By Heather Ouida, owner of babybites & kiddybites
Let’s talk Disney World. I know I have written about Disney before, but I have been asked to give a few more pointers for all those families and mom bloggers heading down there next week. I know that many people like to give advice on what age appropriate rides to go on. Not me. Too risky. 
Each child, not matter what his/her age likes very different things at Disney depending upon their own unique personality. When we took my older son, then two years-old, on the Peter Pan ride which we were assured “was in no way scary,” he was so traumatized that he, now at age 8, still talks about that ride as “the scariest thing to ever happen to him in his whole life” (ok, so the guy’s a little dramatic).
Instead, I asked for Disney pointers from my sister-in-law (the Queen of Disney) and my children’s grandparents (who are never shy to tell you what they really think) and threw in a few of my own tips.
My own two cents:
– Arrive at the theme parks as early as possible (they get more and more crowded as the day progresses). With younger kids consider pounding out a few hours early, going back to your hotel for lunch/nap/swimming (this is also the hottest part of the day) and then heading back to a park in the early evening (Or Not! Some of our fondest memories, after such busy mornings, occurred just chilling at the hotel at night).
– Although they are available inside the parks, consider brining your own umbrella stroller. We found some of the longest walks (and biggest melt downs) occurred while walking to and from the parks. The umbrella strollers are super easy to fold up and bring on the buses, trams, etc. and also easy to identify you own, after parking them outside a ride.
– Bring snacks and water with you while waiting in the often very long lines. Nothing is worse than being 30 minutes into an hour-long line with hungry and thirsty kids. I also brought those Wiki sticks with me through every line and to every dinner. Kids of all ages love them and they are light and virtually disposable.
– Educate yourself on how to use the whole fast pass thing. Believe the digital clocks that tell you exactly how long the waiting time is in each lin. Do not do what I did which was say, “They must be mistaken. How could it really by 180 minutes wait time!” and then you’re your whole family on. It is. (I hear there is actually an app that tells you the wait time for each ride!).
Amy (my sister-in-law):
– Plan ahead – take Disney up on the dining reservation policy (I believe it is 6 mo. in advance) so you can get what you want when you want.
– The double park dining worked well (late breakfast and early dinner in the same park). One park per day is enough – so make sure to have multiple meal dining plans in the same park to assure you have a family meeting place and time – and a needed (food) break from all the fun.
– Do the water parks – they’re not just ordinary water parks – they’re Disney style water parks – and the kids love them!
Tips from “Papa”: 
– From my perspective it is all in the planning and good shoes.
– My personal favorite is the parade, which really helps me to become a believer in the magic. That is my personal goal. All day we are in the middle of so much magic and it just takes me time to buy into it. However I always do with the help of the parade and the show in front of the Disney Castle.
– One last practical point about parking. It can be exhausting walks so make sure you know where you are parked and take the tram to your car.
Tips from “Grandma Karen”:
– Although it’s great to view a trip to Disney as a FAMILY experience, I suggest parents be willing to split up now and then, if they have more than one child, so that each child can do what he/she wants. There are plenty of other opportunities for the family to do things together.
– Make sure your accommodations include a proper kitchen; then invest the time and money to make a run to a large grocery store and stock up on what is needed for breakfasts, lunches, beverages and snacks (although the parks do not allow coolers, we were able to pack small lunches and keep them in our bags). Not only does this save money, but it makes for a better day in Disney to have everything available in a stroller or back pack.
Wishing all the families heading off to Disney a magical time!
