Save me from being a SG - tell me what NOT to do

[turkeyham]

I believe there is a list of places to eat at the parks. If the grads need to get another meal voucher, I think the teachers have to purchase a meal voucher for the student. I remember reading something in a print out last week.

[Puget Peach]

What I'm looking for is any *other* tips that might not come immediately to mind. For example:

- I've got at least one, if not two or three kiddos who might be a little timid at first on some of the really dark rides. If it's not too bright, may I bring on a small penlight to offer them a little comfort? I'm not talking a laser pointer; I'm thinking more along the lines of a very small flashlight with possibly a colored lightbulb (pinkish maybe) that they can cup in their hands. If not that, can I use glowy necklaces or glow-in-the-dark tattoos?

I just got back from a week doing my nephew's first visit to Walt Disney World at 5 years old. We live a continent apart (I'm in Seattle, they are in Virginia) so I hadn't seen him in over a year and his mom was pretty sure he wouldn't like any of the dark rides. On my last solo trip, while shopping at one of the Disney Outlets, I found a red pen. Looked like an ordinary red pen, just a bit larger than a normal ball point. It took some figuring out that the little silver button on the side caused a picture of Mickey's face to project from the top. Perfect!

On the first day, before departing for Epcot, I took my nephew aside and told him Mickey had a special gift for him. Mickey wanted to be sure he would never be scared in any of the rides that got very dark so he wanted to be there with him. I called it Mickey's secret pen, the secret being that Mickey was there when he was needed. I told him Mickey only had two rules about the pen: Keep his face pointed DOWN and NEVER point him on someone else's face!

I totally forgot that part of the Seas with Nemo is totally dark. This little voice beside me said "I need the magic pen now". Not the secret pen, the MAGIC pen. Oh yea!!! Mickey got him through the loud train in Figment, parts of Spaceship Earth, and many other places I don't think would have worked without him! I hope these are going to continue to be sold, as this was a perfect way to give a little guy security. Oh yes, I also picked up a Woody pencil case to keep it in between rides so it was easy to find in my backpack!

[hobie16]

Very good!!

I'm originally from Everett and left waaaaaay before Boeing took over Paine Field.

[DisneyMom]

I believe there is a list of places to eat at the parks. If the grads need to get another meal voucher, I think the teachers have to purchase a meal voucher for the student. I remember reading something in a print out last week.

Thanks Turkeyham and to others who replied :)

[Main Streeter]

will any locations be closed for eating such as Zocalo,plaza inn,etc?

Am sure P I is closed, well almost. Will ask abt this later today for you DM & post from cell if I have time.

[LadySiren]

Oooh, Peach - that sounds just like the thing we could use. DH's youngest (we're a blended family) is a bit timid at the onset of almost everything, which I think relates to the craziness that happened between DH and his ex. Once she gets comfortable though, she's usually fine.

I can already envision her having a meltdown at HM but then loving the ride by the end. Same for POTC. Rather than subject everyone else to hearing her cry pitifully, I figure a small light source might be helpful for her until she's gotten acclimated to her surroundings on the ride. Thanks for the idea!

[mousefan]

Oooh, Peach - that sounds just like the thing we could use. DH's youngest (we're a blended family) is a bit timid at the onset of almost everything, which I think relates to the craziness that happened between DH and his ex. Once she gets comfortable though, she's usually fine.

I can already envision her having a meltdown at HM but then loving the ride by the end. Same for POTC. Rather than subject everyone else to hearing her cry pitifully, I figure a small light source might be helpful for her until she's gotten acclimated to her surroundings on the ride. Thanks for the idea!

Might I also suggest a "child swap" option too - I wouldnt force a timid child on a ride - and "subject everyone else to hearing her cry" (and if a ride doesnt have a child swap "pass" you can still figure out how to swap duties so the adults can enjoy the ride, and the timid child can enjoy Disney w/o traumatizing all )

my DD refused to get on POTC - and she just dug in her heals - my mom has a high powered camera and took a movie on the ride w/o a flash and showed her what she missed - dd agreed to ride with her eyes closed... then wanted to ride again with her eyes open... then ride it again, and again, and again...

so maybe go to you tube and let her experience the rides prior to going -

also, thank you for using a "red" pen, so as not to annoy other riders with a bright white light moving around.

[LadySiren]

BTW, gang - we have 8 days (OMG) until we hit Orlando. I'm considering making a button that says I <3 SGT. :D:

We're staying off-site because I couldn't get into DVC (boo!) but if you spot a Pooh-shaped Hawaiian chick wearing an I <3 SGT button, surrounded by six kids, come say hello. :)

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

BTW, gang - we have 8 days (OMG) until we hit Orlando. I'm considering making a button that says I <3 SGT. :D:

We're staying off-site because I couldn't get into DVC (boo!) but if you spot a Pooh-shaped Hawaiian chick wearing an I <3 SGT button, surrounded by six kids, come say hello. :)

The home page has SGT merchandise on the left had side near the bottom of the page!!

[LadySiren]

The home page has SGT merchandise on the left had side near the bottom of the page!!

Yeah, but it won't come in time. :(

That's okay, if I can convince DH we need another "just us" trip, I'll order some. :p: