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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

This is our 5 year old's first holiday, any tips or advice appreciated.

22 replies

mummyloveslucy · 30/03/2010 16:26

Hi, we are going to Florida in less than 3 weeks. It's the first time we've taken our 5 year old daughter on holiday.
I'm making a list of things to pack, we've ordered her a Trunki flight bag, so that should make the airport more interesting for her. In her Trunki, I plan to pack a small white board with pens, some paper and a pencil case, her comfort toy and a few books.
Does anyone have any advice or tips for our holiday or what to take to make things easier?
Thanks.

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Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 30/03/2010 19:06

bump

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Clayhead · 30/03/2010 19:31

Are you going to the theme parks?

If so, my biggest piece of advice is to get there early, leave after dinner, relax in the afternoon and then return to a park in the evening, ready for parades/fireworks. It's hard to leave sometimes but sooooo worth it in the long run.

I can't think of anything to take though!

Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 30/03/2010 19:41

Thank you.

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Clayhead · 30/03/2010 19:44

Just thought of one more thing - do you have a guide book? I used the Unofficial Guide one, measured the dc and worked out which rides they could go on before we went so there would be no confusion. Bit anal but then, I am

Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 30/03/2010 19:48

Oh, good idea, where would I get one from? Could I find out on the net?

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Clayhead · 30/03/2010 19:55

My Disney Bible!!

Clayhead · 30/03/2010 19:57

Also tons of info on

allears.net

thedibb.co.uk

wdwmagic.com

SingleMum01 · 30/03/2010 20:15

if its the journey that you're thinking about - I take lots of sticker books, small games, a portable dvd player - useful for in the hotel too and my DS takes his nintendo too. Plus of course snacks.

Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 30/03/2010 20:23

I also wonder if it would be possible to hire a push/wheel chair from the disney park in case she gets tired, as it will be a very long day for her. She's 5 years old but very tall for her age.

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Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 30/03/2010 20:24

Thanks for the links, I'll have a good look through those.

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Buda · 30/03/2010 20:28

You can hire pushchairs - they call them strollers.

Take some snacks for her on the flight as the food is often not great for children.

Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 30/03/2010 20:29

We will be traveling by train, which leaves at 12 midnight, and will arrive at the airport in the morning.

I'm not sure wether to let her travel on the train in her PJ's, then carry a set of clothes for the day, or let her sleep in some comfortable jogging bottoms and a fleese top so we don't have to carry clothes in our hand luggage? She'll also need her blanket and she'll need nappies. (She has SEN's)

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Hulababy · 30/03/2010 20:38

All the parks have stroller hire.

We have never yet managed to get DD to leave a park early, lol! We get to do the parks from early morning til late night, but tend to eat in the parks. Even at 2y she wanted to be there all the time and not miss a beat!

Try and book a character meal if you can. They are really worth it. The Winnie the Pooh one at The Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom is great.

For character meets in Magic Kingdom there is a "tent" place in the Mickey/Minnie section towards back of Magic Kingdom. There are 3 queues and in each room about 4 characters. One is princesses, one more standard Disney ones and last time we went the other was Fairies. This is also the area you can see Mickey - in his house. Minnie's house is here too.

If you want to see a a parade find your spot early. Me and DD bag our spot and sit down. DH goes off to get us drinks and a snack, and then we use the time to sit down and have a rest

Make use of Fast Pass, especially for Peter Pan and Buzz.

Skip the Dumbo ride - it is really really slow to fill up so the queues go on forever. Not worth it.

You can get Photo Pass cards. Then official photographers take your photo round the parks and water parks. You can then choose to buy these or look at the online at home. However they are expensive. So take a camera and click away. We never bother with the autograph hunting though, just get photos.

And have fun!!!

SingleMum01 · 30/03/2010 20:39

I would travel in joggers

Hulababy · 30/03/2010 20:39

I would def let her travel in PJs or maybe some leggings and a t-shirt.

LauraIngallsWilder · 30/03/2010 20:41

I definately wouldnt bother with pj's for the train journey

Just put her in tracky trousers and fleece top - then she can wear that on the plane as well. I would take a change of clothes in case of accidents though!

Have a wonderful time

Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 30/03/2010 20:43

Sounds great! Are the strollers big BTW ? She is very tall for her age and she's 3 stone 12. I don't want to have to pay for a broken stroller.

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Hulababy · 30/03/2010 20:48

Yes, they are big and also very sturdy - big molded plastic things with hoods. Think they are about $12 a day IIRR. I have sat in obe before waiting for a parade, and it didn't break lol! Some of the children you see in them are way bigger than 5y too.

Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 30/03/2010 20:55

Oh that's good then.

She tends to run around everywhere, then a few hours later wants to collaps. It will stop her getting grizzely when she's tired wanting us to carry her. (That's got to be worth $12 in it's self)

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flippyflop · 31/03/2010 22:00

here here to the huge strollers.. when I was on my honeymoon, I was gobsmacked at the number of double-figure age children I saw riding round in them.. till I started covering the miles in the parks. Rather than hire every day though, I'd go to a target or walmart superstore & buy a cheap one. Think you can get them from about $15, but even if you went for something a bit more expensive, you'd still save massively on rental at approx $12 a pop.

As for entertainment, I pick up lots from poundland, wilkinsons & the like, cheap & cheerful bits that don't matter if they never make it off the plane/get lost in the parks. A cheap radio with headphones is a good bet (though won't work on plane obviously) ditto cheap MP3 player which has the benefit of being able to put stories etc on, which my two DSs love.

I second the character meal advice - we love it - have done one every year. The Crystal palace IS great & we are going to Chef Mickeys in the Contemporary resort this year after going through it countless times on the monorail & being very jealous of all the fun happening down below (you'll see what I mean when you get there) Just go to guest relations at any of the parks & ask what character meals are available for when you are there, we have always been able to book something in fairly easily, though you can make reservations before you leave the UK

Hope you have a great time, I'm jealous (although going myself in October so not too bad - can just about bear to wait - & need longer to save up some more dosh anyway!)

Hope this helps.. x

flippyflop · 31/03/2010 22:01

knew I'd forget SOMETHING!

have a look a www.wdisneyw.com
especially the message boards..

It's become my second home in the last few months while we've been planning our trip, there's some great tips on there.. right down to photos of the food in restaurants to see if you fancy eating there!!

Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 31/03/2010 22:58

Thank you. Do you know how much the disney charactor meals are? and do the charactors come up to the children etc?
She's either love it, or be terrified. She's very un predictable.

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