First timer

[nannyt5]

Hi everyone! I'm going to WDW next year with 3 small grandchildren and can use all the advice I can get. I'm from a very small town in Canada.

[spondishy]

Hi nannyt5. Are you all booked up and how old are the grandchildren?

We were all first-timers once, so fire away with any questions you may have.

[nannyt5]

Hello spondishy! I am sooooo glad I found this site. Finally I can get some info. without spending hours searching the web. I'm new to the internet so I'm not all that sure how things work. I've tried doing my flight but I think it's too soon. I have a townhouse at the Royal Palms resort rented for 10 days. It looked really nice I hope it lives up to its pictures. My granddaughters are going to be 5,4 and 3.
1. I wasn't planning on getting the hopper because I figured the girls could only do one park at a time.If I don't get it does that mean I couldn't go to another park later on in the day.What do you suggest?
2. Do you know of the cheapest place to rent a van? I am going to need car seats for the girls. What are the laws for children riding in a van in Florida.
3. What do you suggest would be the best things to do in each of the parks with childen of my age group?
4.I really want to go to Universal Studios but from I can find out there is not much for young kids. Would I be wasting my money?
Sorry I tend to ask too many questions it's just that I have been dreaming of this trip since I was a little girl. This is going to be a birthday gift to myself. Again thank you for this site

[spondishy]

I'm really jealous... Sounds like your going to have a great time.

1) I wasn't planning on getting the hopper because I figured the girls could only do one park at a time.If I don't get it does that mean I couldn't go to another park later on in the day.What do you suggest?
As you say, the Disney Hopper Tickets allow you to move from Park-to-Park throughout the day if you wish. This is great if you plan on doing more than one park in a day, or say going to a park in the morning and a different park for dinner in the evening. I'd weigh up the cost difference and decide if you need that flexibility.

2. Do you know of the cheapest place to rent a van? I am going to need car seats for the girls. What are the laws for children riding in a van in Florida.
I've just had a look on Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Rental Cars -- Discount Airfare | Priceline.com and Budget look to be the cheapest. If you can use a price comparison site like Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Rental Cars -- Discount Airfare | Priceline.com or Expedia.com - Upgrade your browser and see the world. Another consideration is whether or not the hire car company is located at the airport. Generally the bigger companies such as Dollar, Alamo etc are.

The law regarding child car seats in Florida is three years or under must have an approved child seat. Some hire companies have other restrictions, for example I think Dollar request that all children under five must have at least a booster seat for insurance purposes. You'll need to check that with the car hire company. Also, you can hire seats at the car rental depot, but they come in between $7 and $10 a day.

3. What do you suggest would be the best things to do in each of the parks with childen of my age group?
You're spoilt for choice. In Magic Kingdom, the girls are going to love Fantasyland. Up there is the Winnie the Pooh Ride, Dumbo and most of the "classic" Disney rides. At Disney's Hollywood Studios there's the Playhouse Disney Show if your Grandchildren like the characters on the Playhouse channel.

4.I really want to go to Universal Studios but from I can find out there is not much for young kids. Would I be wasting my money?
It's your vacation as well right? If you fancy Universal Studios go for it. I know what your saying regards the younger kids though. At Universal Studios they have the Jimmy Neutron Ride, Shrek 4D, ET the Ride, A Day in the Park with Barney and Fievels Playground. So they do have plenty of things to do for the younger kids. That being said, I'd say you've got the four main Disney Parks and whether or not you'll get through a park in a day depends on your's and the kids stamina as well as the time of year your visiting. I'd be tempted to say do the Disney parks and see how you go. You don't want to get theme park burn-out. Also, the little-ones do tend to get a little tired, so a day off here and there might be needed.

Have you considered Seaworld at all? What about a character meal, that'll probably be a great memory for you if nothing else?

By the way... We thrive on questions, so feel free to start threads in the forum and I'm sure we can come up with a response.

[nannyt5]

Thank you so much for your help. You will definitely hear from me again. nannyt5

[Angie_60]

Hi nanyt5, Did you know you can buy extra days cheaper than you can buy park hopper passes? We did that for this summer. That way I can go to another park for dinner or back to the Magic Kingdom to see the fireworks if I have been in another park all day.

We are packing our granddaughters car seat in plastic bags and taking it on the plane with us. If you rent 3 seats per day that can get expensive.

I think you would like Birnbaum Guide 2008 Walt Disney World I ordered mine from Amazon.com actually opened a credit card with them and got a 40.00 credit and got 2 books free!!!

When are you going? Character breakfast and dinners are worth the money but you need to book now!!!!!! If you are going soon

[spondishy]

You're spot on regarding the car seats, they cost a fortune and nearly always look a little worn.

As for a guide book. I'd recommend the Brits Guide to Orlando. I know you're not a Brit, but it's a really good guide to have.

[OrlandoTouristAttractions]

We bought a car seat (a booster seat for age 4 - 12 or until they are about 4ft 5inches tall) out there in Wall Mart. It was the same (but newer version) as one we have at home in England that costs £75 in Halfords in UK. In Orlando, FL it cost about $50 (which to us felt like £25!!!). It saved us about $10 a day for the two weeks we were there - then we brought it home with us and are using it still today. So it saved us £50 on the English price of buying it and $140 from not having to hire it off of dollar! That's about $240!