Itinerary help with 2.5 yo - first time

[Happyinwonerland]

Seriously, you're putting way too much stress on timing. You're going to be miserable if you let the clock and the crowd levels dictate your trip. The best days we have had in park are the days we go with an idea of which attractions we'd like to get done. We don't worry about crowd levels or nap times or any of that. We just go, take our time, stop to admire the flowers, or let DD have a conversation with a bird, or watch the barber shop quartet sing. We eat when we are hungry. We make our way to the rides that we want. We stand in line if need be. We don't spend all day stressing about trying to beat the odds, figuring out who will be in their best mood at what time.

Even with the best laid plans, something will come up. One day, we had FP for Splash, and there was incliment weather predicted, so they had the ride on hold for a bit. So instead, we got a pass for later, watched the parade, got in the nonexistent line for BTMRR, walked onto that as soon as the weather threat had passed, then rode splash. Another time, we came out of Winnie the pooh to a very dark stormy looking sky. We ducked into Philharmagic (which I had previously written off because I didn't think DD would enjoy it), and we LOVED it. Another day, we went to dinner at 1900 PF, and came out to a drizzly mess. We chanced it, rode the monorail to the MK, and had a ball! The park was empty. We walked into tinkerbell, Mickey, Petes silly sideshow, then the rain dried up. We rode dumbo to our hearts content and I hopped on I 7DMT with my niece while DH took the toddler to Pooh's ride. We watched the fireworks from behind the castle while waiting for the 7DMT. It was the best night. On our December trip, we rode Pirates of the Caribbean. The boat in front of us was overloaded with very large people, and it got stuck. We we there for an hour. We had to reschedule some fast passes. But we made the best of it, made friends with some of the others in our boat. Had a great time joking and laughing instead of worrying about what we were missing. Makes for a good memory.

Part of the magic of Disney is how the magic sometimes just happens. But you have to relax, "Let it go", and just enjoy each moment.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

From 3-7, MNSSHP nights are packed, because you have both regular ticket holders and party ticket holders. By 7 it clears out a lot. But we still chose to watch Hallowishes from in front of the Crystal Palace. From what I hear, crowd levels on party days in the AM are great at MK because non-hopper people will avoid that park because they don't feel like they are getting their money's worth.

 

[DisneyCAL]

We are going those exact dates!

 

[Wosmama6]

you're right, happyinwonerland. and disneyCAL, we are at AoA. You? thanks for the tips, ofcabbagesandkings. i think we will avoid PM MK that day. Don't know which is worse, though. PM Epcot on FW weekend, or PM MK on MNSSHP day.

 

[DisneyCAL]

We are staying at Grand Floridian, it was an incredibly generous gift from my MIL. One of those once in a lifetime trips.

 

[Aunt Bee]

Your son will have fun with you as long as you aren't tired and stressed out. My favorite grandma trick when I'm at MK, when little ones are tired of the stroller, rides, shows, tired of EVERYTHING, is to hop on board the "choo-choo" train and take a turn (or a few) around the park. It's a relaxing stress reliever for all. Enjoy. That's a Magic age.