IF like me you've never taken much notice of what a Disney parade must be like, then the above video, by Erica at Littlemummy, shows you what to expect in just one of the many you could witness during your holiday.
Erica, along with Jane Alexander, Becky from English mum in Ireland, Lulu from Family Affairs, Laura from Are We Nearly There Yet Mummy, Alice from Dulwich Divorcee and yours truly made up the Disney Seven recently when we were flown to America courtesy of Disney.
We've already blogged our little hearts out about it and now Jane has written a comprehensive round-up on her new Never Knowingly Overwhelmed site, which spells out what even the pickiest of parents may or may not like.
You can read the full piece here to discover Jane's take on the theme parks, water parks, accommodation and food.
But for now, here's some snippets to give you an idea:
Where to stay
You can do Disney on a shoestring and plenty of people stay off-campus or in budget accommodation and have a great time. But this isn’t an option for picky parents. If you can afford it I would advise the following:
If you’re feeling totally selfish: The Grand Floridian Very elegant, refined hotel on the waterfront (with pristine white beaches that nobody seems to use as they’re all reclining by the pool). See picture above. The spa is a stroll away and there’s fine dining in the various restaurants (Citricos highly recommended). Despite being very busy when I visited, it never seemed crowded or noisy – just serene and sorted. Transportation to the parks is easy – via monorail, water launch or bus. Probably the most grown-up and sophisticated of all the Disney hotels.
If you like the exotic and the artistic: Animal Kingdom Lodge. I was blown away by this huge hotel, modelled on a very wild (and upmarket) African safari Lodge. The architecture is amazing and the attention to detail quite extraordinary. This is one both arty parents and active children will love. The hotel looks out over the Animal Kingdom and you may be able to see giraffes or antelope from your room. The setting outside is all very tropical.
It’s lively with loads of extra activities for children (storytelling by the indoor fire pit for example) and great food (much with an African influence).
If you like laid-back and easygoing: Beach Club Resort. I stayed here and found it a friendly, bustling hotel with a lively atmosphere and a great pool complex. It’s got three acres of water around it but, even so, you need to grab a space by the pools early on. Fun slides and mini whirlpools keep children occupied for hours. This is classic laid-back American comfort at its best (my room service was fabulous – though not everyone reported the same level I had) and should be a great compromise if you want comfort and class yet still want your children to have a blast.
* Grand Floridian photo by Englishmum.
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