I just put a deposit down on our trip to Disney!!! It literally is my favorite place on earth and I haven't been since I was 18. We go October 2-9. It's free dining, so it may be a bit busier than usual during the low season, but hopefully not too bad. I made reservations for every character dining there was. We have Hopper Passes. I made the girls (my whole family is going) appointments at the Bibbiddi Bobbiti Boutique. We're staying at the All-Star Sports. I know it's rather far away, but oh well.
We're not telling the kids until it's time to leave.
So as a Disney enthusiast who hasn't been in forever, what things should I know?
We are planning an October visit as well. A little later than yours I think, by maybe a week or so, to overlap with the fall break here at the University. I didn't know anything about free dining, it is just the time that worked for us.
We plan on a short trip though. I think we will only do Disney World and MAYBE animal kingdom, so just a long weekend for us.
I hear you on the jealousy thing. Every time I hear somebody has gone/is going I get the need to go again, so I threw caution to the wind and went for it and was totally surprised the rest of my family was in too. I just feel like now is the perfect time to go. I don't want to wait until they're older. I want to go when they still totally love all the characters. (Not that that is something you grow out of. I LOVE Goofy.)
I'm not sure what your kiddos are into, but we bought Elizabeth an autograph book and fat pin (you need fat ones for some of the characters with clunky hands) and she LOVED getting autographs from the characters. It is especially easy at the character breakfasts. I am not sure which ones you are doing, but we thought the best one was the princess breakfast in Epcot at the Archaues (or however you spell that Norwegien name).
We were there in January and had to use fast pass for the Peter Pan ride, which surprisingly, Elizabeth loved. We also preferred the parade in Animal Kingdom because it was not as loud, but E does not like loud.
Elizabeth still talks about it and asks to go back. You are going to have so much fun!
I'm not sure what your kiddos are into, but we bought Elizabeth an autograph book and fat pin (you need fat ones for some of the characters with clunky hands) and she LOVED getting autographs from the characters. It is especially easy at the character breakfasts. I am not sure which ones you are doing, but we thought the best one was the princess breakfast in Epcot at the Archaues (or however you spell that Norwegien name).
We were there in January and had to use fast pass for the Peter Pan ride, which surprisingly, Elizabeth loved. We also preferred the parade in Animal Kingdom because it was not as loud, but E does not like loud.
Elizabeth still talks about it and asks to go back. You are going to have so much fun!
I still have my autograph book from when I was little, so we'll definitely be doing that! Does anyone do the pin trading?
I booked the Princess Breakfast at Norway, the Pooh Buffet at Crystal Palace, Cinderella and Prince Charming at the Grand Floridian, Chef Mickey, Good Morning Character Breakfast, Hollywood and Vine, and Cape May so they should get plenty of time with characters!!
Just a side note we HATED the food at the GF with Cinderella.
And with lots of kids as long as there are lots of adults you should be fine but we got wore out of the constant buffets.
Garden Grille in Epcot is another good character meal and they bring the food to you in that one.
Whispering Canyon Cafe is another fun experience for the kids. They do all sorts of jokes and antics and have horse races around the restaurant.
Bryce and Owen's favorite from last year though was Teppen Edo which is like a Japanese thing where they cook right in front of you. They both proclaimed it as their favorite.
Oh another good one Ohana's their food is superb! Dinner time they do dances around. But they also have a breakfast with Lilo, Stitch, Mickey, Pluto and Minnie maybe can't remember the last one.
Chef Mickey's is always the best for the classic character interactions.
Oh another good one we ate at Sci Fi Dine in in Hollywood Studios. You get to sit in cars and watch old movies on the screen. Kids loved that as well.
We have also in 08 did the Crystal Palace and Hollywood and Vine.
As far as park planning. It is great you got hoppers so you can go back and forth. I will say you will get sick of the long bus haul to and from Magic Kingdom but I am sure you will work it all out just fine.
Fast Passes are worth their weight in gold!
Always at least check out each firework show one of the nights. So magically!
The parades are also fun!
If the boys want something fun while the girls are at BBB there is the Main Street Barber it is right inside the Magic Kingdom. We took Keegan there last year for his first haircut and he got ears and a certificate. The big boys decided to get gel and stuff in their hair. Although I admit it was a huge mess cleaning up that night they loved it and it was not much money at all.
Here is a pic of what O's looked like, just because I had that quick and easy to grab in my pb. Not the best pic, I am sure I have the Disney 2009 album on my facebook that you could check out as well.
The kids favorite parade is the one at Hollywood Studios. Spectromagic parade is fun to watch as well and we have watched others also.
Gosh, okay, I will stop just ask if you have any other questions.
My kids have been begging to go back but it is not in the budget this year. It is amazing what they remember from the trip. So magically!
