First Family Trip!

[dwbrewster]

My DW and I just brought our DD (4) and DS (2) on their first trip to Disney World - Dec 19-23 and I have been going through withdrawal over the past 5 days so figured I'd provide a recap of the trip and introduce myself to the DIS community in the process! I would make this in a chapter format like everyone else does - but I couldn't figure it out.

Sorry if it's long or done wrong!

Our trip started with a video message the day before we took off from Santa Clause telling our kids that they were going to Disney World for Christmas - if I'm allowed to post a link to youtube I'll upload it there if anyone is interested.

Due to picture limits I am making each day a reply - hope that's OK!

 

[dwbrewster]

Day 1 - Flight and Magic Kingdom

On December 19 we took off on our flight - I am a seasoned business traveler but flying with kids was a whole new experience, and I felt bad for everyone around us. Here is a picture of my DS as he was in one of his better moments!

We landed and headed on the DME to the All Star Music - our home for the next couple of nights. After getting everything in our room we headed to the MK to get in some time before the park closed for the Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party (which we weren't sticking around for). First thing we did was the mandatory ride on the Carousel.

We then went on a whirlwind tour of New Fantasyland and rode - Dumbo, Journey of the Little Mermaid, Winnie the Pooh, and It's a Small World. After a couple of rides (with minimal or no wait times) we met our first character, Tink!

After meeting Tink my DD was hooked on meeting characters and getting as many autographs in her book as possible, but we were now headed to watch Dream Along with Mickey and then A Frozen Holiday Wish before heading for the exits!

 

[dwbrewster]

Day 2 - Epcot

We were out the door early and had our first Character dining experience of the trip at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall for an 8 AM breakfast. Both kids loved it, my DS has a thing for hugging those princesses!

We finished up breakfast right at rope drop and since we had little kids we couldn't take advantage of Soarin or Fast Track - instead we went to a M&G with Mickey, Goofy, and Minnie which was a blast since my favorite is Goofy!

We then went on a whirlwind tour of Character meets and saw nearly every character out there - the best interaction though was with Chip and Dale, they were super fun.

After checking out the Nemo stuff and some more character M&G's (including Mary Poppins, Aladdin, Jasmine, & Pluto we headed to the Coral Reef and did the Candelight Processional.

On our way over to the Candlelight processional we found the door open for the Character Training Center (where the handlers are earning their ears) and my son got to meet his FAVORITE character, whom he just refers to as "duck".

While parking the stroller for the Candlelight processional we ran into our first Disney scare and learned how great CM's are. I was parking the stroller and my DD got out and next thing I know *poof* she is gone and the crowds are thick and she is impossible to find. In no time my DW and I both had a CM at our hips helping look for her in a little under 5 minutes she was found watching another show - the one she thought we were headed to! Once she was found the wonderful CM's brought us back to the show and helped us find some seats which was more than we could have asked for.
Regarding the show though - I'll be honest, for all the hype of the candlelight processional I was left a little disappointed - it was good, just not as great as I was anticipating. This ended our day and we headed back to the hotel for a good nights sleep.

 

[dwbrewster]

Day 3 - Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios was a fairly short day for us - we were there at rope drop and headed straight for Toy Story Midway Mania which was a blast - though I would NEVER wait 90+ minutes for it! After TSMM we went to watch Voyage of the Little Mermaid - great show but parts of it could definitely be updated! After Voyage we walked around to get some pictures taken (I had a Memory Maker package) and head to use our first FP which was the Frozen Sing-A-Long which my DD LOVED, so much so that she had to get out of her seat to dance and do her routine during "Let it Go". After this my DD and DW went to get a quick snack, and we headed to the Beauty and the Beast show.

After Beauty and the Beast we grabbed lunch at Hollywood & Vine (Mac and Cheese with Lobster is to die for BTW) where they met their favorite Disney Jr. Characters. Entertainment here for little kids is great and is a must do if you have pre-school age kids. At about this point in time we realized kids needed a break so we headed to the last FastPass we had available to use and saw the Disney Jr. Stage show and headed for the exits as fast as possible. BUT we did stop for a quick picture to announce my the new addition to the family.

We spent the afternoon at the pool and giving the kids a chance to recuperate a little bit because we had big plans for the next day - MAGIC KINGDOM!!!

 

[dwbrewster]

Day 4 - Magic Kingdom

We got on the first bus at 6 AM headed to the MK and were right at the front of the line for EMH rope drop. I scoped out the crowd and we were the only family around with kids and thought we had a GREAT shot at being the family chosen to open the park. A CM was walking in our direction and next thing I know a family comes up on line in between us and the CM and they are approached HEART BROKEN! but the kids had no clue what was going on so it was OK, we had a great day ahead of us!

We had a FP going into the day for A&E M&G, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Enchanted Tales with Belle, so we planned our EMH as best as possible. While everyone was heading to A&E or Mine Train we went right for Cinderella and Rapunzel - two characters my DD REALLY wanted to see. We were first ones in to see them and were out and on our way in no time.

From here we headed to the Tea Cups (which my DW opted out of), Tomorrowland Speedway, and Astro Oribiter, while roaming from one to the next we then ran into Stitch - not a huge fan but who passes up meeting a Character with no line? Not my DD!

We then decided to head to Ariel's Grotto, my DD met Ariel at Akershus but wanted a picture of her without her...what do you call them? feet!

At this point EMH was coming to an end but took advantage of the low crowds at the early hour and headed to Peter Pans Flight and then Haunted Mansion (are we bad parents for bringing a 2 and 4 YO on that???) took the boat ride, and spent some time around Frontierland (should've gotten a dole whip then!). After a little bit my DS passed out and so I brought my DD on Splash Mountain, the whole time on line (about 35 minutes) I kept hearing her ask "you ready to get wet???" - this was probably one of the best times of the trip, it was clear she was having so much fun.

From here I took over the duty of watching my sleeping DS while my DW used the FP on Enchanted Tales with Belle with my DD. My DD was selected to play the Beast and got to dance with Belle, a highlight of the trip for her!

While they were in there I waited on line for the M&G with Gaston, which was hilarious. I wasn't allowed to pose with him as he decided to adopt my family...

From Gaston we made our long awaited visit to meet A&E with our second FP and my DD was THRILLED!

From A&E we headed to our lunch at the Crystal Palace where they met Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and Eeyore. The best interaction was with Eeyore because my DD kept telling him he should be happier and not be so sad! They got plenty of hugs from each of them.

After Crystal Palace we headed to watch the parade which my kids LOVED and then went on a train ride which was a must do for my DS. From the train we headed to meet Merida - take a picture with the Castle lit up and then head for the exit - 14 hours after entering the park.

 

[dwbrewster]

Day 5 - Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom also became a short day since we had to pack and knew the kids were near the end of their fuel. We found that with little kids taking advantage of the EMH is near impossible as not much is open aimed towards them. As a result we went on the one ride in Dinoland they both could do and I decided, lets see how my DD goes on Dinosaur and see how she does!

. We then went to check out the Apes once the trails opened up, headed to Rafiki Island for a quick minute, and went to see the Lion King show. After the Lion King Show we headed to use our FP for Kilimanjaro Safaris where we got SUPER close to a Giraffe and some other animals - fantastic trip! We then wrapped up our day (I told you it was short) with M&G' with Pocahontas, Daisy, and Tarzan then headed to Rainforest Cafe for lunch.

From here we exited stage right and headed back to pack and go to the pool for a bit. For dinner we headed to Downtown Disney and had a chance to explore there.

 

[dwbrewster]

To top off the trip, as I mentioned early on I travel a bit for work and First Class was frighteningly empty but economy was packed. I had originally turned down being put on the upgrade list because I didn't want to break up the family. However I decided to put my name in and give the seats to my wife - so on my DD's first vacation her and my wife got to ride up front while my son and I stuck out in the back! Lucky girl!

In a nutshell that was our first family vacation to Disney World.

Another highlight that I forgot to mention was trying to find Transportation Cards - unfortunately I only was able to get the 3 bus cards - but hopefully in future trips I can round out my collection with some monorail and watercraft cards!

 

[dwbrewster]

Sorry some of the pictures are so huge, not sure why or how to fix!

 

[PoohBearAndMe]

I really enjoyed reading your trip report! You really accomplished quite a lot of rides and attractions with two small children You have a lovely family, and your photos were lots of fun!

My DH and I are taking our 7 yo DD on her first trip to DW in February, and I just cannot wait!

 

[ursalita]

Hi. I enjoyed reading your report. I'm impressed that you made it 14 hours at MK with your kiddos. Awesome! I've never seen Tarzan at the parks, in person or from a TR that I can recall. Very cool!

 

[DVC'96]

Thank your for sharing your first trip with us, I will never forget the first time we took our kids to Disney even though I had been there many times before.

So the picture with your wife's stomach and kids in the frame-I almost passed over it but I believe you are saying she is pregnant. Congratulations!

 

[Vernie822]

Your trip report was great! I just did my first one too so I was a little nervous, haha. It looks like you guys had a seriously great time. I love that you spent the time to meet the characters, they're so fun! We had the same Anna on our trip in September. She was great.

 

[7165red]

I am enjoying reading your TR and the photos are great.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

I really enjoyed your TR. You really did accomplish a lot during your vacation. You have beautiful children. Thanks for sharing!

 

[vicceja]

Amazing trip - Thanks for sharing

I remember when I took my family for the first time...my youngest was just 3...now they are 19, 16 & 14 and we still remember those first trips. We are now planning our trip this summer.

Beautiful memories!

 

[floralmouse]

Thanks for sharing!

I've not met Pocahontas, Stitch, or Tarzan so I'll have to be on the lookout for them.

 

[kbvancouver]

I really enjoyed reading it.