How many days at the parks? Does this look OK?

[Luvmnkytoe]

This will be our first trip to DW with the kids (4yo son and 2yo daughter) along with our extended family (3 grandparents and 4yo niece and 1yo nephew). We will be there 10/24 to 10/31 and are renting a house off-site to accommodate our group. I think we would like to attend the MNSSHP unless it isn't suitable for the little ones. I was thinking we could do the following:
Saturday - Arrive at house/pool/get settled
Sunday-MK-I know that there isn't the parade or fireworks but we will see if we do the MNSSHP-Should we try and see a regular and the MNSSHP fireworks and parade??
Monday-MK - Not sure if it is a good idea to do the days back-to-back or if we should do AK
Tuesday-MNSSHP - I read that you can get in at 4pm so thought we could relax early in the day and hopefully get good naps in so the kids are awake for the event
Wednesday- Rest in morning maybe DTD in the afternoon evening
Thursday-MK or AK
Friday- Pool/pack/visit family

Am i under scheduling the parks? I don't want to overdo with the parks and I'm not sure how long they will last. I have not scheduled any dining reservations and actually couldn't find any character dining yet (hoping I can find some).
Thoughts/suggestions??
Thanks in advance!

 

[Accident]

That's a lot of days in MK to me. With the party on tuesday at MK, I would probably do monday at AK as your considering. That park closes earlier than others, you'll be nice and rested with grandparents for the late night party the next day. Not sure what to recommend on thursday but I'm leaning on recommending hollywood studios.

 

[craigkerstiens]

Agreed, it's a lot of MK. Are you not looking to hit the other parks at all HS or EPCOT? AK is good but in a full week there we usually can get to everything we want to there in a single day. EPCOT as a kid always seemed less fun, but as an adult I enjoy it pretty well now. Though HS is usually pretty solid for both the young ones as well as the older ones, so I'd probably recommend it. Our DD–3 absolutely loves the Disney Junior shows, so if they're fans of any of the Disney Junior shows that could be a huge hit and is at HS.

 

[Trooper8286]

I LOVE MK....spend normally 3 days there in a week. I would spread out a little. Agree about Disney Jr. shows at HS my son loved them. Depending on whether you visit zoos near home, AK may be boring for kids that age. Definite on MNSSHP, but maybe use part of that day to visit EPCOT.

 

[jacknsally19]

I was there last year during the final week of October - I would recommend skipping the halloween party and just doing a day at the park instead. The Halloween party was so crowded that week and with kids that age, it is not worth it. It will add a lot onto the cost and you can spend it a lot better ways with kids. If you want a special Halloween experience, take your kids to Fort Wilderness on Halloween or Halloween eve. There are tons of decorations and trick or treating. Then watch the fireworks from the party at the beach.

With kids that age, you are always better off taking more days off. I wouldn't suggest HS right now - there is so much closed and the things that are accessible for them are a few shows and Toy Story Mania. I feel like Toy Story Mania is great but kids that young won't fully appreciate it. I would recommend Epcot or AK. Actually, Epcot has a quite a few rides for the little ones and lots for the grandparents to enjoy.

 

[Thing 1]

I would do at least a 5 day pass. With more days, you can go slower and enjoy more. We, even with little kids, did not do rest days after our first trip or two. We are at WDW, we want to be in the parks! I would hit every park one day and repeat the favorite the last day. It might not be MK! There are a ton of things for everyone at every park. I would skip the party. It's a late and expensive night for little ones. We waited till school age before doing hard ticket night events. the price of the party tickets would more that pay for adding on more park days. Keep checking back for character meals. Check Garden Grill for Mickey and friends. We have gotten that one at the last minute before.

 

[tinkerbesh]

Yep skip party. Use that money towards more park days. Like PP have said, then you can go at a slower pace (or shorter days).

I'd consult a crowd calendar when deciding which days to hit which parks. Lower crowds = happier touring experience. I like the calendar at easywdw.com

 

[Mikeb1892]

I think your plan is great. This being your first trip and with your kids as young as they are you'll definitely be spending most of your time at MK. Lots of rest is key for a wonderful DW vacation. My only recommendation would be to get an ADR for you and your SO for dinner at Epcot where you can take in Illuminations on your own for a date night. Have fun.

 

[dylans mommy]

We actually spend a great deal of time in the MK our kids our 8 and 6 and that's our favorite. If you are not really set on the party I would add an extra day or 2 of park tickets so you can leisurely explore some of the other parks. But the way your plan is now I think is great! I second the date night for you and your SO!!

 

[Luvmnkytoe]

Thanks everyone for the feedback! I think we are going to skip the MNSSHP this trip and save that for when they are older. I like the suggestion of getting extra park days and going at a slower pace too so we are considering getting the 5 day pass (not much price difference from he 3 we were considering). Thanks everyone!

 

[amylevan]

I agree about skipping MNSSHP. When we went with young ones, they couldn't stay up very late, so it was a lot of money to not be there too long. Plus, as mentioned, it is usually VERY crowded the last week in Oct.

And for our family, that's a lot of MK. With 5 day tickets and kids in that age range, we'd do 2 days MK and 1 day each of the other parks. But if you really want 3 MK days, we'd do EP and AK and skip HS.

 

[AshleeH]

I would definitely add in an Epcot and DHS day - AK is a half day park for us (at best - we're usually done by 11:00, but we stay and eat before leaving). I would do DHS on Sunday, Epcot on Monday, and I would not skip MNSSHP. My boys LOVED it at 7 and 4 and my 18 month old had a blast last year. We stay until close. Disney is a whole different ballgame with bedtimes - I know kids who usually go to bed at 7:30 who can close out the parks if their parents let them.

And who knows - you might plan on going next time, but what if you're not able to get back to the parks in October next time?

 

[amylevan]

Disney is a whole different ballgame with bedtimes - I know kids who usually go to bed at 7:30 who can close out the parks if their parents let them.

And yet my kids are 2 and 6 and neither one has yet to make it 9pm to see Illuminations. At least the older one finally saw Wishes at 8pm on our last trip...was asleep as soon as it was over though.