How many days for each park (kids 2 & 5)??

[NJDisneymom]

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I'm really having trouble planning this and hoped someone could give me some advice. My dd will be 5 1/2 and ds will be 2. We will be there for 8 days, not including arrival night. I can fit everything in no problem, but don't know how many days to repeat parks.

I don't think my kids would like the water parks (we have a Six Flags water park and they are too small for most of it). So we'd probably be doing the 4 main parks. Will will definately start with MK since that is what DD considers going to Disney.

Here are my days:

Thursday - arrive late (about 10pm)
Friday - Magic Kingdom
Saturday -
Sunday - Magic Kingdom (CRT)
Monday - Epcot (Storybook breakfast)
Tuesday -
Wednesday -
Thursday -
Friday - (going home but might be able to do a park in the morning)

I'm not too worried about plugging in exactly what days to do what, except for the ones we have PS's that probably can't be changed. looking more for info on how many days to do things. I feel like we might be spending 80% of our time at MK and not sure that is the best plan.

Please help!!

 

[ms.ojo]

My kids are 5.5 and 2.5 for our upcoming trip. Last time we went they were 4 and 1. I'm planning on 2 days at MK... 1 day at MGM...1/2 day at Epcot and possibly 1/2 day at AK. We're doing a day at Sea World and 2 rest days sleeping in a little, hanging out at the pool, and shopping at DTD.

DS age 5.5 is really anxious to try more coasters on this trip, Star Tours & Tower or Terror. Maybe Stitch. DD is going to want Fantasyland, CRT (yeah we scored that one!!!) Buzz lightyear, Playhouse DIsney & Little Mermaid. We'd like to do Epcot to try Test Track (think ds will do it) and the new Soaring. Figment and the Ellen show will be of interest to both kids along w/ Honey I shrunk the audience and the Living Seas. We're going in late Apr/May so there's also the flower/garden show at that time. Friends say ds will enjoy the Kid Stops in the World Showcase...but I think he's still a little young. Who knows. We've always really enjoyed the Lion King Show at AK...but are thinking of skipping that park this time around. Of course that means missing out on Flametree BBQ too which is one of our favorite places to eat. We'll have to see.

MK is definitely the major draw for us....but I think MGM is pretty close too. There's also that new stunt show there.

 

[NJDisneymom]

I should also mention DD is alittle tame, her 2 year old brother would ride a roller coaster before she would. She is only 39" so I don't think she's tall enough for a lot of rides either. She definately prefers Fantasyland to all the other areas of MK and meeting characters is what she thinks Disney is all about. Last trip she was 3.5 (ds was only 5 months) and we spent about an hour in Epcot after the princess breakfast because she had no interest whatsoever. Hoping she'll enjoy the kid stops this time around.

We won't have a car (or the extra money for tickets to outside attractions) so we are trying to stick with the 4 Disney parks for this trip.

I'm wondering if we should plan a 2nd day for MGM???

 

[NJDisneymom]

anyone else have any input... please!!!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I would skip the waterparks. We went to BB when the kids were 5, 4 and 2 1/2 and I thought it was a waste. The 5 1/2 year old like it but it was a mess with the little ones. I would say with 8 days I would do 3 MK, 2 MGM, 1 AK, 1 Epcot and 1 rest day - maybe let the dd do the Wonderland Tea Party or Pirate Cruise and just swim relax, and maybe hit DTD at night. Have a wonderful time - your kids are the perfect age for their first Disney trip.

 

[TSirgey]

When we went last year, our dd was 3 and she LOVED Animal Kingdom. We only spent one day there from opening until about 3pm. We could have easily spent another 1/2 day there or more. The Boneyard was her personal favorite and we were able to relax for a bit while she played.

There are a lot of shows they will like at MGM (Beauty, Playhouse, Little Mermaid, etc.) and the parade will be a hit too. Might want to spend a full day there too.

Hopefully they enjoy Epcot this time. Our dd liked doing the kidcot fun stops. We also found it a great park to see the characters since the character bus runs a few times a day and some of the other characters hang out in the countries.

I would play it by ear and see what the kids enjoy on your unscheduled days. They might surprise you with what they enjoy. Good luck!!

 

[AJKMOM]

You could plan to park hop with a nap or break in the middle. We used to go to MGM in the morning and EPCOT later after a nap. Then they could stay up for the fireworks. You want AK in the morning or later, not mid-day, since it's too hot. In past years, we have always done the Early Entry park on the day it was EE. However, some will tell you to avoid that EE park like the plague.

With kids as little as yours, you need to be flexible and plan for breaks where they're not standing in line, and use Fast Pass all the time. I can't exactly tell when you will be there without the old countdown , but it will most likely be warm and crowded.

 

[ms.ojo]

I second the notion of breaks in the afternoon and possible park hopping....though dd is not like ds for us. We went when he was 2.5 and he was a GREAT napper in the room. DD at 1 was a terrible napper in the room but would just fall asleep in the stroller so we quickly stopped coming back for naps. DS at 4 was able to go w/out naps as long as we built in rest days every 2days.

I think 2 days at MGM is a good idea. Lots of shows your daughter will love. And heck, you might even like to go back to MK for an extra afternoon/evening. It really is a terrific park.

What I found MOST helpful was watching the DISNEYLAND (yes land not World) Sing-A-long video. It is WONDERFUL. Shows all of the rides in the park breaking them down into thrill rides, kids rides, etc. Shows the eating places, parades, what it's like when the park opens. My dd 2 LOVES this video. ds at 2 could sing grim grinning ghosts all the way through he watched it so much. Anyway, it gives them a REAL idea what some of the rides are like. (And most of the featured rides are the same at disneyland or WDW) They were able to tel me which ones they were interested in seeing. And BOTH loved Haunted Mansion as they knew what to expect. Just a thought. We also enjoy the other sing-a-long videos that are taped at the parks. There's one on Animal Kingdom, the water parks, and the campground. Haven't seen one that features MGM or Epcot unfortunately.

 

[TSirgey]

I second the Disneyland video! I think they carry it at FYE stores. We got that video a few months prior to our trip last year and our dd knew what to expect. She still loves to watch that video. Her favorite ride was the Haunted Mansion!

 

[NJDisneymom]

thanks for all the input. We definately planned on getting park hoppers, and I think I will skip the water parks, it just doesn't seem like the little ones will love it (my 5 year old hates getting squirted with water, LOL!!).

We do plan on heading back to the room for a while between parks. This is our 2nd trip with the kids. We were there almost 2 years ago, dd was only 3, ds was 5 months and being back at the room by 2-3pm worked fine (ds was fine sleeping in the infant seat thruout the day, nothing bothered him, LOL!!). A few times when getting ready for dinner I'd come out of the shower to find dd had fallen asleep.

Thanks for all the suggestions!!