We are a family of 18 adults and kids on holiday for the first time to WDW!! WE are leaving tomorrow and kind of going blindly into this vacation!! Does anybody have any last minute things we should see and do for sure!! We have very active triplets who are 17 months!! And several sons and their wives and kids ranging in age from 1-6!! We are staying 10 days!! Thanks in advance!!!
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anybody got any suggestions
- Thread starter flightnurse
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KYMouseFan
Member
Welcome to the boards and your first post. :wave: I recommend Chef Mickey's for a character meal. Great chance for the kids to meet Mickey and the gang. Great time for kids and adults. And the food is pretty good too. Anything and everything at the MK. AK: Lion King show is neat for all. One thing to do is get an autograph book and a big pen for character autographs. You can get the autographs as you see the characters at the parks. It's great to sit down with the young ones years after and look at. You picked a good time to go. I've never been there this time of year but it looks very beutiful from lots of pixs have have seen on other threads. Enjoy your trip !!!!!
:xmas: :xmas: :xmas: :xmas: :xmas: :xmas:
:xmas: :xmas: :xmas: :xmas: :xmas: :xmas:
robynchic
New Member
TIP NUMERO UNO!
Learn where the baby stations are ASAP. I've heard they're very nice for relaxing when the kids and adults are getting stressed out.
Also, there's a rider switch-out pass. I don't remember the specifics, but if anyone is too young to go on a ride, you can ask for a rider switch out, and some people in your party can stay behind with the little ones while the others go on a ride, then those that stayed behind can go on right after. No one is unhappy about not getting to ride a ride (except for maybe the little ones).
ABOUT CHARACTERS:
Make sure the little ones aren't afraid of the characters. If they are, DO NOT FORCE THEM UP. Also, with a party so large, make sure that cameras are ready, books and pens open, and do autographs first, pictures second. If you want a picture with Mickey, make sure to do it in Toon Town! You might be able to get Mickey just to your family for a few minutes, without other people around.
Learn where the baby stations are ASAP. I've heard they're very nice for relaxing when the kids and adults are getting stressed out.
Also, there's a rider switch-out pass. I don't remember the specifics, but if anyone is too young to go on a ride, you can ask for a rider switch out, and some people in your party can stay behind with the little ones while the others go on a ride, then those that stayed behind can go on right after. No one is unhappy about not getting to ride a ride (except for maybe the little ones).
ABOUT CHARACTERS:
Make sure the little ones aren't afraid of the characters. If they are, DO NOT FORCE THEM UP. Also, with a party so large, make sure that cameras are ready, books and pens open, and do autographs first, pictures second. If you want a picture with Mickey, make sure to do it in Toon Town! You might be able to get Mickey just to your family for a few minutes, without other people around.
KYMouseFan
Member
Great idea. Never thought about that! 
KaliSplash
Well-Known Member
Welcome to the boards.
You are about to embark on a wonderful adventure.
In addition to the above mentioned excellent ideas, there are some basic principles you should keep in mind.
1. Even with 10 days, you are unlikely to see literally everything there is to offer. But with 10 days, even at this hectic season, and it will be getting hecticer and hecticer (not really words but you know what I mean), you will be able to see all the good stuff.
2. You MUST, absolutely take mid-day breaks. Even the adults. You may not feel as though you are getting your money's worth if you are back at the hotel, but it is absolutely vital that you take a break every day. I would suggest hitting the parks first thing in the morning and staying until just an hour or so after lunch, then head back to the hotel. You should plan to be in the hotel room or the pool if it's warm enough for at least 2 hours. You can then return for the evening, when all the people who didn't take a break are heading home. The breaks are essential to avoid what i call the 'check-off' mentality. ''Just two more rides, then we can leave tomorrowland." That's not fun, that's a project.
3. With a 10-day trip, you should also plan at least one and probably 2 days where you don't plan to go to a park. The hotels at Disney are fabulous if you are staying on site. Sleep late, enjoy a liesurely breakfast, swim, shop, look around, don't stand in line for a ride or show. Go to bed early and be refreshed for a new assault on the parks.
4. Get copies of all the park maps on your day of arrival and plan the things that are must sees and the things that are 'if-we-have time." While I don't suggest sticking rigidedly to a plan, it is a good idea to have the first several attractions of each day planned. This allows you to make better choices for the rest of the day based on lines, location, desires, etc.
5. Use the Fast Pass system as you can. This will become increasingly important as you get closer to Christmas and the crowds build.
6. See the holiday shows. They are superb.
7. Enjoy the moments. You are at the world's largest enterprise that is designed for your enjoyment, particularly the young travelers. These people are very good at what they do.
8. With this large a group, not everyone is going to want to do everything. That's okay. Just plan when and where to meet up.
You are about to embark on a wonderful adventure.
In addition to the above mentioned excellent ideas, there are some basic principles you should keep in mind.
1. Even with 10 days, you are unlikely to see literally everything there is to offer. But with 10 days, even at this hectic season, and it will be getting hecticer and hecticer (not really words but you know what I mean), you will be able to see all the good stuff.
2. You MUST, absolutely take mid-day breaks. Even the adults. You may not feel as though you are getting your money's worth if you are back at the hotel, but it is absolutely vital that you take a break every day. I would suggest hitting the parks first thing in the morning and staying until just an hour or so after lunch, then head back to the hotel. You should plan to be in the hotel room or the pool if it's warm enough for at least 2 hours. You can then return for the evening, when all the people who didn't take a break are heading home. The breaks are essential to avoid what i call the 'check-off' mentality. ''Just two more rides, then we can leave tomorrowland." That's not fun, that's a project.
3. With a 10-day trip, you should also plan at least one and probably 2 days where you don't plan to go to a park. The hotels at Disney are fabulous if you are staying on site. Sleep late, enjoy a liesurely breakfast, swim, shop, look around, don't stand in line for a ride or show. Go to bed early and be refreshed for a new assault on the parks.
4. Get copies of all the park maps on your day of arrival and plan the things that are must sees and the things that are 'if-we-have time." While I don't suggest sticking rigidedly to a plan, it is a good idea to have the first several attractions of each day planned. This allows you to make better choices for the rest of the day based on lines, location, desires, etc.
5. Use the Fast Pass system as you can. This will become increasingly important as you get closer to Christmas and the crowds build.
6. See the holiday shows. They are superb.
7. Enjoy the moments. You are at the world's largest enterprise that is designed for your enjoyment, particularly the young travelers. These people are very good at what they do.
8. With this large a group, not everyone is going to want to do everything. That's okay. Just plan when and where to meet up.
dumboflyer
Well-Known Member
It's vacation but remember with a big group, it can be stressful!
Perhaps you can nominate one adult each day to be the "leader." Or just one of you would be even better. It is better to have one person saying "next stop Carousel of Progress" than to have everyone say "What should we do now?" after every ride/show.
Remember it is vacation and the #1 goal is to make memories, not see it all necessarily! I hate seeing those families who argue over whether to do Space Mtn or Splash Mtn next------My point: Don't sweat the small stuff, but plan ahead as much as possible!
Perhaps you can nominate one adult each day to be the "leader." Or just one of you would be even better. It is better to have one person saying "next stop Carousel of Progress" than to have everyone say "What should we do now?" after every ride/show.
Remember it is vacation and the #1 goal is to make memories, not see it all necessarily! I hate seeing those families who argue over whether to do Space Mtn or Splash Mtn next------My point: Don't sweat the small stuff, but plan ahead as much as possible!
Epcot82Guy
Well-Known Member
Just wanted to echo two things:
1. Make sure to take some time in small groups. If people want to split up, GREAT!
2. Picking someone as the designated "chooser" is a great idea. Just be sure to divide that fairly so no one is blessed/cursed with it more than someone else.
Also, along the lines of things to do, DEFINITELY take advantage of large-scale events. With a group that size, dining and shows can get to be nightmares just from sheer volume. So, use things like Fantasmic, Illuminations, etc. as major group events where everyone can sit/stand together. I also would suggest splitting up your dining options. If you send people to different restaurants you (1) have a chance for something to talk about since everyone will within reason be experiencing the same things overall and (2) lower the risk of everyone having a bad meal OR provide an opportunity for others to go try it later on.
Finally, take time to have this be a vacation. As someone else posted, group travel can be stressful. So... don't try and see absolutely everything. Take time to see the resorts, the holiday decor, etc., especially since these are things you can do with each other as a big group AND things that are only up for a small part of the year. The big attractions will be there next time you are there, so ride what you can, but SEE everything you can around you!
Have a great trip! :wave: :xmas:
1. Make sure to take some time in small groups. If people want to split up, GREAT!
2. Picking someone as the designated "chooser" is a great idea. Just be sure to divide that fairly so no one is blessed/cursed with it more than someone else.
Also, along the lines of things to do, DEFINITELY take advantage of large-scale events. With a group that size, dining and shows can get to be nightmares just from sheer volume. So, use things like Fantasmic, Illuminations, etc. as major group events where everyone can sit/stand together. I also would suggest splitting up your dining options. If you send people to different restaurants you (1) have a chance for something to talk about since everyone will within reason be experiencing the same things overall and (2) lower the risk of everyone having a bad meal OR provide an opportunity for others to go try it later on.
Finally, take time to have this be a vacation. As someone else posted, group travel can be stressful. So... don't try and see absolutely everything. Take time to see the resorts, the holiday decor, etc., especially since these are things you can do with each other as a big group AND things that are only up for a small part of the year. The big attractions will be there next time you are there, so ride what you can, but SEE everything you can around you!
Have a great trip! :wave: :xmas:
CAPTAIN HOOK
Well-Known Member
Great suggestion / pointLaura22 said:
BRER STITCH
Well-Known Member
BUMMER....they probably left already....
Oh well....
HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!!
:wave:
Oh well....
HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!!
:wave:
raven
Well-Known Member
KaliSplash said:
I'm still not sure why people insist that a mid-day break MUST be taken. I have been to WDW and other theam parks hundreds of times with all different ages of people and we never had to take a break. If we were ever feeling tired we simply saw a show, rode the train or relaxed on a bench somewhere. I would hate to trek all the way back to my resort (taking at least 45 minutes to get there) just to turn around and head back 2 hours later. Here's another tip for those kids and all of the adults in your party: Switch off the kids to the other adults at certain times. This will give you and the kids the break you need without leaving the park. TSI and Toon Town is a great place for kids to run around while you rest on a bench and watch.