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.