Getting Overwhelmed

[danielle916]

I am getting a little overwhelmed rigt now, i think its because i am reading way too much on the PC, lol and in my books...

But i was wondering if someone can give me the MOST IMPORTANT ATTRACTIONS I NEED TO take my kids to, an absolute NOT MISS...
they are ages 4, 2.5 and 14 momths

Where are the best places to meet the characters....

My biggest fear is that we get there and we get no chance to meet the characters

 

[queenarmadillo]

Don't be overwhelmed, its fairly hard to do Disney 'wrong' and your kids will love it whatever you do. For Character greetings, a breakfast is great (I LOVE chef mickey's at the contemporary) because you get all the most important characters (Mickey, minnie, goofy etc) without having to queue for hours at toontown. If you know its booked, you dont have to deliberately set aside time to visit them in the parks (although if you come across them with no queue then obviously go for it). World showcase at EPCOT is also a good place to meet different characters earlier in the day, without massive queue.
With kids that young, probably the only 'essential' rides are the ones in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom. Beyond that, just pick the ones you think they are likely to enjoy the most, you know what they like.

 

[#1DizGal]

Hi, Danielle - hakuna matata (no worries!) - there are plenty of folks on this board who will give you suggestions. Here are mine. There are characters galore at the MK appearing in the judge's tent in Mickey's Toontown, and characters roaming around (all) the parks all the time. I don't have children, but It's a Small World is a must for your young ones. Maybe check out Playhouse Disney at the Studios, and Turtle Talk with Crush at Epcot. Those are just a few I can think of off the top of my head. Hope that helps!

 

[matt&jakesmom]

We have all been where you are. We go every year and I still feel overwhelmed in the planning. A must is the Dumbo ride. Both my boys rode that with daddy at a year old. Any ride in Mk is good for little ones. As for characters I would suggest also Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary Resort. Breakfast or dinner is good. You get to see Mickey,Minnie, Chip and Dale, Goofy, Pluto is usually there for breakfast and Donald for dinner. Each of them will come around to your table for autographs and pictures. We always start and end our vacation at Chef Mickey's.

Just relax, read the info on the boards and you will be fine. Keep in mind that once you are there you may have to modify the plans.

 

[jwann]

Considering your children's ages:

Epcot

Must do’s:
Journey into Your Imagination – Figment ride
Turtle Talk with Crush (in the Living Seas)
Soarin’ (in the Land Pavilion) (Fast Pass)
Walk around World Showcase and see the different countries
Illuminations (the evening program)
Spaceship Earth (The big ball)
Toon Tag (in Innoventions)

Characters:
Check the map and times guide for times, but the characters arrive on a double-decker red bus in the entrance to World Showcase. The characters come out and the lines begin. You can also find Jasmine and Aladdin in Morocco and Belle and Beast in France.

Animal Kingdom

Must do’s:
It’s Tough to Be a Bug (a show)
Kilimanjaro Safari (everyone can do this ride!)
Festival of the Lion King (a show)
Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade
Triceratops Spin (kiddie ride)

Characters:
There is a place just before you walk into Dinoland (on the right) which is where you can find Pooh characters. Mickey and Minnie can be found in Camp Minnie Mickey (where Festival of the Lion King is shown)

Magic Kingdom

Must do’s:
Mickey’s Philharmagic (show)
Winnie the Pooh
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
It’s a Small World
Dumbo (this line can get long and there is no fastpass -- if it's busy, try Alladin's Magic Carpet instead)
Wishes (the evening program)

Characters:
You can find Mickey and Minnie in Mickey’s Toontown Fair.

MGM Studios

Must dos:
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Playhouse Disney (if they watch those shows)
Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playset
Muppets 3D
Fantasmic (the evening show)

Characters:
They usually come out in front of the big hat in the afternoon.

Other Tips in General

ASK, always ASK a cast member if you have any questions. Ask them for their opinions, suggestions, etc. Interacting with the cast members can be the best way to experience the Disney magic! Also, remember that you can leave the park and come back. When our kids were younger, we enjoyed ourselves most when we would take a 2-4 hour break in the middle of the day, back at the hotel napping, resting, and eating. Speaking of eating, you CAN take food into the parks. We always take snacks with us so we don’t have to buy them there.

 

[danielle916]

ASK, always ASK a cast member if you have any questions. Ask them for their opinions, suggestions, etc. Interacting with the cast members can be the best way to experience the Disney magic! Also, remember that you can leave the park and come back. When our kids were younger, we enjoyed ourselves most when we would take a 2-4 hour break in the middle of the day, back at the hotel napping, resting, and eating. Speaking of eating, you CAN take food into the parks. We always take snacks with us so we don’t have to buy them there.[/QUOTE]

thank you so much for your tips, i wrote it all down!