Disney Advice

J.,
I just purchased for our Disney trip (not till Dec.) Birnbaum's Guide to Disney. It is published every year so it is up to the minute. It gives you inside tips, and answers to anything you could possibly ask. It also has a section that tells you what rides or things to avoid with little ones as they could be frightened. Have a great time and safe trip.

Normally I'd advise a guidebook called Passporter, but since you're going so soon.

My biggest advice would be to relax and enjoy. I don't know how long you're going for, but you won't be able to hit everything (Disney is larger than Manhattan). Let your son be your guide. He may want to ride Dumbo 5 times in a row. Go with it.

Take a break mid-day. Even if you don't leave the park, there are quiet places in all 4 Disney parks.

Take plenty of pictures...these will be the memories of a lifetime.

And remember, when a melt down comes (and it will), don't be afraid to walk away and take a break. The parks aren't going anywhere, you can always go back.

And if you need more specific info, please email me!

Enjoy!

First I want to say have a blast in disney...but I am sure you will!! I have been there 2 times with my little guy and am planning a third trip now...he will be 18 months this trip. I would still look into the pasporter, it is a great guide more of a planning tool though and available at most bookstores, but even more importantly if you go online to the official passporter website, they have a lot of great information, and you can purchase ebooks that have great information about individual needs and lots of great discussion boards and articles too. Also if you are looking to map out a route of things there is a website called touringplans.com that does exactly that and they have some plans for families with small children you can look at...I would abide by them completely....but you can get some good ideas the only drawback is you need to pay a fee to access all of the touring plans. If you have any questions at all feel free to contact me...I love disney and have been helping friends plan killer vacations for a while now and know tons of great things. There is also a disney moms panel that has a website that you can check out and search the posts to see if there is any other info there of use. http://disneyworldforum.disney.go.com/ Good luck and enjoy!! And as one of your earlier posts said don't think you have to fit it all in...Disney isn't going anywhere...take it slow and take an afternoon break!!

G.

Hi J.
We just came back from Disney in February. What a wonderful trip!My children are older than yours but the best advice I can give is to not try and do everything! The advertisements want you to see and do all. But you just can't! Especially with a toddler. Even though you think it might be cute, you may want to think carefully about the character breakfasts. They are very big and although they are very careful with the little ones. Your son might be afraid of them. Another thing is trying to do more than one park a day with a toddler. We found it hard with teenagers. And if your son naps in the afternoon, this might be hard. Just go with the flow you don't have to plan every little thing.
It really is a magical place. You feel like a kid again. Relax and have a great time!
G. L.