First time to Disney w/ Child...need help planning

[doday]

This is my first time here so sorry if it gets to long. I booked a vacation to Disney the week of Oct 9-16. I'm getting nervous that it may be crowded due to Columbus Day. I am staying at the Radisson Parkway Main Gate (1 1/2 miles away) Does anyone know how this hotel is and is the transportation (shuttle service ok) I am wondering If I should rent a car. My son is 5. Also I am trying to plan my days out so we can see as much as possible. Here is what I have so far:

Saturday arrive at the hotel around 11:00 go to BB ot TL
Sunday: Seaworld
Monday (Columbus Day) Epcot and Hoop Dee Doo Revue at 5:00
Tuesday MK
Wednesday BB or just go to Downtown Disney
Thursday AK and dinner at Rainforest Cafe
Friday MGM
Sat hang at the pool and leave around noon

I would welcome any suggestion and info.

Thanks!

 

[Rodrigo]

Will this be your first visit to WDW?

Are you planning to buy 4 day Park Hopper tickets? You will need more than 1 day at the MK with a 5 year old.

Staying off site I strongly suggest renting a car. The offsite hotel shuttles are not usually very good and sometimes they make stops in different hotels.

And use a stroller!

 

[doday]

I went to WDW on my honeymoon 7 years ago. That was my first time. I bought a 5 day hopper plus ticket. Thanks for the suggestions! I'll definately have a stroller!

 

[mmeb144]

Get Birnbaum's Official Guide to WDW and read it with your son. It will give you an idea of what attractions will appeal to him. You will want to spend at least 2 days at the MK. (It's the best park for little ones, and big ones!) Maybe do 2 mornings at MK, then park hop to another park. I like your break in the middle of the week. Consider spending that day at the pool at the hotel, maybe shopping around the area.

Marie

 

[princess lovers mom]

We usually go to MK with our little ones 8/4 on the first day...it is hard to tell them that you are going to Disney and not go right to the MK...we too usually arrive around lunch, it will be busier, but you could hit some of the highlight rides find your way around, catch some parades and even the fireworks...you cannot see WISHES too many times...and I agree you should have 2 days for MK

one day at the water park would be plenty for us...you could do something else on that night...fireworks or a parade...

also he might really enjoy Illuminations and you do not have that down...AK closes early...you could head over to EPCOT after dinner to see the fireworks that night...

we went last year at the same time as you, MK was PACKED on Columbus day and the SAT/SUN before...be prepared for some people Fast Pass worked soooo well...also you might want to think about the Halloween party that they usually have aroung this time...very much worth it...different days, the dates will come out usually end of summer

 

[dizagain]

Here's what I learned staying off-site with 7/9 DD's last year for first visit...

Get Birnbaum's WDW for Kids by Kids - he'll love it and still be looking at it "remembering when" a year from your trip!

GET THE STROLLER! We didn't, but I know we would have if younger one had been even 6.

GET A CAR!! We actually had our own, but we were happy, happy, happy we did!

We went to MK first day - as previous poster said, I couldn't imagine NOT. I've heard people say it ruins the rest of the parks for the kids, but it didn't do that AT ALL for us. We did a full day at MK and later returned for over 1/2 a day...enough, but of course we wanted more!

My girls LOVED the water park and if your son likes the water he will too. We did TL - they both loved shark reef.

Make sure you're not going to the parks on Early Morning days for on-site guests!

It will be magical no matter what, but I can say all my planning really paid off. I loved knowing what to do when, etc. and my family was proud of me!