Adult Disney'ers need suggestions traveling w/a family w/child

[Punkrockbebop]

So, we convinced friends of ours to come to Disney with their 4 Y.O. child in Sept-Oct. They are open to experiencing Disney, because they see how much we love it, but neither of them has ever been, and they are mostly unfamiliar with (and not all that interested in) the characters. Since I had such a transformation on my first experience, when initially I was very much against going, I'm thinking they can have, at the very least, a fun and interesting "cultural" experience (My friend is originally from Russia, married to an American).

They are an "earthy" family with no TV, and thier child is not stimulated by media and other distractions. He is also very active and physical and self-directed. I want to make fast passes so they won't get miserable in lines, but I'm worried about making all the times because he is sure to find many irresistible distractions along the way. How does one plan but stay relaxed enough to accommodate the child's exploration?

I am also really unsure whether or not to push for MK rope drop for easier crowds, or to make later plans to allow for getting ready time, or what? They cited crowds and lines as turn-offs, but I'm not sure if they can be convinced to get out early. We did plan some earlier dinners instead of late ones, and I thought maybe they could skip fireworks shows for the most part. But I'm wondering if we should plan for one firework show? I don't want to completely exhaust them.

We also want to pepper in a couple of adult experiences where we are able, like Trader Sam's. Their friend and ex-babysitter will be coming with her husband so perhaps there will be adult time possible, or at the very least, more hands available. I know at Trader Sams, children are allowed until a certain hour.

What I had in mind to introduce them to in each park is:

1) Epcot has a special interest for us, for it's historic origins as the World's Fair that never ends, and also we know our friends are interested in Food and Wine. We think they will like this park best because it's not as overstimulating as the other parks. We thought they would have a particular interest in Living With the Land because they are an environmentally-focused family, and I think they'd like Spaceship Earth and Soarin'. Maybe the Gran Fiesta Tour, too?

2) At MK I wanted to share our love of the retro parts; Pirates, It's a Small World, Haunted Mansion, Carousel of Progress, Country Bear Jamboree, the and maybe Tom Sawyer's Island, so their son can run around a bit? (We've never been to TSI.). Maybe the teacups, too, Dumbo, the train and the People Mover?

3) I want them to experience AK for the wonderful theming, the different street performances, the safari, and the wonderful food. Maybe Its Tough to Be A Bug but I'm not sure because many kids freak out, I heard.

4) Hollywood Studios has such great theming I don't want them to miss it or the Great Movie Ride, or One Man's Dream, esp the movie about Walt. But they aren't Star Wars people and Disney repeats the March of the First Order so many times through the day and it's so loud that I don't want them or thier child to be overwhelmed. I'd love for them to see the Hollywood street characters but I never know when to catch them any more with all the Star Wars stuff going on. And I thought it would be fun to eat lunch in the Sci-Fi Dine-In theater.

Hopefully someone can help me figure out how to plan for a family with child. Totally new to this!

TIA!
Katie

 

[danielocha30]

let them know your plans, print a schedule and let them pick which activities are they up for, book fastpasses for the most popular rides and let them know the times and let them decide if they want to ride or not, I would definitely schedule fireworks shows they are unique! suggest rope drop as a option not a requirement for the trip. leave room for improvisation, with children's is hard to follow a strict schedule. Leave some free time for yourself as well as for them, traveling with small children's friends it can get overwhelming for you.

 

[Westcoastwild]

Hmm...

Ok, I grew up in a family like that so I kind of get what you're aiming for.

I feel like you're overlooking Animal Kingdom. That's got the most "real" stuff, meaning the animals. And the dinosaurs, too, I suppose. It's a good park to for an active kid- it's big but with lots to look at. It doesn't take Disney sentimentality to get into it. I think the Bug is great for an active kid- it might startle some people but it's a fairly innocuous attraction. Also, very easy to remove the kid in case of freak out, and the close look at the tree makes it worth waiting in the queue.

Epcot...I am divided here. Its worth it for the food. and illuminations. But I actually think it's the second weakest park if you go in there with no Disney appreciation. I'd pretty much let them do whatever they want here. No fast passes except one that you know they'd love- living with the land would probably be ideal. I also loved space ship earth. But make it about what they want to shop or eat. Don't try to sell the worlds fair. Because Disney has kind of screwed that aspect. The only thing I would emphasize is illuminations. (In terms of building expectations. So basically make it low key day, and maybe more of an evening dining experience rather than a whole day.)

MK- retro is a good plan. This is where I think you should focus on planning behind the scenes. Maybe do two days if possible- make it run smoothly as possible. Make it look effortless. If I was going to push rope drop at all, this would be it, and perhaps you could do this by selling somewhere in the park as a breakfast experience. That way, they are there for breakfast and thus opening. Don't rush them, but certainly set it up so they are there early. If you tell my family "reservations for breakfast are at 8" they'll be ready. "Fastpass at 8" does not spur the same response. I mean, chiefly, because only the 1 person on the entire group who loves that ride will care. But we all eat together, and it's understood that happens at that time not in that window of time.

Further thoughts:

I think you are a bit too invested in what works for you. I wouldn't worry about fast pass that much, because their expectation at a theme park (being not Disney people) will be to wait in queues. I mean definitely schedule the ones you really want to see but don't focus on working the system to maximum efficiency. Focus on getting fast passes in useable clumps (based on park geography). They aren't going to care if there's a hard to get fast pass that you snagged clear across the park. They would probably rather wait in line at the ride next to the one they just rode because it looks interesting.

Basically, touring plan based on what you KNOW won't work. Touring plan based on what you can CONTROL is necessary. Like you can say "fast passes are this afternoon in Fantasy land, so let's start in adventureland" and aim them that way.

I think you're not taking into account resort dining. Honestly eating in the parks is not restful for my family. It's something they tolerate, not enjoy. They like resort dining because it's less chaotic. So I think you really need to focus on what this family may need in terms of decompression. I get that some people are okay with cafeterias and counter service. It's not that my family are foodies. Except for me, they really aren't. But counter service doesn't allow for actual rest. And since we aren't mappers, we need those TS breaks. That may be their situation.

But that said- to accommodate the kid- plan to be lazy. Day at animal kingdom? Dinner at AKL. Day at MK? Dinner at a monorail resort. Build in extra time.

I'd get a list of movies that kid has seen because I gaurantee he's seen a few. I'd also get an idea of what interests him. Animals? Pirates? Tree houses? Boats? Bugs? Pick rides based on those interests.

I think a lot of your issues will be no issues if you insist on Park hoppers. If they get sick of one park (Hollywood) they can go over to get more of another park that really captivated the kid. If one show is a particular hit, they can do that show again. If you don't do Park hoppers and they're like my family- they'll stay too long in one park they aren't enjoying because they want to get their money's worth. And that mindset is destructive.

And finally: don't oversell it. Let them enjoy it as it comes. I like Disney but I don't like feeling obligated to like Disney, if you know what I mean.

 

[Punkrockbebop]

Oh my gosh, thank you for such well thought out responses! You have some great tips, especially about being careful about mapping the FPs and restaurant reservations.

I forgot to mention, they got four-day tickets, and we insisted they get park hoppers. Most of the restaurant reservations I made so far are at the resorts, because I feel the food at the resorts is better, and the atmosphere is more relaxing. We made a reservation for O'Hana, and one at Jiko, and one lunch at Sci-Fi, so far. The dinners are around 5:30-6ish. Unfortunately, the idea to make a breakfast reservation in MK occurred to me too late, and everything is booked.

I didn't mean to downplay AK, because I think they will really enjoy it. I think they will like the Gorilla path, etc, and the food is good in that park, and there are more places to relax.

I actually really think they will like Epcot, and that's the park they keep talking about wanting to do, for food & wine. But we have options if they don't like it.

I want to let this trip be about them and while I want to help guide them, I want to relax and let them explore. I'm most nervous about overplanning and making it too overwhelming. Thanks for great suggestions about how to balance planning and letting go!

Katie

 

[Westcoastwild]

Oh my gosh, thank you for such well thought out responses! You have some great tips, especially about being careful about mapping the FPs and restaurant reservations.

I forgot to mention, they got four-day tickets, and we insisted they get park hoppers. Most of the restaurant reservations I made so far are at the resorts, because I feel the food at the resorts is better, and the atmosphere is more relaxing. We made a reservation for O'Hana, and one at Jiko, and one lunch at Sci-Fi, so far. The dinners are around 5:30-6ish. Unfortunately, the idea to make a breakfast reservation in MK occurred to me too late, and everything is booked.

I didn't mean to downplay AK, because I think they will really enjoy it. I think they will like the Gorilla path, etc, and the food is good in that park, and there are more places to relax.

I actually really think they will like Epcot, and that's the park they keep talking about wanting to do, for food & wine. But we have options if they don't like it.

I want to let this trip be about them and while I want to help guide them, I want to relax and let them explore. I'm most nervous about overplanning and making it too overwhelming. Thanks for great suggestions about how to balance planning and letting go!

Katie

The park hopper and number of days is great news! That's perfect. No resort/mini golf/waterpark days but some people aren't into it anyway.

Then by all means let them enjoy Epcot. If someone had "sold" it to me as a booze bonanza and for the sake of illuminations, I would have been totally into it. But my Disney crazed friends were all about its conceptual thing. To be totally fair I love to travel and I love ethnic food so I found it fairly watered down those respects. It was not "educational". The drinking was fun, and the details of world showcase were great fun. And the rides are (to my surprise) cool, even the ones I expected to be hokey. But the original concept has kind of flopped (if it was ever truly interesting in the first place). If that helps explain my POV...

 

[Punkrockbebop]

The park hopper and number of days is great news! That's perfect. No resort/mini golf/waterpark days but some people aren't into it anyway.

Then by all means let them enjoy Epcot. If someone had "sold" it to me as a booze bonanza and for the sake of illuminations, I would have been totally into it. But my Disney crazed friends were all about its conceptual thing. To be totally fair I love to travel and I love ethnic food so I found it fairly watered down those respects. It was not "educational". The drinking was fun, and the details of world showcase were great fun. And the rides are (to my surprise) cool, even the ones I expected to be hokey. But the original concept has kind of flopped (if it was ever truly interesting in the first place). If that helps explain my POV...

Ah, ok, i see what you mean! My friend and I are also big travelers and we live in NYC and have ethnic and sophisticated foods available all the time, so I know what you mean about finding Epcot watered down in those respects. On my first visit, I wasn't all that impressed with the Epcot restaurants, for the most part. But, I loved the offerings at the Food and Wine Festival, and I found the world showcase to be cheesy (in a good way), but cool and fun. And I loved the rides. What I really loved was the entrance and the fun retro-futuristic architecture and landscaping. When my BF Charles explained the original concept, it put all the pieces together for me.

As far as the resorts, my friends will have one day in the beginning to explore Fort Wilderness (which she took a particular interest in---she wanted to camp, but I discouraged it) and whatever else they want to explore, or just our resort property. I told them to get an early flight. Plus they'll see the Poly when we go to O'Hana and Trader Sam's, and she'll see Animal Kingdom Lodge when we go to Jiko. Charles wants them to see Disney Springs, but I think it's unnecessary.