Rule 1: Go at your kid's pace. If you try to rush them or push them from place to place they will end up miserable and you will end up wondering why you spent a couple thousand dollars for this misery.
Rule 2: Get them a double stroller at the park. Yes they are way too old for strollers normally, but they will whine and complain that they are tired of walking. Spend the money (~10/day) and get the double stroller. If you don't want to spend that much, at least get them a single and switch riding.
Rule 3: Plan in advance. Above posters have given you a couple great websites with tons of information. Make daily itineraries of which parks you will do on each days, get your dining ressies done ahead of time and include that in your park choices. If your kids like Pooh, try Crystal Palace for breakfast. It's a great buffet and the characters walk around. Do this on a MK day. Then, make lists of rides that each of you would like to go on (lists of the rides are at allearsnet.com). Make sure that your kids have input on what you all do, and in equal amounts. Let them choose some of the activities.
Rule 4: Be flexible. Although you might have all these nifty lists of things you all want to do, you will not do it all! That is a guarantee. I stick priority levels on attractions in my planning and we still don't get done all the top priority things.
Rule 5: Leave time to stop and smell the roses. Plan time at the hotel pool or a water park. Many times kids will say that the pools or water parks were their favorite part of the vacation. It's a great way to just have fun and relax.
Rule 6: Be smart about the heat. We went in mid August last summer and it was sweltering. It was 100 degrees and extremely humid. We were close to the bus stop at our resort, but my DH was sweating a lot in the short walk to the bus stop. Drink a lot of water... constantly. Bring a cup to fill up or keep a bottle that you purchase water from and refill it. We filled ours with ice before we left for the day and had cool water. Use the water fountains in the park. We did a lot of Epcot (love those park hoppers) because all the attractions are indoors and air conditioned. We spent an obscene amount of time at Innoventions.
Rule 7: Wear comfortable old shoes. I had read a tip to wear two pairs of socks and did that my last trip and it was great. Bring moleskin and clippers in case anyone gets blisters.
Rule 8: Enjoy the time you are spending together in the most magical place!
Rule 2: Get them a double stroller at the park. Yes they are way too old for strollers normally, but they will whine and complain that they are tired of walking. Spend the money (~10/day) and get the double stroller. If you don't want to spend that much, at least get them a single and switch riding.
Rule 3: Plan in advance. Above posters have given you a couple great websites with tons of information. Make daily itineraries of which parks you will do on each days, get your dining ressies done ahead of time and include that in your park choices. If your kids like Pooh, try Crystal Palace for breakfast. It's a great buffet and the characters walk around. Do this on a MK day. Then, make lists of rides that each of you would like to go on (lists of the rides are at allearsnet.com). Make sure that your kids have input on what you all do, and in equal amounts. Let them choose some of the activities.
Rule 4: Be flexible. Although you might have all these nifty lists of things you all want to do, you will not do it all! That is a guarantee. I stick priority levels on attractions in my planning and we still don't get done all the top priority things.
Rule 5: Leave time to stop and smell the roses. Plan time at the hotel pool or a water park. Many times kids will say that the pools or water parks were their favorite part of the vacation. It's a great way to just have fun and relax.
Rule 6: Be smart about the heat. We went in mid August last summer and it was sweltering. It was 100 degrees and extremely humid. We were close to the bus stop at our resort, but my DH was sweating a lot in the short walk to the bus stop. Drink a lot of water... constantly. Bring a cup to fill up or keep a bottle that you purchase water from and refill it. We filled ours with ice before we left for the day and had cool water. Use the water fountains in the park. We did a lot of Epcot (love those park hoppers) because all the attractions are indoors and air conditioned. We spent an obscene amount of time at Innoventions.
Rule 7: Wear comfortable old shoes. I had read a tip to wear two pairs of socks and did that my last trip and it was great. Bring moleskin and clippers in case anyone gets blisters.
Rule 8: Enjoy the time you are spending together in the most magical place!
