Clarks Condensed

Tonight while I was browsing through my blog data I saw that several hits were directed from one particular web-site, so naturally I checked it out. It turns out a fellow blogger thought my post about when to plan your trip was worth sharing. I was super excited and as I poured through the rest of their page I thought the whole post was definitely worth sharing! She's obviously spent hours compiling websites and blog posts that will help organize your planning. 

Check out the site : http://www.clarkscondensed.com/thrifty-thursday/planning-a-disney-vacation

It will be well worth your time!

Magic Bands - New Disney Tech

I just got home from Disney last week.  The unpacking and laundry took forever, so I haven't written anything since my trip, but get prepared for the motherload because I learned SO much!

In this post, I'm going to write about my personal experience with the new Magic Bands and what I know first-hand.

1. They are very convenient.  I left my purse in the stroller and headed to get my husband some free water at a counter-service restaurant.  After glancing at the menu, I saw a snack I wanted, but didn't have my wallet or purse with me. Enter the Magic Band - since I didn't take it off my wrist at all during the days we were in the parks, I could just swipe that and buy whatever I wanted to.  I was thrilled to not have to be digging around for my wallet in my purse full of supplies at Disney.

2. You can only select 3 fastpass+ selections for each park for each day with your bands.  So if you were spending the morning in Animal Kingdom and the afternoon in Epcot, it was great - you could choose 3 for each park and have a total of 6 for the day!  If you were staying in Epcot the whole day, however, we had used our 3 by 1:15 and couldn't get any more fastpass+ selections.  At this point, you are permitted to use your physical tickets for fastpasses, however, it's a bit of a letdown to run from Japan to Soarin' to grab a fastpass after you just did that with your phone and never had to take a step.  I think that after you have used all of your fastpasses, more should become available.  **Disney castmembers who were working at the Fastpass+ kiosks did tell me that the limit of 3 is a beta testing number and that that number may be increased after testing is over and the results can be calculated to dictate the best use of the technology. I hope this happens soon!**

3. Sometimes they got things wrong! The My Disney Experience app wasn't working for several hours while I was at the Magic Kingdom so I headed to a kiosk to figure out how to change a fastpass, but their system wasn't working either! So I couldn't change my fastpass selection. Bummer!

4. Fastpasses are now available for things that never had a fastpass line (or need for one) before.  Rides like It's a Small World and shows like Beauty and the Beast now have fastpasses available, but you really don't need them.  Wishes (Magic Kingdom's fireworks show) has a private viewing area for the fireworks that you can only enter if you have selected the Wishes fastpass+ and it was actually a great little spot.  I would recommend that if you don't want to stake out a spot 60+ minutes before the show.

5. The fastpass line was always short - I feel that Disney is catering to the fastpass users more than ever.  And I was assured that this would mean the regular line didn't get longer, but I felt like it did.  I walked right on to any ride I had a fastpass+ selection for, but waited (for what felt like) longer than usual in any of the regular wait lines.  It wasn't horrible, but I personally felt like there was a difference.  This being said, the lines that were never long before still weren't.  I pretty much walked on those rides (especially at the Magic Kingdom) such as the Carousel, Dumbo, Winnie the Pooh, etc.

6.  Sometimes they Magic Bands randomly worked on attractions that we hadn't selected.  My husband took our 2-year-old to Adventureland when I took our 4 and 5-year-old girls to ride Splash Mtn.  He didn't have a clue what fastpasses we had picked, so he tried it on the Jungle Cruise.  It worked! Afterwards, he asked me if I had selected that and I told him I hadn't.  This happened randomly several times.

7. The rider swap was given to us even though we were using fastpasses.  So my husband took the older girls on Soarin' and I rode Nemo with the shorty. Then we switched.  I ended up riding once, my husband twice, and the girls 3 times.  That was great!

8.  I didn't plan enough time for the newly updated Fantasyland - and I was there last year!  I could have spent one whole day just in Fantasyland with my3 daughters.  They loved the new Under the Sea ride and the Enchanted Tales with Belle attraction.  The new Fairytale Hall is open and it was lovely! We used a fastpass to meet Rapunzel and then waited in line to meet Cinderella.  The wait was great - icy cold A/C and it was gorgeous inside.  Definitely a must-see!

9. The My Disney Experience app is a phone battery drainer.  No shock here.  I have an iPhone, so I turned my brightness down a bit and when it got low, plugged it into my Duracell portable charger in my purse.  You can buy one like mine or there are several other models available.  I love mine and it's so easy to use.  http://www.amazon.com/Duracell-Instant-Charger-Includes-Universal/dp/B002FU6KF2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1381861149&sr=8-2&keywords=duracell+portable+charger

10. If you are Robert Downey Jr. and you happen to be traveling with your dad (we'll asume he's Robert Downey Sr.) you may have problems with your magic bands.  We met a family who was there for a reunion and they were using the bands.  Their fastpass+ selections kept getting changed and there was nothing that the Disney concierge or the kiosks in the park could do to fix it! They did end up with 8 free meals, so we didn't feel too terribly bad for them, but let's hope Disney gets that bug worked out soon!!

Tips for EPCOT

I love EPCOT on a hot, Summer day!

Making your way around Epcot is a full-day experience. In truth, I like to spend two days in Epcot when I go.  For those of you who haven't been to Epcot, the park is divided into two parts: the Future World and the World Showcase.

The World Showcase
Walk through 11 different pavilions designed to allow you to experience each country's food, culture, and entertainment.  If you need to get to the center, but don't want to walk all of the way around, Germany and Morocco have boat stops that will allow you to go from the Showcase Plaza on the Future World side.

The 11 countries that make up the World Showcase are:

• Mexico
• Norway
• China
• Germany
• Italy
• America
• Japan
• Morocco
• France
• United Kingdom
• Canada

There are only 2 rides in the World Showcase: one in Norway and one in Mexico.  Both rides are fun, but the ride in Norway has trolls and could be a tad bit frightening for small kids.  Are you worried about your kids getting bored or not wanting to visit all of the countries with you? There are several great activities to get your kids into the world showcase that will help them have a great time:

1. Agent P's World Showcase Adventure: become a secret agent working with Agent P (Perry) from Phineas and Ferb and help stop the evil Dr. Doofenshmirtz by completing missions in each country's pavilion. More info can be found at: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/epcot/agent-p-world-showcase-adventure/
2. Kidcot Stations allow you and your child to decorate a mask and have it stamped in each country.  You can start the design on on end and keep it going all of the way throughout the world showcase.  This makes a great *Free* souvenir as well.
3. Buy a passport on one end of the showcase (Canada or Mexico) and have it stamped and signed in each country. Kids and teens will enjoy having their passport signed in each country, and I recommend asking each person who writes in your passport to write your name in their native tongue, as well, since the cast members working in each pavilion are (most always) true natives of the country they are working in.

The Future World
I see the Future World split into three sections:

1. The Thrill Side (ie: Mission: SPACE, Test Track, and Universe of Energy)
   Mission:SPACE simulates a ride in a spaceship to Mars. (It has a height requirement of 44")
   Test Track allows you to be the crash dummy and test new cars. (It has a height requirement of 40")
   Universe of Energy: Ellen Degeneres takes you through a Jeopardy experience you won't soon forget!
2. Spaceship Earth, the fountains, Character spot, Innoventions East, and Innoventions West
   Spaceship Earth (aka the Epcot ball) explores communication throughout the years.
   The fountains are not to be missed! Choreographed water and music that even uses dynamite for the big explosion at the finale!
   The Epcot Character Spot is possibly the best place to meet Mickey and his friends in all 4 parks.
   Innoventions East and West are for the video gamers in your crowd! Plenty of virtual games and peeks into the future of technology.
3. Seas with Nemo and Friends, the Land Pavilion, and Imagination!
   The Living Seas pavilion houses a Nemo ride, Turtle Talk with Crush, and amazing views of one of the largest man-made reefs in the world.
   The Land Pavilion - Living with the Land is a ride which allows you to learn about plants in a unique way.  Soarin' is downstairs in this building and it's amazing (it has a height requirement of 40") and I highly suggest you ride it as early as possible or get a fastpass since the line gets long very quickly. There is also a cute Lion King show upstairs and Sunshine Seasons is my favorite place to get breakfast when I am in EPCOT before the World Showcase is open at 11am.
   The Imagination pavilion features a ride starring Figment - a purple dragon who takes you on a ride to explore his imagination and yours!

Did you know... EPCOT stands for Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow and was Walt's idea for a real community - originally he wanted people to live there. Insider Tip: If you ride the Tomorrowland Transit Authority in the Magic Kingdom (right across from Space Mountain) you can see an actual model of Walt's EPCOT inside of the ride? It's truly amazing.

Disney Romance In the Parks

Since my best friend is heading to Disney in November for part of her honeymoon, she asked me to write a few articles for their trip.  In this post, I'm assessing the parks in order according to their romantic offerings.

1. EPCOT

• The World Showcase is stunning at night.  Each country's pavilion is lit up and they are beautiful.  I highly recommend trying to go there on an extra magic hours night and strolling along in the darker hours while sipping a cool beverage.
• Best restaurants for couples:
  Le Cellier Steakhouse (Canada) - dark and romantic - their steaks are to die for!
  The Coral Reef (Living Seas Pavilion) - an amazing dining experience inside one of the largest man-made reefs in the world.
  Tutto Italia (Italy) - rather expensive for a bowl of pasta, but incredibly romantic
  Monsieur Paul (France) - this is pricey, but very nice.
  San Angel Inn (Mexico) - it's always night inside of the Mexican pavilion and the prices are not bad.
• Best rides for adults:
  Mission to Mars
  Test Track
  Soarin'
• Best places to sit and relax:
  France - there is a small bistro in France where you can buy a cheese place and a chocolate croissant and a cup of coffee and sit and feel as though you truly are far away in France.
  Canada - there is a gorgeous waterfall in Canada that you can sit near and simply relax.

2. Magic Kingdom

• The Magic Kingdom earned its name - it is magic! Heading to this park without kids is still great! Ride just the rides you like best, stop for a cup of coffee on your own time, and catch some amazing shows.  Definitely don't miss the Main Street Electrical Parade.
• Best restaurants for couples:
  Cinderella's Castle is incredibly romantic - especially at night.
  Be Our Guest - quick service at lunch and table service at Dinner, it's a cool place to eat.
  Tony's Town Square Restaurant - inspired by the romantic Lady and the Tramp spaghetti scene.
• Best rides for adults:
  Space Mountain
  Thunder Mountain
  Pirates of the Caribbean
  Walt's Carousel of Progress
• Best place to sit and relax:
  As you face the castle, if you head to the left and walk up beside the castle on that side, you'll come upon a number of benches in small alcoves.  They make for a lovely place to sit and relax with a cup of coffee and if you head over to that side during the Dream Along with Mickey, characters will wave right to you as they go on stage.

3. Hollywood Studios

• Hollywood Studios is geared toward adults - its purpose is supposedly the opposite of the Magic Kingdom.  While the MK is supposed to provide seamless and real magic, Hollywood Studios tries to break the magic down and show you how they do it - the shows are all about giving you a chance to see how that magic is made. Whatever you do, don't miss Fantasmic!
• Best restaurants for couples:
  Hollywood Brown Derby - this is a pricey place to eat, but worth every penny.  The atmosphere is true Hollywood and the food is delicious.
  Sci-Fi Dine in Theater - eat in vintage-designed cars that are lit and have built-in tables. You eat while a black-and-white rendition of "scary" movie clips from the 1950s plays on a large projection screen.
• Best rides for adults:
  Tower of Terror
  Rock'n Roller Coaster
  Star Tours
• Best shows for adults:
  Lights, Motors, Action
  Fantasmic!

4. Animal Kingdom

• Animal Kingdom's charm is in the walking around between things.  The paths between Africa and Asia and Dinoland USA are beautiful and there are many beautiful sights to see.  If you don't like to walk, I wouldn't go here, but if you do, get a bottle of water or a cold soda and head out to explore with your camera.
• Personally, I don't think any of the restaurants in the Animal Kingdom are that amazing, but here are the ones I like best:
  Tusker House
  Yak and Yeti
• Best rides for adults:
  Dinosaur
  Everest
  Kali River Rapids
  Kilimanjaro Safari
• Best places to sit and relax:
  Asia has several nice areas to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or just rest for a few minutes.
  Africa's Wildlife Express Train allows you to sit and enjoy pretty views as you head to Rafiki's Planet Watch.

Updates for September

Not feeling great this morning, I stayed home from church.  It gave me time to work on a few things for my upcoming trip in October.  I called tech support and spoke with a guy who knew everything.  Best 45-minute conversation ever. A few things I learned are actually really interesting:

The new fastpass+ program will not detract from visitors' ability to receive fastpasses when they arrive.  For those of you who haven't heard of the new fastpass+ program, it allows you to select virtual fastpasses on-line or in the My Disney Experience App/website.  When you arrive and are in the parks, these fastpasses can be changed (for example, if you thought you'd spend Thursday in Animal Kingdom but ended up going to EPCOT) and you can still get paper fastpasses when you are in the parks.

Here's what I learned today:

1. The number of paper fastpasses the distributing machines can hold are limited, but the number of virtual fastpasses that can be assigned are controlled by Disney each day.  
2. The fastpass wait time will not be longer - no matter how many fastpasses are distributed (both paper and virtual) - the castmembers will control the fastpass line to keep it short.  This system only rewards people who choose to use the fastpass system.
3. The regular line for rides may be affected by 5-10 minutes or so, but it will not be drastic or noticeable.  Disney has been testing this system since May and will continue to test it until they are sure it's awesome.

Animal Kingdom is going to start developing a new portion of the park featuring James Cameron's Avatar movies (the second movie is rumored to release in 2016) and the new part of Animal Kingdom is set to open in 2015 unless something slows it down.

I've been randomly selected to sample the MyMagic+ and Fastpass+ systems and will report back with my thoughts in mid-October.   I will also be eating in the newly re-opened California Grill and will give an in-depth review of the restaurant's updates.

Insider Tip: the parking lot at the Magic Kingdom alone can contain both Disneyland and the California Adventuere... what? Crazy, right?  I mean, I already knew that the Disney World property in Orlando was larger than the state of Rhode Island or the city of Manhattan, but man, that is one huge parking lot!

Surprising Your Kids With a Disney Trip

My husband and I are surprising our three youngest children with a surprise to Disney next month.  Our girls have been several times and ask periodically about when we can go back.  We drive (about 8 hours) when we go and bring just about everything but the kitchen sink with us.  Ours will be a fairly short trip - just 4 nights - but since we've done everything several times already, I think it will be great.  After we decided to surprise the kids, I began to do research about how to best reveal the big news.  And my research revealed a shocking consensus: surprising your kids with a trip to Disney should only be done with great consideration.

YouTube is filled with Disney surprises gone wrong and I don't want mine to go that way, so I have compiled some helpful tips below.

Things to consider before you decide to surprise the kids:

1. Does your child like surprises?  Some kids are planners, others are go-with-the-flow types.  If your child needs a lot of time to adjust to the idea of meeting giant costumed characters and being wowed by fireworks, they might not enjoy the surprise as much as you'd like them to enjoy it.  Also, would your child benefit more from helping plan the trip? When I was a kid, selecting dining reservations and planning out the trip was just as much fun for me as the trip itself.  I loved counting down the days and making binders full of reservation numbers and plans.  I know I'm a Disney nerd, but if your child a planner and has gone to Disney before, they may actually be disappointed that they didn't get to help plan the trip.
2. Has your child been to Disney before?  If they have gone and know what to expect, the surprise will probably be great.  They will be so excited that they are going to Disney right in that moment, that there will not be room for a negative response.  If they haven't gone before and don't know what to expect, the surprise may not be as big of a moment as you're hoping for - 
3. Can you (and whoever else knows) keep the secret? This is always a problem for me.  My family can't keep a secret for the life of them!  I told my parents from the get-go that this was going to be a surprise for my kids and yesterday at lunch one of my parents asked my kids if they were excited about their Disney trip.  Luckily, my kids are only 5,4 and 2 and didn't pick up on the slip.

Still think it's a good idea? Then do it! But based on a lot of YouTube results, I highly recommend you don't tell them you are going to Grandpa's house (or any other place) and then change the destination to Disney.  Even if Disney is 100 times better than the place you told them you were going, the general results seem to be disappointment (especially if they've never been to Disney and don't know how awesome it is).

Now to the best part: fun ways to reveal the big news! Whatever you do, don't forget to break out the video camera for the big moment!

1. Character phone call - this can be done through Disney or you can have a friend call and pretend to be a character inviting your kids to come to Disney for a visit.
2. Fill a piggy bank with coins and call it your Disney Fund - you can build this up for weeks or months in advance.  When you are ready to announce your trip, decorate it and set up that video camera. Put it out on display and call the kids to come see the piggy bank!
3. Invitation - you could do a space-themed Buzz Lightyear invitation that includes a cool nerf gun and a letter from Buzz or a royal invitation from their favorite princess along with a princess crown/tiara. You can have it in a wrapped box and place it on your front doormat.  Send them upstairs, ring the doorbell, and step back... 
4. Gifts - wrap up a gift (autograph book and pen, Disney photo album, or a new favorite character plush toy from the Disney Store) and add a tag that says, "Bring this with you to Disney tomorrow!"
5. Clues - you can do a series of challenges, such as a scavenger hunt to find Disney items that are hidden around the house or have them search for letters (DISNEY) and then have them unscramble the letters to figure out where they're going.
6. Free Disney World park maps make a great part of your announcement http://customizedmaps.disney.go.com/.

Feel free to chime in with more ideas.  My husband and I are leaning toward giving the girls a series of gifts in the car on our way there, but we're not set on any one way yet. Any suggestions are welcome!  I will post a video of our reveal after our trip. 

Disney for Adults - Outside of the Theme Parks

The view from dinner at Animal Kingdom Lodge's Sanaa restaurant.

Believe it or not, Disney has plenty to offer adults.  Both in the parks and at their resorts, there are plenty of things to do without your kids and some of them are really romantic.  This article covers the fun couple activities outside of the theme parks.

Most Romantic Meals:

1. Dinner at the California Grill in the Contemporary resort. [TEMPORARILY CLOSED]
   Reservations are absolutely necessary for this, and you will want to make them as early as possible since this is one of Flordia's most popular and highly rated restaurants.  I try to be seated an hour before the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom and request a castle view.  During the fireworks show, they dim the lights and play the fireworks music in the restaurant as you watch the fireworks from above!  If you can't get a castle view or a reservation at a time that's compatible with the fireworks, plan to eat before or after them and head out to the 4th floor viewing area.  You can still watch the fireworks and enjoy the wonderful food at the Contemporary.
2. Dinner at Sanaa at the Animal Kingdom Lodge
   Try to plan your reservation for around sunset (check for the time @ weather.com).  Arrive 30 minutes prior to your reservation and walk around the resort - giraffes are generally all around you - and after dinner, head down to the main lobby and ask about the night vision tours.  They normally start between 8:30/9 o'clock and will lend you night vision goggles so you can walk around the resort and see the nighttime animal activities.  It's really neat and completely free.
3. Dinner at Spirit of Aloha at the Polynesian ResortThis is pricey, but totally worth it if you've never been to a luau.  It tends to run about $65 for adults (or two dining credits if you are using the dining plan) and seating times are normally 5:15 and 8:00.  

Fun Couple Activities

1. Carriage Ride at either the Fort Wilderness Campground or the Port Orleans Riverside Resort.  This costs ($45 for a 25-minute ride) and reservations are necessary (call 409-939-7529).  Keep in mind, when you come to pay you must bring cash - they don't accept credit/debit cards or checks.
2. Surrey Ride around the Boardwalk circle ($20 for 30 minutes).  You can rent one for 2, 4, or 6 people and the ride is very pretty.  30 minutes was long enough for us to go around 3 times, I believe and it was really fun.

Free Activities

1. Walk along the beach at the Polynesian Resort and watch the Magic Kingdom's fireworks show, Wishes.
2. Walk around Disney's Boardwalk Resort before watching the EPCOT fireworks at 9pm.  While you're there, you can always play carnival games, and eat "boardwalk" food (pizza, fried food, ice cream, funnel cakes, etc).

How to Beat the Heat @ the Disney theme parks

The girls jumped right in!

For a large portion of the year, Florida is extremely hot.  Don't let the heat spoil your fun. Here are a few tips for beating the heat on those dog days of Summer:

1. Get to the parks for opening and play until 11-12 when the heat gets unbearable.  Then head indoors for a big lunch (reservation will be necessary if you want to eat at a table-service restaurant) and enjoy the time off your feet and out of the heat or head back to your resort for a dip in the pool or a nap.  Come back around 4 feeling refreshed and ready to stay till closing.  
2. Don't hesitate to ask for a free cup of ice water.  Any counter service restaurant will give it to you for free - no other purchase necessary.  Disney doesn't want people passing out in the heat!  And I always treat the kids(and myself!) to ice cream when they start to feel too warm.
3. Find a water attraction such as Kali River Rapids (Animal Kingdom), Splash Mountain(Magic Kingdom), Casey Jr. splash play area (Magic Kingdom), or the water play area near Mission to Mars (EPCOT).

Here are my picks for places to go during the heat of the day in each of the 4 theme parks:

Magic Kingdom:

Tomorrowland - the majority of the lines for attractions are indoors and covered.

Adventureland - the Tiki Room, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Country Bear Jamboree (technically on the border of Frontierland) are all close together in this area.

Animal Kingdom:

It's Tough to Be a Bug - a nice, cool show.

Kali River Rapids - plan to get soaked! I recommend that you don't plan to go in any air-conditioned areas right after riding this attraction.

EPCOT:

The Land Pavilion - Soarin', Living with the Land, and a cute Lion King show are all inside of this air-conditioned building.  Plus, there's a great place to grab some lunch right downstairs.

The Living Seas Pavilion - Turtle Talk with Crush, the Nemo ride, and views of some amazing coral reefs are all inside of this building.

Hollywood Studios:

Magic of Disney Animation: a short movie about Disney animation, lots of character meet and greet opportunities for pictures and autographs, and a cast member who will teach you how to draw a classic Disney character are all inside of this cool area.  Bonus: the picture you draw makes for a great free souvenir and you'll be surprised at how well your drawing comes out!

Remember: even if you don't have a reservation at a table service restaurant, there are plenty of indoor counter service restaurants where you can sit down and enjoy a delicious meal in a nice, air-conditioned environment.  Here are my favorite counter-service lunch spots in the 4 parks:

Magic Kingdom: Be Our Guest or Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe
Animal Kingdom: Pizzafari
EPCOT: Sunshine Seasons
Hollywood Studios: Pizza Planet

When should take my child for the first time?

My 2-year-old watching Disney's Beauty & the Beast @ Hollywood Studios for the first time!

The one question I hear most often is, "What is the best age to take my child to Disney for their first time?"

The truth is, the answer to this question depends more on you than your child.

Just a few things to consider:

1. Are you a Disney fanatic? I am. It was very important for me to take my kids to Disney as soon as I could convince my husband that we would survive the trip.
2. Are you stressed with your stroller and diaper bag in your basic travels around your hometown?  If so, waiting until your kids are older may make your trip more fun.
3. Have you checked out the height restrictions for each park so that you have a realistic idea of what your child can ride on? (If not, check this website:  http://adisneyworld.disney.go.com/media/wdw_nextgen/CoreCatalog/WaltDisneyWorld/en_us/PDF/RidesAttractionHeightChartWaltDisneyWorld_0911.pdf )
4. Contacting a certified Disney travel professional such as the agency I work for (Wishdrawals) can give you a ton of help planning and arranging the itinerary for your trip that will enable you to make happy memories and avoid meltdowns!

My favorite 3 times:

1. They get in for free until their 3rd birthday.  I think taking them just before they turn 3 is a great time.  Hopefully they're potty trained, they will not be too upset if their nap schedule fluctuates slightly, and they are old enough to interact with everyone and enjoy the visit.
2. When they are 44" tall they can ride every ride in the 4 theme parks with the exception of Rock 'n RollerCoaster (48" - Hollywood Studios), Everest( 48" - Animal Kingdom), and Primeval Whirl(48" - Animal Kingdom).  It seems like most kids hit this height around 5-6 and that's just about the age they're ready to ride some of the bigger rides
3. Child prices until their 10th birthday - this adds up to more than you might think.  They not only get child price tickets, but also eat for less at character meals.  I think taking them before that 10th birthday is a great time because they can do everything and will remember it forever.  

Insider Tip: Disney gives a free badge to anyone on their first visit! It's a great free souvenir and don't worry if you have older kids with you who want one, too.  They also have free "I'm celebrating" badges they'll give everyone in your group who wants one.  Ask any cast member where you can pick yours up.

First Trip Tips

If you've never been to Disney before, there are lots of factors to consider in planning your trip!  I will gloss over a few in this post, but feel free to post questions in the comments section below if you want more specific advice.

1. How many days should I plan for my trip? Often I hear 7 days recommended if you want to visit all 4 parks and still come home feeling like you relaxed on your vacation, but 7 is long and expensive for a first trip.  I personally think 5 days/4 nights is best for a first trip. I always try to buffer one day of being home before you go back to work after a Disney trip - unpacking and recovering from the travel and exhaustion of the heat and walking takes longer than you might think!
2. Which parks should I visit? Magic Kingdom is all about creating magic - if you are going with anyone in the 10 & under crowd, this should be at the top of your list.  EPCOT is divded into 2 parts: Future World (character meet-and-greets, tours of future technology in Innoventions, and several fun attractions) and the World Showcase (11 pavillions of countries that consist of shops, restaurants, characters, and shows).  There is something thrilling for everyone at EPCOT.  Hollywood Studios is a stark contrast to the Magic Kingdom as it is all about getting an inside look at how the magic is made.  Hollywood Studios shows you how shows are set, gives you many chances to meet characters (and even see how they're drawn), and offers a few very fun rides.  I think that Hollywood Studios has the most to offer the teen/young adult crowd. Animal Kingdom doesn't have a large number of rides either, but it is a gorgeous place to spend a day.  Several attractions are good for families or kids and there are also several thrill rides.  The majority of its charm is its tours through Africa and Asia and the amazing settings.  I have more in-depth posts about each park on my blog, but this should help you narrow it down some.  In my opinion, Magic Kingdom and EPCOT are absolute musts to a first trip.
3. Where should I stay?  See my resort recommendations in my post http://disneybloggingmama.blogspot.com/2013/07/where-to-stay.html
4. Should I use a travel agent?  Absolutely! Why wouldn't you tap into the knowledge of a professional when it's completely free to you? Visit WDWplans.com or Wishdrawals.com for free professional help!
5. Where can I find Disney discounts?  The safest way to get legitimate discounts is to talk to a Disney travel consultant.
6. When and where should I make dining reservations?  Feel free to contact us for personalized assistance picking the best meals for you and yourfamily.  Dining reservations should be made 180 days (or as close to 180 days) in advance.  
7. How long in advance should I plan my trip?  Check out my timeline for planning your trip http://disneybloggingmama.blogspot.com/2013/08/planning-your-trip.html

Planning Your Trip

Believe it or not, the time to start thinking about your Disney trip is about 6 ½ months before your arrival date.  I highly recommend using the My Disney Experience service on the Disneyworld.com website and the app is a great way to keep track of all of your plans.

1. You can check the park hours 6 months + 1 week before your trip.  I allow this to determine which days I will go to which park (this is important for step 2 which is reserving dining in all the right parks on the right days). Feel free to contact us for a customized list of park hours including parade and fireworks times and extra magic hours (for guests who are staying on property).

2. Dining reservations need to be made 6 months (180 days) in advance.  If you're not sure what day that will be, give us a call or an e-mail and we'll help you keep track of all of the dates that are fundamental to your trip.  With character dining and newer restaurants (such as Be Our Guest), it's best to be as close to that 180 days as you can because even during off-season, they book up very quickly.  Insider Tip: The reason for this is that in order to maximize profit, Disney has fewer tables/reservations available during the off-season dates.


3.  If you are staying on Disney property, you can check-in online up to 60 days in advance.  If you're not sure which Disney resort to stay at, check some of my other blog posts for recommendations.  If you're interested in staying off Disney property affordably, I recommend Sheraton Vistana Resort for a condo or the Lake Buena Vista Holiday Inn or Caribe Royal Orlando for hotel rooms.  I've stayed in all 3 and they're very comfortable for the price.  That being said, none of them offer the perks of staying on Disney property, so be sure to take that into consideration when considering the price before booking.

4.  Make your Fastpass+ Selections!  You can make them 60 days in advance if you are staying in a Disney resort or 30 days in advance if you are staying off Disney property.  They can be made at midnight and we're happy to be the ones to lose a little sleep to make those selections if you don't want to stay up until midnight.

5.  Print your 10-day forecast before your trip.  Make sure you check out my packing list which shows what to have for rainy days, etc!

Tips for the Magic Kingdom

The Magic Kingdom is the most child-friendly park.  It's got fun rides for teens and adults, but a big part of its charm is the number of fun rides that kids can go on without being limited by height restrictions.

The rides at the Magic Kingdom that DO have height restrictions are:

• The Barnstormer (35")
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (38")
• Stitch's Great Escape (40")
• Splash Mountain (40")
• Thunder Mountain (40")
• Space Mountain (44")
• Tomorrowland Speedway (52" to ride alone/32" to ride with an adult)

Park Strategy: Arrive 10 minutes prior to park opening (this is great because walking in at the park opening allows you to ride several rides before the park starts to get busy).  Head to the "land" that has the most rides you want to visit first and do everything on your list in that area. We often send a responsible runner with our tickets to get Fastpasses and meet up with us at the next ride, but this tip may soon be obsolete because Disney is updating the Fastpass system.  We use the Disney Experience App from the iTunes store to check the wait times and head toward the higher priority rides on our list that have short wait times, but once we're in a land we generally stay in that area until we are done with everything we "must" do in to avoid walking so much that our feet fall off!

Magic Kingdom's rides that almost always have short lines:

• Pirates of the Caribbean
• It's a Small World
• Prince Charming's Carousel
• Philharmagic
• Stitch's Great Escape
• Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor
• Swiss Family Treehouse
• Hall of Presidents
• Tiki Room
• Country Bear Jamboree

Insider Tip: Did you know that Walt Disney was left-handed? Since he was left-handed he designed the best spots on most rides and shows to be on the left side and Disney has maintained the trend.

Disney Resort Overview: Where to Stay

Perks of Staying on Disney Property

1. Extra Magic Hours - there are extra magic hours every day.  Some days they are just an hour in the morning, other days they are as much as 3 hours in the evening, and some special days when it's busy you might get both (ie. 8-9am at Animal Kingdom and then 8-11pm at Hollywood Studios).  The extra magic hours are nice since they are available only to park guests, but since only certain attractions are available, sometimes it doesn't seem that the lines are significantly shorter.  I find that the morning extra magic hours often provide you with a chance to do more (and it's not as hot) because some people can't get their kids up early enough or want to sleep in while they're on vacation.
2. Free Transportation - you can actually check in to your Disney resort and unload your car, then use Disney's free monorail, bus, and boat rides for free!
3. Free Parking - even if you decide that you want to drive your car to the parks (maybe you have an early breakfast in one of the parks or you don't want to put your giant stroller on the bus) you can park your car at any park for free as long as you have your car resort pass on your windshield.
4. Packages - Disney's dining plan is available to you when you book a Disney resort room.  This is a great deal because it makes your trip pretty much "all-inclusive" so that all you are paying for is gratuities, acoholic drinks, and souvenirs. 
5. Resort Activities - most resorts have free activities for kids such as pool games or scavenger hunts and some of the resorts even offer live entertainment.
6. Pools - every Disney resort has a nice, themed pool and provides complimentary towels beside the pool.  The Moderate and Deluxe category pools also have water slides.
7. Freedom - If you have older teens who want some independence, you can rest assured that there are eyes on them wherever they go.  For example, if your kids want to go down to the pool without you, but you don't want to go, Disney's cast members have their eyes everywhere.  Or if you start your day in Animal Kingdom but plan to finish your day with dinner and fireworks at EPCOT and they want to go ahead of you, they get picked up at the park's entrance by a Disney bus and dropped off at the next park entrance.  I'd never send a 12-year-old off by himself, but when we were staying on Disney property I have allowed my 17-year-old sister to have freedom to roam the parks with my 15 and 12-year-old daughters (with their cell-phones and staying together).
8. Magical Express - free transportation from Orlando Int'l Airport.  You book your rooms or package with a Disney resort and call to let them know that you will be on flight ### on whatever airline you are flying in on.  You grab your stuff and get it to the bus, then the next time you see your bags will be in your room.  You ride the free bus (which is Disney-themed and has videos playing that get your magical spirit fired up) from the airport to your resort, check in at the front desk, and you don't ever have to rent a car! Disney's free bus/boat/monorail transportation takes over from there!
9. Package Delivery - If you purchase souvenirs, you can have them delivered directly to your room.  They generally appear the next day, so don't let go of anything you have to have the second you get back to your room. If it's the last day of your trip, you can have your purchases sent to the front of the park and pick them up when you leave.  This is very convenient if you make large or fragile purchases.

Ready for my hotel recommendations?

• For boys, check out the pirate rooms at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort @ https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/caribbean-beach-resort/rates-rooms/
• For girls, check out the "Royal Guest Rooms" (Princess and the Frog themed) rooms at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort @ https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/port-orleans-resort-riverside/rates-rooms/
• If you're on a budget, and need a little extra room, try the new suites at the Art of Animation Resort.  They're perfect for families and sleep up to 6 people. 
• If you want to stay in a deluxe resort, I highly recommend the Contemporary.  The monorail travels right inside and Chef Mickey's is just an elevator ride away.  The rooms are nice (only drawback is the bathroom doesn't have a lock) and the pool isn't anything crazy special, but the convenience of the monorail being just downstairs is awesome.  The views from the Animal Kingdom Lodge are also phenomenal and the rooms are very comfortable.

Character Dining

Making your dining reservations 180 days in advance is extremely important, especially for character meals.

If you are getting close to your trip (within two months) and you want to make some dining reservations, call (407)939-3463 and tell them the dates of your trip and where you'll be spending each day.  They can often help find a match, even if you aren't able to get your first choice.  Character dining reservations often book up quickly, so don't wait! You can always cancel them or call to try and change them later if you need to!

Character dining provides your child with a chance to meet several Disney characters in one sitting and you can eat while they do it, rather than standing in lines for long periods of times and getting no refreshment out of it.  My kids ended up with more autographs in their books from dining than standing in line on our last trip and it was such a great way to do it.

Here are my thoughts on a few character dining locations:

1. Cinderella's Castle (Magic Kingdom)  While eating in Cinderella's castle provides a certain charm that no other location can duplicate, you will pay an arm and a leg to do this.  I highly recommend doing it at least once, preferably after your child is old enough to remember the delightful experience.  You pay 100% in advance (a flat rate) when you make your reservation and order off the menu (prince includes a non-alcoholic beverage).  Little princesses receive a wishing star and get to take part in an adorable "wishing ceremony."  If you can get yourself up early enough to it, I always try to make a reservation for a time before the park opens (usually in the 7:45-8:00 range) and on a day when there are not morning "Early Magic Hours" for Disney Resort guests at the Magic Kingdom.  Breakfast is the cheapest meal, you get the full character experience, and you are in the heart of Fantasyland when the park opens at 9 giving you maximum ride time in that first hour of the day before the park begins to fill up.
2. Norway's Princess Breakfast (EPCOT)Norway's Princess Breakfast is a wonderful experience, as well.  The food is an all-you-care-to-eat buffet and the princesses spend more time with you here than they do at Cinderella's Castle.  The food is good, the atmosphere is very nice, and it's very open and relaxed.
3. Chef Mickey's (Disney's Contemporary Resort) is a delightful place for a character breakfast or dinner.  The food is excellent and you get to see all of the classic Disney characters (Goofy, Minnie, Mickey, Donald, and Pluto).
4. Crystal Palace (Magic Kingdom) has excellent food and you can meet all of the classic Winnie the Pooh characters.  Sometimes your kids need a chance to sit down in the Magic Kingdom and take a break and character dining at lunch time in the Crystal Palace is a great way to convince them to slow down for a few minutes, especially if you don't plan on heading back to your hotel for a nap.
5. Hollywood and Vine (Hollywood Studios' only dining experience) is a chance for kids to meet some of their favorite Disney Junior characters at breakfast or lunch.  Currently Sofia, Handy Manny, and Jake from Jake and the Neverland Pirates are there.
6. Tusker House is the Animal Kingdom's only character dining spot and is hosted by Donald and other classic Disney characters at an all-you-can eat buffet.
7. If your little princess love Cinderella, 1900 Park Fare at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort is a fun opportunity to meet Cinderella and Prince Charming.  You might even run into a few cute mice and evil step-sisters!

Cape May Cafe (Disney's Beach Club Resort), the Garden Grill (EPCOT), Mickey's Backyard BBQ, Garden Grove (Disney's Swan Hotel), and O'Hana (Disney's Polynesian Resort) also provide fun character greeting opportunities.

Disney's Value Resorts

Disney's Value Resorts are the least expensive way to stay on Disney property (aside from popping up a tent and camping at the Fort Wilderness Campsites).  The Value Resorts are not the best place to stay and for the money ($85-$$176 depending on the season/date) they are really not as nice as a comparably priced Holiday Inn or Hilton nearby.  That being said, the perks that come with staying on Disney property are worth it as long as you are not planning to spend a lot of time in your room.  If you're going to use your room as a place to leave your things and sleep, they will be just fine.  

A few things to consider before you book a room in the Value category:

• The doors open to exterior hallways which are large and sound carries - you may not get the best night's sleep.
• The bathrooms are not as private - they are a fabric curtain that pulls in front of the sink area and then a small room with just a toilet and a shower/tub.
• Pools (but no water slides)

The Value Resorts: 

1) All Star Movies, Sports, and Music:
These 3 separate resorts all share one bus.  If you plan to use Disney's free bus transportation and you are staying at the All-Star resorts, pack your patience and get to the bus early - it could take a while!  The closest park to the All-Star resorts is the Animal Kingdom. 


2) Pop Century
This resort is themed on trends and toys from the 1950's-1990's.  The rooms at Pop Century are small, simple, and functional.  They are basic, but slightly nicer and newer than the rooms at the All-Star resorts.  Pop Century is located on the Southern part of the Disney property near the Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.

3) Art of Animation
Disney's newest value resort has all Disney animated movie themes.  There are Lion King, Cars, and Finding Nemo suites and standard rooms that are decorated for the Little Mermaid.  I can't believe it's taken this long for Disney to theme an entire resort (and especially the rooms) after their movies and characters.  The family suites are colorful and spacious, but not luxurious. The suites have a sink, mini fridge, and microwave, but the Little Mermaid standard rooms only have mini fridges.  The Art of Animation Resort is near Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.  Be warned that if you stay in the Little Mermaid standard rooms (the only rooms at this resort that are not suites) that they are a long walk from the bus stop.  I don't recommend those rooms for families with a stroller unless they are prepared to walk a good distance at the beginning and end of the day or they plan to drive in their own car.

Comprehensive Packing List

Rainy Day Items:

• A poncho for each person (plus one extra in case one rips and one for your stroller if you are bringing one)
• Flip-flops for avoiding splashes in the shocking number of puddles that quickly appear OR (my favorite) Crocs! Crocs are safe and comfy for walking all day (especially with socks) but dry quickly and easily if it begins to rain.
• One beach towel (for wiping strollers, arms and legs, etc. dry)
• 2 Ziploc bags - a small one for a phone and a large one for camera bag.

Sun Gear:

• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Hats
• Chapstick

Most Important Items:

• Tickets or Magic Bands
• Confirmation numbers for hotels, meals, tours etc. - I usually save ours in my phone.
• Medicines: In addition to any prescription medications a member in your party needs, I always bring advil/tylenol, children's tylenol, pepto bismol, dramamine (in case of car sickness on the way there or queasiness after a big ride), midol, cough/cold medicine, and cough drops.

For the Parks:

• Pins for trading - see my tips in my post "Insider Tips"
• Pens that have a click top (characters in costumes like Goofy and Mickey often have a hard time getting caps off of pens)
• Autograph Books (believe it or not, these really aren't a waste of money - the ones they sell at the Disney parks are my favorite)
• Costumes - kids love to wear these early in the day, but be sure you bring a change of clothes in case they get sweaty or itchy and want to change out of them
• Stroller - even if your kids are borderline too old to use it, you can put your rainy day pack, cooler with water bottles, etc. in it and park it and come back for it.

For the Pool:

• Towels (if you're staying on Disney property they provide complimentary towels down by the pool, but if you're there in peak season there may not be many readily available)
• Flotation devices for young kids
• Swim diapers
• Flip-flops
• Bathing suits

Toiletries:

• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Floss
• Razor
• Shaving Cream
• Tear-free shampoo/conditioner for kids
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Brush
• Soap
• Deoderant
• Hand Lotion
• Aloe gel (in case that intense Florida sun sneaks past your sunscreen)
• Hand sanitizer and/or antiseptic wipes
• Make-up
• Eye make-up remover
• Facewash
• Tweezers
• Nail Clippers
• Hair Dryer
• Straight Iron

Electronics:

• Camera & battery charger
• Video camera & charger 
• Extra memory cards
• Laptop (to upload pics for sharing)
• Phone charger

Free Apps:

• Disney Parks Wait Times free
• My Disney Experience: this one is the best - it allows you to share your reservation info with anyone in your party that has a smart phone.  And it can store all of your reservation numbers. It also has wait times for each ride, including Fastpass distribution times.

Clothing:

• Pajamas
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Flip-flops
• Outfits (we pack an outfit for each day rather than just shorts, pants, and shirts - it makes matching easier, especially with young kids)
• If you are going between Halloween and St. Patrick's Day, I recommend bringing a sweatshirt, even though you may not need it.
• Socks
• Underwear
  I always have my family pack extra socks and underwear (while everything else seems to dry these never do).

For Babies:

• Diapers
• Wipes
• Diaper Rash cream
• Bottles
• Formula
• Sippy Cups
• Pack 'n Play (I was once at a hotel where they had none available and vowed never to let that happen to me again - I always recommend you bring one if you need one).

Extras:

• Soft-sided cooler for bringing water bottles, juice boxes, and snacks into the parks.  (If you have a stroller, this is a great idea.  If not, it's not worth it to tote a cooler around just to save some cash on snacks.) You can get free ice at your hotel. And you can get free cups of ice water from any counter service restaurant all day long.
• Snacks
• Drinks
• If you're staying in a hotel room and not a condo and you have a light sleeper in your group a sound machine can be a life saver! Amazon.com sells some for under $20 and you can find them at your local Wal-Mart for about that price, as well.
• Needle and thread never hurt to have on hand in case of an emergency.
• A spare bag (if you're flying) or extra room in your suitcase for the souvenirs you will inevitably buy.

Weather

Rain is your friend, not your enemy.

If you are prepared for an afternoon shower (which most of the time is a brief 45-60 minutes of actual rainfall) and you can stay in the parks rather than going back to your hotel, you will find that the lines greatly diminish when it rains at Disney. 

If you follow my packing list, the rainy day section has everything you need, but make sure that you check the forecast so you know when it's worth it to carry that rainy day bundle.

If you get caught on a rainy day and are worried about your electronic items or other miscellaneous belongings getting wet, you can ask a cast member in any retail store for a bag and they'll give you a free plastic bag to help keep your belongings dry.  

Rainy Day Items:

1. A poncho for each person (plus one extra in case one rips AND one for your stroller if you are bringing one)
2. Flip-flops for avoiding splashes in the shocking number of puddles that quickly appear OR (my favorite) Crocs! Crocs are safe and comfy for walking all day (especially with socks) but dry quickly and easily if it begins to rain.  If you can't bring yourself to carry all of those flip flops, at least throw dry socks into your bag!
3. One beach towel (for wiping strollers, arms and legs, etc. dry)
4. 2 Ziploc bags - a small one for a phone and a large one for your camera.

Where should you head in each park? Here are some suggestions:

• EPCOT is the best park to be at on a rainy day.  Almost all of their lines are covered or indoors, and they don't have outdoor rides that are forced to close because of rain.  In addition to this, the majority of the attractions on the Future World side of EPCOT are close together and easy to travel between even if it's raining.  The best places to duck indoors if it's raining are: The Land Pavilion, the Living Seas Pavilion, and the Innoventions East & West buildings.

• Animal Kingdom is not a bad choice for a rainy day either (as long as you're willing to get wet).  The animals showcased at the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction love to come out in the rain (especially if it's been hot) and show off on a wet day.  The downside to Animal Kingdom on a wet day is that the attractions are far apart from each other.

• Hollywood Studios is okay on a rainy day, but some of the shows will be called off until the rain subsides and again the attractions tend to be farther apart.  The best area to head to in the rain is Mickey Avenue and the Streets of America where Star Tours, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Playhouse Disney, and the Muppet 3D show are not too far apart and each allow you to spend time indoors.

• Magic Kingdom is a difficult place to tough out the rain, but if you can do it, the shorter lines will make it worthwhile.  Fantasyland and Tomorrowland have attractions that are very close together and are good places to head when it starts to rain.

Insider tip: Don't forget to wear sunscreen even on a rainy day.  When the sky is overcast, UVA and UVB rays can still get through, so although you might not get sunburn, you can still get dangerous skin spots!

Insider Tips

Here are a few of my most useful tips:

• If you're not using Magic Bands, take a picture of the back side of your tickets before you go on your trip.  This way, if by some horrible nightmare, your tickets get lost, you can head down to the ticket office at the front of any of the theme parks with the information from the back of your tickets and have them cancel the lost tickets and they can re-issue your tickets for you.
• Back up all of your contacts in your phone to your computer on the off chance it gets wet or lost.
• Upload your pictures to your computer at the end of each park day so that all of your pictures won't be lost if you lose your camera.
• Pin Trading is now very affordable! I love to buy a set of pins on ebay.com by searching "Disney pin lot" in the search box.  You can usually score 20-25 pins for about $15 or less.  This is pennies on the dollar compared to the $6-9 pin prices for buying them individually brand new.  Before the trip, I line all of the pins up in a row and line the kids all up in a row and let them take turns choosing pins until they are all gone.  They always find a pin or two they play to keep and several they look forward to trading with the many cast members who will gladly trade with them all over the Disney properties. For a kid who doesn't feel comfortable wearing their pins on a lanyard all over the parks, a hat or a purse strap can also be great ways to sport their pins for trading.
• Do not leave anything unattended in your stroller unless you are willing to lose it.  Most times, people will not mess with your belongings, but occasionally they do, and if you'd be sad to lose it (souvenirs, electronics, cute jackets, etc) don't leave them in your stroller when you head in to a ride or show.  I can't even tell you how many umbrellas I've lost on rainy days.  I no longer even bring them!
• Any Disney restaurant (not the stands that sell popcorn, ice cream, or bottled drinks) will give you free ice water even if you don't order any items that you have to pay for and it's FREE.  Florida tends to be a very hot place and the last thing Disney wants is dehydrated people walking around their parks.  Take the free ice water!  Or bring your own drink and ask for a cup of ice. 
• Disney does allow you to bring food and drinks into the parks.  You can NOT bring in any glass containers, alcohol, or hard-sided coolers into the parks.  Small-medium coolers can be packed full of sandwiches, juice boxes, bottled waters, etc. and loaded into the bottom of your stroller if you want to save a few bucks.
• Any photographer taking pictures for the PhotoPass will gladly take your picture with your own camera also.  To be courteous, allow the photographer to take your picture with his professional camera and then ask them to take a picture with your camera also. This is a part of their job and they are happy to do it.
• One way that I like to avoid saying no to souvenirs is to buy each kid a Disney gift card with a particular amount of money on it. Once their card is all used up, they can’t buy anything – it helps them learn budgeting and prevents the parent from having to say no. Instead I will say, “Well you only have 40 dollars, are you sure you want to spend 29 of it on that stuffed animal? Then you’ll only have 11 left for the rest of the trip…”  Then they can decide. Kids spend their money much more conservatively when they think of it as their own limited resource. I hate to have to say no – especially since I’m a sucker for anything Mickey! This helps me keep my spending under control, too.  You can even load a limited amount of money onto Disney gift cards at the Disney Store or disneystore.com (the website has more picture choices and gives free shipping to gift cards but give yourself plenty of time to receive them in the mail).  This lets them to choose what they want and doesn't force you to say no all day long.

Pre-Trip Advice

One of the best things you can do to prepare your children for Disney is to expose them to it. Here are a few of the ways I prepared my kids for their first trip:

1)Watch the Disney Vacation Guide Planning DVD. Contact me if you would like a copy of the DVD and some free brochures!

2)We have a smart blu-ray player that can access You-Tube attached to our TV.  I allowed my kids to watch (just a select few) full videos of rides via Undercover Tourist - you can check out their You-Tube channel @http://www.youtube.com/user/UndercoverTourist.  You could also use a smart phone, tablet, or laptop and watch full rides or shows to give your kids an idea of what to expect.

3)Watch a Disney movie each week before your big trip.  Being familiar with the characters they will encounter and see in the rides puts kids (especially young ones) at ease with the idea of meeting them in a larger-than-life version when they are overwhelmed by so many other things within the walls of the Disney theme parks.  I tried to pick the characters that I thought they would be most excited to see in person (Mickey, Little Mermaid, Cinderella, Toy Story, etc).

4)Be sure to make your dining reservations 180 days in advance.  If you book through me, I can help your decide which restaurants will be the best fit or your family.  Dining reservations are easy to change if you must, but if you arrive at the parks without reservations you will very likely be disappointed to be turned away from some fun dining experiences.  I am happy to discuss menu options and help with any special dietary needs your family has.

5)Check the park hours in advance.  Disneyworld.com generally publishes their park hours 6 months in advance and though they occasionally change, they usually do not. 

6) Know what your child is tall enough to ride. This website has a height chart for each ride in every park.  Sometimes a list like this can help you choose between which parks you will spend the majority of your time at and also help your child avoid disappointment over not being tall enough to ride something they were excited to ride. http://adisneyworld.disney.go.com/media/wdw_nextgen/CoreCatalog/WaltDisneyWorld/en_us/PDF/RidesAttractionHeightChartWaltDisneyWorld_0911.pdf