Help! Disney World Questions - Need Your Input!

So first I want to thank my travel agent/stress reliever/ Twitter friend @DailyJen who also has a very funny blog. I bought the Jet Blue tickets on a whim one day when talking with my friend Barb (otherwise known as my Flip Videographer from the Yanni Voices concert).

Anyway, Jen saw me tweeting about Disney and came to my rescue! That is, if everything goes well...no sweat, right Jen?

But even after hours on the phone with her answering hundreds if not thousands of questions...I still have more.

I have decided to give Jen a rest and see if you, my faithful friends, readers, and advice-givers can help me muddle through the crazy World of Disney.

(PS: we are going Wed-Sat. but only Thurs and Fri at Magic Kingdom)

Explain to me again Le Fast Pass?

This really only pertains to Friday since I've heard we'll get some ultimate Fast Pass on Thursday which is the girls actual birthday and we'll be foregoing the FREE part of "free on your birthday" since we paid for the tix in the package, blah, blah, blah.

What rides should we stop at first for a Fast Pass?
How many can I get at one time?

Crocs or sneakers?

I'm going with sneaks but you tell me.

6-year olds in strollers??? Won't people make fun of me?

Apparently there are Disney issued strollers that look more like jogging strollers. Still, my kids haven't been in a stroller since they were 3. I'm not kidding. I don't even know if they'll WANT to sit in one. A wheelchair, definitely! A stroller? I'm not so sure.

But I've heard from people that especially since we've only got 2 days, they will be very long days and as parents, we'll appreciate cutting down on the crankiness by having one of these.

What say you?

Must-See places in Downtown Disney?

We have dinner reservations for the first night but what else should we see while we are there? It will probably be our only time since we'll be at Magic Kingdom the other two days and nights.

Besides the rides, what are other Must-Sees at Magic Kingdom?

Note - we are having lunch at Cinderella's Castle (eee! I just peed a little I'm so excited for that) and so we'll meet some princesses there.
What about places like Ariel's Grotto or other little hideaway places?
Whatever you can tell me....


OK, that's it for now. I welcome any and all advice! Thanks!
Dreaming of Mickey,
Janine

Related Posts: Our Disney Surprise Video

The last time I went to Park City

Image via Hifispin on Flickr

The last time I went to Park City, Utah....
1. I did not have kids.
2. I was out there for a business conference.
3. It was one of those annual company-wide conferences where everyone drinks too much at night, and then has to get up for a day of sessions that start at 8:00am.
4. It was summer.

I had a friend who was living in Park City at the time and she gave me 1/2 day tour to show me what the Land of Sundance was all about. I was amazed at the number of restaurants and shops packed in to that Main Street. We took a tram up the mountain and hiked around. I was surprised that there were so many cool things to do in the summer, I could just imagine how fun it would be in the winter.

Fast forward to today and Mom Central gives me the opportunity to explore Park City Mountain with a different set of eyes. I just spent an hour on the website and I'm itching to get back there...this time, with my family and my skis.

This place looks like the perfect family vacation with tons of fun for all different ages. Of course there is skiiing with over 3,000 acres of trails that vary from beginner to crazy (I mean expert). The Kids Signature 5 program means there will never be more than 5 kids in each ski and snowboard class.

Adult lessons and clinics are great for newbies and experienced skiiers because there's always room for improvement or to learn something new (like snowboarding or telemark).

Off the mountain choose from lift-served tubing at Gorgoza Park, the incredible Alpine Coaster, plus snowmobiling, and horse-drawn sleigh rides. Of course, that doesn't even begin to cover the quaint (but hopping) historic Main Street that is easy to disover by taking one of two ski runs or the lift service that drops you off in the middle of it all.

Definitely check out the Park City Mountain site and the interactive vacation planner, as well as the Adventure Blog where local moms give you the inside scoop on getting the most of your family vacation.

Then enter to win a 3-night, 4-day family vacation (includes 2 adults and 2 kids) to Park City. Be sure enter before January 30th to be eligible!

Have you 'rediscovered' a vacation place with your kids? Was it better the second time around as a family or did it make you miss the 'old days'?

Janine
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I won't call it the drive from Hell...

Yesterday, a trip that usually takes 5 1/2 to 6 hours took us 8. Instead of getting in around 8pm as originally planned, we got in at midnight. M was in pain from the cheaper booster seat we had. Mr. was cranky from some work-related drama. L was getting a cold. And my stomach was upset most of the ride.

But here's a list of reasons I won't call it the drive from Hell.

1. The delay was caused my mere traffic, and not a blown tire on the side of the highway with tractor trailers flying by just inches from my car.

2. For better or worse, all 4 of us were together for 8 hours, which is more than a lot of families have right now, especially the families with loved ones serving overseas.

3. We made it to my mom's without incident. We and the car are in one piece, safe, and warm.

4. It's Christmas and almost the start of a new year. I have too many things to be thankful for, and for the next few days I've decided to try gratitude on for size...it seems to be working.

Happy Whatever-You-Celebrate!
Janine