1st time AND sons 5th bday

[rdanae85]

Was looking for some suggestions....I've booked a 3-night, 4-day stay in November for my sons 5th birthday. It's his 1st time ever at Disney and my first time back in over 10 years. I have a 3-day (NO park-hopper) ticket & can't decide if we should do all 3 days at MK or add AK in there for one of the days??

We also have a dining pass. I've booked Chef Mickeys for dinner one night, Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner, and The Crystal Palace for breakfast one morning (earliest time was 8:35am). Are these good choices?

Looking for any/all input. It's just me and my son for the trip....and it's a surprise. Thanks in advance!

 

[disney queen]

i think he would enjoy AK. That is a lot of character meals. of the 3, and don;t get me wrong i like all of them, i would do CM and CP. replace LTT w/a restaurant in AK, if you decide to go there.

 

[minniegirl19]

i would definitely add AK in! I think he would really enjoy it and make sure you do the wilderness explorer sticker search! he would enjoy that too. I would add tusker house then and take away liberty tree tavern

 

[imthemamahere]

You know your son best - what kind of experience do you think he'd like most?

My son, who will be 5 when we go back to Disney World this fall, is not a ride-lover in general. At Disney World, he'd go on Dumbo a million times in a row, and he likes a few of the dark rides as well, but at home? I can't even get him on a carousel! So our days at Magic Kingdom are lots of fun, but not so ride-focused as some other kids might prefer.

On the flipside, he LOVES animals. And dinosaurs. So the Kilimanjaro Safari ride is one of his favorite things at WDW. Add in a character meal at Tusker House for some interaction with Mickey & co, wandering through the Pangani Forest trails + the Maharaja trails, and some playtime in the Boneyard playground, and he's on Cloud 9! We're planning to check out the "Wilderness Explorers" activities this time around, too - I think he'll have fun earning his adventure badges on our way around the park.

For us, a day at Animal Kingdom is a must-do. But if your little guy's big into rides (and might even be tall enough, and brave enough, for some of the popular coasters?) and could care less about animals, there's plenty to fill your trip at MK.

 

[rdanae85]

He is a ride-lover, so I know we'll have fun at MK with the rides and he's already 45" so height isn't a problem

 

[rdanae85]

Thanks for the input! Looks like AK is a good idea. Guess there's more to it than I thought. It's open 9am-5pm when we're going. I've heard good things about Tusker House, is it best for breakfast, or anytime?

 

[disneyerin]

Personally Liberty Tree Tavern is my favorite restaurant, but I don't think your son would enjoy it all that much. Are there any other character meals you could do? Does he like dinosaurs? If you are going to be in DTD T-Rex is awesome! We first took my daughter to WDW when she was 5. It was the perfect time to take her!

She loved many of the rides in Fantasyland, and just went nuts over the characters. Don't forget to take your son on Autopia!

Have a fabulous time, and take LOTS of pictures!

 

[CaryHaven]

Was looking for some suggestions....I've booked a 3-night, 4-day stay in November for my sons 5th birthday. It's his 1st time ever at Disney and my first time back in over 10 years. I have a 3-day (NO park-hopper) ticket & can't decide if we should do all 3 days at MK or add AK in there for one of the days??

We also have a dining pass. I've booked Chef Mickeys for dinner one night, Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner, and The Crystal Palace for breakfast one morning (earliest time was 8:35am). Are these good choices?

Looking for any/all input. It's just me and my son for the trip....and it's a surprise. Thanks in advance!

I would definitely do AK one day, just to switch things up a bit, although MK is my fave park (and my DDs as well). I love Crystal Palace and Liberty Tree Tavern. I know you're probably wanting Chef Mickey's for all the characters, but reconsider that one. I've tried breakfast and dinner there and it was so bad - especially dinner. I think Tusker House is a much better bet. I believe it has all the characters Chef Mickey's does, except for Minnie. Someone can correct me here if I'm wrong. But yes, AK has some really unique and very fun things there. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[imthemamahere]

I've heard good things about Tusker House, is it best for breakfast, or anytime?

On previous trips, we've done Tusker House for both breakfast and lunch. We're big fans of their breakfast, especially if you can get an early (pre-rope drop) reservation. The food is good. There are lots of typical American buffet-type choices, as well as some unique/unusual African-inspired dishes. And the character interaction has impressed us every time.

We like breakfast there because we eat relatively early, then we head right over to Kilimanjaro Safari, and rarely have much of a wait. Perfect.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Tusker House is a good choice for a meal with a child. No offense to lovers of Liberty Tree tavern...but after Chef Mickey's and Crystal Palace, Liberty Tree Tavern will bore a 5 year old to death. LOL. Tusker House is a much better choice, both for the characters and the food.

 

[rdanae85]

Thanks again for all the input, earliest breakfast now is like 930 that day....considering lunch instead. Or maybe O'hana for dinner???

Another question....how is the Disney transportation?? We're staying at a value resort & seems getting to MK may take QUITE awhile! Anyone have experience/tips for using Disney buses, etc.