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Post by judy on Apr 6, 2016 0:52:31 GMT
1st trip for 11 yr old ds. 16 year old went when he was 2. So basically new for both of them. May be just me and then. My DH may not be able to go.
11 doesn't like fast rides, 16 yr old does. 11 year old very picky eater. 16 yr old would eat steak nightly if I let him. 11 ds likes animals so I think he will enjoy animal kingdom.
We will be there late May Monday - Friday, staying at Pop Century.
I'm looking for any recommendations you have for us. I'm leaning toward no dining package. Will I regret that?
I'm leaning toward NOT telling them about trip until we go. Any suggestions on how to surprise them?
Thanks!
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Post by freecharlie on Apr 6, 2016 1:04:13 GMT
Is disney world in their wishlist? If nit, tell them. Let them look at the rides and stuff to do and help plan.
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Post by judy on Apr 6, 2016 2:00:06 GMT
I do like the idea of having them pick things to do there. I think we will tell them when it gets closer.
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scrappinwithoutpeas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,997 
Location: Northern Virginia
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Post by scrappinwithoutpeas on Apr 6, 2016 2:15:56 GMT
We are going this summer with DS16 and DD22 (and a bunch of extended family) and we opted for no dining package. IME (we've been twice before) we liked the flexibility of just doing our own meals as the need/mood strikes. Also, the dining package seems expensive for what you get. I mean, I know meals are expensive there, but I think we can do better on our own. Plus if you have one kid who's a picky eater, there may not be a lot of choices she likes.
As for surprising them with it, you know your kids and what their likely reaction would be, so go with your gut. We surprised DS & DD with it when they were 4 and 10, respectively. They loved it and DD started jumping up and down and squealing. She grabbed her brother's shoulders and tried to get him into the excitement but DS didn't really get it right away, because he had no idea what WDW was like. DH & I had been planning for months and managed to keep it a secret; all they knew was that we were going to FL to visit grandparents. Then after we left GP house, DH told them we were stopping for lunch at some friends' house near Orlando, which we did. But when we left after lunch he just drove straight to the park and said something like "now, I think we'll stay here for a couple days". DD looked up from the book she had her nose buried in to realize where we were and then she started losing it (in a good way)!
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Post by stingfan on Apr 6, 2016 2:37:19 GMT
I'd tell them now so they can be involved in selecting your fastpasses. You can do that now since you're less than 60 days out and staying on property.
We only ever did the meal plan once, back when it was a free perk and included a table service meal. It was nice to do once and try places we'd probably never go to otherwise. We've never felt the need or desire to do it again. We prefer to snack as we go and spend more time at attractions than at meals.
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Post by JustCallMeMommy on Apr 6, 2016 3:07:59 GMT
Even the wildest rides at DW are calm compared to other theme parks, so I think I would encourage your 11 to try most of them.
The meal plan is only a good deal if you do things like all order separate desserts at dinner. Free dining could be a good deal under some circumstances - but there is usually a % off at the same time that could turn out to be a better deal. In any case, it isn't an unbelievable deal. I put the money on a Visa gift card and made my own meal plan last trip.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Apr 6, 2016 3:17:27 GMT
As noted earlier, even the faster rides aren't all that scary at WDW. My 4yo (at the time) DD *LOVED* the 7 Dwarves Mine Train and Test Track, and this is a kid that cried on some of the dumb little rides at the county fair! We didn't do the dining plan but we wished we would have because for us it would have saved us money. Next time we will. We talked to several Vacation Club people there who said that it makes sense as long as you're not paying the adult dining plan price for your kids. As long as they're young enough to get the kid price it will be worth it. We didn't tell DD until she guessed where we were going on the airplane! It was fun.  |
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Post by jlynnbarth on Apr 6, 2016 4:30:57 GMT
If you are willing to wait with your younger ds, your ds that likes to go on the faster rides can get in the single rider line. It's supposedly a faster line. I've not used it since I've never been, but I'm going in 20 days!!!! I have just been reading a ton of hints and tricks on Pinterest. To me, half the fun and excitement of going on vacation is the anticipation. I think I would tell them and let them be a part of the planning. You can still surprise them. There are tons of those pins on Pinterest too  Maybe make your reservations for your fast passes all together once you've told them. Plan which parks to go to each day etc... I know my girlfriends and I have been having fun pinning food, treats, drinks we want to be sure and try while there. It's so exciting! Have a great trip! |
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Post by Scrapbrat on Apr 6, 2016 11:25:59 GMT
I would encourage you to tell them. For me, half the fun of a big trip somewhere is the anticipation and planning. I can understand surprising little kids who don't have a good concept of time, but with the ages of your kids, they can help plan and that can really be fun. IMO, the best planning guide is the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. It is NOT written like a travel brochure, and it gives you the type of info that you really want to know (for instance, what makes a particular ride scary to some kids).
I'd advise no dining plan. We've done both with and without, and the dining plan is just too much food for most people. Particularly with lunch, it's so much easier to just decide spur of the moment, see how hungry everyone is, etc. On nights when we have restaurant reservations, we will often just have a substantial snack or two instead of a big lunch.
On AK specifically, since you mentioned one of your kids would like it -- it is a BIG park with a LOT of walking. And, it's the park with the shortest hours (because of the animals), so I think it's key there to know what you want to accomplish and have a route planned. Get there at opening and be sure to hit the safari ride the second you enter the park, because the best animal viewing on that ride is early morning. The nature/environmental and ape areas are great, but you have to plan time for them because they take awhile. Oh and don't miss the Finding Nemo show and the Dinosaur ride!
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Post by cade387 on Apr 6, 2016 12:52:28 GMT
For planning check out WDW Prep School. Her podcasts and blog are awesome and she just launched a member forum too. (She is also on all social media too).
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Post by mikklynn on Apr 6, 2016 12:58:47 GMT
Bring money. Lots of money.
Have a great time!
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Post by anxiousmom on Apr 6, 2016 16:18:24 GMT
I'm not sure when you are headed to Disney, but pack a swim suit and head over to the water park for the day. Bring lots of sunscreen; pretty much any time between now and November is great for a fun day playing in the water. My son (17) and friends go once a month during the warmer months and love it more than any of the actual parks.
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