Magic Kingdom before or not?

[ash901]

Wondering if anyone would have advice. We will be traveling from Louisiana when we cruise on the Dream in May. Me, DH, DS 5 and DD 2.5. DH and I were thinking of spending the Saturday before departure at Magic Kingdom. Our children have never been and it would extend our vacation a little longer. Do you think this is doable with their ages or are we setting ourselves up for serious meltdowns? My biggest concern is the the kids would be worn out/ tired when we bored the Dream.

One other thing, should I consider bring a stroller formDD when we cruise? Thanks!!!!

 

[jdb in AZ]

Wondering if anyone would have advice. We will be traveling from Louisiana when we cruise on the Dream in May. Me, DH, DS 5 and DD 2.5. DH and I were thinking of spending the Saturday before departure at Magic Kingdom. Our children have never been and it would extend our vacation a little longer. Do you think this is doable with their ages or are we setting ourselves up for serious meltdowns? My biggest concern is the the kids would be worn out/ tired when we bored the Dream.

One other thing, should I consider bring a stroller formDD when we cruise? Thanks!!!!

You know your kids best. Do they have serious meltdowns when they're exhausted or do they just crash and sleep? It's a good idea to get into Orlando a day early in case you have transportation issues.

The ships have strollers you can borrow (first come first served) but you probably wouldn't need one except for Nassau. Tho lots of passengers just stay onboard and enjoy the ship instead of going into town.

 

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

I think a day at MK would be great if you go into it with the right attitude: I may not see everything, but will let the kids set the pace. I recommend getting there at opening, using a touring plan (google it for several options), knowing what you want to ride. Will you stay on property? Consider a return to the room for an afternoon nap and then go back to the park for the evening. Or stay until 4 or so and head back to hotel for so dinner and early to bed. Our kids are 9 and 11, so older, but we are spending a day at MK before our July Fantasy cruise and are excited!

 

[GreatMouseDetective]

I say both. We have done it before and after and have loved it ... but plan on taking a day to rest after and not doing anything late the night before.

 

[Cats12]

I was crazy enough to go to Orlando, spend a day at MK, a day at Sea World, then get on the boat the next day with a 4 year old and 1 year old. It was fine, and it sure make the cruise seem extra relaxing!! It was like "ahh, finally we're on vacation" the minute we stepped on board. We're doing just one park this time (6 and 3 now), but I think it's a great idea. You're already there, why not enjoy it.

 

[scrapbookmomma74]

Absolutely! Take advantage of where you are!
Just go into the MK day with the attitude of "whatever we see is what we see!"

The kids will love it, and there is nothing that says you have to close the park down.
As far as a stroller, I would either bring something cheap or rent for the day. If you do a cheap umbrella stroller, that $10 could save your sanity. You could always offer it up to a family checking into the hotel in the morning, since you won't need it on the ship.
Even when my dd was 5 I would bring a stroller, to save us from the eventual "I don't want to walk anymore!".

They do a princess party on the ship, so if you have a princess outfit, maybe your dd could wear it in the park and also on the ship?
Have a great vacation!

 

[Zeppelin]

your littlest is young so i couldn't tell you.....last year we did 4 days at WDW after the cruise and it worked out well....everyone is so sad to get off the ship to the point of being a little depressed...

my 9YO was so upset when we left the ship- all day tears because she had made so many friends and had such a blast (mind you it was our 4th DC)....we stayed one night at a relatives to wash some clothes then left the next day for, what she thought was the airport...when she realized we were going to WDW for a few days she perked right up...

 

[kcashner]

The only downside I see is that single day tickets are expensive. Otherwise, sounds like fun.

An umbrella stroller may be useful on the ship; if you need a big stroller for an excursion you can borrow one from Guest Services (they charge your KTTW $200 and remove the charge when you return it). On Castaway there are wagons that would haul both kids.

 

[ash901]

Thank you for all the suggestions! A great help! DH is on board, so I think we are going to do it. We will drive in on Friday, stay on the grounds do MK on Saturday and drive to the port on Sunday. DH and I did WDW before we were married, so this is totally a " let the kids get a taste of it" day. We will be returning in a few years for a whole trip when they are older. DD is potty trained and very independent about it. I think this will help some! I can't wait! Reading this board are the highlight off work day. Thanks again.

 

[BrennaM]

Yeah I totally recommend doing the parks before your cruise if you are going to do any. That way you get the possibly stressful hurried day done and then you can unwind on the ship.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Are you driving? I would plan for some down time after the drive. They may sleep a lot, & may not.
Sounds like a great plan. Just stay flexible and go with the flow. See how your kids are holding up and give them a break when they need one.
Every WDW visit we see tired kids with commando parents. It reminds me of when I'm shopping (alone) in Kohls at like 9:30 pm and a toddler is crying, long past his bedtime. I feel bad for the kids but parents keep pushing.

Your kids are at great ages to enjoy the magic of MK.

 

[ash901]

Are you driving? I would plan for some down time after the drive. They may sleep a lot, & may not.
Sounds like a great plan. Just stay flexible and go with the flow. See how your kids are holding up and give them a break when they need one.
Every WDW visit we see tired kids with commando parents. It reminds me of when I'm shopping (alone) in Kohls at like 9:30 pm and a toddler is crying, long past his bedtime. I feel bad for the kids but parents keep pushing.

Your kids are at great ages to enjoy the magic of MK.

You are so right! I. WILL. NOT. be the commando parent. Yes, we are driving. We will either leave Thursday afternoon or Friday morning. So, we will have some down time on Friday. DS makes me show him something "Disney" everyday! They are so excited. Thanks again

 

[RedxPanda]

We live an hour from WDW. We have not done those parks yet with DD, but have true other things (smaller parks, aquariums, zoos). DD is almost 2 years old. She can't focus on anything more than 10 minutes. For that, we certainly can't justify a one day pass to WDW.

That's why we are cruising DCL! Disney fun without feeling like we've missed out.


If you go into it knowing you and your spouse will have to switch off watching the little one you will have fun. I also think it will feel like a long long day.

 

[ash901]

We are booked! We will be doing Magic Kingdom the Saturday before we cruise. Thank you all for your advice!! I don't know who is more excited for this trip me or the kids!!!

One question, you don't think it's a problem that we are driving from WDW to port canaveral on embarkation day?

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We are booked! We will be doing Magic Kingdom the Saturday before we cruise. Thank you all for your advice!! I don't know who is more excited for this trip me or the kids!!!

One question, you don't think it's a problem that we are driving from WDW to port canaveral on embarkation day?

Not at all. The DCL buses do it every cruise. It's only about 1 hr drive.

 

[erinsmom03]

You didn't say where you booked your room...if you can, staying at one of the monorail resorts will make the day at Magic Kingdom a lot easier with the little ones. We love to stay at the Polynesian, and it was only 10 minutes from our door to the Magic Kingdom gates...and when DD was 4, she thought the monorail was just as exciting as a park ride!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

You didn't say where you booked your room...if you can, staying at one of the monorail resorts will make the day at Magic Kingdom a lot easier with the little ones. We love to stay at the Polynesian, and it was only 10 minutes from our door to the Magic Kingdom gates...and when DD was 4, she thought the monorail was just as exciting as a park ride!

I agree. We loved the Poly but unless you get a discount it's a bit steep. Wilderness Lodge is not on the monorail but does have its own boat to MK.
It's the least expensive of all the deluxe resorts and you still won't have to deal with the buses.

 

[Mrs Green]

Oh my gosh I am excited for you OP! We took our DD to Mk when she was 2 and to DL when she was 3 and it was wonderful! Watching the magic and awe in her eyes was priceless! No we didn't do everything but it is worth it to go there and do something IMO. You sound like you have a good plan and a good attitude, so I know you are going to have a good time!