Disney Vacation Tips for Larger Families
By Patrick Cameron
The Disney franchise is virtually everywhere you look--on television, toy stores, amusement parks, and even a cruise ship. It's hard to escape, and if you're a child, escaping is the farthest thing from your mind. So, when you eventually give in and decide to head to Disney for a vacation, here are some good tools that you can apply.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Make arrangements at a Disney hotel. It's going to cost you extra, but it's always wise to stay at the resort, especially with a large group. You'll get the amenities and the experience the whole time you're there. Plus, it's easier to get tickets and get in to the park.
Plan out your day. If you're staying at the park, it's also fairly easy to get a park map since they are in the rooms. If you have a family that ranges widely in age, you're going to want to divide up the day so that all the children get to do what they want to. You also should go over dining options during the day and arrange for times and places to all get back together.
Wear the same color shirt. Yeah, you're going to look a little silly, but it helps if someone gets off on their own. If someone gets lost, it's also a great way for him to find the rest of the group.
Bring walkie-talkies. If you are going to split up your group, this is a great way to stay in contact throughout the day. Make sure that you pick a channel on the radio so that both groups know where the other one is on the radio band.
Set aside a spot centralized within the park where you can go should you or someone in your party become lost. That way, at least you'll have a plan in place in the event of a missing kid. It's best to pick a spot like the onsite security where safety isn't a concern. If you have children under the age of 12, make sure you go over this plan, and have them repeat it to you. Also, make sure that, if they do get lost, that they don't talk to strangers but instead find a park employee who can direct or escort them to their location.
Give everyone a map with the meeting locations and the rendezvous point marked. Even if they can't all read a map, they can find a park employee who can.
Tips & Warnings
Always bring sunscreen if you're going to a park and planning on spending hours outside.
About The Author
Patrick Cameron is a freelance writer with 10 years of diverse experience in consumer goods branding, promotions and retail communications. He works out of his home in Denver, Colo. He received his Bachelor of Arts in mass communication from the University of Minnesota.
