if you love Disney...

[Anonymous]

How much you enjoy it really depends on your personality, your kids, and when you go IMO. I thought I would dislike Disney but gave in since DH was so excited to take the kids ages 1.5 and 3.5 at the time. Both kids were amazed. I ended up loving it and we went again the next year. We are careful to choose days when Disney shows they are less busy. We also like being active all day and our kids like the activity. I enjoyed that we could just take the monorail everywhere or walk and did not have to deal with driving at all during the trip. My kids gets overactive in hotel rooms so Disney is a great place to get up and just go for the day, come back quickly for a nap, and then go back.

I did not like Epcot at all but maybe it is because I have traveled to the actual places. Each country is basically a restaurant (with non authentic tasting food), a gift shop filled with all the souvenirs targeted to tourists in that country, and a few fauz buildings. Under the Seas was not that great an aquarium.

[Anonymous]

Regarding those who mentioned Dutch Wonderland - we went last July 4th weekend. My DD was 2.5 yrs. She had a blast. We got there before they opened, waited, and got onto a lot of rides without waiting, as the day went on we had to wait in small lines. We left in the afternoon, drove 5 min. to a Wendy's where you can get healthy food options now and cheap. Went to Amish Country for an afternoon horse/carriage ride through Amish Country (was wonderful) w/ a guide, then back to Dutch Wonderland for a few more rides and a snack. It worked out perfect. We made the decision to break up the amusement park b/c the Amish stuff closed at 5pm and the park closed at 8/9pm. It's so much cheaper and close by than Disney. We may try Disney next year (gotta start saving now).

[Anonymous]

I know everyone on this board LOVES Dutch Wonderland but frankly I find the county fair more entertaining. Yes I know many of you think you are far too intellectual for Disney and the princesses but please remember if you are taking the Disney vacation, you are doing it for your kinds not for yourself!!! I am not a huge fan of Disney but seeing the look on my 3 yo daughter's face when we took her there was priceless. IMO the big mistake when going there with a preschooler is trying to do all the Disney parks. I think at that age a day at the MK, a day at Sea World and a few days relaxing at the pool are the way to go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know everyone on this board LOVES Dutch Wonderland but frankly I find the county fair more entertaining. Yes I know many of you think you are far too intellectual for Disney and the princesses but please remember if you are taking the Disney vacation, you are doing it for your kinds not for yourself!!! I am not a huge fan of Disney but seeing the look on my 3 yo daughter's face when we took her there was priceless. IMO the big mistake when going there with a preschooler is trying to do all the Disney parks. I think at that age a day at the MK, a day at Sea World and a few days relaxing at the pool are the way to go.

I agree that the county fair has some entertaining stuff, but it's TOUGH to take little kids there - bumpy stroller rides, some places strollers can't go, and always on the hottest week of the year (at least in MoCo). DW, on the other hand, has beautiful paved walkways that are terrific for strollers, stroller parking at rides, and enough air-conditioned, indoor places that you can duck in and cool off on a hot day. Plus, it's small enough to do with a little kid. The "entertainment" isn't great, although DS loved Thomas and DD loves the princess storytime.

DW is also geared to little kids - I don't go expecting that it will be a relaxing, adult vacation, but I've found our trips there to be more relaxing because you can be flexible and go to the splash park if it's hot, or the indoor pool at the hotel if it's raining, or you can ride one ride and play a few games or ride all the rides.

I also disagree that MK is the best for preschoolers - my just turned 5 year old and 2 year old liked Epcot best. No, it's not authentic as another PP pointed out, but there are good shows and entertainment, good food (better than the fast stuff at MK, even if it's not "authentic"), and big enough to run free and just watch the ducks.