goofiesgirlies
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2002
We were in Disney March 1-8 with our 5 yr old DD. Couple things that we did right and a couple we didn't do so right! Maybe this will help someone down the road. (Sorry it got so long!)
1. Automatic flushers on the toilet. Although my DD has been toilet trained for years she absolutely freaked out with the automatic flushers. Explain to your kids they need to sit still - this made an enourmous difference because the sensor wasn't always set off with her constant wiggling and we didn't have a DD afraid to go to the bathroom! (I can't believe I'm even telling you this, but it was an issue at the start of our trip!)
2. When you go to any sit down restaurant order the kiddie meal when the waitress takes your drink/appetizer order. Make sure you emphasize that you want the kiddie meal served ASAP. This works like a charm - kid is happy, you are happy and less before dinner nightmares especially if the restaurant is busy and serving is slow.
3. Stop at least every two hours for a snack break especially if you have younger children. We forgot this in our excitement the first day at AK. It quickly caught up to us when our DD was becoming a complete nightmare. It is funny how a little package of Cheezits even in line if necessary can boost DD's spirits and revive her instantly. (Have to mention she eats like a bird so this really becomes important when you are on the go like you are at the theme parks.) We also had to remind ourselves to make sure DD drank enough water. It was hot and humid and of course kids will get dehydrated long before adults do.
4. If you can afford to upgrade the rental vehicle so that you have an automobile that your kids can see out of it is well worth the extra $5 a day. I know this can be hard to do with all the dough that leaves your pocket on vacation. But it was worth it for us. My husband thought of this one - I didn't agree when he told me he had upgraded to a small SUV. After the trip I had to admit (for once) he was right!
5. Don't worry about the 3 meals a day plan while on vacation. We often didn't have a real lunch. Maybe a couple snacks or some fruit and then had a nice sit down dinner later for supper. It was hot and appetites aren't very big during the hot part of the day. Live it up and have a Mickey ice cream bar instead.
6. If you have been to Disney before, (we had been there once before) ask your kids what they want to do or see. Let them dictate to some degree what ride to do next. If they have a little piece of control, everyone is much happier. I was not at all thrilled with standing in line to get Ariel's autograph for 40 minutes, but for my DD that was one of the highlights of the trip!
7. Do read several guidebooks and of course the DIS for appropriate rides for your kids. I know that DD is scared of dark, loud things so we chose to skip a handful of rides so that we all enjoyed the day.
8. Do go to the parades and shows. DD loved them all. When I first planned to go to Disney I figured we could skip parades, shows and Toon Town. (Seems like a waste of this commando's time.) However, the parades, shows and Toon Town were DD's favorite things. Live and learn.
Your vacation won't be perfect. Expect the meltdowns when you least expect them. Don't be surprised if your kids favorite thing on vacation is the pool!
But all in all I hope you will have a wonderful, magical vacation at the happiest place on earth!
--Jn
1. Automatic flushers on the toilet. Although my DD has been toilet trained for years she absolutely freaked out with the automatic flushers. Explain to your kids they need to sit still - this made an enourmous difference because the sensor wasn't always set off with her constant wiggling and we didn't have a DD afraid to go to the bathroom! (I can't believe I'm even telling you this, but it was an issue at the start of our trip!)
2. When you go to any sit down restaurant order the kiddie meal when the waitress takes your drink/appetizer order. Make sure you emphasize that you want the kiddie meal served ASAP. This works like a charm - kid is happy, you are happy and less before dinner nightmares especially if the restaurant is busy and serving is slow.
3. Stop at least every two hours for a snack break especially if you have younger children. We forgot this in our excitement the first day at AK. It quickly caught up to us when our DD was becoming a complete nightmare. It is funny how a little package of Cheezits even in line if necessary can boost DD's spirits and revive her instantly. (Have to mention she eats like a bird so this really becomes important when you are on the go like you are at the theme parks.) We also had to remind ourselves to make sure DD drank enough water. It was hot and humid and of course kids will get dehydrated long before adults do.
4. If you can afford to upgrade the rental vehicle so that you have an automobile that your kids can see out of it is well worth the extra $5 a day. I know this can be hard to do with all the dough that leaves your pocket on vacation. But it was worth it for us. My husband thought of this one - I didn't agree when he told me he had upgraded to a small SUV. After the trip I had to admit (for once) he was right!
5. Don't worry about the 3 meals a day plan while on vacation. We often didn't have a real lunch. Maybe a couple snacks or some fruit and then had a nice sit down dinner later for supper. It was hot and appetites aren't very big during the hot part of the day. Live it up and have a Mickey ice cream bar instead.
6. If you have been to Disney before, (we had been there once before) ask your kids what they want to do or see. Let them dictate to some degree what ride to do next. If they have a little piece of control, everyone is much happier. I was not at all thrilled with standing in line to get Ariel's autograph for 40 minutes, but for my DD that was one of the highlights of the trip!
7. Do read several guidebooks and of course the DIS for appropriate rides for your kids. I know that DD is scared of dark, loud things so we chose to skip a handful of rides so that we all enjoyed the day.
8. Do go to the parades and shows. DD loved them all. When I first planned to go to Disney I figured we could skip parades, shows and Toon Town. (Seems like a waste of this commando's time.) However, the parades, shows and Toon Town were DD's favorite things. Live and learn.
Your vacation won't be perfect. Expect the meltdowns when you least expect them. Don't be surprised if your kids favorite thing on vacation is the pool!
But all in all I hope you will have a wonderful, magical vacation at the happiest place on earth!
--Jn