23 Days until our first family DVC trip!!!! Need some advice tho......

[peachy72]

I could use some advice - this is our 2nd DVC trip but our first as members with the kids in tow. Hubby wanted to do summer since we've always done November or December in the past and kids never got to swim. Now we're headed to OKW July 5th and the thought of the crowds and heat is starting to freak me out a bit. Any advice on best way to manuver this happy time of year with lots of young ones? I am SOOOOO excited to go back - just don't want those factors to ruin it fo us.

[denlo]

Take a break from the parks during the heat of the day. My DSIL always sets up an ADR for lunch at the park and then after lunch they return to the resort for swimming or naps (or both) and then they go back to the parks after 6:00 PM or 7:00 PM. Even for adults I think the break around noon is ideal with the later return in the evening.

Also I would intersperse indoor attractions around outdoor ones. A lot of the Fantasyland rides are outside, but if you add Peter Pan, It's a Small World or even the Winnie the Pooh attractions it will give you some time to cool off. We also stop for breaks sitting in the shade with some water and for the kids snacks (and sometimes for the adults ). Use the Fast Pass system if available. Why make the kids wait in a long line if you can come back later to a shorter line?

[goindowntofla]

Great advice. I would say if the heat is freaking you out, bring the kids' suits/swim diapers/towel(s) when you go out to parks. As long as you are doing the stroller thing, why not?

We always brought them bc (when ours were littler) everywhere there is an opportunity to get wet in the Summer. Various locations have spouting water where they can splash and cool down. If you aren't prepared, it is kind of torture to pass them by or you let the kids go in their clothes and the torture can come later when they are fussy and wet in the a/c somewhere.

Hot days were a lot of this and not as many rides sometimes!

Also, I recommend EPCOT - lots of indoor things, maybe more than you think. You can hang out in the Land, do rides/movie/eat. And Nemo is great. Air conditioned queue and then you come out into the aquarium in the a/c where we always spend a lot of time. So much indoor roaming can be done there.

Enjoy the pool - so many families say the kids like it better than the parks some days. If they do, let them. It is easier on everyone. If you feel like you are missing the parks, just remember - you have DVC now - YOU'LL BE BACK!!

[cruisindisney]

Taking breaks mid-day, spray/water fans and plenty of water have always gotten us through the hot weather with the kids.

[mboone]

I know many people do mid-day breaks but they have never quite worked out for us. We go and stay until we can't take it and then go back to the resort for the rest or we stay at the resort and go to the park late afternoon/early evening on. It took a few trips in, but I was finally able to make the adjustment to idea that we bought into DVC so we will be back - not everything has to be seen/rode every trip as stated previously. Hopefully you can make that adjustment quicker than I did. Also concur with searching out the longer indoor attractions and doing a table service ressie. The spray stations and misting fans seemed to help our kids as well, along with plenty of drinks and popsicles. Congrats on your first DVC stay as members and hope you have a magical time!


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[pretty_bird]

DD is almost 13 and we still do the midday break.

We try to get up early and make the most of which ever park has the early Extra Magic Hours. Then we duck out around noon. We also eat lunch outside the parks unless we opt for the Dining Plan (which is rare). Taco Bell right outside of Disney property is our favorite. There's also a Steak N' Shake down the street from the Bell too. We also make sandwiches in the room. For the adults we get a few fruity alcoholic drinks or beer at the pool bar while DD is in the pool. After the swim, we relax in the room playing on the internet or watching a movie we brought with us, possibly get in a nap. And we go back about 6 or 7-ish.

And another thing I suggest is swapping out your shoes when returning to the park after the break. It really helps.

In the parks we bring bottled water. And the spray bottles with the fans are brilliant.

[GOJOE]

We are each armed with a Misting Fans. We also take advantage on Extra Magic Hours. We'll be there at rope drop, hit all the E attractions. This allows us to tour the rest of the park at our leisure. Going back to our resort for a break has worked for us. We also make that time our big meal of the day. Always say we're going to take a nap but just sitting by the pool has been enough.

[DiZ NeE 08]

something else you can do is go to the park during the mid-day when everyone is taking a time out and possibly take advantage of that. I do recommend looking for crowd guides that are used by some websites and books.