My First Disney Trip! About This Page:

[Dawn in Scotland]

Hi - I hope this is going to be a magical trip, and I am looking forward to reading more. Just one thing is niggling me - the morning you set out. How will your youngest two - especially the five year old - react to the news they are staying with Grandma instead? You obviously know your own children best, and if he'll be fine with it, but I'm just a bit concerned that the oldest three will be jumping about with excitement and he'll get upset at not going as well.
I don't like thinking of your trip starting off with a full scale melt down for you to deal with.

[Bellaciavo]

Originally Posted by Dawn in Scotland

Hi - I hope this is going to be a magical trip, and I am looking forward to reading more. Just one thing is niggling me - the morning you set out. How will your youngest two - especially the five year old - react to the news they are staying with Grandma instead? You obviously know your own children best, and if he'll be fine with it, but I'm just a bit concerned that the oldest three will be jumping about with excitement and he'll get upset at not going as well.
I don't like thinking of your trip starting off with a full scale melt down for you to deal with.

I thought of this too. I would probably have them sleep over grandma's the night before. I'm not sure I could pull off the surprise for my older children still, but my five year olds pleas to go too the morning of the trip would rip my heart out. But perhaps since they've never been they won't. Just something to consider.

[Colexis Mom]

Good luck with your plans

[B.M.]

Thanks for the concern about the 5 year old. However, he is my SPECIAL child and I have no worries of him wanting to go. I've actually hypothetically talked to him about going and with his delays there is NO worries of him repeating it to the other kids. He will be excited to stay with grandma, so no worries in that department. I did however consider taking them the night before just for sheer convenience, but granmas is and hour away and on the way to the airport, so I'm back and forth.

[Dawn in Scotland]

Originally Posted by B.M.

Thanks for the concern about the 5 year old. However, he is my SPECIAL child and I have no worries of him wanting to go. I've actually hypothetically talked to him about going and with his delays there is NO worries of him repeating it to the other kids. .

So you and him are allies - how cute!

[B.M.]

PRE TRIP REPORT: Continued.........
Day 7;
7am wake up, dress, breakfast, and off to the buses. I plan to make the Magic Kingdom rope drop (9am). This morning we are headed straight for Fantasyland. I hope to ride Dumbo, Winnie the Pooh, Snow White, and the Tea Cups. Then Haunted Mansion. Then I plan to head towards adventureland for lunch at Peco Bill's. I would like to see the tiki birds and tour the swiss family treehouse. Then , its off to Tom Sawyer Island. Afterwards, I figure it should be about time for the 3pm parade and I want to see that. Then I'd like to check out Hall of Presidents and the Riverboat ride. Then I have a 5pm ADR for Hoop Dee Doo Dinner Show. I'm very excited about this one and I expect my kids to love it, especially my second son who is quite the comedian. After dinner I plan to return to MK for Transit Authority and Carousel of Progress. I then plan to tour toon town and check out Mickey and Minnie's house, Donald's boat, and Goofy's Barnstormer. Then we can go back and hit up anything we missed or anything we would like to do again. I plan to see Wishe's at 10pm and Spectromagic at 11pm. I figure we will do good to get in bed by 1am--good luck to us since my kids normally go to bed at 8pm, but this is the only night I think I'm truly pushing it. (we will see)
Day 8;
This is our departure day. I plan to sleep in, especially after the late MK night. This will be our day to enjoy the pool and the resort. If we really want to head back to a park and do a little something we can or maybe even Downtown Disney, I will just see how it goes, but I expect to stay around the resort. I'm going to request a late check out (I think thats 1pm?, normally its 11am , right?) Our flight is not till 7pm and I expect to take ME around 4pm. We will eat lunch at pop food court assuming we don't go anywhere else. And that's it.
Thanks for reading and all input is appreciated!
In the mean time I still have some shopping to do for items we need for the trip and then there is of coarse the packing. I'm seriously considering buying some rolling luggage. I only have one that rolls and I know my dad has one we can borrow, so I think I'm going to try to pick up two more rolling suitcases (If I can find something somewhat cheap)

[MickeyMAC]

Great start. Enjoy your trip and enjoy the special time with your children.

[Nimros]

Wow. I am in awe of your planning and your dauntlessness in taking your kids (by yourself, no less!) to WDW for the first time ever!

Everything looks pretty good so far and you've gotten some great suggestions from other far more experienced people than I. There are a couple things I'll throwout for you to consider - especially as I learned a lot from our first trip last Sept.

We, too, had a very detailed plan of 'what to do when' (some might say 'commando touring') on our trip. Since at that time we felt compelled to see the best-of-the-best, just in case it was our one and only chance to see WDW. Now that we know we'll be back many more times, we realize that even though we did accomplish most of the items on our list, we missed some of the Magic waiting to be discovered when your pace is a bit slower.

However, I totally understand how having a plan and a routine can be essential - especially when you have a large family and you're doing it by yourself (I'm a mom to four.)

One other thing you might not have thought about is what your kids will want to do. You might be surprised that a big draw might be the swimming pool at your resort!

Anyway, I'm looking forward to reading your TR when you all get back! Looks like you have a pretty good handle on things.

[emtpej]

Hi B.!
I really like looking at your plans in detail because I think that helps me work out our trip better, too!

Day 7 sounds like a lot to do. I would be concerned about your afternoon plans and work your schedule back from you HDDR time. It takes a little bit of time to get from the MK to the show location (I forget how long), so be sure and leave enough travel time and not try to plan too much between the end of the parade (and crowds) and your ADR. (I would LOVE HDDR -- I'm not so sure about my family, though)

Day 8 from what you have said before and the ages of the kids, I was wondering if you planned enough time to see what the kids would like to see at DHS? If you have a ticketed day available, you might consider going there again for you last day? Someone can correct me if I am wrong, but I think you can leave your bags for DME at your resort and board DME from another resort? I have never used it as we drive to WDW...

I don't have the 'battle tested' experience that others do...

[Awdrey]

Forgive me if someone has already mentioned this. I myself will be taking our first trip next year, but I read on the forums that if you want to try and get Mickey for a wake up call to get it add odd times like 7:03. Hope it it great. Can't wait to hear the post trip report. How in the world are you gonna pack with out them seeing the bags? I love the surprise idea.

[Colexis Mom]

Great plans

[B.M.]

EJ: I was planning to leave MK at 4:30 (stopping what ever I'm doing) to leave for HDDR. I was thinking it was a quick boat ride away, do you think I need to allow more time than that?? I certainly don't want to be the least late.
I'm also really looking forward to all the shows at HS and I fully intend to go back on our last day if we missed anything important there.
Awdrey: Now that you mention it, I remember reading that somewhere also, I guess I'll try to make the wake up time 7:03 or 6:58 or something like that.

Thanks for all the input!

[KandJluvdisney]

sounds great
you really have done your homework
just be mindful that it will be hot and crowded
but other than that sounds great and can't wait to hear the rest

[disney_duke]

I'm totally impressed with your ambition!!! It all sounds like you have a great plan for everything - excellent planning for a first timer. You should be well prepared for any bumps in the road. I really hope it all goes well for you guys!

[DyanKJ130]

Originally Posted by B.M.

I was planning to leave MK at 4:30 (stopping what ever I'm doing) to leave for HDDR. I was thinking it was a quick boat ride away, do you think I need to allow more time than that?? I certainly don't want to be the least late.

Disney Dining always recommends (and we always allow) at least an hour for transportation. Sometimes the dock can be full of other guests, and I'd hate to see you miss part of the show because it took a little longer to get over to FW than planned. We like to arrive early and browse the Outpost. (They have an area in there where you could kill some time playing checkers if you got there super early) There are lots of other things around to keep you occupied, while you wait. You should make sure you have plenty of time for the family photo they will take prior to the show, as well. You're going to HDDR!

Hope this helps!!