(Jenny, I know you’re going to accuse me of smoking more crack…)
But last night Andy and I booked a trip to Disney World!
And, against our better judgement, we’re taking the kids.
Andy, Kate and I went two years ago, when she was three, and it was sooooo great. We had planned to wait to go again until Sammy was about that age as well, but….
Have you seen the deals they have going right now?? You know the economy is bad when Disney is practically paying people to go there. (Ok so that’s not exactly true…). But seriously, right now they’re running a promotion where if you pay for four days/nights, you get three days/nights for free, including park admission!
I spent a lot of time pricing out different locales for our summer vacation, and really this is such a good deal we couldn’t pass it up. We’ve got Park Hopper passes and the Disney Dining Plan (I like to know exactly how much we’re going to spend – and have it paid for – before we go) and I am soooooo excited.
And feeling a slight bit nervous.
After all, we are going to Disney with a five-year-old and a 19-month-old.
Perhaps we are crazy.
So I need your help, readers, because I know many of you are Disney experts (that means you, Karen. Can you hear me out there or does the sounds of screaming from the Tower of Terror in your back yard drown me out?) and traveling-with-kids experts and just plain Mom experts. Please, leave a comment with your top suggestion for making this trip a success!
And Jenny, our plane tickets are non-refundable, so I don’t want to hear your top suggestion about cancelling the trip, stat. K?
My best traveling-with-a-kid-to-Disney-or-any-other-crowded-place can be found here.
I can’t wait!
My suggestion is to take lots of valium. And maybe some horse tranquilizers. Have fun!
I think it’s a great idea. 😀 If we didn’t have another big vacation already booked, we would TOTALLY be booking a Disney vacation right now. The deals are just too good to pass up.
I’m sure you’ll make some great memories. 😀
I’m thinking me need to book now…we’ve been talking about going….off to check these fabulous deals!
We are going to Disneyland this summer. It is just me and a three year old. You arn’t crazy we just ain’t scared!
I did a blog post about doing a Disney cruise with my two littles last Thanksgiving: http://brianemily.blogspot.com/2008/12/disney-cruising-with-toddler-and-infant.html
Much of it applies directly to cruising, but it might have something helpful in there. I wouldn’t have done it at that time except that it was an extended family trip. But Disney does a really good job of accomodating families – they are really great!
We just did Disney with a 4 1/2 year old, a 3 year old and a 1 year old. We had a great time. We all took naps everyday which I think was the key to our having a good trip.
We just got back from Disney. It was great. We have a 6 year old daughter and 1 year old son. We also did the buy 4 days get 3 free, plus we got a $200 gift card. We went to every park 2x except Hollywood Studios, which we did once. We got to each park between 9-10am everyday and left each of them when they closed. We even did Downtown Disney when the parks closed early. I think the 7 days was a bit long, but we also had some friends meet us there halfway through our trip. So we had a few days there with people we knew. My son took naps everyday, and my daughter did really well. I hope you have a good trip.
How exciting! I just got back on Saturday. It was great. We had the dining plan too but, then I couldn’t eat much because I got a stomach virus, arrrgh. If you want any restaurant recommendations let me know. You definitely want to make your dining reservations 90 days out if you want good times and places.
We did it with an 11 month old before and with a 24 months old before. Both times were great! They are so fun there at that age and there is tons for them to do.
Yep. You’re crazy.
I LOVE Disney! Have a blast!!!!
That’s so exciting! I’m sure you will have a great time. I read a tip recently that made great sense. Buy your Disney toys/stuff before you leave for vacation at the dollar store because it is so expensive in the park. Give it to your kids when you visit the park.
Awesome! Disney is fantastic! We went with a 6 month old and 2 year old and it was fine! They are so family-friendly! I’d suggest a little down time – afternoons or even take a “day off” from Disney during your stay just to rest up for more fun! I love your blog!
does “take me and I’ll be your babysitter” work as advice. I haven’t been to Disney since I was seven so I have no advice but my friend took a 6 and 1.5 year old last summer and naps were the key to their success as well.
Just don’t spank Kate when you’re there. you’ll never live it down.
We took Faith and Lucy down in 2004 when Faith was 4 and Lucy just turned 1… but we brought reinforcements (my parents). My mom wasn’t too much into the rides so she sat a lot with Lucy. John and I were able to go on things and ditch the kids with the grandparents and it was a fun time had by all.
Last time we went was last August for Faith’s 8th and Lucy’s 5th birthdays (we wanted to wait until Lucy was 40 inches so she could ride things). We didn’t have the parents. We split up a lot more than I thought we would, and used the cell phones a lot updating the other on our status of which ride and line we were in.
My best advice is to be proactive rather than reactive (which I know you are), especially with the kids tolerance levels. I think I went on the carousel of progress no less than 5 times last trip… but it was a much needed quiet time, even just for a few minutes.
Oh, and get fast passes for the new toy story ride at Hollywood Studios early… those go quickly.
And you HAVE to take Kate to the Playhouse Disney show place at Hollywood Studios during the Hollywood Studios magic hours at night. They have the best kids dance party there. How many kids can say they danced with Pluto and hula hooped with Minnie… mine can! Kate will LOVE it!
And take advantage of a lot of the wonderful shows. It’s nice downtime, but entertaining as well. I’m sure Sammy will like Finding Nemo.
I’m so jealous.
I just got back from Disney World with a 19 month old a week and a half ago. I did some blog posts about our trip, if you want to read them.
My suggestion is only do what they want. For example, we took my older son when he was about the same age and he loved most everything. But, his brother did not like things with loud noises like It’s Tough to be a Bug. So, some of the things we avoided. He did start liking the fireworks after a couple nights.
I know y’all will have a blast! If you have any more questions, just let me know.
I love love LOVE Disney! My grandparents used to take us every summer…so I’ve been 16 times! Last year we decided that our kids were old enough(3 y/o and 20 m/o)…and it was perfect! They had so much fun! And we did, too! My biggest Disney “trick” is one I learned from my grandmother all those years back. Go through the parks counter-clockwise. When you first get to the Magic Kindom, everyone heads to Tomorrowland. But if you go off to the left instead, you’ll be going against all the crowds!
Good for you! We lived in Orlando for a short while when the kids were very little. We went to Disney quite a bit but my youngest doesn’t even remember it. They are now 8 & 11. I want to get back before they are too old to enjoy it. I’m going to have to check out these deals. I’ve heard the Disney Dining thing is a great deal.
I almost missed this post because I was out in my yard watching the Magic Kingdom fireworks! 🙂
My #1 bit of advice……give me your dates so I can meet up with you!!!! 🙂
Secondly…..my dd does babysitting for ppl we know at their resorts (or here) so if you and dh need a night out, just holler!
Third….where r u staying?
Fourth….ditto ditto ditto on the daily down time. Our first trip, KT was almost 5 and Nick was 3. Every day we went back to the resort (RIP Dixie Landings) and I stayed in the room while Nick napped and KT and Mike went to the pool. After that we were all recharged for some more fun.
Darn, you said leave your TOP suggestion. I gave you 4. Sorry for hogging your comment section. 🙂
p.s. I’m SO excited for you!
Get the “Unofficial Guide”. It has great suggestions for what to see and when, and it is updated yearly. You can also print off a lot of their stuff online. I use it every time we go!
I’ve been to WDW four times, but never with kids. That might tell you how much I LOVE IT and I don’t at all think you are crazy for going now. Biggest tip is staying on property (which clearly you are) – the perks are totally worth it. Also – naps. Yes. Even for the biggest kids (adults). Enjoy! Magic.
How exciting. I love Disney.
If it makes you feel any better, we are going in June with a 9 year old, 2 – 8 year olds, a seven, five, and four year old. Yes, that is six kids and 4 adults – its sure to be a hoot!
You will have a blast!
My only advice is don’t kill yourself trying to do it all. You will end up with cranky kids and even crankier adults.
When are you going? Are you staying at a Disney property?
Hi Emily,
My hubby and I are taking my oldest two to DW in May for the first time. I went back and read about your first trip with Kate and was very interested in your research you had done about tips, when to ride what, etc…Do you mind e-mailing some of that? We only have 2 days, so I know we won’t hit everything, so I especially want to have a game plan. One of my friends suggested to go to some guys website, who is an excellent Disney planner, but it costs $22, and since we are only going to be there 2 days, I’d rather just try and do that myself, via people who’ve gone to DW. Jake and Lydia are 7 and 6, so we won’t be having to work around naptimes. Thanks in advance if you get a chance to do this. I am super excited to go, I really wanted my daughter to be able to have the whole princess experience while she is still obsessed with them. =) And the only thing that I know, for sure, that we will do is the Bipidi Bopidi Botique (her birthday gift from us).
Awesome…we just got back as well a few weeks ago!! We have a 3 1/2 yr old and a 6 yr old..PERFECT ages…sooo much fun 🙂
My 1st suggestion would definitely be the DINING PLAN!!! SOOOO worth it…Wolfgang Puck Express @ Downtown Disney is a quick service meal and is super YUMMY and you get TONS of food 🙂
2nd would be get Disney stuffed animal’s before you go @ Disney store…way cheaper and you can leave them in the room when you head out for the day, then they come home to 2 new Disney character’s. We found our’s for B1G1 @ $6..totally worth it!!
3rd, absolutely do the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique…totally worth it…especially if your daughter is 5…sooo priceless!!!
Have fun and can’t wait to hear all about it 🙂
If you google Moms Panel, it will take you to the Disney Mom’s Panel site. You can read through THOUSANDS of questions relating to specific parks, restaurants, dining plans, resorts, etc., as well as post your own questions. I took my 6 year old son last year (and we’re going again this year)and I read this site almost every day before the trip. By the time I got there, I felt like a pro!!