With so many “Disney people” on the board, I think we need our own Disney Park Junkies thread.
Post about your trip plans, Disney news/rumors, snacks, etc etc. Disney newbies, ask questions here!
To start - did everyone see another increase in ticket prices yesterday? 🙄
Furbaby (Oscar) | 12/9/2010
DD | 7/3/2015
DS | 2/20/2018
LO#3 | EDD: 10/11/2020 TEAM GREEN!
Re: The Disney Thread
Also SNACKS. I would be perfectly happy to go to Disney, eat all day and people watch!
DD | 7/3/2015
DS | 2/20/2018
LO#3 | EDD: 10/11/2020 TEAM GREEN!
I am also a runDisney fanatic, and have done 8 half marathons (6 Princess, 2 Wine & Dine) and numerous 10Ks and 5Ks tacked on to the with challenges. I don't think I'll be doing the Princess half next year, but will most likely do the 5K with my family and the 10K either solo or with my brother in-law since he's also a runner.
I've never done Disney with an infant, and this LO will be about 4 months (so...super cute and chubby lol) so I could use all the tips for any Disney mom veterans. Mainly, I'm thinking of stroller suggestions, what to pack for the parks, should we leave the stroller in our room & babywear since LO will be so small still? I'm a total planner, so it's not crazy to me to be thinking this far ahead. You should see the color-coded itinerary that I come up with in Excel for each trip - it's even laminated in case we go on water rides!
Due with baby #2: Feb 2022
We brought my daughter when she was 4 months and my son was 10 weeks. We brought the stroller. The only real hassle is the bus. I like to baby wear but I tend to overheat and it makes my shoulders ache after a while. Plus babies come with a lot of stuff and it was nice to not have to haul it around! What I usually do is have small packing cubes with the necessities - diapers and wipes in one, snacks (or bottles if you need them) in another, then stick the packing cubes under the stroller. I bring a lululemon bag or reusable shopping tote to throw all the packing cubes and other things we acquire throughout the day into for the bus ride, makes it really easy. Trying to think what else we pack that’s not something you would think of beforehand but I can’t think of anything 🤔
DD | 7/3/2015
DS | 2/20/2018
LO#3 | EDD: 10/11/2020 TEAM GREEN!
Disney's baby care centers are hidden gems! I know they have them in Magic Kingdom and Epcot, but I am guessing something similar in all parks. Comfy nursing chairs and changing stations, air conditioned, tv on, ability to purchase things you might have forgotten, entertainment for siblings.
Ugh, every time they raise prices, I threaten my husband that it's our last year to have passes, and every year we end up renewing, though we have downgraded a few times. My first premium pass for Disneyland right when I started dating DH was $220. That same pass is $1,500 now. Ridiculous!
Am I the only west coast Disney person? I went to Disney World on a family trip in 4th grade, but so much has changed since then.
@dolewhipper agree I forgot about soarin, definitely fine! I have ridden the safari pregnant too but just asked to sit in the front when I was out of my first tri.
DD | 7/3/2015
DS | 2/20/2018
LO#3 | EDD: 10/11/2020 TEAM GREEN!
Might be a couple more years till we make it back! Till then I have disney food videos to get me by
We just took my 3yo for his 3rd birthday Jan 12-15 and it was the best trip!! It was our first with him, and my first time staying onsite.
I’m a little bummed that our dining plan comes with alcoholic drinks 🤦🏻♀️. Also not sure how I feel about the rides, what I really need to skip and what I can go on.
We’re staying in a cars suite at the Art of Animation. We got the salute to military deal on our room and our park hopper tickets.
I frequently follow various Disney message boards and blogs. My favorites are Disboards, EasyWDW, The Mouse for Less, MouseSavers, Your First Visit (even though we've been many times, it's still a good resource), and Military Disney Tips.
Due with baby #2: Feb 2022
DD | 7/3/2015
DS | 2/20/2018
LO#3 | EDD: 10/11/2020 TEAM GREEN!
DD | 7/3/2015
DS | 2/20/2018
LO#3 | EDD: 10/11/2020 TEAM GREEN!
@dolewhipper I never even thought about asking for mocktails, I’ll definitely keep it in mind!
Also, there are plenty of areas in each park that are off the beaten path where exhausted moms and dads can sit down with their LO without having to haul themselves all the way to the baby care centers. Off the top of my head, my favorite resting place is the rocking chairs in Liberty Square at MK. They're just outside the Heritage House gift shop, near the Hall of Presidents. There are several scattered around the area. Keep in mind, though, that if there will be a parade within the hour, it'll get crowded and you may not find an open rocking chair. If you do manage to snag one, since they're up on a porch, you'll be able to see above most of the crowd that gathers for the parade.
Those are only good if you don't need an outlet to charge your phone or use your breast pump. If that's a concern, you can go to the Tangled themed rest area in the area between Fantasyland and Frontierland. My sister and I hung out there for about an hour on our last trip, charging our phones and people-watching, and while it was a lot busier, it wasn't overly-crowded if that makes sense. The outlets are located in those little upright logs (you can see the square-shaped inset in one of them in this pic, but there are several in the area to choose from). There are two standard plugs per outlet. I brought my 2 USB-port charger, so we were able to plug two phones into one outlet, thus saving space. Plus, in my opinion, the bathrooms in this area are the best in the park. By far the cleanest with the best theming and privacy.
That's all I have (for now) for Magic Kingdom. I can keep doing these for the other parks, if y'all would like me to. The only parks I can't speak on are the water parks because 1) we always go in the winter, so it's usually too cold to go or Typhoon Lagoon is closed, and 2) we're not really water parks type of people anyway. But, I can give tips on the other three parks (Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom).
Due with baby #2: Feb 2022
Also, for any other areas at Disney (Disney Springs, water parks, ESPN) you can go to guest relations and they will give you a private room. Some of the newbies at the water parks will try and say the locker rooms, but don't take that answer
For you, I highly recommend booking a mani/pedi, facial, or massage at one of the Senses spas. Your treatment comes with full access to the spa's sauna and pool/jacuzzi, and you get to wear a super plush robe (I loved mine so much that I bought one to use at home), and a complimentary glass of sparkling wine along with their complimentary spa water and snacks.
Due with baby #2: Feb 2022
DD | 7/3/2015
DS | 2/20/2018
LO#3 | EDD: 10/11/2020 TEAM GREEN!
I grew up in New Zealand but our family business was to take special needs adults/kids overseas and so twice a year since I was 11 that of course meant Disneyland (WDW too far away). As a helper/carer I was extremely lucky to have that experience growing up and it really made me appreciate the world a whole lot more.
In 2015, I was finally able to visit WDW (on our honeymoon!) and it was just as amazing as I thought it would be. Have been back once since then (last year) as my in-laws also celebrated their honeymoon there so we made it a family trip.
So much to love - the imagination, the attention to detail, the ability to feel like a kid again, discovering new rides/experiences 😉
Currently 5w5d pregnant with my first - hopefully we'll be back with a baby in tow next visit 😊