Sept 2011
It goes without saying that Walt Disney World is a unique vacation destination. Sure, there are one-of-kind attractions, recreation, and incredibly themed lodging options. But, what make Walt Disney World really unique to me is that it is just as magical to honeymooners, toddlers on their first trip, school-aged children, and grandparents celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. This appeal to visitors of all ages makes Walt Disney World so enduring (and endearing) as a vacation destination. The thing is – you’ll probably have to change the attractions you see, the restaurants you eat at, and maybe even your lodging at least a little depending on your “life stage.” This week at WDW Fan Zone, BritMickUK shared how her favorite Walt Disney World theme park has changed over the years depending on what was going on in her life. Today, I’d like to share a couple of examples of how my family’s Walt Disney World vacations have changed over the years.
From Time Travel to Singing Dolls
One of my favorite attractions is Animal Kingdom’s Dinosaur. I’m not exactly sure why since I don’t have a particular affinity for dinosaurs but the ride thrills me every time; my husband and I never missed it when we visited pre-kids. We had to sit out Dinosaur the first few trips with our small children since they weren’t tall enough to ride and we never could find time for Rider Swap. These days, one of our sons meets the height requirement but we still avoid it as it would scare our sensitive child.
As Dinosuar was being crossed off our touring plan, a new one was being penciled in. “it’s a small world” is a ride I avoided during those early years of adult-only vacations. I judged it unfairly, remembering from my childhood what seemed to be the incessant refrain of the music. I classified it as a child’s ride. My personal feelings aside, it’s appropriate for small children so we rode. I’m glad we did; I have a new appreciation for the whimsy and artistry of the attraction and it’s become a favorite. My trips now seem incomplete without a turn on this slow-moving boat ride.
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Got small kids? Then a stroller at Walt Disney World is a necessity. Now comes the hard part – do you buy, bring, or rent?
Buy
I’ve heard tales of buying an inexpensive umbrella stroller while in Orlando and then “gifting” it to another family on your way back to reality. To be honest, I don’t see many benefits in this option. Sure, the word inexpensive is like a siren’s call to me but the ones in the Walt Disney World gift shop aren’t all that inexpensive. If you’re considering buying a stroller in Orlando, you’re most likely not driving or you could throw a small umbrella stroller in the back of your vehicle. If you’re not driving, either you won’t have a car to drive to a local big box store because you’re utilizing Magical Express or you’ll have a rental car but you have to take valuable time out of your vacation to visit Wal-Mart or Target. As they say, time is money. This brings me back to the not-so-cheap umbrellas strollers Disney sells.
Cost aside, Florida sun is a huge factor in my stroller decision. We’ll be spending much of our day outdoors and it’s important that the kids are comfortable. In my experience, most umbrella strollers don’t have a canopy large enough to adequately protect my little ones from the sun.
A Walt Disney World vacation means more than Mickey bars and magic – it means mile and miles of walking every day. I never feel confident that inexpensive umbrella strollers will be sturdy enough to hold up to the wear and tear we would put it through on a week-long vacation.
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Irene put an unfortunate damper on my plans last weekend, as she did for so many up and down the East Coast. While my husband stayed to look after the house, my mom and I evacuated with my two small children to a hotel about three hours away. It was a lovely hotel but it was selected for its availability and its distance from my house – not for its thriving tourist center or local attractions. Trying to find inexpensive, local activities to pass the time with the kids was a challenge.
Lying in dark room waiting for a two-year old to fall asleep gives you a lot of time to think. What if I were stranded at Walt Disney World instead? What could I do with the kids outside the theme parks (with an eye on budget)? Here are some of my half-day ideas.
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