Just Back - Observations

[cdpa4d]

Hi Everybody -
I just returned from a week at the World. Here are some quick observations from our trip (Me, wife, and 3 yr. old Daughter).
- The Parks are extremely clean. You can tell Disney is making a significant effort to keep the parks clean.
- The Magic Kingdom is beautiful at when it is lit up at night. We were there for Spectro last Thursday. Main St. is beautiful when lit up at night. I was in awe when I saw it.
- Disney transportation was a disappointment. They have changed some of their policies regarding tram drop-offs. We had to cross the median to get to our car. In one instance, the tram almost hit us when it turned around after we crossed the median.
- The only place that accepts Disney Club discounts is World of Disney at Downtown Disney. Why did I buy this membership?
- The Magic Kingdom was three times as busy as the other parks. The other parks had little crowds. The Magic Kingdom was very busy last Tuesday. We waited 40 minutes to ride Dumbo. I waited 5 minutes to ride Test Track.
- The best show at Disney, in my opinion, is Festival of the Lion King. I have not seen all the shows, but this show really gets my adrenalin going. I am singing Hakuna Matada every time I leave the show.
- Character meals are expensive. However, the Crystal Palace meals are worth the price. The food and atmosphere are excellent. Donald's Breakfast at AK was good, but not worth $17.
- Taking your 3 yr. old Daughter to parks 5 days of a 7 day vacation is not a good idea. Can you say "Screaming Fits!"

I can't wait until next years trip. I have already started the countdown! Let me know if you have any questions.
ADP

 

[nativetxn]

Welcome back and thanks for the observations. I hope you managed to have lots of fun.

Katholyn

 

[kilee]

Everytime we take other vacations we are really bad about comparing it to Disney. Needless to say the others always seem to fall short. Last week we took a trip to the smokies (we were looking to relax alittle). Well we did spend one afternoon at another theme park in that area. We kept commenting how it just didn't compare. The bathrooms were filthy as were the tables to eat at. For the number of guests in the Disney parks each day, the level of cleanliness is nothing short of amazing. It is only once in a great while you encounter a dirty restroom.

 

[ZerasPride]

I am guilty too of comparing other vacations to Disney vacations. I have found the cure for this though. I just take Disney vacations now . I know there are many other places in this wide world to see but nothing gives me the thrill of planning a Disney trip.

To the original poster, I have some questions about traveling with a little one. My sister and I are taking her to two daughters who are 5 and 1-1/2 with us in August. Any touring strategies for people with little ones? Did your daughter ride any of the dark rides? I was thinking 2 days at MK and one day at Epcot. Did you ride much at AK or MGM? How about afternoon breaks? Did you rent or bring your own stroller? How was your daughter with the characters?

Sorry to have so many questions but I am really getting excited about this trip. We are keeping it a secret from the girls and I am just about to bust. My sister did tell her 5 year old that we were taking a special vacation this year and that if she could guess where we are going then she'll tell her. My niece (knowing her auntie all too well) looked at me for a minute and said, "Oh, if we're going with Auntie, then we're going to Disneyland ." Well, she guessed wrong and I winked at my sister and said nope. Not Disneyland . Guess again". Well she hasn't guessed it yet. I can't wait until we go!!!!

 

[dahess]

Welcome home, where did you stay?

 

[ZerasPride]

bump

 

[awatt]

Zeras Pride,
When I took my girls age 3yr and age 11 mos we had a great time. You have to slow down alot more than you may be used to. Arrive early,stay till 12 or 1 PM then take tehm for naps. Naps are essential as this is such a stimulating experience for kids. Some evenings we would come back for a parade or character dinner-I recommend Crystal Palace,the little ones love it. Other evenings we didn't and just relaxed at the pool/resort.
The 3yo tried nearly all rides for her age group and liked them. We were selective however-had been told Snow White could be frightening so we avoided it. Even the 9 month old liked Haunted Mansion! Peter Pan was Ok too . The shows were a very big hit at this age i.e. Barney or Playhouse Disney.
I think you might want to try a half day at MGM.
We rented strollers,thought they were fine.
Both girls loved the characters. Again a character meal is a good way to do this rather than waiting in line.

 

[cdpa4d]

dahess - We stayed at Vistana Resort just outside of Disney property. We have a timeshare there. I love there pool.
Zeraspride - I would strongly suggest Afternoon naps for both the children. If they don't fall asleep at the park in the stroller then take them for a ride in your car if you rent one. The heat and excitement can really take a lot out of the young ones.

My Daughter did not care for the dark rides too much. She really liked the outdoor rides like Dumbo, Alladin, Goofy's roller coaster. However, all children are different. Your kids may take to the darker rides.

2 days at MK will be good. Your kids may not care for EPCOT too mcuh. They do have Kidcot which is a fun stop at each country along the World Showcase. They will decorate a mask for you at each country. My Daughter really liked that.

As for the stroller, I would suggest renting a stroller. The strollers are larger than an umbrella stroller and my Daughter could stretch her legs and fall asleep much easier. The also provide shade from the sun. You should bring an umbrella stroller with you on the trip for places like Downtown Disney and the Boardwalk. They don't rent strollers there. If you rent a car, keep your umbrella stroller in your car so you always have it with you.

We did not ride much at AK or Disney Studios. My Daughter loved Kilamanjaro Safaris. She loved bouncing up and down in the truck and seeing the animals. She also loved Festival of the Lion King. The Muppet 3-D show was too much for her. She got a bit scared because of the loud noises and realism of the show. She loved the Playhouse Disney show. That was a big hit for her. She loves the Playhouse Disney shows so she definately connected with that attraction. That should be a must do for you and your Sister's kids.

Have a great time!
ADP

 

[chris44]

I'm glad it's not my imagination - I was at MK on Tuesday, too, and couldn't believe how crowded it was! Just after lunch there was a 35 minute wait for Thunder Mountain, and the FP machines were not open. The line was probably long in part due to the fact that Splash Mountain was broken down.

So we returned for early entry on Thursday during the 5-hour rain showers, but at least it wasn't as crowded.

 

[cdpa4d]

Bump!!

 

[jenjie]

If you go to MGM, make sure you take the little ones to see Playhouse Disney! They will absolutely love it. Lots of bouncing, dancing, and giggles. : And a word of warning, JMHO but the Honey I shrunk the Kids playground is the perfect way to LOSE a child. We left that place within 5 minutes. It's too big and crowded.

Epcot, the kids will like Food Rocks, Figment - you have to go to the Imageworks Lab and let them jump on the squares. I don't know what it's called but there are a bunch of squares with pictures on them. When they jump on them, it will make the sound of whatever the picture is. In the World Showcase, the kids will enjoy decorating a mask at the kidcot stations. When I asked my kids if they wanted to do "arts & crafts" they couldn't wait to get there!

MK - Cinderella's Surprise Celebration (live show in front of castle) is not to be missed! It is very nicely done and alot of characters (not the princesses though) stay around afterwards for pics and autographs.

 

[phlufster]

We were just in the parks with a 2 yr old last week. We took her on the TTA at MK and she loved it, we went twice. I was a nice break because there is never a line and it is a slow ride so she got to sit by herself and feel like a big kid. It is a beautiful way to see tomorrowland and some areas are air conditioned so you get a chance to relax and cool off. We got off the ride and made a note to put that into our agenda form now on.

 

[Tiggerkeeper]

The TTA at night is wonderful and relaxing! And what a great place to rest those tired fee. We, too, have put this on our must do. The train is a great place to rest too!

Melissa

 

[TRAPPED-PARENT]

I had to laugh at the poster who said the line for Thunder Mountain was 35 minutes!!!

Back in the "good old days" of extended park hours, we would have thought that to be a short line!! LOL.

 

[CuteKatCar]

The best way to do WDW with children is to:

1. Educate yourself. Read these boards and books. You want to ride Dumbo - you get there at rope drop.

2. Plan. Have an idea of what you want to see.

3. Know your child's limits. Tired = cranky. Hot and tired = REALLY cranky.

4. Don't force your child to do things. Some kids are just plain afraid, making them go on dark rides may just ruin the rest of your trip.

5. Don't try to see everything. (That's why you plan your "must do's". This June will be my DD 10's 5th trip.

6. Take breaks. A must do with little kids.

And take everything you read here as what it is - ADVICE. What works for one family may not work for yours. One poster didn't like the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Playground. For us, that's a must-do. Maybe we hit it when it's less crowded. We are 2 kids, 2 parents. Easier to watch them. Maybe others aren't. You never know!!

But, whatever you do, enjoy yourselves!!

Anna

P.S. The list could be longer, but we've got softball practice.......

 

[Kaycee]

Thanks for sharing your observations with us!

Kaycee

 

[Momma Bear]

We were just there last week with our almost 3 year old twins. Here's my advice, of course all kids are different.

-Arrive at park openning. Last week the crowds were very light from 9-11am even at MK.
-Leave the parks for naps in the early afternoon. The kids need the rest and you'll avoid the worst of the heat and crowds. We returned to the MK every night from about 4pm-7pm and were able to do a lot in that time.
-We did just about everything in MK that the boys were tall enough for and nothing scared them. We took along tiny flashlights for them to play with if they got scared in really dark rides.
-Our kids favs were: MK - BUZZ (rode 6 times!), Dumbo, Teacups, Astro Orbiter, Peter Pan, Alladin, Pirates and Barnstormer. AK - Triceritops Spin, Boneyard. MGM - Muppets, Playhouse Disney, Meeting Buzz & Woody.

Have a great time!

 

[ZerasPride]

I appreciate all the advice. This will be my 6th trip to Disney since 1998 but my first time with little kids. I am so excited for the girls and appreciate the comment about not making them go on rides that they are afraid of (that's what baby swap is for, right?). I like the idea of little flashlights and I think I read somewhere about glow in the dark stuff - neclaces or bracelets, I think. I'm going to look into that too. Afternoon naps/breaks are a must in August when we'll be traveling so we'll definitely heed that advice as well. Thanks again everyone!

 

[Jomrog]

ZerasPride

You might have seen this but at last look, Dollar Tree had lots of those glow in the dark necklaces, bracelets/etc.

Sorry, slightly OT but just wanted to help.