You want to go to Disney with the kids what next. ...

You want to go to Disney with the kids? what next....

My husband and I went to Walt Disney World with 3 kids in January 2014 (I was also pregnant with our 4th).  He knew lots about Disney, and I knew nothing.   We kind used that trip as a learning process and went back to Disney world in 2016.  Here is what we learned..

1.Get excited! Your'e going to Disney!

2. You can book room/Campsite on Disney property (room only reservation) 400 days in advance so pick a date.   I love to download a free Disney count down app.  Everyday you get to see how much longer to your next trip.  Helps build the excitement for me.. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.naildriven.disneyworldcountdown&hl=en

3. As long as your downloading apps get the Walt Disney World or Disneyland free app. https://disneyland.disney.go.com/guest-services/download-disneyland-mobile-app/  https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/plan/my-disney-experience/mobile-apps/ So much info on there play around with it.  You can see height requirements for rides, restaurant menus,  and even restroom locations.

4. Start reading Disney articles and see what other people suggest.  I like the articles on the following Facebook pages:
Disney Dining (https://www.facebook.com/disdining/)
and Disney Questions. (https://www.facebook.com/DisneyQuestion/?fref=ts)

5. Start General planning of your trip.  Even if you hate planning, it's a really good way to get the most out of your Disney trip. There is so much to do that if you don't have a plan, you will miss out on what you really want to see.  You can book dining reservations if you are staying on property at 180 days out and Fastpass reservations at 60 days out.   How I start planning is to write out the days.....

Jan 1st travel day
Jan 2nd Day 1
Jan 3rd Day 2
Jan 4th Day 3......
Than start with basics like add in which park each day (Magic kingdom,  Epcot,  Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom)
If you are making dining reservations that is next thing to decide. You can book sit down restaurants (Disney term is table service) 180 days in advance so knowing that will really help.   We love eating at "The Wave". It's located at the Contemporary Resort which is just a Monorail ride from Magic Kingdom.
At a Quick Service restaurant you order at a counter and take food back to your table yourself.  At these restaurants you can't make reservations, but if you find one you really want to try make sure to add that to your plans.

6. Print off maps of each park you plan to visit. 
This will give you a visual to look at when planning your day.  I try really hard to do all I can in one area of the park and then move on.  Save on all the extra walking.  Also don't forget using the Railroad as transportation around the Magic Kingdom park or for a nice break.

7. Start to plan each day at each park.  

I know sounds like a major drag, but you will be so happy you did.   With kids, the last thing you want to do is run them from one side of the park to the other.  The less steps, the better for all.  Plus you can always change plans after you arrive if there is something you want to add to you list.  The worst thing for me is getting off a ride and going "Ok, now what?" and taking time away from fun to figure out what to do next, or where to walk to.  Having a plan made the trip SO much more enjoyable.  

Things to keep in mind when planning days. .

A. Which park will you be visiting which day

B. Any dining reservations or restaurants you want to eat at.

C. Any shows you want to see (check show times if they are available).

D. Try to do everything you want to in one area of the park before you leave it.   (Example: at Magic Kingdom in Frontierland you can meet Chip and Dale,  ride Big Thunder Mountain,  go to Tom Sawyer Island, get on steam train, get some press coins, County Bear jamboree, and get wet on Splash Mountain)

E. Be realistic with times. plan on at least 60 minutes to 2 hours per attraction depending on time of year you go. This includes travel time to the attraction, waiting in line, and experiencing it. Obviously, Spring Break times or other holidays the crowds will cause you to have a longer wait time.

F. Think about general times for Fastpasses, although you will not know what rides and times you get for sure until 60 days beforehand.

G. Put everything on the plan.  (We keep saying I am sure we will get on steam train at some point and keep it in the plans, and we only rode it once in our first 10 day trip) if you want to do it put it on the plans somewhere, otherwise it won't happen.

H.  If the trip is not a surprise ask the kids what they want to do.... meet characters, ride roller coasters, see parades, see shows, take a train ride...?

Example day...

Friday 1/8/16 Day 1
8am Get to Magic Kingdom 
8:45 Opening show
9:05 to 10:05 Fastpass for Space mountain (non riders meet Buzz Lightyear)
10:05 to 11:05 Fastpass for Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
People MoverTrain ride to Frontierland Lunch at Tom Sawyer Island
12:35 to 1:35 Fastpass for Big Thunder Mountain 
Country Bear Jamboree
Enchanted Tiki Room
Dole Whips
Meet Tinkerbell
Done in park
Chip and Dale Campfire at Campground

8. Book dining reservations 
Book dining reservations 180 day before your trip. There are so many options from dining in the parks, resort hotels, and Disney Springs. Even if you don't think that you will need them, you have a plan to go there and experience it.

9. Book Fast Passes 60 days before your trip.

You can book up to three attractions that have Fastpass every day. If you are staying on Disney property it's 60 days in advance, if you are staying off site its 30 days. There are other sites that go further in depth into the Fastpass program than I ever could, so check those out.

10. Knowledge is power.  Keep doing research and tweaking plans.  You might find something else you want to experience, a recommendation you like, or a attraction that is opening after you made your plans. Keep you plans fluid enough that you can change them before you leave

11. Print off your plans and cut into note card size. Keep them in your bag you plan to take to parks. Sometimes its hard to remember all you have going that day, and its is a stress reliever to see what you have going on with just a quick glance.

Making plans is the best way we got the most enjoyment out of our Disney Vacation.  Good luck!  

Camping activities to keep your little campers busy in campsite.

Camping activities to keep your little campers busy

There are times when camping with kids that you just need them to keep themselves busy.  Like trying to cook on a hot fire.  I took a trip to the dollar store and found things around our house for our four kids to do when we are camping when not out exploring.

1. I filled a shoebox with books. This is great to have them sit and page through the books in their beds for a little quiet time..

 2. Make your own look and find jar.  I put things I had around the house such as pom poms, plastic bugs, beads, and popsicle sticks.

 3. We had this small foldable train track and a few engines, perfect for camping.

4. Mr. Potato head!  All his parts fit inside so great for camping.

5. Puppets!!!  Our kids had a ball putting on a puppet show for us.  The kids also love watching a puppet show. Lots and lots of laughs.

6. Make some patterns with Legos that they must complete.

 7.  Got this little basket at the dollar store, great for keeping all our bags together.

 8. For each of my children I made up a "Monster" bag.  I added: pom poms, glue, wiggle eyes, feathers, and a tp tube.  Then I asked them all to make the tube into a monster.

 9. My kids love to have there own "stuff" so I made a bin of random stuff for each kid.  Found all of this at dollar store.  Stickers, sun glasses, a bug bucket, glow stick, and net.

 10. Using another tp tube (I never throw these away and I have family members saving for me)  Write all of the letters of alphabet.  Then do the same on a sheet of stickers.  Have your child match them up.

11.  More handy stuff to buy from dollar store!  Bubbles, Play dough, balloons, frisbee, markers, and alphabet activity book.  The biggest score from this stuff was the play dough. It was only one dollar so we let the kids use it on the picnic table while we were cooking our meals. It got gross and we didn't mind tossing it after the weekend.  The kids got some acorn shells and made imprints in it so on...

12. Sorting beads.  I thought this one would have been their least favorite, but boy was I wrong.   This was my 6, 4, and 2 year old favorite thing to do.  They actually did it a few times in one trip they liked it so much. My oldest got the idea after sorting to make me a bracelet using the beads and pipecleaner. 

She was not really "sorting" but it still kept her busy!  

Thanks for reading. Love comments and pins.  :-)

5 Reasons to experience the Chip N' Dale Fort Wilderness Campfire

5 Reasons to experience the Chip N' Dale Fort Wilderness Campfire

When we were planning our first trip to WDW, we knew Fort Wilderness was going to be our place to stay. We are campers when we vacation, mostly because of the cost vs. a hotel room, but also because we our kids love the outdoors.

We knew about the campfire program before, but we were so impressed with how it was that we went three more time during our stay, and we tell everyone about it! Here are our top 5 reasons you should give it a try,,,,,,

1. First off it's FREE! 

Any WDW guest is invited to the program. It's an easy boat ride from the Magic Kingdom or the Contemporary Resort, and a short bus ride from the Wilderness Lodge.

2. It's a fun family event for everyone.
Sing along and dance party that old and young enjoy. Everyone knows the words, the cowboy guitar player tells corny jokes, and you are invited to dance along with Chip N' Dale

3. Very relaxed meet and greet with Chip N' Dale

It's not a stand in line, move it along, standard character greet.  Chip N' Dale come to you in your seats, play with and dance with your kids, and are available for pictures. 

4. Only place to have campfire at Fort Wilderness

Each campsite has a small grill, but the only campfires allowed at Fort Wilderness is at the campfire program.  

5. It's a great reason to visit Fort Wilderness for the first time.
Fort Wilderness really is a great place to "escape" the hustle of WDW. It really is like a wonderful remote state park or forest, not a overbuilt private campground. 

KOHLER-ANDRAE STATE PARK, WI

2nd camping trip of the 2015 season for us.  We Love Kohler-Andrae!   State parks are a great price and have lots to do!  There is the Sand dunes, boardwalk, hiking trails, and Lake Michigan.

  First thing we did was the 1 mile hike to the nature center.  The boys ran ahead....

The nature center has so much to offer for kids and best part its FREE!  They have a Wisconsin Explorer Program for kids.  Its though the DNR and after they complete the program they get a patch.  Here is the link for more info... http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/getoutdoors/we.html 

Looking at a snake.  They had fish, a turtle, and 2 snacks to look at.  

We spent 2 hours on this adventure.  The hike was 1 mile each way and some time at the nature center.  The view is just spectacular.  

 One tip from this camping trip if you have a child in high chair at home just bring the high chair with.  SO MUCH EASIER!!!