Friend booked an October vacation w/kids

[Luv2Roam]

A friend of mine booked an October 20-25th vacation. Five in their party, and their AAA package includes a van. They are booked at Riverside, so figuring they will be in Alligator Bayou (trundle bed). (Five day stay with park hoppers.)

Now -- not having kids, I don't know a lot about WDW vacations WITH kids. They have three boys. Two are pre-school, one is around 9 I would guess.

Suggestions? She thought they could do MNSSHP with an afternoon nap that day.
She also mentioned the character breakfast at AK.

Suggestions on what not to miss or what to miss? First time for the little ones. The older was with them on a previous trip. But that was probably 5 years ago. And they were with family and didn't get to explore as much as they would have liked.

I will suggest the upfront monorail ride and hair cuts at MK.

 

[jennymouse]

Maybe she can get them one of those Tour Guides for kids. I got my DGD one for our first trip and she nearly wore it out looking at it. They can pick what they want to do/see and each attraction has a "scare factor" rating.

I bet they'd like the petting zoo at Fort Wilderness.

 

[mmeb144]

Plan several different times at the MK. This will give them a chance to enjoy a lot of the attractions. No need to run like crazy people and wear themselves out. Also, buy the official guide books to WDW. It gives good ride descriptions. I go through it with my kids, DS, 12 and DD, 9, before the trip so that we all know the must-sees.

Marie