First timer- surprising 8-year old

[EZBZOZ]

Wow, so much information. I never knew about this whole Disney community

My wife and I are surprising our son (turns 8 Sunday) with a trip to WDW. We're telling him Sunday (not sure exactly how yet) and our trip is 2/5-9. We got great airfare to TPA so renting a car and heading to WDW the evening of 2/5 (Thurs). We will only be able to spend Fri and Sat in the parks as we're spending Sunday in the Tampa area. We are staying just outside of the park for 3 nights and then leaving back to Tampa Sunday morning.

I know 2 days isn't enough but want to make it worth the visit but also don't want to run ourselves ragged with running from attraction to attraction. For sure we'll go to MK and we're also thinking AK but open to other suggestions. I'm not thinking about the hopper just because I don't want to do too much and make it crazy busy.

Any advice on how to make it memorable without always on the nonstop go go go? Anything that's a must? I'm not a true first timer as I went when I was a kid but that was 30 years ago. I honestly don't know when we'll be back so want to do the must do things but also enjoy just enjoy the environment.

Thanks.
EZ

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

What an awesome surprise!

I think your plan of MK and AK are perfect for your whirlwind trip. You'll be able to see and do everything you want to do in AK in one day. MK is a different story, but as long as you plan out what you definitely want to see before hand you should be able to get lots done.

Not to miss attractions for an 8 y.o.:

AK
Kiliminjaro Safaris (try to do this first thing)
It's Tough to be a Bug
Lion King show (honestly I can't think of it's real name. I've always called i this!)
Dinosaur (most 8y.o. can handle this one)

And if he likes roller coasters there's Expedition Everest. As far as big coasters go it's fairly tame. I don't like coasters but I'll ride this one.

Just meander the trails and enjoy the animals. Ask the CM in the fruit bat area to exlain to you where and how the fruit bats sleep at night. It's too cute! In fact engage the CMs all throughout the trails. They know a lot of interesting facts.

MK

Pirates
Splash Mountain
Laugh Floor
Space Ranger Spin
All of Fantasyland
Jungle Cruise
Haunted Mansion

And Space and Thunder Mountain if he's up to it.

My experience is that you will have very low waits if you head straight back to Fantasyland and ride as much as you can there first. Don't let small waits of 15 to 20 minutes deter you. Most everyone heads for the mountains first thing. Make your FPs for later in the day when the crowds pick up. I think though that the most solid advice I can give you is to ride what you want in one area before moving to the next. So many people waste a lot time and energy backtracking through the parks.

Please let us know how your son reacts to his surprise!

ETA: how could I forget my nephew's favorite ride at AK Kali River Rapids! Gauranteed to be a hit. Just remember to bring dollar store rain ponchos so you don't get soaked.

 

[disndatworld]

You will have a blast. If you are staying offsite I would recommend taking the ferry from the TTC (Ticket & Transportation Center) to MK (Magic Kingdom) after parking. When you park your car at MK you must either take the ferry or the monorail.

Most people probably wish they could avoid this part, but it is truly a magic time with children. It is such a grand scene with with the lake, the beautiful hotels, the boats, and Magic Kingdom & Cinderella's castle. It is a sight to behold the first time... and spending it with your 8 yr old will be a lot of fun. At the end of the day, take the monorail back to the car.

I think you have picked the best 2 parks for a first-time trip w/ an 8 yr boy. He will love it.

Thinking of things for a young boy: they sell giant turkey legs in tomorrow land, at MK. That would be cool. There's a shooting arcade (western-theme) in frontier-land at MK.

As I said... Enjoy!

 

[Anitsirk24]

I am doing something similar by surprising my 7-year-old in May. I am just as excited as I know she will be.

 

[jmassey1samchi]

for animal kingdom, remember, it tends to close around 5:00pm. it also gets very quiet towards the end of the day.
for magic kingdom, the park will get quite busy during the mid day. if you want to leave and come back that is ok. just plan on staying until as late as you can. you can do a lot in less time after dark.
have fun. the best thing about going to Disney for me is going with someone who hasn't been there before!
if you can, try to reserve fast passes now

 

[EZBZOZ]

This is great. Thank you. It's good to know we are on the right track with MK and AK.

I know we can be jam packed busy if we wanted but also don't want to be overwhelmed and worn out

We are very excited to give him the present Sunday. We are buying him a carry-on suitcase because all 8-year olds need their own luggage. Inside it will be Mickey ears and some pics of MK I'll for sure post after to share the excitement.

Anything else I should know?

 

[DCbride]

This sounds like so much fun! Planning a Disney trip is overwhelming because people try to do too much. I like that you want to enjoy and not run around! We go a few times a year so we are lucky in that sense..but I always tell friends who go- enjoy what you are doing at Disney and not rush to the next thing on your list.

Since you are telling him ahead, why don't you get a Disney World for kids book? That way he can see what to expect and he can pick the rides that interest him the most. And simply go with that. If you haven't been in 5 years, let alone a few decades the World has changed- a lot! So having a plan for all of you will definitely help. At Magic Kingdom try to do all the rides in one land before moving along, this will make it feel less like you are running. If the line is less than 15 or so and he wants to ride again go for it.

If you are going to AK, and he hasn't seen Up yet, watch it. Kids have a chance to earn stickers like real scouts. It is a great way to learn about the different areas of the park.

And dinosaur is pretty intense. DD7 has yet to ride it(she backed out right before getting in the jeep), she has ridden Everest, but she has no interest in riding Space Mountain. So, if he doesn't want to ride something- skip it. There is so much to do without trying to talk kids into doing something they are scared/unsure of.

Hope the surprise goes well!

 

[EZBZOZ]

This sounds like so much fun! Planning a Disney trip is overwhelming because people try to do too much. I like that you want to enjoy and not run around! We go a few times a year so we are lucky in that sense..but I always tell friends who go- enjoy what you are doing at Disney and not rush to the next thing on your list.

Since you are telling him ahead, why don't you get a Disney World for kids book? That way he can see what to expect and he can pick the rides that interest him the most. And simply go with that. If you haven't been in 5 years, let alone a few decades the World has changed- a lot! So having a plan for all of you will definitely help. At Magic Kingdom try to do all the rides in one land before moving along, this will make it feel less like you are running. If the line is less than 15 or so and he wants to ride again go for it.

If you are going to AK, and he hasn't seen Up yet, watch it. Kids have a chance to earn stickers like real scouts. It is a great way to learn about the different areas of the park.

And dinosaur is pretty intense. DD7 has yet to ride it(she backed out right before getting in the jeep), she has ridden Everest, but she has no interest in riding Space Mountain. So, if he doesn't want to ride something- skip it. There is so much to do without trying to talk kids into doing something they are scared/unsure of.

Hope the surprise goes well!

Thanks. I really appreciate it. This is some great information. Everything is a bit overwhelming. I still have to figure out how the FPs work. We haven't purchased any tix yet. We're thinking MK on Friday, 2/6 and then AK Saturday.

Good idea with the book. We homeschool so we're building the planning and maps into his learning.

 

[dmband]

Thanks. I really appreciate it. This is some great information. Everything is a bit overwhelming. I still have to figure out how the FPs work. We haven't purchased any tix yet. We're thinking MK on Friday, 2/6 and then AK Saturday.

Good idea with the book. We homeschool so we're building the planning and maps into his learning.

Get on the tix ASAP if you want decent fp+

 

[dachsie]

Dont forget to see Nemo and FLights of Wonder at AK too.

There is a pirate adventure thing at MK he might enjoy as well - like a scavenger hunt of sorts. SOmeone else may can tell you more about it I would also be sure to ride Buzz Lightyear

 

[dfb]

At AK look for Guitar Dan. He hangs out near the show exit for the Festival of the Lion King show. Basically you can tell him some things about your family or your son and he'll sing a song(plays guitar) about you. Get the video camera ready as he's quite good and the song will be a keepsake.

 

[EZBZOZ]

Get on the tix ASAP if you want decent fp+

I know. I just can't believe our society is at a place where we have reservations for rides

I go with the flow a lot and make the best of everything. It's crazy how much some plan their stays. I'm sure some have spreadsheets with their strategy.

With all that said, I know I have to get on it or we'll be going on two rides the whole time. Haha.

Thanks!

 

[EZBZOZ]

At AK look for Guitar Dan. He hangs out near the show exit for the Festival of the Lion King show. Basically you can tell him some things about your family or your son and he'll sing a song(plays guitar) about you. Get the video camera ready as he's quite good and the song will be a keepsake.

Very cool. This is the kind of stuff I love learning about. Thank you.

 

[EZBZOZ]

Dont forget to see Nemo and FLights of Wonder at AK too.

There is a pirate adventure thing at MK he might enjoy as well - like a scavenger hunt of sorts. SOmeone else may can tell you more about it I would also be sure to ride Buzz Lightyear

One of my friends was telling me about the scavenger hunt thing. Sounds very cool. I know there is so much more than the rides. We're excited to just take it all in. We of course know we're not going to do everything in two days in two parks but we'll be sure to have a great time. Thanks for your tips!!

 

[redhotariel]

The biggest thing you should know: Don't Over Plan!!!!

A lot of people plan out the vacation so much that it seems like work. It is still a vacation! You have your two parks selected, so once he knows, maybe print out a map on the disney website, and have him pick a few "must do" rides/attractions. You know, the ones that he feels like he really wants to do. Then, you can add a couple more for you. Since you are going in early February you will be experiencing relatively low wait times as far as Disney is concerned. Some will be walk ons some will be waiters. If you download the My Disney Experience app on your phone, you will be able to check wait times a few days before you go and get a relatively good gauge on how long you may be waiting. You should without a doubt be able to experience everything at AK in one day, especially in February. As a previous poster mentioned- go see the festival of the Lion King show. Whether he likes Lion King, or singing, or dancing or any of it, it will blow his mind, and yours. It is truly fantastic.

Don't plan out where you are going to eat if you will only be there for 2 days. I would however recommend knowing where the options that your son may want are located. Especially at AK, because they have a lot of different of styles of food there. So if you know your son will only eat chicken fingers or burgers... you will want to know where you can get those.

Also, on a side note. A lot of people will want to buy souvenirs, but you won't have too much space to bring things home. So try to save little things (park maps, disney napkins, glitter from parades, just random things- especially if you scrapbook) and take lots of pictures. The best picture you can get is the look on his face when he sees the castle. So run in front of him!!!

Ok, one more thing. In his little suitcase- (assuming they still have the option available) on the Disney website, you can create customized maps of the parks, and put your your family's vacation on it, or you can write __son's name's__ first disney trip on it. Things like that. That would be a nice touch!


Most of all- remember to have fun! It will be totally awesome, whatever you do!

 

[EZBZOZ]

The biggest thing you should know: Don't Over Plan!!!!

A lot of people plan out the vacation so much that it seems like work. It is still a vacation! You have your two parks selected, so once he knows, maybe print out a map on the disney website, and have him pick a few "must do" rides/attractions. You know, the ones that he feels like he really wants to do. Then, you can add a couple more for you. Since you are going in early February you will be experiencing relatively low wait times as far as Disney is concerned. Some will be walk ons some will be waiters. If you download the My Disney Experience app on your phone, you will be able to check wait times a few days before you go and get a relatively good gauge on how long you may be waiting. You should without a doubt be able to experience everything at AK in one day, especially in February. As a previous poster mentioned- go see the festival of the Lion King show. Whether he likes Lion King, or singing, or dancing or any of it, it will blow his mind, and yours. It is truly fantastic.

Don't plan out where you are going to eat if you will only be there for 2 days. I would however recommend knowing where the options that your son may want are located. Especially at AK, because they have a lot of different of styles of food there. So if you know your son will only eat chicken fingers or burgers... you will want to know where you can get those.

Also, on a side note. A lot of people will want to buy souvenirs, but you won't have too much space to bring things home. So try to save little things (park maps, disney napkins, glitter from parades, just random things- especially if you scrapbook) and take lots of pictures. The best picture you can get is the look on his face when he sees the castle. So run in front of him!!!

Ok, one more thing. In his little suitcase- (assuming they still have the option available) on the Disney website, you can create customized maps of the parks, and put your your family's vacation on it, or you can write __son's name's__ first disney trip on it. Things like that. That would be a nice touch!


Most of all- remember to have fun! It will be totally awesome, whatever you do!

This is excellent. Thank you. I really like to enjoy vacations (everyone does of course) but understand we need to plan at least a little. I never thought I would join a forum like this haha. You guys are extremely helpful and it's much appreciated

I'm excited to go too. It's been so long for me that I know I'm going to enjoy it too. But of course as parents, it's great to see the kiddos excited.

We chose early February since we knew it would be slower. I'm sure Friday will be busier than mid-week but that's why we're doing MK on Friday and AK on Saturday since I would think MK is busier on the weekend. Of course I may be totally wrong and I haven't checked any of the crowd whatever the heck you call its

That's a good point about the food. He's not too picky so we just plan on grabbing something here and there.

I read up on the FPs so now I understand it more. I can't believe planning all the FPs if I was going to all the parks multiple days. I like to be spontaneous and do what feels right at certain times. With that said though, it makes sense to plan out some key attractions so we don't miss the very cool things.

Thanks again.

 

[redhotariel]

This is excellent. Thank you. I really like to enjoy vacations (everyone does of course) but understand we need to plan at least a little. I never thought I would join a forum like this haha. You guys are extremely helpful and it's much appreciated

I'm excited to go too. It's been so long for me that I know I'm going to enjoy it too. But of course as parents, it's great to see the kiddos excited.

We chose early February since we knew it would be slower. I'm sure Friday will be busier than mid-week but that's why we're doing MK on Friday and AK on Saturday since I would think MK is busier on the weekend. Of course I may be totally wrong and I haven't checked any of the crowd whatever the heck you call its

That's a good point about the food. He's not too picky so we just plan on grabbing something here and there.

I read up on the FPs so now I understand it more. I can't believe planning all the FPs if I was going to all the parks multiple days. I like to be spontaneous and do what feels right at certain times. With that said though, it makes sense to plan out some key attractions so we don't miss the very cool things.

Thanks again.

No problem! We are all here to help!

In all honesty, with the weekends you would be surprised, sometimes the park attendance is actually lower (especially in a season like that). Because, most people prefer to travel on the weekends. Leave home Saturday, get here sunday, spend the whole week, then leave friday or saturday to be home Sunday, to go back to work or school Monday. Sometimes it is different but mostly its only the opposite way on holiday weekends. And another piece of honesty here. When you go on weekends in slow months, a lot of the people you will see there are locals. That is when we like to go. And most of us have annual passes and don't care what we ride, or if we ride anything at all. So thats a really good time to go, is on a weekend. If its busy, then I offer my apologies, as I have lied. But it's a great time to go. I don't know where you are from, so it many not be cold for you, but it will be a little chilly here so maybe pack at least one set of warmer clothes, just in case.

One last thing, If you are going to use FP+ which I hardly ever do at this point. Go for the "big rides" the ones that should have a longer wait time. At MK this includes Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Seven Dwarves Mine Train (although I doubt you can get those FPs at this time- people are crazy with this stuff) Peter Pan's Flight, Jungle Cruise. Anything else at that point in time should probably be close to a walk on, I would assume a wait time of 20 mins or less!

But have tons of fun!!!!

 

[EZBZOZ]

No problem! We are all here to help!

In all honesty, with the weekends you would be surprised, sometimes the park attendance is actually lower (especially in a season like that). Because, most people prefer to travel on the weekends. Leave home Saturday, get here sunday, spend the whole week, then leave friday or saturday to be home Sunday, to go back to work or school Monday. Sometimes it is different but mostly its only the opposite way on holiday weekends. And another piece of honesty here. When you go on weekends in slow months, a lot of the people you will see there are locals. That is when we like to go. And most of us have annual passes and don't care what we ride, or if we ride anything at all. So thats a really good time to go, is on a weekend. If its busy, then I offer my apologies, as I have lied. But it's a great time to go. I don't know where you are from, so it many not be cold for you, but it will be a little chilly here so maybe pack at least one set of warmer clothes, just in case.

One last thing, If you are going to use FP+ which I hardly ever do at this point. Go for the "big rides" the ones that should have a longer wait time. At MK this includes Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Seven Dwarves Mine Train (although I doubt you can get those FPs at this time- people are crazy with this stuff) Peter Pan's Flight, Jungle Cruise. Anything else at that point in time should probably be close to a walk on, I would assume a wait time of 20 mins or less!

But have tons of fun!!!!

Thanks again. I really do appreciate this. I won't hold you to your crowd estimates

I'll check the FPs once we get the tix. And honestly, if there aren't many available, big deal, we'll make the best of it. We will try our best.

I was going to start a thread titled, I can't believe we live in a world where we need to make reservations for rides, but didn't want to be banned. Kidding (sort of) of course.

We live in Chicagoland so anything above 25 will be wonderfully warm.

It will be great if the parks aren't as busy so then we will have some flexibility with attractions and rides. I'll for sure get FPs for those more popular rides. But then if my son wants to go on the same cheesy ride 10 times in a row, I'm all for it. I have to remember, it's not quantity.

Enjoy the weekend.

 

[EZBZOZ]

The surprise went really well yesterday. My now 8-year old opened the carry-on, saw the Mickey ears. He put them on nye gave us ours to out on. He didn't get it yet. Then he saw the printed pics of the castle and Mickey and asked, "Are we going to Disney World? Are we going to Disney World?" He was very happy. Then we said its in 2.5 weeks and he said, "REEAAALLLLY?!"

It was very fun. He said he has been wishing for this for a while. We told him we'll be there for 2 days and we'll look at maps soon to pick which parks and rides are most important.