Trying To Help Friends...

**disneyfanatic101** · 07-14-2007, 09:52 AM

Hi everyone!

My mom and dad's friends are going to WDW for the first time in countless years and they are going with their kids. They are going in January when the weather is bearable and crowds are down.

They have 3 kids:
Boy- 7th grade this school year

Girl- 5th grade this school year

Girl- 2nd grade this school year

What tips can you give them? What ride should they check out? etc. I will give all your tips to them in the future.

Thanks for the help!

**GaRain** · 07-14-2007, 11:00 AM

*Stay on property to take advantage of transportation and extra magic hours
*Taking a break in the day is a good way to enjoy your resort and take in some pool time
*Booking a princess meal at the castle or Norway would be a great thing for the girls
*make your own or buy autograph books
*have the kids start earning Disney Dollars for spending money. Then tell them that they can use their own money to buy something they want instead of asking the parents all the time.

If they are planning to all stay in one room - try Port Orleans Riverside! In the Alligator Bayou section they have Trundle Beds and 1 room can sleep up to 5 people.
The All Stars Music Resort also has family suites....

**disneyfanatic101** · 07-14-2007, 02:45 PM

They might already have a hotel, I'm not sure.

**MayBWeRMnt2B** · 07-14-2007, 04:43 PM

Rides at Epcot that are a *must see* -

- Journey into Imagination (for everyone, the kids will be young enough to like it still)
- Honey I Shrunk the Audience (do it last thing before they leave for a break, just incase it scares the lil ones!)
- Soarin'
- Seas with Nemo & Friends
- Test Track
- Mexico Boat Ride

**disneycrazy1956** · 07-14-2007, 06:01 PM

For the girls, The Voyage of the Little Mermaid at MGM, for all the kids Mickey's Philharmagic at MK. The Disney Dollars are a great idea. You can buy them at the disney store a few or as many as you want at a time. Don't forget breaks during the day for the kids.

Tell them to have fun!

**WDWFan08** · 07-14-2007, 07:23 PM

I could go on and on with what I know about Disney World, and this is coming from a 21-year-old. That must say something. I'm putting an attachment up here because my parents have always asked me to be the one who writes the tips and tricks to getting around Disney World. So I saved it and made some changes here and there. Feel free to forward it to them. Hopefully it'll be a lot of help. It's in Microsoft Word format.

**SnwhtNdwrfs** · 07-14-2007, 07:24 PM

If they are staying on property, they might want to invest in the Dining plan. It is worth it and it might be a way to feed that 7th grade boy!

**disneyfanatic101** · 07-14-2007, 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by SnwhtNdwrfs

If they are staying on property, they might want to invest in the Dining plan. It is worth it and it might be a way to feed that 7th grade boy!

I think they are doing the dining plan.

**disneyfanatic101** · 07-14-2007, 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by WDWFan08

I could go on and on with what I know about Disney World, and this is coming from a 21-year-old. That must say something. I'm putting an attachment up here because my parents have always asked me to be the one who writes the tips and tricks to getting around Disney World. So I saved it and made some changes here and there. Feel free to forward it to them. Hopefully it'll be a lot of help. It's in Microsoft Word format.

Thanks for the document! I will send it to them right away

**SnwhtNdwrfs** · 07-14-2007, 09:55 PM

They can also visit Deb's Unofficial Walt Disney World Vacation Information Guide - WDW Planning Guide - Walt Disney World That site has a lot of great information!

**disneyfanatic101** · 07-15-2007, 07:42 PM

I told her to check this page out...so keep them coming!

**ohiodisneydad** · 07-16-2007, 09:11 AM

I love the Word file! I saved it myself. I hope your friends can take advice to heart and use it to their advantage

. I recently tried to help out a friend who just went and he completely blew me off. This is his second trip his family has taken and the first was a nightmare. His wife insisted on Park Hoppers the first time and they didn't use them. She also booked multiple character meals and spent an average of $80 per dinner! He ended up borrowing against his retirement plan at work to do his first trip! His second trip they started out using a timeshare his in laws have and then got hit with a TON of fees to use the place during peak time.

He and I grew up together and have been friends for years so we had been talking about doing a big combined family vacation. I have decided to toss that idea into FIle 13.

I'm no expert but these forums have helped me be better then the average Joe when it comes to WDW info.

**disneyfanatic101** · 07-16-2007, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by ohiodisneydad

I love the Word file! I saved it myself. I hope your friends can take advice to heart and use it to their advantage

. I recently tried to help out a friend who just went and he completely blew me off. This is his second trip his family has taken and the first was a nightmare. His wife insisted on Park Hoppers the first time and they didn't use them. She also booked multiple character meals and spent an average of $80 per dinner! He ended up borrowing against his retirement plan at work to do his first trip! His second trip they started out using a timeshare his in laws have and then got hit with a TON of fees to use the place during peak time.

He and I grew up together and have been friends for years so we had been talking about doing a big combined family vacation. I have decided to toss that idea into FIle 13.

I'm no expert but these forums have helped me be better then the average Joe when it comes to WDW info.

I can't believe what I just read! That's CRAZY!! I guess he should have listened to you!

I think they will take the advice, after we came back form our trip they said they were going to go in Janurary (this Janurary) and we were telling them all the must-do's. I told them in an email to come check this place out and I gave them the link to this page.

**disneyfanatic101** · 07-16-2007, 12:34 PM

I just got an email from the people I'm trying to help hers what she has to say:

Adam,
THIS IS AWESOME! Thank you so much. We are already doing some of the items they suggested but I will definitely continue to read what people are suggesting. Thanks again - you are great! Kris

So keep all the ideas coming!

**AAADisneyFan** · 07-16-2007, 07:53 PM

Stay on property. Take advantage of EMH. Read a GUIDEBOOK before they go...so many people go to WDW w/out knowing what to expect and then get disappointed.

OH...and the biggest one...Epcot WILL MOST CERTAINLY entertain the kids!!!!

You wouldn't believe how many people tell me the won't do Epcot because they hear it's boring or not for kids.

Did I mention...stay on property????