Disney World for a Disneyland Expert. Help!

[monkeypat83]

Lots of questions here because I can plan a Disneyland trip in my sleep but have not been to Disneyworld since BC (also know as Before kids and before Covid since they both happened about the same time ) and have never taken toddlers. I have been 4 or 5 times but most recent trip was in 2018 and no one else in my party has ever been.

We are in Tampa for a wedding so figured since we had already flown across the country with 3 kids 5 and under we might as well do Disneyworld while we were there. My kids will be 5 1/2, 3 1/2 and 17 months. My husband and our Brazilian Au Pair will also be there so we will be a party of 6.

We will be there for 5 nights with 3 days in the parks and one pool/rest/hotel character dining meal day. We are skipping Animal Kingdom this time.

I am kind of thinking we will stay at Caribbean Beach because I really like the idea of not having to fold up my stroller on the Skyliner to be able to get to 2 of the 3 parks we are doing. When going to Disneyland I make a point of staying close enough to walk to the parks so I don't have to fold my stroller. My other option is to stay off site at either the Hilton Buena Vista Palace or the Doubletree near Disney Springs and take busses for all the parks. Thoughts?

I have had an annual pass to Disneyland off and on for most of my adult life and now we live about an hour or so flight away so my older 2 kids have been to Disneyland multiple times with my 5 year old almost an expert in her own right at this point as she had an annual pass from the time she was 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 (before I had my most recent baby). When I take the kids I usually get lightning lane multipass for the days that are full days in the park so I am thinking we will probably do that for Disneyworld too but I know it works differently and you pick 3 rides in advance.

For someone who doesn't need to ride the rides that Disneyland has necessarily how would you prioritize which rides to schedule for each of the 3 parks we are going to and would you skip the multipass for any of the parks. Both my 5 and 3 year old are over 40 inches with my 5 year old hoping that she will hit 44 inches with shoes by the time we go in August. My 5 year old will ride any rides she is tall enough for except Tower of Terror (She has done Guardians at DCA and is like nope). Suggestions on this?

We tend to do 1 table service per day at Disneyland usually for lunch and then head back for a nap/rest. Does this make sense at Disneyworld still? Even though I know it takes forever to get back to the hotel at Disneyworld I do think my kids are going to need that downtime/air conditioning each day.

Dining reservation question: If we stay on property and can make reservations for the whole trip 60 days out are we limited to making dining reservations for a party of 6 or if my SIL is joining us one day can we make reservations for the whole group even though she isn't staying on site and won't be eligible yet? Also for can we book multipass for them at the 7 day instead of the 3 day?

I am sure I will have more questions but if you got this far Thank you!

 

[Skippyboo]

Caribbean Beach is a large resort it has an internal bus system. The Skyliner station is in a corner of the resort near Jamaica section. You could be pretty far from the Skyliner. Might want to look at the family suites at Art of Animation. Still on Skyliner. Very kid friendly theming.

 

[WinterSolider]

Step 1, it's Walt Disney World or Disney World, not Disneyworld.

I think it would be much better two do 2 full days and 2 half days than 3 full days and 1 day of nothing.

Animal Kingdom is the worst of the four parks to skip in my opinion because it's the most unique to Walt Disney World. In terms of overall atmosphere and thematic execution, it's arguably the best Disney theme park in North America. Kilimanjaro Safaris has the highest percentage of "Excellent" ratings from guests of any Walt Disney World attraction.

If you can afford to stay on site, stay on site. If you can afford to rent a car, rent a car and drive everywhere except for Magic Kingdom. It's the fastest way to get around, especially if you plan to leave the park midday. Midday buses can have long waits because they're not running as frequently as they do at open and close.

Walt Disney World is much, much larger than Disneyland so it's more of a hassle to go back to the room for a rest in the middle of the day. I would recommend doing shorter days, skipping nap, and prioritizing early bed time. My kids are 10, 7, and 5 and we've been going at least twice a year since the 10 year old was 6 months. Our schedule is usually up around 6am, in the parks from rope drop to mid-afternoon, then early dinner and back to the resort for bed around 7:00 or 8:00. You know your family best, but if you can skip a nap and substitute early bedtime, you'll save yourself a ton of commute time back-and-forth.

You can include off-site guests in your dining reservations. It's only the person actually making the reservation who needs to have a resort reservation to "unlock" 60 day + LOS availability.

 

[monkeypat83]

Step 1, it's Walt Disney World or Disney World, not Disneyworld.

I think it would be much better two do 2 full days and 2 half days than 3 full days and 1 day of nothing.

Animal Kingdom is the worst of the four parks to skip in my opinion because it's the most unique to Walt Disney World. In terms of overall atmosphere and thematic execution, it's arguably the best Disney theme park in North America. Kilimanjaro Safaris has the highest percentage of "Excellent" ratings from guests of any Walt Disney World attraction.

If you can afford to stay on site, stay on site. If you can afford to rent a car, rent a car and drive everywhere except for Magic Kingdom. It's the fastest way to get around, especially if you plan to leave the park midday. Midday buses can have long waits because they're not running as frequently as they do at open and close.

Walt Disney World is much, much larger than Disneyland so it's more of a hassle to go back to the room for a rest in the middle of the day. I would recommend doing shorter days, skipping nap, and prioritizing early bed time. My kids are 10, 7, and 5 and we've been going at least twice a year since the 10 year old was 6 months. Our schedule is usually up around 6am, in the parks from rope drop to mid-afternoon, then early dinner and back to the resort for bed around 7:00 or 8:00. You know your family best, but if you can skip a nap and substitute early bedtime, you'll save yourself a ton of commute time back-and-forth.

You can include off-site guests in your dining reservations. It's only the person actually making the reservation who needs to have a resort reservation to "unlock" 60 day + LOS availability.

Thanks! We will have a car and might drive to the parks in the morning but I have a feeling my husband and the baby will be heading back to the hotel earlier than the rest of us so having a way for the rest of us to get back separately is important. The baby and my husband will probably stay at the hotel for the rest of the day after the nap and I will take the older two back to do things until they are over it.

I thought about trying to skip naps/stroller naps but the last time I did that with my now 3 1/2 year old at Disneyland when he was about 2 we were done for the day by about 3 because he was in meltdown mode because it was was September in Anaheim so too hot to comfortably sleep so I am nervous about that possibility though we might play it by ear. If we were going in a cooler time of year I think it would work better but my kids are definitely not used to the heat.

Yeah we went back and forth on whether to skip Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios but really the only thing I think my kids would love in Animal Kingdom is the Safari and we are doing the San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal park next year so they will get to see some animals then. It is my least favorite of the WDW parks so that might have factored in too...

If we did 2 full days and 2 half days which park would you do on half days? That might be an option and do the pool one of the half days and a character meal the other half day.

 

[WinterSolider]

If we did 2 full days and 2 half days which park would you do on half days? That might be an option and do the pool one of the half days and a character meal the other half day.

Full day at Magic Kingdom, full day at Epcot, half days at Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.

Tusker House (Animal Kingdom) is the best character meal on property in my opinion, so that might be a good way to check two boxes as a combo. It's the only character meal I would actually recommend for the food. The rest of the character meals are pretty crappy from a food perspective, and you're really only paying for the character interaction.

 

[Tom_E_D]

Step 1, it's Walt Disney World or Disney World, not Disneyworld.

But the official website is disneyworld.disney.go.com. (I think it's okay to use either.)

 

[Tom_E_D]

Dining reservation question: If we stay on property and can make reservations for the whole trip 60 days out are we limited to making dining reservations for a party of 6 or if my SIL is joining us one day can we make reservations for the whole group even though she isn't staying on site and won't be eligible yet? Also for can we book multipass for them at the 7 day instead of the 3 day?

Your dining reservation can include someone not on your hotel reservation, but you can only buy LLMP at the seven-days-before-check-in mark for those listed on your hotel reservation. Are you getting two rooms at Caribbean Beach? If so, list your SIL as staying in the room that will only have one adult. It won't cost extra and will allow you to buy LLMP for her at the seven-day mark.

 

[monkeypat83]

Full day at Magic Kingdom, full day at Epcot, half days at Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.

Tusker House (Animal Kingdom) is the best character meal on property in my opinion, so that might be a good way to check two boxes as a combo. It's the only character meal I would actually recommend for the food. The rest of the character meals are pretty crappy from a food perspective, and you're really only paying for the character interaction.

Thanks! Character meal in the parks isn't an option unfortunately unless we do it in Hollywood Studios as we are doing it with some of my husband's family who are not doing the parks other than one day in Hollywood Studios though if we decide to do Animal Kingdom and do a second character meal that might be an option.

My BIL is obsessed with Star Wars so he is going to focus on all of that stuff in Hollywood Studios and my family will join them during the day as it works out but my kids only care about Millennium Falcon because they like pushing the buttons and flying a spaceship so we are going to mostly do our own thing just in the same park at the same time. My kids are excited about Slinky Dog Dash and the Alien Saucers. If they have their way we will do Alien Saucers multiple times.

 

[monkeypat83]

Your dining reservation can include someone not on your hotel reservation, but you can only buy LLMP at the seven-days-before-check-in mark for those listed on your hotel reservation. Are you getting two rooms at Caribbean Beach? If so, list your SIL as staying in the room that will only have one adult. It won't cost extra and will allow you to buy LLMP for her at the seven-day mark.

We are all staying in one room with 2 queens and the fold down bed (I know it will be cramped) with the baby in a pack and play so that won't work. We looked at staying in 2 rooms at one value resorts but it was more expensive and not as convenient and less appealing pools so if we do stay on property we are just prepared to be cramped in exchange for the other benefits. The Hilton would give us more space and a nice pool but is actually more expensive for the size room we would need to fit all of us. Still deciding but leaning toward the onsite

 

[WinterSolider]

But the official website is disneyworld.disney.go.com. (I think it's okay to use either.)

It is absolutely never "Disneyworld."

Maybe "Disney World."

 

[scrappinginontario]

Lots of questions here because I can plan a Disneyland trip in my sleep but have not been to Disneyworld since BC (also know as Before kids and before Covid since they both happened about the same time ) and have never taken toddlers. I have been 4 or 5 times but most recent trip was in 2018 and no one else in my party has ever been.

We are in Tampa for a wedding so figured since we had already flown across the country with 3 kids 5 and under we might as well do Disneyworld while we were there. My kids will be 5 1/2, 3 1/2 and 17 months. My husband and our Brazilian Au Pair will also be there so we will be a party of 6.

Walt Disney World, Disney World, WDW or DW

We will be there for 5 nights with 3 days in the parks and one pool/rest/hotel character dining meal day. We are skipping Animal Kingdom this time.

I am kind of thinking we will stay at Caribbean Beach because I really like the idea of not having to fold up my stroller on the Skyliner to be able to get to 2 of the 3 parks we are doing. When going to Disneyland I make a point of staying close enough to walk to the parks so I don't have to fold my stroller. My other option is to stay off site at either the Hilton Buena Vista Palace or the Doubletree near Disney Springs and take busses for all the parks. Thoughts?

I would recommend considering 2 rooms at Pop or a suite at Art of Animation. CBR is a huge resort if you don't have a car.

I have had an annual pass to Disneyland off and on for most of my adult life and now we live about an hour or so flight away so my older 2 kids have been to Disneyland multiple times with my 5 year old almost an expert in her own right at this point as she had an annual pass from the time she was 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 (before I had my most recent baby). When I take the kids I usually get lightning lane multipass for the days that are full days in the park so I am thinking we will probably do that for Disneyworld too but I know it works differently and you pick 3 rides in advance.

Likely not needed for Epcot.

For someone who doesn't need to ride the rides that Disneyland has necessarily how would you prioritize which rides to schedule for each of the 3 parks we are going to and would you skip the multipass for any of the parks. Both my 5 and 3 year old are over 40 inches with my 5 year old hoping that she will hit 44 inches with shoes by the time we go in August. My 5 year old will ride any rides she is tall enough for except Tower of Terror (She has done Guardians at DCA and is like nope). Suggestions on this?

We tend to do 1 table service per day at Disneyland usually for lunch and then head back for a nap/rest. Does this make sense at Disneyworld still? Even though I know it takes forever to get back to the hotel at Disneyworld I do think my kids are going to need that downtime/air conditioning each day.

Dining reservation question: If we stay on property and can make reservations for the whole trip 60 days out are we limited to making dining reservations for a party of 6 or if my SIL is joining us one day can we make reservations for the whole group even though she isn't staying on site and won't be eligible yet? Also for can we book multipass for them at the 7 day instead of the 3 day?

You can create dining reservations for any number of people. They are not linked to your registration.

I am sure I will have more questions but if you got this far Thank you!

 

[danceintherain]

We absolutely do midday breaks. I need the break in the air conditioning as much as the rest of the family. But, depending on the time of year and hours of the parks on the specific days, we don't always return in the evening. I'd much rather skip the evening entertainment and everyone be in bed before 9PM. Usually, I'll do at least one day, when I stay in the park with the oldest (or really the rollercoaster rider) while another adult takes the napping children back to get started resting. Then by the time we wind back to the hotel, we can do pool time, and maybe dinner. DH will likely struggle in the future now that all of our kids are 5 and older and don't nap regularly. The youngest naps daily at school, but I can count on one hand the number of naps he's taken at home in the past year, unless we force him.

Multi-pass really depends on when you are going. You can definitely cover more ground that way, but it really depends on what you want to ride. I would just make a list, and if there are more than maybe 5 things that are projected to have a 60+ minute wait, then I'd probably get it for that park.

Table Service meals typically take more time. I usually try to plan just one or two per trip. I also tend to do resort meals on arrival and departure day, so I don't have to use park time for them.

If your stroller is so annoying to collapse, then I'd be looking for a different one. In my view, you probably have a solid 4 more years of using a double stroller at Disney, it's worth it to have one that isn't a hassle. It's never fun, but it can be less annoying.

I also agree that driving to/from the parks is so much easier with small kids. Even with a 1:1 adult:kid ratio, it's always easier to have them restrained in the car while moving from place to place. I didn't actually use the Skyliner when we stayed at Beach Club last time, because it just didn't appeal to me. My parents took my kids once, while DH and I drove the car. I just don't see the appeal of being suspended so high above the ground in a tin can without air conditioning. We were there in December, and it still got hot enough to give me pause. I'm planning a trip with a friend for August, and I'll consider it, because adventures are more my style without my children. Typically, I'd much rather be on an air-conditioned bus, even if I have to stand.

Port Orleans-French Quarter might be a good option to look at. None of the buildings are particularly far from the bus stop, and everything is centralized there.

 

[monkeypat83]

We absolutely do midday breaks. I need the break in the air conditioning as much as the rest of the family. But, depending on the time of year and hours of the parks on the specific days, we don't always return in the evening. I'd much rather skip the evening entertainment and everyone be in bed before 9PM. Usually, I'll do at least one day, when I stay in the park with the oldest (or really the rollercoaster rider) while another adult takes the napping children back to get started resting. Then by the time we wind back to the hotel, we can do pool time, and maybe dinner. DH will likely struggle in the future now that all of our kids are 5 and older and don't nap regularly. The youngest naps daily at school, but I can count on one hand the number of naps he's taken at home in the past year, unless we force him.

Multi-pass really depends on when you are going. You can definitely cover more ground that way, but it really depends on what you want to ride. I would just make a list, and if there are more than maybe 5 things that are projected to have a 60+ minute wait, then I'd probably get it for that park.

Table Service meals typically take more time. I usually try to plan just one or two per trip. I also tend to do resort meals on arrival and departure day, so I don't have to use park time for them.

If your stroller is so annoying to collapse, then I'd be looking for a different one. In my view, you probably have a solid 4 more years of using a double stroller at Disney, it's worth it to have one that isn't a hassle. It's never fun, but it can be less annoying.

I also agree that driving to/from the parks is so much easier with small kids. Even with a 1:1 adult:kid ratio, it's always easier to have them restrained in the car while moving from place to place. I didn't actually use the Skyliner when we stayed at Beach Club last time, because it just didn't appeal to me. My parents took my kids once, while DH and I drove the car. I just don't see the appeal of being suspended so high above the ground in a tin can without air conditioning. We were there in December, and it still got hot enough to give me pause. I'm planning a trip with a friend for August, and I'll consider it, because adventures are more my style without my children. Typically, I'd much rather be on an air-conditioned bus, even if I have to stand.

Port Orleans-French Quarter might be a good option to look at. None of the buildings are particularly far from the bus stop, and everything is centralized there.

I have a Mockingbird and love it. It converts from a single to a double very easily so with my youngest only be just over a year I think I have at least 5 or 6 more years before I am completely stroller free at Disney. It isn't the stroller than is a pain to fold but that pulling everything out of the stroller to be able to fold it up is a pain. We tend to just toss stuff in the bottom basket of the stroller throughout the day and don't have it contained in 1 bag or anything. It is more of a having to fold any stroller being a pain no matter what stroller I have unless we don't use the stroller basket.

Yeah I am rethinking doing a table service meal everyday unless there is something we especially want to do. It works well for us at Disneyland but I don't think it will be as useful at Disney World.

I looked at Port Orleans-Riverside and decided Caribbean Beach might be a better option for us but I didn't consider French Quarter because either they don't have 5th sleeper available for our dates or they don't have them. I can't remember.

 

[danceintherain]

I have a Mockingbird and love it. It converts from a single to a double very easily so with my youngest only be just over a year I think I have at least 5 or 6 more years before I am completely stroller free at Disney. It isn't the stroller than is a pain to fold but that pulling everything out of the stroller to be able to fold it up is a pain. We tend to just toss stuff in the bottom basket of the stroller throughout the day and don't have it contained in 1 bag or anything. It is more of a having to fold any stroller being a pain no matter what stroller I have unless we don't use the stroller basket.

Yeah I am rethinking doing a table service meal everyday unless there is something we especially want to do. It works well for us at Disneyland but I don't think it will be as useful at Disney World.

I looked at Port Orleans-Riverside and decided Caribbean Beach might be a better option for us but I didn't consider French Quarter because either they don't have 5th sleeper available for our dates or they don't have them. I can't remember.

They don't have a 5th sleeper, but with an under 3 in a pack n play, you don't actually NEED it.

I'd recommend limiting stuff you bring into the parks to avoid the stroller loading issue. It takes effort and practice, but the only thing I had in the bottom of my stroller during my last Disney trip was a change of clothes/diapers for my youngest. Maybe some extra sunscreen and snacks. I carry a fanny pack myself. My kids are mostly older than yours (they were 13, 9, 6, and 3, during our last trip) but all but the youngest was responsible for their own water bottle carrier. You might be a few years out from that, but it's something to look forward to! Caribbean Beach is actually my favorite moderate at this point, but if you end up using the internal bus, then you'll end up collapsing the stroller anyway.

 

[monkeypat83]

They don't have a 5th sleeper, but with an under 3 in a pack n play, you don't actually NEED it.

I'd recommend limiting stuff you bring into the parks to avoid the stroller loading issue. It takes effort and practice, but the only thing I had in the bottom of my stroller during my last Disney trip was a change of clothes/diapers for my youngest. Maybe some extra sunscreen and snacks. I carry a fanny pack myself. My kids are mostly older than yours (they were 13, 9, 6, and 3, during our last trip) but all but the youngest was responsible for their own water bottle carrier. You might be a few years out from that, but it's something to look forward to! Caribbean Beach is actually my favorite moderate at this point, but if you end up using the internal bus, then you'll end up collapsing the stroller anyway.

View attachment 964878

They don't have a 5th sleeper, but with an under 3 in a pack n play, you don't actually NEED it.

I'd recommend limiting stuff you bring into the parks to avoid the stroller loading issue. It takes effort and practice, but the only thing I had in the bottom of my stroller during my last Disney trip was a change of clothes/diapers for my youngest. Maybe some extra sunscreen and snacks. I carry a fanny pack myself. My kids are mostly older than yours (they were 13, 9, 6, and 3, during our last trip) but all but the youngest was responsible for their own water bottle carrier. You might be a few years out from that, but it's something to look forward to! Caribbean Beach is actually my favorite moderate at this point, but if you end up using the internal bus, then you'll end up collapsing the stroller anyway.
View attachment 964878

We have 6 people including the baby so unless we put 3 people in one bed then we do need a 3rd sleeping surface in addition to the pack and play for the baby

 

[danceintherain]

Oh, I see. I thought the au pair might be in their own room.
FWIW, I did 3 adults in a moderate a few years ago, and even with only one child under 3, it was tight.

Now with 4 kids, we get 2 rooms unless we absolutely can't help it. If for nothing else, then the youngest can nap, while everyone else is awake.

 

[Psymonds]

Oh, I see. I thought the au pair might be in their own room.
FWIW, I did 3 adults in a moderate a few years ago, and even with only one child under 3, it was tight.

Now with 4 kids, we get 2 rooms unless we absolutely can't help it. If for nothing else, then the youngest can nap, while everyone else is awake.

we did CBR with 5 and it was fine, tight but fine. our 3 were all older so the 3-5 minute walk to the skyliner was not an issue, we were in building 36, which didn't feel far from the staiton.

oddly the preferred rooms are closer to the main pool/lobby which are furthest from either skyliner.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I wouldn't skip LLMP. I wouldn't stay at CB. I would stay at Art of Animation or Pop, if you are looking for higher end accommodations stay at the Riviera.

 

[monkeypat83]

I wouldn't skip LLMP. I wouldn't stay at CB. I would stay at Art of Animation or Pop, if you are looking for higher end accommodations stay at the Riviera.

Thanks. I am thinking we will get LLMP. I just have to convince my husband of this. He is on the fence. I am the only one in our party who wants to (or is tall enough for) Tron so I definitely plan to just pay for that for myself and everyone else can go do something else/have a snack while I go on it.

Art of Animation and Pop are actually quite a bit more expensive because we would either have to get a suite at Art of Animation or 2 rooms at Pop. If we stay onsite I think the two options are Caribbean Beach or Port Orleans Riverside based on price. Caribbean Beach seems more coinvent for us but I could be misjudging the size. The only onsite resorts I have stayed at are Beach Club and Boardwalk but neither of those are in the budget this time. I have also stayed at a couple of the Hiltons near Disney Springs but never with kids.

 

[WWhitehead]

We stayed at Caribbean Beach, and I would actually recommend Pop or Art of Animation. Our kids were older, but the 3rd bed is tiny and uncomfortable. Maybe a toddler would sleep on it, but I can't even believe they called it a bed. Our room felt cramped with all the beds out, so I'm not sure where you would add a pack & play. Also, we walked to the Riviera to take the Skyliner because our room was so far from the CB Skyliner. One other thing I did not like was that there were multiple bus stops, so it took forever if you had to take the bus. I don't know anything about Port Orleans, but I would bet that it would be better than Caribbean Beach. I just think it will be really tight and not enjoyable for that many people.