Does touring plan work with preschooler?

[tidoublegger]

I have been pouring over websites and of course my Unofficial Guide to try and plan how I can best utilize my 4 days in the parks with dh and 4.5 y.o. dd. I am wondering if any of you have actually successfully used a touring plan with a preschooler in tow??? Mine is as strong willed as they come and I can only imagine what she'd do if I tried to get her to pass right by something she was interested in because it wasn't on the itinerary yet! I want to enjoy and savor every moment, yet I want to see as much as possible! Any thoughts??

 

[Magic2000]

My three girls have all been going to Disney since they were a little over a year old. When we go, I like to have somewhat of a plan for each park - just so you don't keep back tracking. Of course, with kids, you can't make a plan and think you will stick to it with no changes. Being flexible is definitely better at Disney!

When my youngest DD was about 3, EVERY time we passed Dumbo, she wanted to ride. Of course, the line was very long and we didn't want to just ride Dumbo all day. Some times, we walk around the area just so she couldn't see Dumbo, or we'd draw her attention to something else.

I would suggest you have a pretty good idea of what you want to see, and know which area of the park its in. And just try to go with it...and most of all - HAVE FUN!!!!

 

[Jackie824]

I think you have to go with the flow. We are leaving today to drive down there, my kids are 8 1/2 and 3 1/2. This is the 3rd yr in a row we have gone, but my 11th trip total. We dont make a strict schedule. My 3 1/2 yr old is very independent, she thinks she wont need her stoller because she is a big girl now, yeah right We use Fastpass as much as possible, but if the lines are too long, we dont wait. We have parkhopper tickets, so if we miss something one day, we do it that nite or another day. Sometimes we have to break for a nap for her, it all depends. My thoughts is, you cant be too strict with the little kids, because although Disney is wonderful, if the kids arent happy nobody else is.

 

[lentesta]

Hi tidoublegger,

I think you'll be fine if you follow the land-by-land suggestions of the touring plans in the Unofficial Guide. Without writing out the touring plan on this board, I'd say that if you visited the first three lands in the order shown, you'd have the best chance of minimizing your waits in line. I did this with my DW and 4.5 year-old DD last week, and it worked out great. Don't forget the mid-day break.

Feel free to send me an e-mail if you have specific questions about adapting the plans: testa@ncat.edu.

Sincerely,

Len

 

[joloco]

we had a plan with 4, 6 & 7 year old. We watched video, had brochures, talked everything up but I told them "Mom" had a plan and we would do "everything" they wanted to do.....but probably not in the order they wanted. It took about 1 hour at the MK for my kids and husband to realize that Mom was right. Lines we had walked on had 45 min to an hour wait. Use Fast Pass Wait in line with preschooler and send someone to get next fast pass. Always. The kids finally would ask me what ride do we get to go on next. Granted, if they wanted, we did it again and again and again. But we all saw everything we wanted to. Stopped for charachters whenever we saw them, never did a fancy meal in the parks. Have fun.

 

[Tagrel]

We have been taking both our DDs since they were 1.5 years old. Youngest will be 4.5 when we visit this July.

We always follow a plan, bypassing rides to return to favorites at a later time. There is always so much going on, that redirecting their attention has never been a problem.

For the ability to ride a favorite ride several times in a row (in say, Fantasyland) we find it best to take advantage of Early Entry and head straight there. We have been able to walk on Dumbo a couple times in a row, several trips in the tea cups, etc. We always finish Fantasyland completely with no wait for anything. This even works fairly well on non EE days - just get there RIGHT when the park opens.

As others have suggested, Fast Pass is your best friend. We always send someone (ME!) ahead to get the next set before using the current one. By using fast pass and getting to the parks right at opening, we have NEVER spent more than 15 in line (typically, 5 - 10 minutes, max or a direct walkon.) This even worked great this last trip during Christmas.

The 4.5 yo WILL need a stroller. Our 6 yo still needs one sometimes - and its easier to get them to the next attraction when you are the one pushing them there.

All that being said, do try to break away from the plan at times. These end up being some of the most magical moments. Our two love to stop and see the characters. When you are in a hurry this can seem distracting, but it is a huge part of the Disney magic, and makes the stay that much better. You will NEVER do everything, so just plan out your favorites, and then hit the rest if possible.

have a great trip!!

 

[2belles'mom]

YEs, you can make it work (but may have to flex from time to time). I have two DDs, 6 and 3. We have been going to WDW every year (and sometimes twice!) since my 6yo was 3. We generally follow the touring plans in the Unofficial guide. "yuck, yuck, we don't want to wait in a line...lets go over here, no line!" is a line I have used many times. My kids have learned to hate long waits and lines, with much prompting, but this helps keep us to our itinerary! And if we spot a character and there is no line, hey! Its OK--since there isn't a wait it won't mess up our touring plan. My youngest, now three, is a fiery red head and I certainly have done battle with her , but somehow we make it work!

 

[QuickGold]

You might want to use one of the touring guides aimed at kids for the MGM Studios at http://www.mgmstudios.org/kidsguide.html

If I were you, I'd create your own touring guide based on the best times to experience the attractions that your preschooler would enjoy.

 

[tjmw2727]

Good Question ...
My girls are 6 & 8 and I have been to wdw several times with them. Both with dh and alone!
If I am careful about my planning and wording I can get more done...

I try and include them in planning for the day esp when we go during busy times. ie - "Today is fantasyland day, we are going to try and do all the rides in fantasyland but we have to be careful and use our fastpasses". At almost 5 you should be able to give your child a fair understanding about waiting in line vs fastpass - especially if you teach while your using your first fastpass.

When my youngest would say, while walking right by Peter Pan, "Mom lets ride Peter Pan". I would always try and say yes or ok, "ok lets see how long the line is, if its less than (fill in acceptable time) then we will ride it now, if not we will get a fast pass and do (ride/lunch/potty etc) while we wait".

Keep in mind my girls CAN take no for an answer but its really hard for a preschooler to give up the now for the later, KWIM?

It also helps to keep ahead on hydration and hunger, lots of water and good snacks, avoid the salt and sugar esp if your not used to the warm climate.

Sometimes you can skip the plan and just play it by ear and other times its so busy that your touring plan will save you time and aggrivation.

Keep in mind your childs stamina and patience - that won't change!! Make sure you have everyone's must do and ok to skip rides for the day and take it from there.

There are those monkey wrench's when some one like Lilo or Jessie is on Main street and we just have to get the autograph. I make sure they know the choices, if we wait in this line it means we probably can't do __________. I try and have the girls make informed choices and then live with the choice. Although we do this at home anyway - probably so do you!

Ok - sorry so long but HTH
TJ

 

[clutter]

Looks like you're going in early May, so you shouldn't see crowds that are real bad.

What I've done with my highly opinionated dd, who is also an only (so isn't used to haveing to compromise with siblings), is set the framework each day. Today we're going to this park, and we'll do this, that and at this time we have to be here. That way, we did the important stuff and I also let her have some times when she had control over what we did. If this is your first trip, it should be easier, as everything will be new and exciting!

But I would plan for a block of time to let your dd pick the park (count on mk! lol.), and what to do. Then when she wants to ride BTMRR or splash when you're in epcot, you can say, we're doing that on x night.