realistic itinerary for 5yo and almost 3yo

[2ndxmommy]

can I link?
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=7600937#post7600937

[CheapMom]

I know everyone is different but no- I would not purchase the hopping option. One park per day is enough for my kids and me. I also think at least one pool or beach day is a good idea- especially with little ones. Usually on a 7 night vacation we do maybe 4 days of parks and one waterpark. It is more than enough for my family.

[KristiKelly]

We have always had the park hoppers & have used them. We may do Animal Kingdom or MGM during the day, go back to hotel for a nap or swim, then MK or EPCOT at night. There have been times that we have gone to a separate park at night just for dinner. We have taken our kids since they were 2 & have always used the park hopper.

[carolb3]

We went 2 years ago, when my children were 6 (DS) and 3 (DD). We did buy the Park Hoppers as we wanted to see all the parks (except for Epcot), and also have the option to go back for fireworks at any park we chose. We did not have water park tickets.

We were surprised at how well the kids did. We were up early every day, had breakfast in our room, then went to Early Entry when it was at MK, MGM, and AK. We stayed until mid-afternoon, came back and either went swimming or took an hour or so nap. Then, went back to the parks in the evening or Downtown Disney.

We did rent the stroller, so that was a huge help with the kids. I do recall my daughter fell asleep twice in the afternoon on the bus on the way back to the hotel. One thing my husband and I both said was that next time we would not get tickets for every day we were there, as it was not necessary -- just nice to have a day or two to hang out at the hotel (we were there a week). The kids just loved swimming in the pool, and were content to do that just as much as going to the park. So, this time (in little more than a week!), we will have 2 days to just spend at the hotel and relax, go to Downtown Disney, just take it easy.

I think a lot depends on how your kids are in general. Mine are both easy going and my son never seems to be tired; my daughter just needs a nap and then she's ready to get going again. So, we were able to pack a lot in on the days we did go to the parks.

[carolb3]

P.S. We did get the Park Hoppers this time. We just have tickets for 4 days, plus one water park, and will spend 2 days at the hotel.

[ceecee]

I would go with the hoppers. It's nice to change resorts midday and go back for a swim or nap around lunchtime. My daughter was a park commando at age 4, so we hopped every day to different parks.

[aka-mad4themouse]

Depending on the time of year that you visit, having the hopper option might work to your advantage. For instance, I'll be back in WDW April 21-25. The only EMH morning for the MK will be that Friday (4/22) but the MK will close at 7pm for Grad Night. If I didn't have the hopper option & wanted to take advantage of the MK's EMH, I wouldn't be able to do any park-related activities that evening.

The same is true for any day that the AK doesn't have an evening EMH. No hopper means that you're done by 5 or 6 pm.

Also, there are many times when the "ideal" park for morning is not the "ideal" park for the evening. If you're an offsite guest, chances are very good that you'll be avoiding the EMH parks. So typically, the advise would be to avoid MGM and EPCOT on a Tuesday (MGM is early EMH, EPCOT is late--typically). That leaves you and every other offsite guest who doesn't have a hopper but does read a guidebook in one of 2 parks for the entire day. :earseek:

Lastly, if you plan to purchase those MYW passes with no expiration so that you can use them on a future trip, who's to say that you won't want them to be "hoppers" later? For $35/pass, it could well be worth the investment over a two-trip period.

[jckdisneybound]

We first took our daughter when she just turned 2 and are taking her again at 3.5. We always park hop, even if its to head over to Epcot in the evening for a little bit. We brought her stroller with us which is a must in our mind (we have a nice umbrella type stroller).

My only advice is don't do the commando style touring, take a break during the day. It will make your trip much more enjoyable. Good luck and have fun!

[zippehsmom]

I would also get the park hoppers. We have always gotten the hoppers. To echo what mad4themouse said some parks might be better for the morning and another park might be better for the evening.

On our last trip my girls were 4 & 18 months and they both did great. We took our double stroller, so they would often be asleep in the stroller as we were headed back to hotel for an afternoon break. The only downside was as soon as we got in the room, they were refreshed and wide awake. So, I did not get any afternoon naps.

zippehsmom

[nicknamy1996]

We have 2 boys now 3 1/2 and 5 1/2 they were great on trips the last 3 years hopping every time and yet I was looking at the same thing (sort of) We will be buying 10 day non exp tickets to use over the next 2 trips. [By the way, if you are paying for non exp already add the 3 extra days, make them 10 day tickets, it's very cheap] Anyway, it will cost us about 100 dollars to add hopping. It's $35 per ticket x 4 (that is $140 plus tax right?) BUT w/o hoppers you lose the advance purchase discount SO it ends up for a family of 4 in our situation being somewhere under $100. One one hand it's $100 on the other hand when you divide that by 2 trips and 5 nights per trip and 4 people it gets pretty cheap to have that option. We go in the off season so it's always been worth it to us to have that option to jump over to epcot for a ride or two and illuminations. Between that and doing something after AK I figured it would be worth it. Originally I was thinking AK then Hoop Dee Doo, but I'd rather add a(non park) day and shop and doo Hoop Dee Doo that day.

[2ndxmommy]

can you upgrade 7-10day park hopper and add no exp (within 14 days obiously) without paying a service charge? even if you book thru AAA?