Help! First time trip planning questions...

[mouse lovin' family]

Ok, so we make our first WDW trip in less than a month. We are staying off site and have only three days to visit the parks (we have to attend a wedding in the Tampa area for the rest of our week's vacation). My 3 princesses are 4, 2.5, and 7 months. Obviously the Magic Kingdom is high on the priority list to visit. Of our three days, I'm thinking one day of MK, one at Epcot and then either one at MGM or AK. Or maybe just two days of MK and one at Epcot. Anybody who has visited with small children have any input?

Thanks for your help!

Mouse Lovin' Family

 

[gris gris]

I don't think I'd skip Animal Kingdom with your little girls, it's so fun to see all those animals. Assuming they like them! I'd skip MGM. When we go this year we're bringing DD4 and plan to only spend a 1/2 day at MGM, mostly so DH & I can go on Rockin Roller Coaster & the Tower of Terror. JMO

 

[Ariel8676]

Hi i also have 3 princess'..4,3, and 8 months...i would do one day for MK, then maybe do 1/2 day at AK and 1/2 day at MGM (my girls love the playhouse Disney show, and Beauty and the beast on stage, little mermaid etc.)then the last day you could do Epcot for 1/2 day and then finish the vacation with MK..go at night and finish off with fireworks. It sounds like a lot of running around, but we like to break up the days anyway. This way you all get to see a little of everything.. You could really break it up anyway you'd like..i probably should have asked if you were getting hoppers...

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Have to agree about cutting out some of the Epcot time and adding in the AK. Again, assuming you have park hoppers.

 

[Disney4Drew]

Hi...I would suggest picking up the Unofficial Guide to Disney or another similar book to see what attractions interest you most. That way, you can plan your days and parks a little easier.

 

[tink1969]

You definitely should pay extra for the park hopper option. Animal Kingdom shuts down earlier than the other parks and you could then spend the evening at Magic Kingdom. My two girls love MK!
Your young girls would enjoy MGM much more than Epcot. There is more for them at MGM that is age appropriate. Disney's Playhouse with Bear in the Big Blue House, Pooh, the Mermaid "Ariel" show, Belle and the Beast show, to name a few. There is also a parade at MGM (not at Epcot).
Have a great trip!

 

[Samantha/NC]

Hi,
I would agree about Epcot, We have younger ones and they loved MK, I also liked MGM for the shows.

SOme tips:
Get to the park at rope drop, that way you are there when it opens--go straight back to Fantasyland! You will have it to yourself for about an hour!!

 

[Desnik]

Welcome to the DIS!!!!
I would definately agree on at least a day at MK. Your trip is in Sept? It will be hot so prepare for that. You should get a guide book so you can get a feel for the parks and attractions. With kids those ages you can do MGM in half a day, same with AK. Some don't think Epcot is as fun as the other parks for small kids. We disagree! Our kids have always loved it, us too! I would say Epcot is a whole day park. Keep in mind you will need time to get to the park so leave your resort early.

At MGM must sees for littl ones would be playhouse Disney, Little Mermaid, Muppets 3D, B&B show. The characters here are great, so is the afternoon parade.

At AK our kids liked the bone dig area, festival of the Lion King show.

At MK, well everything!!! Don't forget to see WISHES!!!

Epcot, we like touring the countries and have always had luck finding the characters in their countries. Like Aladdin and Jasmin in Morroco. Also spaceship earth. Illuminations is not to be missed IMHO!!!

 

[Gramgwen]

We visited all four parks last year with our grandsons (3 1/2 and 5 at the time). I really think they enjoyed MK and AK the best. We are going back in October and concentrating on those two parks and enjoying the resort (POR). There is a lot we did not see last year because of the heat. Hopefully October will be a bit cooler.

 

[LaraK]

The kids really prefer MK in our family. We spend much more time there than anywhere else. We do MK in the morning and then another park in the evening most times. (I hate crowds) When going to MK, I agree that you have to be there for the rope drop. Go straight to Fantasy Land...do Dumbo first! (we also stopped to wake up Tinkerbell one morning) Dumbo takes forever when there is any kind of a line and it's a "must" for the kids. Watch your time in Fantasyland and make sure you are at the rope drop for Toontown and then SPRINT for the princess line in the country fair/big top area (for some reason I'm having a brain cramp and can't remember the name of the charecter greeting area). Then you can get 3 princesses at once, but if you don't hustle, there's a long line within about 5 minutes of the rope dropping.

 

[mouse lovin' family]

Thanks for all your input. I still have lots of decisions to make, but getting some input from the experts who've done it before helps me at least think that I'm making a better decision.
Thanks for taking the time to respond!

Mouse Lovin' Family