First trip...help!!

[bellagirl9388]

Hello!
This will be my first trip as an adult with kids of my own! I went many times as a kid..but never "planned" out and I havent been in almost 10 years.

We will be taking our 4 yr old from November 1-7th.

I am trying to set up an intineray but need some help. I have been told that Hollywood Studios and Epcot are not all day parks with that age because there isnt as much to do and we could probably do those in half days? True? We have a breakfast scheduled at Hollywood and Vine Tuesday the 4th at 9am and we have a breakfast at Tusker House Thursday the 6th at 9am. So we will obviously do Hollywood Studios on Tuesday and Animal Kingdom on Thursday. We plan to additional do a day at epcot and possibly 2 days at Magic Kingdom. Do you think two days are needed? I know she will want to meet all the characters there and I remember standing in pretty long lines so I didnt know if its better to schedule two days at Magic Kingdom? We plan to do parks sunday-thursday but I would like to have an afternoon/evening at downtown disney as well. I was hoping if Epcot/Hollywood studios can be done in half a day that we would have those evenings free. Looking for the best plan and hoping for some input!

Thanks!!

Also, anything else we should make time for?

 

[mjkacmom]

I'd change the ADR time. The least crowded time to experience the attractions at WDW is that first hour (followed by the second hour, followed by the third hour...). To make it to rope drop, just to sit and eat, doesn't make a lot of sense. Crowds will be a little heavier that week due to Jersey week.

Grab a quick breakfast in the room, and make a late morning ADR instead.

 

[Carolinagirl77]

It really depends on a lot of different circumstances. My DD was 4 when we went for the first time and was 44" tall. She rode everything but RNR. MK will definitely take two days maybe more. Epcot is a full day. We do the rides in the morning. Take a break in innovations. We like doing the Phineas and Ferb missions around the world. Plus there are characters to meet there. HS is a smaller park but it will still take most of the day. If they sign up the fight Darth Vader, their return time could be later in the afternoon. Rode drop is important.

 

[Princess Stitch]

It depends on your dd. Are you going to want to walk through world show case? That will take several hours if she wants to look at all the exhibits. You can also spend quite a bit of time in innoventions and the living seas. If she just wants to do some rides and not browse you might get out in half a day.

Same goes for DHS. If you want to watch the shows there you will spend quite a bit of time in the park.

Its always nice to just ba able to wander around and experience things without feeling crunched for time

 

[amym2]

We can easily spend two days at EP (it's our kids' favorite park) so I'd plan a full day there. We don't usually spend a full day at HS, but lots of people do. Most people recommend making AK a half-day park, but we love it. Personally, I'd plan 1 1/2 days at MK and full days at the other and make your 1/2 day at MK your DTD day. But then I'd also plan in some downtime, probably a 1/2 day at a park part way through your trip to get a break off your feet.

And I agree with the poster who suggested that you change your 9am ADRs. Assuming the parks open at 9 those days, you will want that time to ride rides with shorter lines than any other time throughout the day. Either do 8am ADRs before the park opens or late morning/lunch ADRs instead.

Are you using a crowd calendar (like easywdw.com) to plan which parks which days? If not, I would absolutely consult one of those!

Four is such a magical age at WDW... you're going to have a wonderful time no matter what you do!

 

[bellagirl9388]

Unfortunately I can't change my dinning because no other times are available. I will keep checking for cancellations

 

[glassslippergirl]

Are you planning to take afternoon breaks? A lot of people recommend this. It offers a chance to rest and take a look at your plans for the rest of the day. Since so much depends on the particular interests if your little one, I'd recommend that you be a little flexible in your plans and make some decisions about the parks based on your feelings at the time.

Generally, I'd plan for 2 days at MK and 1 day at each other park. If you are interested in nighttime entertainment, plan to go back to MK (at least one night), DHS, and Epcot to see the fireworks shows. If you're not feeling like going back that night, look into your other options like staying at the hotel, exploring other resorts, going to DTD, etc.

 

[msmama]

For my family Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom are the "not full day" parks. Epcot is a multiple day park for us.

HS and AK are still more than half days though. Maybe opening until 2 or 3ish.

Traditionally we use our Animal Kingdom day as a Downtown Disney day, though we have done HS, too. Epcot, just because of the sheer size and amount of walking, I would make a "go back to the hotel and rest" day.