Figuring out the best plan with a 5 year old

[EmilyS90]

So, we have a (will be) 5 year old, and this is her first Disney trip, so I obviously want to make sure this is awesome. We're doing 4 park days with park hoppers and I've tweaked the plans probably a hundred times. We DO have a couple of character dinner reservations that I'm not about to change, which are:
7pm at Akershus in EP on May 25th
8:40am at Crystal Palace in MK on May 26th

For the 25th, I'm reluctant to spend our first full day at Epcot. And I keep reading that it's not quite as kid friendly as the other parks?? But my fiance loves it, and I've never been so I do want to do it. We're thinking about doing a full day (or mostly full) on our last day there (Friday, May 29th).

Dead set on a full day at MK on the 26th

Most likely doing Hollywood Studios on the 27th, not sure on a full day there

And a rest day on the 28th.

Sorry if that's confusing, and also this is my first post on here haha. But right now I'm toying with the idea of doing a partial day at MK on our first day, and then going back to the hotel for a bit before dinner (we're staying at Art of Animation, if that makes a difference) OR doing Animal Kingdom for a partial day, and then going back to the hotel before dinner. Thoughts?

Am I overthinking this???

 

[IrishNYC]

My thoughts when planning our 5 y/o's first visit (and DH and my first visits since 1981!) is that she doesn't know what she's missing if you don't go to MK on your first day. On our arrival day we're not going to any park, mostly because she will have been up since 4am . We're just going to lay back and relax once we get there. She knows what Disney is, but she doesn't KNOW - know what I mean? Do what works best for you, and she'll just go with the flow.

 

[wdwcarla]

EPCOT has a lot of character meet and greets that have short lines (because everyone meets princess at MK instead) so you will have better luck meeting characters you don't meet at Akershus. EPCOT also does have a lot of kid-friendly things, but it just has the least of all the parks. A full day would be a good way to spend your first time there and get as much in as possible. Don't forget that there are fun shows as well!

 

[EEPETEZ]

My kids now 6 and 11 love EPCOT-much more than Animal Kingdom or HS. Here are some of the things they have always enjoyed. We usually spend 2 full days there.

All of the rides in future world- Imagination is a kid favorite, turtle talk is also super cute.
Innoventions-I know this may seem unlikely, but my kids could stay all day playing games and seeing the exhibits.
In the World Showcase, they love to play Agent P. It is a great way to tour the countries and have something to do at each one. We usually do a couple of countries or missions each time we go.
KidCot stations-they are in every country and my kids love stopping by and talking to the cast members.
The ice cream and pastry in France is great for a kid friendly snack.
Also Norway has some great pastries and snacks

Have fun, it's a great place to start your trip!

 

[Kingdome8]

I agree. With another poster my kids, girls 2,6,10, like Epcot batter then animal kingdom.
Everyone has there preferences but besides magic kingdom my kids favorite is Hollywood studios. To me there is so much for little ones to do there. I'm always shocked to hear people think its a half day park. Again presences.

Just make sure at Epcot u mix in kid stuff with adult stuff. My kids like the countries but if real hot they get sick of it. Lol

 

[kj2mom]

When I took my twins they were turning 5 in the middle of the trip. We were there for a week and had planned only 5 of the days, leaving 2 wide open for whatever they wanted to do (the sole purpose of the trip was for them to be happy, happy kids = happy mom !). After spending one full day at Epcot they actually wanted to do another day there so we did! The second time we did not stay until closing but we did make a day of it with plenty for them to do (the first day we did Akerhus, the second day we did Coral Reef). They also wanted to do MK one more day so since that is my favorite that is what we did the last day.

 

[dbarker]

Be flexible. Each child is different. Let them set the pace.

Our story: We went when DS#2 was 4-1/2. We don't go to parks on arrival day. The first morning, we went to Epcot. After Spaceship Earth (1st ride), DS4.5 asked "Where are the rides?" We explained that we just got off a ride. He said "Where are the rides? You know, the ones they show on TV?"

We turned around and went to MK. He was very, very happy and all our touring plans went out the window.

 

[Aurora0427]

Go to magic kingdom on your first day for awhile. There is so much to do there and I think it warrants more than one full day. We always stop and see MICKEY on the way in because he rarely has a line. Perfect beginning to our trip.

 

[martikus]

Best advice is be FLEXIBLE! You have no idea how different touring with a child is! Have 2-3 must do things every day and then everything else is gravy.

On DS's first trip at age 4 we were unprepared for how much he would enjoy the characters. We spent HOURS waiting for autographs because that is what he wanted to do and it was fun!

DS wakes up early so we chose to rope drop and go until 4pm ish. Then back to hotel for night. Sure we never saw evening stuff but we were happy and rested
For morning.

Also enjoy the moments. Don't feel like you have to rush off to the next thing. DS rode Its a small world about 20 times. Sure DH and I were drawing straws
By the end on who had to join him, but he loved it.

MK and Epcot were best parks (agent p in Epcot is so fun). Our first trip we did three days in MK instead of AK.

Have fun!

 

[staceyeileen]

Epcot is great, but I still can't imagine doing 2 days there and only one at MK and none at AK, especially with a child. Maybe I'm misunderstanding your plans though?

 

[kmorey303]

Last year was my 5 year old daughters first trip! I had not been to Disney in almost ten years and didn't understand that plans had to be made in advance. We went totally on a whim and had an incredible time! We had 5 park days, so each park and one extra day for MK. She, of course loved MK the most, but appreciated and loved every other park as well, including Epcot's world showcase! My best advice is go with the flow. Kids love exploring new things and will surprise you!

 

[glohoffman]

We LOVED animal kingdom on our last trip (my girls were 5 and almost 3) because it was so laid back and they love the animals. We didnt have to worry about lots of long lines, we did tusker house to meet mickey, and even met Pocahontas. We almost look at it as a make shift rest day because we go at our own pace there. I couldnt imagine a trip without it because its so beautiful...but then again we love every park except Hollywood Studios...so it just goes to show everyone is looking for something different at Disney!