Let's Talk about DisneyWorld

[texaslady22]

Things have worked out rather strangely, and we'll be driving on TWO trips to Disneyworld over the next 4 months--one in March and one in July. In March we'll be taking our foreign exchange student and 2 of his friends from China, in July we're going with family.

So--talk to me about taking a toddler to Orlando. Between our two trips, we'll be doing everything (all four Disney parks, Sea World, Aquatica, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure) so any advice you have for me will be appreciated.

He knows that we're going on vacation, and he knows we're going to drive "all day long." He also says that when he gets tired he'll take a nap in his stroller. But I don't think I can truly prepare him for the hysteria that is Orlando, FL (or the 16.5 hour 1-way drive there).

Any advice? I've been several times before, but never with a child.

[KL]

Wish we could go!

Isn't the Orlando Disneyland the largest in the world?

[texaslady22]

Wish we could go!

Isn't the Orlando Disneyland the largest in the world?

It's absolutely massive!! I read that the average visitor there spends 4-5 days and walks a total of 32+ miles between those days. Aaahh!!

[patreiche]

Yes, and if it is busy you wait in line for everything. We even had to wait in line for condiments. If you are taking a baby, I would recommend staying on site so you can return to the room. Use the early park openings to avoid lines. Take turns within your group staying with the baby. I wouldn't think the baby could stand more then a couple hours.

[christinc21]

My son is 3 and we will be going to Disney in August. We live abour 4 hours from there so I am not really concerned with the trip there. I  just hope that he will nap. He is starting to slow down on naps and doesn't take them every day now. I don't want him to get wore out but we will be going with 8 other people.

I was debating on which stroller to take. i know the umbrella stroller will be easier to fold up and carry when he is not using it, but I think the larger stroller will be good if I can get him to lay back and rest and it also has a shelter on the top, since it will be so hot.

Any advice and tips would be greatly appreciated for us as well. Or maybe money saving tips? I went about 8 years ago but had no children and had just gotten married. I guess you could say this is my first real "adult" trip.

[texaslady22]

I'm baaaack!!

Here's my advice, having just been:
1) Talk to your kid about it months in advance. Timothy knew that we would have to stand in lines. He knew that he couldn't buy everything we saw. That helped. Our whole 10 day vacation, he got a dinosaur and a glow toy and that's it (no ice creams, no giant lollipops, no $11 balloons). That helped!!
2) Take the big stroller that reclines and has a basket underneath. Forget lousy umbrella strollers...I don't think we would have made it without our big, bulky stroller (loved it).
3) Get there right when the parks open. We rode like 7 rides in 40 minutes. At midday, it was so crowded that waits were up to 60 minutes per ride.
4) If you don't want to stay on site (too much $$), stay in a vacation home. We got ours for a great price and Timothy had plenty of home to run around and play. We had a private pool to swim. It was much better than a hotel room. We could cook....
5) You will *have* to find playgrounds. Standing in line all day, riding rides, and riding in a stroller will quickly wear on your child. Go to the playground for an hour (they have them at DisneyWorld--pooh's playground, Donald's boat). Let him/her run around and get tired out. (Then Timothy would nap in his stroller while we had a nice lunch or watched a show).

[KL]

great tips!

btw, any pics to show us?

[Alexia]

I hope this advice does nto come too late but take advantage of the Fastpass in Magic Kingdom.  We were there this past weekend and it really saves you time from standing in lines.  SeaWorld is fun and they have a great nursing room/potties in the children's area next to the Shamu stadium.  We have season passes to SeaWorld and Busch Gardens because we live 10 minutes from Busch Gardens in Tampa.  I would also recomend that you buy a jogging stroller and not rent it from Disney, they run $15 per day for a sigle and $31 for a double which is outrageous.  I also suggest that you go to the Disney outlet store in the outlet mall on International drive instead of buying gifts in the Disney parks, it is much cheaper.

The parade in Magic Kingdom is different at 3pm and 8:15pm and it is worth seeing both.  If you plan to stay for the late parade take sweaters because it does get cold.

Alexia

[purplefungi]

I'm glad that you guys had a great time. I wish that we were closer to Florida!

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