January Touring plan with toddler help

[CVTmarie23]

We are staying at AK Kidani village the end of Jan/Feb 1st for 5 nights. It will be DH, DD (will be a month shy of 2). SIL and BIL. We have annual passes, but I am not sure the next time we will be going back. We would like to visit all 4 parks, but don't need to spend full days at each park. I imagine we will need to go back and have DD nap in the afternoons. I am hesitant to book too many ADR for dinner since depending on her naps we may or may not be able to make them. Breakfast/lunch ADR's should be easy to do with her. I also want to spend some time at the resort since I heard it is really nice.

I have gotten sucked into all the character meals and want to do them all, but know that is going overboard. At first since I was able to snag reservations at CRT before park opening we planned everything around that. Now I am second guessing because it is one of the worst recommended days for MK of our trip and DD has no idea who the princesses are. I like the idea of a parade at Akersus and she is obsessed with Minnie so the Minnie dinner sounds really great. My hesitation with the new plan is that it doesn't put us in MK until Sunday which I'm not sure I want to wait that long, although I guess with hoppers, we could go whenever if we want.


Original plan:
Arrival day: Thursday early afternoon. We plan to explore the resort and then head to MK for the parade and fireworks since it is the only time of our trip it is at 8pm. Same for both plans. Will try to get FP for peterpan, winnie the pooh

Friday: AK
later breakfast at Tusker house (now second guessing since Minnie isn't there and she doesn't know the rest)
no set evening plans, maybe Sanaa

Sat:
8:15 at CRT
1:40 at BOG
nap
no set evening plans

Sunday: EP no ADR

Monday:
HS
Minnie dinner at 5:10pm

Or *******************************************************************************

Friday
AK
7:05 Sanaa dinner

Sat:
Maybe a different park in the morning?
HS
5:50 Minnie Dinner

Sunday:
MK
8:20 am Crystal Palace
1:40 BOG

Monday
EP
10:45 Akershus


I can tweek either plan a bit too, we will likely spend the most time at MK so after naps we could head back there if we wanted to, but I need to make some sort of plan with our FP+ time coming up. I would like to try and get 7DMT since we have never been.

Any tips?

 

[CourtneyL]

Will she nap in the stroller? Since the January hours are shorter, I think you'll loose out on a lot of park time by going back to the resort for naps. Travel to AKL will take a while from MK. If she will nap in the stroller you can schedule some fast passes for the adults for while she's napping.

 

[Mainemama]

Having travelled with a toddler, you are right... fab 5 characters have a lot more recognition than the princesses. I would stick with character meals than capitalize on that (CP instead of CRT). Winnie and gang will likely be more appealing than face characters. That said, I would limit it to 2 in that amount of time. In my family anyway, the toddler has a fear/interest divide. More meals would not mean more fun. Personally, I do not like buffets with a toddler. (We love Ohana breakfast, as it is served family style. No Minnie, though). You are right that breakfast and lunch ADRs are the way to go.

 

[btk2333]

We are staying at AK Kidani village the end of Jan/Feb 1st for 5 nights. It will be DH, DD (will be a month shy of 2). SIL and BIL. We have annual passes (Don't forget to use you 10% merchandise discount), but I am not sure the next time we will be going back. We would like to visit all 4 parks, but don't need to spend full days at each park. I imagine we will need to go back and have DD nap in the afternoons(VITAL). I am hesitant to book too many ADR for dinner since depending on her naps we may or may not be able to make them (We have had good luck with dinner ADR's there are lots of things to stimulate them). Breakfast/lunch ADR's should be easy to do with her. I also want to spend some time at the resort since I heard it is really nice.

I have gotten sucked into all the character meals and want to do them all (They are fun- but remember your kid my be petrified of the large faceless (Mickey) characters- ours were not scared at 10 months but at 18 months my daughter was petrified and my son very timid- wound up blowing kisses but at first not happy at all), but know that is going overboard. At first since I was able to snag reservations at CRT before park opening we planned everything around that. Now I am second guessing because it is one of the worst recommended days for MK of our trip and DD has no idea who the princesses are(The character meals are for you at this point not her- I wouldn't be too concerned about it being the most busy park- you're not going to be commando touring anyway). I like the idea of a parade at Akersus (dinner at Akershus? we enjoyed it with 10 month olds) and she is obsessed with Minnie so the Minnie dinner sounds really great. My hesitation with the new plan is that it doesn't put us in MK until Sunday which I'm not sure I want to wait that long, although I guess with hoppers, we could go whenever if we want. (hoppers are great flexibility)


Original plan:
Arrival day: Thursday early afternoon. We plan to explore the resort and then head to MK for the parade and fireworks since it is the only time of our trip it is at 8pm. Same for both plans. Will try to get FP for peterpan, winnie the pooh

Friday: AK
later breakfast at Tusker house (now second guessing since Minnie isn't there and she doesn't know the rest)
no set evening plans, maybe Sanaa

Sat:
8:15 at CRT
1:40 at BOG (I will say this was our least favorite meal with kids- the QS lunch is really hectic - nothing against the food or ambience, just we enjoyed our ADR"s more)
nap
no set evening plans

Sunday: EP no ADR

Monday:
HS
Minnie dinner at 5:10pm

Or *******************************************************************************

Friday
AK
7:05 Sanaa dinner (bravo - delicious)

Sat:
Maybe a different park in the morning?
HS
5:50 Minnie Dinner

Sunday:
MK
8:20 am Crystal Palace (Very fun with the kids- especially if your kid will consider doing the 'poohrade')
1:40 BOG

Monday
EP
10:45 Akershus


I can tweek either plan a bit too, we will likely spend the most time at MK so after naps we could head back there if we wanted to, but I need to make some sort of plan with our FP+ time coming up. I would like to try and get 7DMT since we have never been.

Any tips?

You can come hang with us- we'll be there with 21 month old twins and our friends' 15 month old girl Jan. 23-31 .

We've done two trips with our then 10 month olds and 18 month olds. We stay at the Beach Club and are DVC/AP- I would consider staying at an MK resort if MK is the most important to you- the ability to not take a bus is vital with toddlers IMO. At the Beach Club you can walk to DHS or EPCOT which are our favorite parks. At Contemporary you can walk to MK or monorail to EPCOT and at GF/Poly you could monorail to both parks. Taking the bus with the kids/stroller is not fun IMO- if you're going to have a car- ignore this whole paragraph.

Based on your itinerary I would strongly consider a Tables in Wonderland card- it gives you a 20% discount at all table service- even though the price just went up to $150 I think you would still save money with all the table service you have planned.

One other piece of feedback is 8:20 breakfast until after a 1:40 lunch is a LOOOONNNGGG time for a little one- I know ours would be throwing fits if we woke them at 6:45 (which you will need to do to get from AKL-MK on time taking a bus) and kept them up until after a 1:40 lunch. You know your child better than I do but I would be cautious with that ambitious of a day.

Our strategy is pretty much to RD every day- go back to the hotel/pool from about noon- 4:00 then go to another park from 4:00-8:00 (encompassing an ADR) and then bed time for the babies- feel free to ask any questions about my upcoming itinerary but I don't like to post my entire itinerary for privacy reasons.

Our previous trips have laid out like this so far

Trip one (kids 10 months old)
Day 1:
Arrival/ Spice Road Table 5:30- bed time

Day 2:
RD DHS
FP
50s PT 1115 (huge hit with the kids BTW)
Nap
Rose and Crown 750 for fireworks and dinner

Day 3:
RD DAK
FP
Sanaa lunch at AKL
Nap/pool
Yachtsman dinner 535

Day 4:
RD MK
FP
BOG lunch
Nap
Le Cellier dinner 525

Day 5:
Sleep in
Biergarten lunch
over to MK for hair cut and FP
BOG dinner 7:00

Day 6
EPCOT FP
FP
VIa Napoli lunch 2:00
Nap
Dinner at Bluezoo (date night for mom and dad- grandparents came at Day 5 and babysat)

Day 7:
Cape May Breakfast
DHS FP
Akershus Dinner 625

Day 8:
Crystal Palace Breakfast
FP
Nap
Garden Grill Dinner 410

Trip 2 (kids 18 months old)
Day 1: Arrival
Kimono's for dinner
Bed

Day 2:
BOG Breakfast/MK RD
FP
Nap
FOod and WIne for Dinner

Day 3:
DHS RD/FP
50s 1235
Race expo
Biergarten for dinner at 6:00

Day 4:
EPCOT RD
VIa Napoli lunch
Nap
Mom and Dad WIne and DIne half

Day 5:
Epcot RD
F&W lunch
Nap
CItricos 705

Day 6:
EPcot RD
F&W lunch
Nap
Hollywood Brown Derby 705

 

[btk2333]

Having travelled with a toddler, you are right... fab 5 characters have a lot more recognition than the princesses. I would stick with character meals than capitalize on that (CP instead of CRT). Winnie and gang will likely be more appealing than face characters. That said, I would limit it to 2 in that amount of time. In my family anyway, the toddler has a fear/interest divide. More meals would not mean more fun. Personally, I do not like buffets with a toddler. (We love Ohana breakfast, as it is served family style. No Minnie, though). You are right that breakfast and lunch ADRs are the way to go.

I actually disagree with the face character vs. Fab 5. Akershus was my favorite character meal by far- my kids loved the princesses!!! The Fab 5 characters they enjoyed but they were very timid with them and couldn't really decide what to make of them.

 

[CVTmarie23]

Will she nap in the stroller? Since the January hours are shorter, I think you'll loose out on a lot of park time by going back to the resort for naps. Travel to AKL will take a while from MK. If she will nap in the stroller you can schedule some fast passes for the adults for while she's napping.

It's not likely. We travel a lot and have taken her on plenty of day trips and she will just not nap in the stroller. Maybe at disney because she will be so tired, but I'm not planning on it.

Having travelled with a toddler, you are right... fab 5 characters have a lot more recognition than the princesses. I would stick with character meals than capitalize on that (CP instead of CRT). Winnie and gang will likely be more appealing than face characters. That said, I would limit it to 2 in that amount of time. In my family anyway, the toddler has a fear/interest divide. More meals would not mean more fun. Personally, I do not like buffets with a toddler. (We love Ohana breakfast, as it is served family style. No Minnie, though). You are right that breakfast and lunch ADRs are the way to go.

She is great about going to eat and we have gone to local character events (non disney) and she has done great. I am just not sure a CRT is worth it for this trip, it would be great for me, but she has no clue about the princesses and is much more interested in Minnie/Pooh, etc. I also think she would love to participate in the parades during the meals. She loves music and dancing so much.

I actually disagree with the face character vs. Fab 5. Akershus was my favorite character meal by far- my kids loved the princesses!!! The Fab 5 characters they enjoyed but they were very timid with them and couldn't really decide what to make of them.

I think she will enjoy the princesses, she just doesn't know who they are right now and honestly Dh and I would love to do some of the character meals since we haven't really explored that before. I hate to give us a CRT reservation, but the more I think about it, the other choices seem like a better option.

 

[CVTmarie23]

You can come hang with us- we'll be there with 21 month old twins and our friends' 15 month old girl Jan. 23-31 .

We've done two trips with our then 10 month olds and 18 month olds. We stay at the Beach Club and are DVC/AP- I would consider staying at an MK resort if MK is the most important to you- the ability to not take a bus is vital with toddlers IMO. At the Beach Club you can walk to DHS or EPCOT which are our favorite parks. At Contemporary you can walk to MK or monorail to EPCOT and at GF/Poly you could monorail to both parks. Taking the bus with the kids/stroller is not fun IMO- if you're going to have a car- ignore this whole paragraph.

Based on your itinerary I would strongly consider a Tables in Wonderland card- it gives you a 20% discount at all table service- even though the price just went up to $150 I think you would still save money with all the table service you have planned.

One other piece of feedback is 8:20 breakfast until after a 1:40 lunch is a LOOOONNNGGG time for a little one- I know ours would be throwing fits if we woke them at 6:45 (which you will need to do to get from AKL-MK on time taking a bus) and kept them up until after a 1:40 lunch. You know your child better than I do but I would be cautious with that ambitious of a day.

Our strategy is pretty much to RD every day- go back to the hotel/pool from about noon- 4:00 then go to another park from 4:00-8:00 (encompassing an ADR) and then bed time for the babies- feel free to ask any questions about my upcoming itinerary but I don't like to post my entire itinerary for privacy reasons.

Our previous trips have laid out like this so far

Trip one (kids 10 months old)
Day 1:
Arrival/ Spice Road Table 5:30- bed time

Day 2:
RD DHS
FP
50s PT 1115 (huge hit with the kids BTW)
Nap
Rose and Crown 750 for fireworks and dinner

Day 3:
RD DAK
FP
Sanaa lunch at AKL
Nap/pool
Yachtsman dinner 535

Day 4:
RD MK
FP
BOG lunch
Nap
Le Cellier dinner 525

Day 5:
Sleep in
Biergarten lunch
over to MK for hair cut and FP
BOG dinner 7:00

Day 6
EPCOT FP
FP
VIa Napoli lunch 2:00
Nap
Dinner at Bluezoo (date night for mom and dad- grandparents came at Day 5 and babysat)

Day 7:
Cape May Breakfast
DHS FP
Akershus Dinner 625

Day 8:
Crystal Palace Breakfast
FP
Nap
Garden Grill Dinner 410

Trip 2 (kids 18 months old)
Day 1: Arrival
Kimono's for dinner
Bed

Day 2:
BOG Breakfast/MK RD
FP
Nap
FOod and WIne for Dinner

Day 3:
DHS RD/FP
50s 1235
Race expo
Biergarten for dinner at 6:00

Day 4:
EPCOT RD
VIa Napoli lunch
Nap
Mom and Dad WIne and DIne half

Day 5:
Epcot RD
F&W lunch
Nap
CItricos 705

Day 6:
EPcot RD
F&W lunch
Nap
Hollywood Brown Derby 705

Sounds fun I think our next trip we will stay at either the BCV or BWV, it was so hard to decide!

We are renting DVC points and booked not to long ago so nothing at the monorail resorts was available. Can't make any changes now either. DD loves animals as well, so we have a Savannah room which she/we will enjoy. We can animal watch while she naps We also will have a car so its not likely we will use the bus system.

I have looked into TIW and the dining plan, I need to run the numbers once we have a more solid plan to see if it is worth it. If I knew we were going back again this year I would get it, but I'm just not sure.

I am worried about CP breakfast and BOG lunch, but it doesn't seem to make sense to go to MK just for lunch one day, unless we pick another MK day and stick to that plan. I really want to go into the park pre opening and want to try BOG lunch. I'm just not sure how to do that on 2 separate days efficiently. I am hesitant to tie us down with too many set ADR's after breakfast. I was thinking worst case we will have snacks for her and can get any kind of QS for her. She is much more of a snacker than a sit down for 3 meals diner. At least I know she will be entertained with characters so we can eat haha. And buffets don't bother me too much especially since we will have 2 other adults to help.

Looks like the consensus is that I should cancel CRT and head to MK on Sunday instead of Sat. Now the idea of picking FP's already is very intimidating and I have read the large thread about it.

 

[CVTmarie23]

Dup

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

I was under the impression that Minnie dinner was just for the holidays. Is there another one in January.

Minnie meets at Cape May/ Ravello breakfast and Chef Mickey's.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

Also adding, we are taking are little one who will be 22 months in January, so close to the same age. She recognizes most of the Fab 5, but she is also obsessed with princesses. She doesn't know how to name the princesses but she LOVES the big dresses and has always gotten excited to meet them. I guess you could just try to decide if your daughter likes princessy things or not. Mine can find a princess everywhere, even in the video games aisle today she found princess peach.

 

[baler31]

I was under the impression that Minnie dinner was just for the holidays. Is there another one in January.

Minnie meets at Cape May/ Ravello breakfast and Chef Mickey's.

The Minnie dinner will be a seasonal event that will evolve each season. January is to begin the winter hollywood version, followed by a spring, etc. I think the Halloween will be especially fun.

To the OP: please consider that your DD will enjoy whatever you take her to. I would drop CRT as we just don't think the food is what it used to be. Tusker is a must do for us and we rate the best and only buffet we really enjoy. We used to do Crystal for early entry but have been doing BOG for that lately, but for a one time thing CP is nice. Personally, would also skip Akershus based on food quality/value. You have the Minnie diner down twice, I would not do it twice if that was not a typo. I doubt the food will be great for that but we are going for the special character costumes (we like to see them in different outfits). When my kids were younger they never napped in the stroller except for Disney so hopefully that may work for you.

Consider relaxing at least one evening at the resort and just do room service or quick service and explore the animal viewing areas.

 

[ErinTwinmom]

She's two, go to Amazon and order sing along songs Disneyland on DVD. It will be under ten bucks, then just let her watch it incessantly like a two year old does. With my kids not only did it familiarize them with all the characters for meals and meet and greets but it also made them really excited about the country bears.

 

[CVTmarie23]

The Minnie dinner will be a seasonal event that will evolve each season. January is to begin the winter hollywood version, followed by a spring, etc. I think the Halloween will be especially fun.

To the OP: please consider that your DD will enjoy whatever you take her to. I would drop CRT as we just don't think the food is what it used to be. Tusker is a must do for us and we rate the best and only buffet we really enjoy. We used to do Crystal for early entry but have been doing BOG for that lately, but for a one time thing CP is nice. Personally, would also skip Akershus based on food quality/value. You have the Minnie diner down twice, I would not do it twice if that was not a typo. I doubt the food will be great for that but we are going for the special character costumes (we like to see them in different outfits). When my kids were younger they never napped in the stroller except for Disney so hopefully that may work for you.

Consider relaxing at least one evening at the resort and just do room service or quick service and explore the animal viewing areas.

This is what I keep hearing about CRT. I would love to do it, but $120 for breakfast is a lot for just ok food (I guess you could say that about a lot of the character meals). We will only do the Minnie meal once, I just have 2 different touring plans above. Ideally I would like to do only 2 character meals, but can't seem to narrow it down.

Tusker was a must do at first, as I have heard the food is great, but when the Minnie dinner was extended I was thinking of doing that instead. We are staying at AKL and plan on eating there at least 1-2 times so some of the same items are on the menu there. I figure we can save Tusker for the next trip.

 

[CVTmarie23]

Also adding, we are taking are little one who will be 22 months in January, so close to the same age. She recognizes most of the Fab 5, but she is also obsessed with princesses. She doesn't know how to name the princesses but she LOVES the big dresses and has always gotten excited to meet them. I guess you could just try to decide if your daughter likes princessy things or not. Mine can find a princess everywhere, even in the video games aisle today she found princess peach.

She does like princessy things and I think she will be excited to meet them, but the atmosphere at Askerus seems like a better fit with the parade, I think she would really like that. She has seen other non disney characters and has done well. I know she will LOVE minnie so that dinner is for sure, but I would like to see how she does with the princesses and would prefer to do a meal vs a meet and greet.

 

[jmccoy18]

We went when DD1 turned 2, so I think you are on point with taking a break after lunch, just make sure your lunch ADRs aren't too late in the day, especially with RP mornings. My DD was usually done by 1pm, meaning we needed to be on the bus by then. But you know your kid the best

I would drop the CRT and do Askerhaus instead. DD1's favorite meal when we went was CM, which I think Minnie's dinner will be comparable. If you only want to do 2 character meals, I would to Minnie and Askerhaus.

Also, MK on the weekend is always more crowded. Could you move your MK day to Friday or Monday?

 

[CVTmarie23]

We went when DD1 turned 2, so I think you are on point with taking a break after lunch, just make sure your lunch ADRs aren't too late in the day, especially with RP mornings. My DD was usually done by 1pm, meaning we needed to be on the bus by then. But you know your kid the best

I would drop the CRT and do Askerhaus instead. DD1's favorite meal when we went was CM, which I think Minnie's dinner will be comparable. If you only want to do 2 character meals, I would to Minnie and Askerhaus.

Also, MK on the weekend is always more crowded. Could you move your MK day to Friday or Monday?

She is typically good til about 1:30/2 and then she is done, She is an earlier riser, usually by 7am though.

Friday is EMH (early at MK) so it wouldn't allow us to get in pre park opening and its not recommended by any of the touring sites for that day. We could do Monday, but Sunday is more recommended and I haven't been able to get a CP ADR for monday.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

The Minnie dinner will be a seasonal event that will evolve each season. January is to begin the winter hollywood version, followed by a spring, etc. I think the Halloween will be especially fun.

Thank you for that info. Do you just do a dinner reservation for Hollywood and Vine in January and Minnie will be there in Winter outfits?

 

[js121]

She is typically good til about 1:30/2 and then she is done, She is an earlier riser, usually by 7am though.

Friday is EMH (early at MK) so it wouldn't allow us to get in pre park opening and its not recommended by any of the touring sites for that day. We could do Monday, but Sunday is more recommended and I haven't been able to get a CP ADR for monday.

We've been in January and February and did the early EMH day at MK both trips (with two littlest). The touring sites will never generally recommend an EMH day for a park, but that time of year we found it to be great - low crowds anyways, and the EMH was super helpful in the morning. I would consider it over a weekend day. Just be sure you plan an afternoon break/nap

 

[MickeyWaffles]

Will she nap in the stroller? Since the January hours are shorter, I think you'll loose out on a lot of park time by going back to the resort for naps. Travel to AKL will take a while from MK. If she will nap in the stroller you can schedule some fast passes for the adults for while she's napping.

This. We are going in early January and also staying at Kidani. We are planning stroller naps. The parks close early, and DD easily naps in her stroller. Especially for MK, by the time you get on the bus/or monorail or boat to your car, travel to Kidani, nap, get ready and do it again, it is kind of a hassle and waste of time. I know my DD would fall asleep in transit and be awake by the time we got back to Kidani. Because of the short park hours and because DD will sleep in her fully reclined stroller, that's what we're doing. But if your child is used to very structured bed naps, a break might be best. It would not work for us though.

 

[baler31]

Thank you for that info. Do you just do a dinner reservation for Hollywood and Vine in January and Minnie will be there in Winter outfits?

No confirmation on what the outfits will be just that the theme changes after the holidays and will continue to evolve with all exclusive decor and costumes. The park blog mentioned something about Halloween having a vampire Donald or such so I suppose its possible even the characters could change(especially the "greeter " character that is currently Santa Goofy.