Best things to do w/ a 5 & 2 yr old sons at Disney

[scottstarla]

We are planning our first trip in mid May to WDW. We have a 5 and a 2 year old sons. We would appreciate any advice about what are the best shows, rides, restaurants.... All advices is appreciated.

We plan on being on property for 5 days and want to make sure we make the most of the trip without wearing everyone out.


Also what does everyone think about Coronado Springs as a hotel?

Thanks in advance

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

Welcome to the Dis!! I'm in almost the same boat as you, taking 5 year old and 2 year old sons to Disney in April..........
Keep an eye on the Restaurant Forum for a thread started about a possible "Boy Themed" Character breakfast starting in early April at MGM. I've heard (through that thread) that it will be Toy Story themed (including the green army men), and might even include Mr. Incredible. Several people have called and tried to make ADRs for it, but no CM have a concrete start date yet.
Just a rumor, but would be nice if it were true!!

 

[CleveRocks]

We took our 5 year old son and 2.5 year old daughter in May. Some things they LOVED, in no particular order:

MK -- Wishes, any parade, Jungle Cruise, Magic Carpets of Aladdin (my 2.5 year old's favorite -- it was empty and she insisted on riding 3 times in a row!), Dumbo, EVERYTHING in Fantasyland (with extra credit to Mickey's Philharmagic), Goofy's Barnstormer, Haunted Mansion (5 year old only), Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain (5 year old only), and Enchanted Tiki Room (which my 5 year old, standing next to me as I type, told me was his favorite attraction at WDW!).

Epcot -- Test Track (5 year old only, he calls it his 2nd favorite), Journey into Imagination, Turtle Talk with Crush and just about everything else inside The Living Seas except for the initial movie they make you sit through.

AK -- Dinosaur (5 year old only), the Boneyard (playground), Kilimanjaro Safaris, and the Lion King show.

MGM -- Playhouse Disney, Muppetvision 3-D, and Star Tours (5 year old only).

They also loved any pool they were in, and loved the Lego store at DTD.

 

[lpbm4]

Thanks for posting this. I will be travelling with my 5 and 3yr old children in Sept and I'm wondering what is good/what to avoid.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

The Buzz Lightyear ride!!! It is a must do!!! They will love it!

 

[waltdisneyworlddreamer]

My boys loved the Buzz Lightyear ride at MK also. They also liked the Pooh ride and Pooh playground just across from it and also Mickey's Philharmagic 3D movie. My younger really liked playing in Minnie's house and ToonTown Fair.

At MGM, they loved the Playhouse Disney show and the Muppet 3D movie. We were also able to meet a lot of characters there such as Jo Jo and the characters from Toy Story.

We all enjoyed the Safari at AK. One thing to skip: It's Tough to Be a Bug. It is a 3D movie with very intense special effects. My boys were absolutely terrified and came out crying.

Have a great trip!!

 

[CleveRocks]

I can't believe I forgot to include Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin. BOTH of my kids loved it. The funniest/strangest thing was, we don't watch violent TV at home but as soon as we sat in the ride vehicle my 2.5 year old daughter went right for the ray gun and began pulling the trigger.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Subscribing! Great thread!

Has anyone been to WL's petting zoo or done the WL's storytime & marshmallow roast?

Do all of the resorts have little programs for kids? I know the Poly has a butterfly release. I don't know about the other resorts. Do they all have playgrounds? I don't remember seeing one at the Poly or GF.

A relative of mine has young children and she raved about the cooking class at the GF. I don't know the age range but her little one was 4 when she took the class.

 

[Sleeping~Beauty]

We went with our children in October (DS was 2.5 and DS was 15 months).

We did Magic Kindgom the most because we learned early on that DS 2.5 was afraid of darkened theatres (at MGM this became apparent). My 15 month old was content with everything.

At MK my children loved:
Dumbo
Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Buzz Lightyear (this is a blast)
Spinning Teacups
It's a Small World
Peter Pan
Race track

Winnie the Pooh ride (this was the favorite)
and across from Winnie the Pooh's ride was a playground/sprayground for little ones. We must have been in there for hours. The kids loved it.

Again that was with the my oldest being a 2.5 year old.

 

[sdenis]

Oh yeah, do tell about the Campfire and Marshmallow Roast at WL... we're planning on doing that on Saturday night and hoping we don't need to pay for parking or anything like that.

Please let me know if you get any replies from this messsage.

Great thread!

 

[ThunderMtnGirlSpr'05]

It will be insanely hot in May....So PLEASE buy your own water bottles, the water at the parks is INSANELY EXPENSIVE!!!
~Deja

 

[scottstarla]

Thanks everyone for all of the great feedback. If anyone has any additional we would love to hear it.