I had Part 3 all written when my computer decided to commit a "Fatal Error"! All was lost so I will start again. Sorry it took so long to get back here. We were on, "What We Did":
DAY 6 (Thursday) Epcot - Today was a wonderful day. We took our time and enjoyed every minute. First, we got a Fastpass for Test Track and while we waited explored Imagination. We rode this ride and had our picture done with the "2000" sign - what a great keepsake. Next it was time for Test Track. While I took DS (7) on, DH explored the Butterfly Garden and had some fun with the other kids in the "car wash" area. Test Track was good but I wouldn't wait more than 1/2 hour for it. On to The Land where the kids made cookies in Mickey's kitchen - they had fun and came away with 3 chocolate chip cookies which was a good dessert after lunch at The Land Food Court. Also, don't miss Food Rocks if you have young children or enjoy what can be done with the current music trends. After finishing up Future World we headed to World Showcase where the kids made masks and had their Passport stamped at the Kidcot stations in each country. DH and I enjoyed the Food and Wine Festival. We saw some characters on their "Vacation Bus" and the kids got some more autographs since the lines were not that long. My only dissappointment was that I really wanted to eat at Canada's Le Cellier. We had tried all week to get PS but no luck unless we would come at 8:30 and be willing to wait (with 3 young kids, I don't think so). So we opted for pastries in France. We watched both performances of TON but headed out before Illuminations since everyone was tired and we didn't want to wait long for the bus.
DAY 7 (Friday) MK (Our last day) - I was glad we spent 2 full days in MK. We were able to see what we had missed the first day and redo some favorites (Buzz Lightyear's Spaceranger Spin is a definate favorite). We had an early lunch at Crystal Palace which was as good or better that their breakfast. Characters were fun and even though lunch was sold out, we were not rushed out. We even met a family we knew from home at CP. In the afternoon we did Splash Mountain and Mickey's Toontown Fair. We had great seats for MSEP, saw Tinkerbell's Flight and the fireworks (although not over the castle). As we walked down Main Street we did not want this day to end (I already started planning the next trip). Our children were the perfect ages to share this magical place for the first time.
In Summary (Things we learned):
Never borrow something for a trip without trying it out first.
No matter how much you pack you will always need to buy at least one thing youv'e forgotten. The week before I spent $60.00 on all kinds of medicines I thought we might need. I was prepared for anything. We all came down with a horrible cough and guess what I had to buy in the General Store at 11:00 pm one night - cough medicine!
Speaking of packing - only bring about 2/3 of what you think you will need. Doing laundry is very simple and it cuts down on what you will have to do at home. Besides, the kids have their favorite things to wear and you will be washing anyway.
If you decide to drive around Disney, bring a map or you too will be asking the guards at ASM how to get back to DxL.
Beware of trundle beds - they eat young children!
Always have a meal plan, especially with young children. They get hungry and grumpy (so do the adults) and can use the rest. Character meals are also a great way of not having to wait in line for autographs.
Use Fastpass!!! So you do not have to backtrack, we knew which rides in which areas had Fastpass and would go their first. Then we would do other things in that same area until it was time to ride.
Thanks to all of you on these boards who I have learned so much from. It made our trip so much more enjoyable - my DH even complimented me on a great planning job! I have learned so much more on this trip and would be happy to answer any questions especially from other 1st timers like ourselves.
Now, how soon is too soon to go back!
DAY 6 (Thursday) Epcot - Today was a wonderful day. We took our time and enjoyed every minute. First, we got a Fastpass for Test Track and while we waited explored Imagination. We rode this ride and had our picture done with the "2000" sign - what a great keepsake. Next it was time for Test Track. While I took DS (7) on, DH explored the Butterfly Garden and had some fun with the other kids in the "car wash" area. Test Track was good but I wouldn't wait more than 1/2 hour for it. On to The Land where the kids made cookies in Mickey's kitchen - they had fun and came away with 3 chocolate chip cookies which was a good dessert after lunch at The Land Food Court. Also, don't miss Food Rocks if you have young children or enjoy what can be done with the current music trends. After finishing up Future World we headed to World Showcase where the kids made masks and had their Passport stamped at the Kidcot stations in each country. DH and I enjoyed the Food and Wine Festival. We saw some characters on their "Vacation Bus" and the kids got some more autographs since the lines were not that long. My only dissappointment was that I really wanted to eat at Canada's Le Cellier. We had tried all week to get PS but no luck unless we would come at 8:30 and be willing to wait (with 3 young kids, I don't think so). So we opted for pastries in France. We watched both performances of TON but headed out before Illuminations since everyone was tired and we didn't want to wait long for the bus.
DAY 7 (Friday) MK (Our last day) - I was glad we spent 2 full days in MK. We were able to see what we had missed the first day and redo some favorites (Buzz Lightyear's Spaceranger Spin is a definate favorite). We had an early lunch at Crystal Palace which was as good or better that their breakfast. Characters were fun and even though lunch was sold out, we were not rushed out. We even met a family we knew from home at CP. In the afternoon we did Splash Mountain and Mickey's Toontown Fair. We had great seats for MSEP, saw Tinkerbell's Flight and the fireworks (although not over the castle). As we walked down Main Street we did not want this day to end (I already started planning the next trip). Our children were the perfect ages to share this magical place for the first time.
In Summary (Things we learned):
Never borrow something for a trip without trying it out first.
No matter how much you pack you will always need to buy at least one thing youv'e forgotten. The week before I spent $60.00 on all kinds of medicines I thought we might need. I was prepared for anything. We all came down with a horrible cough and guess what I had to buy in the General Store at 11:00 pm one night - cough medicine!
Speaking of packing - only bring about 2/3 of what you think you will need. Doing laundry is very simple and it cuts down on what you will have to do at home. Besides, the kids have their favorite things to wear and you will be washing anyway.
If you decide to drive around Disney, bring a map or you too will be asking the guards at ASM how to get back to DxL.
Beware of trundle beds - they eat young children!
Always have a meal plan, especially with young children. They get hungry and grumpy (so do the adults) and can use the rest. Character meals are also a great way of not having to wait in line for autographs.
Use Fastpass!!! So you do not have to backtrack, we knew which rides in which areas had Fastpass and would go their first. Then we would do other things in that same area until it was time to ride.
Thanks to all of you on these boards who I have learned so much from. It made our trip so much more enjoyable - my DH even complimented me on a great planning job! I have learned so much more on this trip and would be happy to answer any questions especially from other 1st timers like ourselves.
Now, how soon is too soon to go back!
