We just made reservations this week to go next month for our girl's bday. I am so excited!! We are not going to tell the girls until days before we leave. Actually we are leaving on St. Patty's day. I have lied so much this wk just trying to keep this from them. My excitment hopefully won't get the best of me.
Anyways, I have a few questions for those who have gone. The airlines that we are using does not have free luggage, so we have to pay for my dh and I. I was wondering if I should just pay the extra and pack all the 3 of the girl's clothes in one suitcase. Or should I get them their own 19 or 20" carry ons and let them pull them themselves? They will also be carring their school backpacks. Plus we will be carrying our carry on as well. My dh thinks that he will be the "pack mule" as always. But I think that it will be fun for them. It's a nonstop flight, so they won't be dragging them to far.


Also what was everyone's favorite place to see and eat at? I'm trying to figure out a basic plan on what we are going to do while there. I would like to do a character meal with them. And did anyone ever do the engraved Mickey ears or the princess tiara's?

I really appreciate anything that you can answer for me. I have already 2 lists started, just trying to stay as organized as I can. Did I mention that I am excited! This will be their first plane ride, their first real big vacation. Thanks again and sorry so long.




Nicole
My little ladies,
Brynn, Taylor, Shelby
36w,3/22/04

I would pack their own carry ons and let them pull those. Especially since it's a non stop flight. I have a hard time packing clothes for 3 kids in ONE suitcase! lol You also have to remember that that ONE suitcase must not weigh over 50 lbs or you pay extra for the weight. My kids love having their own suitcases to pull.


Good Luck & have FUN!!!


Terri~
12/21/01 at 33 weeks

We went to WDW last December. We flew Southwest, so didn't have the luggage issue. My kids are 7 & 9.

They each carried a small backpack with things to keep them busy, a small lovey, and a few things I packed in ziplocs, like a change of underwear and a clean knit shirt. The busy stuff was "shared" so each had something different and we took turns. Also gave each a mechanical pencil, some crayons, and a book to "journal" in. I think a rolling suitcase might slow them down and also we wanted them to be able to have access to their stuff. We didn't want their packs in the overhead bins. The packs they used were simple canvas that they earned at the library reading club last summer. It helped to have their hands available when we needed to hold hands in airport crowds. But we were outnumbered: 2 adults to 5 kids.

Our suitcases had clothing for everyone in each. So if something got lost, we all still had some clothes.

DH a carried a rolling carryon that we planned never to get into. I carried a big backpack that doubled as my purse. It had our small camera in it. I also carried our netbook (we downloaded photo and videos each night). DH carried the camera bag which had our DSLR and our pocket sized video camera.

We put a quart ziplock in 2 of our girls' backpacks. It had kid medicines. We picked the 2 most responsible and least likely to say something stupid through security.

My biggest airport tip is to have the kids wear easy shoes, like crocs. And before you go through security, tell them what to expect. Have one adult go through first, then the kids, then the other adult. At Orlando, they actually have a "family" line, which is nice.

We did a ton of character meals since we had free dining. My kids loved Chef Mickeys, but I felt it was rushed. We all LOVED Tusker House before park opening. Again, a bit rushed, but I think most pre-opening breakfasts would be. I thought Akershus at Epcot was OK.

I suggest going to www.disboards.com, but try not to get caught up in the drama and off-topic discussions. Also, I found Tour Guide Mike to well worth the $18 to know HOW to tour. People on those message boards are fabulous. Also, sign up for Mouse SAvers emails.

If you get embroidered Mickey ears, get them early so the kids can wear them and enjoy them. I think you can order from Disney store online now, so you could order ahead and use them as part of your surprise "reveal".

Have a GREAT time. We had so much fun and although ours was a "trip of a lifetime", I'm working on figuring out a way to go back in the next couple of years. Now that I've been through the learning curve and know what kind of riders my kids are, I think another trip would be even better.

MonsterMom6
10 year old ^b^ b twins @ 30w5d (1 survivor) and
8 year old gggg quads @ 32w0d

Thanks for all your tips!
We are leaving in the next 3wks, and I can't wait. I'm still trying to get organized and trying not to get to many anxiety attacks as I think about getting ready and flying. How was flying SWest? Were you able to sit with everyone? I was told that you could possibly get seperated on the plane. That's why we went with the other airlines and are now paying for my dh's and my luggage. I found luggage for the girls to pull and their school backpacks to take on the plane with us.

We are staying at the Port Orleans Riverside, with two queen beds with a trundle. Hoping praying that their will be enough rm. We are also doing 2 character meals and 1 dinner show at the Polynesian. I also signed up for the girls to do the Bibbidi bobidi boutique. They are just doing their hair and nails, we are taking their own dresses with us.

Did you have to take any ID for the kids? Did you go to downtown Disney at all? I thought about maybe doing that one night. I am so excited! Our girls don't know yet, plus they are going over their bday. We are planning on telling them the wkend before we leave. I can't wait to see their faces when we tell them! Well thanks again for all your help and tips.


Nicole

We were able to sit as a family on SW. We took a chance and did not pay $10 per person for priority boarding. Our boarding group was end of A and beginning of B on our outbound and NO trouble getting together, although we were further back. On our return, we were B and still were together. I would have asked for the flight attendants to assist us in being together if we were too far apart.

I have a friend that stayed at POR when her triplets were 6. I think they felt it was "roomy" enough, especially since they didn't spend too much time in the room. We had 2 connecting rooms at POP and it was lovely.

I'm sure your girls will LOVE BBB. We didn't want to spend the money and mine didn't seem to miss it. But also they don't know what they are missing and they did see some girls all dolled up, but didn't ask how that happened. And most of mine don't like having their hair tugged, so I don't think the high and tight buns would have lasted long.

We should have done more to "label" our kids. Have you looked into Safety Tats? Temporary tattoos with your phone number on it. Teach your kids how to ID a cast member and to stay put if they are lost. WDW is VERY good at reuniting lost parents with their children.

We didn't make it to DTD. It was tentatively planned, but just didn't work out. The night we might have gone, we got the special treat of meeting my 5 day old grand-nephew who lives about an hour away. He came to POP to meet me. I think if you don't go, you be missing anything, as far as I've heard. Be prepared to shop and spend with your critters. I've heard EArl of Sandwich is good food and there a few other restaurants you family may enjoy. I know my kids would have loved T-Rex.

Have a great trip! And make sure to video your big reveal. You'll want to save those expressions.

MonsterMom6
10 year old ^b^ b twins @ 30w5d (1 survivor) and
8 year old gggg quads @ 32w0d

you guys are going to have so much fun!

Port Orleans is a great resort. We've stayed a number of times and really enjoy the grounds. My kids LOVE the pool and slide, and there is a playground right by the pool that my kids, at 6, still loved to play on! French Quarter is a nice visit, too, and you can use that pool, which has a smaller slide and different vibe.

As to your questions:
DTD isn't a prority for us...food and shopping is really the only draw, and we would rather spend time in the parks. We have gone a few times and the kids do enjoy looking around.

We've never done BBB (I personally don't like the girls' looks when they are done, and my girls aren't very girly-girly, so I don't think they'd want to waste the hour sitting there which probably colors my opinion), but if your girls are really into princesses and dress up, I bet they'll LOVE it!

We've also never spent the money on the Spirit of Aloha show...it costs a LOT of money and I think my kids would prefer to be in the parks and/or play, rather than sitting there. Of course, I've heard it is a great show, and if you are looking for a Hawaiian experience, this would be a wonderful event (we've bought tix for my in-laws to go as they've always wanted to go to Hawaii...they said it was great, but they still might have preferred to do other things)

I think the best thing about a Disney trip is that there is SO MUCH to do within the parks and at the resorts that we've never felt the need to pay for the extras. PLus, the extras always take up such a big portion of time (travel, arriving early, the event, travel back), that I've never been willing to commit to that. Character meals, on the other hand, are a great break (and there is no commitment because you can cancel at any time) and a great opportunity to interact with characters without waiting in line!

One of our favorite night time activities is to hang out at the Polynesian Resort (where the spirit of aloha show is)....get food at their counter service restaurant (they have a rockin' pork sandwich!), play on the beach (I get a margarita at the bar to drink while watching the kids), watch the fireworks over Cinderella Castle (directly across the lake), watch the electric water pageant (at 9pm nightly in front of the Poly or directly after fireworks if those are at 9pm), and play some more at the beach. Sometimes we'll add a ride on the monorail, just for kicks. Remember, you can visit any resort, whether or not you are staying there. The only thing you can't do is swim in other resort pools.


Travel might be a bit trickier for you because you are flying (and presumably won't have a car), but with a bit of planning, you can get to pretty much anywhere.

PLan on at least 40 minutes to an hour to get where ever you want to go from Port Orleans....sometimes it's a matter of waiting 15-20 minutes for the bus you want.

Have you gotten a guide book (or got one from the library)? Have you been before? A basic plan is always a good idea. The best advice is to GET THERE AT OPENING. You can get more done in the 1st hour than you can the rest of the morning (and if it's busy, perhaps the rest of the day!). Seriously. We sometimes will be walking out of the park at 11-ish to go to lunch or back to go swimming, after 2 hours of doing everything we wanted to get done, watching people just streaming in and thinking..."I'm glad we won't have to deal with these crowds!"

IF you haven't gone to www. dis boards . com, they have great info.

One more thought: planning for Disney is truly half the fun for many people. You might want to consider telling the kids sooner. We have "Disney planning" nights were we look at park maps, watch the planning DVD, maybe eat Mickey head-shaped pancakes (or whatever), look at what summer clothes they want to pack, etc etc. We have also made autograph books, Disney tie-dye t-shirts, and activity books for the car ride down together prior to trips. This is SO MUCH FUN for kids!

After 10 trips to WDW with my kids, we asked them if they wanted to be surprised on the next trip (they just turned 7 and we're going in May)...they considered it, but in the end decided that they wanted to know at least a month before so we can do our countdown calendar and other planning. The calendar is quite a project, but so much fun...I do a 30 day countdown calendar with Mickey head-shaped cutouts on a posterboard. There are the number of "days left until Disney" on one side of the Mickey head, and a picture of something we'll do there on the other. Every morning, I hide 3 clues around the house -taped to a big Mickey head so they know what they're looking for. The clues are hints to what the picture is for the day. For example, if there is a picture of the pool at Port Orleans the clues might be 1. It is at our resort. 2. It will give you exercise. 3. Bring a towel, you'll get wet!
The kids love it.

Too much info for you? Too opinionated about your plans? Sorry!
It is a fun, fun experience and you'll have a great time, even if you DON'T do it my way

ask
ggb at 30 weeks

(edited to add: feel free to PM me if you have more questions)

Don't be sorry for your personal advice! Thankyou for all the tips. As much as I want to keep this a huge secret until we leave, I just don't know how I can keep it from them. The excitment alone is killing me...lol.
The leaving early tip, I was thinking we would have to plan atleast 30-40 min to do what we needed to do. I have checked out Disboards, and have got a lot of good advice online. I have not bought or checked out a guide book. That's another good idea. Will have to do that. The BBB I am still undecided whether I want to spend the cash on it. I just might have to take an extra hr to do everything in the room to dull them up, and freshen them up before they have dinner with Cinderella. I did watch the DVD that came in the mail. Got all teary eyed when I thought of how the girls are going to react to seeing everything for the first time.
Thanks again!


Nicole

"Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World"- for touring advice that will maximize your time. As PP said, being at the rope for rope drop (park opening) and touring according to a plan will make a huge difference.

"Passporter"- another planning tool, although I found the info to be a bit redundant and simplified with what you'll find at "The DIS" and in UG. But the maps are by far the best and MUCH easier to read than the official park maps. I used the maps to get my bearings while making our touring plans (with Tour Guice Mike and UG advice). Then carried the maps in the park.

MonsterMom6
10 year old ^b^ b twins @ 30w5d (1 survivor) and
8 year old gggg quads @ 32w0d

You have gotten great advice, so I will just add a little tid-bit here. I recommend the Princess breakfast at the castle of WDW. Try for the first seating in the morning -- you get into the park EARLY before all the crowds. All the princesses stop by your table, the food was actually really good and the "magic" of the entire experience was amazing.

We did not do the BBB, but DD did wear her own princess dress and I worked hard on making her extra beautiful. We bought our own body glitter, lip gloss and used a curling iron on her hair. She was absolutely glowing and thought she was the prettiest one there! (And I saved a boatload of $$$!)

Tara

Mom to BBG born at 33wks on 4/3/03

great suggestion!
either character breakfast (the Castle or Crystal Palace with Pooh, Tigger, etc) first thing in the morning (no later than 8:20) is AWESOME if you can swing it...walking down Main Street with no crowds, no pressure to get to a ride, nothing to do but take pictures and look at all the sights is REALLY a wonderful experience.

We like to do a Crystal Palace breakfast(we really like the food) at 8:10 and try and get to the front gate a bit before 8. That gives us 10-15 minutes to slowly meander down Main Street and get pictures in front of the Castle. Then, we're still done by 9 am for park opening!

Have fun,

ask
ggb at 30 weeks

I wanted to say thanks for tips and advice from all of you that posted. Well I started to pack, we leave on the 17th out of Baltimore. We are still not telling them, being that this is a big bday surprise for them. We figure that we will plan it and then if they want to see something special while there then yeah we will do it. I am cancelling BBB and saving about $180 that we can put towards them later. So I am going to spend the hr before we leave for the day and dull them all up. It'll be fun. I finally got my dh to sit still long enough to watch the DVD with me and to listen to what was planned for that wk. I think that he is finally excited about going. He really wasn't in the beginning.
I do have one question. So if you read all this than great hopefully you will answer this small question for me. Did any of you do the Disney Magic Express and did you do the luggage transfer and how long did it take to get your luggage to your rm? It says online that it could take up to 3 hrs for our luggage to make it to our rm. When we arrive we will be there after check in times. I was curious to whether I should pack extra ss shirts for my dh and I, for later if it's warm outside when we get there. The girls will already have everything with them. I'm trying not to pack as much on my carryon. Just curious if anyone had to wait long for their bags.
Thanks, I'm sure I will have some other small incedental questions before we leave.


Nicole

you are going to have such a wonderful time. And you know, you now have that $180 to play with in the parks (that was always my perspective when I cancelled something that was planned..."I WOULD have spent that money, so it's still in the budget!!").

I've never done ME, but I have heard/read that, in general, they are wonderfully consistent and that luggage is usally returned within the stated times.

That said, mistakes can be made. I'd definitely pack an extra change of clothes for all in carry-on(and any needed meds), and swimsuits if you're not going to the parks right away.

have a magical time!


ask
ggb at 30weeks

We used Magical Express, and yes, it can take some time before you get your luggage. I would EXPECT it to take 2 - 3 hours. We dressed in layers for the plane ride, and we left a cold climate in December (28 degrees). It was close to 80 in FL.

We wore jeans and short sleeves and took Lands End Thermacheck Fleece 100 hoodies for the plane. These were also our "cool evening" jackets and worked wonderfully. Kids got into a "pre-warmed" van for the ride to the airport. Our friend drove us in our van to the airport so we got out right at the door. Kids wore Crocs. They were comfortable enough for our afternoon/evening.

In their personal backpacks, each child had a ziplock with clean underwear and socks. I think in our adult carryon I put a couple clean kid tshirts.

DH prefers a long sleeve oxford when he travels. He may have been warm in the afternoon when we arrived, but handles it well. I don't. I was a bit warm in my jeans, but it was tolerable.

I would plan to check the forecast for your home and Orlando for your travel day 1 or 2 days in advance. It will help you plan and you can make last minute adjustments if you need to. I think it's been unusually cool this past winter in Florida.

MonsterMom6
10 year old ^b^ b twins @ 30w5d (1 survivor) and
8 year old gggg quads @ 32w0d

That's sounds about what we are going to do. I have been checking the weather and it does seem to be on the cool side. So I am packing alot of capris and ss shirts with sweatshirts for the girls. Someone gave me the idea of having the girls wear their crocs, easier for them going through security. They will also have their suitcases with them already, so I am not worried for them. I will just have to keep checking the weather channel and plan accordingly. It's coming down to the last wk before we leave, and I'm starting to make lists, putting things in bags as I try to remember them. Just trying to keep things together and trying to think of things to bring to make it easier for the girls. It isn't exactly crunch time yet but I can feel it coming and I always get so crazy when we get ready to leave...lol. Thanks for the advice.


Nicole