Girls only trip

[Bon1423]

My almost three year old and I are planning to be in the world the second week of May for a girls only trip. She has three brothers and we want her first trip to be girly and special. We are doing three park days (just a long weekend) and staying in a little mermaid room. Would've loved the contemporary but this is all about her.

But I can't pick parks. My initial thought was two MK days with HS sandwiched between. But I know she'd love AK and all the animals and doc mcstuffins, I feel like it might not be enough to make it take HS place with the frozen sing a long, the beauty and the beast and Ariel show, plus TSMM and Sophia and doc. Then I was wondering do we actually need two days at MK? We won't be hitting most headliners as she is too short, we've got character meals planned so won't need many meet and greets.

So bottom line, what parks would you do? I suppose I could add a hopper but hopping with a stroller sounds like no fun. Also is there anything other than FEA you can see as a big draw for a 3 year old girl at Epcot? I'm not really considering it right now.

 

[Tomh]

FEA may be the only real big draw. Epcot does have Turtle Talk with Crush, but I don't expect that would be a must do.

To be honest, I'm not terribly sure that AK would be really thrilling for a 3 year old. I might be tempted to do just MK, and DHS like you originally planned.

 

[Accident]

Play it by ear and decide when there. Plan it as 1 MK and 1 AK day with HS for FP (whatever order works for you, I'd personally do MK, HS, AK. but don't tell her that. After you do MK the first day then you'll know if you want to keep it AK or get a second day at MK. then you ahve HS to break 2 MK days just in case you do that to start and end with MK. It's not hard to commando MK, ak you'll want the advance fastpasses. If you do think AK is the better choice that morning then your heading to AK and ready for it.

I agree with skipping epcot and save FEA for the family trip for a new surprise for her.

 

[Bon1423]

I am not sure AK is must do for her but she does love animals and our zoo here is terrible so it would be exciting for her. Not even sure what i would FP since i think she's too short for the main rides. Maybe Nemo?

Want to be sure I'm taking everything into account here it's my first foray into princess girl stuff at Disney lol.

I like the idea of keeping the last day a mystery we have Tony's planned for dinner that day and could set up MK FP but last minute do AK since idk if we even need FP for AK. Maybe I can grab a TH lunch. I'm just such a planner and we just came up w this yesterday lol. It's rough!

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Epcot has a meet and greet with Daisy Duck in her traditional outfit, so that would be girly and special. (She has other outfits in the other parks.)

With so much of HS closed for construction, I'd skip that and do the other three parks. It appears you've already ruled out park hopping, but a half day each at Epcot and HS would be another option.

 

[alliecat523]

Other than FEA and Nemo, there isn't much to excite a 3 year old in Epcot. And I agree that AK might not be that exciting for her either. I would stick with MK and HS.

My DD was 3 on her first trip and really never wanted to leave MK. As this is your DD's first trip, she's not going to know what she's missing if you don't take her somewhere.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I am not sure AK is must do for her but she does love animals and our zoo here is terrible so it would be exciting for her. Not even sure what i would FP since i think she's too short for the main rides. Maybe Nemo?

Want to be sure I'm taking everything into account here it's my first foray into princess girl stuff at Disney lol.

I like the idea of keeping the last day a mystery we have Tony's planned for dinner that day and could set up MK FP but last minute do AK since idk if we even need FP for AK. Maybe I can grab a TH lunch. I'm just such a planner and we just came up w this yesterday lol. It's rough!

I've traveled alone with DS to WDW since he was 3. Honestly, I would keep the 2 days in MK and one day in AK. DHS is very Star Wars heavy right now and, in terms of atmosphere, IMHO, doesn't compare to AK. AK is lovely even to just walk the animal trails. You can do Wilderness Explorers with her and the shows are a lot of fun! The safari is also fantastic and she may enjoy the dig site. I would definitely consider AK with a TH lunch.

Also, you mentioned you wanted to stay at the Contemporary but chose the AoA LM room for your daughter. I would encourage you to re-visit the CR idea if it's in your budget. Especially as a solo adult with a young child, walking to MK is such a perk over traveling by bus alone with a toddler. There is a lot at CR to impress a young child - the monorail going through the resort, the mural, etc. The AoA LM rooms are very far from the main building at AoA and will not make your life as a solo traveling parent easy. Will she like the decor? Yes, probably upon first seeing it, but the novelty wears off pretty quickly IMHO (it did when we stayed there) and then you are in an uncomfortable resort room that is far from all amenities. She will get the wow factor in the parks. I would encourage you to consider a resort that offers you more comfort and convenience.

 

[mrzrich]

The Little Mermaid rooms at AOA are the most inconvenient rooms at any value resort. Seriously. And the charge a premium for them compared to the others. Seriously the decorations are cute, but if you can afford the Contemporary, it would be so much more convenient for a solo parent with a toddler. I am sure that she would be in awe of the Monorail, and the views

 

[Bon1423]

Thanks for the input I'll have to see if the contemporary is available for our dates and reconsider. I just know she'd love the pool and the Ariel stuff at AoA so I'm very torn. Also I won't be totally solo, I'm pretty sure my mom is coming with us so that'll help a bit!

It's hard for me to think about going down without doing AK because it is my favorite park (which makes me weird lol). So I suppose I'm more partial than others. But I'm still leaning towards DHS for all the shows...I feel I may never decide haha!

 

[cole4/25]

I have nothing to contribute to your plans - I just wanted to say how awesome & sweet & adorable this trip is!! Such a wonderful idea!! Have a great time with your daughter!!

 

[happymommy]

If your mom is coming, it would be nicer to have two queen beds for the two of you, and the day bed for your daughter, at the CR. AOA LM rooms have two double beds. They're also furthest from the food court. So, two of you would share a double bed there and have a longer walk in the morning. The pool is cute, but gets quite busy. And, for a long weekend, how much pool time will you really plan?

I'd go with what's most comfortable for you, and as far as parks, do what YOU would prefer. She'll enjoy it all, really!

I wouldn't skip an afternoon at Epcot, walking around the countries! If you get park hoppers, buy the express bus pass, and it's quick and easy to hop from one park to another then.

The Living Seas at Epcot is fun with the Nemo attraction, the aquariums of fish, and Turtle Talk with Crush.

 

[Bon1423]

I can't get it to quote right I don't think, but I had to lol at the idea that she would sleep on the day bed if I'm in the room she'll be sleeping in my bed, most likely directly on top of me snoring haha

 

[lynzi2004]

This is a great idea! We took my daughter when she was 4...it was awesome! Here's my thoughts...1. Definitely consider staying at the Contemporary for ease of getting into MK and yes, at 4 my daughter thought the monorail thru the resort was the best ever! 2. We spent one afternoon at Art of Animation, she loved it! We ordered pizza at the food court and walked all over the resort taking pictures with the statues. 3. Have you looked into the new character breakfast at the Boardwalk with Rapunzel/Flynn, Ariel/Eric. Ressies just opened up for today so likelihood of getting one would be good. Since its at the Boardwalk, it wouldn't require a ticket and could be done on arrival or departure day. 4. I would definitely plan 1 MK day, 1 HS day, and then make dining ressies for both MK and AK, then after you have experienced MK decide if there is enough to do there the second day and adjust your dining ressie/FP accordingly. I might even make my FP for AK so that you can do Outpost (Mickey and Minnie Safari outfits), Safari, and one of the shows. If you decide to do MK instead, the FP that she would be tall enough for should be no trouble to get.

Good luck! You will have a fantastic time, our daughter still talks about our trip!

 

[Bon1423]

I still can't figure out how to quote though I swear I have before! I was able to get the Rapunzel Bon Voyage breakfast! It actually was what started the idea of this trip because Rapunzel and Ariel are her favorite

So far we have arrival day dinner at Ohana, which we may cancel depending on flight time. Next day is MK with BOG breakfast and dinner at 1900 PF. Following day is HS with breakfast at a trattoria al forno and dinner at H&V (alternate lunch at TH). Last day is MK with tea at the GF for lunch (thinking I'll cancel this and do backup AK TH lunch) and dinner at Tony's. departure day I've got bob voyage breakfast again in case we don't do HS at all.

Still trying to settle on the room choice. Waiting for a few quotes from the travel agent.

She's too little for BBB and I'm reluctant to schedule a dessert party since it's awfully late for her, any good add one we may be able to squeeze in that I'm not thinking of?

 

[happymommy]

That's a lot of dining, if you ask me.

For just a weekend, I'd do very little sit down meals, and just go with the flow. You will eat up a lot of time doing these meals. I'd just do more counter service and go with the flow, but that's me.

Maybe pick ONE special meal, then skip the others. Ohana, I would not do, only because you never know what will happen arrival day.

We go for a week, my DD and me, and only do one TS meal at most. The first time I took my kids alone (when they were 4 and 6) we did no sit down meals, and I discovered that even with a stroller, counter service was the most fun and relaxing.

 

[lynzi2004]

I still can't figure out how to quote though I swear I have before! I was able to get the Rapunzel Bon Voyage breakfast! It actually was what started the idea of this trip because Rapunzel and Ariel are her favorite

So far we have arrival day dinner at Ohana, which we may cancel depending on flight time. Next day is MK with BOG breakfast and dinner at 1900 PF. Following day is HS with breakfast at a trattoria al forno and dinner at H&V (alternate lunch at TH). Last day is MK with tea at the GF for lunch (thinking I'll cancel this and do backup AK TH lunch) and dinner at Tony's. departure day I've got bob voyage breakfast again in case we don't do HS at all.

Still trying to settle on the room choice. Waiting for a few quotes from the travel agent.

She's too little for BBB and I'm reluctant to schedule a dessert party since it's awfully late for her, any good add one we may be able to squeeze in that I'm not thinking of?

I don't think I would do the Bon Voyage breakfast on your HS day, I would do it on your departure day instead. I would rope drop HS so she would get an extra ride on TSMM. Everyone talks about how there's nothing to do at the Studios, well maybe not for the average teen family, but we have a full day planned by the time we see all the shows, meet all the Disney Junior Characters and see Fantasmic. Especially if we do a break or stroller nap mid-day.

I've never done the Princess Tea, but don't you only get to meet Aurora for that? It seems awfully expensive for only meeting one princess, especially since it eats up park time.

 

[Moms]

What fun! My daughter and I have been doing girls only trips to WDW (and lots of other places too) for years and this April we will be hitting the parks for the umpteenth time (really lost count long time ago). Whatever you finally decide just remember that you can't do everything but whatever you do it will be wonderful and she will have a wonderful time. For what it is worth we LOVED the sing along at HS despite the fact that we are both adults (never mind how old!) and both very tired and confused about the continuing Frozen mania ... we stopped in to sit and cool off on a warm day and had a great time ... it was so much fun watching all of the little ones get excited and sing along with the cast ... the show was pretty darned cute! Have a wonderful time!

 

[Bon1423]

I do agree I need to cut down on the dining. I was planning on short notice (I'm usually waiting at 6am 180 days out!) so I was searching and grabbing what I could find. I think ohana will go, along with the princess tea because I think she's too young to appreciate it. I am shooting for a TS a day once I pare it down, I will be on the dining plan and we are eaters so she will eat free at all the buffets at this point. I also think my mom will appreciate the break of a TS a day.

I agree the bon voyage breakfast should be departure day I just haven't booked flights yet so I'm waiting on that. Plus I was only able to get an 8am which I'm worried may be a little early for her after staying up late so I'm still weighing my options there. She's actually not an early riser (neither am I!)

I was able to get the Contemporary so I believe I'll be changing my reservation thanks to your input everyone!