What better opportunity to spoil the grandchildren than a trip to “The Most Magical Place on Earth”. And spoil them you can with so many things to see and do that children as well as adults will absolutely love. It’s a vacation guaranteed to create lasting memories. Here are some suggestions that will make this very special trip one to remember for a lifetime:
Book a Resort with a Great Pool
Kids love swimming pools, and Disney resorts come with some of the best. Children’s favorites: the Volcano Pool at Disney’s Polynesian Resort featuring a smoking volcano slide, underwater music, and sparkling waterfall, all with a superb view of the Seven Seas Lagoon; the Wilderness Lodge’s boulder-lined pool featuring glistening waterfalls, rocky overlooks, a fun water slide, and nearby geyser; the eye-popping Stormalong Bay, a mini-water park complex that meanders between the Yacht and Beach Club, offering three acres of winding, watery delight including sandy bottom pools, a giant “shipwreck” waterslide, tidal whirlpool, bubbling hot tubs, a kiddie pool with its own slide next to the beach, and enough length to float lazily in inner tubes to your heart’s delight.
Start Your Day Together at a Character Breakfast
If you’re traveling with young children, at least one or two character meals are a must. These extremely popular dining spots, offered at both the theme parks and the Disney resort hotels, are a perfect way for the grandchildren to spend extra time with their favorite characters. Young ladies don their favorite Disney princess costumes at Restaurant Akershus in Epcot’s Norway pavilion to dine with Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and Belle, while both boys and girls alike adore the Fantasyland breakfast offered at the Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella’s Castle. Just be sure to call 407-WDW-DINE exactly 90 days prior at 7 a.m. Eastern time to assure yourselves a spot at these coveted venues.
Head Over to Ft. Wilderness for a Campfire Sing-along
Gather 'round the campfire each evening at Disney’s Ft. Wilderness for a sing-along, marshmallow roast, and a Disney animated movie. It’s complimentary to all Walt Disney World resort guests.
Start Your Day Early at the Magic Kingdom
Each morning one of Disney’s theme parks opens an hour early only for guests staying at a Disney resort. The Magic Kingdom’s early open days are Sunday and Thursday, a perfect opportunity to knock off the children’s attractions in Fantasyland where waits can sometimes be extremely lengthy during normal park hours.
Don’t Miss the Magic Kingdom’s Afternoon Parade and Evening Fireworks Presentation
The wonderful Share a Dream Come True parade is Disney’s best where giant floats topped with rotating globes, twinkling lights, and live Disney characters are accompanied by over a hundred walking characters and a medley of classic Disney songs. And the Jiminy Cricket narrated nighttime fireworks display is probably the most magical experience in all of Disney.
Take a Spin on a WaterMouse Boat
Rent one of these two-seater mini-power boats for zipping around one of Disney’s waterways. The grandkids will love you for it. They’re available at the Contemporary, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, the Yacht and Beach Club, Downtown Disney, and the Wilderness Lodge.
Head to a Water Park for a Splashing Good Time
Disney has two of the most fantastic water parks imaginable, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, each offering their own brand of wonder. At Blizzard Beach you’ll find quite a few tame attractions along with wild, rushing water and death-defying slides. Typhoon Lagoon offers a whopper of a surf pool. But both have wonderful children’s areas with smaller versions of the adult attractions. There are even areas for the adolescent set
Cara Goldsbury is the author of The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World: How to Get the Most Out of the Best Disney Has to Offer available at 800-247-6553, www.luxurydisneyguide.com, Amazon.com, or your local bookstore. Visit her at www.luxurydisneyguide.com.
cara@luxurydisneyguide.com
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