1-day strategy at MK (w/ 3 year old) - Help

[susy]

I think you have the right attitude-go with the flow-if she wants to look at a squirrel, fine (with our DS it was ducks!)

I agree with a PS at the Crytal Palace with the Pooh characters. If you see you DD doesn't warm up to the characters (during the morning), then just don't go to the lunch ( no penalty for not showing).

Definiely take a nap break. We would leave after lunch and let DS swim for about 20 minutes to cool off. Then into the dark A/C hotel room and he would pass right out. We would all lay down, so it looked like we were all resting together.

Heading back to the parks around 5ish works for us...

 

[erinch]

the only problem with a nap break is that the parks usually close early in september, which makes a nap and re-entry difficult if it's the only day in MK

 

[KayakDaddy]

I could write a thesis on MK with a preschooler, but it's late so I'll keep it breif.

As good starting point would be to buy Sehlinger's Unofficial Guide. It easily pays for itself with good ideas and time savings. I recommend using the Dumbo or Die in a day as a base for your touring plan. We love the "Chuck Bubba" strategy and used it every chance we had. It allows the youngster to ride the rides two times back-to-back, once with each adult. I also recommend bringing two-way radios and sending the first adult to get through "Chucking Bubba" to run and get fastpasses elsewhere.

I recommend using PoTC as a litmus test to see if your kid is ready for Splash Mountain. My son had just turned three on his first trip, he loved Pirates so we proceded to the briar patch. He loved it even more & handled BTMRR well too. My DS is a tall kid, so he was able to ride everything but Space Mountain at 3yrs old. He qot quiet on the Haunted Mansion, but claims not to have been scared. If you asked him what his favorite ride was after his first trip, it would have been Dumbo.

You seem to know about all the biggies, allow me to point out some hidden gems. DS absolutley loves Tom Sawyer Island, spend some time there if it is open again by then. Story time with Belle is another not to be missed hidden gem. If your child is a ham, get there early and sit in the front row and there is a good chance she'll get to play one of roles on stage. We rode Buzz 4 times on our last trip, and DS could have kept going back for more. Do try to knock out Indy & Astro Orbiter within the first hour.

Even now at 4.5 yrs & 45", my son is still Character-phobic. I wish he'd snap out of it, but it keeps me from wasting any time in Toon Town autograph lines. Do prepare yourself to spend waaaaaay more time than you want to in the gift shops the the ride exits dump you out into-especially PoTC, Pooh, & Buzz.

You know your child better than any of us, so you'll be able to adjust your touring accordingly. Just remember who you are there for, start in Fantasyland, and go from there.

 

[KayakDaddy]

I couldn’t resist one more tip:

My most important tip will probably be the most controversial. If your kid is up to it, do not bring or rent a stroller (for a 3+ year old). They are cumbersome, waste time, and are usually empty because the kids are walking around. Bring a small backpack with snacks and juice boxes or Capri Sun’s and you'll have it made. You can restock your backpack when you return to your room during your mid-day break. I pity the folks trying to fight the crowds to get to the stroller rental when the rope drops. It would also be a nightmare to have a stroller after Wishes/Fantasmic/Illuminations.

We've never rented a stroller, and we've been fine. At 3 yrs. old, my son was wide open all day when we went when the park closed at 6 PM. We even walked around the park for about an hour after they stopped running the rides. He was so excited, he was not showing any fatigue.

My DS is 4.5 years old now and during our trip in July the parks stayed open until 10 PM, and he still did fine. It actually worked out better because all that walking in the morning wore him out enough to take a mid-day nap. (He usually never takes naps) My wife and I are pretty fit, so at times when a mad dash is required I just scooped him up in my arms. I also carried my sleeping angel from a post lunch Country Bear’s to the boat dock. After a relaxing rest at the WL, we returned and stayed to the very end of the e-ride night.

We were on the very first ride of Dumbo that day, and the very last showing of Mickey's Philharmagic that night that started at 1 AM and got out about 1:25 AM. There is nothing we wanted to do that we didn’t do. (I think the only attractions we skipped were the Timekeeper & HofP) Most of the biggies we did at least twice, and we did Splash Mountain, Buzz, Pooh, and Peter Pan four times each. We would never have been able to accomplish near that much if we were toting around a stroller. We never felt like we were rushing and we took time to take in the evening parade and Wishes. On the boat ride back to the WL, my son told me that it was the best day of his life and I was the best Daddy in the world. That paid for the trip right there. We just didn’t plan anything the next day except for checking out.

In summation, if you have an active kid and you are staying on property, don’t waste your time and effort with a stroller. You’ll get more done, with less stress and inconvenience.

 

[gravel72]

Well, this will be her first time riding any rides.

I have no idea what will catch her eye and what she will be terrified of.

It'll be a learning experience for us all.

-gravel72