and enjoyed every stay. We feel it just adds so much to our trip. I agree to get a great guide book and just keep reading these boards as well as other sites on WDW. Have fun planning!!!


Jordnas' mom

 

[pamole]

Sorry I can't offer any advice ...

just wanted to say "Hey" -- we are also taking our 1st trip with the kids in 2005 (Feb.), then planning another trip in 2006 (April - so we can't take advantage of AP's).

The trips are each in honor of the kids' 5th b-days -- DD (2005), DS (2006). What's nice about going back-to-back is it that we don't have to worry about seeing everything the 1st trip b/c we know we'll be back.

We're only going for 4nts/5days in Feb; sounds like you're going for longer than that. We're not even planning to hit AK or the water parks this time, and we're not trying to do anything offsite.

But I'll be interested to hear what kind of response you get, b/c I think our 2006 trip will be a longer trip (7 days, I hope) and we will probably be looking for some different things to do.

Have fun!

 

[Memaw2Wm]

Buy a guide ... make a list of your "must sees" ... there's no way to do everything in one trip w/o making yourself crazy and maybe not even then.

Stay on-site ... it just adds to the magic. We stayed at All Stars Movies last January and loved the restort. In past we've stayed in a cabin at Fort Wilderness, but for a long weekend I decided to save money by staying at a value resort. It was so much fun that I've decided to try and stay at a different resort each trip if possible.

My grandson, now 9, insists on taking a swim break every afternoon, so be prepared to head back to your hotel if the kids get tired.

It might be too cool in Nov/Dec, but my grandkids love Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach ... so I usually plan a day there mid-week as a mini-break.

At Blizzard Beach we did stuff together, then we hit the Ski Patrol area ... the kids swam/played while I relaxed in a chair.

 

[hmmchowell]

We're going for our first family trip to DW in Nov. I think you're kids might like the Pirate's Cruise that launches from the Grand
Floridian. It's a two hour treasure hunt on Seven Seas lagoon and the kids go without parents. They hunt for treasure and get a light lunch and snacks and "treasure" at the end. They must be at least 4 years old and potty trained. It's a good time for mom and dad to maybe have some time alone. There is more info at
allearsnet.com

Enjoy!!

 

[Sumac]

My kids are fairly close in age to yours and here are a few ideas.

MK - See Fantasyland & Toontown, a character meal at either the Castle or Crystal Palace is fun too!

Epcot - Make the masks at the KidCot stations in the World Showcase. The kids will love them, they make a great souvenir, and you will get a chance to see the WS. My kids loved the Figment ride too.

MGM - This is my least favorite park with the kids as there isn't as much for all of us to do together and enjoy. We do really like Fantasmic alot though.

AK - Festival of the Lion King, Tarzan Rocks, and the parade are all wonderful.

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

I LOVE IOA but I would wait until your kids are older. Most of the rides would be too scary and there are height requirements.

 

[FayeW]

On our first (and only, so far) trip to the World, I asked to ride up front in the monorail. I had not mentioned it to any of the family, and my husband was looking at me kinda funny when I spoke to the CM and then he put us in a different waiting line from the others. My children's first view of the MK EVER, was through the windshield of the monorail. They thought we were pretty special. I was prepared to let a couple of the trains pass us by for the chance to have their first ride up front, but the CM said no one else had even asked.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I'm planning our kids' first trip for next month, so I'm not experienced at it yet, but my thought would be try to do a character meal, at least one. We're staying onsite at All Star Movies. I've never stayed offsite, but DH has, and after he stayed onsite once on our honeymoon, he said he won't stay offiste again. Too much convenience for him. I made a list of the things we "must" do, and others we'd like to do if we have time. I have planned for a rest break/swim at the resort each day, because I know my kids will need a nap in the afternoon, or they just won't make it.

Other than that, just enjoy your trip as much as possible, allow time for the little things that catch their eyes, and have fun!!!

 

[WishingOnAStar]

We're going for the first time w/kids next month (I went 15+ times growing up.
What we (well, let's be honest *I* - because dh hasn't even cracked a book) did was to buy the 2004 Unofficial Guide and read it cover to cover w/ a highlighter and a spiral notebook for notes. Then, I read Birnbaum's and took notes. Then, I bought the Passporter and did the same. After all that, I became addicted to this site and developed a list of "must sees" and one of "must eat ats".
After developing this with a daily spreadsheet, I posted an outline here and refined it with everyone's suggestions.

Good luck!! I think half the fun is in the planning!

 

[HayGan]

Thanks for all the great advice! I just ordered the 2005 Unofficial Guide from Barnes & Noble (using a Mypoints earned gc - of course) and I've begun searching for accomodations. I think we have decided to stay on-site for 3 or 4 nights and then switch to an off-site property for the next 7 nights. I want to make sure that we do certain things but I don't want to plan to much! We are definately going to MVMCP 2 times but beyond that it is up in the air!

 

[F1Julie]

My best advise is try not to do too much. You can always go back. On my first trip with DD (then 3) we did a park every day. That was just too much. I have learned since to do a non-park day after each park day. We go to the pool, do character meals, or a dinner show. It really helps make the trip more pleasant and not so chaotic. I'm also a big fan of staying onsite. We always do and rely solely on Disney transportation. On our last trip, we ventured off the property to a dinner show. It was no fun navigating around Orlando. I don't see how people stay off site and drive to the parks everyday. I don't want to fight traffic or try and figure out directions when I'm on vacation.