Not a fishing or huntin question - hope that's okay

[HugoBox]

I hope its okay to ask a non-outdoorsy-question.

My wife and I are taking our girls to DisneyWorld next month and I've never been there. Do any moms or dads who have been there recently have any tips that will help us make the most of it? I've heard it can be a bit overwhelming.

Also, I'm excited cause after 5 days there we're heading down to her parents winter place on Marco Island so my father-in-law and I will chase Snook and Tarpon - can't wait!!

[eyehunter]

My wife and I have taken our 3 boys there twice, and yes you are right it can be a little overwhelming. The first time we went we bought a book and read it before we left. There are a lot of them out there, just go to Barnes and Noble or a similar book store and choose the one that best fits you. There are ones for families of young childern, older childern, no children...you get the point. The books are good and have a lot of tips in them, my wife even carried it along with her when we were there so that we could look at the chapter that pertained to whichever park we were at that day. There are some really neat tips in there like where in Magic Kingdom you can get you name embroidered on your Mickey Mouse ears for free, and where to look for Tinkerbelle in the castle. Pick up one of the books and keep it with you. One thing I would suggest is to take in Sea World too, we spent the whole day there both times we were there. and if you get there when they open in the morning you can go to the dolphin area and they let you feed the dolphins, I can't tell you how much my kids enjoyed that part of it.

I think the best advise that I could give you is to just enjoy yourself and not worry about it too much...it is a magical place and you will become a kid again yourself. Oh, one more thing, make sure you get the kids an autograph book so that they can get autograph's from all the characters in the parks.

Have fun and enjoy yourself, it will be a great trip and one that your kids won't soon forget.

[fishinchicks]

We took our kids in 2006. We found that if you don't try to hit all the parks, but concentrate on a few, it isn't as overwhelming...unless you will be there for a full week.

Are you staying at a resort on Disney property, or a hotel near by?

[hanso612]

I thought I would hate Disney for all it's artifiscial wilderness, but after going every other year for the last decade-

I love it.

You would be amazed at the flora and fauna that call this place home. I particularly like to spot wild turkeys, gekos, giant tadpoles and spawning largemouth. So don't worry that your question isn't a hunting or fishing question. But, my first tip is that fishing opportunities abound in the spring-so don't forget to pack a rod. Every hotel nerf pond is full of fish.

As a veteran of many trips with three boys my best advice is to sleep in, hit the hotel pool and then go to Disney in the afternoon and stay until dark. Here's why:

Disney is expensive and the kind of people that have the money to go are, by the vast majority, "go getterss", or type A personalities if you will. In my experience you will encounter a predominantly white group of pushy people waiting in line a half hour before the gates open. Their kids will be crabby, because they will have traveled, been up too late, and are overly anxious to get in and can't possibly be patient. I have seen some very harried and poor parenting during this catle call.

If you wait you will see a more ethnically diverse crowd of more laid back people ready to enjoy the experience. Watch the tired faces and crabby behavior of those leaving the park mid afternoon and you will know exactly what I mean. The kids will be yelling because they don't want to go and the parents will look drained. The crowd,although big, whenleaving the park at closing time, have sleepy kids ready to go home.

If you wait to go in the afternoon you can rest up have a leisurely breakfast and spend time in the pool when the sun isn't at full strength. If you go to Disney first you spend the heat of the day walking or standing in line during the hottest part of the day. (causes much crabbyness)

If you go later the Type A crowd has left and you often get to park in the front row- filling their vacated spots. There is no line at the door and you walk right in. The flatlight of the evening sun makes the place beautiful and and the animals are more active. With a good pair of polarized glasses you can see the spawning fish in the ponds-some giants. The lines are shorter too.

Fireworks are absolutely worth staying for-but if you are sunburned, overtired from being at Disney all day, and stuffed with overexpensive junk food it's a set up for disaster.

We like to take a day to go to Cocoa beach and Nasa each trip. The preserve around Nasa is cheap(so is Cocoa beach) and full of wildlife-some of the best fishing for reds and sea trout in the state is there and in the Indian river area which is close.

Have fun on your trip. Hans

[reelemin]

don't give the kids too many choices. You and your wife narrow it down to 2 or 3 and they can then choose from there. This is a good rule of thumb for most decision making.

And to throw another wrench into it, we actually enjoyed Sea World better than disney. -

AND - a little insider FYI - the montarail from the parking lot. ask to sit up front with the driver. there are seats at the nose of the train - 1st class - but no one knows to ask for this !!!!!

[muc33]

I agree with Tami, my family loved Sea World way more than Disney!!!!

[HugoBox]

Thanks to all for the input so far. We're staying at a hotel right near the property but I don't believe that we're actually in the park. My wife is much smarter and more organized so she has taken care of all the details.

[teresa]

Hugo....you are already in good hands if your wife is handling details. My bit of advice...be prepared to spend a lot of money, and don't sweat it, the memories will be well worth it. sunscreen is also a must!

[DTro]

I have a soft spot for Disney World. My wife and I got married there at the Polynesian resort 13 years ago, and have tried to get back every few years or so.

Our favorite parks are MGM and Animal Kingdom.

Not sure what it is about the place, but it sure brings out the inner child in us when we are down there. We have a lot of fun.

Go out and buy this book

When at the parks, use the Fast Pass on the most popular rides or the rides you want to experience the most.

[UdeLakeTom]

My daughter suggested that since it is in a tropical area, bring rain gear, rain coats are $14 at Disney, and it can rain even if it isn't forecast. Also lots of sun screen.

[HugoBox]

This is HugoBox's wife....

Teresa - What would the guys do with out us! HugoBox has no clue what is going on since he thinks we are staying off of disney property and in fact we are staying in Disney. I shiver at the idea if he would to plan it!

Thanks for everyones ideas! It has been a help.

[HugoBox]

Just thought I'd give you and update - trip was great. The girls had a blast and I appreciated the input from all of you. I couldn't believe how hard Disney works to help you have fun and how clean it was!!

Here are the princesses after a long day of walking around.

-erik

[UdeLakeTom]

Ok....since we were so helpful, how about creating your own user name and join the crowd!!!

[Iambjm]

A couple of real cuties there!!!

[Lisa Almquist]

What a happy bunch of girls! Glad you had a great time!

[Debbie K]

Looks like everyone had fun!!

[HugoBox]

Ok....since we were so helpful, how about creating your own user name and join the crowd!!!

Sorry Tom - this was actually from Erik -- I'll have Mrs. Hugobox set up a profile!!

[UdeLakeTom]

There I go again shooting off my mouth??

[HugoBox]

No worries - we don't necessarily don things normal around our house so it can be hard to keep up.

[MN Shutterbug]

A couple of real cuties there!!!

I'd say three real cuties there. I'm glad your family had a good time. I was there once, at the worst possible time of the year. It was over the 4th of July. It wasn't by choice. My daughter had national dance competition there. My highlight was the bikini contest at Cocoa Beach. The Daytona 500 was also going on, so the whole area was a madhouse.