The Disney guides make all the difference

The Disney guides make all the difference

No matter how interesting the places, how scenic the terrain, touring is exhausting — especially with kids. That’s why the parents in our group so appreciate our Adventures by Disney guides who are always there to offer a bottle of water, a snack, even an activity or movie on the bus to keep the kids amused.

The trip is alive with the sound of music as we approach Salzburg

The trip is alive with the sound of music as we approach Salzburg

Lunch will be on a cruise down the Danube that will take us about 35 miles, from Durnstein to Melk. The villages are postcard-pretty, especially on a sunny day. The parents are pleased that the guides invite them to enjoy the views on the top deck while they entertain the kids elsewhere.

In Vienna with “Adventures by Disney”

In Vienna with “Adventures by Disney”

We meet 23-year-old Trevor Enderby, one of our two guides for the week, who whisks us to our waiting car and to the hotel where our other guide, Alex Kemper is waiting to greet us at the Marriott Vienna.

EATING SMART AT DISNEY WORLD

EATING SMART AT DISNEY WORLD

For one thing, I didn’t think the 3-year-old and her 5-year-old brother were misbehaving. True, a glass of milk got spilled and they were (somewhat) noisy and jumped around a bit, picking up crayons that had dropped on the floor. But so were a lot of the other kids at The Flying Fish, the noisy, bustling Orlando restaurant.

On a (relatively) stress-free vacation: Disney Wonder

On a (relatively) stress-free vacation: Disney Wonder

It’s well past the kids’ bedtime, but no one is nagging the preschoolers and kindergartners to brush their teeth and go to sleep. Instead, they’re dressed to the nines (the girls anyway in full princess regalia) before heading to a poolside pirate party

Disney’s private island and our last night on the cruise

Disney’s private island and our last night on the cruise

The sky is blue, the water clear turquoise. We step off the Disney Wonder onto kids vacation heaven — a great big beach, a play structure anchored in the water. Machines dispensing all the ice cream and pop parents will let the kids have (as well as fresh fruit).

Some beach time, some spa time

Some beach time, some spa time

While the ship is in Nassau, we take the chance to check out the newly renovated Sheraton Cable Beach Resort. It’s great for kids — a beautiful beach, three pools and rooms that open onto the pool.

Kid Nirvana on the Disney Cruise

Kid Nirvana on the Disney Cruise

It’s well past their bedtime but they’re not in bed. Instead, they’re dressed to the nines (the girls anyway, in princess get-up, complete with sparkly shoes and Minnie Mouse dresses) waiting in line to get Cinderella and Jack Sparrow’s autograph. They’re at the Oceaneer lab climbing up to the top of the “pirate” ship so they can slide down.

Autograph seeking and a guided tour of Disney World

Autograph seeking and a guided tour of Disney World

You better plan ahead if you want to dine with a princess. I learn that breakfast or lunch at Cinderella’s castle is such a hot ticket that it‘s booked six months in advance. We see lots of little princesses in glittery, fluffy outfits with their hair done just so at the new boutique…

A trip to Walt Disney World with two little ones

A trip to Walt Disney World with two little ones

Hannah and Ethan with Goofy at character breakfast DAY ONE — It’s 3 p.m. and the pool at Disney’s Boardwalk resort in Orlando is packed with parents and kids, including a lot of little ones. “It takes patience with young ones. They get so overwhelmed and excited...