AW: Booked it!

cbee817 · December 2015

So excited- we booked a 5 day vacation in February to Disney last night. We have to fly and the girls are only 3 and 5, so we figured 3 days at the park would be good for them. We get in Monday, stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and fly out Friday. I can't wait to tell them but are waiting until their wristbands arrive. It wasn't the most MM (Animal Kingdom Lodge is definitely a splurge and we did nonstop flights both ways) but we have a vacation fund and we haven't really been anywhere (for more than a day or 2) since our babymoon in 2009. Can't wait to see their excited little faces- should be a lot of fun!

hoffse · December 2015

Enjoy! They will love it!

FWIW, I think direct flights are almost always worth the money. Even more so with little ones.

als1982 · December 2015

Sounds fun! Animal Lodge is supposed to be amazing!! Which parks are you visiting? My H is from Orlando, so if you need any tips or suggestions, we have plenty!

cbee817 · December 2015

@hoffse - that's exactly what we were thinking. If they are stressed out or upset on the flight, one up and one down in a day is much better than an extra stop. It'll be their first time on a plane too so even more reason to make it quick and hopefully painless.

@als1982 - We'll be at the Magic Kingdom most of the time.. the girls are really into the princesses so I think they're going to freak out if they see Cinderella or Ariel walking around. I want to go to the Animal Kingdom for a bit and if they're awake, see the fireworks at Epcot. But it's really up to what they want to do and not have them too worn out. Any tips you want to throw our way would be awesome- not sure if you know of things for little ones (they're 3 and 5) but that's helpful too. I think we might try to get some event with the princesses- need to look more into that.

als1982 · December 2015

cbee817 said:

@hoffse - that's exactly what we were thinking. If they are stressed out or upset on the flight, one up and one down in a day is much better than an extra stop. It'll be their first time on a plane too so even more reason to make it quick and hopefully painless.

@als1982 - We'll be at the Magic Kingdom most of the time.. the girls are really into the princesses so I think they're going to freak out if they see Cinderella or Ariel walking around. I want to go to the Animal Kingdom for a bit and if they're awake, see the fireworks at Epcot. But it's really up to what they want to do and not have them too worn out. Any tips you want to throw our way would be awesome- not sure if you know of things for little ones (they're 3 and 5) but that's helpful too. I think we might try to get some event with the princesses- need to look more into that.

You must have the park hopper pass? I'm not sure if you can use your Magic Bands/Fast Passes to jump the line to visit the characters, but if you can and that's important to them, I'd do it - the lines are surprisingly long! Also, check out the My Disney Experience app that you can use to change/add to your Fast Passes as well as locate the characters and find out ride wait times.

If you want to shop for Disney stuff, I'd skip the stores at the Magic Kingdom in order to spend your time there on attractions, and instead go to Disney Springs (formerly Downtown Disney) which is basically a big Disney strip mall. We were there in November, and I think I remember there being a few characters there too.

If you want a beach day, Cocoa is closest (less than an hour drive) but Clearwater is not too much further and MUCH nicer.

If you want any grown up stuff, there are some decent restaurants on I-Drive and downtown Orlando has really blown up over the last few years.

jessica490 · December 2015

Awesome, that will be fun for them!!

hoffse · December 2015

I've never traveled with kids, but my basic suggestions would be:

1) Bring a comfy stroller and gate-check it

2) Carry-ons only

3) Park-hopper tickets are worth the extra expense

4) Disney app - it publishes wait times

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/plan/my-disney-experience/mobile-apps/

The food portions at Disney are enormous. Two adults can often split a counter service meal and be fine. For that reason, I don't think the dining plan is worth it (unless you got it during a free promo, which they do run sometimes) because it has you WAY over-eating.

You and your H can drink in all of the parks except for Magic Kingdom (with the exception of Be Our Guest, but it's impossible to get reservations there). You can also bring a soft-sided cooler with your own food/drinks/snacks into the parks. I would bring a soft cooler on the airplane as the personal item for one of you. Many of the food kiosks will give you cups of ice for free.

hoffse · December 2015

Also, this is a really obvious thing, but do check the weather before you go. IIRC you guys live in a really cold part of the country so FL will probably feel balmy to you in Feb., but I think some people are surprised to find that it's actually not 80-90 degrees in Orlando year-round.

We have had an extremely warm winter this year, and we are all hoping it continues... but odds are you guys will need at least a light jacket in February, at least in the mornings and evenings.

vlagrl29 · December 2015

They will be totally fine on the flight. DD was 3 when we went to Sanibel and she thought it was the coolest thing. She actually took the turbulence way better than I did.

als1982 · December 2015

Oh and my favorite travel hacking blog, mommypoints.com, offers really great advice on traveling with kids.

dragonstarjk · December 2015

Totally agree about direct flights. The #1 thing my H wants to splurge on when we travel is the most direct flight possible.

Have a blast! I know you have been planning this a long time.

short+sassy · December 2015

Congrats!!! Sounds like an awesome trip. And 3 and 5 are such sweet ages for this kind of trip. I can only imagine how crazy excited they will be when you all tell them.

PurpleBookmark · December 2015

Congrats, so exciting! They will love it

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