Help with planning with toddler

[SwanVT2]

DH and I have two park days left on old cards and will be spending six nights five days at Disney with DD 3, her first trip. We need down time to relax. I had planned on two days at MK but now DH says he really wants a day at AK. We are staying at POR royal rooms. I'm concerned we need breaks in the afternoon and that means we need two days at MK to do all we want. Concerned that now that no exp tickets don't exist it will be costly to add one day on each of our tickets. Also concerned that POR will be too hard to return to and go back to park in the same day ...what to do? Still need to get DD her ticket. What is the best plan for us economically and physically/mentally as we know traveling with a toddler means a diff. Kind of schedule.

 

[kwdw]

it depends on your kid, but when I traveled with a three year old, we did not take breaks back in the room during the day. Others find it essential. Know your kid. Breaking middle day would have served no point for us, she was not going to nap. So, we went at her pace, took things slow in the parks, took breaks at the park, and she was a trooper. Now, after a couple full days, it meant the third day was a sleep in day and didn't spend as much time at the park.

For 5 days, I'd want at least 4 park days. Maybe buy new tickets for this trip and save the two day ones you have for a shorter trip? Or just do two parks days and add in things like resort hopping, DTD. three year olds think rides on the monorail or ferry boats are blast. So, you could just accept you aren't going to see everything this trip and just do two park days....or just face the cost.....

 

[SwanVT2]

Yes she has dropped her nap so I think a full day at the park is OK. I had planned on DTD on off day and monorail konas on another off day but now with the discussion of AK I don't know. I think she should be older for walking at AK but the nemo and lion king and bird shows would be a hit!!

 

[JZCubed]

Yes she has dropped her nap so I think a full day at the park is OK. I had planned on DTD on off day and monorail konas on another off day but now with the discussion of AK I don't know. I think she should be older for walking at AK but the nemo and lion king and bird shows would be a hit!!

I have no idea what the rules of ticket upgrading are, so others may be able to chime in here (or start another Thread) - but you may be able to add days to you current tickets.

Sitting through three shows in one day is tough for some adults.

We do two shows in one Park. Typically, either Nemo or Lion King, and certainly the Birds (Flights of Wonder).

However, since we are going for our first summertime trip, we are skipping the Birds outdoor theater, and just going to Nemo & Lion King.

But with a toddler, if I only had two days - MK.....and AK is our second favorite Park.

Now, that having been said - the 3 y.o. won't care too much either way, so if one adult has a preference, go to AK.

One other thing - if you don't have Park Hoppers, you can got to MK in the morning and return later that day. I doubt you'll want to do that for AK. In other words, you can get more bang-for-the-buck with MK if you are somewhat limited with your tickets. Which is why I'm still inclined to suggest two days at MK.....my mind could be changed if AK had an evening show.

 

[mesaboy2]

I don't know of any kind of ticket, old or new, that allows modifications (such as additional days) more than 14 days after first-use.

 

[Angel Ariel]

If you can't do any more than 2 days, I would invest in park hoppers and do 1.5 days at MK, and 1/2 at AK. If you make AK at RD you can get a lot done in a short amount of time first thing and then have time for the shows before leaving the park. It usually has shorter hours than MK anyway, so even if you stayed most of the day, you could still spend dinner/evening in MK.

If your child isn't napping, I don't think returning to the hotel is a necessity. A break from the over stimulation of the parks/rides is always a good thing, but you don't have to go back to your hotel for that. You could have a table service meal planned for lunch, you could go spend time on Tom Sawyer's Island, ride the riverboat around the Rivers of America, Hall of Presidents, leave the park and go have a meal at a resort and walk around the resort for a while, etc..there's all kinds of ways to get breaks from over stimulation without having to go back to the hotel necessarily.

If you can do more than 2 days, then that opens other options.

 

[jenniferyawn]

We just got back from a three night/two park day trip with a toddler and it was great! My teens still love it, but it was magical to see the whole thing thrpugh his 18 month old rides. It was also great to see the CMs interact with a toddler!

Now my DS is half the age of your DD but by 11:30 or 12 I needed a break!!! It's so crowded and hot...DS was tired of walking and getting in and out of stroller to do things... Time back in the room was a must for us. Just know your child and be prepared to follow her lead in case she needs to go back. When my other two were little, they wanted to swim at the resort all the time instead of park visiting! You never know, but it's all magical!!

 

[SwanVT2]

The more I think about it and read responses I think a break at the hotel is key. We might have to wait until DD is older for AK. I.may call WL about price difference.

 

[mekay1012]

We are staying at POR in a few weeks for the first time. Why do you think this resort is harder to go back to for an afternoon break? We had plaNeed to do this because we will have a 1 year old with us.

 

[SwanVT2]

We just got back from a three night/two park day trip with a toddler and it was great! My teens still love it, but it was magical to see the whole thing thrpugh his 18 month old rides. It was also great to see the CMs interact with a toddler!

Now my DS is half the age of your DD but by 11:30 or 12 I needed a break!!! It's so crowded and hot...DS was tired of walking and getting in and out of stroller to do things... Time back in the room was a must for us. Just know your child and be prepared to follow her lead in case she needs to go back. When my other two were little, they wanted to swim at the resort all the time instead of park visiting! You never know, but it's all magical!!

Where did you stay?

 

[SwanVT2]

We are staying at POR in a few weeks for the first time. Why do you think this resort is harder to go back to for an afternoon break? We had plaNeed to do this because we will have a 1 year old with us.

I think it would be fine..DD won't be able to stay up late for MK parade and fireworks so just thought travel time might be shorter with WL and not eat up as much of the day.

 

[honeybunches]

We take hotel breaks every day. My kids need it esp. if we are going to be out later in the evening. It also keeps the adults happy. Even with the time suck of travelling back to the hotel, it's essential for our sanity. The good thing about POR is that there are lots of bus stops, so you probably can easily get to your room.

 

[sehudson2006]

You know your child best, but I would also be flexible since she could surprise you being her first time. Our son will be 2 in July, and he typically needs a long nap and in bed by 8:30pm, but he does great at the parks. He rides in his stroller most of the time, so anytime we let him out to run around is a good break for him. He also falls asleep in the stroller and will take a good nap that resets him. Have a great time!

 

[mkymouse40]

We're taking my 2 yr old grandson for his first trip in November. The funny thing is that I am not concerned about him, but I am about his two Mommies that always require an afternoon nap and get cranky just going to our local zoo. They also think they should go back in the afternoon and quit the parks by 5, but I'm sure he would take a nap in the stroller and be fine until about 7 or 8. However, I'm renting them a car and they can come and go as they please. I plan on staying and doing my normal "commando" touring