Disney World

From the moment we arrived in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, we saw signs of stress: kids wailing in their strollers, frustrated parents rushing their children to the next ride, exhausted grandparents trying to keep up.

Hardly a formula for fun at Disney World, which comprises the world’s most popular amusement parks.

However, we also ran into many family groups, some with more than a dozen people in tow, who have clearly mastered the art of theme park survival.

Ron Morby and his wife from Holland Landing, north of Toronto, were among the latter. They arrived in Orlando with their two children, spouses and five grandchildren.

“We did our research on the best way to enjoy the many choices at Walt Disney World,” Morby said. “But our basic rule is that wherever the kids want to go, we go. We’re on vacation, so we’ll take it easy and never rush.”

Cheryl Russell of Fredericton started planning six months earlier for her week-long Disney adventure with her children and grandchildren.

“Keeping up with the kids is a bit challenging because they run faster than Grandma,” Russell said.

Her survival key is a daily nap.

“With the big crowds and potential for headaches, down time is really important,” she said. “Take a long lunch, a nap or a swim at noon, but break up the day into manageable pieces.”

With our daughter, her husband and our two grandsons, aged six and eight, from Victoria, B.C., we were also among the many multi-generational families who join upwards of 47 million people each year at the four Disney theme parks, two water parks and over 20 hotels and resorts spread out among 11,000 hectares southwest of Orlando. We were particularly anxious to keep the stress level low and fun quotient high, so we started planning several months in advance and read a few guidebooks (the best of which turned out to be “The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World”).

Here’s a distillation of what we learned:

• Daily crowds at Magic Kingdom alone can range from 30,000 to more that 80,000. Avoid ultra-busy times like Christmas, Easter, spring break and summer weekends.
• Arrive early at any of the Disney theme parks or water parks. This advice has been important since Walt Disney World opened in 1971, but most people still seem to arrive late in the morning, and crowding is one of the biggest frustrations.
• The Disney-owned hotels and resorts are more expensive than accommodation off-site but the convenience and time saved may be worthwhile. Adjoining rooms are ideal when grandparents and grandchildren are involved. All Disney properties are served by the efficient monorail or free buses.
• Have a plan. Do your research so you know what rides and attractions are most popular. Head for them first thing in the morning or late afternoon when crowds start to dwindle.
• Fastpass is a special ticket you pick up at popular rides enabling you to return at a specific time period for priority boarding. We were skeptical at first but found it worked amazingly well.
• Some family-oriented rides and attractions are truly outstanding. Our favourites included the 3-D movie “Mickey’s PhilharMagic,” Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin and Pirates of the Caribbean (Magic Kingdom); Mission: Space (mild version) and Soarin’ (Epcot); Kilimanjaro Safaris and the 3-D Movie, “It’s Tough to be a Bug” (Animal Kingdom); and the evening spectacular, Fantasmic (Disney’s Hollywood Studios).
• Canada’s Cirque du soleil has built a permanent theatre in a section of Walt Disney World called Downtown Disney. Their “La Nouba” show is extraordinary.
• Food in the four Disney theme parks was better than expected but long waits are still the norm. It’s better to return to your hotel for lunch (plus the break is important) or leave the parks for food that’s significantly cheaper.

Chris Baschuk of Calgary was at Magic Kingdom as part of a multi-generation family of 14. “Our challenge is to stay together as a group and stay sane,” he said. “Our plan is to stick together one day and split up the next so we can all have a breather.”

Chris Schissmann of Toronto came to Orlando with his mother, his wife and two kids. “It’s been hard to balance out what everyone wants to do,” he said.

“But it now works because everyone takes a turn. Grandma chooses an attraction, then the kids choose something. It’s wonderful having her along because she gives us a break. She’s had a great time spending the week with the grandkids.”

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