First timer need help figuring out schedule

[Hillyz]

So the cards fell right and I was able to afford to take my son on a first trip to Disney for his birthday in August. He will be turning 5 on the trip. We are going for 9 full days. Landing at MCO at 8:30 amand departing 9:30 pm. August 24-September 1.

Here is my thoughts so far. Need help. Not sure if too much. And stumped on some days.

Side note I have note been since 89' and I don't really remember much. So more or less this is a first time for both of us. It will be just the two of us.

We are staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge

D1- Epcot dinner garden grill
D2- Mk breakfast chef Mickey dinner BoG
D3- HS Disney Jr breakfast
D4-AK Tucker's breakfaat mickeys backyard bbq dinner
D5- MK Crystal palace breakfast. Wishes dessert party at night
D6- no park. He is going on the pirate voyage in morning. And relaxing. And then Disney springs for dinner shopping
D7- universal then fireworks cruise at night
D8- not sure
D9- not sure


The weekends I am getting into parks for free from cast members. Other than that I am flexible. I am not sure what to book the last two days. And if I should change or cancel things.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I think it really depends on your son, but at age 5, my son couldn't have done the early morning/late night events that you have planned. Even now, at age 8, we schedule one event (character meal, fireworks cruise, etc.) per day and did some park touring and relaxing at the resort each day. For example, there is no way he could have done Universal all day and then a fireworks cruise at night. That's a really long day. I think the CP breakfast and Wishes dessert party is a lot as well and I wouldn't do both a fireworks cruise and a Wishes dessert party. A lot of the character meals are redundant as well. You will see Mickey Mouse at 4 character meals according to this plan. I, personally, would eliminate at least two of these (personally I would eliminate Mickey's backyard BBQ - buffets when you are alone with little ones are a bit difficult). Another thing to consider is the kids club at AKL. My DS absolutely loves the kids clubs as it gives him a chance to decompress from the parks and meet some new friends.

 

[cassie58]

Sounds like a great trip - DD was 5 on our 1st trip, and it's a good age. If you haven't already, make you you let the restaurants know that it is his Bday, and some of them will do special things, like bring a cupcake or card signed by characters. Some will not do anything, but it doesn't hurt to include it. Also when you check in to your resort, let them know(they often ask if you are celebrating anything) and they will give you a birthday button he can wear all week, and many cast members will wish him Happy Bday by name, and kids usually get a kick out of the extra attention!

Animal Kingdom Lodge is awesome, and they have so much to do for kids, you might want to plan a day to stay there and do activities. They have a necklace/bracelet you can make with little plastic charms you get for completing each one, which you can do throughout the week as well. You can help make an animal feeder that they will use for the animals there, learn about animal tracking, do African drumming, etc. You can check the guide for the days and times. And of course the animal viewing is amazing. I don't know what kind of view you will have from your room, but there are a few viewing areas around the lodge where you can see them up close - we almost didn't want to leave to go to the parks(we are big animal people)! They even have night vision goggles to use in the evening. Boma is a buffet restaurant there where you could eat. The brft. is supposed to be very good, and we had dinner once, which has a lot of African themed food, which you might like depending on your tastes.

AK is supposed to start night activities in April, so you might want to hop over and do that one night. You could change the night of Mickey's BYBBQ, and either stay at AK for the evening, or take a break at the Lodge, and then return for the Rivers of Light show and do night Safari. They also have a Wilderness Explorers program for kids, where you pick up a booklet and stop at stations around the park to learn cool facts, and get stickers(badges) at each one. MK also has a Sorcerers of the MK game that you pick up cards to play at the fire station on Main St. Epcot has Kidcot stations where kids make crafts and get stamps in each country, and an Agent P. Game where they get to play spies with a special device that takes them on an adventure through one of the countries and can make cool things happen, like smoke come out of chimney when they follow the clues. These all take some time to do, but you could try it and do as little or much as you want. You might also want to leave one day free to go back to Epcot,HS, or AK if there is things you want to do again or didn't get to the first day.

All the meals you chose are great, but might make for some long days, especially with the heat and lots of walking you'll be doing. Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey's, and Tusker House are some of our faves. You might want to make one a day and spread them out. I would definitely consider breaks midday if you are going to come back at nt. In August if you are early risers, I would consider taking advantage of morning EMH hr., or going at Rope Drop to get in more activities before the hottest part of the day and crowds. You can get a lot done in the first few hrs. ( before and after brft. depending on your times) and then go back and take a break/swim/nap, and then go back for evening.

As you continue planning, ask more questions, and we can give you info. on great rides and shows to do in the parks for his age!

cassie58

 

[MeganMango]

Tusker House is a keeper. Delicious food and great characters. I especially like it because that'll "take up" some time at AK as there isn't as much to do compared to other parks.

Chef Mickey's- never been, but only because the reviews are scary.

Crystal Palace is also very good. Winnie the Pooh and friends are hard to find throughout the parks (at least to my knowledge) so that's a keeper! Restaurant is also very beautiful and food is great.

As another reply said, early morning and late night activities might be a bit much on same day? Unless you plan for down time during the day. I went on a solo trip a few weeks ago and did early morning and late night and was beyond exhausted even though I'm a young/healthy 22 year old.

If your son likes pirates, the Pirates of the Carribean ride in MK would be so fun for him!

 

[Hillyz]

Sounds like a great trip - DD was 5 on our 1st trip, and it's a good age. If you haven't already, make you you let the restaurants know that it is his Bday, and some of them will do special things, like bring a cupcake or card signed by characters. Some will not do anything, but it doesn't hurt to include it. Also when you check in to your resort, let them know(they often ask if you are celebrating anything) and they will give you a birthday button he can wear all week, and many cast members will wish him Happy Bday by name, and kids usually get a kick out of the extra attention!

Animal Kingdom Lodge is awesome, and they have so much to do for kids, you might want to plan a day to stay there and do activities. They have a necklace/bracelet you can make with little plastic charms you get for completing each one, which you can do throughout the week as well. You can help make an animal feeder that they will use for the animals there, learn about animal tracking, do African drumming, etc. You can check the guide for the days and times. And of course the animal viewing is amazing. I don't know what kind of view you will have from your room, but there are a few viewing areas around the lodge where you can see them up close - we almost didn't want to leave to go to the parks(we are big animal people)! They even have night vision goggles to use in the evening. Boma is a buffet restaurant there where you could eat. The brft. is supposed to be very good, and we had dinner once, which has a lot of African themed food, which you might like depending on your tastes.

AK is supposed to start night activities in April, so you might want to hop over and do that one night. You could change the night of Mickey's BYBBQ, and either stay at AK for the evening, or take a break at the Lodge, and then return for the Rivers of Light show and do night Safari. They also have a Wilderness Explorers program for kids, where you pick up a booklet and stop at stations around the park to learn cool facts, and get stickers(badges) at each one. MK also has a Sorcerers of the MK game that you pick up cards to play at the fire station on Main St. Epcot has Kidcot stations where kids make crafts and get stamps in each country, and an Agent P. Game where they get to play spies with a special device that takes them on an adventure through one of the countries and can make cool things happen, like smoke come out of chimney when they follow the clues. These all take some time to do, but you could try it and do as little or much as you want. You might also want to leave one day free to go back to Epcot,HS, or AK if there is things you want to do again or didn't get to the first day.

All the meals you chose are great, but might make for some long days, especially with the heat and lots of walking you'll be doing. Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey's, and Tusker House are some of our faves. You might want to make one a day and spread them out. I would definitely consider breaks midday if you are going to come back at nt. In August if you are early risers, I would consider taking advantage of morning EMH hr., or going at Rope Drop to get in more activities before the hottest part of the day and crowds. You can get a lot done in the first few hrs. ( before and after brft. depending on your times) and then go back and take a break/swim/nap, and then go back for evening.

As you continue planning, ask more questions, and we can give you info. on great rides and shows to do in the parks for his age!

cassie58

Thanks for the info!! Yeah my plan is to do early mornings. Back to hotel around lunch and return 4/5 dinner and night stuff. I been toying with canceling the BbQ. It sounded fun but not sure

 

[Hillyz]

Tusker House is a keeper. Delicious food and great characters. I especially like it because that'll "take up" some time at AK as there isn't as much to do compared to other parks.

Chef Mickey's- never been, but only because the reviews are scary.

Crystal Palace is also very good. Winnie the Pooh and friends are hard to find throughout the parks (at least to my knowledge) so that's a keeper! Restaurant is also very beautiful and food is great.

As another reply said, early morning and late night activities might be a bit much on same day? Unless you plan for down time during the day. I went on a solo trip a few weeks ago and did early morning and late night and was beyond exhausted even though I'm a young/healthy 22 year old.

If your son likes pirates, the Pirates of the Carribean ride in MK would be so fun for him!

Yeah I am
Planning on doing afternoons off. Essentially early mornings. Then leave lunch. Then return night.

 

[Hillyz]

I think it really depends on your son, but at age 5, my son couldn't have done the early morning/late night events that you have planned. Even now, at age 8, we schedule one event (character meal, fireworks cruise, etc.) per day and did some park touring and relaxing at the resort each day. For example, there is no way he could have done Universal all day and then a fireworks cruise at night. That's a really long day. I think the CP breakfast and Wishes dessert party is a lot as well and I wouldn't do both a fireworks cruise and a Wishes dessert party. A lot of the character meals are redundant as well. You will see Mickey Mouse at 4 character meals according to this plan. I, personally, would eliminate at least two of these (personally I would eliminate Mickey's backyard BBQ - buffets when you are alone with little ones are a bit difficult). Another thing to consider is the kids club at AKL. My DS absolutely loves the kids clubs as it gives him a chance to decompress from the parks and meet some new friends.

My universal day is flexible. I think he would like the cruise a lot. That's the only night I could get it. So that can't be rescheduled. But the others can be.

Any suggestions on the two other days. Last day and second to last day?

 

[Paigevon]

With afternoon rests I think you'll both have fun! You may have less ride time with so many meals, but you have 9 days so you have room to spread out the attractions and no try to see everything in a day or two! You two may like the pirates themed Pirates and Pals wishes dessert cruise as an alternative, it has three characters usually--I can let you know or leave it as a surprise. Oh! They do have a pirates league makeover thing at MK and he (or both of you!) can be dressed as pirate for a day, if that is something he is into!

Your plans sound absolutely magical!

 

[Paigevon]

The second to last day may be a good alternative for the backyard BBQ and would be a fun day to let him pick whichever park he wants to go to and let him take the reigns!

There is also a free Chip 'n' Dale campfire singalong with s'mores at 7:30 pm at Ft Wilderness where the bbq is held, depending on the timing of your ADR you may be able to check it out! There are pony rides, wagon rides, and private carriage rides available here also.

Let's see... hot air balloon ride in Disney Springs often has a groupon available. You can get discounted giftcards to the Disney Springs Cirque de Solei show on raise.com (if you don't mind me inviting you via email we both get a "$5" off bonus lol)

There is a T-Rex cafe at DS with a Build a Dino shop inside.

 

[Hillyz]

With afternoon rests I think you'll both have fun! You may have less ride time with so many meals, but you have 9 days so you have room to spread out the attractions and no try to see everything in a day or two! You two may like the pirates themed Pirates and Pals wishes dessert cruise as an alternative, it has three characters usually--I can let you know or leave it as a surprise. Oh! They do have a pirates league makeover thing at MK and he (or both of you!) can be dressed as pirate for a day, if that is something he is into!

Your plans sound absolutely magical!

I booked the cruise. We are definitely doing that. He loves characters. He loves rides. So my thought was let him meet as many characters as I could during meals so he can do rides otherwise. I was thinking about the makeover but was not sure how well that will bode over with him.

Any suggestions on last two days. I was thinking Mk last day. And was torn between. hS or AK day before. I am not hopping.

 

[Paigevon]

Most of the FP+ for HS or AK should be available a few days before, except Toy Story Mania HS and possibly Night time Safari at AK. I'd pick either for now, but really decide after he visits both and see which one he seemed to enjoy the most and would prefer to go back to?

 

[cassie58]

I agree with Paigeevon above, I would plan for HS for the 2nd to last day and go ahead and FP Toy Story,(make sure as it will be hardest to get later, and plan MK for last day. Make sure you FP Toy Story for both HS days , as it is so much fun, but has long lines all day. Then you can change while you are there, and decide on different parks for those days depending on what you find he likes to do most. If you book another day at HS, I would try out Sci-Fi for a meal. You get to sit in a car like at a drive-in, with old Sci-fi movies playing while you eat. Or you could decide to spend a day at the resort as I mentioned when you see all the neat things they have to do. You can cancel dining reservations up until the night before ( except a few that are 48 hrs. - not sure about the BBQ) and can change your FP anytime, so you will have flexibility during your stay.

cassie58

 

[pa. dad]

My universal day is flexible. I think he would like the cruise a lot. That's the only night I could get it. So that can't be rescheduled. But the others can be.

Any suggestions on the two other days. Last day and second to last day?

I think there is more at universals 2 parks than you can do in one day so a 2nd day there could be fun.
Also depending on how good a swimmer your child is, a water park might also be fun.
Thats 2 days that you could fill up that would not be repeats of earlier days.

Other than that, i'm not a big fan of garden grill with coral reef and the big tanks nearby and with the many World showcase restaurants in the parks.

The parks do require a lot of walking so I'd say be sure to have good walkingshoes for both of you and to plan which areas of the parks you feel are musts and which you think may be optional if time and energy levels permit.

 

[Hillyz]

I think there is more at universals 2 parks than you can do in one day so a 2nd day there could be fun.
Also depending on how good a swimmer your child is, a water park might also be fun.
Thats 2 days that you could fill up that would not be repeats of earlier days.

Other than that, i'm not a big fan of garden grill with coral reef and the big tanks nearby and with the many World showcase restaurants in the parks.

The parks do require a lot of walking so I'd say be sure to have good walkingshoes for both of you and to plan which areas of the parks you feel are musts and which you think may be optional if time and energy levels permit.

Thanks. I toyed with universal two days. But cost of two days at universal made it one day.

 

[OhMari]

Rent some Sea Raycers either at The Contemporary, or PORS.
Maybe do a pool day, minerature golfing at Summer/WinterLand.
It is August and it will be very hot and humid.

 

[SunnyKYLake]

You are going to have such a special time with your DS. Yes, you do have some long days planned, but you are already planning rests, so that's good. You are already ahead of the game by seeking out info rather than going in blind. I can relate to your situation because as of a year ago, my family hadn't been to WDW since 91 or 92! So my 3 biggest pieces of advice for your 1st time back is 1. Read, watch and learn everything you can get your hands on.
2. Go ahead and do detailed plans for how you'd like each day to go, but be extremely flexible with those plans once your there on the ground.
3. Plan to soak in the magic - there is a great temptation to maximize the "value" of your vacation by shoving it full of rides and activities from sun up to sun down. But leave some breathing room so you have time to enjoy where you are with your son.

If your Universal day is flexible, I personally would shift it to day 8. Reason being, you want to maximize your time there since you only have one day but everything ends up taking longer than you think it will: drive time to and from Universal, then getting to the boat launch.

Instead, I'd use that day like the others suggested and go back to whichever park your DS has the most rides he wants to do again (or didn't get to do).
Or make another pool day, I know some little kids love splashing around as much as rides. Or do both - a short morning in the park, lunch either there or at the resort, couple hours in the pool, long nap and dinner then cruise time!

As for the last day - I can't not go to the MK on my last day. It just helps send me on my way filled with magic memories. We try to take it very slow and really savor each experience.

Some things you might want to be aware of as you plan out your MK days: Since he loves characters, be sure to see the Festival of Fantasy Parade at 3:00. And do the Move It Shake It Party. I think he would adore both of them. Also the castle stage show - I'm not sure but that may be changed by then from what it is now - but it has Mickey and the gang and several more. And since he loves pirates, check the daily times a guide to see if the Pirates Tutorial is scheduled. I have so many more fond memories of these types of experiences with my niece and nephew than the rides (which they loved, don't get me wrong!) it's just some people might not consider the dance parties and such as worth spending much time on. But it all depends on what appeals to you and your family.

 

[letsgoreds]

I agree with taking a look at shortening your days. Also consider that unless you have a pool at your house, your 5yo will most likely want pool time every day...if they had their way. Ours always did, lol. We always head back to our resort in the middle of the day, but rarely does resting occur, lol. Know that it is a possibility.

If you are scheduling an evening event, then leave the following morning open, for a possible later start.

One free (and fun) often overlooked activity is Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom. Sign up in the fire house (by the main entrance), and every member that signs up gets a card (link to the same key card). The 5 card packs are great to open in line. Bring a book to hold them, or at a minimum a ziploc sandwich bag. There are FB groups of regular passholders who love to help out kids working on their collection.

Also, bring a stroller. Even if your little one hasn't used one since he was 3, bring it. The comfier the better.

 

[Ensusieasm]

Rent some Sea Raycers either at The Contemporary, or PORS.
Maybe do a pool day, minerature golfing at Summer/WinterLand.
It is August and it will be very hot and humid.

POR doesn't rent watercraft anymore.