heading to DW 5/9/09 for first time with son...advice

[brentl1127]

Hi everyone! My wife and I are taking my son who is three to DW next week. We are staying at the CBR and think that it will be a great place to come back after the morning in a park, to nap/relax.

I do have a couple of questions!

First, has anyone used the baby sitting services at the resorts? I think my wife and I would like one free night if possible, and were wondering if these services are worth it.

Second, AAA suggested that we get our baggage from baggage claim and bring them to the Magical Express rather then letting them collect it. Is this really needed or does everything work just fine with the tags that we have?

Third, we are going to be on the dining plan, I have ADR's for the meals, but what is the best hidden away lunch spot for a little one, something that is off the path...

Thanks!

 

[durangojim]

Coming back and taking a nap/swim in the middle of the day is an excellent idea. We've done this with both of our kids and it makes a world of difference.

We've used Kids Nite Out in the past with good results. I recommed the Kid's Nite Out service, and you can request a female if you like. We had different sitters becuase we took advantage of the service twice, the first lady was a grandmother type and she was great, the second was a younger college student age and she was good, but we preferred the older lady. Finally, you don't have to use the sitter just at night, they are availabe 24 hours a day. We went out one night and then had the sitter at 8:30am so we could go ride Everest back when it first oopened we were only gone for 3 hours but there is a 4 hour minimum just so you're aware.

There should be no problems collecting your baggage yourself, just make sure you do NOT put the yellow tags on your bags. It usually takes about 3 hours for your bags to get to you rooms if you use the baggage service, so if you're arriving later or have plans you should definately get your own bags.

The best place to feed a young child lunch in the MK, in my opinion is the upper level of the Columbia Harbor House, not as many people know about it and it can often be quiet. It's not always open but if there is no rope across the stairway, head on up. You can also use the tables at El Pirata and Perico even if the restaurant isn't open which is across the street from PotC. At EPCOT it can be fun to get pastires and a ham and cheese croissant in France and eat outside there too.

Have fun on your trip!

 

[NewfieFan]

Coming back and taking a nap/swim in the middle of the day is an excellent idea. We've done this with both of our kids and it makes a world of difference.

We've used Kids Nite Out in the past with good results. I recommed the Kid's Nite Out service, and you can request a female if you like. We had different sitters becuase we took advantage of the service twice, the first lady was a grandmother type and she was great, the second was a younger college student age and she was good, but we preferred the older lady. Finally, you don't have to use the sitter just at night, they are availabe 24 hours a day. We went out one night and then had the sitter at 8:30am so we could go ride Everest back when it first oopened we were only gone for 3 hours but there is a 4 hour minimum just so you're aware.

There should be no problems collecting your baggage yourself, just make sure you do NOT put the yellow tags on your bags. It usually takes about 3 hours for your bags to get to you rooms if you use the baggage service, so if you're arriving later or have plans you should definately get your own bags.

The best place to feed a young child lunch in the MK, in my opinion is the upper level of the Columbia Harbor House, not as many people know about it and it can often be quiet. It's not always open but if there is no rope across the stairway, head on up. You can also use the tables at El Pirata and Perico even if the restaurant isn't open which is across the street from PotC. At EPCOT it can be fun to get pastires and a ham and cheese croissant in France and eat outside there too.

Have fun on your trip!

You suggested both of the places to eat that I was going to suggest (great minds think alike :animwink! We've eaten upstairs at CHH and it's not as mad as the other counter services in the MK. One day at Epcot when it was raining lightly and everyone was flocking inside we sat outside France and shared croissants, quiche, etc. and it was lovely. And there was enough of an overhang to protect us from the rain!

You might also like to try the Picnic in the Park that is now being offered at Animal Kingdom. You take your food and find a nice quiet spot to eat it. They do give you a little map (I believe?) which highlights some spots around AK that you could "picnic"!

 

[donvincenzo]

First off, welcome to the forums :wave:

As far as your question about Magical Express, for me, I've found the tags to work out fine. Personally, I love the idea of being able to bypass baggage claim, even if it means I have a few hours to wait until I have my bags. I look at it as a nice little perk to being on vacation, that someone is gonna get my bags for me. One important thing to remember though, is that since the bags can take a while to get to your room, you need to put anything you are going to need at a moment's notice in your carry-on. Important papers, confirmation numbers, Magical Express Tickets, any medications you or your family might use, anything your son might need at any given moment, make sure it's in your carry-on...

 

[rlaeromech]

while in Epcot, we hit the counter service in the american pavillion at 11 or 1130 before most people get back there and its quiet at that point.

 

[pcarathers]

We will be arriving (ALL STAR SPORTS) on 05/09/2009 as well. While I have not used the sitter service, I would think they would be good as it is Disney! Not sure about the baggage service either, but as for meals, I hope you have planned some of the Character meals. To me, the best being Chef Mickeys followed closely by Crystal Palace. Good luck, no matter what, it will be an experience seeing it thru the child's eyes!

 

[durangojim]

Just to let you guys know that the in room sitting service is not run by but is recommended by Disney.

 

[brentl1127]

Thanks for the advice! I am completely looking forward to our trip. My son is so excited.

I was able to book 3 character meals, 1 @ AK, 1 @ HS, 1 @ MK. Should be fun!

 

[toystorymaniacs]

Just a little opinion, the food at Hollywood and Vine (character meal at studios) I thought was the worst food I've ever eaten at Disney. I mean it was really bad, that being said it was lunch, breakfast would probably be ok.

As far as counter service here are my opinions:
Mk- I agree with upstairs at Columbia Harbor House
EPCOT- We've gotten our son a lunch from the CS in America to eat in the stroller while we snack around the world
Studios- there is not kid CS like Pizza Planet if he is a toy story fan he will love it (not quiet but fun for the kids)
AK- Flame Tree is always great, but picnic in the park sounds fun too

 

[NewfieFan]

Just a little opinion, the food at Hollywood and Vine (character meal at studios) I thought was the worst food I've ever eaten at Disney. I mean it was really bad, that being said it was lunch, breakfast would probably be ok.

As far as counter service here are my opinions:
Mk- I agree with upstairs at Columbia Harbor House
EPCOT- We've gotten our son a lunch from the CS in America to eat in the stroller while we snack around the world
Studios- there is not kid CS like Pizza Planet if he is a toy story fan he will love it (not quiet but fun for the kids)
AK- Flame Tree is always great, but picnic in the park sounds fun too

Really!?! I've eaten at H&V twice for lunch (two different years) and I thought the food was good. My husband is more of a food critic than I and he thought the food was good as well. Not as good as Crystal Palace but nothing to complain about! We have it on our list to do again this August! Their salmon was really good!!! Who knows... maybe we've just been lucky!?!:shrug:

Flame Tree is a good suggestion as well! You can find some nice tables tucked away in the trees there!

 

[durangojim]

Just a little opinion, the food at Hollywood and Vine (character meal at studios) I thought was the worst food I've ever eaten at Disney. I mean it was really bad, that being said it was lunch, breakfast would probably be ok.

As far as counter service here are my opinions:
Mk- I agree with upstairs at Columbia Harbor House
EPCOT- We've gotten our son a lunch from the CS in America to eat in the stroller while we snack around the world
Studios- there is not kid CS like Pizza Planet if he is a toy story fan he will love it (not quiet but fun for the kids)
AK- Flame Tree is always great, but picnic in the park sounds fun too

I agree that the character meal at Hollywood and Vine is not worth it. We did it about 1 1/2 years ago and thought the food was poor, the price was higher than the Crystal Palace, and the character interaction was meh. Our son has never mentioned it again, but always wants to got Chef Mickey and Crystal Palace. I'd probably skip it.