Feedback - First trip with kids!

[EEEBEE]

Hi Everyone,

Looking for some feedback regarding our upcoming trip the last week of February. My husband and I have about four trips under our belt but this will be our first big one with the kiddos DS(6) & DS(3).

Since my in-laws live in FL for half the year we don't feel pressured to cram everything in across five days.

Here is what we have booked so far:

Staying onsite POR w/ dining plan & a rental car

Day 1 - HS
FP+ - Toy Story Mania
Frozen Sing Along (not sure this is worth it, only DS(3) is into Frozen)
Star Tours - DH & DS(6)
Dis JR on Stage - Me & DS(3)
Lunch - Counter service
Dinner - Chef Mickeys

Day 2 - Epcot
FP+ - Turtle Talk w/ Crush
The Seas w/ Nemo
Soarin
Lunch - Sunshine Seasons
Dinner - Coral Reef

Day 3 - Animal Kingdom
FP+ - Expedition Everest
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Finding Nemo
Lunch - counter service somewhere
Dinner - Ohana

Day 4 - Magic Kingdom
FP+ - Buzz
BTMRR
7DMT
Lunch - counter somewhere
Dinner - BOG

Day 5 - Magic Kingdom (check out hotel day)
FP+ - Space Mtn
Buzz - DS both into TS & video games
Peter Pan
Lunch & Dinner - counter service
head back to in-laws

Thoughts? We are pretty flexible, my kids no longer nap but DS(3) can sleep in stroller if he needs it. Since we can go back somewhat regularly I would be okay if there are things we miss. I assume for lunch we will just eat when people get hungry.

Questions
1. What is the deal with rider swap? How does this work exactly? If DS(6) and DH ride Test Track (for example) do we get a pass and then DS(6) can ride again with me or do I have to ride alone?

2. Will there be enough to entertain the 3 year old? I am leaning towards yes but am concerned of major meltdowns when DS(6) can ride something and he can't. We do have the option to leave DS(3) at the in-laws and just take DS(6).

Any feedback or suggestions would be appreciated!!

TIA!

 

[BelleBeautyandtheBeast]

Looks like you have a nice plan in place. The most important part is to remember to relax and enjoy it all!

Back when my kids were younger we always took afternoon breaks at the hotel, they would watch a little tv and then swim and then we would head back to the parks. Staying all day in the parks made my kiddos grumpy and prone to meltdowns, the afternoon breaks helped them break up the day.

I have never used rider swap so I cannot accurately chime in on that one, I always took my kids alone so if someone couldn't ride no one got to ride. It's such a different experience now that they are teens, I'm the one refusing to go on certain rides lol.

I would say take your 3yo, he will have so much fun. There is plenty for him to enjoy. I have taken all my kids since they were tiny and although they don't remember those trips they love to look at the pictures and listen to my stories about what they did. Each age/stage provides a different experience for them. If 3yo seems upset he cannot do something with 6yo, offer to do something special with him.

Another tip is to take a picture of your kids someplace special, then continue to do that each visit. I just had a poster made of all our trips, the kids keep getting bigger but the background stayed the same (Pooh display in Downtown Disney).

At Hollywood Studios I would recommend Pizza Planet for lunch as your oldest is a Toy Story fan. That's another one of our traditions, lunch there every trip. My kids have always been big TS fans.

 

[Mikie]

I've takeneach of my 3 kids just before their 3rd birthdays (when they're still free) and recently my 3.5 y.o. Niece and 2.5 y.o. Nephew went along. I feel confident that you will have PLENTY that the 3 year old likes to do. The only meltdowns I've usually seen are when the kids get too over-tired or overstimulated and need a break. My 2.5 yo nephew did scream through most shows, but I think it's because he was expected to sit still and wait for it to start and then remain seated & still for the duration - it helps to play "I spy" or let them play on your phone, or stand and wiggle as long as they are in their own space or mom & dad's space and not knocking into strangers. I love seeing Disney Magic through a preschooler's eyes, but he'll surely be content at a pretty leisurely pace. If you have any desire to dash through lots of rides with DS6, you may consider this a special trip with him and leave 3yo at home.

Your schedule looks kid-friendly and very achievable. In AK, be sure to play in the Boneyard playground area and be prepared to let them hang out a while.

My guys loved The Seas area at Epcot and Coral Reef was a fun dinner choice.

Frozen sing along is very good for a Frozen fan and I equate it to a good Disney kid movie otherwise: not something I'd choose just for myself but Disney does a good enough job adding humor and effects to make it fine for me to sit through with my kid. I did it while parts of my group were on Star Tours. If your DS(6) is into Star Wars, the Jedi Training Academy at DHS is awesome! The kids are onstage training as Jedis when a surprise bad guy comes out and needs to be defeated - amazing photo ops and lots of fun, but signing up for a spot does require getting to the park at rope drop (with the child) and heading straight to Jedi sign ups to be assigned a show later in the day.

For rider swap you will get a ticket that allows the parent who waited the first time to bypass the line and ride after DH and DS finish the first time. You will be allowed to bring DS on the second ride with you.

Have fun!!

 

[leahlefler]

I'd definitely take your 3 y.o. We have the same situation with ride height requirements (or had the same situation) with our boys when my little one was smaller. We'll still have it for Sum of all Thrills this trip (because my 9 y.o. will be able to go upside down and my 7 y.o. won't due to height, and my 7 y.o. is the thrill seeker). We usually tried to find something else fun to distract him with while my older son would go on the ride during the switch-off. I know Mission Space has the Space Base play area and Test Track has a video game area, too.. so maybe you could take him to play there while your older boy is riding.

 

[glassslippergirl]

Questions 1. What is the deal with rider swap? How does this work exactly? If DS(6) and DH ride Test Track (for example) do we get a pass and then DS(6) can ride again with me or do I have to ride alone? 2. Will there be enough to entertain the 3 year old? I am leaning towards yes but am concerned of major meltdowns when DS(6) can ride something and he can't. We do have the option to leave DS(3) at the in-laws and just take DS(6). Any feedback or suggestions would be appreciated!! TIA!

1. I think you'll just get a pass for the person who couldn't go. You can trade off DS6 riding sometimes with dad and sometimes with mom.

2. Each park has play areas for little ones, like the Boneyard in AK. There are fountains to splash in at Epcot. There's a play area around Pooh ride in MK. Not sure if Honey, I Shrunk the Kids movie set is still open in DHS, but it's great. Take the little one to these when the big one goes on a big-kid ride. Definitely take DS3 with you.

PS-- I recommend Flame Tree for your CS in AK.

 

[EEEBEE]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

We will bring DS3 along after all, I think he will have a great time and sounds like there will be plenty for him to do.

We will also definitely check out the Jedi Academy, I don't know who is more excited DS6 or DH!

Thank you!!