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AA Mom And Kids Mickey Ice Cream Bar; DinoLand U.S.A.; animal kingdom
  • On May 28, 2010
    Faith from WA Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Coming for 1st family vaca with 8 mo, old and 4 yr old in Sept. What do you recommend for a reasonable day's schedule? Basic times? Trying to schedule meals (everyone has warned this is a MUST!) and don't want to wear us out and drag exhausted kids around

    Hi Faith, How exciting to be planning your first trip to Disney World!

    I'd take a few things into consideration when choosing your meal times. First, I see that you are traveling from Washington. I have 2 words: Jet Lag. That 3 hour time change can be tough, especially in the mornings. I'd personally plan on sleeping in (as much as you can with an 8 month old and 4 year old) and heading to the Parks whenever everyone gets up and around in the morning. I'd book your Advanced Dining Reservations for dinner time and plan on grabbing a quick bite for breakfast and lunch. We have a tradition of eating breakfast at Crystal Palace, but other than that, I generally only plan on 1 other breakfast reservation. I just don't like to be on a time schedule in the mornings while on vacation.

    You'll definitely want to bring your own stroller, since your baby won't be comfortable in the hard, molded plastic ones that Disney rents. We've traveled to WDW with our kids when they've been almost every age from 3 months up to 17 years. What we've learned is when the little ones are tired, they'll nap in the stroller. We've also realized that everyone is happier if we aren't on a strict schedule. Essentially, we book dining reservations (because it is a necessity)...but we leave the rest of the day wide open. We get to the Parks when we're ready, and we leave when everyone has had enough. I think you should plan on making your dinner reservations and then just let your kids moods and energy levels dictate the rest.

    You'll never see all that Disney has to offer in one trip, which leaves you with an excuse to come back for more throughout the years. ;)

    Hope this helps and have a Magical first vacation at Disney,

    Kaylene
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Meet the Panelist: Kaylene, Massachusetts

I'm a blessed Mom of five fabulous kids, a Disney Vacation Club member, and an Annual Passholder. I've stayed in every Disney Resort on property, and I've traveled to Walt Disney World Resort with infants, toddlers, tweens, teens, grandparents, and on countless multi-generational family vacations! Learn More About Kaylene

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