Just starting to plan and lots of questions

[TravelGams]

We're staying offisite at Sheraton Vistana and it's fairly close to the entrance. We weren't planning on park hopper tickets since the kids are still small 3 & 7 . Can we leave and return to the same park on the same day? Also, I've been reading about the strollers. We're flying and don't really want to haul it down there. Can you only rent them at the entrance or do they have places throughout the park ? And where are the lockers located? Last but certainly not least, is there a map that shows where everything is including restrooms and food and other stuff that I can get before we get there?

 

[Reflection]

1. Yes, you can leave and return to the same park later that day.

2. I believe the stroller rentals are at the front entrance of the various parks--close to guest services. I don't recall various stroller rental locations in the different parks.

3. Various guidebooks (e.g., the Unofficial WDW Guidebook) have maps of the different parks. You could purchase a book or photocopy pages from a library copy. You could also try contacting WDW guest services (visit the Disney website) for informational materials.

Good luck with your planning.

 

[CleveRocks]

At each WDW park, there is only one stroller rental place, and each is more or less near the front entrance, INSIDE the turnstiles.

What I don't understand was your comment that you don't want to buy park hoppers because your kids are so small. I mean, of course you'll do whatever makes you happy, I'm not trying to tell you what you "should" do, I'll just try to explain my opinion.

I went in May with my 5 and 2.5 year olds, the first time ever with our kids. We hopped some days, but not all. Hopping was nice especially in the latter half of our trip. Here's a possible scenario: There are two more attractions we want to do in Magic Kingdom and two more at MGM, so tomorrow we'll go to Magic Kingdom in the morning, go back to the hotel for pool/lunch/nap, and then go to MGM in late afternoon. It can also be helpful if the kids are wilting and there's not much more left to do, you won't feel the need to be a commando and "have to do it all today" if you know you can go back another day for a short time if necessary. It can be very convenient to have those sorts of options. Again, NOT necessary, but I don't think the ages of the kids has anything to do with it.

ENJOY YOUR TRIP!

-- Eric

 

[malibuconlee]

Don't forget to get your hand stamped on the way out if you're coming back to the same park that day.

 

[rchristiansen]

Actually Epcot has a second stroller rental location at the International Gateway entrance. But because you are staying off site, I doubt you will use that entrance.

I love the strollers at the parks. They are so great and easy to push. I hate lugging around a stroller.

I also agree that you may want to consider the park hopper option. My DD is 3 and we also went when she was 2 and 1. We hopped every trip. I can't see being young as a reason not to park hop. In fact, like the other poster said, if you are tired at MK, then leave and relax for a while Then come back and maybe see the parade at 4PM at MGM. Also, Epcot has fireworks each night, while MK does not. So for us we would go to MK one day, have dinner back in our hotel room, and then check out Illuminatiosn at Epcot in the evening.

RE: Maps, yes guidebooks have them, however the restrooms I doubt are shown. But that really isn't a problem, bathrooms are everywhere and rarely have a line.

Finally, you mention staying "close to the entrance". Remember that once you pass the big "Walt Disney World" sign you have another 10 -15 minute drive to the parks. Especially at MK - it's the farthest from the entrance and takes the longest to get to the turnstiles from the parking lot. You need to either take a boat or the monorail to get to the turnstiles. Make sure you plan an extra 20-25 minutes for MK if you are trying to get to a dinner reservation, etc after leaving and coming back.

 

[Kycha]

Don't forget to get your hand stamped on the way out if you're coming back to the same park that day.

They don't handstamp anymore. We were there last Monday to do the Keys to the Kingdom tour in the morning. We wanted to return in the evening for Crystal Palace ADR's, but we were tired and wanted to go back to the resort for some pool time. When we left MK I went right up to the CM at the exit and asked him where you go to get your handstamped. He said they don't do that. So we left without a handstamp and did not have a problem getting back in or ending up short on days.