Help On 1st Trip To Wdw With 3 Yr Old

[smokeyjoe]

My DH and I are planning on taking our 3 yr old son to WDW for the 1st time for his birthday. We've been several times but without kids. We are planning on staying about 3-4 days and would like to stay on Disney property. Please give us some pointers on which parks to visit while we're there because we know we'll never see it all on this trip and am overwhelmed by what the park has to offer.

 

[tricia]

Magic Kingdom.

Dumbo, Peter Pan, It's a Small World, Alladin, Jungle cruise, Pirates of the Carribean, the Carousel, Buzz Lightyear and lots more to keep him happy.

If you can afford it a hotel on the monorail would be best, but if money is a factor the All Stars are great with little ones. We have always stayed there.

Bring your own stroller, too heavy to carry a 3 yr old at the end of the day.

 

[philaround]

Welcome Smokeyjoe. Hope you get all the info you need.

My personal suggestions For a short visit with a 3yo are
1st and foremost stay away from Epcot. While it is a great park, it is just too large for a 3yo and very minimal attractions that would appeal to 3yo boy. You must, of course, visit the Magic Kingdom, but don't be surprised if your son throws a fit over the costumed characters. Young children take a lot of cues from facial expressions, so large walking stuffed animals might be more than he can take. Animal Kingdom would probably be a good bet but stay away from It's tough to be a bug, it is rather intense and I have seen liitle children get very frightened at it. The studios should be so so for him. While there is a lot less for yougsters at Studios than at the Magic Kingdom, there should be enough to keep him smiling.

I know how hard it is the go to WDW with a young child after going there without a child before. Just remember to look at things thru his eyes not yours and you will double your fun and enjoyment.

 

[mep319]

We celebrated our DD 3rd bday at disney too! I think a lot depends if he is afraid of the characters or not. If not..I'd suggest to focus time at Mk & MGM. Be sure to do some of the character meals.... Chef Mickeys and Cinderella were her favorites....be sure to tell them it is his Bday (even if it is not that day). They make a big fuss...we had a week long celebration. She also loved Hoop-de-doo review. We stayed at POFQ...but I understand there is some construction there now. She loved the pool there as well.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

We just took my 2 1/2 year DS. We loved the Wilderness Lodge--just a boatride away to the Magic Kingdom. He enjoyed the boat as much as any other ride

We spent three mornings at MK and he loved it more each time. We did all of Fantasyland, Toontown, Pirates, Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, the show in front of the Castle, Aladdin, and the Country Bear Jamboree. Buzz Lightyear and the TTA were also big hits!!

He loved the characters, so we did a character breakfast or dinner everyday. It was so worth the money because he didn't have to wait in long hot lines to meet the characters, and it allowed for much more relaxed interaction. We did Chef Mickey's, Ohanas, Crystal Palace, 1900 Park Fair, and Breakfastaurus.

We did all four major parks and BB; if I could only be there 4 days, I would do at least 2 if not 3 days at Magic Kingdom (we left daily around lunch time for nap, then swam at the pool and returned to parks around dinnertime). Then I would do either MGM or AK. My son's favorite between those two was probably AK; at MGM he could really only see shows which were less appealing to him.

Hope that helps, and HAVE FUN!!

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

I agree with all of the previous posters! My dd was almost 3 the last trip we took. I wouldn't skip MGM though, Playhouse Disney is there!!! The kids have a great time with that, you sit on the floor, and the kids can get up and dance to the songs. It was a really good time, a place to sit, and A/C!

 

[viluvsdisney]

Hi! We let our dd 2.5 watch the planning video and the Disneyland sing along video so she would have an idea of the size and activity of the characters. Even though she' a shy one she did talk to some of the characters - and I think the videos helped And at 3 yrs old - a stroller helps the day go smoother. As far as resorts - we stayed at the All Stars - and we joke that our DD would have been thrilled if all we did was go to the hotel and gift shop! She was so excited over just the hotel that she had forgotten that there were parks to go to as well. And we called it a "special treat" (although it made me nervous at first) for our DD to ride a bus without being in a carseat so the transportation on the property worked out fine from All Stars. I agree with skipping Epcot - unless you can figure a time when your little one may be sleeping in a stroller you may be able to cruise around Epcot for a bit during that time. Have a great trip!

 

[ryansmom]

I definately agree with the above comments about bringing your own stroller. While you can rent one at the parks, it is also handy to have outside the parks - to & from transportation, through your resort, etc.
My DS (2/12 yrs at the time) loved the character meals we did - Chef Mickey's and Crystal Palace. You kill two birds with one stone. Get character autographs and have a meal at the same time!!!

 

[jacksonsmom]

Last June we took our 3 yr old to WDW for the first time. For the most part things went pretty good.
You can make a schedule of things to do when & where BUT remember to be flexible. A few days we threw out our schedule & just "winged" it.

Magic Kingdom is a must for any 3 yrs old, but really all the parks are wonderful. But since you might only be there 3 or 4 days, I would skip Epcot.

I guess I would mainly concrete on MGM & MK.
At MGM you don't want to miss Disney's Playhouse for your 3 yr old, also Little Mermaid, Muppets 4D. My son also enjoyed the Great Movie Ride & ToT (he is a dare devil).

At Magic Kingdom there is so much to see & do. If your son isn't afraid of characters make sure to hang around Town Square to meet some of the characters
As far as rides, Fantasyland will pretty be your 3 yr old's favorite. I would try to get on Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, Small World, Dumbo, Buzz Lightyear. Depending on your child's 'fear' but my child also really enjoyed the Haunted Manison & Splash Mountain.

I would also try to ride in the Monorail. My son REALLY enjoyed that. Asked to ride in the front with the driver. My son thought he was so cool when we got to ride in the front.

If your child isn't scared of characters, I would schedule some charcater breakfasts too. Chef Mickey & Cape May are two pretty good breakfasts.

If you have time you might want to go over to Animal Kingdom, especially if your child love animals. Ride the Safari & try to see the Festival of Lion King (my son was in awe of it)

Most important just go with the flow...and don't try to see everything!
HAVE FUN!

 

[mommystieg]

To help prepare our youngest DD for her first trip we purchased several of the Disney sing-a-long videos. These are great because they show the characters interacting with kids of all ages. They are filmed at DL and WDW so your little one can kinda see what to expect on his visit. The videos we have are:
-Disneyland Fun
-Campout at Walt Disney World
-Beach Party at Walt Disney World
-Flik's Musical Adventure at Animal Kingdom
The free vacation planning video is also great and you can't beat the price

 

[swilphil]

We just returned with my 3 yo. He loved MK, of course, and also MGM. Along with the shows others have mentioned, make sure you check out Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground.

He really liked Epcot, especially WS. The boat ride at Mexico, viking playground, train in germany, and just running around. WS has a little more of a leisurely pace, and it was a nice change from the other parks. There's lots to look at and the best part is Kidcot stations. Kids can sit and color their own masks and they get stamps at each country. In Future World, he liked Journey into the Imagination and Food Rocks.

You can easily skip AK. We left after two hours at my son's request.

We stayed on Disney Property at the Dolphin. They have some great rates, and the location is incredible for MGM/Epcot. Bus service is good, too. I would highly recommend leaving the park every afternoon and returning to the hotel.

Also, if you begin your trip while your son is still two years old, you don't have to pay for his park ticket. The cut off age is 3.

 

[Elk34]

Be sure and warn your son about how Big the characters are. When we went with our 3 year old I asked her how big she thought Mickey was and she held out her had to about her height. We explained that he would be more like daddy's height. I think that prevented some future shock. Also, the autograph books are great for kids.