First time planning trip to Disney- single mom- 4 year old- 3 days to do it all- HELP ME

[Lexje06]

Hello all! I decided to take my 4 year old to Disney World last week and have been trying to get things in order ever since. I did not realize just how much PLANNING goes into a disney vacation- I have done the best I can in the last week to educate myself about dining, resorts, parks, fast passes, maps, tips and tricks, etc. Based on my research, I have a plan that I think is do-able, but I really want to share so Disney Pros can point out my errors or make other suggestions. I also have a few specific questions that I'd love people to answer. so PLEASE just chime in, and thanks for helping me.

DAY 1

We land in Orlando at 8 am. Take the shuttle to the hotel (AKL) check our bags and get on the first bus to animal kingdom. (I will pack breakfast foods/snacks so we don't have to worry about that) I am HOPING we can be IN animal kingdom by 10:30 am.

Fast pass 1: Flight of Passage 10:30-11:30

Fast pass 2: River Rapids OR Na'vi river ? (WHAT DO YOU ALL SUGGEST?) 11:30-12:30

Fast pass 3: Safari 12:30-1:30

Be in line for lion king by 1:30 for show 2-3 (eat while in line- Ill have lunch packed or grab a counter service)

3-4:45- try to get fast passes or in short lines to do: Its a bugs life, dino land. Just look around park

5:00-7 Character Dinner at Tusker house

Back at hotel by 7:45, shower and go to sleep


DAY 2

Wake up extremely early because I booked us the early morning magic, or extra magic hours (I can't remember what its called, but it cost $150!) at MK. I figured with the short amount of time we have there, we need to make the most of it, and also have enough time to enjoy resort and relax too.

Arrive at park by 7:25 am.

7:45-9 ride the allowed rides as much as possible

9-9:30- take a break and eat

9:45-10:45: Fast pass buzz lightyear

10:50-11:50: Fast pass Haunted mansion

11:55-12:55: Fast pass splash mountian

Grab quick lunch and try to get fast passes or short lines for character meet and greets if available, jungle cruise, pirates Caribbean and whatever other rides.

3:00: Head back to hotel

relax at hotel. Swim. See the animals at AKL. Shower

6:20 Dinner at Boma

BED


DAY 3

Early morning magic hours at hollywood studios . Booked the one for 7 am, so wake up about 5:45, head out by 6:15

7:00 am- 9 am. Do all of toy story land. (grab breakfast somewhere during all of this which should. I think 2 hours is a good chunk of time for the amount of rides)

9 am sharp- sign up for jedi training (WHICH IS THE WHOLE POINT OF EVERYTHING, the only reason we are even going to this park at all lol)

9:10-10:10 do first training (have to arrive 30 min early)

LEAVE to go back to hotel!

get back to hotel by 11:00 at latest and spend day at hotel. Relax. swim. look at animals. rest.

3:00- head back to hollywood studios

4:05- early dinner reservation at hollywood and vine as part of fantasmic package

5:30-6:30- muppets

6:35-7:35- star wars ride

7:35-8:30- whatever we want. prob use fast pass on a character meet? Don't think there will be many rides left we didn't get to do that he will want to do (I think tower of terror may scare him)

8:30- 10 fantasmic


Ima already tired- BUT SO EXCITED just thinking about it

MAIN TIPS:

I'm little disappointed both character meals are same characters but I can't find any other way to get this plan to work. I do have a reservation at crystal palace at 1:20 on day 2 but just don't see how that could work - seems too rushed... opinions?

Are there other dining experiences we must have? I desperately wanted to do be our guest and sci fi but both are sold out

IF I can get a reservation and O'hana, do you think I should change my plans on DAY 3 and extend my morning at HS later, and then have dinner at polynesian instead and watch fireworks on beach? What is better.... that or Fantasmic? How is the food in the places I have booked. (I'm 90 days out and its slim pickings already)

How necessary is it to see the parade at magic kingdom? I'm not a big parade person. What could we take advantage of during that time?

What did you all do between fast passes? So if you had one from 2-3, and you got there at 2 and were done with ride by 2:20, what did you do for the spare time from your next fast pass? Can yu squeeze a lot into there?

WHAT ELSE do I need to know?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Just a few questions. What time of year are you going? What day of the week do you get there? Is your four year old a girl or boy? Will you have some type of stroller, or will your child be on foot?

I think it's good you planned for some down time and some early nights for sleep. On Day 2 I might not take that 9-9:30 break, I'd probably eat some breakfast in the room while getting ready and bring along some other things to much on in line, only because that's prime time that you might be able to get a ride in before it gets super crowded.

I'm also not sure I'd want to do O'hana this trip just because it's too much running around. I'd stick with eating in the parks and save some other things like that for your next trip. You are probably going to be exhausted!

 

[Lexje06]

Just a few questions. What time of year are you going? What day of the week do you get there? Is your four year old a girl or boy? Will you have some type of stroller, or will your child be on foot?

I think it's good you planned for some down time and some early nights for sleep. On Day 2 I might not take that 9-9:30 break, I'd probably eat some breakfast in the room while getting ready and bring along some other things to much on in line, only because that's prime time that you might be able to get a ride in before it gets super crowded.

I'm also not sure I'd want to do O'hana this trip just because it's too much running around. I'd stick with eating in the parks and save some other things for your next trip.

Thanks for the advice. The early morning package is just so expensive I want to eat the breakfast with it but I see your point.
I have a son. We are going aug. 24-27. (Saturday-Tuesday) I am bringing stroller.


Also- do you think it may be better to just do HS all at once and then head to hotel around 3/4, skip fantasmic and just do pool relax and Boma on last night?

And then the day BEFORE we leave -MK day- go back for that show at night and eat there instead?

What would u suggest? Fantasmic or the show at magic kingdom

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I would favor pool and Boma over Fantasmic this trip, I think. It is usually very crowded and lengthy. I know when my son was that age, if he stopped, it would be hard to get him to stay awake! Leaving, there are heavy crowds and buses - yuck! A pool and night at the resort, on the other hand, would probably be nice and peaceful. Many things you may just have to play by ear. Sometimes all plans go out the window when someone's not feeling well or over tired, etc. It's a running joke here on the boards that people pay for these trips and go crazy going into the parks when all their kids wanted to do was stay in the pool, lol.

The one thing you should probably research, seeing as you're going in August, is the weather. It often gets extraordinarily hot in August and that can zap your energy and cause things like heat exhaustion/headaches without you're even realizing it. And if I recall, daily there are often thunderstorms, too, that can cause things to shut down and you may even get locked in a gift shop or stuck on a boat that's stopped - we've had those things happen. So just plan a little bit for those and how you'll deal with them.

I'd pick up a fan/water bottle at WalMart before your trip and have that on hand every day, along with hats and all that. I always brought a small lunch bag style cooler to keep waters in and have snacks on hand in case you can't go anywhere for a while. Also some rain ponchos because more often than not, you can just keep going. (They do sell nice ones in the parks but they aren't cheap!)

 

[danielocha30]

I would reconsider watching the Lion King closer to your Tusker House reservations, they are next to each other and AK is huge not worth the backtracking.

 

[Lexje06]

I would reconsider watching the Lion King closer to your Tusker House reservations, they are next to each other and AK is huge not worth the backtracking.

okay thanks!

 

[Lexje06]

I would favor pool and Boma over Fantasmic this trip, I think. It is usually very crowded and lengthy. I know when my son was that age, if he stopped, it would be hard to get him to stay awake! Leaving, there are heavy crowds and buses - yuck! A pool and night at the resort, on the other hand, would probably be nice and peaceful. Many things you may just have to play by ear. Sometimes all plans go out the window when someone's not feeling well or over tired, etc. It's a running joke here on the boards that people pay for these trips and go crazy going into the parks when all their kids wanted to do was stay in the pool, lol.

The one thing you should probably research, seeing as you're going in August, is the weather. It often gets extraordinarily hot in August and that can zap your energy and cause things like heat exhaustion/headaches without you're even realizing it. And if I recall, daily there are often thunderstorms, too, that can cause things to shut down and you may even get locked in a gift shop or stuck on a boat that's stopped - we've had those things happen. So just plan a little bit for those and how you'll deal with them.

I'd pick up a fan/water bottle at WalMart before your trip and have that on hand every day, along with hats and all that. I always brought a small lunch bag style cooler to keep waters in and have snacks on hand in case you can't go anywhere for a while. Also some rain ponchos because more often than not, you can just keep going. (They do sell nice ones in the parks but they aren't cheap!)

Thanks! I def will get the items. And wow you saved me a ton of stress for the last night ! I felt like I HAD to take him to fantasmic. I can def reorganize reschedule and just eat at resort last night. Any suggestions of good places ata AKL beside Boma since we are eating there night before

 

[danielocha30]

Thanks! I def will get the items. And wow you saved me a ton of stress for the last night ! I felt like I HAD to take him to fantasmic. I can def reorganize reschedule and just eat at resort last night. Any suggestions of good places ata AKL beside Boma since we are eating there night before

Sanaa all the way

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thanks! I def will get the items. And wow you saved me a ton of stress for the last night ! I felt like I HAD to take him to fantasmic. I can def reorganize reschedule and just eat at resort last night. Any suggestions of good places ata AKL beside Boma since we are eating there night before

Their counter service is pretty good, too. Just do what the rest of us do and plan another trip for the future! Remember to stop and smell the roses!

 

[Lexje06]

D

Sanaa all the way

do you think we should try to squeeze in character buffet at MK or just pass on that. Also do you have any tips to getting reservation at be our guest or sci diner

 

[SG131]

How tall is your 4-yr old? I’m assuming at least 44” since you are doing flight of passage. If so is there a reason you’re going to do all the rides in toy story like slinky dog, but not big thunder mountain or barnstormer at MK?

Ok so, day 1, you cannot fastpass Na’vi if you fastpass FOP so go with Kali River Rapids, but do the safari after FOP and rapids last. And then do what the other poster suggested and do lion king closer to dinner. That will reduce the backtracking some.
Day 2, take a break to eat between 9:30 and 10 and use that first half hour from 9-9.30 to take advantage of shorter lines. You could do barnstormer or you could do buzz at 9 and then fastpass big thunder as well.

I personally like the show at MK better than fantasmic, it also has more pyrotechnics. So I would do the show at Magic Kingdom that night and skip fantasmic as well. I would recommend seeing from in the park the first time though because of all the projections on the castle which you won’t be able to see at Poly. Then on day 2 you could keep your 1.20 Crystal Palace reservation and get quick service meal or pack for dinner and move your boma dinner to the fantasmic night.

You can usually squeeze another ride in between your 2 fastpasses. Or I will sometimes schedule BTMR for 10-11, check in around 10.50 and then schedule Splash from 11-12 and go right from one to the other.

Day 3, there are no fastpasses for the character meet and greets. You may want to go over to the launch bay and do a couple star wars meet and greets there. The lines are usually manageable. If you think he will sit still for a show, the Indiana jones show at HS may be something he enjoys.

I think your dining choices are fine, though you really don’t need the fantasmic package because that stadium is so big. I wouldn’t worry about missing sci fi, the atmosphere is cool, but the food is just meh. As far as the parade in MK, I personally love the parade and so have the kids, but I’ve only had girls. I’m not sure my cousin’s young boys would be anywhere near as impressed. You could skip the parade and head to rides. There are usually slightly lower wait times. Just take a look at the parade route to make sure you don’t get stuck somewhere when the parade starts and can’t get around to the ride you were planning on doing.

And saying 3 days to do it all, you’re going to drive yourself nuts. There’s no way to come CLOSE to doing it all in 3 days. I wasn’t able to do it all in 9. But you WILL be able to do some amazing things and have a great time with your boy. Don’t stress yourself out about trying to cram everything in. He’s only 4, he will enjoy the stuff he does get to do, but won’t know what else is in the park that he may have missed. And there are so many people that go into their first trip without any research and are completely blindsided by dining reservations and fastpasses, so you’re already ahead of the game for a first time visitor.

 

[Smrtalec33]

I did the early Morning Magic at Hollywood studios and at Magic Kingdom earlier this week. I would suggest not having breakfast right at nine, but closer to 930. It is open until 10. Instead, take advantage of the fact there will be short lines. There will be virtually no line for Buzz lightyear right at 9 o’clock, and then you can use a fast pass for something else. We headed to space Mountain at nine, but it was closed, so we did buzz and then went to breakfast. You should honestly be able to do buzz a couple of times if you go there right at nine, and still have plenty of time for breakfast.

Also, for the Hollywood studios event, while they advertise it as 7 AM and 7:30 AM as far as the tickets, the event is officially from 7:30 to 8:45. Sometimes they allow you in a little bit early (722 for us) but the rope drop crowds will be there well before nine. If you are there early enough, you can eat breakfast before, or like with Magic Kingdom, you can go anytime until 10. We did rocking roller coaster before breakfast. Your son is likely not tall enough for that though.

I would suggest reading through the threads on Hollywood studios early morning magic and magic kingdom early morning magic, because they are full of helpful tips.

Lastly, your number one magic kingdom fast pass priority should be seven dwarfs mine train. He is the perfect age, and it is the hardest fast pass to get/longest line in the park. Personally, I would do that, thunder and splash as my fast passes in your situation. My daughter loved thunder mountain as well as the mine train at age 4. Splash was under refurbishment during that trip, but she loved it at age 5.

 

[danielocha30]

D

do you think we should try to squeeze in character buffet at MK or just pass on that. Also do you have any tips to getting reservation at be our guest or sci diner

Try reservations finder from Touring Plans is the best option, and it has worked in the past for me. About MK I don’t like to spend park time at characters dining, I prefer going to the ones out of the parks.

 

[Lexje06]

I did the early Morning Magic at Hollywood studios and at Magic Kingdom earlier this week. I would suggest not having breakfast right at nine, but closer to 930. It is open until 10. Instead, take advantage of the fact there will be short lines. There will be virtually no line for Buzz lightyear right at 9 o’clock, and then you can use a fast pass for something else. We headed to space Mountain at nine, but it was closed, so we did buzz and then went to breakfast. You should honestly be able to do buzz a couple of times if you go there right at nine, and still have plenty of time for breakfast.

Also, for the Hollywood studios event, while they advertise it as 7 AM and 7:30 AM as far as the tickets, the event is officially from 7:30 to 8:45. Sometimes they allow you in a little bit early (722 for us) but the rope drop crowds will be there well before nine. If you are there early enough, you can eat breakfast before, or like with Magic Kingdom, you can go anytime until 10. We did rocking roller coaster before breakfast. Your son is likely not tall enough for that though.

I would suggest reading through the threads on Hollywood studios early morning magic and magic kingdom early morning magic, because they are full of helpful tips.

Lastly, your number one magic kingdom fast pass priority should be seven dwarfs mine train. He is the perfect age, and it is the hardest fast pass to get/longest line in the park. Personally, I would do that, thunder and splash as my fast passes in your situation. My daughter loved thunder mountain as well as the mine train at age 4. Splash was under refurbishment during that trip, but she loved it at age 5.

But won’t I get the mine traine ride with early morning packages?

 

[Smrtalec33]

But won’t I get the mine traine ride with early morning packages?

Yeah, that’s true. If it were me, I would probably use a fast pass for it anyway since my daughter just wants to do as many roller coasters as possible. But, since you can ride it a couple times with early morning magic if you want, it might make some sense to do haunted mansion instead if that is your priority. Would definitely do thunder mountain instead of buzz though.

 

[Lexje06]

Yeah, that’s true. If it were me, I would probably use a fast pass for it anyway since my daughter just wants to do as many roller coasters as possible. But, since you can ride it a couple times with early morning magic if you want, it might make some sense to do haunted mansion instead if that is your priority. Would definitely do thunder mountain instead of buzz though.

I’m worried thunder will be too scary for him. There’s a real possibility he will hate the mine ride and refuse to do any roller coasters. Of the coasters there and at HS, what is the most and least scary

 

[Smrtalec33]

I’m worried thunder will be too scary for him. There’s a real possibility he will hate the mine ride and refuse to do any roller coasters. Of the coasters there and at HS, what is the most and least scary

Most scary is Rock n Roller Coaster, followed probably by Space Mountain.

Least scary is Barnstormer.

Thunder Mtn, Mine Train and Slinky are all roughly the same scariness. I would say Mine Train is the least scary of those, but those 3 are all close.

Really depends on the kid. At four, my daughter loved thunder and the mine train, which were the only ones she did other than barnstormer.

There’s also splash mountain, if that counts as a roller coaster. There’s a big drop at the end there, which is probably scary for a 4-year-old.

If you are sure that he will not like thunder mountain, then obviously don’t bother, but if you’re not sure, I would definitely get a fast pass. You can always change it to something else if you don’t want it, but it will be tough to get if you don’t have it and decide you do want it.

 

[SG131]

I’m worried thunder will be too scary for him. There’s a real possibility he will hate the mine ride and refuse to do any roller coasters. Of the coasters there and at HS, what is the most and least scary

I totally agree with what the previous poster said about most and least scary roller coasters. All of Disney’s rides are fairly tame in the grand scheme of things. I had an adventurous 4 yr old and the only issue was TOT and a little bit of fear in haunted mansion pre-show but was still willing to ride haunted again.

If I were you I would get FP for BTMR and if after one ride on 7 dwarfs that’s it for him, then switch your days fp. You may not get the ideal time, but you will be able to switch from BTMR to Haunted or Buzz. You may not be able to switch from Haunted or Buzz to BTMR.

 

[StarSeven7]

I would do some research on rides and their intensity. I find FOP much more intense than BTM or 7DMT for kids so if you’re worried that your kid might not like those coasters, I think he would find FOP tough (especially since you have it planned as your first ride!) Haunted Mansion also might not be a great choice depending on how likely your kid is to be spooked. My DD9 will go on any roller coaster in the park and love it but she still struggles with finding Haunted Mansion too creepy. She goes on it now but she’s a bit scared each time. I would try start with more tame rides and work up to bigger/more intense ones. And check height requirements.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I would do some research on rides and their intensity. I find FOP much more intense than BTM or 7DMT for kids so if you’re worried that your kid might not like those coasters, I think he would find FOP tough (especially since you have it planned as your first ride!) Haunted Mansion also might not be a great choice depending on how likely your kid is to be spooked. My DD9 will go on any roller coaster in the park and love it but she still struggles with finding Haunted Mansion too creepy. She goes on it now but she’s a bit scared each time. I would try start with more tame rides and work up to bigger/more intense ones. And check height requirements.

Very true w a four year old. A pp mentioned Indiana Jones. My kids were around four on their first trip and I remember my DS screaming in horror at that show because during the big rolling ball scene, it seemed real to him and he thought the actor got hurt! He didn't enjoy it again until much, much later. OTOH he really loved seeing Beauty and the Beast on the same trip, saying it was his favorite thing that day. So I think you do have to play it by ear and maybe save some of the more scary things for later on with some kids.