First Trip

[jkjjhuddle]

We are going on our first tirp to WDW in less than a month. My DH has been, but that was many years ago. I have 2 DS. One is 41/2 and the other is 11 mo. I need advice. I have been told to wait to go to MK until towards the end of the trip because the 4 yr old would be disapointed with the other parks. Is this true? We are staying off site for this trip. Any helpful hints????

 

[bcinohio]

If you are planning to wait to go to the MK, which is the most small kid friendly, then I would suggest maybe a character breakfast so that your kids can see Mickey sooner than having to wait to get to the MK. We really like Chef Mickey's. They have Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Chip, and Dale. It is a lot of fun. The characters come right to your table for pictures and autographs.

Have a great trip.

 

[all4fun]

www.allearsnet.com, click on planning at the top of the screen. There's tons of info there to help you plan your trip. Check out the section on "Attendance" (left side of screen) and that will help you decide which days are best to attend which park.

Also, If you're going to be in the parks more than three or four days, I would recommend going to Epcot first, since it is generally the most "adult" oriented park. MK is the most "kid" oriented park and if you go there right away you may run the risk of your kids driving you crazy when your in the other parks because they want to go back and spend all their time there.

Chef Mickey's is a great choice. The number to call for Priority Seating is 407-WDW-DINE (939-3463).

Hope this helps and have a magical trip!

 

[Rapunsel]

To me it is not WDW with out going to the MK first.. Just the look on the kids face when they see the castle is worth it all... No matter what even if we arrive on a half day we go to the MK first.. That way you can do the stuff for the kids first... Then the adult stuff.. But that is just my opinion.

 

[cindysteve]

We always go to MK first. My kids have always still enjoyed the other parks. There is plenty of fun 4 1/2 year old stuff at all the parks.

 

[JRLATL]

I understand the theory behind waiting until later in the visit to go to MK, but I recommend going near, or at the beginning. It is the most magical, and sets the mood the the whole visit. Also, you may love it so much that you are not really interested in seeing all of the parks, such as Epcot, on this trip. I'm just saying Epcot due to the young ages of your children. That way you can go back to MK as much as you want. Have a great trip!

 

[dougsmom98]

I totally agree with the above poster who mentioned that you should go to the MK early in your trip because you may want to go back again because you love it so much. Our oldest just turned 4 and our twins were 2 on our last trip. We went to MGM first, MK next, AK next and then went back to MK twice. I had read the guidebooks and knew that my kids would not want to go to Epcot for an entire day. We went there one evening and although I know my husband and I would have loved to spend the day there, my kids would have been miserable. They absolutely love MK and to watch them enjoy it was worth missing out on some other things. As my kids get older we will take advantage of all that Disney has to offer, but the magic is only "real" for them for a little while and MK has so much magic for little ones.
Like you, we also stayed offsite. You should try to plan your touring around Extra Magic Hours for onsite guests. Our first four days were planned around Extra Magic Hours and we got to the parks as soon as they opened. We got to see so much in the first 2 hours. The last day we were there was an EMH day at MK for onsite guests. We ignored this because we loved the MK so much. It was so disappointing. We were still able to do some things because of Fast Pass, but the park was packed.
Good Luck.
Amy

 

[720L]

Definitely bring kids to Magic Kingdom the first day--like the other posters said it "sets the mood". If you buy a park hopper ticket you can split your days with Magic Kingdom. We usually do Epcot for a half day then end at Magic Kingdom.

 

[dmonroe]

We usually wait a couple of days into the trip to go to MK. Not because ds will be disappointed in the other parks, but because we usually arrive on a Saturday. I am definitely not going to MK on a Saturday! We usually go to Epcot on arrival day, MGM the next day (it really is ds's least favorite park at this point, he's 4). We usually hit MK on Monday, then hit it again on Tuesday night for MVMCP, then hit it again on Friday for our last day! I would definitely try to work in more than one visit to MK--there are sure to be many things you'll want to "redo".

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We do MK first day. Other posters are right it does set the mood for the trip. You can make PS's for character meals days you're doing other parks. I think MK is best but little kids also like MGM because of the Playhouse DIsney, Muppet show, and Little Mermaid show. This way you can go back to MK if that's what you like best when you have an extra day. Just walking down Main Street and seeing the Castle sets the whole tone for the trip IMHO.

 

[HollyJoy]

This will be my girls (ages 7 and 5) first trip, and we'll go to MK FIRST. This is the main park that they are looking forward to, so we'll go on our first day and last. We'll do the others in the middle!

 

[jkjjhuddle]

Thanks for so much information. We are not sure yet what we will do, but this has given us alot to consider. Thanks

 

[HeatherC]

Another suggestion for little ones that works well for us is to plan a break midday. We have always stayed offsite, so instead of heading back to the hotel, we would do a character meal. At the MK we did Crystal Palace. It was wonderful...the kids loved it and it really recharged everyone for the rest of the day. Plus...around 11 or 12 it is getting very hot and the ac felt wonderful. It was a nice break for an hour or so.

My kids (3,5 and 7) love Epcot!! They love visiting the countries and especially the Ice Cream Social where they get to see Farmer Mickey and friends.

Have a wonderful trip!
HeatherC

 

[marcyinPA]

My boys, almost 5 and almost 9, love ALL the parks, but love MK the best. We always go to MK first, Saturday or not! I'm hoping we can get in this Saturday and that it won't be at capacity when we arrive around noon. Another "must" for the first night is Chef Mickey's. We have PS's there on Saturday night at 6:30...Can't wait!!