Am I on the right track with this vacation?

[Shoshana]

I'm a single mom and am taking my 3-yr-old to WDW. We'll be at CS from 12/16 to 12/23.

My plans were to focus on MK. We have five TS ADRs (4 dinner, 1 lunch), and 2 nights with no reservarions.

I thought we'd go to MK in the a.m., return for a nap and lunch, then head back mid to late afternoon before our dinner reservations. I thought we could take our time, repeat her favorites, and just explore MK. For the two days we don't have ADRs at MK, I thought we might go to Animal Kingdom.

Here's the question -- I keep hearing people say how their kids loved MGM or Epcot or Animal Kingdom and I'm wondering if I'm crazy for planning to focus on the MK with a newly turned 3-yr-old????

Also -- we have lunch ressies at Cinderella's Royal Table. My child won't be in the minority without a costume, will she?

Finally, I'm scared of losing her -- there's no way I can keep my eyes on her constantly! Since I'm traveling solo, do you think I should use some sort of harness?

Thanks!

 

[Al and Kate's Mom]

Hi! I did a Mom/Daughter trip last fall with my then-4YO. I was Terrified that I'd lose her somewhere, since she's one of those kids with no fear of anything. I bought a leash, did all of the ID things to put on her/her clothes, had many talks with her about why not to let go of mommy's hand, etc. Once there, though, I never did take out the leash, and she's still with me I DID insist that she stay in her stroller most of the time when moving from place to place (she didn't mind as that was way too much walking for her anyway)!

As for parks, MK was where we spent most of our time, and she absolutely LOVED it! We had park hoppers, so we did go see the other parks for a few hours each (well, EPCOT was more like an hour because Living Seas was shut down for refurb when we went and nothing else interested her there). MGM was okay - she loved Little Mermaid and Playhouse Disney, liked Muppets and Beauty & the Beast, and was more interested in the crowd than the show at Fantasmic. AK was good for the Camp Mickie-Minnie area and the Petting Zoo area, but that was about it (there was NO WAY I was setting her lose in the Boneyard since there are two entrance/exits and I couldn't cover both). I think your plan to spend most of your time in MK is right on!

Hope you and your daughter have a WONDERFUL time!!!

 

[katymae]

Are you planning on using a stroller? You'll probably want one for a 3 year old, so that'll take care of keeping track of her. I think your trip sounds like a blast...I'm wishing I had done that at some point when dd was smaller. Since its just the two of you, you can take your time and just see how the week goes. There probably are some things at MGM that she would love. She is so lucky to have a mom who loves her enough to take her to WDW! Here's to you, sister!!

 

[SSDonut]

I think it sounds Great! Sure, you could go to any or all of the parks and have fun, but the MK really IS the place for a 3-year-old, so why not relax a little and just enjoy that.

I can still picture the look on my DDs face (a month after she turned 3) as the bus from ASMo rounded a bend on the approach to the MK and she spotted the top spires on Cinderella's castle--oh the memory of that is a real keeper. We spent most of our time in the MK that visit. Now with DDS 7 and 5, we're branching out more. . .

Have a great time!

 

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

I'm with everyone on this...MK is the best for the little ones. Keep in mind, though, that you are going at a wonderful time of year, and you might want to head over to EPCOT to see some of the decorations. They have Santas all over World Showcase. The resorts will all be decorated, too. So, while MK will offer the most for you two to do in terms of attractions, there is a bunch more to see elsewhere. I'd definately do a stroller to help ease the fear of losing her (and to keep her from being exhausted). Also, I think it's safe to say she won't be out of place if she's not in costume at CRT.

Have a wonderful time!