Baby Mine - The Dos and Don'ts When You're Expecting

 

So you're going to be a mommy and you're going to Disney before your new bundle of joy arrives. Have no fear! There are still plenty of things to do and see even when you are pregnant. Now I know you might be skeptical and maybe even a little bummed out but trust me, Disney can be enjoyed to its fullest even if you are expecting a little prince or princess.

Of course I suggest talking to your doctor because they might have additional restrictions for you based on your particular pregnancy, but this is of course, the first step. You might want to bring Disney Park maps to your doctor's office to give them a better idea of the parks especially if they have never gone.

Speaking of restrictions, there are of course off limit rides.

Magic Kingdom off limit rides: Space Mountain - Tomorrowland, Tomorrowland Speedway -Tomorrowland, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - Frontierland, Splash Mountain - Frontierland, and The Great Goofini - Fantasyland.

EPCOT- Mission Space - Future World, Test Track - Future World (although it is currently under refurbishment, when it reopens it will still be off limits)

Disney's Hollywood Studios - Tower of Terror, Rock N' Rollercoaster, and Star Tours

Animal Kingdom: Expedition Everest, Kali River Rapids, Kilimanjaro Safari, Dinosaur, and Primeval Whirl.

When also discussing limitations, please also discuss with your doctor attractions at the Water Parks.

But your Disney trip isn't just a whole bunch of restrictions. In fact, the list of rides you CAN go on is much longer!  

 

I would definitely not miss your favorite Fantasyland attractions like Winnie the Pooh, It's a Small World, Peter Pan's Flight, Mickey's Philharmagic, Dumbo etc. I would also not miss the Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean,  Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin (also ask your doctor about spinning rides), and so much more found in the Magic Kingdom.

In EPCOT, don't miss out on Soarin', The Seas with Nemo and Friends, Living with the Land, The American Adventure, the Gran Fiesta Tour starring the Three Caballeros, and of course the various movies around World Showcase like Oh Canada and Impressions de France.

In Disney's Hollywood Studios don't miss out on Muppet Vision 3D (show), One Man's Dream, Toy Story Midway Mania (ask your doctor about spinning rides), Beauty and the Beast (show), Voyage of the Little Mermaid (show),  The Great Movie Ride, and Lights, Motors, Action.

Animal Kingdom is a bit tricky though. In my opinion, it is not the most pregnant friendly theme park due to the nature of the rides, the terrain, and overall layout of the park. You can however enjoy Festival of the Lion King (show), Finding Nemo the Musical (show), Flights of Wonder (show), or Rafiki's Planet Watch.

Now that we got the main concern out of the way, since everyone wants to go on rides, I have some other tips to make this trip fun for you as well as catering to your needs.

Firstly, take it easy. If you are like me and my family, we move at ridiculous speeds around the parks hopping from attraction to attraction. But this should not be the case when you are carrying a little one. Slow your pace and take breaks. Taking breaks in the middle of the day is recommended, but I would suggest that even if there wasn't a baby involved. Schedule time for naps, showering, putting those feet up, swimming, and just relaxing before you return for more fun in the parks.

On the topic of taking breaks, this is a great time to walk around shops and look at cute baby clothes and accessories. This may be a great time to purchase those special Disney items to make your baby extra Disneytastic! It might be the right time to pick out those baby mickey ears and personalize it then if you know the name/sex of your future child.








Here are also some great break spots since we are talking about taking breaks:

Magic Kingdom: Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe, grabbing a bench on Main Street USA, Tom Sawyer Island, Tomorrowland, or even by the Castle.

EPCOT: There are many great places to grab a seat and cool off in EPCOT. Definitely find a great space in World Showcase where you can cool your jets and recharge.

Disney Hollywood Studios: Muppet Vision 3D is air conditioned, dark, entertaining, and a great place to chill out and put those feet up. Also Starring Rolls has some great snacks and drinks with seating. Also one of my favorite places is the bar area by Disney's Primetime Cafe. There are seats, snacks, and killer milkshakes. Oh and did I mention air conditioned?

Prime Time Cafe Lounge

Animal Kingdom: Rafiki's Planet watch is away from the crowd and a fun train ride.

Secondly, stay hydrated. Bring refillable water bottles to the theme parks to keep hydrated or simply ask for a cup of ice water at any quick service restaurant. And with this advice, I have to mention the restrooms. Remember when I said that Animal Kingdom was not too pregnancy friendly? There are not an overwhelmingly amount of restrooms at the Animal Kingdom but EPCOT and the Magic Kingdom have a restroom around almost every corner.

Thirdly, many women have reported wishing they brought more stuff from home such as a wedge pillow or maternity support belt. But surprisingly enough, the most ingenious piece of advice was bubble bath solution. It's your vacation, be pampered. Make room in that suitcase for anything that will make you more comfortable.

Lastly, brings snacks and be prepared to change dining plans. If you make dining reservations don't worry about spoiling your meal if you get hungry walking around the parks. Also remember about cravings and queasy triggers. The key is to be flexible and comfortable.

Of course take a lot of pictures because your little one will love to see his or her first trip. Remember just to enjoy yourself and have fun.



Following the Leader: Advice for Parents

"Following the leader, the leader, the leader

We're following the leader wherever he may go" - Peter Pan

Kind of a funny movie to reference when talking about parents at Disney considering these kids never want to grow up right? Wrong. You have to think like a kid, or even be a kid at heart in order to truly understand kids at Disney.

There are a few frequent problems parents run into at Disney that this section hopes to clear up for those traveling with little princesses or pirates. The whole point of this is to lead by example; the example of the kids at heart. So let's follow the leader and have some fun!

My biggest piece of advice stems from the 20+ years I have spent at the park. I can't tell you enough how many times I have seen parents force their children on a ride that they were too scared or nervous to ride. I have seen kids cry, scream, melt down, and not enjoy the ride that they were forced on to, which is no fun for anyone.

You never want to scare a kid at Disney nor do you ever want to force a kid to do something that you want to do that they don't. Save yourself the tears, the melt downs, and the guilt and take this biggest piece of advice: use rider swap (also known as parent swap). Rider swap is available in all 4 theme parks in Florida.

What is Rider Swap you might ask? Rider Swap is ideal for guest travelling with kids who are "too small to ride" or who don't want to ride. Guests take turns waiting with the young princesses and pirates and then "swap" with another adult from their party to experience the ride without waiting in line twice. You will have to tell a Cast Member that you would like to do Rider Swap before you get on the ride. This will definitely reduce tears, melt downs, and guilt.

I always am/always was a giant chicken and that chicken in me wasn't always consistent. Sometimes I would want to go on the Haunted Mansion, sometimes I didn't. Rider Swap came in handy when all of a sudden I was afraid to ride the Haunted Mansion and when I really did not want to ride Splash Mountain or Tower of Terror. My parents never forced me to ride anything I did not want to ride and I am so grateful for that, especially since even today, I see parents forcing their kids on rides. Parents, let your child decide what he or she wants to do. With Rider Swap you won't have to wait any longer or have to get in line again and you and your party will be much happier.Always ask a Cast Member at the attraction about Rider Swap and any other options to ensure a good time for all.

On the topic of Rider Swap, it is always a good idea to your research on height requirements for your little ones. There are many fun rides that have height requirements that your little princess or pirate may want to ride, but are maybe not tall enough to ride yet. I would suggest doing a little research about the rides at Disney with the minimum height requirements in mind before your trip. This may mean either waiting another year for that growth spurt or just enjoying the many rides and shows without height requirements. Usually the minimum height for most "thrill rides" is between 40-48".

For some more information regarding height restrictions, these websites are very helpful:
Disney World Height Restrictions: http://www.orlandowelcomecenter.com/disney-height-requirements.htm

Next piece of advice when travelling with little princesses and pirates is utilize the lockers at the Disney Parks. You know you bring a lot of stuff with you such as snacks, jackets, umbrellas, diapers, etc. and your shoulders and backpacks can only take so much. You can always rent a locker for the day and put in those souvenirs you acquire throughout the day in them or take out whatever you need whenever you need it. It is super easy and super affordable. Just look on your maps or for this sign and your shoulders and back will thank you later.

The next piece of advice might throw your mind into a tizzy but when travelling with little ones it is always important to discuss what happens if you and your kids get separated at any point during the day. This is something that my parents always discussed on every bus, car, or monorail ride before we ever set foot in the parks. They would say, "now if we ever get separated, where do we meet?" My sister and I would always respond with a predetermined location for which ever park we were at that day. So that is the next piece of advice: determine a place to meet if you ever get separated for whichever park you will be visiting that day. Of course, if your child does get separated and you didn't pick a spot, make sure your child tells a Cast Member they are lost. They will bring them to one of the lost children locations such as the one in the picture. Just remember, if you are scared, your princess or pirate will be just as scared or even more so than you. While this is unpleasant to talk about, it is important to talk to your kids about getting separated or lost. Make sure they know that Cast Members are friendly, nice, and will be able to find you as quickly as possible.

Let's say that you and the other adults in your party want a night out in the parks, at a restaurant, a tour, or nightclub and you are travelling with kids who are too young to join in the fun. Have no fear! I have the perfect piece of advice especially for those who are at the Walt Disney World Resort. Have you ever heard of the Neverland Club? It is a kid-only indoor playground complete with dinner straight out of the Peter Pan movie. Did I mention that the kids are supervised the ENTIRE time? From experience, I went to the Neverland Club as a kid and my only problem is that I am too old to go back. I had so much fun there and met some great kids. Just walk through the window and your child will be transported to Peter Pan's favorite kid-only get-a-way.

Photo advice: There are a lot of great picture opportunities at the Disney Parks noted by many signs or even family tradition. But if there is one picture I wished my parents took was the first time I saw Cinderella's Castle. So in my opinion, if there is one picture that is a must, it is your child's reaction to Cinderella's Castle. While everyone in your party is staring in awe, look at your child and capture the moment. That, and of course you need your child's reaction to meeting their favorite character.
If you need more help trying to figure out the must-have pictures from your disney vacation visit: http://www.travelhyper.com/2011/11/photo-friday-must-take-disney-shots/
Don't forget to get those silly and random moments as well; those make extra special memories.

I would also suggest looking into family tours. I went on a great tour with my family (the family magic tour) about a hidden mickey search that had an extra special surprise. I won't spoil the surprise, but this is the one tour I will never forget and I am so grateful we have those pictures to remember it by. Remember to look at the age requirements for tours before booking.
Disney World Tours: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tours-and-experiences/

The last piece of handy-dandy advice is to be flexible and know your child's limits. While I did mention that it was important to plan your day to make sure you see what you want to see, it is also most important to know your child's limits and to be flexible with that schedule. Those little feet can only take so much walking and standing in line as well as handle so much activity and sights during the day. To avoid this do research on stroller rentals so your little one's feet don't have to suffer. Information about stroller rentals can be found here:http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/stroller-rentals/

Also, use fastpass to reduce wait-times in line for those rides that have long waits. No need to wait hours and have the little one's feet hurt more than they have to.

Also consider taking swimming/nap breaks during the afternoon so everyone can relax and recharge. Remember you cannot possibly see or do EVERYTHING the Disney Parks have to offer. Remember it is better to take breaks and miss one or two rides than have a full on tantrum in the middle of the day. Plus, with so many great swimming pools and other goodies the resort has to offer, breaks can be just as fun as running around in the theme parks. This is not to say you can't do everything you and your children want to do at the Disney Parks. I suggest you make a list of your top priorities for your park experiences, and start at the top to ensure you don't miss any rides or sites that are truly important to you and your children. I suggest looking at maps before you leave so you and your kids can plan those must-do rides and activities.
Disney World Maps: http://www.wdwinfo.com/maps/

These are just some helpful hints when travelling with young princesses and pirates. Enjoy the memories you will all share together and never forget!

So This Is Love...

If you are like me and are in love with all the classic Disney love scenes and Disney kisses, you might be craving some romance at Disney World. But, if you are also like me, romance is more than a mere proposal; romance can be found any and everywhere. A man much wiser than myself, suggested that I write about how I would plan a romantic day a Disney World, similar to the one we shared not to long ago. So here it is.

(No need to close out of this blog gentlemen, there is no proposal or proposal ideas, just some cute ways to spend time with your sweetheart.)

So let's begin:

Park hopping is one of my favorite ways to spend time at Disney World and probably the best way to cover a lot of romantic ground. My boyfriend and I spend the majority of our time at EPCOT and the Magic Kingdom because it has some of our favorite attractions, shows, and restaurants. So we are going to make this first suggestion: pick your favorite park or parks.

Now we can really get started. Once you have picked your favorite park or parks to visit on your special day, the planning can begin. I am going to make two park plans revolving around the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT.

Magic Kingdom:

Never underestimate the power of holding hands as you walk down Main Street U.S.A at park opening. It is a simple joy and pleasure that is one of the easiest ways to enjoy a special moment. Make sure to ask one of the Photopass cast members to take your picture on Main Street because pictures are some of the best souvenirs to bring home. If you are also fortunate enough to arrive at the Magic Kingdom early enough, you can even watch the sunrise over Cinderella's castle together or sunset later in the evening. Don't forget to get that picture of you both embracing or kissing each other with Mickey ears.

I would also suggest sharing some sweet treats together, like ice cream, in your favorite land or your favorite spot in the Magic Kingdom. I have two favorite spots in all of the Magic Kingdom that might seem cliche but are great rest stops.

My first favorite spot is at Cinderella's fountain in Fantasyland. She is my favorite princess from my favorite love story of all time and this spot really shows some magic. Not only can you sit alongside the fountain and enjoy a picture and a snack, but you can spend time with your Prince Charming or your Cinderella. I also find romance in reading the plaque to one another. It is a great reminder of the love story both of you are sharing and creating with one another.

                                                                         

Next suggestion I have is a visit to Cinderella's wishing well.

Hopefully you remember those pennies so you can make a wish together. When my boyfriend and I met in 2007, I wished in Cinderella's fountain that one day I would be able to go to Disney World with him and share the magic. My wish came true in 2009 when we took our first trip together. Ever since then, this wishing well became a must-go-to stop during every vacation. I suggest making wishes together as a part of your romantic day. Maybe you will wish to return together or even wish for a short wait-time for your favorite ride. Who knows? That's the fun!

Of course my next suggestion is ride your favorite ride together. My boyfriend and I have so many favorite attractions that it is sometimes hard to choose, but there is one in particular that we really enjoy riding together at the Magic Kingdom. Our favorite ride to enjoy together is: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

This is where you might be thinking "a thrill ride is your favorite attraction to ride together?! Why not the carousel?" It is no secret that I am a giant chicken and I am very afraid of roller coasters, but this is one that I actually love! No scary drops or scary heights so it is great in my eyes. My boyfriend is more adventurous and dare I say brave, so there are a lot of thrill rides at Disney World that I will not accompany him on ever. But this is one that we do go on (willingly) together. On those banks and turns I like to make silly noises, just laugh, and playfully scream. In fact, it is something that we ALWAYS do now and probably couldn't do without. I will probably never forget the first time I made these silly noises and made him laugh and smile so hard on this ride. So this is our ride. I highly suggest finding an attraction you love together and ride it as much as you can. Maybe even snap a picture of you both on the carousel or on any of your favorite attractions to keep the memories alive.

It is also just fun to ride any ride outside at night, like Dumbo or the carousel . It is just fun to see the stars and enjoy a classic attraction.

At night, don't forget to grab your favorite spot for Wishes! the fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom. There is nothing more romantic than holding hands or sharing a kiss during the Wishes! fireworks show. It is a great way to end your night with a bang and illuminate all those lovely feelings of warmth and love.

EPCOT:

When you make your way to EPCOT, take the monorail there. It is just fun to take the monorail in general, but this is quite possibly our favorite monorail ride in the world. It is just fun to get a glimpse of all the fun things you are going to do together, plus is it just a pretty scenic ride. The monorail really gets you excited for all the goodies you are going to enjoy.

What kind of advice-giver would I be if I didn't say to pick your favorite restaurant or type of cuisine you would like to enjoy for a romantic lunch or dinner?  EPCOT is so wonderful because you have Future World and World Showcase so why not enjoy some tasty food in a beautiful setting. A personal favorite of ours is Les Chefs de France. The duck is unbelievable, their version of macaroni and cheese is to die for, there is great wine, and did I mention the really tasty and delicious desserts? We also really love the San Angel Inn in the Mexico pavillion for its ambiance and food. It is romantically dark and lit with beautiful lights and is right next to the water. But honestly, you cannot go wrong with ANY restaurant in World Showcase.

And since we are on the topic of food, I must share another great tip. If you are not a big sit-down restaurant person and you just want to snack around the world, there is plenty of romance to be found snacking as well. The fish & chips in England with a nice Pub beer is a great option, or my favorite is grabbing a glass of champagne and pastry in the France pavillion. There are plenty of places to rest and snack in France by the tables and chairs next to the champagne cart and by the pastry shop, or you can even grab a seat on the foutain and enjoy your treat.

Once you are done eating or even thinking about food, there is nothing more romantic than a stroll around World Showcase hand-in-hand. Take a stroll through Morocco, Canada, Italy, Japan, China etc. and just enjoy the world around you. You wouldn't want to miss these beautiful spots especially if your sweatheart really wants to go to a certain country in the future. But if walking around World Showcase seems dauting or it is just too hot, no fear! There are great water taxis that go to and from World Showcase and Future World. They even drop you off in front of some of your favorite places. Get a seat in the back so you can feel the breeze and get a good view with your sweetie.

In Future World you will want to of course ride your favorite attractions together as you would have done in the Magic Kingdom, but I would also suggest truly exploring the Seas with Nemo and Friends. You get to take a great ride under the sea in a giant seashell and then visit some of your favorite underwater animals up close and personal. And since food is a main theme of EPCOT right now, you can also find the Coral Reef restaurant and actually dine underwater with the fish! (no scuba gear required) You can dine right next to one of the largest fish tanks in the world while spotting some of your favorite underwater animals and enjoying some great food and desserts. Did I mention the desserts?! If I had to recommend anything I would say get the "chocolate wave" and split it. If you are chocolate lovers, there is nothing better at this place.

 

My final tip for romance in EPCOT is of course to watch Illuminations Reflections of Earth together. You can pick out a spot around your favorite country and watch the fireworks hand-in-hand.

 

Of course this would not be complete with a few silly romantic goodies you can do around the Disney World Resorts.

Buy Mickey ears together. There are so many great styles you can match, compliment each other, or go wacky and get your own unique ones. You will have a great souvenir, cute pictures, and a great memory.

You could also take a stroll around the beach at the Polynesian Resort and catch Wishes! at night. Or make a dinner reservation at Ohana and ask to sit by the window to watch Wishes! from high above.
 

Relax in your hotel's jacuzzi and pool. Order some pool side drinks and take a load off. If you are fortunate enough to be staying at a resort with a beach, it is also very romantic to find a hammock at night and lay together just the two of you and enjoy each other.
 

 

If you love the Disney Hollywood Studios and enjoy the cheesy silly things in life, you can enjoy and watch the cheesy horror movie clips at the Sci-Fi Dine in Theatre with burgers and milkshakes.

If you are also fortunate enough to stay at an EPCOT resort or are heading to an EPCOT resort or a day/night on the Boardwalk, take a stroll through the International Gateway. There is a wonderful array of international music and brings you right to the France pavillion. Hold hand of course to be extra romantic.

I would also suggest enjoying the free perk,s like buttons! At City Hall at the Magic Kingdom or any Guest Services desk, you can get free buttons to celebrate anything. Anniversaries, engagements, my 1st visit (if you guys are visiting for the first time), or a simple "I'm celebrating" button and you can write in whatever you would like (and there are so much more). Just tell a cast member what you are celebrating or ask for a specific button and just wait for the magic to unfold.

Take a ton of pictures! There are Photopass cast members who will always take pictures of you both at any place or just ask another fellow vacation goer and they would be happy to take your picture. It is truly the best souvenir.

Lastly, magic and romance can happen anytime or anywhere at the Disney World Resort. Keep your eyes and heart open and you never know what magical romance can emerge.
 

Under the Sea: How to beat the heat at Disney World

It is not surprising that Disney World can get pretty darn hot in the afternoon or during the summertime. Luckily though, there is no better place than Disney World to cool off and have fun!

Like Sebastian sang to Ariel

"Darlin' it's better down where it's wetter

Take it from me.
Up on the shore they work all day
Out in the sun they slave away
While we devoting full time to floating
Under the sea"

So of course this is the first tip to beat the heat: go swimming! As I mentioned before when noon rolls around the crowds get pretty heavy and it is the heat of the day. This is a combination that can and will test not only our patience, but our sweat glands, which is why I suggest taking a break in the day to go swimming.

Many times, because most people are in the parks during the day, the resort pools are relatively empty mid-day, so take that mid-afternoon break from the parks and take a dip in the pool. There are so many great resorts with themed pools and pool areas, so splashing around is even more fun at Disney.

Now you might be saying "wait a minute...aren't there water parks at Disney World?" Of course there are! Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are great options for making a splash and cooling off.

It is just important to remember that the water parks do get pretty busy early in the day so when you plan to visit the water parks, make sure to put it in you itinerary. I highly suggest water parks in the summer and just spending at day at one of them. You will have to get there early to stake out the perfect spot, but if you love water and water slides, these water parks are not to miss.

Also it is important to remember that buying admission to the water parks can be expensive so if you are considering going to a Disney water park, make sure to add them added to your park tickets and your budget.

Probably the second greatest way to cool off are those sweet cool treats. What are probably the most popular treats are the mickey premium (mickey mouse shaped vanilla ice cream bar covered in chocolate) and dole whips. Aside from the Dole whips, which I will address later, Mickey premiums, frozen bananas, ice cream sandwiches, and the like are never too far away and are available in every park. You will just have to eat them quickly if it is really hot outside because they will melt.

Special to the Magic Kingdom is the ever delicious and refreshing Dole Whip. Visit Aloha Isle in Adventureland to grab one of these sweet cool treats. It is a soft serve pineapple sorbet that can be served as is or as a float with pineapple juice (they also have orange and vanilla available). Its cold, tasty, refreshing, and inexpensive.

But there are more sweet cool treats to be found at all the other parks as well. EPCOT is home to Club Cool which is not only air conditioned, but has many varieties of Coca Cola products from around the world.

Another really fun tip as well as a good cool down are the water rides at Animal Kingdom and the Magic Kingdom. Never underestimate the power of a good water ride. I would suggest either timing your water attraction in the heat of the day (probably using a fastpass to reassure you don't wait long) or riding the ride before you take a break because you will need to dry out (wet clothes all day is not fun to play in). Remember you can and will get wet on these rides, which is the point.

If you are not a fan of water rides nor do you want soggy clothes all day, don't forget about inside attractions like those found at EPCOT or Disney's Hollywood Studios. There are a ton of indoor air conditioned attractions with indoor queues. Also, Disney sells mister fans which can also provide some relief walking around in the heat of the day.

The best option you have is to stay hydrated. I cannot reiterate enough that water is your best friend at Disney World. You can carry a water bottle or buy water at the parks; either way, your body needs water. Now you might say buying water can be expensive if you are doing it all day, but remember you can refill those water bottles any time during the day at any water fountain. And now for the tip that may save you from dehydrating and tons of money:

***Disney Secret***

If you go into any quick serve meal place and ask for a cup of ice water, it is FREE! I know, I've done it and might I say it is probably one tip that has saved me and my family from melting in the Florida heat.

The last tip to staying cool is dressing properly. Reflective clothing, which is light colored, is your best friend. Wearing black or dark colors is only going to make you cook in the Florida sun. And hey, if you do not have a lot of white t-shirts, this is a great opportunity to buy some new Disney ones.

Whether you are eating a Mickey Premium or splashing in the pool, these cool tips should bring a lot of fun into your Disney trip.

The Lion King Advice

What The Lion King Taught Me About Disney:

Remember that opening scene from The Lion King?

You know you can't resist trying to sing those infamous words "Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba!" at the top of your lungs. Well I think many of us fellow Disney lovers recognize that this is the best and only way to begin your day at Disney - with the sunrise.

While many people see vacation as the sleep in and do nothing kind of trip, Disney is the exact opposite. The best advice anyone could offer is to make sure you wake up early for not only park opening, but also extra magic hours (if you are staying on property). You might be scoffing at this point thinking that vacation is supposed to be restful, but trust me this is the best way to do Disney.

To get the most "bang for your buck" and to in my opinion, get the best Disney experience, you need to start your day early. Not only can you beat the crowds on some of your favorite rides/attractions, but you also get to witness some extra Disney magic!

One of the BEST examples of this is at the Magic Kingdom: 

If you get to the park 12 minutes before the Magic Kingdom opens you could be a part of the Welcome show and open the park with a little faith, trust, and pixie dust. This is something for everyone to enjoy and not just Disney resort guests.

It is also just exciting to open the parks with your friends, family, and kids. You can do a countdown out loud, be one of the first people on your favorite attraction, or grab a fastpass for a popular attraction to avoid wait-times.Also, if you are travelling with young kids or if this is your first time, getting to the parks early helps you avoid the crowds and long lines.

 

First, if you are an on property guest you can participate in the extra magic hours which is available for any Disney resort guest. The park is open 1 hour early and sometimes 3 hours later than normal park hours , which is a great advantage for those of us who can't ride enough rides.

Secondly, getting to the parks early lets you get on all the attractions you want that may have long lines during the day such as Dumbo, Soarin', Expedition Everest, Toy Story Midway Mania, etc.

Now you might be thinking that you're going to get pretty tired running around any and all of the Disney parks, especially if you get up early. No worries! By noon the lines will get pretty long because those who slept in will have arrived as well as annual passholders and other guests. This is the perfect opportunity for you to take a break and nap! If the parks are open late, it is raining, or it is just hot, taking a break to nap and recharge is another great tip from Simba and friends. After all, in the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight.

If you can't or do not want to go back to the resort to take a nap, you might want to find a quiet place in the park to hydrate, have some food or ice cream, and just rest your feet. You can avoid melt-downs and just feeling overwhelmed if you take a break. Or you can go back to your hotel and enjoy some swimming time in that Florida sun.

 

I cannot stress it enough that getting to the parks early and staying late is the BEST way to do Disney and taking these breaks will not only make it easier but more enjoyable to accomplish a fun-filled jam-packed Disney day. 

The last thing the Lion King taught me about Disney is no stampeding!
 

 

No matter how popular a ride is, there is no need to run, push, or compete with guests. You are not only putting yourself in danger but others and kids as well. Many guests cannot resist running for attractions like Toy Story Midway Mania at Disney's Hollywood Studios or Soarin' at EPCOT, but I assure you that if you get there early you will be fine. You will even be able to get fastpasses AND hop in line. So take it slow, not only for the little ones feet, but for your safety an convenience.

Don't be afraid to wait an hour for a popular attraction or just grab a fastpass. Many of the lines move faster than you think and sometimes the lines can be really fun, especially because some of the lines have interactive queues.

 

After all, it is all about Hakuna Matata and that means no worries. You will get to do everything you want to do if you get there early and stay late, take advantage of fastpass, have a good attitude, and take those much needed breaks.