I hope everyone had a nice Independence Day, and got to see some fireworks. This week’s mailbag belongs to Steve Russo, who begins by sharing some reader tips inspired by Steve’s article, “Taking the Kids” (May 22, 2009).
Judy P. writes:
I just returned from eleven days at Walt Disney World with three grandchildren, ages 6, 4 and 21 months. Your suggestions were right on! If I may add: our daughter brought along the 21-month-old’s soft padded potty seat, and used the private family bathrooms or ones at Baby Centers. The constant loud flushing scared the baby, so private stalls were life-savers!
Also, a pad of paper with a crayon made long lines go faster; we drew pictures and other family members guessed what it was. We gave the 2 older children occasional use of a camera, they were much more attentive to their surroundings. Watch fireworks from gift shops if little ears are bothered by noise. It rained like CRAZY for two days, so the kids wore Crocs (no socks needed) and they loved being puddle jumpers!
Let the kids “lead” you back to your hotel! We stayed at the Boardwalk and they found the room every time. Also, we let them run through the hallways when no one was around, they loved it; kids need to run! The ducks and rabbits and birds provided endless entertainment; at Disney World, they don’t seem to run away!
Grab a free set of chopsticks from the Land’s Chinese food place, our 4 year old pretended he was a drummer from Japan! We are so happy that all three survived the vacation and loved it! No one was lost, not even for a second, and they learned to have more patience (waiting in line, letting others off the bus/elavator/boat first). Alas, they all have bruised knees! Each fell at various lacations, but no harm done!
I’m glad you had a great time. Thanks for sharing your experiences and the tips. It’s appreciated.
Joel S. writes:
Great article about doing Walt Disney World with kids. We have an 11-year old and a 5-year old, and have gone about every year since the oldest was born (first trip at 9 months), so we’ve defintely “been there, done that!” Here are a couple of thoughts I would add, both dealing with making sure you keep your child(ren) well rested:
1) The importance of rest – Part 1. There is just no way to do the parks “commando” style with kids under ten and have any sort of a good time. My wife and I always made a point of staying at a Walt Disney World hotel so we could go back to the room for naps, or at least some “quiet time.” Even a relaxing dip in the pool can take care of this. Yes, you lose park time, but you also gain some much happier kids by the end of the day and, as any parent knows, that trade-off is well worth it.
2) The importance of rest – Part 2. While it’s very important to get out of the parks to rest, we’ve also found that certain attractions also allow the kids to rest, cool down, and recharge their batteries. We always space these attractions out during the day to help the kids keep fresh. Any of the longer sit-down shows will work (Carousel of Progress and the Hall of Presidents were always our favorites for this purpose).
However, our favorite way to do this is the TomorrowLand Transit Authority (TTA), which will always be the PeopleMover to us! It allows about twenty minutes of sit-down relaxation with enough going on to keep the kids entertained as they relax. The TTA was especially perfect when my kids were infants – 20 minutes of smooth motion will put just about any tired baby to sleep, and all it took was one nod to the attendant and they would let us go around again and extend the nap. It also is perfectly situated in Tomorrowland to allow you to do this while older family members are riding other attractions in the area.
I agree completely, especially about the TTA (which is now closed for a while, unfortunately).
Tom S. writes:
I don’t have kids of my own, but have taken the kids of several of my friends with me to Disneyland (where I have an annual pass). Depending on the age of the kid, one of the first things I try to do is prepare them for the chance that we might get lost in the crowd. I assure them that I will not try to lose them, but if it happens, I WILL be looking for them. And I introduce them to a Cast Member (any member), and let them get a good look at what a Cast Member badge looks like, so that they know that if we we get split up, they should go to the nearest adult that is wearing one of those, and they will help find me.
Introducing the child to a cast member is an excellent tip. Thanks for sharing.
Don S. writes:
First, about strollers, you suggested packing them in the hotel before venturing out for the day. If taking Disney Resort buses, you will have to fold up the stroller before getting on the bus. I suggest gathering all your neccesities the night before but not loading the stroller until you get to your park destination.
Second, bring a second pair of shoes. My then-3-year-old son took an unexpected walk through the fountain in Disneyland’s ToonTown so we had to find/buy shoes for a boy (not easy) which lead to our “favorite” Disney melt-down story. Not pretty.
Thanks for that “refinement” – it’s good advice for the stroller. And the second pair of shoes. Thanks for sharing.
RC writes:
I wanted to make a small correction to your article about taking children to the parks. The Baby Care Centers don’t all have refrigerators – I am a CM who has worked in one that doesn’t. I’ve heard conflicting information as to whether or not any Baby Care has a fridge. Guests who must have medications refrigerated might want to contact Walt Disney World before they visit to verify what options are available.
Thank you for responding. That’s great info.
Kelly Z. writes:
Another great article Steve. Above all else, as you stated, this is just as much the child’s vacation as it is the adults. You are right, the experience can be overwhelming for a little tyke! So I make a conscious effort to subtly incorporate their decisions — making them feel less like they’re a part of it, rather than just in tow. For example, when packing, I pre-set outfits (shirt, shorts, socks, undies) and pack these in the suitcase individually in Ziplock bags (and once you squish the air out, I find you have even more space available in the bag than initially thought). Each morning, my kids would go to ‘their’ drawer and select their own attire for the day. A subtle allowance for their deicsion making.
When we go to the parks, I ask them “where do you want to go?” or “What would you like to ride?” If your child is excited to ride Barnstormer, and you don’t give them the chance, there will be disappointment, and we all know what disappointment in a child is like to deal with in public! Disney vacations don’t last forever, so make sure they get to see and do what they’re excited about; it makes memories for them as well.
We also make sure each child has their ‘own funds’ or allowance if you will. This comes in handy when shopping, keeps us to our budget, and requires them to consider all their options vs. their allowance rather than the ‘I want it all!’ bit for souveniers. And they walk away with pride that they made the purchase with their own money.
Granted, my suggestions are aimed at probably 4-5 yrs or older, but still I thought worth sharing. Have a Fantasmic day!
Excellent suggestions! It’s easy to see you’ve “been there and done that.” Thanks for sharing.
In this next group of letters, Steve addresses some readers who agree and some who disagree with his choices for worst attractions at Walt Disney World that were presented in his article, “The Bottom Three” (April 24, 2009).
Peter G. writes:
Generally I concur with your feelings about naming the bottom three attractions at Walt Disney World. My wife and I have gone an average of once a year since we were married (25 years ago this year). Now that our daughter is out of college and we are living in an empty nest we have been fortunate enough to increase our trips to 2 to 3 times a year. Although I still look forward to seeing the Carousel of Progress, I always find myself wanting the last scene to be updated. I would add that to your list in the Magic Kingdom. Also needing an update is Tom Sawyer’s island and the approved jungle cruise spiel. I wish they would eliminate the radio controlled boats and the frontier shooting gallery. This just seems to be to be below the disney standard. (As such are the dino-land arcade games) I have always wondered why the tomorrowland speedway wasnt retrofitted with a Herbie theme.
I also wonder why the loading platform for the shyride is still visible behind the Cinderellas castle. I realize it is above the sightline but leaving it in place where it has been gone so long just doesnt seem very Disney-like.
Some other thoughts are whether imagineers ever considered 3D for the grand fiesta tour in the Mexico pavilion in Epcot and whether the Indiana Jones stunt show will ever include the ride attraction as in Disneyland.
I can’t disagree with any of your observations. As I said, it’s often tough coming up with the three most deserving of a particular honor – or, in this case, dishonor.
Peter M. writes:
In general, I agree with your lists. My only real disagreement might be that I would probably tie Stitch with The Enchanted Tiki Room: Under New Management. In both cases I feel that they’ve taken an effective attraction and downgraded it. Alien Encounter may have been “un-Disney” in how scary it could be, but I thought it was well done. The Tiki Room was charming, and while an update may have been in order to “plus it”, this was in the wrong direction.
As for Wonders of Life, I am in complete agreement. The decision to remove these attractions appears to be due to a lack of sponsorship, which may have made sense to them from a financial perspective, but has lessened the entertainment in the park, having lost several excellent attractions, particularly Cranium Command, in my opinion.
I’ll probably get some virtual rocks hurled at me here but, I’m not that upset by the Enchanted Tiki Room: Under New Management. I admit I was never a huge fan of the original – not that I disliked it, I was just kind of neutral. I find the new version strikes me in much the same way. I do agree with you on Stitch and Wonders of Life.
Randy K. writes:
Astro Orbiter and Swiss Family Treehouse? Are you crazy? Everything else is spot on. Replace these two with Carousel of “Progress” and the shooting gallery in Frontierland on your list.
Really? I’ve already committed to giving the Treehouse another try on my next visit but, the Orbiter… probably not.
I’ll speak out in defense of the Carousel but my defense is more nostalgic than anything else. Even I have to admit it’s become a bit stale. To be honest, I’ve spent so little time in that shooting gallery, it never even popped into my head but, you’re right, we could probably use an upgrade there as well.
Lisa H. writes:
I really enjoyed your article about your bottom three attractions at each park. I agreed with most of your selections.
Here is where we differ:
In Epcot, I would replace Innoventions with Ellen. I think Innoventions could be upgraded to be an interesting attraction again. The last time my family went through the Ellen attraction, all of us were checking our watches. At least, the family members who were not napping were checking their watches.
In the Studios, both the Animation Tour and the Backlot tour desperately need help. I loved the Animation Tour in its orginal form. I wish Disney could convince Pixar to do some work on the premises. Even with the Backlot tour gutted, I still do it each time, if for no other reason than the AFI museum at the end. Again, I wish Disney would find some way to maximize what they have. WIth some work, both attractions could really be cool. What would be on my list is the Indy stunt show and the Muppets. After Lights, Motors, Action, sitting through a second stunt show is a drag. I love the Muppets, but the film is looking old. Like Star Tours, it really needs refreshing, to the extent we sometimes skip it.
I can’t disagree with any of your comments. I think Ellen’s Energy Adventure is several notches above its predecessor but, I admit there are several sections where napping is almost encouraged (that “radio room” toward the end being the most notable).
The Indiana Jones show never entered my mind for this list – mainly because we haven’t seen it in years. I agree, it needs to be updated.
MuppetVision is a tough one. I can agree that film is getting a bit stale but, I still really enjoy it – and don’t touch the pre-show!
