| Before You Go... | Park Touring Tips | Disney with Babies and Toddlers | |||||||||
| Just For Fun! | Large Families and Groups | coming soon... | |||||||||
| Touring with Teens | Touring with Seniors | Special Events | |||||||||
| WaterParks, etc... | Orlando Area | WDW Without Kids |
1. Get started ASAP, some people even plan trips years in advanced.
2. Do your research! Visit web sites, read guide books, and call Disney for you free trip planning video.
3. Involve the whole family in Planning, kids love to help, and have them help even with the trip budget.
4. Check to see if your employer is a Corporate member of the Magic Kindom Club( check with your HR office, if not suggest they join -it's free), if so get your free membership card good for discounts on rooms, tickets, meals, and many other perks. (future link to MKC info)
8. Get video tapes like Sing-A-Long at Disneyland, or picture books, I suggest looking in your local Disney Store. To help your little ones get to know where they are going. Trust me, this really works well with the 1 to 7 year old crowd!! My 2 yr old knew Main St when we arrived and said "Hey mom, it's Main St -wow!". Also helps them get to know the characters.
5. Make your room reservations well in advanced, I have made over 30 trips and decided the the packages really don't save any money. You can also often do better by calling Disney direct for room resv. rather then going through a travel agent. Also have several resort and date choices (just-in-case). Don't forget to ask if any specials are going on.
6. Create an Itinerary (also see park touring plans), have the whole family help (it's part of the vacation fun) make your dining plans and reservations early (60 days ahead in most cases).
7. We also start jars with each childs name to save their spending money for Disney. They give a piece of their allowence, do extra chores, help Grandma etc...even collect all those pennies that roll about the house. About a week before the trip we roll up the change and go to the bank.
8. Tight Budget? give parts of the trip (like passes) as Christmas, Birthday, etc.., presents. Sometimes this is a great gift for grandparents to give also. (Disney $'s are also available at the Disney Stores, so even a few $'s of spending money could be a great gift, Disney $'s can be spent anywhere in WDW).
1. Arrive at the parks 30 min. before opening (especially Magic Kingdom). The best time to tour is early well others are still at breakfast. Sometimes you get more done in the first two hours then you do all day.
2. Try to eat at off-peak hours ie. lunch by 11am or after 2pm, this is great advice also if you don't have reservations. Ride lines tend to be shorter between 11:30 and 1:30.
3. Take an afternoon pool or nap break. This really helps keep everyone in a good mood, and a must if traveling with little ones or seniors. The heat and crowd can really take a toll, and, the parks are most crowded during this time of the day. Go back to the parks in the late afternoon.
4. Park Hop - If you are at Studios, Animal Kingdom, or Magic Kingdom and it gets toooo crowded try EPCOT. EPCOT seems to hold a crowd better then any other park, a great afternoon park(especially during peak hours when I take my pool break).
5. At all costs avoid the Magic Kingdom on Saturdays, this is it's MOST crowded day. I only go to the MK on Sat. to see SpectroMagic at night. If your staying at a Disney Hotel go to E ticket night ($10 per person) and ride the best rides with no crowds and lines.
(click here for more info. on e-tix. nights)
6. Have all family members carry fanny packs. Kids can put autograph books and large pen in them, also maybe a snack or juice box. If it looks like rain, those mickey ponchos will also fit. (except you may have to lose the autograph book) also try and find a small wallet to use in the fannypack and carry just what you need (ie. traveler checks, ID, credit card, passes, room charge) I ofter leave the extras locked up. a small camara (the disposable type also works great -especially for kids) will also fit and no bags to lug around (just be careful that your kids don't leave in the restroom)
7. Epcot is my afternoon part. Future world often has no lines in the afternoon (except for Test Track -if it is working). The kids really enjoy the rides in Mexico and Norway also. Norway also has a great bakery to stop for a snack (try the Rice Cream)and those without a sweet tooth can try the beer. For history buffs, don't miss The American Adventure, very moving (and has a/c if it's hot out).
MORE TIPS TO BE ADDED SOON SO VISIT AGAIN!
1. Use the 'Baby Centers' in the main parks!!! These are great places. Very clean, have changing tables, restrooms, highchairs and a place to heat food, private rooms with rocking chairs to nurse baby. And you can buy baby needs (meds also, for adult and baby) even a change of clothes. In the past I have often nursed my baby here and enjoyed the break from the crowds and heat well my hubby takes the big kids off in another direction for a while.
Travel with Baby or Toddler
2. Light weight cotton clothing are a must. The heat can be bad year round in Florida, however April through Oct. can be extra hard on the little one. Don't forget and check with your Dr. about your baby may need extra fluids. I also bring a crib blanket for the room, most hotels do not supply them.
3. Head out early in the day, then stop for a nap/pool break. This way you'll avoid the heat of the day, biggest crowds, and grumpy kids and adults. Head back out in the later afternoon - as you enter the park look at all those hot tired people leaving. Don't forget lines and toddlers don't mix well, so also avoid the Early Entry park (especially if staying off-prop.)that is the day of highest attendence in that park.
4. Cheap umbrella type strollers work out well (Walmart has them for under $10)., it is cheaper then rentals and you'll have a stoller to use at the resorts, waterparks, etc... I put a BIG name tag on mine.
5. I use a small diaper bag that will hang on the back of a stroller. I often leave it well on the rides and have never had a problem.
6. Swim diapers -great! (no 50lb wet diapers) keep one handy in the diaper bag. toddlers love the fountains and afterwards just throw away the diaper, no wet suit to carry around. These work out well at the resort pools and waterparks.
7. Bring a nightlight for the room.
8. I like to travel with powered baby formula, just mix as needed, no worry of spoilage and you can buy bottled water anywhere.
9. Diapers and baby needs are NOT cheap at the resorts so try and bring what you need. I have had friends UPS diapers and snacks to the resorts before they leave. Many towncar services will make a free stop on your way from the airport.
Have any suggestions or tips please email them to me and I will add them to the site.
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