The Grand Fairies and I went on an adventure.
The 3 of us flew to Orlando together and spent a couple of days at Disneyworld. I was impressed with how smoothly it all went, considering it was spring break time, and we weren't the only ones who had the idea of going there then.
There were a few struggles, but nothing we couldn't handle.
Lost rental car keys? Take a bus. (There is great, free transportation from the Disney hotels to the park, it was actually easier than driving)
Chilly weather? Lots of layers. Lots.
Bag too heavy? Rent a stroller to carry it.
Kids too tired? Trade that single stroller in for a double and push those kids around, remembering to call it a carriage, NOT a stroller. Who cares if they are "too old" to be in one, it made the day much more pleasant for us all, and those strollers glide so easily, that it was no problem for me to manage it. It was actually more convenient to have the girls seated together as the day progressed and the crowds grew larger and larger and larger and larger.
Crowded restaurants at lunch time? Find a kids' zone to color in and wait til it clears. Patience and distractions got us through wait times, along with a bag full of snacks, and water bottles.
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We took breaks and kept it as chill as we could. We arrived early to our scheduled events, like our dinner at Cinderella's castle, and read books or played games on ipads to rest up before the party started. For the "Wishes" fireworks show, we found a cozy spot with a family chock full of little girls nearby and hung out for an hour before the show began, for a perfect view, enjoying just BEING there, while making friends.
Our sidewalk neighbors were Muslim (I'm guessing on this) and didn't speak English, I'm not sure where they were visiting from, but I got a kick out of watching Dewdrop befriend them, even with a language barrier. They were joined by a couple Hispanic girls behind us, and it became a little United Nations of princess talk and giggles.
One trick I regret not using on this trip, was watching the parade from Frontierland instead of Main Street. It begins in Frontierland and the crowds are much smaller there. We didn't have a good view this time, and it was my own fault for not getting to a good spot early. Because it is hard to see the show if you haven't staked out a place ahead of time.
My thought is that a trip to Mickey's place isn't a contest to see how much you can do to "get your money's worth", a day in the park is meant to be completely enjoyable and fun, not rushed and crazy.
I plan ahead as much as I can to make the most of the time, but we leave plenty of space for just plain old sightseeing, hanging out, and rolling with the day. We spent the entire day in Fantasy Land and Tomorrow Land, without seeing a single other area, and didn't care. So what if we didn't see it all in one day?
What we saw, and what we did was amazing!
My biggest tip for a good day at the park is to make the most of fast passes and use the Disney park ap on your phone to keep them updated, as you use them up, you can book more. Also you can check wait times on all rides so you know where you can get in quickly without waiting for crowds. We never waited more than 10-15 minutes throughout the day, unless we were purposely taking a break.
And if you can't get reservations for the meals you want, keep trying. Even during spring break's larger than usual crowds, we were able to dine at Cinderella's Castle as well as in Belle's. Both were full up when I first checked, but I made a point of looking online for openings periodically the month before we left and eventually, spots opened up both places we wanted to go.
(okay, I admit that I was a bit obsessed with that, and some days, I checked the dining reservation site 5 times a day)
Another tip that I found helpful was dressing the girls alike. I dread the day they won't let me do this anymore, because it sure makes it easier to find them in crowds. I always make sure I am wearing something colorful myself, so they can spot me easily too. When they get too sophisticated for twin outfits, maybe we will all chose a family color to wear when we go to zoos or amusement parks.
I have never splurged on taking the girls to the Bippity Boppity Boo salon, but I do buy them each a new dress for our visits. Kohls has the cutest Disney lines of clothes, and with their sale prices, I got two dresses from the Beauty and Beast collection that will be worn over and over and over for much less than I'd have paid for a gown from the salon. And I knew the girls would be comfortable for the day. Some of those gowns that are sold in the park are too flimsy to be warm in the early mornings and after dark, but look hot in the middle of the day when the sun is out.
We went on St Pat's day, and I checked out the Dollar Spot at Target before we left for some light up necklaces and crowns to celebrate in an affordable way. We also packed glo-sticks from the dollar store to give us some sparkle once night time came.
If you want to get into the park early to get decent photos of the castle before Main Street becomes shoulder to shoulder traffic, you should go early and be there when it opens (or before). We were lucky that the Extra Magic Hours (a free hour to go early or stay late at a park) happened to co-inside with Magic Kingdom that day. Sometimes the park that has the Magic Hours isn't the one you have tickets to, they change daily. And you have to stay at a Disney hotel to get that free hour.
Or you can book a reservation at a restaurant in the park, for an early breakfast and get in early that way. When you go early, you can often walk right onto rides, no line at all.
We had no waits at all for Winnie the Poo, Small World, and the merry go round, all in about 35-40 minutes or so. We even rode Small World twice. And you are welcome for the gift of that song in your head for the rest of the day, it is still in mine, we rode it later that day too. Twice. Yes, it will be in my head til the end of time after that, but I kinda like it, so didn't mind.
Here is another tip- if your kids are into gymnastics, and trapeze like mine are, please council them before getting on the carousel about not standing up and doing tricks on the horses.
The operator stopped the ride to talk to these two after they were caught showing off their circus skills as the ponies went round and round. And funny enough, they hold the ride up for a LONG time talking to the kids, they didn't simply tell them not to do it, or to get off. I was surprised by the length of the lecture. Or did it just seem like it was forever because they were all pointing to me in the crowd as the reprimand was going on?
A lot of time waiting can be spent looking for Hidden Mickeys too. I don't know if this counts as one, but it was delicious anyway.
This was the first time we used the Disney dining plan, we chose "quick service" which is the lower end one. And we were not able to use it for the upper priced meal at Cinderella's castle, so we had extra meals on it. The quick service plan was honored at Belle's castle tho, and the meal even came with this bonus tray of pastries.
We also shared two meals three ways a couple of times. And didn't really buy much in the way of snacks. So, was purchasing the meal plan worth it? Well, it ended up being so for us, because we met up with Dewdrop's mama the day after we went to Magic Kingdom and I paid for them to go to Animal Kingdom together, and the credits on the meal plan carried over for them to use. The points were good until midnight the day you check out of the hotel and could be used at Disney Springs too. Sugarwings and I went there to hang out, had some dinner, and bought snacks to go to use up some of the credits. We ate caramel apples at our beach hotel for the next couple of days.
But for just one adult and two little fairies, for just two days, it wouldn't have been a good deal, it was too much food for the three of us. I don't know if I'd do it again or not.
Check out was at 11, and we were able to get a later one, (request a later check out upon checkin, don't wait!) so we spent time at the pool at our hotel, then spent the rest of the day at Disney Springs, seeing Beauty and the Beast and having dinner. That gave us an extra day to use up the meal plan, and we shared it with Dewdrop's mama, but it was still hard to finish up all of the credits without stuffing ourselves.
Here is something I learned about the dining plan we were on. 10 years old is ADULT PRICED! But- when I used the dining plan, it wasn't divided up between "adult" or "child" meals. There were two credits each, each day for just a meal, plus snack credits and a refill cup good for use at the hotel only, but it was great for refilling with ice water- free at any counter service restaurant.
We could order two adult meals and split them three ways, and could order the highest priced meals on the quick serve menu.
BUT- you have to purchase a meal plan for each person in your hotel room. So, the only way I see doing this again would be if I had two separate hotel rooms, and we shared a meal plan somehow. Or once the kiddos are older and eat more, it would be worth it. For now? Not for us.
We stayed at one of the "value" priced hotels and it ended up being the favorite of any we'd been at. At least from the kiddos point of view. (I've stayed at the Animal Kingdom resort with my sis, Terry, and I can't say any hotel anywhere is better than that one!)
This one, Art of Animation, was over the top gaudy, bright, fun, and full of 3 story high characters the kids love. So, it was an ideal choice, was much less expensive than any of the other hotels I've stayed in there, and it made the grand fairies VERY happy. The pools were such fun that we wished we had more time to stay there. The hotel itself was a blast for the littles, although it might have been a bit much if my husband had come along.
It was at least $150 less per night than the medium value hotel we usually go to (Caribbean Beach). That alone was good for me, the girls loved the Ariel decor, and the bus to the Magic Kingdom was direct and quick.
A tip I got from my sis, the Disney master (Terry) is to get a fast pass to see Belle's tales. It is a cute, interactive play and every child gets to be in it, meet Belle, and get a free book mark. That is much more interesting than simply standing in line to meet a princess.
If you do a character meet and greet or one of their meals, pick up a note book from the Dollar Spot at Target, or somewhere else with bargain prices so the kids can collect autographs. No reason to buy one for $10 or more at the park. And Target has Disney themed books that are every bit as cute. My girls saved the signature pages to make a scrap book with the photos I took of them meeting their royal friends.
Here is another tip- pick up extra maps, they get torn up, lost, and fought over if you don't. No reason to play tug of war with one if there is an unending supply.
Another activity to keep busy between rides is Pin Trading. The grand fairies like doing it so much, they even traded back and forth with each other all day.
We had the best time with our stay. I wish it could be longer, I've never taken the little ones when we could go to the park more than one day, the timing just never works out for us. This time, we had an afternoon and evening at the hotel, then a day at the park, and another night at the hotel, then a late check out.
Here is another tip- don't over do it!
We probably could've squeezed in one more day at a park before driving to the beach to meet up with my husband after checking out of the hotel. But, as tempting as it was, I knew I'd be exhausted if I spent another day in one of the parks, then had a two hour drive to get to our beach hotel afterwards. Hanging out at the pool and at Disney Springs for a couple of hours was ideal for us, plenty more Disney fun, and no more ticket purchases. There are a lot of fun things to do in the area without buying a ticket.
These are all tips that I've learned after taking children a few times, and I know that I am in no way an expert. I just wanted to pass on some things I've learned along the way.
