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Who's The Leader of the Club?

Mickey.  That's who!

We are headed to the happiest place on earth soon and the boys could not be MORE excited!!  It's literally all I have heard about from Levi since January - ever since my parents told us they wanted to take the family to Disney World!  We are THRILLED!!!

My mom hired a travel agent and then went out of town the week that we needed to get everything planned, dining reservations made, etc.  So, she enlisted me to be the go-to lady.  The travel agent and I are pretty much BFF at this point.  We're even Facebook friends.  Haha! Once we jumped in full force and started making plans and arrangements, I was absolutely FLOORED by all there was that I needed to know.  Like, for instance, making dining reservations 180 days in advance?!?!  I mean, how do I know what to book or where to eat?!? I don't know what we would have done without a dear friend of ours (thanks, Becca!), and the travel agent.

I seriously spent one entire week glued to the internet, books and endless conversations with Becca planning this vacay and trying to make it great and fun for everyone!  It's serious business, y'all!  And NOT for the faint of heart! :)

It got to the point that week that Levi came up to me and said, "What are you doing, Mommy?  Planning Disney?" I said, "Yes, baby".  He said, "Well, you plan Disney by working on the computer, and I'll plan Disney by watching it."  HA!  Deal, baby! So I turned on some Disney Junior and we both got to work.  ;)

I've been to Disney World and Land several times in my life, but we typically just go one day, and we've never stayed IN the park at a resort, which is what we're doing this time.  So, that makes for a completely different experience.  We're jumping full force into ALL things Disney World next week!

I can't wait to recap it all after we get back and blog about my tips and tricks for you guys.  I bookmarked SO many blog posts from other ladies who had Disney tips/info and they helped out tremendously.  I plan on using their tips and of course have incorporated some of my own, too.  I hope I can help another family out like they've helped me.

So.

Now let me open it up to YOU!

Any Disney tips and tricks that I simply MUST know before we go?!  I'm ALL EARS!  Mickey ears, that is! :)






I am a modern day homemaker with a passion for family, cooking, celebrating, decorating, travel, and memory making! The Lord has blessed me with the desires of my heart in my husband and our two sons. We recently built our dream home and cultivating a loving and happy haven for my family is where I find so much joy.

Comments

  1. We just got back from a week. Isn't there so much to know before you go? If you are interested the last 6 blog posts or so have been on our experience with a 4 and 2 year old. Www.welcometomunchkinland.com

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  2. My biggest tip? Go at your KIDS pace! So what if you don't get to do / see everything this time. No doubt you will be back at some point. Let them sleep when they need to, eat when they need to, "do nothing" when they need to. It is SOOOOO easy for them to get over-stimulated but then melt down. Your agenda needs to be very fluid. Also, staying on property is KEY! You will not regret the extra money spent! Lastly, the Disney Junior stage show at Hollywood Studios is a MUST for preschoolers. It will definitely be a highlight for them. Enjoy! There is NOTHING like Disney with your little ones!

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  3. The best place to eat by far is the Biergarten in Germany at Epcot Center. Amazing!

    Also, when you go to Disney's Hollywood studios, the FIRST thing you need to do is get a fast pass for the Toy Store Ride (maybe it's called Buzz Lightyear--I can't remember). They go fast, and that ride is the best!

    A stroller is a MUST for boys your age! We went for the first time when the girls were 3 and 5 and they took naps in the stroller. Kids at the age yours are at can't do a full day at the park (and if you do, you pay for it later!) My husband and I told each other that meant we just had to come back some day to see what we missed the first time. And we did :-)

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  4. We went last month and even though my kids are smaller than yours, they LOVED it!! We didn't stay on Disney property this time (next time for sure, when they are older), but I also wrote a post on tips and tricks here: http://www.doublethefunblog.com/2013/03/how-to-do-disney-with-your-baby-or.html

    Have so much fun!

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  5. Realize you can't do or see everything in one visit. The
    kids won't know what they are missing.
    Have fun!

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  6. The only advice I can give, after visiting the park with my children several times over the years, is to just go with the flow. Our first trip I had planned to a "T" and what I didn't factor in was how absolutely exhausted everyone was going to be. If you don't make a dinner reservation.....it's just fine! Go back to the room to nap or the pool to just rest your weary bones that will be undoubtedly dog-tired after the first day. When you feel like someone is close to a melt down, grab an ice cream, sit on the curb and just take in the sights for a minute.

    Sometimes that is all you need...have a magical time!

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  7. Shay at Mix and Match Family just did an awesome post on Disney tips: http://shullfamily.blogspot.com/2013/04/walt-disney-world-tips-and-tricks.html

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  8. Disney World in May is the best time ever!!...we have been there twice in May and the longest we ever waited in line was 15 or 20 minutes!! I have so many tips that I could quickly become extremely annoying!! So I will just give you a few of my most favorite.

    1. Certain parks have extended hours on certain days...do not go to that park on the day of its extended hours...go to that park first thing the follow morning!!

    2. At Magic Kingdom go straight to the castle and bear right and hit up fantasy land first...those are all the classic disney rides that your kiddos will love!! Lots of people stop and take tons of pictures at the castle first thing...resist the urge...enjoy some rides while everyone else has stop for the photo ops.

    3. Make a bracelet for your loves with your phone number on it...you can find beads at hobby lobby with numbers on them. Then if you get seperated some how they have your phone number on them.

    I am sooo jealous and excited for you. There is nothing better than seeing your kids experience Disney World for the first time...it will be your favorite family vacation ever!! It is not a nice relaxing vacation...but oh so wonderful!! Enjoy!! :)

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  9. I don't have any tips for going with kids - but I've been several times with friends, and there is an app that gives you all the wait times for rides, shows, etc. Super helpful to plan out your day when you get there! Have FUN!!

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  10. We will be there next week, too! We are taking a 3.5 year old and 16 month old and will be meeting up with my sister whose kids are 5.5 and 3.5. It will be a big fun group! I will make sure to say "hi" if I see you. :)

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  11. You can bring your own food/drinks into the park!

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  12. Here's a link for you to check out... http://www.couponingtodisney.com/my-101-best-disney-world-tips/

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  13. If you're in Hollywood Studios and get close to Woody and Buzz, have your kids yell "Andy's coming!" and the characters will drop to the ground and go back to being toys. My four year old went crazy when my husband called it out. Adorable! Also, if you're able to, getting up for rope-drop at the Magic Kingdom is really special. It's early, but there's something magical about getting to be one of the first people in the park.

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  14. We are leaving next Wednesday to go and I am PUMPED. We're doing MK, AK, MK on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. My boys are almost exactly the same ages as yours. I'll say hello if I see you!

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  15. YAY!!! We are Disney fanatics at my house! I have been over 50 times and it never gets old! Can't wait to see pictures and read all about your trip! Y'all got the major piece of the puzzle by staying on property...that will make ALL the difference in the world!!! Tips: every night at the polynesian, contemporary, wilderness lodge, and grand floridian there is an electrical water parade right before the magic kingdom fireworks that y'all can watch on the beach. and if you want a perfect view of the castle and the fireworks (without the loud sounds), set up shop on the beach of the polynesian! A pineapple dole whip in adventureland at MK is a MUST HAVE. and if you head over to the Wilderness campgorunds, the kiddos can do 5$ pony rides (best deal in Disney) and see the BIG horses in their stables. Make some time for the jumping water fountains at downtown disney for the kids to play in and for the best meal and deal eat at the Earl of Sandwich (my favorite is the Earl's Club...yum!). And like a previous commenter said, you won't be able to do it all, but they won't know that so just enjoy it at their pace and don't be bound by reservations. If you're having a magical moment, enjoy it. HAVE FUN!

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  16. eat at odd hours, earlier or later than the crowds, usually there is a brochure that gives you a discount at a list of restaurants

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  17. Have fun! We stayed at Wilderness Lodge 2 years ago, and sometimes just playing ping pong back at the hotel and renting bikes is a nice break from the park craziness! Our favorite parks were Animal Kingdom and Epcot by far! Did an extra day at Epcot because we like it so much. We have Disneyland back here at home so Magic Kingdom was nice but a lot of what we already know. Good luck :)

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  18. New follower and my name is also Whitney. I can't wait to read more about your life and your sweet boys. :)

    whitney
    a toast.
    www.whittheheck.blogspot.com

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  19. Check out this post: http://www.couponingtodisney.com/category/disney-world-training/disney-world-tips-and-tricks/ TONS of tips for WDW!

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  20. OMG - I love everything Disney and even worked there in high school. Disney World is absolutely the best and I am sure you and your littles will love everything.

    We went before our little miss was born and the best decision we made was to buy a Meal Plan, hands down. It allowed us to have great food all throughout the resort and not worry about paying the Disney magic premium. For those crazy reservation advances I booked a couple of places for dinner each night and whatever sounded good by lunch, we kept and canceled the other. Works out for others that waited for reservations!

    Also, we always got to whichever park for the day, the moment it opened. This will allow you to get on the rides that usually take forever and a day in lines which is key with littles. You can also get your fast passes early too and plan your day out. Plus if you start early in the day, you have time for naps and then enjoy the magic of Disney at night.

    I am so excited for you guys, it truly is the Happiest Place on Earth! Oooh, don't miss the character breakfast at the Grand Floridian - characters are everywhere and they have Mickey waffles, what could be better!

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