First Timer needs help with strategy!

First Timer planning a trip to Disney World with my husband and toddler who will be almost 3 at the time of our visit.
I need some help planning our strategy of how to navigate the day. I know with toddler it won't go exactly to plan but just a general idea would be super helpful. I need tips like Skip this attraction, Get a fast pass for this, etc etc.
I was originally planning to head back to the resort for naps but I've been advised thats a waste of time so I'm going to ((TRY)) stroller naps, but we will see how it goes!
ADR's are set in stone so we have to sort of plan around those!

I wanted to spend most of our time at the Magic Kingdom since I feel like she will be able to do the most there. I originally thought she wouldn't have tons to do Epcot or Hollywood Studios but I just want to make sure I'm making the most of my time. I'm just worried that a lot of the things at these parks she won't have the patience to sit through IE Ellen's Energy Adventure, The Circle of Life Movie, etc and won't be tall enough for rides like Mission Space and Soarin. The Hollywood Studios page on the Disney website only lists 12 attractions... and I only count 4 things she may enjoy there (muppets, great movie ride, and beauty and beast show, fantasmic) : BUT we have never been there so maybe you guys can give us advice on what to do at these parks too!

Arrive Sunday afternoon- just planning to stay in that night and enjoy resort!
Monday- Animal Kingdom most of the day then head to Epcot after and have a late dinner (820pm) and Illuminations (from the restaurant)
Tuesday: Magic Kingdom all day. (Crystal Palace ADR at 2:15) Halloween Party at 7
Wednesday: Spend most of the day at the resort swimming: heading to Magic Kingdom around 4pm for a Haircut at Harmony Barbershop and dinner at BOG (ADR for 6:50)
Thursday: 1/2 day at Epcot (Akershus ADR at 9:25) then heading to Magic Kingdom (CRT ADR at 7pm)
Friday: Hollywood Studios (no ADR's this day but we are planning on trying Pizza Planet since my daughter loves Toy Story).

Taking a toddler the age of three is not something I would think of doing. I started taking my kids after the age of six. We typically go to a park open to close. Last year, we tried park hopper, but in seven days, we only used it once. I tend to agree about mid day breaks being a waste of time,because we have to go when school is out, crowds are large, buses are the biggest hassle, and lines are so long you need ten hours to get to everything in a park, and my kids are 8-16 years, and they do not get cranky when tired. Your situation is different for at least two reasons: (1) a three year old and (2) travel in a slower time of year for crowds. You should have less time in lines, and if you plan to do everything together with no single adults on longer wait lines for thrill/coasters- there will be even less in the park to go see- still tons of stuff- just less. I think I would try to stay to my toddler's schedule. Does she normally take a nap? If yes, even the adults might do good by having an air conditioned, relaxing break back at the resort. Does she normally stay up to the time a park would close? You might be carrying a sleeping child from 8pm, on a full bus standing.

What resort are you staying at? That will make a huge difference in whether it will be advisable to take midday breaks.
We took our grandchildren when the youngest was 3 and had an awesome time. We spent 1 day at each park. We stayed at the Poly, so taking breaks at MK & EP were easy. AK was just a half day for us at that time anyway, so it worked out well. HS at that age was pretty much a bust.
Have a great trip!

Thanks!
We are staying at port Orleans

In that case, you may be better off without the breaks due to the transportation time back and forth on the busses. But having said that, you know your child best. If she would be better off in bed for a nap, by all means leave the park when she gets tired or cranky and head back "home". Once rested you can spend some time in the pool or just exploring the beautiful resort. Maybe you can head back to the parks for dinner, or perhaps after dinner. At that age there's no need to go commando at the parks - she'll enjoy most of the things that don't require waiting in long lines. Take your time, enjoy yourselves, and follow her lead.
At that age in MK our grandkids particularly enjoyed strolling down Main St, the Railroad & parades, Dumbo (of course) & the Magic Carpets of Aladdin (which is very similar). She'll probably enjoy the Country Bear Jamboree & ours loved exploring Tom Sawyer Island. IASW was great. Ours wouldn't go on the teacups, but I'm sure they would have liked it if they had tried. DGD rode the Carousel MANY times... Winnie the Pooh was a fave. Buzz Lightyear was a hit with DGS (who was 6 or 7) but not so much with his younger sister.
In EP they really liked the Land Pavilion and Turtle Talk. They enjoyed Soarin tho I know it scares some little ones. I tried to avoid anything loud or dark and never let on that any ride would be scary, so they really didn't expect them to be. If they balked at anything, we just didn't do it. I never even attempted MS.
At AK they loved all the animals! Just walking thru different parts of the park fascinated them. They played for quite a while at the Boneyard and rode TTS. They both loved Lion King & Finding Nemo - the Musical. They loved KRR - I was afraid it would scare them, but it didn't at all. I think their favorite part was seeing their grandpa getting so wet!
It's always been quite hot when we've gone to WDW, so make sure to have plenty of water on hand and take the time to let her run thru the "sprinklers" in each park. It's also nice to take time at lunch and sit in an air conditioned restaurant, if you can. Going at a nice slow pace and allowing them time to stop & smell the roses made for a very enjoyable vacation. We did take advantage of EMH in the AM because both kids are early risers. It allowed us to get a lot done with lower crowds. As a corollary, we usually left the park earlier because they were tired. We made an exception at MK & stayed for the fireworks (standing somewhere near the hub) & that was a HUGE mistake! Crowds were unbelievable - much nicer to watch from afar - or do what you're doing at EP! DGD was terrified of the noise and we really couldn't fight our way out. Found out the hard way she was deathly afraid of fireworks, so from then on 1 of us stayed in the room with her while the other grandparent sat on the beach with DGS at the Poly & watched the fireworks from there.
I think your ADR's sound delightful. In addition, ours loved 50's PT & the drive in movie one (forget the name of it right now). One more thing - she'll probably like Toy Story Mania - you'll need a FP for that one.
If you can fit it in, maybe you could consider dinner at HDDR on Friday. It's always a highlight of our trips.
However you do it, there's nothing like seeing Disney through a child's eyes the first time! Enjoy!!! I'm sitting here smiling while thinking of all the memories you'll make.

I gotta chime in here and advise allowing time for resort rest / naps especially with a child that age. Don't think of it as a waste of time, think of it as good-time insurance! You can try to avoid it but more often then not you will end up cutting your day short and missing your evening plans out of sheer exhaustion. When it's hot in Florida (which is always) the evening is the absolute most MAGICAL time of day. Either way, Definitely pace yourselves and have a blast!!

I think you have a reasonable plan here with some time off for relaxation. My main suggestions are to leave AK a little bit early and go back to the resort for a rest or a swim before heading to Epcot. The other suggestion would be on your MK/party day. I'd go take a break before the Halloween party otherwise, you're going to have a very cranky little one.

It's tempting to want to do everything but you won't be able to with a 3 year old. You'll have a better time if you take a more relaxed pace. I learned the hard way with a 5 yr old. We had a much better time once we learned to take a break when we saw her start to get tired. I do remember though, napping with her in the hall of presidents!

Have fun.

We have been three times now and I would plan for the breaks. The first time we went our son was five and he needed the breaks. Also if you are hoping to extend past her bedtime the breaks are valuable. Decide up front what you have to do and what you are okay waiting until your next visit. We took rests in the room or made time for the pool. Something else that gives you good rests is to eat lunch outside of the park.

Personally I would skip Epcot. Many nice things for adults to explore but not much for her to enjoy. Our family likes Hollywood Studio but we like star tours and toy story mania. AK and MK would be more enjoyable for all of you. Fantasyland is our six year olds favorite.

Our third visit was the first time we got groceries. Very helpful. But that will depend on if you have bought the dinning plan and what level. Pack her favorite snacks so they are handy for those enevitable hangry moments.

I think that almost-three is a wonderful age for Disney. In fact, I am taking my almost-three year old DD this July. We took my older daughter for the first time when she was 2 1/2 and we had a wonderful time (and we celebrate NOT having to buy her a ticket!).

When my older DD was 2 1/2, she was frightened on many of the rides - even Peter Pan. She loved the parades and meeting the characters. Those were probably the most fun things we did. I would FP Anna and Elsa, Cinderella and Rapunzel, and possibly Mickey at Town Square Theater. One day you might want to FP Peter Pan, and consider Fast passing the parades and/or Wishes (though my older DD was terrified of fireworks at age 2 1/2. We had to run down Main Street with her screaming in her stroller when Wishes started). Does your little one have any experience with fireworks?

POR is a fabulous resort. We loved it. They have a wonderful pool area. Are you at Riverside or French Quarter? Both have boats to DTD, and I noticed you don't have plans to ride the boat. My daughters really enjoy just riding the Disney boats, and it is a very pleasant and relaxing ride over to DTD.

My main concern with your plan would be Tuesday's idea to do both MK all day then head to the Halloween party. Why not switch Tuesday and Wednesday and take your pool day on the day of the Halloween Party? We adore MNSSHP, but we like to rest on the day of the party. You can get in with your ticket at 4 pm, and being in the park all day and then again all night is a lot for a 3 year old to do. Actually, it is a lot for anyone to do. I see that you have CP reservations on Tuesday and that might be hard to change, though.

As far as taking breaks in the parks, we play it by ear. My older daughter really enjoyed taking an afternoon break at the pool (and we were at AKL when she was 2 1/2, which is even farther from MK than POR), but on the other hand, that does take a lot of time. With my little one, we see what we have done in the parks and decide whether we really need a lot more time in the park. If we have accomplished a lot in the morning, we might take her back to the hotel. However, if we are trying to get a lot done and feel short on time, we just let her take her nap in the stroller so we don't spend so much time on transportation. We bring a reclining stroller so she is comfortable napping.

Oh - and for HS, we are also going in September (when younger DD will be three), and we chose to do HS because I think it is a very good park for little ones. In addition to what you mentioned, they also have the Frozen Sing Along, a Little Mermaid show, a Disney Junior show, and Toy Story Midway Mania (one of the most popular rides at Disney). HS also has some good character meet and greets for the kids. It is definitely worth a day for your little one.

VioletSparkles said:

First Timer planning a trip to Disney World with my husband and toddler who will be almost 3 at the time of our visit.
I need some help planning our strategy of how to navigate the day. I know with toddler it won't go exactly to plan but just a general idea would be super helpful. I need tips like Skip this attraction, Get a fast pass for this, etc etc.
I was originally planning to head back to the resort for naps but I've been advised thats a waste of time so I'm going to ((TRY)) stroller naps, but we will see how it goes!
ADR's are set in stone so we have to sort of plan around those!

I wanted to spend most of our time at the Magic Kingdom since I feel like she will be able to do the most there. I originally thought she wouldn't have tons to do Epcot or Hollywood Studios but I just want to make sure I'm making the most of my time. I'm just worried that a lot of the things at these parks she won't have the patience to sit through IE Ellen's Energy Adventure, The Circle of Life Movie, etc and won't be tall enough for rides like Mission Space and Soarin. The Hollywood Studios page on the Disney website only lists 12 attractions... and I only count 4 things she may enjoy there (muppets, great movie ride, and beauty and beast show, fantasmic) : BUT we have never been there so maybe you guys can give us advice on what to do at these parks too!

Arrive Sunday afternoon- just planning to stay in that night and enjoy resort!
Monday- Animal Kingdom most of the day then head to Epcot after and have a late dinner (820pm) and Illuminations (from the restaurant)
Tuesday: Magic Kingdom all day. (Crystal Palace ADR at 2:15) Halloween Party at 7
Wednesday: Spend most of the day at the resort swimming: heading to Magic Kingdom around 4pm for a Haircut at Harmony Barbershop and dinner at BOG (ADR for 6:50)
Thursday: 1/2 day at Epcot (Akershus ADR at 9:25) then heading to Magic Kingdom (CRT ADR at 7pm)
Friday: Hollywood Studios (no ADR's this day but we are planning on trying Pizza Planet since my daughter loves Toy Story).

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I know you said the ADRs are set on stone but I would change them up if you can. My reasoning is that you're not really hopping so I would drop the park hoppers tobsave a little money. On Monday, I would skip Epcot for on of the resorts or DTD for and earlier than 820 dinner. on Tues, I'd do Epcot instread of MK before the party. And Thurs I'd plan on MK all day. We did fine with stroller napping at 3 too but some days I think you could fit a break on without too much issue.

First time my kid went she was three. I took a light weight blanket and put it over her stroller and just folder her it was nap time. She was so tired, no arguments. If it's going to be too hot for that, I've seen people bring clip on battery operated fans for the stroller to keep kid cooled off a little

We took our daughter when she was 16 months, when she was 2 and now we're planning another trip at Christmas when she'll be 3.5. She loved it both times. We did MK and AK the first time and just MK the second time. We're just doing MK at Christmas. We did not go back to our room any time and just did stroller naps. The baby care stations really came in handy, too!

We're taking my 9 year old the week of thanksgiving and were thinking midday breaks too. Staying in park from 8am-close I think might be too exhausting for all of us.