How much time to see parks???

[MagicPrincess]

I know that it is going to be virtually impossible to see all the parks and attractions on our short trip to Disney (4 nights- )
But I plan on trying to make the most of it.

Here's kinda what I'm thinking- all subject to change on a moments notice with a 2 year old- of course!!!

One whole day to see the Magic Kingdom- parade,fireworks!
One morning with a character breakfast and Epcot- swim later in the day- spectromagic at night.
And one day with Animal Kingdom in morning (maybe rainforest cafe for lunch) and then "maybe" MGM later in the day.

Any thoughts??? I wish we could stay longer!!!!

 

[disneymama73]

Hi!

We are very big on park hopping. I don't think I have ever done one park in a day in all of my 27 trips. We always have to park hop midday. I don't know why! I'm weird! LOL! I've never planned an itinerary, either. I'm not a big schedule-follower. I told ya - WEIRD! I think I just figure we're so stressed out at home, I want to go on vacation and not worry about sticking to a schedule. Not to mention that it is very hard to predict what is going to happen when travelling with kids. You don't know when they're going to doze off in the stroller, for instance.... Sorry for going off on a tangent!

One thing I would say is PLEASE don't miss Playhouse Disney Live! at MGM. Your 2-yr-old will love it!!! My kids also love Muppet Vision 3-D. My oldest daughter was 2 when she saw it the first time, and she loved it.

 

[MagicPrincess]

I'll have to check out Playhouse Disney- you're the second or third person to suggest it!!!
Thanks for the advice!!
It is stressful planning- I just want to go!!!

 

[BevS97]

4 nights, does that mean you have an extra evening and a morning to play with as well?

OK - this would be my plan

Magic Kingdom, all day, with Crystal Palace for a late lunch, that will give you a chance to relax and wind down for a while, so you can manage a late night. I would do this on the Spectromagic day.

Mgm one morning for Playhouse Disney, these is not an awful lot there for little ones other than this, so maybe see some characters, possibly the Little Mermaid, then hop over to Epcot (you can get the boat which would be fun), you can get to Epcot around lunchtime and stay till very late for the fireworks - these are superb and not to be missed. If you want more characters and 'resting' time, then the Ice Cream Social at the Garden Grill is very good

Animal Kingdom and depending when you get done, hop over to MK for a last look around (we don't always spend a whole day here, but the Safari and Lion King show are must do's)

then if you have a final morning, you could either do a character meal in a resort (so as not to use a pass day), or Downtown Disney, or maybe a swim if you have time...

That would be a pretty exhausting schedule, and with a 2 year old it's only going to work if she will nap in her stroller and you are happy to keep her out late, our dd at 2 would have been fine, but you know your child.

Bev

 

[MagicPrincess]

thanks for your ideas BevS97!

It is going to be an exhausting schedule- but our DD likes to go, go, go! So she should do allright. If she gets tired- we'll just take a break!
Thanks for the heads up on MGM. I wasn't sure really what all she'd like there besides Playhouse Disney.
We do have one extra late afternoon/evening to work with. So we could do an evening at Epcot or something else.
I think we're going to end up winging it- even after all this planning. I think it's just too hard to stick to a STRICT schedule with a little one. But- you never know!!!

thanks again!

 

[disneymama73]

I just noticed this is your first family trip to Disney. My advice to you would be to go with the mindset that you're not going to see and do everything. There is so much to do, and it is hard to see it all especially with a little one.

At MK, don't miss The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and Mickey's PhilharMagic. Our 2-yr-old doesn't laugh a lot, but she was busting a gut during PhilharMagic. We've never seen her laugh like that before! Also, plan to spend some time at Toontown Fair where you can have your child's picture taken with Mickey and let them play at the little playground there. It's great for burning off some extra energy.

If you take your child to see Voyage of the Little Mermaid at MGM (which my kids love), you may want to try and get a seat close to the exit. It gets dark, and I've seen many kids whisked away because they were afraid of Ursula. Just a heads up!

Check out this link. It gives a good idea of what not to miss with Preschoolers (even though yours is a pre-Preschooler).

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/experience/experienceLanding?id=PreschoolersExperiencePage

Try not to stress out. Check out all the dining options and sit down with your DH and discuss where you'd like to eat. Talk about what rides/shows you absolutely do not want to miss. It will all fall together.

Most of all, have fun! And if you have any more questions, I'd be happy to try and help!

 

[MagicPrincess]

thanks disneymama!

I wish we had more time at Disney- because I know we are going to miss so much!
BUT....
All the more reason to start planning another trip!!!

 

[disneymama73]

Originally posted by MagicPrincess
thanks disneymama!

I wish we had more time at Disney- because I know we are going to miss so much!
BUT....
All the more reason to start planning another trip!!!

EXACTLY! I always say, if we don't see it this time, we'll see it next time.

 

[cyndibelle]

we are going to arrive on a monday and leaving late on a sunday.....are we gonna be able to see everything ??? anything we must see...my daughter is 6 and son will have just turned 4.....

 

[disneymama73]

Originally posted by cyndibelle
we are going to arrive on a monday and leaving late on a sunday.....are we gonna be able to see everything ??? anything we must see...my daughter is 6 and son will have just turned 4.....

I would think you'd be able to see just about everything. You're going at a pretty slow time of year, you'll be there for quite a few days, and your kids are a little older.