Beyond Rides at WDW

 

With your Walt Disney World ticket purchase, you receive access to more than just rides. Enjoy all of Walt Disney World has to offer, possibly giving you the chance to explore sites & sounds that you otherwise would not have. Disney offers Broadway style shows, Arcades, Themed Lands, etc. Dining is also a favorite activity amongst my family, from fine dining to yummy snacks like Mickey Bars, Dole Whips, Lefou’s Brew or try a caveman treat, the infamous Jumbo Turkey Leg (just not in front of me, yuck). Go for it, guilt free-because you’re at Disney World of course!

Let’s not forget my fave thing while at Disney- SHOPPING at all the Disney themed stores or take it all in & relax on a bench while taking pictures of your family & surroundings. Another perfect thing to do while enjoying your time- find Hidden Mickey’s, make it a contest with your family (My family is very competitive, kids unfortunately win with Hidden Mickey’s.) If at Magic Kingdom, Roam Magic Kingdom Park in search of clues for “Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom” or EPCOT’s Phineas and Ferb: Agent P's World Showcase Adventure, it’s a lot of fun for the entire family.

• If you have a blog or enjoy writing- find a nice little corner or hidden spot to write about your experiences. If you’re pregnant maybe this would be great info to add to the baby book or in general about your family’s experiences. Maybe tweet, FB, Instagram & all forms of Social Media about your vacation, make peeps jelly that you’re at WDW, that’s always fun (muhaha).
• Character Meet & Greets for the kids, just you or with family & add these to the vacay scrapbook.
• If you have great chops, try out for American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, blow them away-great bragging rights too!
• Maybe enjoy Food & Wine or The Flower & Garden Festival during your dates of travel- the special events are a terrific way to enjoy Disney differently. They run throughout the year and you can pop over to; https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-events, for current dates for special events, maybe even the Concert Series depending on your dates.

 

• The Individual entertainment that Disney provides such as; Magicians, Citizens of Main Street at Magic Kingdom, The Dapper Dan’s or JAMMitors at EPCOT.

• Don’t forget about the fabulous parades at all four theme parks, my faves are at the Magic Kingdom and also remember the fireworks at both MK & EPCOT.

• The list goes on & on. Let me know what you like to do outside of rides at a Disney Theme Park, I’d love to hear. Wait, I thought of one more bonus you gain from NOT experiencing the rides- plenty of time-because you didn’t have to wait in the queue lines. WOOT!

Previously published on http://theadultsideofdisney.com/ and you can find me on  http://dawnsdorkydiary.com/.

Tips for Parents and Little Ones Visiting Walt Disney World

Tips for Parents visiting Walt Disney World with little ones

• Have a strategic plan before your trip; Disney is not the place to wing it, as I’ve often said. Research the attractions, layout & meet & greets ahead of time. I promise the proactive approach is the only way to see WDW efficiently & will cause less headaches & aggravation. Trust me….
• Minimize those meltdowns by NOT Park hopping on your first trip. Try to concentrate on one park a day. Disney World is too large & getting to & fro is more time consuming than you might think. Take breaks & rest. Keep your routine as close to normal even on vacay.
• Adults can ride big rides, even if the little kids can’t- Disney has a system called “Rider Switch” that will allow the older members of your family to ride while the younger riders wait. You simply tell the Cast Member at any ride that has a height requirement that you’d like to do a Rider Switch. They’ll give you a Rider Switch pass (which works like a FastPass) so that after you ride, you can hand it to the other half of your party and they can ride without waiting in line.
• Nursing mothers or parents of small children; WDW has baby care centers available at all four theme parks. Open during regular park hours, each full-service facility is complimentary to use. Also a comfortable setting for a child who’s misplaced his parents, lost children will be looked after until a parent arrives.
• Bring snacks that they can snack on such as fruit snacks, apples or gold fish to keep their energy going or NOT, lol. You are allowed to bring food items; such as light snacks or foods that do not require heating into Disney theme parks. The Security Cast Member at the initial bag check will allow or disallow your food items when you enter the park. I’m sure they’ve seen it all, I bet it would be quite funny to hear all of the things peeps thought they could bring into the parks & a little scary too.

• Waterproof Sunscreen & please reapply.
• Make sure if your child has disabilities you have proper identification Walt Disney World provides Guests with disabilities -the Disability Access Service Card. It helps the guest and a number of people from his or her party—to schedule a return time at a specific attraction. For more information-guests should visit the Guest Relations Lobby located at the entrance of each theme park. 
• Safety, please watch your children closely. It’s a new exciting environment & they’re more prone to venture off- check into http://www.safetytat.com/or a dog-tag type necklace with parents name & number for security.
• Make sure you have proper medicines & prescriptions with doctor’s name & phone numbers with you while traveling.

• Be patient & enjoy your kids at their very age~ soon, very soon, they’ll be at a new stage in life & might not have the same likes & dislikes as before, so enjoy them in the moment. Originally published on http://theadultsideofdisney.com/.

Check out this information and much, much more on http://dawnsdorkydiary.com/ & http://www.mqpodcast.com/.

Hoop-Dee-Doo, Hoop-Dee-Doo By Tamela Hansen

     If you recognize the title of this article you are probably humming the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue song right now!  This is one hootenanny you don't want to miss!  Since my children have passed the toddler stage this is a dinner show the whole family really enjoys!

     Make your reservations for this 180 days in advance and be sure to arrive for your reservation early.  There are so many fun and enjoyable things to do at the Fort Wilderness Campground.  For the little cowpokes this resort offers a large playground, pony rides, and a sandy beach!  For the young adults they offer horseback riding, volleyball, canoeing, fishing, water skiing, basketball, and arcades!  Then for the ones that just enjoy to chill this resort offers hammocks and wagon rides!

     You will want to arrive early to take advantage of the awesome photos for the family and you will enjoy a little shopping before the show.  I mean what's a hootenanny without a Cowboy or Davy Crocket hat!

Then they will open the doors and the smell of good ole southern fried chicken will make your mouth water and before you know it the show begins!  Get ready for a knee slapp'n, foot tapp'n, belly laugh'n, jaw smack'n good ole time! 

     We have made so many special memories hear that I could write a book but I will tell you about our visit this past November.  My 13 year old (at the time) was taken pictures and messing with his iPod at the dinner table.  Our waiter was kidding with him to "Put that thing away"!  Well my son got caught up in the show and laid the iPod on the table.  So our waiter took it when he was not looking and hide it in his apron (we have known this gentleman for a few years and we knew what he was doing but my son was clueless).  My son went into a Full panic after he finally noticed that it was missing!  So about the time we were getting our strawberry shortcake he put it on the table without my son looking!  My son was so confused about where it came from.  Then as we left our friend said "Didn't you enjoy the show better without being glued to your iPod!". Finally Daelan (my son) figured it out and we all got a big laugh.  Daelan is now careful not to get lost in his iPod at the dinner table anymore!

Like I said, I could write a book!  I encourage everyone to make a reservation at the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue!  You will love it and you will make your own special memories!  Just don't forget to Show your DisneySide!