First trip for my 3 yo, anything else I should know?

[Bren's Mom]

My mom and I are taking my 3 yo to Disney for the first time. We arrive Monday evening, 10/13 and are flying home Friday morning 10/18. We have 3 day base tickets to use Tues, Wed and Thurs. We're staying at Pop and we have the DDP.

This trip is intended to be a magical experience for ds and we're planning to be very flexible and go at his pace. But I know it's better to have a general plan so here's what I've got so far. Looking for any suggestions/tips to make it even better. We want to get the most out of the parks we can, but we also don't want it to be a rush, rush, rush time.

Tuesday

Breakfast at Pop then head to MK.
Ds is an early riser so we will likely make it there for rope drop, if not soon after.
Snacks at MK
2:15 late lunch at Crystal Palace
If needed, return to Pop after lunch to rest or swim.
Approx 6pm return to MK, they are open until 9pm
CS and snacks.
Enjoy Wishes before returning to Pop.
(***Note, how do I tell if Wishes will be that night for sure??***)

Wednesday

Snack if ds needs one, coffee for me and mom at Pop
Rope drop at HS.
10:45am Bfast at Hollywood/Vine.
CS/Snacks for late lunch
If needed, return to Pop in afternoon to rest or swim.
Return to HS for dinner if there's more for ds to see.
If we're done at HS then we can stay at Pop or perhaps WL for campfire?
(***Note, do you need a reservation for the campfire and how to find out the schedule?***)

Thursday

Snack/coffee at Pop
First bus to MK for rope drop, EMH 8-9am
Bfast and Lunch, CS/snacks
Enjoy the park until tired, approx 3pm.
Return to Pop, rest and swim
5:45pm Dinner at Narcoossee's. (Mom's 60th bday dinner)
After dinner...???

Thanks for any/all suggestions! This is a very last minute trip. Usually I'm planning things a year in advance but this was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. But it's a very different trip than the family one with dss (13) and my dh that we're anticipating Feb 2010. So I had to switch gears a little!

 

[tinkerlisa]

Are you doing any character meals? Since its your 3 year old first trip, that could make it special for him! Also, if you check the times guide, it should let you know if wishes is that night. But i think unless you are going to the halloween party, wishes is every night. its usually spectro magic that runs on certain nights. I could be wrong though. HAVE FUN!!!

 

[moredisneyplease]

Character meals are fun!! Also, my 3 year old loves Animal Kingdom more than HS! And the Living Seas at Epcot is a great time for little kids!

 

[tinkerlisa]

I agree with the living seas! my DS(6) always talks about the "NEMO" ride! We didnt really like AK and my DS is a Star Wars fan so HS was a must do for Star Tours. I am guessing you are doing HS because your 3 year old is a playhouse disney fan? my other son loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Tigger and Pooh so I am sure we will be spending plenty of time there!

 

[tinkerlisa]

Also, if you do a character meal, try chef mickey's for breakfast. I heard its great! we are doing that one when we go next year. we liked the one at Garden Grill in EPCOT! They had Chip and Dale, Pluto, and Mickey. We saw them a whole bunch of times plus the food was great. The room revolves and you see a few different scenes! Liberty Tree tavern was good too.

 

[Bren's Mom]

Yes, definitely doing character meals. Our Crystal Palace late lunch on Tuesday is a character meal, and our Hollywood/Vine late breakfast is also a character meal. I think 2 should be plenty.

And I also forgot to mention that we own a Maclaren Volo and are bringing that with us.

And I was able to find a schedule for the fireworks/parades.

So Tues/MK we can try to stay for the parade at 3pm after Crystal Palace lunch. If we miss it we can see it on Thursday although the timing with transportation might cut it close with our 5:45p ADR.

Tuesday Wishes is at 8pm.

And on Wed/HS day we can do the 3pm Block Party.
And if we return after a rest we can do Fantasmic at 7 or 8:30pm.
(Or we can do WL Campfire if that's going on that night.)

Still looking for ideas for Thursday evening.

 

[Bren's Mom]

We couldn't get any ADRs for Chef Mickey's at all. Although I could always try again in a few days.

I've had a hard time deciding between Epcot, AK and HS. But, in the end, since ds is a Playhouse Disney fan HS seemed to be a good choice overall. (He's also very into Power Rangers!)

IF after 1 day at MK we think he's seen enough for this trip we can always do Epcot for day 3 instead of MK. Both my sister and best friend who just recently went think that AK isn't worth it at this age. And we have ready access to several wonderful zoos so that won't be anything new for ds.

 

[brockash]

Is Spectro showing on Thursday night at MK? I would really try to catch it, if you can. I think you DS would love it. Sounds like a wonderful trip otherwise, and I'm pretty sure Wishes is every night (except special occassion's like MNSSHP.) You can always check the times guide when you get to the park. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[brockash]

I just looked, and it looks like the only night Spectro is showing is Wed. Are you getting hoppers? I'd consider going back over to MK for the Spectro parade. My kids love it.

 

[Bren's Mom]

Nope, no hoppers. Oh well...gives me one (of many) excuses for the next trip! LOL And Wishes isn't on Thursday night due to MNSSHP. And I just can't justify the $ for that for this trip.

I posted this on one of the other boards but if anyone here can answer this:

With 5:45p ADRs at GF/Narcoosee's can we make the WL campfire on Thursday night right after? Or would there be no possible way to get there in time without wolfing our food down?

 

[tinkerlisa]

And I also forgot to mention that we own a Maclaren Volo and are bringing that with us.

QUOTE]

that is a great stroller!!! when i got mine i thought my hubby to be was going to kill me for the price i paid for it, but he loves it too! he says "hey i can actually push him without feeling like i am slumping over" the handles on our umbrella stroller were to short for him!

 

[everylastbreath]

Only thing I would change on your plans, is I would leave more time between your "rest/swim" and dinner plans. Figure about 45m to 1hr travel time between leaving the park and actually getting to your hotel, which would put nap time at about 4pm, so to make a 5:45 reservation it's probably not going to happen.

When we took GS (3) in August, by the time we actually got out of the park and made out way back to hotel (and we stayed at the Poly, so it was monorail) it took a while, and he was totally exhausted, slept thru a few dinner reservations. I would plan nap/rest/swim time earlier or dinner later.

 

[KristiMc]

Here is information from allearsnet about the campfire. It is at Fort Wilderness Campground - not Wilderness Lodge.

When does the campfire program begin and what is it like?

The campfire program has no admission fee and is open to all WDW resort guests. It generally begins around 7 p.m. during the fall/winter season and 8 p.m. after the time changes in April through the summer. It is held near the Meadow Trading Post in the campfire area. The program begins with a sing-along led by a Disney CM and a marshmallow roast around two campfire rings. You may bring your own marshmallows or buy them at the Chuckwagon (roasting sticks and marshmallows are $2). You may also buy pizza, hot dogs, candy, nachos, juice, popcorn, sodas, coffee, beer and other refreshments at the Chuckwagon. While this is going on, Chip and Dale make an appearance to visit with guests and sign autographs. The sing-along lasts about 40 minutes. Next, one or two Disney animated features, depending upon the season, are shown on a large outdoor screen. Seating is available in bleachers or on benches. There is also plenty of room to lay out a quilt or blanket. The movie schedule is posted at all comfort stations. In the event of rain, the sing-along is still held on the porch of the Meadow Trading Post.

Have a great trip!

 

[Bren's Mom]

Thanks everyone!

I'm re-thinking the Narcossee's (however you spell it! LOL) ADR. I keep thinking that we'll be rushing to leave the park, rushing to get a rest in, etc as one of the pp's mentioned. I'm wondering if there's anyplace nice we can get into a bit later. Hmmm...have to think on that one.

Fort Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge...got it now, thanks! LOL

 

[Bren's Mom]

More opinions/input please?

I'm rethinking day 3. Days 1 and 2 (MK and HS) seem to work out ok because we're eating at that property. As much as my mom would love Narcoossee's, I'm wondering if we'll have to rush just because ds is only 3 and has the attention span of a gnat. LOL And maybe this trip we need to have a different plan.

So here's what I'm thinking now;

MK isn't the best choice due to closing early for MNSSHP. And ds is asking about seeing Nemo, which I understand is only at Epcot.

SO, if we do day 3 at Epcot, we'll have alot more available time at the park.

If I give up Narcoossee's we can do 2 ts meals that day; maybe Coral Reef or San Angel Inn (are either of those good? Anyplace 'nice' but still 3 yo friendly?) and Garden Grill.

And that night would be illuminations.

DS can see Nemo, do Turtle Talk, I think he'd like to do the passport and get the stamps. I also think he'll find the different costumes in the various worlds interesting. What else for a 3 yo at Epcot?

Thanks!

 

[reginaastralis]

We stay at the Fort, so I recommend the whole campfire thing. My three year old LOVES it.

From our last trip in the Sping, they didn't have a smore's pack when you get to the Camprground. If you're looking to do smores, you should either bring them from home or expect a pretty big price hike. They used to sell for pretty cheap (for Disney standards) but now you have to buy everything seperate. Again, we haven't been since the Spring, so this might have changed, but the CM we spoke with didn't like the new system and didn't know when they would be bringing the old one back.

If, when the schedule is released, you don't want to stay for the movie, there is the Electrical Water Pagent at the beach, at 9:45. My daughter loves this as well.

Hope you all have fun!

 

[everylastbreath]

More opinions/input please?

I'm rethinking day 3. Days 1 and 2 (MK and HS) seem to work out ok because we're eating at that property. As much as my mom would love Narcoossee's, I'm wondering if we'll have to rush just because ds is only 3 and has the attention span of a gnat. LOL And maybe this trip we need to have a different plan.

So here's what I'm thinking now;

MK isn't the best choice due to closing early for MNSSHP. And ds is asking about seeing Nemo, which I understand is only at Epcot.

SO, if we do day 3 at Epcot, we'll have alot more available time at the park.

If I give up Narcoossee's we can do 2 ts meals that day; maybe Coral Reef or San Angel Inn (are either of those good? Anyplace 'nice' but still 3 yo friendly?) and Garden Grill.

And that night would be illuminations.

DS can see Nemo, do Turtle Talk, I think he'd like to do the passport and get the stamps. I also think he'll find the different costumes in the various worlds interesting. What else for a 3 yo at Epcot?

Thanks!

I would def. rethink Narcossess (spelling?) It's not really the type of place a 3 year old would enjoy, more grown up and I think you would be uncomfortable if he started to act up, I would stick to more child friend places, plus I really think you would pushing it time wise. Great idea to do Epcot, my 3year old GS loved EPCOT, Nemo is his favorite. I think Coral Reef (or Japan - another very entertaining meal for kids, with chef cooking at table) My GS loved watching the chef cook. Illuminations is great too, plan your meal around it! Have fun.

 

[Bren's Mom]

We stay at the Fort, so I recommend the whole campfire thing. My three year old LOVES it.

From our last trip in the Sping, they didn't have a smore's pack when you get to the Camprground. If you're looking to do smores, you should either bring them from home or expect a pretty big price hike.

Hope you all have fun!

Thanks! We've decided to definitely do this Wednesday evening. We have an ADR at HS for breakfast and nothing after that. So whether we've gone back to Pop to rest or stayed at HS, we can make our way to FW (not WL! LOL) and enjoy the campfire. We're going to skip Fantasmic at HS that evening, I think ds might be frightened. And good tip; I'll pack marshmallows, etc.

Called to see what might be available that would work better with Epcot and a 3 yo for Thursday evening than Narcoosee's. We decided on Flying Fish at 7:15pm. That gives us breathing room; if we need a break we have more time to get in a nap or swim and get to our ADR for dinner and then walk dinner off getting back to Epcot for Illuminations.

(Of couse, mom and I will leave open the possibility of cancelling that if ds is too tired, we can also skip Illum if necessary. But we'll have a much better chance at a well behaved child at dinner if we get a nap in!)

So now I'm happy with our plan.

 

[happymommy]

My kids always slept in the stroller at least one day at Disney - but that was just us. I know my sister's one year old only took a little cat nap when we went together last year. So we rarely went back for an actual nap. We did like, though, to have some quiet down time to kind of take it all in. We even would sit in a shady spot in Epcot (with a beer?) in the afternoon to just chill.

My kids always LOVE Epcot, starting at 2 and 3. It is less crowded usually, and they love Innoventions. God, I could be in there all day with them - I usually drag them out! There is a cute Fantastic Plastics thing where they race robots on a computer game, learn about plastics, then get to make a little plastic to robot to take home (no charge). We have a little box full of them!

We ate at Flying Fish once, sorry to warn you, and I hope it was just us, but it was the worst meal and service we've ever had at Disney. We do like the Epcot restaurants, and they tend to be more fun for kids. But if you're on the Dining Plan, then at least it's included. It was very pricey (which I don't mind for a good meal).

When we go, we usually end up at Epcot every day or evening (I think the Park Hopper option is worth it). I find the food there is the best. But we also like staying in the Epcot resort area (Boardwalk or Swan/Dolphin).

If you decide to park hop, you can add that option later I think. But I understand it's a short trip.

I also don't know about the bonfire activity at FW. I think I'd stick to the stuff at the theme parks personally.

I do agree about Fantasmic. I didn't care for it too much - we saw it once. It probably could be skipped with a 3 year old. Illuminations is beautiful! I cry sometimes!!!!

For us, one day at MK is enough, but with a 3 year old, you may want to go back early in the morning, then go to Epcot by noon - usually world showcase doesn't open too early anyway. That is why I think park hopping is worth it.

Bring glow sticks from the dollar store - they are great and make you visible after dark. My kids at 3 also loved the light spinners they sell - they played with them so much, we had to change the batteries!

HTH

 

[mjkacmom]

I've never done the campfire, but my cousin did the hoopty doo, and said it was really worth it to take a cab back to her resort!