Looking for some suggestions

I'll be going to WDW from 10/29-11/06/2004. We'll be doing all four parks, as well as Mickey's Halloween party.

I have a 9 yr old and a 4 yr old sons.

I would like to get some ideas on the one special thing i could do with/for them, in any of the parks, that would bring them the one most special memory that they would always remember.

I've read all the info about character dinings, but I wonder if there's something even more special?? :confused:

Thanks for the tips...........Wingnut

I'll ask my sons what they remember about their trip last October/November.

Where are you staying? There are some things (like flag family at the Wilderness Lodge (I think it's WL)) that are limited to guests at a specific resort - and that would be pretty special.

Also, given the ages of your kids, it could easily be a simple, unexpected thing that ends up being "the bestest part" of their vacation.

My sister and I went about the same time last year, I hope the weather during your trip is as great as it was for ours. Do a lap around the Food and Wine Festival for us!

We'll be staying at the All Star Movies. (Part of a grand gathering with my bro NJMike). I think we requested bldg 10.

Water Parks (Hey, it's my favorite thing at WDW!)

Mouseboats on Seven Seas lagoon and Bay Lake

Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue

I don't know what ages this is geared for , but I bet your boys would love the Pirate Treasure Hunt that leaves from the Grand Floridian.

Honestly though, don't be surprised when they tell you there favorite part was the pool or arcade at the All Stars.

Haven't spoken to them yet, but I agree with some of the comments above.

I'd boil my feelings down to this: You can't force the magical moment. You can't plan the magical moment. (I don't even think Eisner has figured this out.)

Here are my guesses as to what my kids will remember most:
9-year-old: We went to every park on the last day.
6-year-old: I got sick at EPCOT and Mommy took me back to the hotel.

My 4yo daughter loved the pirate adventure. There's also a cooking class for kids at GF that they might like.

I just asked her what her favorite part of WDW was (we were just there last week). Her response?

"I liked seeing Mickey and Minnie!"

It probably also depends on what your kids generally enjoy. For example, my 5YO loves playing the drums. What does he talk about a lot? Watching The Jammitors at Epcot (and Paulie giving him his drumsticks after the performance -- now the only sticks he'll use on his drums) and playing the drums with OrisiRisi, also at Epcot.

But then, he tells us that his laughing place is Community Hall at the Old Key West Resort, because a young female CM played games with him and spent a lot of time talking with him. What can I say, even at 5 he's a big flirt!

It's tough to say what your kids will find magical. I went with a five year old for the first time last year (the last time I was at WDW with a youngster was with my son way back in 1985). The things she loved:

The $3 pony ride at Fort Wilderness. She still talks about riding Cricket.

Triceratops Spin even though it was too loud and she rode with her fingers in her ears. But it was something her mother and my son didn't ride.

Running around the old Swan Boat launching area at Magic Kingdom. That was a great grandmother/granddaughter hour or so.

Feeding the fish at the Fort Wilderness dock while waiting for the next Magic Kingdom boat. That was 15 minutes of my son with his stepdaughter that will never be duplicated.

Seeing the birds after a Flights of Wonder show at Animal Kingdom. Her face lit up when she saw an owl up close and personal.

Playhouse Disney Live show at MGM. Mom and son said she was dancing around like there was no tomorrow.

The thing is about all these events that I remember (and she does too) is that none of them were planned. It's hard to say what kids will remember after the trip is over.

I agree about not making the memory. I just asked my 2 what their 1 most fav thing was last trip (12 and 9) and the 12 yr old said "riding splash mountain 5 times without getting off during MNSSHP", and the 9 yr old said "the house we rented and having our own pool". So, since my 2 (and my wife and I) Have never stayed at ASMOV before, I'm sure that the hotel itself will leave a huge impression on us. Wingnut and his family have stayed before, and I know where he's going with this. Its the first (maybe the last, you never know) Time we've all gone somewhere together (outside of nj) and we want to do something really fun. Our family and the grandparents have done CRT 3 times, but Wignuts family hasnt. So if we're lucky enough to get it, it would be cool for them (and us, we love it). The Grand gatherings fireworks cruise looks neat, none of us have ever done a fireworks cruise of any kind. I just dont want to cram too much into the time we have together with too many "special things" and not have enough time for the normal park stuff. Know what I mean?

Ok y'all let me ask you, If we are doing the grand gatherings fireworks (wishes) cruise with the water pageant, and supposedly storytelling, and a meet and greet with pan at the end....then whats the difference and, is it worth doing the pirate treasure hunt too?

I have given serious thought the last few months to the hoop de doo, since every single member of our 10 person group from pop pop down to our kids just LOVED the (now gone) diamond horseshoe revue. I know the show is totally different, but i think we'd love the style of it all. I figured this was a no-brainer but the cost was a lil high. Not really though since pop pop, wingnut and I would surely get more than our moneys worth in beer and ribs and chicken (we are some big boys lol). And even the ladies have been known to have some wine now and then. Of course, being hung over at wdw isnt my idea of fun lol so we'd prob take it easy. The food looks great, and I have never seen a bad revue for this on any website (3 or 4) that I have researched it on.

So what is your recommendation, should we (would you) do hoop de doo. You can book this thing 2 yrs in advance, would we get a decent seat booking it now? Which time do you recommend? also, if we did this on a day where we go to disneyquest in the am, would it be wise to take a bus from asmov to dis quest in the morning then a bus from dis quest to WL for dinner?? I figure that way with the beer and wine, we wouldnt have to worry about driving home. Only prob is, how hard is it to go from WL to ASMOV when we are done???

I know its a lot of questions, but thanks everyone. :D

I would book the Hoop Dee Doo Revue now - you can always cancel if you decide against it. The earlier you book, the better your table. They are assigned in the order of booking.

Going from the Wilderness Lodge to All Stars after the show would involve a couple of choices -

You can go to Downtown Disney from Wilderness Lodge and then catch a bus back to All Stars.

Depending on when you are doing Hoop Dee Doo, Magic Kingdom might still be open and you can boat over there and catch a bus back to All Stars.

Or you can drive directly to Fort Wilderness campground, park there and take the bus back to the show. Afterwards, drive back to All Stars. Yes, there is unlimited beer and wine but you'll be enjoying the show so much that you shouldn't have a problem.

And for the All Star Movies - check out the cute little Dalmation puppy "watching" TV in from of that building. We had a great room on the first floor with a pool view in Mighty Ducks. We were further away from the main building and food court but we just went over to the Sports side and had no problem with anything.

I have a comment about the fieworks cruise. We did both wishes and illuminations last week. I cannot say enough good things about the illuminations cruise. The wishes cruise is another matter.

When I booked this (for my daughter's BD) I was told that the boats went into the lagoon around the castle. I questioned this because I didn't know that the 7 seas laggon was connected to the castle nor did I think the lagoon around the castle was big enough. I was told that the boats did indeed go to the castle.

Well, it turns out that I was right and Disney was wrong. Furthermore, people from 2 other boats told me that they had been told the exact same thing.

The boats actually idle about 100-200 yards out (or further) from the docks in front of the entrance to MK. You cannot hear the music, you cannot see any of the images on the castle and if the boat drifts, you cannot see some of the fireworks. We thought the experience was much better from the beach at the Poly. (and didn't begin to compare to being in the park).

If you would like to take a fireworks cruise, I would strongly recommend the illuminations one over wishes. It wasn't worth the money and we were very disappointed (as were a lot of other people getting off other boats).

So what is your recommendation, should we (would you) do hoop de doo.

Absolutely!! Go for it! The last time we went, we had a group of 9, ranging in age from 3-years-old to 52, and yes, it was a bit pricey. But, would I do it again?? In a heartbeat! We had a blast, and we all loved the fried chicken and ribs.

When we made our reservation, we were told we'd be on the main floor, because "that's where the big tables are." We had excellent seats, reserving about 9 months in advance. We were like two tables back from the stage. I'm guessing you would probably be in the same area.

If it works the same for you as it did for us, they'll take a credit card number just to hold your reservation and they'll mail you a confirmation. Read it carefully. Groups of eight or more have to make payment in full a month or so in advance, and they give you a certain number to call 24 hours in advance to confirm, again. It's all outlined in your confirmation letter, though.

I hope you have as much fun as we did. I'm almost positive you will.

I think one common magic memory for my kids (and it sounds like others on this thread) is made at the moment by "going with the flow". It's great to think of lots of fun things to do, but for my daughter- going on the same ride over and over (Haunted house) was the biggest memory. So many things go by do fast, that for kids something special has to be experienced multiple times so that they really make it their own. So as you visit the parks- if there is something one of the kids loved then ask if they want to get right back in line, or do "favorites" last day and do it all again. We did both. When my daughter was 4 it was 3 times on Its a small world- I was humming for months. This time Haunted Mansion at 7 yrs old. I'm a little afraid for next time.

one thing
bring costumes for the kids to wear to Mickey's party. Yes it is allowed, in fact many adults wear costumes. it is really cool, and the kids will have a blast dressing up and trick or treating their way through the park.

Hehehe,

Well this is Wignut's (and his wife & kids') first time at MNSSHP, but its the 5th go round for the other 6 of us (my 4 and grandma and pop pop). Don't worry, EVERYBODY is dressing up. You didn't think we'd let him off that easy did you? :~D :~D :~D


Oh, and thanks for the advice everyone. Called down this morning. We're all set at The HDDR our first night together (some of us are coming in the night before, the rest 9am that day). :D

I appreciate all of the advise, and I agree that most of the time that special moment "just happens". What I was hoping for was a few ideas out of the ordinary that I could do with my boys, and did you guys ever deliver. I think our trip will be even better now thanks to your responces. :D

As Mike said, we're all signed up for the HDDR (yee haw - excuse me), and yes we plan to get in costume for Mickey's party. Any guesses for my costume? :fez:

A PIRATE baby! I've even got a special addition planned for it. I'll have a big black dot on my butt, with a string tied to my finger. Hey - a pirate has to have his cannon right? Fire the cannon (i.e. pull my finger) for the "special "firing of the 'ol wingnut cannon! :eek: :eek: :eek:

Whattayathink??????

:eek: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Remind me to call mom and dad and make SURE I wasnt adopted again. :~D :p

And here I was going to make you dress up as Tinker Bell. But I had a hard time finding the costume in NFL LINEBACKER size. But then again, I couldnt find my hook costume that big either. Oh well, guess that's out. :D

When I asked my son about his favorite experience at WDW, he said "getting all of the autographs". :D

I only have experience with Disneyland, but I'm sure you'll find these things in WDW as well. I have many, many, many fond memories of our childhood trips to Disneyland, but there are a few things that my parents made very special for us. One is a glass mug with a Disney character etched into it, they are personalized with our names etched in. We all still have them. When I was a kid, the only character available was Mickey, but now they have just about all of the main characters available. When I took my son for the first time at 8 months old, he got his own mug too (his is a little espresso mug, perfect size for him.)

The other thing is a silhouette cut-out of our head profile. It's a black cutout on a white Disneyland background - they can also frame them for you. You end up getting two because they cut two pieces at a time - it's much more inexpensive than I thought it would be too... another thing I had done for my son on his first trip.

These are things I cherish and still have as memoirs of my favorite place ever!!!

Lots of great suggestions!

A caricature/cartoon of your child makes a terrific souvenir. My kids had theirs done as they waited to be seated at Disneyland's Goofy's Kitchen. I think it cost $10 each (this was 6 years ago). The artist asked each kid about her favorite thing in Disneyland. So he drew Kid #1 in a submarine (Submarine Voyage) and Kid #2 in front of the Castle. Once home, we had the drawings framed. Both girls hung them over their beds.

My boys were 8 & 4 when we went to WDW last aug. and the things they still talk about and they REALLY enjoyed while we were there

The pool at CBR(LOL)

Getting their haircuts on Main Street, they LOVED this and the pictures of them with blue and purple hair and confetti are priceless!

Sci-Fi Drive In

Liberty Tree Tavern(they really had a blast)

And of course the autographs and pix and such. They still talk about E ride night also(it was so cool we got to ride the rides over and over-my 9 year old now)

Wow! could you tell me more about the haircuts on Main Street? That sounds pretty neat. I didn't realize they even had a barber shop there! (too focused on the castle I guess) :fez:

Yes they have a barber shop on Main Street, it's actually, if you're facing the castle, all the way to the left before you start down main street. We were told it's really hard to get it, but we walked right in about lunch time. They are in period costumes and were GREAT!! They cut both my boys hair and then gave them a color choice of hair gel(they choose bright blue and bright purple)and then sprinkled Mickey confetti in their hair. Afterwards they got Mickey stickers. It's was around $12.00 I believe. Oh and all day long people were stopping the boys to find out where they got their hair done! It was a fun little extra that my boys still talk about.
Tina

here's a shot of them outside the barber shop after they got their hair done (http://www.shutterfly.com/view/picture_dt.jsp?state=67b0de21a7642b7ba4a7&idx=45)