It's been 15 years...need opinions on WDW with kids

[BerardFam]

We are taking a Disney cruise and decided to come in a day early to try the magic kingdom. My girls are younger (6,5,3) so I just want to expose them to it, next year they will be older and better to wait in lines for a longer stay. I have no expectations, whatever we get to we get to, but since I haven't been in so long, I'm looking for advice on rides to do (which to try to fast pass). We probably will get to the park around 12:30 ( flight arrives around 9:30). Any advice is appreciated!

 

[jbish]

If your girls want to see Anna & Elsa, then you must get FP for those. Peter Pan seems to be another ride that will require FP during the day. Otherwise, at that age, I think the "classic" rides would be best - the carousel, teacups, It's a Small World, Dumbo, etc. My daughter was 6-almost-7 when she discovered her love of the thrill rides, so your oldest may be ready to try one. Space Mountain was my daughters first roller coaster. Enjoy!!

 

[ZephyrHawk]

You're following up this one day visit with a cruise, right? Well, there should be ample opportunity for character meet and greets on the cruise, so I'd focus on rides. I'd concentrate on those that have what are traditionally the highest wait times. Those would be:

7 Dwarves Mine Train
Peter Pan's Flight
Enchanted Tales with Belle
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain

Now, I just gave you 6 rides that are on my "must Fastpass" list, and you only get to reserve 3. You might get one more FP after you use up the scheduled ones, but no guarantees. You kind of need to base your selections on your and your family's preferences. For example, classic rides (Peter Pan, Space Mountain and Big Thunder) or newer rides (7 Dwarves, Enchanted Tales and ...well...Splash isn't really new...)? Also, a toddler may not be able to ride all of these (or want to).


Mesaboy on this Board has an excellent Fastpass tutorial, but I have no idea where his thread is to link you to just now.

 

[baseballnut]

I would definitely FP+ Anna & Elsa and Peter Pan, and then 7 Dwarves Mine Train if your 3yo is tall enough and up for a smooth roller coaster. If not, the Enchanted Tales with Belle - although we have been able to get in without a long wait at night.

Other key rides on our list (with our 4yo DD) are:
Under the Sea with Ariel
Small World
Tea Cups
Carousel
Dumbo
Philharmagic (4D movie)
Barnstormer (sometimes)
Magic Carpets of Aladdin (like Dumbo)
Buzz Lightyear

You'll want to see the Festival of the Fantasy Parade at 3, and the fireworks.

We generally find that taking a break at lunch back at the resort helps because we aren't there when the crowds are busiest, and a nap allows us to stay out til midnight (when MK closes late) - which means there aren't as many people and we can get on many rides with no waits. There were several times we've been able to stay on the rides because no one was in line.

Obviously you'll have a long day with getting there late, but just letting you know the crowds really diminished for the rides we wanted after 9, and especially after the fireworks.

Have fun!!!

 

[BerardFam]

Thank you all for your responses! Is there a map available on disney's site that lists all the rides and height requirements? Are they strict with the height restrictions, ie if ride requires 40 inches but someone is 39 or 39 1/2 will they turn us away?

 

[mummabear]

Thank you all for your responses! Is there a map available on disney's site that lists all the rides and height requirements? Are they strict with the height restrictions, ie if ride requires 40 inches but someone is 39 or 39 1/2 will they turn us away?

Very strict

 

[Indio]

Thank you all for your responses! Is there a map available on disney's site that lists all the rides and height requirements? Are they strict with the height restrictions, ie if ride requires 40 inches but someone is 39 or 39 1/2 will they turn us away?

allears.net is a great site for this type info.

 

[leahlefler]

My kids LOVED all the thrill rides as soon as they were able to ride them (I am not a fan of some thrill rides, so I am glad my dad will be coming on this trip to take them on a few of the more intense ones)! My younger son LOVED Space Mountain at age 4 (in the Disneyland park), so it is hard to say what your 5 y.o. will love - you can always try Barnstormer and gauge the reaction of your 3 yo and 5 yo.

The height limits are:

Barnstormer: 35"
7 Dwarf Mine Train: 38"
Space Mountain: 44"
Thunder Mountain: 40"
Splash Mountain: 40"

They are very strict on the height limits.

 

[Prose]

If you are going on a cruise after, I would consider NOT planning on seeing Anna & Elsa in the parks - they are on the ships, and it is very easy to get tickets to see them there.....