First timer here! MK Help Please!

[Sim4242]

Hello! My family and I are heading to Disney in early May of this year - we have 2 days dedicated to MK. This is the only park that I am having such a hard time planning for. Of course I know that things most likely won't go as planned, I still like to have a general idea of what to do, especially since this is our first trip and it's all so overwhelming. I have ready numerous touring plans but am still a little lost so I'm hoping you great people can help me!

My kids are small, they will be almost 5, almost 3 and 9 months at the time of our trip so we are definitely more focused on rides for the almost 5 and 3 yr old.

Can anyone help me figure out where to start each day? Should I split the days into Fantasyland and Tomorrowland and then Frontierland and Adventureland? I am thinking that I do not need a full day for Fronteirland and Adventureland, so then I am getting confused on what the best way to manuver through the park is on the day we hit those spots. Or should we just go directly to Fantaslyand each day and then move around from there?

I just don't want to be zig zagging around. I have yet to make my FP+ selections but we are staying at AK so I can do so 60 days out and my thoughts for these are: day 1 = A & E meet (if I'm lucky) Seven Drawfs Mine, Enchanted tales with Bell. Day 2 = Buzz lightyear, peter pan, big thunder mountain. Of course the bigger rides will only be for my 5yr old and myself or husband

I have given us the entire day and night for both days but it would be nice to get a break, but we are also so far from the park that I don't know if it's worth it to go back to AKL and then back to MK. We are planning to arrive by rope drop each day. We will not have a car either.

We have several other days where we have allowed big breaks in our day, but I know MK will be the most fun so I want to maximize our time.

I'm sorry for all of the rambling but I am lost on how to plan our days here and I don't want to show up unprepared!

I should add that meeting some characters are important but we do have reservations at Akershush and Chef Mickeys so I'm not sure if we should spend alot of time meeting characters we have already met (plus I plan to meet some at other parks) We also want to see the parades and fireworks!

In other words, PLEASE HELP!!!

Thank you!!!!!

 

[roadtripper]

I think your plan looks pretty good. Taking a break by going back to AKL might be worth the travel time, however, especially if you want to see Wishes at night. MK is the most over stimulating park IMHO, and little ones can get really overwhelmed.

In terms of characters, I would play it by ear, but when my kids were little, I used to have them wave and say--See you at breakfast, Mickey! if the lines were long. I think you will probably want to be in Fantasyland both days for at least part of the day, so maybe make your FP+ for after 10 ish on the second day and go to Adventureland at rope drop. Do Jungle Cruise, Flying carpets, Pirates, Thunder Mt FP, Haunted Mansion (maybe?), Peter Pan FP, Small World, Pooh, Buzz Lightyear FP. Have fun planning!

 

[JennyDrake]

Rather than a structured plan, I would encourage you to be there AT ROPE DROP as you are going during a very busy time of year. Hit the rides hard, don't go in any shops, etc. If you go early your little ones can ride their favorites more than once.

I agree to skip characters. Lines are long.

I would HIGHLY encourage a midday break. Your kids will be tired and very overstimulated.

 

[kaybird]

We never went back to the room when the boys were that age, instead they napped in Hall of Presidents, and Carosel of Progress. Be there at rope drop, you will get more done in the first two hours than almost the rest of the day. Opt for early rides on things that have long queues, such as peter pan. Fast loaders such as Small world can be ridden at other times during the day. Ride wait times fluctuate greatly during the day, a long wait time may be shorter later. Use FP+, and know that your kids are going to have a great time just being with you!!!

 

[IBLarsen]

For kids that age I would start in Fantasyland both days. At Rope Drop. One day do all of Fantasyland making your way towards tomorrowland (And use this day to stop and see any characters that may be a must do (but not the first couple hours). Although I understand the impulse to skip characters, that was often the highlight for my kids at those ages. (Just pick and choose, don't do them all).
The 2nd day start in Fantasyland and make your way towards Adventureland/Frontierland, using a couple FP's for this side mid day. You may want to watch youtube videos of the rides to see which you think your kids may enjoy, it's also nice for them to see and be familiar with what to expect. By the 2nd day I think you will find that your kids may need a break. If you aren't wanting to go back to the resort, maybe just make sure the have a long sit down lunch, sit for the Parade this day perhaps.

 

[mco65]

Rope Drop is a must IMO. Hit the big rides first! You can get a lot done before the crowd starts to grow by 10 or 11. As a general rule, we always there at Rope Drop and head straight Tomorrowland for Space Mtn, then Buzz and the Speedway, Monsters Inc and Aero. This is where I argue for CoP and or the People Mover but am often vetoed. Before the kids were big enough to ride Space Mtn, Buzz was our first stop and its great for youngsters. You can probably hit Buzz 2 times if you get their early enough. Afterwards we start working our way around to Dumbo, Pooh, Peter Pan, etc. I would use a FP for the 7 Mine Train. Lunch at Pinocchio's. then afterwards hit IASW, HM and head towards Frontier Land for Splash Mtn and BTM. Pirates always seems to be one of our last rides that or Tiki Room and the Tiki Room is typically just at time killer.. that or Country Bears, I don't like it much but its better than the TIKI Room, IMO. I would prefer the Hall of Presidents but again, I am vetoed! We typically always schedule 2 days for MK just because there is so much to do and its hard to do it all in 1 day and its typically that 2nd day where i get to see the CoP and the HoP.

We don't use EMH unless we park hop, because those EMH days are always the busiest. But you can use early EMH to get stuff done and then park hop to AK or EPCOT. We used to park hop when the kids were less interested in Epcot and AK but now those parks are full days as well so we don't park hop.

 

[dkrauss]

I think Fantasyland is a must but other than the Speedway (which is considered Tomorrowland for whatever reason?? ) I don't know that Tomorrowland will work for children your age...........maybe the Buzz ride and the Laugh house but that's about it. You can fit that stuff in the course of 2 days pretty easily........perhaps on the way out one day ( You might want to consider FP+ for Buzz ). I think there's a ton of opportunity in Adventureland and Frontierland...........you've got the Tiki show, which is great for kids..............The TreeHouse............the Aladdin ride..........Pirates (maybe).....the Jungle Cruise (definitely)......... In Frontier land you've got a Chip&Dale M&G that we never miss...........and the Country Bears show. Splash Mtn may work for your 5yr old.

So on one day (and I agree doing Rope Drop at least once......the Welcome show is fun!) You can work Fantasyland for a good part of the day.......most of the rides in that land are geared toward children like yours! On the other day move left and start in Adventureland and then move to Frontierland..........the second part of that day can then be open for Tomorrowland or a return to favorites in Fantasyland. Your plan of doing MK is great so you can split things up and make it less chaotic for the kids

Have a great time with your kids!

Doug