1st WDW trip this March. Tips PLEASE!!!!

[Ufgatorfan24]

We are going to WDW for first family trip in March. Me, wife, and DD age 2. Any tips and suggestions please! What restaurants to eat at? ADRs? We are staying for 6 days! I already made ADR for Tusker house breakfast and Askerhaus princess breakfast

 

[wdw4rfam]

With a DD2, you have to book pay n dine at HS for breakfast. Doc mcstuffins and Sofia were just added.best advice...dont sleep in. Be there at rope drop, its less busy, you can knock out a few rides quickly before the crowds get bad. Go back and take a break at your resort in the afternoon and return later around dinner time, crowds thin out slightly for a while.

 

[Ufgatorfan24]

Thanks for the advice. We are staying at AKL as well

 

[pooh4evr]

Go to easywdw.com and check the crowd calendar for the week you will be there and then plan your park days accordingly.

 

[Ufgatorfan24]

Is that pretty accurate. I have looked at sites like undercover tourist that have crowd info days. I have wondered if they are pretty accurate?

 

[pooh4evr]

Yes- and funny to read too! There are cheatsheets or each park, menus, and lots of other info.

 

[Ufgatorfan24]

Ok. I think I may try to plan that way since they are accurate

 

[Nhebron]

We took our DS when he was almost 3 and stayed at AKL.

We went to MK close to rope drop and on a relatively low crowd day and were able to do most of the rides in new fantasyland without much wait. We did not hit Epcot early and it was a miserable experience (long wait for character interactions).

In terms of ADRs, my son enjoyed Chef Mickey's and Bomas (loved the fruit). Other than that, he was really indiffrent. We loved Kona Cafe.

So my advice,

Go early
Split up Epcot if you can (do FW and WS on different days)
Follow the crowd calendar and avoid least favored parks
Use fast passes if you can

 

[jgive]

I would suggest Chef Mickey as well. Garden Grill at Epcot was also fun.

 

[Ufgatorfan24]

Ok. Thanks for the advice. I think we will follow the suggested days on the websites and see how it goes!

 

[Ufgatorfan24]

Thanks for the advice. I think we will try it and see how it goes

 

[Fivesacharm]

1) Getting up early is a really good choice. You can get a lot done when the crowds are lowest.
2) With a child that young, don't try to convince yourself that you'll spend your entire day at the park. Going back to your resort for a nap and a swim is never a bad idea. You can always go back out!
3) Start your trip with Magic Kingdom. Just trust me.
4) Unless you plan on taking advantage of Extra Magic Hours, avoid a Park on its EMH day like your life depends on it. The crowds will be the worst.
5) Refillable Mugs are worth it simply for convenience sake.
6) Kids love character breakfasts and they are an easy, albeit not cheap, way to see your child's favorites.
7) Epcot Character Spot is awesome. The waits are almost never bad (we practically walked right up this past summer), it's indoors and air conditioned, and you get to meet the big three (Mickey, Minnie, Pluto).
8) Disney Photopass pictures can be expensive to purchase. A cast member will happily take your picture for you!
9) It is physically impossible to do everything Disney has to offer in 6 days. The sooner you realize that, the more fun you will have.
10) No Disney vaca is complete without a trip for dinner to 'Ohana. Pair that with a trip on the monorail afterwards to MK for a parade and fireworks and it's will be a truly magical night.
11) The World Showcase @ Epcot is pretty cool. Make time for it.
12) The Fantasmic Dinning Package provides you with the best seats in the house. Personally, we like Hollywood & Vine.
13) Two words: Online checkin
14) Don't buy the balloons! The price might give you a heart attack and you probably can't take them home anyway.
15) Be prepared to have the most magical vacation of your life, but don't expect it to be relaxing!

Other than 'Ohana and H&V, my family's other favorite restaurants include: Paradiso 37, Coral Reef, Yak & Yeti, Raglan Road, Boma, Be Our Guest, and Cape May Cafe

Have fun!!!

 

[fabulousfive]

We love the dining plan and the two restaurants you've already booked. We also love dining in the castle! Lunch at Be Our Guest was a highlight too. Getting autographs and visiting with characters is a must for our family. Be sure to build in pool time to just relax as a family. Have a magical first trip!!! Oh, and be sure to ask for buttons upon check in that day that say, "first visit"! Also, favorite rides at that age are It's a Small World and Peter Pan's Flight. We also loved Enchanted Tales with Belle, Under the Sea, Dumbo, and the Mad Tea Party. Magic Carpet ride is another favorite in Adventureland. While there, enjoy Dole Whips at Aloha Isle. Watch the Wishes fireworks right in front of the castle at least once. As a relaxing meal, Kona Cafe was awesome for breakfast. The big French press of Kona coffee was perfect for us grown ups.

 

[Gillyrose779]

If she is into the Disney princesses then Cinderella's Royal Table is a must- plus- since she is under 3 she should be free- all buffets she will be free too. We loved Hollywood Dine and Vine- fantastic if she is a Disney Jr. fan- best interactive character experience yet.

If you want to enter MK BEFORE it opens and get some awesome castle pics make an early reservation at Crystal Palace for breakfast- try for an hour before official opening. Ask for the check when you sit down so, when you are done eating, you can make it back for the rope drop.

Do you have a Disney credit card from chase? If so, in Epcot there is a special meet and greet just for card members. you can go once a day and get a really nice print out for free- plus practically no waiting! my kids are 2 and 4 and loved epcot- they just wanted to go up the "big ball" over and over- ha ha

 

[Ufgatorfan24]

Thanks. Those are some great tips that we will definitely use!

 

[Ufgatorfan24]

How long does it take to get from AKL to parks? I'm trying to figure out what times to book character breakfasts.

 

[Gillyrose779]

I personally have not stayed at AKL but, from what I have been told, it may be a good idea to drive to the parks. If you have a confirmed morning res. you may not want to rely on the buses. I pretty sure you get free parking if you show your room key.

That is why my family loves Boardwalk and BeachClub- you can walk to HS and Epcot or walk through Epcot to take the monorail- you only rely on the buses for AK. That's just us- we are control freaks

 

[LionKingDramaQueen]

Here is what I found about bus service from AKL to the parks.

Hollywood Studios- about 5 miles
Blizzard Beach - about 2.5 miles
Disney's Animal Kingdom - about 1 mile
Epcot - about 6 miles
Typhoon Lagoon - about 6 miles
Downtown Disney Area - 2.2 miles
Magic Kingdom - about 8 miles

The website that I found this information on (www.aklresort.com) said to multiply each mile by about three minutes.

Also, another note about AKL: Kidani Village gets picked up first on the buses. So, if you are catching a bus prior to park opening (which I HIGHLY recommend), you may want to walk over to the Kidani bus stop to insure you will get a seat.

This information may have changed, so anyone, please correct me, but I believe this is still accurate.

I hope you have a magical trip!!

 

[Ufgatorfan24]

Thank you for the advice. A lot of people on here have said buses usually start picking up around 630am.

 

[WendyLou]

With a DD2, you have to book pay n dine at HS for breakfast. Doc mcstuffins and Sofia were just added.best advice...dont sleep in. Be there at rope drop, its less busy, you can knock out a few rides quickly before the crowds get bad. Go back and take a break at your resort in the afternoon and return later around dinner time, crowds thin out slightly for a while.

Totally agree! She is the perfect age to enjoy the new characters.