HELP--need advice for my vaca w/ 5 yr old

[SuzanneMcC]

I haven't been to Disney in YEARS, and never with children. I have 2, but am travelling with the older one who is 5 years old. A 'Mommy/ Big Boy" trip together.

I have made reservations at the Dolphin, which was a bit of a splurge for us but used my AAA, so that helped. I booked Happy Limo (sedan, not limo) to get us from the airport. Got great airfare deal, so I feel like I'm in good shape.

BUT.... from here, I'm a bit lost. Best place to buy Park Hopper 5-6 day pass?? I"ll probably get the Disney with Kids Unofficial Guide, but could use ANY tips!!! Is Pal Mickey a MUST-HAVE?? My 5 yr-old is into thrill rides, but may not meet the height requirements. Does anyone know what the height is? Don't think I could handle Tower of Terror anyway!!!

I am open to ANY and all helpful hints. Its all so overwhelming... what is there at Epcot for a 5 yr old? We are staying for 5 days, and won't try to do it ALL but want to, obviously, make this really special. Thanks for help!!!!

 

[KathyFP]

Is Pal Mickey a MUST-HAVE??

My dd (6 1/2) got pal mickey last year and brought it back to the paark with her again this year. She loves the jokes and getting park information. She thinks the games are boring. I am glad we made the investment.

My 5 yr-old is into thrill rides, but may not meet the height requirements. Does anyone know what the height is? Don't think I could handle Tower of Terror anyway!!!

The height requirment is 40". This was dd's favorite ridfe until this year when she was tall enough for rock 'n' roller coaster.

I am open to ANY and all helpful hints. Its all so overwhelming... what is there at Epcot for a 5 yr old?

There is a lot to do at Epcot. My dd has always enjoyed EPCOT.

I created spreadsheets that give a lot of tips and a listing of all of the characters. I will post the link shortly. When I return from this trip, I plan to update them.

 

[swilphil]

If you look on the Budget Board you will find an outlet store where you can order the Pal Mickey at a much price. You will love the Dolphin. The location is great. Epcot's World Showcase is great for a 5 year old. They have kidcot stations, lots of characters and other non-ride things for kids. You do have to read up on it because sometimes it's hard to find the cool stuff to do there.

My 4 year old wanted to go on Tower of Tower. He barely met the 40" requirement, and did fine. He only wanted to ride it once though. It helps if you get the free planning video to watch so he knows what rides he wants to do. The video they show on the hotel tv also shows more rides. My son thought he wanted to do the Dino ride, but after seeing that video at the hotel he decided against it. I never force him to go on a ride. Just hold on tight if you do Tower of Terror.

As far as tickets, the MYW tickets start Jan. 2. A six day ticket is only $1 more than a 5 day and $2 more for a 7 day.

 

[lucky978]

My girls have been twice when they were 5 and once when they were 6.

Best place to buy Park Hopper 5-6 day pass??
Disney is starting a new ticket plan in January. It's called Magic Your Way. You'll have to buy one of those, so I'm not sure where else you will be able to buy it besides Disney.

I"ll probably get the Disney with Kids Unofficial Guide, but could use ANY tips!!! Is Pal Mickey a MUST-HAVE??
We've never used that guide. And we've never had a Pal Mickey. Doesn't seem like it's something my girls would be into, plus it's just one more thing to carry around.

My 5 yr-old is into thrill rides, but may not meet the height requirements. Does anyone know what the height is? Don't think I could handle Tower of Terror anyway!!!
My girls are very small for their age. They can ride almost all the rides with the exception of Rock'n'Roller Coaster, Space Mountain and Primeval Whirl at Animal Kingdom. Everything else is a go for us (including Mission Space, which they didn't care for).

I am open to ANY and all helpful hints. Its all so overwhelming... what is there at Epcot for a 5 yr old?
We love Epcot. There is Test Track, The Figment ride, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, The Living Seas, and you could walk around the countries. My girls loved the Living Statues in Italy. It was their favorite thing about Epcot!

We are staying for 5 days, and won't try to do it ALL but want to, obviously, make this really special. Thanks for help!!!!
You guys will have a blast. Just go at his pace and don't push it. Take the afternoon break that everyone talks about. Either that, or don't stay out too late.

 

[mmeb144]

Invest in the unofficial guide to WDW. Huge book, but lots of fun to read before the trip.

Get in your disney frame of mind. No commandos here. When you are with your DS, just enjoy the attractions he wants to. Try to find out what he really must see and do, then do them. Once I got over my commando frame of mind, I really enjoyed being at WDW with my kids. Sure, we miss some things, but, we really enjoy the ones we do see. (And, most of the attractions will be there next time. )

Marie

 

[SuzanneMcC]

Wow... I can't believe how fast responses were. Very helpful, and thank you. As for the commando thing, that will be my biggest challenge. I am a micro-planner by nature... no stone left unturned. I will have to take BIG breath and step back and let him direct. It is supposed to be all about him, right? I LOVE Disney and went every year as a kid, and a few times after college, but I'm sure it's changed a lot. I haven't seen the water parks, or the Animal Park. My son will LOVE the water parks, so I might wait till more towards the end of the week, otherwise that's all he'll want to do!!

Thanks everyone..... I appreciate it

 

[flagirl]

You can buy disney tix at any disney store in your local malls. Saves time when you get down there from having to get your tix.

Have fun!!!!

 

[micmacmissy]

Another micro-manager here...

...We just took our 4 1/2 year old son last month--there is so much to see and do, I wouldn't waste the money on the Pal Mickey. You're not going to want to lug it around, and there is plenty to do without it.

I think the highest height restriction we saw was 48 inches (only on the most scary rides)--so if he's taller than that, he can ride anything he wants. DEFINITELY get the unofficial WDW book--it has each ride listed, rated, and has height requirements in it. Also tells you which rides cause sickness or are too scary.

My son LOVED Epcot. The Living Seas had a whole Nemo theme, which took us several hours to get through. Make SURE you see "Turtle Talk" with Crush--it was awesome and the kids loved it. The world showcase wasn't of as much interest to him as the nemo section, but there are still some fun river rides there (one in the land, one in Mexico, one in Norway...) Also, there are "Kidcot" craft stations at each country where he can make a free craft or get a "passport" stamped.

We also bought our tickets at the Disney store before we left--cheapest price we could find, and they give you a confirmation number so if you lose your tickets, they can be replaced--a nice touch.

Magic Kingdom will probably be the highlight of the trip--our son (who is on the short side and more easily scared) rode EVERYTHING there except the big three--Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain.

Where are you staying? We stayed at the Grand Floridian and that was a huge hit with our son--who LOVES trains. The monorail and boat rides over to the Magic Kingdom were highlights of his trip.

HAve an awesome time!!!

 

[rcraw45425]

Suzanne,
check your private messages I just sent you one.

 

[erinz]

5 is a wonderful age for a kid at WDW!

We took our DD there 5 yrs ago, when she was five. She had a fantastic time!

One thing you might want to check out with your son. How much is he into the characters? If he has favorites I would recommend finding a charater breakfast or dinner to go to. Also, if he is into the characters, buy an autograph book for the characters to sign.

My daughter was SO CUTE interacting with the character! That and her autograph book was the highlight of her trip. She was still at an age where she was pretty certain they weren't really Pooh and Piglet, but she wasn't TOTALLY sure.

When we took her 4 yrs later, she had no interest in the characters what so ever......Oh well.....

The other thing is make sure you get a passport at Epcot (ask a CM at one of the stores and they'll tell you where to get it). Then you go around the "World" and have CMs from the country sign the passport Your son will also get a mask at the first country (they all have them) to decorate each time he goes to a new country. There are "Kidcot Stations" at each country where he can sit down and decorate it.

Have FA BULOUS TIME!!

 

[pumpkinboy]

Invest in the unofficial guide to WDW. Huge book, but lots of fun to read before the trip.
Get in your disney frame of mind. No commandos here. When you are with your DS, just enjoy the attractions he wants to. Try to find out what he really must see and do, then do them. Once I got over my commando frame of mind, I really enjoyed being at WDW with my kids. Sure, we miss some things, but, we really enjoy the ones we do see. (And, most of the attractions will be there next time. )
Marie

Hiya Neighbor!

Marie is spot-on here! I definately second the motion on the Unofficial Guide to WDW, but the original, not the smaller one restricted to kids' stuff. You miss a lot of the really good stuff with the smaller edition, and the main edition is well worth the $15 or so it costs.

As for Pal Mickey, we have a 7 yr old and a 5 yr old and frankly there is enough stimulation at WDW that you don't need even more noise coming from a toy (which incidentally you need to lug around everywhere).

The water parks are great fun but a little beyond many 5 yr olds' interests and abilities. Save them for another trip, since this is yet another expense added to your tickets. Once again, there is enough really cool stuff to more than fill the 5 days you are going, save them for another time. The Dolphin has a great pool complex (the Grotto) and should suffice for your BS's age group (he doesn't have to know about the bigger water parks now does he).

Now one thing you haven't mentioned is a Character Meal. Depending on what your DS's interests are, there should be a character meal that will suit his personality. My DS had dinner at the Crystal Palace with Pooh and friends, and thought that was just the Cat's Pajamas; his face still lights up when he sees pix from that trip (even now that he's a big second grader). Perhaps the breakfast at Cape May over that the Beach Club might suit your needs, hoted by "Goofy and friends", and that's a very quick walk from the Dolphin. I think there's something at the Swan too.

As for Tickets, if you're coming back within the next 12 months, it might pay to consider an annual pass. The breakeven point is somewhere in the 7 day range and you have it for the whole year (say you're going in early February '05, your APs are good still if you go again in late January '06 when Dad and baby sibling can join). APs get other great perks like hotel and restaurant discounts. After tax price for APs is $403.64 for you and $342.93 for DS. For the AP breakeven analysis, I like this analysis on AllEarsNet.com .
If you are not planning to do any more WDW in the next 12 months, then the Magic Your Way tix are the new option. I believe AAA still has a few 4 day park hoppers and maybe some 5 day PHs (you are not gonna need the plusses this trip, I expect), but you can only buy these until 1/2/05. Actually, the new MYW tix might just be more cost-effective. List price (before tax) for the 5 day MYW tix plus park-hopping would be $228 for you and $190 for DS (then add 6.5% tax). Note that the old PHs' days never expired while the MYW tix do expire, unless you pay extra. AllEarsNet.com also has a useful chart for MYW tix comparisons.

Take it easy, and remember, you don't have to do everything, just Dumbo and maybe a few others. Enjoy!