Kind of Dreading Disney ...

[ReneeW]

OK Mom Confession time ... although I am very excited to go on a family trip next month to sunny Florida and be warm and have family fun, I'm a bit worried about the insanity which is Disney. I'm trying to have low expectations--there's no doubt that my sweet kiddos will be whiny, tired, complaining etc. and I will need to resist getting cranky with them. So I'm trying to have a very much "go with the flow, we're just having fun, not a big deal, this is not a stressful thing," attitude and mindset. But I am rather dreading Disney and the lines and the crowds. I've read some website tips but thought I'd ask you ladies as well for any tips and advice on Surviving Magic Kingdom Chaos. My kiddos are 8 & 5.

TIA!!

[bunsy]

We went when our kids were 8, 5 and 5.
We LOVED it.
We went with plans to get the park 1st thing, go back to the hotel in the afternoon for rest and swimming and then return to the park late afternoon for the evening. We ended up at the park ALL DAY.

My suggestion is to have NO expectations. Take it all as it comes. Be prepared with water and some light snacks in case of sudden hunger. We separated occasionally if the interests of the kids went different directions. We rested when tired. Found a show to watch when we got hot.

[slufoot]

We also did the parks in the morning, and rest/nap for DS in the afternoon. DH is a planner, and he wanted t plan everything, but it worked better to plan nothing except which park we would be at and where we were eating (we had the dining plan). Much less stressful that way. DH was also surprised that DS got so tired (men?!?), although I expected it.

[ReneeW]

Did you find that going to Animal Kingdom was worth it? We were going to skip it but then our friends who just went said that their kids loved it. We have 3 days ... so rather than 3 @ Magic Kingdom now we're thinking 1 day Animal Kingdom + 2 @ Magic Kingdom. Your thoughts? (One blog I read said skip Animal Kingdom and go to the resort that has animals instead.)

[sarahisis]

I've heard that it's easier on the wallet to buy souvenirs for the kid's somewhere else... home , and then pack them... t-shirt and somethings else for each kid and give it to them as a gift at the hotel lol

[sarahisis]

We're waiting for the kid's to be older before we tackle Disney.

[bunsy]

We weren't much for buying souvenirs. Kids of course wanted something every day and that was a NO. We did buy Tshirts off site--not licensed by Disney.

Animal Kingdom was quite new the last time we were at Disney. We did enjoy a couple of the shows. I think the safari is like MN Zoo--you never know how far away the animals might be.

I bet kids the ages of yours would love Animal Kingdom though.

[slufoot]

DS is an animal fanatic, so he LOVED Animal Kingdom. We went two days and he wanted to ride the safari each day. There are also other animals that you can just walk around and see. I think it depends on how much your kids like animals (DS would go to the MN Zoo daily if possible) in order to decide if it's worth it. We weren't so thrilled with the buffet restaurant that we went to there. Didn't have enough time (or attention span in DS case) to see the shows, but we enjoyed it.

[bunsy]

We went to Bug's Life show and a Lion King show--both were fantastic. Don't know if they are still there.

[love]

We've been every year for my sons birthday. Each year is completely different and amazing. Yup they'll be tired and cranky and so will you. Disney is that but the magic of the other things make up for it. Florida Disney is wayyyyy busyier then Disneyland which is in California. We prefer land but world is way cheaper! We switch it up every year so this year we are going to world ( btw when will you be there? We are going end of April)!! Do you have park hopper passes? If so I would say your idea of magic kingdom 2 days and animal is a great idea. We usually do what others have done is if you stay at a Disney hotel ( we are staying at grand Floridian) you get special park ours for just Disney hotel guest. That's when we do the crazy rides that get long later in the day. We usually get to the park 8-9 ish and spend a few hours then head back for nap around 1-2. Then either head to park again or downtown Disney. It is free and so much to do. Splash pads, boardwalk type area, and carousel. Downtown Disney is my favorite!!!! You are going at a pretty moderate time so I wouldn't expect the lines to be terribly long. Longst we waited ever in our past 4 times was half hour for Peter Pan ride.... Not bad!!!! I'm a planner so I do like to plan which parks we are going to and which character breakfasts we will attend. If your not a planner I say totally go with the flow! Pack a stroller is my best advice with water bottles and snacks for the kids. Water is like 5 bucks there. I'm a sucker for souvenirs so we always get them. First thing when you do to the park is to get autograph book so your kiddos can get the autographs. Disney can be hectic if you make it but seriously, go where the wind takes you. Your kids will be tired and cranky but they will be having a blast!!!!! Trust me we have been taking my son for his bday since he was one and it has always been magical!! Find the information desk with helpful workers that will provide you with tips. Even where your kids fav character will be that day!!! I rhino 3 full days back to back at magic kingdom is going to be too much. There's a ton of stuff to do at animal kingdom. We always go to all 4. Epcot being the one we on do a half day at
As there isn't much for the kiddos compared to the other 3........

Take. Deep breathe and try to enjoy it!!!!

[Susan824]

We went when our two kids were 7 / 5 and back again at ages 12 / 10. Keep in mind, that was many years ago (as my kids are adults now 24 / 22). Those are my all time two favorite vacations of my lifetime!

For us Epcot and Disney Studios were the two CANNOT miss parks. We were only moderately impressed with Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom. I'd say the key to success is ensuring everyone eats a big healthy breakfast BEFORE entering the parks. The price of food and drinks seemed surprisingly expensive to us (back then).

As far as advice, there's so much to do EVERYWHERE. So, if someone is cranky ... take a break, or go to another part of the park. You will have so much fun regardless of whether or not you see every attraction or ride. It sounds like you have a smart approach already ~ Roll with it.

I hope the experience surprises you, and gives you the life-long memories it gave to our family. Enjoy!!!

[ReneeW]

Thanks for all the great feedback, Ladies! I really appreciate it!

Love, we're going in early April ... with today's snow may I say that our trip can NOT get here soon enough??!?!? We're going to the beach four 4 days and then Disney for 3 ... I'm just going to do as you say (as best as I can) and go with the flow, just kind of relax and enjoy the whole experience! I tend to get ... how do I explain? Like ... "chop-chop-chop we must go here and then there and rush over here and hurry up already" so I will have to be very, very disciplined and counter my own rush-around, see-everything tendencies so that I don't make myself or anyone else stressed! At least I know that's my weakness so I can consciously try to change!!

[bunsy]

Do some planning ahead. Look at what each park has. Ask your kids to each list their top 3 things they want to see at each park you plan to visit. Make sure you hit the "must sees" and then just wander and enjoy your time. Don't try to see everything cuz you'll definitely make yourselves nuts.

[apryllraye87]

We went when I was 10 and tried to do everything... it was a fun vacation but wayyyy too much running around. I would have preferred it be less 'planned' and more go with the flow.

Like the others have said, bring snacks & rest when needed. I'm sure everyone will have a blast!

[camilla]

Where are you guys staying? I would drop AK but do Epcot! We have been 3 times with my now 6 year old and she LOVES Epcot. There are dinosaurs, race cars, the Imagination ride is a fav at our house. My daughter also enjoyed the different countries you can explore. Lots of the countries have rides and Epcot actually has great character experiences. The countries all have princesses. We have met Snow White in Germany, Aladdin and Jasmin in Morocco, Beauty and the Beast and Marie from Aristocats in France. Donald Duck hangs out by Mexico, Mulan in China. If you have a Disney Visa you can meet the fab 5 inside at a semi private meet and greet that will include a free photo. Tinkerbell and Chip and Dale are also in Epcot.

Fast passes are your friend. In Magic Kingdom I suggest getting there when they open and getting fast passes for Peter Pan. That is currently the most popular ride in Disney. In December the new Fantasy Land open and is supposed to be fantastic. I can't wait to see it. I'm bummed I missing my travel agent trip there in April.

In Epcot the fast pass to get is Soarin'. The ride is a must. My daughter loved it. If one of you kiddos is to young to ride it ask for a pass at the desk. They will issue you a fast pass that allows you to switch off riders so you don't have to wait in line again.

If you have park hopper passes you could potentially hit up Hollywood Studios in the morning for all the Disney Junior stuff and the Indiana Jones show and then hit Magic Kingdom in the afternoon. We do that a lot.

If you need anything let me know. Disney is what I do for a living!