Build me an itinerary? First timer!

[PoohBearFamily]

Hi all! We're planning our first WDW trip next spring with our family of six (4 kiddos ages 6 & under), and we're looking at staying at the Art of Animation. We're booking Sunday - Saturday with 5 base park days. We'd love to see all four parks, and visit one of them twice that especially appeals to small children. We'd arrive Sunday afternoon and leave in the morning the following Saturday, so just need itinerary for that first Sunday evening at the resort, and then M/T/W/TH/F.

I'd appreciate any tips and advice, about order of parks, suggested rides for littles, or attractions...even restaurants. Thanks in advance!

 

[Chief Cardinal]

Our family likes to start off by going to Disney Springs and eating our first evening (our kids love Rainforest and T-Rex). With younger kids I would definitely suggest two park days at Magic Kingdom. Our family likes our first park day being at Animal Kingdom.

 

[PoohBearFamily]

Our family likes to start off by going to Disney Springs and eating our first evening (our kids love Rainforest and T-Rex). With younger kids I would definitely suggest two park days at Magic Kingdom. Our family likes our first park day being at Animal Kingdom.

Ooh that sounds so fun! Magic Kingdom twice sounds like a blast. Thanks for the tips!

 

[ChristopherFamily]

Hi all! We're planning our first WDW trip next spring with our family of six (4 kiddos ages 6 & under), and we're looking at staying at the Art of Animation. We're booking Sunday - Saturday with 5 base park days. We'd love to see all four parks, and visit one of them twice that especially appeals to small children. We'd arrive Sunday afternoon and leave in the morning the following Saturday, so just need itinerary for that first Sunday evening at the resort, and then M/T/W/TH/F.

I'd appreciate any tips and advice, about order of parks, suggested rides for littles, or attractions...even restaurants. Thanks in advance!

I'm a newbie too! I planned 5 park days (2 at MK). I only made 1 reservation for dinner as I didn't want to be worried about making it to reservations on time. The first day we get there before we are eating lunch at TREX.

I also am trying not to have a lot of expectations. I just want to enjoy our trip & not be upset if we don't get to everything. When I went 9 years ago I had every hour planned and it was terrible. I was so on edge to keep on plan that I never really enjoyed the vacation.

 

[e_yerger]

I would avoid MK on your first day (Monday). Many families do their trips similar to you, and everyone wants to be in MK their first day!

Biggest tip is to “bob & weave” - go against the grain and don’t do what everyone else is doing. Ex: at animal kingdom, if you can get a flight of passage fastpass (if it’s back), i would suggest going to dinosaur and everest at rope drop while everyone else fights for flight of passage and navii river journey.

 

[PoohBearFamily]

I'm a newbie too! I planned 5 park days (2 at MK). I only made 1 reservation for dinner as I didn't want to be worried about making it to reservations on time. The first day we get there before we are eating lunch at TREX.

I also am trying not to have a lot of expectations. I just want to enjoy our trip & not be upset if we don't get to everything. When I went 9 years ago I had every hour planned and it was terrible. I was so on edge to keep on plan that I never really enjoyed the vacation.

That is definitely good advice... I certainly tend to over-plan so this is a nice reminder that winging it can be just as enjoyable.

 

[PoohBearFamily]

I would avoid MK on your first day (Monday). Many families do their trips similar to you, and everyone wants to be in MK their first day!

Biggest tip is to “bob & weave” - go against the grain and don’t do what everyone else is doing. Ex: at animal kingdom, if you can get a flight of passage fastpass (if it’s back), i would suggest going to dinosaur and everest at rope drop while everyone else fights for flight of passage and navii river journey.

Wow I feel like I just got some insider advice! Thanks so much - we'll do Magic Kingdom Tues or Wed then! Love the bob & weave strategy too

 

[Disneymomma18]

We took our 2 children (9 months and 2) back in September. We go at least once a year so I didn’t feel like we had to do everything. Idk what your budget is like but trying to get a one bedroom villa at one of the dvc properties (contemporary or grand Floridian) might be a good option for you. It has a full kitchen and washer and dryer. We stayed at Bay Lake Tower at the contemporary and it was amazing to be able to walk to Magic Kingdom. We did a 5 day trip just like you and we actually did MWF at MK, Tue at EP, and Thur at AK. We skipped HS bc of the crowds and not a lot of attractions for little ones there. My biggest tip is go with the flow and don’t force your kids to go from sun up to sun down every day. If the park has decent hours I say go back to the resort mid day for a nap or just a rest at the very least.

 

[PoohBearFamily]

We took our 2 children (9 months and 2) back in September. We go at least once a year so I didn’t feel like we had to do everything. Idk what your budget is like but trying to get a one bedroom villa at one of the dvc properties (contemporary or grand Floridian) might be a good option for you. It has a full kitchen and washer and dryer. We stayed at Bay Lake Tower at the contemporary and it was amazing to be able to walk to Magic Kingdom. We did a 5 day trip just like you and we actually did MWF at MK, Tue at EP, and Thur at AK. We skipped HS bc of the crowds and not a lot of attractions for little ones there. My biggest tip is go with the flow and don’t force your kids to go from sun up to sun down every day. If the park has decent hours I say go back to the resort mid day for a nap or just a rest at the very least.

I would LOVE to stay at the Contemporary or Grand Floridian - I just wish we could swing the $ this time but it looks like Art of Animation for us! Maybe next trip!

And I was thinking about skipping HS but hubby and I really want to see the Star Wars stuff! But I will definitely schedule Magic Kingdom twice then, thank you! And I love the idea of planning midday breaks, especially with our baby on board. I appreciate all the advice!!

 

[Tom_E_D]

I would LOVE to stay at the Contemporary or Grand Floridian - I just wish we could swing the $ this time but it looks like Art of Animation for us! Maybe next trip!

And I was thinking about skipping HS but hubby and I really want to see the Star Wars stuff! But I will definitely schedule Magic Kingdom twice then, thank you! And I love the idea of planning midday breaks, especially with our baby on board. I appreciate all the advice!!

Don't feel guilty that you're doing Hollywood Studios because you and your husband want to see the Star Wars stuff. You mentioned in another thread that your kids are big Cars fans. There's a Lightning McQueen show at DHS. You kids may love it.

 

[MICKIMINI]

When our son was young (he's 33 now and still an avid WDW fan with DW) we'd go for rope drop and head to the farthest reaches of the park and hit about two to three "must have" rides and then meander the rest of the time. We followed our son and let him see what interested him.

He had a Kabuki artist perform for him and interacted with the mime and living "statue" at Italy. Try to see the parks through their eyes and stop and smell the roses. I promise, it will be a more memorable trip for them. As they get older you can do the "commando" type days.

 

[PoohBearFamily]

Don't feel guilty that you're doing Hollywood Studios because you and your husband want to see the Star Wars stuff. You mentioned in another thread that your kids are big Cars fans. There's a Lightning McQueen show at DHS. You kids may love it.

They DO love Lightning McQueen. Cars is their all time favorite. Thank you for this tip!

 

[PoohBearFamily]

When our son was young (he's 33 now and still an avid WDW fan with DW) we'd go for rope drop and head to the farthest reaches of the park and hit about two to three "must have" rides and then meander the rest of the time. We followed our son and let him see what interested him.

He had a Kabuki artist perform for him and interacted with the mime and living "statue" at Italy. Try to see the parks through their eyes and stop and smell the roses. I promise, it will be a more memorable trip for them. As they get older you can do the "commando" type days.

Is rope drop when the park opens? And that's really good advice about just a couple rides and take it slow for the rest of the day. thank you!

 

[MICKIMINI]

Is rope drop when the park opens? And that's really good advice about just a couple rides and take it slow for the rest of the day. thank you!

Yes. It also means you need to leave your resort at the very least an hour ahead of time. Main Street at MK is a show in itself. If it is crowded and everyone is moving towards the castle try to make time to explore a bit on the way back out. The details are amazing!

 

[Chernabob]

First, a disclaimer—rope drop isnot for everyone. Some like to sleep in on vacation, or simply have a hard time getting everyone up and around.

That said, my family are definitely rope droppers. Yes, it refers to being there for park open to beat the crowds and enjoy lower wait times, cooler temperatures in the summer too.

Keep in mind that it’s not just arriving at scheduled opening time. Right now (and even pre COVID), parks open before posted opening time. Plus, if you arrive right at opening time, you’ll still be behind a bunch of other rope droppers. So you’d need to be there well before posted opening time.

I still think it’s worth it if you can swing it. But with little ones, that might be hard to do. Don’t let it stress you if you can’t do it.

 

[auntlynne]

In the future - date TBA - resort hotel guests will be allowed in the parks 30 minutes before opening.

Currently, they are admitting everyone in about 45 minutes (others can tell you better) before the official opening time.

Watch for this start date; it seems it would be in place by next Spring.

 

[auntlynne]

Look for information on parent swap. One parent with kid(s) rides, then the other parent goes. I think you use the FastPass (FP) lane and the second parent rides when the first gets off; no additional waiting in the Standby line (the regular queue).

There used to be a program called FP that let you skip the regular (longer) queue for rides. No one knows what the offering will be next year; it used to be apart of ticket admission. Some speculation that it will be a paid option. You can bet there will be a thread on this forum when it is announced.

 

[auntlynne]

You can bring in drinks, water, food to the parks. And not just for the little kids.

Check out stroller dimension limits for the park To make sure yours are small enough width. There’s info out there. I think some double wides are too wide.

 

[auntlynne]

There’s a lot of walking. Does your stroller have a place for the six yo?

Places to just sit are hard to find.

There are areas good for nursing. I watch a VLOG where the mom tells you where to go.

 

[Timandalicia]

Easy

Hi all! We're planning our first WDW trip next spring with our family of six (4 kiddos ages 6 & under), and we're looking at staying at the Art of Animation. We're booking Sunday - Saturday with 5 base park days. We'd love to see all four parks, and visit one of them twice that especially appeals to small children. We'd arrive Sunday afternoon and leave in the morning the following Saturday, so just need itinerary for that first Sunday evening at the resort, and then M/T/W/TH/F.

I'd appreciate any tips and advice, about order of parks, suggested rides for littles, or attractions...even restaurants. Thanks in advance!

Easy touring plans given the ages of your children and it being your first time. I’d be glad to follow up why if you wish.
Sunday- Disney Springs or explore resort (depending how tired and bedtime).
Monday- Magic Kingdom
Tuesday- Epcot
Wednesday- Hollywood Studios
Thursday- Animal Kingdom
Friday- Magic Kingdom (or other park if you fall in love with it earlier in the trip, but it will be Magic Kingdom ).