First Trip in one week--HELP!

[starburst2117]

Background:
We will be at disney 9/22-9/25. We Are doing 2 parks, staying at all star music and got the free dining. My kids are 5 (turning 6 while in disney!) year old girl and 3 year old boy. Both kids are heavy into characters, shows and little rides.

Questions:
1) we are for sure doing magic kingdom the first day, what park should we do second? We were thinking about doing MK again, Epcot or HS. Thoughts?

2) is there any place online with a good daily itinerary for the parks? Id love to go with a plan, so that we can make the most of our time!

3) mickeys not so scary Halloween party--the tickets are extra even if you are at MK that day? Is it worth it to pay extra for it?? Should we go to another park that day and go back to MK for It??

4) Would is make more sense for us to do a different park the second day (epcot or HS) and then go over to MK for MNSSHP? That way we get two times at MK and can also have the benefit of an added park (just unsure which park to choose!!)


Thanks SO much for any help!

 

[Taylor'sMom]

Check out easywdw dot com and look on the right for the link to the crowd calendar for your month. They recommend parks bases on predicted crowd levels, evening shows, etc.
I would base your selections on that, rather than what park should be on thw 2nd day. But many want MK first, which I understand.

 

[Taylor'sMom]

Oh, and yes, MNSSHP is a separate ticket... its very popular here on the boards... many threads discussing on the attractions board

 

[martikus]

My 6 year old would not be able to do all day in the parks and then all night at the mickey party so it would be a waste of money for us. We get there at rope drop and head back for the day about 4pm exhausted.

Pre-kids we could go all day/night. You really do have to slow down with younger kids.

I would play the 2nd day by ear. We went when DS was 4 and he was scared of so many things (unexpected) but LOVED characters. We did way more character meet & greets and parades/shows than rides that trip. We did 3 days in MK, 1 in Epcot & 1 in HS that trip. He just loved MK. I would not do HS with kids your ages. Epcot has enough between tutle talk with crush, etc. But nothing wrong with 2 days in MK.

Just go with the flow and enjoy. It is different with kids, but so fun to see it through their eyes.

 

[blueferral]

There are quite a few sites that can help you plan. I use touring plans, but you have to pay to use the tools. Undercover tourist has a free crowd calendar, just Google Disney crowd calendar it will pop up.

If you are expecting a short day (worn out kids), MK on Tuesday would be good. It is a Not So Scary day and they kick ya out at 7 pm if you don't have a ticket for the event. Less people tend to go that day because they can't get in a "full" day.

We are going to the Not So Scary on Friday. We will hang out at the pool during the day. Then head over to MK around 5 pm. They usually start letting folks in for the party around 4ish depending on crowd levels. That way we don't use a ticket. We buy 10 day never expires every couple of years.

What ever you do you'll have a great time, just do a little planning and realize when the kids get whipped head back. Its no fun for anyone when the kids get grumpy, then mom and dad get grumpy.