first trip advice

[Snoopylover]

We are leaving for our first trip to WDW on Wednesday. We will be visiting WDW 4 days. Can you please tell me what are the things not to miss. I will be traveling with my husband , my 7 year old son and my 18 month old son. Thanks to all you devoted WDW fans!!!!

 

[Mortlives]

What not to miss in four days...

• Illuminations
• POTC
• Space Mountain
• Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular
• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• Mission: Space
• BTMRR
• Adventurer's Club
• Splash Mountain

These aren't in any particular order, and there's probably a lot more I am forgetting, but those are my big ones. Good Merciful Grief! I forgot Haunted Mansion!

Kungaloosh!
Mort.

 

[pennylynn]

Everyone has a different list of favorites but with little ones I think that everything in Fantasy Land and Toon Town are a must. Almost everything in Adventure land is fun. At Disney Studios my favorite is Star Tours. Little ones will probably love the Muppet 3d and the Bear in the Big Blue House. Animal Kingdom is great. The Safari ride is a must. The little one won't be able to ride Kali River Rapids but the older one will like it. I love It's Tough to be a Bug but some children don't enjoy it because it's 3d and the bugs are pretty big and scary. Epcot is mostly for adults but kids will like the kidcot stations and a passport. Just try everything that you can and form your own opinions.

 

[bshow1]

• Splashing water fountain next to the toy store at Downtown Disney. Bring the kids' bathing suits! Free!
• I second the Disney Playhouse live and Muppet 3D at MGM.
• Buzz Lightyear at MK
• Splash mountain at MK for the 7yo
• A character breakfast
• For you: Tower of Terror at MGM. Simply superb.

 

[Tiggerafferty]

My DS was 6 and my DD was 16 months on our last trip. DS loved BTMRR, Splash Mountain, and Buzz lightyear. He also loved just about everything in FantasyLand and Mickey's Toontown Fair. My DD loved everything. She was too young to really have any favorites and just loved all the music and the happiness.

At MGM, Fantasmic, Star Tours, and the Indy show are a must for your older son.

At AK, Safarai, Rapids, and Boneyard will delight your oldest. Your 18 mo old will love the dance and music in Festival of Lion King.

Epcot will be more for you and DH. But your older son will love Space Ship Earth, Test Track, and Universe of Energy. Your 18 mo old will be thrilled at the waterfountains outside of Imagination and Innovations.

Have a great trip.

 

[Cindy'sCastle]

The most important thing not to miss is taking breaks with your children. I feel so sorry for the little ones that are so tired but the parents keep dragging them everywheres. The breaks will do you all some good. Walt Disney World is a wonderful vacation with your children. I'm feeling guilty about not bringing mine on this one, but it's my honeymoon!!! We did promise them a trip next year plus let my DS14 bring a friend and bring DGM along too.

 

[Planogirl]

If you youngest doesn't mind loud music and flashing lights, he may just love Food Rocks at Epcot. Your 7 year old might get a kick out of Cranium Command. Definitely take them on El Rio del Tiempo in Mexico. I would concentrate mostly on Epcot for night time but keep in mind that some attractions such as Food Rocks have limited hours.

As for MGM our son has always adored Indiana Jones. Muppets is good and so is Star Tours for the older child. The Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground is fun but good luck keeping up with the kids when they enter the tunnels.

The Magic Kingdom is of course stuffed full of attractions that the kids will like. And don't forget parades, fireworks and a character meal or two.

 

[Micca]

You'll be very busy but I would say take the opportunity to take in the details. There is so much beauty and subtlety to experience. There is no way to do it all in four days, so take the time to absorb all the attractions you do experience.

 

[Harambe]

Yes - when my DD came back from our first trip she surprised me by saying the parades were her favorite thing!

The parade at AK is especially fun - catchy music and all the characters!

Have fun! You'll be back again . . and again . . . and again . . .

 

[Eeyore's Girl]

Considering your length of stay and the ages of your children, I would not focus on a "must see" list, unless you keep it simple. You will only exhaust the entire family. Rather, I recommend a pace with lots of breaks, whether they are park bench breaks with an ice cream or an air conditioned show to enjoy while the little one catches a nap. When we start to feel frazzled at MK, we head to Tom Sawyer's Island. No thrills there, just a quiet area where you can regroup. The boys will love it. They can even get PBJ sandwiches there.

I am always impressed with attention to detail at the parks. It is so much fun to just look, really look, at the surroundings. It is all so very cool!

See the magic through your children's eyes and it will be a trip you will never forget!

Just take it easy and have fun, fun, fun!

 

[YesDear]

I always suggest that if it is your first time and you are trying to do all the parks, do them in build order.

MK, Epcot, MGM, AK. My reasoning is that the technology improved at each park. If you start at MGM then go to MK you may be dissapointed.

Also as stated by others, slow down! You will enjoy it better if you miss somethings and plan your next trip.

Let me say it this way. Since getting married to DW in 1980, we have been over 45 times. DS, 20 has been over 40 times. We went for a week in March, and we dedicated the week to things we had not done before, or in at least 5yrs. You will not scratch the surface in 4 days!

We also have everyone pick a particular thing they want to do. Make sure you do those things early so you can do again if you want to.

Some of the things you will do will be based upon your kids ages. We do not go to toontown often with a 20 yr old!

Take a deep breath and have a wonderful time.

Oh, and be careful!!!! Pixie Dust may hit you and you will get the dreaded WDW withdrawl!