How much time do we need at HS?

[klcrawford]

I'm trying to plan our days in the park and I am trying to decide the flow of the day for HS. We have a 3 and 5 year old -- how much time should be plan on for HS? Also -- what are the must do attraction and shows for these ages? Anything we should plan to avoid? Thanks!

 

[colagirl]

We were just there 2 weeks ago - we had an 11, 7, and 6 year old (2 families). We spent about 2.5 hours there, and that was plenty. Did Star Tours multiple times, Muppet Movie, Toy Story Mania, and met some characters. My sister's family (with the older kids) spent another hour or so at the park and did Tower of Terror and would have done the Rockin Roller Coaster if it hadn't been down. With really young kids, frankly I'm not sure I would bother to go there - with the exception of Toy Story Mania, I'm not sure there is much there. When my now 6 year old was 4, he was scared of Star Tours and even the Muppet Movie.

 

[crazylady]

I think you could easily spend 3/4 a day. The shows take up more time than you think they will and at that age my kids liked them all. Indiana Jones and Beauty and the Beast were favorites. The Playhouse Disney was fun too
My kids love the playground and Toy Story and we think DHS is the best park for seeing characters. Some people suggest skipping Fantasmic but my kids loved it (even at 3/5) so if you don't think it's too scary I'd add that to the list.

 

[hallen4]

We are planning to go to HS with our DD2 and DS4, and will be doing more shows/characters than rides since the headlining rides are either too scary or they are too short for. Even with that we can fill most of our day with other things within the park. I think it helps that the little kids like going at a slower pace, so since there is a little less to do in this park it is a more relaxed day overall.

 

[Kingdome8]

Last sept my kids 11,7and 2. We stayed there all day. I feel like there is so much to do. It's my second fav park. so many shows and rides and characters. Love it there. And fantasmic is the best night show by far. My kids live for that show.

My kids could stay at MK and HS all day. But get tired at Epcot and animal kingdom after a while. Maybe just more for kids at HS. In my opinion

 

[Hezzy04]

With my 3 and 4 year old, we spent 4 or 5 hours there. We did:

Beauty and the Beast show
Little Mermaid show
Mupper 3D show
Toy Story Midway Mania
The Great Movie Ride

We also ate lunch!

Next time we plan to try the Tower of Terror with them, also!

I was a little surprised by it, but my girls really enjoyed the shows!

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

half a day should do it, maybe a bit more if you do a lot of shows/exhibits. I normally do HS and AK on the same day.

 

[tlmadden73]

It's all about the shows and what you think they'll like.

If you want to see a lot of the shows, you can easily be there all day .. as some of the shows (Beauty and Beast, Indiana Jones, Lights, Motor Action) only go during the late morning and mid-afternoon.
If you are interested in a character meal there is the Disney Junior Meal at Hollywood & Vine. Otherwise have some fun at one of the themed restaurants there .. Sci-Fi Drive-in, 50's Prime Time Café or Pizza Planet.

I think it comes down to if you are interested in seeing the night show - Fantasmic. If so .. stay until lunch .. take a mid-day break then come back later at dinner.

That being said for your age group I would say must see:
1) Toy Story Midway Mania (this should be your #1 priority)
2) Disney Junior Live On Stage
3) Star Tours (if they are 40" tall), if not .. Frozen show.

Great Movie Ride is fine but its mainly a ride for old-time movie buffs ... (and iffy for pre-schoolers as there is a scary scene) .
The other rides simply are not for children and are "thrill" rides meant for teenagers and adults.

 

[SPSRAS]

I would say you could fill up most of a day - even at 6 our DD loves all the shows at HS - I don't know what your kids are like in the evening but for us nighttime entertainment is difficult as our DD goes to bed early. This year we arrived at 11:00 am and stayed for Fantasmic. Its good that its an earlier show than Wishes or Illuminations but DD was trembling in my lap - she liked it but was scared. At the age of 3 no way she would have made it through. Also, I don't think your 3 year old will be tall enough for Star Tours. I would suggest to try to do TSMM, Disney Jr., Beauty & the Beast, Frozen, Little Mermaid, and Muppets. Try to meet some character too - the Disney Jr. ones are only at HS. Also I wouldn't recommend eating at Sci Fi Drive - In - totally freaked out my DD.

 

[smitch425]

If you can go on a day that has pm EMH, I highly recommend it. The Disney Jr dance party is a lot of fun. We have no trouble spending an entire day there, plus an additional morning before MNSSHP. There are lots of shows, and tons of characters.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm trying to plan our days in the park and I am trying to decide the flow of the day for HS. We have a 3 and 5 year old -- how much time should be plan on for HS? Also -- what are the must do attraction and shows for these ages? Anything we should plan to avoid? Thanks!

Depends on heights. My 5yo is mega petite but only has to miss RNR. She prefers rides to shows but did enjoy Disney Jr and VOTLM when she saw them. She loves the playground.

She also enjoys Star Tours and TOT. She could leave GMR. She liked Animation Academy, but that is closing soon.

That said, if you hit all things except Fantasmic, you could make this a short day. Like open to 4pm-ish. If you meet characters or watch Streetmosphere, that will add time.

Beauty and the Beast and Indiana Jones can be seen as well. We skip LMA as we have seen it quite a bunch.

I would FP Toy Story, TOT and one other ride like Star Tours.

For the tall enough adults, I would single rider or rope drop RNR and then baby swap if the other adult wishes to ride.

 

[Summertinkerbell]

I think you could get it all done in a half day. They are too young for Fantasmic, in my opinion (I teach 4 year-olds.), but "Beauty and the Beast" is wonderful. They would love Toy Story Mania, especially seeing the giant toys in the queue. Muppets are awesome for their age group. There's "Little Mermaid" too. I haven't been in 4 years, but I would imagine that the Frozen sing along is great too.

 

[smitch425]

I think you could get it all done in a half day. They are too young for Fantasmic, in my opinion (I teach 4 year-olds.), but "Beauty and the Beast" is wonderful. They would love Toy Story Mania, especially seeing the giant toys in the queue. Muppets are awesome for their age group. There's "Little Mermaid" too. I haven't been in 4 years, but I would imagine that the Frozen sing along is great too.

My kids have loved Fantasmic since they were 2 and 4. Lol

 

[Summertinkerbell]

Your kids were pretty brave. There's some scary stuff in Fantasmic, and I've sat near many crying preschoolers and parents that needed to leave early. Everybody is different.

 

[smitch425]

Your kids were pretty brave. There's some scary stuff in Fantasmic, and I've sat near many crying preschoolers and parents that needed to leave early. Everybody is different.

My daughter threw up about 8 times her first trip (age 4) purely due to nerves. Fantasmic was fine for her. 40+ characters made any hestitant moments totally worth it. Lol

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

Other than Beauty and the Beast I don't do any shows or character meets. I am about the rides and HS and AK are half day parks for me

 

[Mouse of Mystery]

With a 3 and a 5 year old, I'd imagine you're already thinking about short days at all parks -- or at least breaks after lunch. In that case, I see no reason why you couldn't make a "day" out of it. You shouldn't need any more time than one day.

Hit the rides/shows that interest the kids and then take your time looking around and having a snack or two. I think the park favors families with slightly older children, but there's plenty to do and see for the little ones.

 

[Summertinkerbell]

It is nice to go back to the resort midday for naps or pool time. If the morning isn't enough, you can always return in the evening.

 

[Minnie-Maniac]

It comes down to if you want to end your day with Fantasmic which I highly recommend. Must see for me and my family are Beauty and the Beast Live On Stage, Rock n Roller Coaster, The Great Movie Ride, Tower of Terror, Toy Story Midway Mania, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, and of course Fantasmic to top the day off. So we usually spend 1 full day in Disney Hollywood Studios.

 

[klcrawford]

Thanks, folks! You all are so incredibly helpful! My kiddos are pretty brave -- so we had planned to at least shoot for Fantasmic. Still trying to decided if we do rope drop and go back to the condo for a break and then return for the evening shows, etc. or if we do a later arrival and push through to Fantasmic. My kids have zero trouble staying up late (not so much me, though!).....decisions, decisions.....Thanks, all!