Disney Week: Tips from a Disney Parks Moms Panel member
Andrea Updyke grew up Disney. Now her two boys are doing the same. Updyke, a mom of two and Raleigh blogger, also is a member of Disney Parks Moms Panel. She shares tips and don't miss attractions.
Posted — UpdatedAndrea Updyke grew up Disney. The Clearwater, Fla., native had lots of opportunities to visit Disney World as a child. And it didn't stop then. Now, the Raleigh mom of two has been to the parks for work and with her own young family.
"I feel incredibly lucky to be 'raising Disney Kids' because my childhood memories mean so much to me and I love that my boys are making their own," she tells me.
Updyke, her husband kids are gearing up for a big trip soon - their first Disney cruise later this month!
Before you go, take some time to choose age-appropriate attractions and shows and plan a few activities each day with rest times built in so you don't get overtired. I've found that when it comes to visiting the parks with young children, having a basic plan for each day is a huge help. When you know where you are going, you can relax and follow the plan.
Don't underestimate time spend in your hotel! Disney Resort Hotels are almost parks unto themselves. My children love swimming each day and spending time in the lobby (watching Mickey Mouse videos of course!)
We love to arrive at the parks early, when crowds are lower and the sun isn't too high. Our strategy has been to take advantage of shorter lines in the mornings, take a break for a meal or snack, and arrange our FastPass+ selections for early afternoon. This allows us to wander around and ease into the day meeting characters, enjoying a few attractions or watching a show and then gives us a purpose in the afternoon when we might start to lose focus. Then, we can either take an afternoon break, park hop or stay into the evening for a dining reservation or more attractions.
My other tip is to bring a roll of pennies and a roll of quarters and let your kids go nuts with the penny press machines. These machines are located all over Disney Parks & Resorts and make for fantastic memories and a really inexpensive souvenir! We purchased penny albums and my boys had a blast searching for the machines and pressing pennies. We will bring the albums with us on future trips so they can add more pressed coins to their collections.
As for attractions, my husband and older son always take a ride on Splash Mountain together and Star Tours at Hollywood Studios is a must for the whole family. We also love to watch the Dream Along With Mickey show in front of Cinderella Castle whenever we pass by.
And, of course, the food. It's no secret that I plan our trips around the meals. There are so many great restaurants, it will take years for us to try them all. And yes, we will try! One of our favorite family restaurants in Magic Kingdom Park is The Plaza Restaurant on Main Street, U.S.A. It's a smaller venue, but reservations aren't that difficult to come by. The food is excellent and the prices are reasonable. I love the location and my kids love the ice cream they get for dessert, so, for our family, it's a must-do.
I also love visiting during either the International Food & Wine Festival in the fall or the International Flower & Garden Festival in spring. Both of these events at Epcot have an amazing selection of outdoor kitchens, which serve small portions of delicious food from around the world. My husband and I love to spend a meal (or three) eating around the World Showcase and trying as many as we can.
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