First Family Trip in October

[hlaw7]

Hi - we are planning our first trip as a family (my husband and I haven't been to Disney in YEARS) - two little boys, 6 and 2 (although the youngest will turn 3, 3 weeks after we get back). Our 180 days is coming-up, we are staying at the Polynesian. I couldn't tell you what I'm serving for dinner tomorrow let alone planning what and where we will eat in October. This is what I have mapped out so far for dining - I tend to go overboard in terms of ambitious schedules. We do plan to go back to the resort for downtime/nap time each day. Is this way to much for two little boys? Thoughts/suggestions much appreciated! Some of this plan is at the suggestions of friends with little ones, but they have been to Disney many times with their kids and know how to "do" it by now.

1. Arrive Friday about 11 am (3 hour flight). Don't wait for 3 pm check-in, go to Epcott. Meet up with neighbors and their 2 children, dinner at Le Cellier (Coral Reef as back-up)
2. MK - Try for CRT breakfast reservations
3. AK - Tusker house for brunch (breakfast/lunch - later time) with Rivers of Light package (7:30 pm)
4. HS - Plan on going back for break, eating dinner at Ohana, and back to HS for Fantasmic.
5. Down day at resort, brunch at Chef Mickey's, then plan on Mickey Not So Scary Halloween Party (my 6 year old LOVES Halloween, a bit worried about the almost 3 year old though........)
6. Epcott full day - Via Napoli dinner
7. MK - Trying for BOG dinner
8. Departure day - late afternoon. Character breakfast at Ohana before we leave.

I figure we'll do quick service for other meals - this may be too many table service to begin with (fairly picky eaters), but I suppose it's better to make them and cancel then be stuck. Would love feedback on any of these places or whether this is just too much in terms of table dining with 2 young boys.

 

[TLM2015]

My closet experience to this was taking my two little ones, 6 and 1, to Disneyland which is very different than WDW. I've only done WDW with one kid (well one young kid the first trip there were also an 8 and 11 yr old) at 1.5 yr and then at 5. Either way I think that depending on the temperament of your 2 year old, this seems completely doable to me at least. The only things I would say might be too much is the meals on the day of arrival and day of departure but that completely depends on how long the flight is and how you're getting to and leaving the resort to the airport. Our upcoming trip will be the first trip that we're using ME, usually we rent a car so it's a breeze and we have the flexibility for arrival and leaving but we live in WA state so our flights are all day affairs and I would never dream of doing a sit down meal with my DS who's going on 2. If you have a shorter flight, then it's probably going to be fine as long as you build in adequate time for ME.

 

[mjkacmom]

If you plan on doing that many TS meals, you might want to see if the DDP works for you.

 

[Macprincess]

My "little boys" are 18 & 17 now so it's been a while...However, I do think at their ages that you may want to consider less table service meals. Especially since this is their first trip to WDW. There is so much to see and do that getting an over simulated two (almost three) year old to sit still through a nice dinner may be a challenge. I know your planning on meeting friends on your arrival day but I might rethink this. Back when my boys were that young I would not have wanted to have the pressure of getting up early to fly, then after they have been forced to sit still on the plane and magical express/or car to the resort, expecting them to sit through a meal at Le Cellier. That is asking a lot of young children. I wouldn't plan much more then the resort pool and the food court (Capt. Cooks) that first day. Knowing they are going to need an opportunity to get out and run off some energy.

In addition, by hanging at your resort that day everyone can get settled, get a good nights sleep and be ready to hit the ground running at MK the next day.

I would also resolve that if you make it to Epcot the day after Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party that with the late night before it is bound to either be a late start to your day or if you have kids that don't sleep in no matter how late they get to bed you will need to return to the resort for a mid day rest time.

 

[KrazeeK120]

Have your kids flown before? It looks like you'll need to be at the airport at about 6 AM (Eastern) for your flight, which may be even earlier if you're coming from a different time zone. Personally, I wouldn't plan a dinner ADR on arrival day with little kids. The 2 year old, in particular, may be ready to crash by then. If you get there and the kids seem fine, by all means visit Epcot. There are lots of great quick service options there. But you don't want to get stuck with no-show fees because your kid is having a meltdown. Of course, this is just my opinion! YMMV.

 

[kboo]

I second or third the concerns about an in-park sit down dinner on arrival day. We have no time change and usually are on the 1st flight out to MCO. WE have a 5 and 1.5 yo - they're usually good for dinner at 5pm on arrival and no later! We have done a park on arrival day, but literally just wheeled the kids in a stroller (who were already just frazzled and off from schedule disruption) from the contemporary to MK. My girls are great travelers, yet I would be concerned that they would either meltdown or just get a little loopy going to Epcot etc on arrival day. (Note: one time we did do this with ODD when she was 3, but got into the room early, took a nap, and took her in the stroller to Epcot for a Soarin FP and a couple rides.)

I'm also a little concerned about Days 3, 4 and 5 - basically you have late evenings 3 nights in a row, 2 of them at parks that are a bus ride from your resort. When we did Star Wars fireworks last spring at HS, we watched from pretty close to the exit, AND had the baby in a baby carrier (asleep!) and ODD in a stroller... and still we got back to GF after 10. We would not have been able to do that without forcing ODD to have a real nap in a bed that afternoon. For AK/ROL and HS/Fantasmic, that's a lot of bus time. I would suggest spacing out the nighttime shows, or having a much easier/flexible day earlier in the day so you can get the kids to nap before the evening fun. And sometimes our compromise was to watch MK fireworks from the hotel, rather than being in the park for a nighttime show.

Last point - if BOG dinner is a big deal to you (it is to us, it is our ODD's favorite restaurant), be flexible in when you are able to book it, and you may have to rearrange your park days a bit depending on when you get BOG. This is where hoppers come in handy - though from your itinerary it looks like you're not planning on them. I have found them really worthwhile, especially if taking a midday break and dealing with little ones' needs.

Hope this helps - it will be a lot of fun!

 

[dkfajr1]

I would rest in on the day after the party and either do late start or down day that day. When my older ones were younger and each time we have taken our youngest, who is now almost 4 that's how we do it. If we have a late night, we always sleep in. Saves a lot of grumpiness. We are going in October as well. Our schedule has us going to MK late on a party day, staying for party and the next day being a lounge at resort day. I also have our arrival day as a not too planned day. Sometimes we go to a park, disney springs or hang at the resort depending on everyone's mood. It's worked out well for us the past several years. just remember to have fun!