I just returned from an amazing trip to Disney World with my family. I can remember entering the gates of The Magic Kingdom as a child and being in complete awe of Cinderella's Castle as it towered over me. So, I was super excited to return with my children and share the experience with them.
Going back as a parent is totally different. Gone are the days of running from ride to ride carefree. No, when you're the grown up it takes lots of planning and organizing to make the trip run smoothly.
I did as much research as I could before leaving for the trip. I read guide books and asked experienced friends for tips. Yet, there are some things that you can only learn by living through them. Here are a few things that I learned from my time at Disney World that will ensure that it remains the happiest place on earth for your family:
Take a few gifts for your children with you. My mom came along with us and she had gathered as much Disney themed trinkets and toys as she could locally and then each morning presented the kids with a "gift bag". This really cut down on the kids coming down with a case of the "gimmies" at the gift shops and saved a ton of money because toys at Disney don't come cheap.
Also, bring plenty of glow sticks and things with flashing lights because when the sun goes down at the park, the vendors switch on all kinds of amazing looking light sabers, spinning wands, and blinking necklaces that are like beacons in the night.
Your children will be drawn to them and beg for you to buy them unless you beat them to the chase and slap a glow bracelet on their wrist that you brought from home. Once again saving you money and heartache.
Expect everyone to have at least one meltdown at some point during the trip. Running around the huge park is exhausting and tensions can run high while you're rushing to have fun.
My 3-year-old had an epic tantrum on the shuttle ride back to the condo. I had my own personal meltdown on day 2 when we had to rush back to the room to grab the tickets that I had left sitting on the counter. At those moments, it's best just to give the person space to freak out for a moment but stay close by to give them a hug when it's over.
That leads us to the fact that you will get in at least one argument with your spouse. At first glance, Disney parks are filled with happy and skipping children, but if you look a little deeper you will notice parents having hushed spats. So be prepared to get in a disagreement or two but be quick to forgive. We all can get a little nutty from so much stimulation.
Okay, this tip may seem cruel, but it totally worked so I'm going to share it woth you. Throughout the park there are Disney characters who sign autographs. Your child will suddenly be desperate to get Pluto's signature, but the lines can take hours.
So, we told the kids that our condo had a special deal that if you slipped an autograph book under the door of your room that a cast member will fetch it and run around the park getting the characters signatures while they sleep soundly. Then, just get the grown ups in the group to forge the signatures, slip it back under the door in the moring and Voilà, your kids are thrilled and you didn't have to wait in long lines. Everyone is happy! What happens at Disney stays at Disney, right?
Finally, it's important to go with the flow. My mom and I had mapped out a path through the park to maximize our chances of hitting all the rides by the end of the day. We eventually had to slow down and throw our plans out the window. My advice is to tarry through the park and stop when the kids show an interest in something. Rushing around can make a kid poop out fast.
So there you have it. My foolproof way to have the happiest of holidays at Disney World.
Have you ever taken your children to Disney World? What sort of tip and tricks do you have to make the trip more enjoyable? Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.
Britt
9:03 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
GREAT advice! Thanks so much for sharing!
stacey
9:03 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
These are some great ideas, and there are so many tips to enjoying your time at Disney World. I plan Disney vacations for a living through my travel agency, Favorite Place Travel, and I am happy to assist anyone thinking of tackling The Mouse!
Denny Wood
9:03 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Great Advice!
Kristi Reed
9:14 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
I was just at Disney over Thanksgiving and believe me, there were plenty of parents and children having meltdowns. My favorite parental threat (which I heard numerous times during the visit) was: "Stop doing [insert infraction here] or we'll leave." Yeah right - you shell out that kind of money to take a trip and you are not just going to pack it up and go home.
My key advice - use the fast passes when you can. Also, if you have any intention of getting on some of these rides, you better prioritize and get the fast passes early in the day. During crowded times, the fast passes may all get distributed early in the day (Toy Story Mania at Hollywood Studios is a good example - without a fast pass, the listed wait time was greater than two hours).
Also, Disney has free apps for iPhone and Android that list attraction wait time and show times. It also includes park maps - very handy. I would recommend downloading it before you go.
Leigh Hewett
10:35 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
We used a similar app and it really helped us! The best part was being able to find the nearest bathroom!
Linda Labbo
1:06 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Love the "tooth fairy-esque" way you got those autographs. That saved so many long waits in long lines to get character autographs! Awesome.
Leigh Hewett
10:35 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
I hope that my children never stumble upon this article and discover our little "Disney secret".
Karsten Torch
2:52 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Great article. I hate to hear bad stories about The World, but it's usually because somebody doesn't prepare themselves, either with knowledge or mentally. Knowledge consists of the tips and tricks of being there, usually learned from others. Mental preparation consists of knowing what you're in for, and being prepared for it emotionally. Having to deal with crowds, a sense of being rushed, the overload on your senses from sound and colors and experiences. Sounds cheesy, but Disney is better than anywhere else I know at putting that vaccuum hose in your pocket and pulling out all your money, and they do it a number of different ways. Some subtle, some not so, but either way, it affects you.
We go regularly, generally 3-5 times a year. Being Vacation Club does make this easier. What I tell people is make sure you schedule in some down time. Go back to the room for naps or swimming. If you're going to be in the park late, go in later in the afternoon after you're rested. I realize this is easier when you go all the time, as I don't feel like I need to rush to see everything and I don't feel the evil hands of time and money weighing down on me, but if you don't heed that advice, you won't go back. And that would truly be a shame....
Leigh Hewett
10:37 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
I'm totally addicted now and would love to go as often as y'all do. So true to have some down time, it makes a big difference in everyone's stamina.
Kim Roberto
4:26 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
I am one of the Disney haters! I've been 3 times - never again!
1.Once in college when it just opened (not nearly as mega-gigantic as it is now!). I was 18, away from home with a bunch of friends, and thought it (and I) was cool!
2. Once when my dgt. was in 4th grade. Didn't like the crowds, but it lived up to my expectations of being expensive with long lines. Dgt. liked it, but not to the point of begging us to go back again. We didn't know some of the movies they were promoting at the time (Roger Rabbit, Honey I Shrunk the Kids) so we missed out when everything related to those movies!
3. 3 years ago when my step-son was in middle school. Hubby & I hated the lines (even with fast passes) the crowds, the high prices, the BABY CARRIAGES, and all the meltdowns and crying kids! (Plus, having to have to maintain a happy face thoughout so as not to ruin our son's time.)
Call me a scrooge, but OMG - it just wasn't worth the money. I know people who go every year, and swear it it the best place on earth. I must be missing the charm - but that is me. (Yes, we planned the last trip out with the help a friend that goes all the time, so we were prepared.) My husband agrees with me, so there is no argument there. I'll vacation elsewhere, thank you. (Let the old, meanie, sour, grumpy, ogre responses begin!!) :)
Leigh Hewett
10:40 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
I could see how Disney World could be downright miserable for a person as well. You have to know your own limits for stimulation. I am an anti-It's a Small World person. I know that if I had ridden that ride, I would've ended up curled up in a ball and crying. I'm sure that many people feel that way about the whole park.
Sharon Swanepoel
5:04 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
I'm not a hater, but I'm not a lover either. Been maybe 3 or 4 times and that was more than enough. My daughter-in-law has a company that sells at specialized soap products at Disney for about 2 months, twice a year so she spends almost 16 weeks there and my son and grandson go down pretty much every 2 weeks during that time. Personally, I don't know how they do it - except for maybe my grandson who has now probably been to Disney World more than all of us put together, and when you're 7, that's pretty cool!
Leigh Hewett
10:40 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
How cool for him!
David Binder
6:54 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
I'm with you Sharon. I'm not a lover or a hater. I've never been to Disney, never wanted to. My wife has been twice in the last few years. Once with a car FULL of grandkids & the next year with her Mom & sister. I'm sure it's interesting, beautiful, fun, awe inspiring, whatever you want to call it. I just don't do well in crowds. Not to mention the expense. I just can't justify it right now.
Leigh Hewett
10:42 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
We left my father at home and it was for the best. He was much happier on his couch in his own home than he would've been wading through the crowds, trust me!