First trip, first meal, first day at MK.....

[Wes1stTrip2016]

Considering Crystal Palace as our park opener (if we can get an early ADR) on our first day BUT I know that using our DDP for breakfast is the best use of our $$$ - which has got me considering a late lunch/early dinner BUT then I think what if the DS(5) will be all but give out by then after such an exciting first day....ugh, it really is hard to plan your days so far in advance.

So would you risk losing out on prime riding time for a exciting first meal with Tigger OR risk having a potentially exhausted 5yr old at lunch/dinner?

 

[hopeful4fl]

I have seen many a meltdowns, specially at that age (and I am sure we had our meltdowns at that age too) . My advise would be (assuming u r at DW for a few days) to have your first day (travel day) light and have a nice relaxing late lunch/dinner.

 

[CardDisMom]

I would suggest utilizing air conditioned Crystal Palace as a good opportunity for a break. You can really take your time in that restaurant so I would suggest doing a lunch and helping break up your day. We did that for our first meal last summer and it was nice except for DD (almost 3 at the time) hated the big stuffed characters. It was fine as I asked them not to come to the table. So as long as your DS is fine with big characters it should be a great first meal. Lots of choices especially for little ones.

Have a blast!

 

[JennyDrake]

I have seen many a meltdowns, specially at that age (and I am sure we had our meltdowns at that age too) . My advise would be (assuming u r at DW for a few days) to have your first day (travel day) light and have a nice relaxing late lunch/dinner.

I could not agree more! On arrival day I would plan a light day with some swim time and an early/normal bedtime. The following day, I would plan a CP lunch, then back to the room afterwards for nap and rest.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think that it is tempting to try to get the biggest bang for your travel buck, but do you really want to rush that first day? If we had more info about your travel time, when you arrive, where you are staying and he length of stay, the advice could be more targeted towards your circumstance. But with that said, we never ever rush our first day, and looking back, when my DGD was 4 and we arrived on her first trip, that was teh best decision for our family. We got to AKL fairly early in he morning, checked in and had lunch, explored the resort and took DGD swimming, She rested, awe we headed to Chef Mickeys for our arrival dinner. SO Much FUN! She was mesmerized! Worth every Penney of no park time.

This trip we are taking two little girls on their first trip and we have Chef Mickey's planned again. I have fast passes booked for the MK that afternoon because I am afraid that if they can see that castle they will want to go for a little while. WE honestly do not care if all they do is absorb that they are there, and let them just explore.

So...if this trip you are planning was me, and I wanted park time that first day, I would get Crystal Palace for a late lunch. You do not need to rush to get there, you can let your DS explore, and after lunch, you can go back to your resort, swim rest, have a little dinner and early to bed. You do not want to be THAT family. You know the one.....all exhausted, irritable, and trying to get an overwhelmed and over stimulated little boy out of the Happiest Place on Earth before he melts.

 

[Figmentmommy]

My suggestion would be to schedule CP as a lunchtime break. Then you can decide to either head out or explore MK some more if that break has given your child additional energy! Given that CP is so easily accessible while your touring MK, it offers a lot of flexibility to just see how it goes. Have a great trip!

 

[Wes1stTrip2016]

I think that it is tempting to try to get the biggest bang for your travel buck, but do you really want to rush that first day? If we had more info about your travel time, when you arrive, where you are staying and he length of stay, the advice could be more targeted towards your circumstance. But with that said, we never ever rush our first day, and looking back, when my DGD was 4 and we arrived on her first trip, that was teh best decision for our family. We got to AKL fairly early in he morning, checked in and had lunch, explored the resort and took DGD swimming, She rested, awe we headed to Chef Mickeys for our arrival dinner. SO Much FUN! She was mesmerized! Worth every Penney of no park time.

This trip we are taking two little girls on their first trip and we have Chef Mickey's planned again. I have fast passes booked for the MK that afternoon because I am afraid that if they can see that castle they will want to go for a little while. WE honestly do not care if all they do is absorb that they are there, and let them just explore.

So...if this trip you are planning was me, and I wanted park time that first day, I would get Crystal Palace for a late lunch. You do not need to rush to get there, you can let your DS explore, and after lunch, you can go back to your resort, swim rest, have a little dinner and early to bed. You do not want to be THAT family. You know the one.....all exhausted, irritable, and trying to get an overwhelmed and over stimulated little boy out of the Happiest Place on Earth before he melts.

We are arriving on Saturday, no parks planned - just going to unwind & refresh before dinner at Whispering Canyon.

Sunday will be our 1st full day, DS is an early riser which is why I sorta leaned towards breakfast BUT after some thought (and the wonderful feedback on this forum)...I think we will hit some rides, have lunch at CP, then utilize our FP's before heading back to rest. =)

Thanks!!

 

[Figmentmommy]

We are arriving on Saturday, no parks planned - just going to unwind & refresh before dinner at Whispering Canyon.

Sunday will be our 1st full day, DS is an early riser which is why I sorta leaned towards breakfast BUT after some thought (and the wonderful feedback on this forum)...I think we will hit some rides, have lunch at CP, then utilize our FP's before heading back to rest. =)

Thanks!!

That sounds like a great plan! Also - while every child is different - years ago our 2 boys (4 & 2 at the time) never needed a break away from the parks during the day. We toured and took our meals as breaks and then picked up again. They went until we were done for the night and caught all of the evening fireworks too! The youngest napped here and there in the stroller when he felt like it. Not all younger ones get overwhelmed/overtired. Sometimes they just go with the flow! Either way I'm sure you'll quickly figure out what works best for your family!

 

[Nancyg56]

We are arriving on Saturday, no parks planned - just going to unwind & refresh before dinner at Whispering Canyon.

Sunday will be our 1st full day, DS is an early riser which is why I sorta leaned towards breakfast BUT after some thought (and the wonderful feedback on this forum)...I think we will hit some rides, have lunch at CP, then utilize our FP's before heading back to rest. =)

Thanks!!

Sounds great!