Walt Disney World - First Day at Magic Kingdom

I posted this on my main blog, but thought I would provide a link here just in case you haven't seen it!  Our first experience at the Magic Kingdom was a great one!
Walt Disney World - First Day at Magic Kingdom

Tips for Airplane Travel with Children

Here are tips for traveling on airplanes with children based on my experience!

•  I don't suggest getting on the plane first before everyone else.  You may take a little longer to get organized, but do you really want your kids to have to sit still for even longer then they already have to?  I have seen people traveling alone take longer to get situated then I do with my three kids!  Wait until the last minute to get on the plane!  Let them run and take that last potty break!
• Bring on an empty sippy cup. They will give you a drink in flight so bring an empty cup and just have the flight attendant pour your child's drink directly in his or her cup.  You won't have to worry about spills!  If you need it before take off just ask a flight attendant right away.
• Bring on suckers!  The air pressure changes in take off and landing can hurt little ears.  It helps to drink, suck on a bottle or pacifier, or suck on a sucker.  If your child's ears already hurt they won't want to stop crying to drink some juice, but they will stop for candy!
• Bring on special treats.  Keep these treats hidden and only bring them out one at a time when they are needed.  If everyone is content then leave them that way!
• Bring on new exciting toys!  I like to have 3 new things that I can pull out of the bag for the kids.  Toys, coloring books, crosswords, a story book, magnets, finger puppets, and stickers always go over well.
• Bring favorite snacks!
• Pack a backpack or diaper bag like you are going on a day outing.  Be sure it can fit under the seat in front of you.  It is too difficult to bring on a bag you have to put in the overhead.  It is not easy to grab if you need something in a hurry.  I prefer to have a bag that zips shut to keep everything in.  Have wipes, Kleenex, your snacks, treats, and a change of clothes for each child in the bag (I recommend sealing the clothes up in the space saver bags).  I wouldn't bring on the hand sanitizer or lotions unless they attach to the outside of your bag so you don't have to worry about removing items when you go through the check points.
• Before your trip let your child know exactly what is going to happen and what is expected of them.  They will have to sit in their seat the entire time with their belt buckled!  If they think they can run around and then you have a bumpy ride where they can't, things can get tense.
• Some people will tell you to go during nap time.  I am not a fan of this.  My kids would tend to be over tired and have a hard time settling down in a strange place.  That doesn't make for the best traveler.
• Another thing I am not a fan of is giving your child something like Benadryl before the flight.  The antihistamine will make your child tired, but it could also make them hyper or extremely crabby!  I have been on many flights where the parent has given their child something to make them sleep and then the child is so tired they can't settle themselves down!  The parent is confined to their seat when the child would prefer to have them walk to soothe them!  Not fun for anyone!!  If you think you want to try this method I would suggest doing a trial run before your trip to see how it would go. 

Specifically for Infants

• Children under 2 can travel on your lap for no cost, but you do have to notify the airline.
• If your flight isn't packed you can ask at the counter if there is an extra seat near you and the attendants may move things around so you can put your child in his/her car seat in a separate seat.
• If you are nursing, plan to nurse on take off and landing - it will help the baby's ears.  You may also want to get a window seat which makes it a little easier to cover up.
• You can ask the flight attendant to fill your bottle with water when you get on the plane
• If the baby is old enough for finger foods bring a favorite along
• Bring a favorite book
• Bring 2 brand new toys
• Bring some favorite toys and comfort items like a blanket

Fun in Downtown Dunedin for the entire Family!



Delightful Dunedin

*A Gulf Coast Town between Clearwater and Tarpon Springs 30 minutes northwest of Tampa Florida

Downtown Dunedin

This charming downtown is one main street with a few small side streets. Taking a stroll down the street you will feel like you have come home.  The tree lined streets, small shops, and large open area for community events tell you right away that this is a friendly place to be! 

Local restaurants and bars such as Kelly's and the Chic A Boom Room are very inviting and shouldn't be missed!  This locally owned hot spot has great unique food and entertainment.  We especially love the pricing they have for the kids' food and the outdoor seating! Another favorite of ours with a spicier flare is Casa Tina.  Fantastic food, drinks, and entertainment!

If you don't stop and look at some of the many art galleries  and antique stores you will be doing yourself an injustice!  Be sure to look down those side streets for more great finds!

Our favorite shop by far is Palm Latitudes.  You could spend hours in this shop (which we do each time we visit)!  I don't recommend bringing in a stroller as it is hard to maneuver- or small grabby hands if you aren't prepared to watch them every second.  Merchandise is everywhere and well within reach of a little one!  Even if you have your rambunctious toddler with you though, you need to stop in this store!  Take a quick look around and you will want to come back when you aren't distracted by your child!  You feel like you are in Key West as you step through the door with all of the decor above, below, and around you!  This is not a touristy shop with the word Florida stamped on everything.  The items in this shop are unique and FABULOUS!  I have decorated entire rooms from this store!!  It is a must see!  I really really mean it!!

If you are someone who enjoys walking,jogging, biking, or roller blading, you have to check out the Pinnellas Trail.  It runs right through downtown and can be followed easily all the way to the Dunedin Causeway and beautiful Honeymoon Island.  Bikes can be rented right in a little shop off of the main street to take on the trail.  The trip to the beach isn't too far, but I would time your adventure according to the heat of the sun because the trail is not shaded once you hit the Causeway.

Finally, while in downtown Dunedin be sure to stop in the Chamber of Commerce on the corner to get a schedule of all of the events going on.  There never fails to be some sort of show, outdoor movie, fair, or fun event going on in Dunedin!  It is one of my favorite things about this city!

A little side note, the last time we were there many of the restaurants and shops were closed on Mondays and open the rest of the week.  Check on-line before you go for a day of exploring just to be sure.



Random Tips when Visiting Walt Disney World

Random Tips While in the Parks:

·         Take a picture of each kid each morning so know what they are wearing

·         Pin name, number, resort, address in clothes or shoes each day (put in a plastic sleeve)

·         Copy each ticket and write name on ticket in case it gets lost

·         Wear same color shirt to spot easily-( we aren’t doing this, but it is a good idea)

·         Tie a ribbon, scarf or balloons on stroller to find it quickly in crowd- Disney employees will move strollers around to make more room

·         Bring your own stroller if you plan on using them – the parks rent them out, but it is super expensive!

·         Have a plan the night before of where you are going each day so the children are aware and you can get the day going

·         Bring two bags-one with snacks and water and essentials and smaller one with money and camera to take on rides

To Bring in the Parks:

·         Water bottles

·         Soft sided cooler with snacks, water, and sandwiches

·         Camera

·         Autograph books

·         Pens

·         Hand sanitizer

·         Baby wipes

·         Rain ponchos – found a waterproof heat blanket at the Dollar store to use in case of down pours to cover the stroller

·         Sun screen

·         Hats

·         Glow bracelets for nighttime fun

·         Travel first aid

·         Chapstick

·         Mints

·         Kleenex

·         Map

·         Itinerary copy

·         Cell phone

·         Purse

·         Sunglasses

·         Ziplock bags for leftover chips..

·         Copy of tickets

Disney World Vacation Notes on Rides

Here is my write up with tips and ride descriptions for Walt Disney World Florida!
*The items in red are the things I think everyone will really enjoy and we don't want to miss
*The items in purple are the meals I have reserved with characters

Magic Kingdom

Open 9-10 on Wednesday and 9-11 Sunday

·         Get there at least a half hour early – some parts of park open early

·         Stop into guest relations or Town Hall to tell you are first time visitor.

·         Get times for characters in park (Tinker Bell)

·         Go straight back to Fantasy Land on first day and do Dumbo first then Peter Pan and Winnie the Pooh-have have to get FP for them also get them for Buzz Light year and Space Mt.

·         Day Two go to Adventure land area and go to Splash Mt and Big Thunder Railroad 1^st then Pirates of Caribbean

·         Can use siblings tickets to get FP so can go on multiple times if they aren’t riding

·         Can use FP any time after the time listed on the FP

·         FP may open ½ hour after park opens so ride first

·         Tinkerbelle’s flight – descends from castle before fireworks

·         Parades: 3pm- emerges from gate just left of Splash Mt/ evening emerges from gate to the right of City Hall on Main – both follow same path.  Get a spot at the beginning of parade 30 min before it starts

·        

Fantasy Land

·         Dumbo Ride – has a stationary elephant for photo op

·         Peter Pan’s Flight (FP) 3 min

·         Mickey’s Philharmagic (FP) – 3D

·         Cinderella’s Carrousel – look for sword in stone to pull out

·         Mad Tea party – 3 min

·         Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (FP) 3 ½ min

·         Ariel’s Grotto – meet the character (moved)

·         Fairytale Garden – Belle reads a story – Rapunzel may be there

·         It’s a Small World

·         Pooh’s Play spot

·         Snow White’s scary adventure – 3 min – scary

Tomorrow Land

·         Buzz Lightyear’s Spin (FP) 4 ½ min – can shoot and get scores

·         Space Mountain (FP) 44 inches

·         Monster’s Inc. Comedy Show (funny)

·         Speedway – 5 min laps

·         Walt Disney Carousel of Progress – show

·         Astro Orbiter – 2 min rocket ride

·         Tomorrow land Transit – 10 min ride – good ride for naps

·         Stiches Great Adventure (FP) 20 min show

Adventure Land

·         Pirates of the Caribbean – 10 min cruise (may get wet)-wait inside and is fastest loading ride

·         Magic Carpets – ride for four – can make it turn and go up and down to avoid camel spit

·         Tiki Room – 9 min show-if stay a little after, can hear Iago hurl insults very funny

·         Jungle Cruise – (FP) 10 min

·         Swiss Family Tree house – explore and walk thru

Frontier Land

·         Splash Mountain – (FP) 40 inches wet log ride (sit left and back for less water) play area near

·         Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – (FP) 40 inches – bumpier in back – just fast not too scary

·         Arcade

·         Country Bear Jamboree – 17 min show

·         Tom Sawyer Island – raft to Island to explore

Liberty Square

·         Haunted Mansion – 8 min not too scary

·         Hall of Presidents – 25 min show

·         Liberty Belle Riverboat -17 min ride- not a lot of seats may have to stand 2^nd tier is best view

Characters guaranteed to see while dining:

Crystal Palace: Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger

Cinderella’s Royal Table: Cinderella, Snow White, Jasmine, Belle

Tusker House: Donald, Daisy, Mickey, Goofy

Chef Mickeys:  Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Donald

Crystal Palace: Wednesday      Reservation   (prepare kids for parade with characters-buffet)

Cinderella’s Royal Table              Reservation#   {both reservations sit down}

Epcot

Open 9 – 9 on Thursday

·         Get Fast Pass to Soarin’ first thing!

·         2^nd mission space, test track, Seas with Nemo

·         Shows in World Showcase of interest: Chinese acrobats, balancing act in France, off kilter-Celtic music

Future World

·         The Seas with Nemo and Friends

·         Spaceship Earth – stay outside

The Land

·         Soarin (FP) fly over with IMAX screen

·         Circle of Life – 20 min film

·         Club Cool – taste test Coke Products free

·         Living with the Land (FP) – 13 ½ min boat ride (recommended by Lisa P)

Imagination (pyramid – fountains inside)

·         Honey I shrunk the Audience (FP) – 3D (crowded early)- Mice crawl up leg – can take of glasses and put up feet so don’t feel it

·         Journey with Figment – tour of labs

·         What if Labs – kid friendly play

Test Track (FP) – 40 inches – go through road test (ride) – all about speed/no flips or plunges

Mission Space (FP) – 44 inches – stimulates space (could cause dizziness)-go on less intense side?

Universe of Energy – 45 min- funny movie with Ellen and then train ride

Innovations – arcade of the future – can play games

World Showcase: opens at 11 – are Characters in different areas

??Bambi's Magnificent Butterfly Garden   Pixie Hollow Garden Flower Power Concert Series

Coral Reef Restaurant Reservation # for– sit down

Animal Kingdom

Open 9 – 7 on Friday

·         Get Safari FP first thing then Expedition Everest

·         Save Rafiki for afternoon

Discovery Island

·         Tree of Life

·         It’s Tough to be a Bug (FP) 8 min – can be scary – feel and smell bugs

Africa

·         Safari (FP) ride in jeep and see live animals

·         Pangani forest Exploration – trail to see hippos and gorillas

·         Rafiki’s Planet Watch – petting zoo

Asia

·         Kali River Rapids (FP) 38 inches – will get wet!

·         Maharajah Jungle Trek – walking tour of tigers and more animals

·         Flights of Wonder – 20 minute outdoor show of birds

·         Expedition Everest (FP) 44 inches – go early!!

DinoLand USA

·         The Boneyard – dig for bones-lots of kids and easy to lose sight

·         Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama

o   Whirl ride – 48 inches

o   Spin ride – like Dumbo ride

·         Dinosaur (FP) 40 inches very intense and scary!!

·         Finding Nemo Musical – 30 minute show-sit center 2/3 back

Camp Minnie-Mickey

·         Festival of Lion King – 30 minute show

·         Greeting Trails – look at times

Tusker House Reservation -buffet

Hollywood Studios

Open 9 – 8:30 on Monday

·         Run straight back to Toy Story Mania for FP and wait in line (if want to ride 2x)

·         Fantasmic at 8:30 – sit 15 rows from front so don’t get wet- get there an hour early

·         Get FP for Rock n Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror first thing

·         Very short parade so go to start of parade

·         Sci-Fi Dine In – sit in ship to eat

·         Characters-Playhouse Disney in animation courtyard, newest stars are inside animation studio, cars have a garage rt of entrance of Lights Motor Action

·         Tower of Terror (FP) 40 inches – scary story line and drop 13 stories

·         Rock n Roller Coaster (FP) 48 inches – fastest coaster is inside so not a lot of dips and drops

·         Beauty and the Beast Live (FP) 30 min show

·         Magic of Disney Animation – show about Disney and Animation

·         Voyage of Little Mermaid – (FP) 17 minutes- lightning show may be scary – sit toward back so don’t see puppeteers

·         Playhouse Disney – sit on floor – for preschoolers

·         Toy Story Mania (FP) wear 3D glasses and shoot

·         Studio Backlot Tour – 30 min – right side to stay dry

·         Lights Motor Action! Extreme Stunt Show (FP)

·         American Film Institute Showcase – costumes props and set pieces

·         The Great Movie Ride – takes through old movies-startle factor (Casablanca, alien, wizard of oz tram is taken hostage)

·         Sounds Dangerous Starring Drew Carey – 17 min may not be suited for under 7

·         The American Idol Experience – 25 min show with real contestants

·         Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular

·         Star Tours (FP) 40 inches  Star Wars – not scary – do reenactments outside ride- 3D parts-feel in ship

·         Muppet Vision 3D – 29 min show- sit center back

·         Honey I shrunk the kids – oversize playground

Mama Melrose’s  Reservation #  – sit down (Fantasmic Package)