First trip to Disney with the kids

[mjroyer]

We are visiting Disney with the kids for the first time November 26-December 2nd. My daughter is 6 and my son is 2 1/2. I know there is endless things to do of course but if you could tell me one thing to do what would it be?? We are staying at the Saratoga. Thanks for all the info in advance!!

 

[peemagg]

A tip I read somewhere was, to do MK last when it comes to traveling with Kids. They stated that after seeing Mk first the kids were kind of bored with the other parks. I think that this would be especially true with younger children. By doing it this way it kind of builds the suspense for the child.

 

[diz8297]

Do a character meal. It guarantees that the little ones will see characters and it is a lot of fun!! Have a great trip!!

 

[Smileybug]

A tip I read somewhere was, to do MK last when it comes to traveling with Kids. They stated that after seeing Mk first the kids were kind of bored with the other parks. I think that this would be especially true with younger children. By doing it this way it kind of builds the suspense for the child.

I have to agree with peemag,,,do the MK last. The MK is such a magical fairytale kind of place. The other parks (which are wonderful!!) just don't have that same...um...pixie dust!!

Most importanly is to take your time and have a wonderful trip!! And don't forget to take lots of pictures of your children's expressions. These will be priceless memories!!

 

[jenseib]

We are planning on taking just my 2 year old when we go this time ( I have been there with my older children before and they are now 14 and 17). Our plan at this point is mainly to just go to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. I don't think Epcoit will hold any thrills for her, as my older two mostly liked the video game areas and test track. Both of which she is too young for. The other stuff was OK there, but it wasn't the kids favorite and we always ended up gong back to the MK. MGM, isn't a favorite of mine either. We have only spent to half days there and got bored, so I don't think we will hit that again until she is older too. The one thing is I'm not sure I want to pay the extra for a park hopper so we can see the fireworks or parades if we want. But we haven't booked yet ,so i will decide then. Depending on what a deal we get.

We have always done the MK first, and the kids want to go back alot, but did enjoy going to different parks as well though. It was just their favorite. So I guess you need to decide too if you want to hit all the parks, or not and if you want ot be flexible when you get there or plan right away which parks you are going to and stick to it.

Also some of the simplest dumbest things are big hits with the kids. My kdis liked running through the water sprinklers. I think a few of hte parks have them, can't remember which. At the Animal kingdom we could've spent all day in the dinosuar dig area. Things that aren't really even advertised as big attractions were just amazing to them. Fireworks were fun and the night parade was a big thrill too.

 

[daisyduck123]

Try & get a reservation at Chef Mickey's...either breakfast or dinner. What a dining experience!!

Also, make sure you purchase an autograph book for your DD upon your arrival. You can find a variety in any resort or park gift shop.

 

[DisneyArk]

Try & get a reservation at Chef Mickey's...either breakfast or dinner. What a dining experience!!

Also, make sure you purchase an autograph book for your DD upon your arrival. You can find a variety in any resort or park gift shop.

I agree Chef Mickey's is always our favorite. And my sons love getting autographs!

We always start with MK. My sons are always happy while visiting the other parks and look forward to going back to MK.

Locate the playgrounds in all the parks so that you can go take a break when the kids need down time.
- Keep a close eye on your kids at Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground at MGM - it's really easy to lose a child in there.

 

[ndgqmiller]

We loved Chef Mickeys. We went on our first day then took the monorail to MK. I think for kids you have to see the castle first. Then go to the other parks and then go back to MK before you leave. It's up to you but it's the thing my kids wanted to see most. We also really liked Chip and dales campfire sing along at Ft Wilderness. Have fun!

 

[missdramaqueen]

If your flying you could keep them occupied by purchasing very cheap coloring books/ stickers/ other small toys...i'm not sure if target still says them but were going in December and my mom went...they have a whole line of disney stuff in the dollar section such as coloring books, stickers, sticker collecting books, cups, bowls, plates, forks and spoons, pens and writing untecils, little notebooks, children's books, iron on tee shirt designs, mm sticky notes and more. I've been to disney 3 times and disneyland 1 time and my mom has always done this with me...as I got older she might include a kid's quidebook to disney world...also check out www.mouseforless.com you can print out free kid's ids, trip journels, paper chains(you pull off 1 link everyday until your trip) homework sheets for older kids and character themed letters and numbers sheets such as M for Mickey then you trace M and fill in the M in his name hope this helps

 

[mjroyer]

I have made reservations for Chef Mickey, Cinderella's Royal Table and the one with Pooh, Tigger can't remember but guess I will find out. I also hit Target yesterday and stocked up on all the Mickey stuff!! We purchased a Hopper pass so if they don't care for Epcot or any other we can just be at MK. Thanks Again.

 

[PeachesDoesHair]

My daughter(3) LOVED Epcot. She really got into making her mask at the Kidcot Fun Stops. In fact, we asked her if she wanted to go ride more rides (MK) or finish her mask and she wanted to finish the mask. So, definately don't discount Epcot with a little one. My daughter loved it.

 

[Ros4]

We are going back in Jaunuary with ds2 1/1 and dd9. Crystal Palace is a great place to have dinner at MK. The characters are Pooh & friends. The food is pretty good and its a buffet. Lots of fun. Chef Mickey's is lots of fun too and easy to get to from MK. If you have not already made seating arrangments for these places you should. I think both offer breakfast, lunch or dinner.

In the past we have done MK on first day and then on the last day. We will probably do the same again this year. Animal Kingdom and MK seem to have the most appeal for toddlers. I do not think my ds would be interested in Epcot. However, two years ago , when may dd was 7. She loved Epcot!!!
One of us is planning to take ds back to resort to nap . The other one will hop to Epcot durning this time with DD. Your 6 year old will probably love all the parks !!!

 

[tazdeb]

Dont discount EPCOT. It was my 2 young daughters favorite park too. They loved the little shows with audience participation that every country has. In Germany they got to ring the bells in the bell show, play with the human statues in France, dance with the sun gods in Mexico....etc....Also if your kids like character interaction, EPCOT has more than any other place and is never that crowded. For instance, each country has the famous characters from films located in that country. Want to see Alladin? Go to Morroco. Belle? France. Snow White and the Seven dwarphs? Germany. Peter Pan? England. We filled a whole book in one day and the kids never needed to stop and see other characters with long lines at other parks because they had them already..............But my main advise when taking kids to WDW is this, (and we have been going for 12 years now,first trip when they were 2)..........STOP and SMELL the ROSES.........SLOW DOWN.......The beauty of WDW is in the details. Let the kids sing down the wishing well, play in the Alice in wonderland bush maze. Eat an ice cream cone while stading 3 feet away from a giant bat. I think most people rush from line to line at Disney trying to see as may attractions as they can that they miss the best thing about the place.....THE MAGIC.....and that magic is made by YOUR FAMILY.....The smile on your daughters face when she first sees MICKEY....The wonder in their eyes when the first audiotronic figure comes to life.....How proud they are that they went down the biggest slide at BB or TL...... Appreciate these little things.....Take a break when they get tired and watch the sidewalk entertainment with a snack, give lots of hugs, get lots of hugs and your vacation memories will last a lifetime........Have fun....TAZ

 

[herodrx1]

I agree about EPCOT. My DD loved it!! She loved Kidcot stations. She also liked that the rides weren't scary. We must have ridden Spaceship Earth a zillion times. It makes me smile just thinking about it.

 

[M-I-C-K-E-Y]

One things we did with our DS (5 years old) was to have him hold back some of his spending money for a special "something" at the end of our visit. The last day, at the MK, he spotted a large stuffed Pooh that he fell in love with. We told him to wait (helping build the suspense and the need for Pooh to be either left at GS or lugged around) until later that evening. Just before the fireworks, he and I made a run up to the store (next to the WTP ride) and rescued "his" Pooh (of course, for all we knew, it was another Pooh by this time). They've been the best of pals ever since, and it was a magical way for him to spend that last evening...

 

[txaggiemomof3]

It sounds like you are very prepared Having parkhopper passes is the way to go. Our kids are 9, 6 and 4 and we would go to one park in the morning, come back to our hotel for a rest and then go back out for dinner and sometimes another park in the late afternoon.

I would go to MK first. I think it really sets the mood for your vacation. We went there the night we arrived. We had reservations at Chef Mickey's for an early dinner and then took the monorail to MK. We just walked down Main Street, checked out the castle and then went to see Philharmagic(which we all LOVED!). We knew we would be back the next day so we left to get a good night's sleep at our hotel. It was a great way to start our vacation! We went back the next day to check out the other attractions. We also spent our last full day at MK. My kids also loved MGM and AK. They liked Epcot, just not as much as the other parks (Turtle Talk with Crush at The Living Seas was a big hit though!).

I liked tazdeb's advice about slowing down and taking time to enjoy the magic. Don't run yourself ragged trying to catch every attraction. Be sure to stop every once in awhile to take it all in. Have a GREAT trip!!!