First Timer!

[rabrog]

So we are looking at doing WDW in January of '07. We have a WorldMark resort in Orlando that is available, so that would be taken care of.

We will have an almost 3 year old with us. DH has been there but it was 8 years ago and for a work conference.

I can't say "money is no object" but we want to do quite a bit.

So....throw it at me! What do I need to know as far as dining, transportation (I am looking to see what is available with our resort), etc. What parks are good for the 3yo set? How is transport done between parks (ride times, wait times, etc.)? Are there good rides for a 3yo?

Let's start with the basics.....

Thanks!
Jenn

 

[cjnix29]

If you won't be staying on Disney property, you will have a vehicle, right? So transportation won't be an issue. Actually, with a 3 year old we rent a car even when we stay on property because it is just easier, and the only park we ever used transportation to get to is MK, much easier and closer. Took my DS 2 1/2 last fall, and will be taking him again, now 3 this fall. He LOVES MK. Toontown is not to be missed. His first experience on the Barnstormer was priceless. He loved the teacups as well. Oh...and he would have played all day in Pooh's Playful Spot. If you are going in January, might not be as fun, but we took extra clothes and swimmers so he could run through the fountains. Some on these boards may not agree with me, but my son had very little use for Epcot. We tried many different things with him, but it just didn't interest him all that much. He loved MGM because they had the Little Mermaid show, Playhouse Disney, and it was the only place he could see the Power Rangers. Can't say much about AK, since it rained the day we were there. My biggest word of advice...don't try to do it all. You can't for one thing, and you will have a really cranky toddler. Ethan loved going to DTD, with the Legos and other things to do.

He loved character meals, but then he isn't afraid of characters. Take your own stroller and bring a small shammy cloth and a poncho to cover it in case of freak rain storms, as it is known to do in Florida. You would be surprised that its sunny when you go into a show, and sunny when you came out, but during it rained. Oh...and the CMs move strollers as well, so you may have to hunt for it after rides.

Just take it in stride, and enjoy it through your child's eyes. There is nothing to compare the look on your child's face the first time he meets Mickey Mouse or sees the castle!!!

 

[Perditamarie]

You are going to have fun! Here are some tips I have read about and done:

1. The Magic Kingdom is really magical, and Fantasyland is perfect for a 3 year old, so plan on a lot of time there. It gets crowded quickly, so it is a great place to start the morning(s) before hopping to another park or going for a swim/nap at the hotel.

2. Use the Disney transportation system between parks, it is wonderful. For some reason, my kids love the buses, and even think of them as one of the rides.

3. We love Epcot for kids -- the Living Seas, the Land boat ride, Figment. The theater presentations in the afternoon are wonderfully air conditioned. The street performers in World Showcase are also outstanding. If we hop over to Epcot in the afternoon, we take in a few rides and just walk around world showcase, and the kids may be lulled into a nap. This is a nice benefit as we get a nap in, without having to pack up and go.

4. When park hopping, we like to start with MK and AK in the mornings and hop to Epcot and MGM in the afternoons. Epcot and MGM have a lot of shows and can offer relaxing (for Disney, at any rate) afternoons after a busy morning.

5. I like to go light on the ADR's -- we would all rather be swimming or at the parks rather than spend a lot of time in a restaurant. Little children don't eat much, don't take long to eat and don't let you take too long to enjoy a meal either! We have found that our children eat light and like trying the many different snacks. This year we will have one or two character meals, and go to Germany and Japan. It also helps keep you sane after a day of keeping track of show times, if you don't have to race all over the world for ADR's.

6. Reading a good guide book, like Unofficial Guide, is very helpful to become familiar with all the rides and shows. It will help identify any potentially scary rides/shows as well as help you map out a list of "must dos" in each park. It helps to have an idea of what you want to see in each park so you are not stopping every 10 minutes to figure out what's next.

7. If you are relying on transportation from your resort, find out how often they drop-off/pick-up. I have read that the shuttle services are infrequent, drop off/pick up in the middle of parking lots and if they are full, they don't come back, or the shuttle may go to several hotels before picking up and dropping off to yours. You may want a rental car for travel to the parks for peace of mind and convenience.

8. To stick to our schedule as much as possible, we skip fireworks. The kids are usually bathed and in bed by 8 or 8:30. I think this helps avoid crabbiness the next day, especially if they didn't get a nap. It's good for Mom and Dad too!

9. We watch a lot of Disney movies before a trip (well, we do anyways!) so the kids are familiar with the stories and characters.

One of the best parts of going to WDW is the planning. There is a ton of info on these boards that will make the planning, and waiting enjoyable. Then when you get back, you will want to start all over again!

 

[marconat]

check out this site www.allearsnet.com I love that site and it gives you a look at the attractions and restaurants etc... Have fun!!!
By the way I'll be there in Jan 07 too! when are you going? I'm going Dec31/06 to Jan 15/07... WWEEEEEEE!!! so excited

 

[rabrog]

Now I need a tutorial - what are all the initials you guys used on me? I got MK for Magic Kingdom and AK for Animal Kingdom and MGM Studios.....

Jenn

 

[2poohbears]

ADR is Advance Dining Reservation. You can book sit-down meals ahead of time...especially good to do if you're going to a more popular restaurant or character meal!

Favs for my 2 1/2 year olds:
Pooh's Playful Spot - MK---even in FEB they were able to play in the water sprinklers on warmer afternoons, so bring a change of clothing, socks and remove child's shoes so they don't get soaked!
It's a Small World - MK
Pirates of the Caribbean - MK
Peter Pan - MK
Pooh's Adventure ride - MK
Triceratop Spin - AK
Playhouse Disney - MGM

We did these Character Meals and really enjoyed them:
Crystal Palace (pooh and friends) - MK - buffet - breakfast
Liberty Tree Tavern (minnie, goofy, chip n dale) - MK - family style service
Garden Grill Cafe (mickey, pluto, chip n dale) - Epcot - family style service
My friends went to Breakfastasaurus (AK) and Chef Mickeys (contemporary resort)---they loved it, so we're going to try it when we go in JAN/FEB 07!

Edit---I recommend bringing a rain cover for your stroller. I did, as a last minute thought, and was glad...it rained 2 whole days of our trip. My hubby and I just threw on rain ponchos and put the rain covers on the umbrella strollers...didn't miss anything! I found some at Babies R Us that have the vent mesh on the sides so they get air inside, but no rain. I noticed the people who had ponchos over the strollers were sometimes losing them. Ours stayed on perfectly and covered everything perfectly as well.

 

[rabrog]

Thanks, PoohBears!

Can the kids go on the kiddie rides by themselves?

How do the park hopper passes work? Say we want to do MK in the morning and Epcot in the afternoon one day, AK in the morning and a show in the evening.....what is the best ticket configuration for that?

Jenn

 

[2poohbears]

I don't think children that young could ride alone.

I did park hoppers this year and plan to do it again in 2007. Basically, it just lets you go park to park in 1 day, giving you flexibility. I like it because if an attraction happens to be closed one day for some reason, we have the option of going back another day to catch it. Also, we like to do AK in the morning, go back to the hotel after lunch for nap, then head out to another park for the afternoon. If you don't add park hoppers to your tickets you would have to stay in the same park all day.