looking for help...

[martyk]

my wife and I are trying to get things lined up for our trip in February (first time for our family).
My girls are 4 and 8 (b-days for both down there)
Any help on what we should take them to and what we shouldn't?
I know some rides will be out of the question, but some say Epcot is no good for kids, some say MGM is too scary...
I'm not sure what to do.
Help would be muchly appreciated
Thanks
Marty

 

[ajleone]

Well first off there are gonna be alot of differing opinions on this. We love Epcot and so does our 8 year old. We all also love MGM. I would say you shouldn't skip any of the Disney parks. Get Hopper passes and then if something doesn't pan out you can always go to another park. Now as for rides that is really gonna depend on heights and what they like for rides. Our son does em all, R'nR, ToT, SM, BTMRR, Splash, EE, but i'm not sure our DD will when shes old enough. Overall go and have a great time and just enjoy WDW. No matter what they ride or do they're gonna love it!! Oh and when in Feb?

 

[adhelove]

You need to buy the book "Walt Disney Work with Kids" it is written by a mom and WDW fan Kim Wright Wiley. She really puts into words which rides are okay or noisy or dark. When my kids were younger, now they are 8 and 12, we would sway up and one of the adults would ride the ride first then report back what is was. I could then tell the kids about the ride and if I think it might scare them or not. Like the Haunted Mansion, they still don't like it and I don't make them either. We aren't into the scarey stuff yet and hopefully never. Anything in Fantasy Land is great but ride Snow White's ride, it really focuses on the wicked witch and not snow white. Some kids don't like it. Make sure to stop at Toon Town in MK. The kids and parents will love it and you can get great autographs and pics. Goofy's Barnstormer is a good beginning to roller coasters. It only lasts 50 seconds and it goes pretty fast but not enough to scare most little kids. I could go on and on but I am getting tired. I will try and look back tomorrow afternoon when I get home. Please get that book. It is about $14.-$16. Get the book it is worth it for all of her tips. She has "scare factor" and lets you know what the ride is. HOpe this helps. If I wasn't so tired I would give you more. We are leaving in 10 days for our 10 trip with the kids. Hope yours is good. Try not to go during Feb. 16 the 20 because it is mardi gras in Alabama and Louisiana and thekids are out of school. It still isn't bad but a little more crowded than ususal in February. Bye.

 

[resol37]

You should have a great time at all the parks. There is plenty to do at Epcot - depending on how you look at it - for kids. And I don't think there's anything too scary for an 8 year old at Studios (maybe RnR or ToT, but it depends on the kid's disposition).

Epcot has the Kidcot Fun Stations and passports throughout World Showcase. If your 4 year old is a fan of Finding Nemo, there's plenty to see and do at the Living Seas pavillion. Journey Into Your Imagination is good for kids. Soarin' is great depending on your kids' heights. Living with the Land and Spaceship Earth might be a little boring for kids, but are good depending on the kids' interests. Mission: Space is even possible if you do the tame side. And even Test Track isn't too bad. I tell people who haven't been on it before that most intense part is no worse than driving on an interstate in a convertable.

As far as Studios - the 8 year old should be good on everything there - Star Tours, RnR, and ToT can be a little intense, but it depends on how adventurous she is. There is also a Muppets 3D show, a Beauty and the Beast Stage Show, a Indiana Jones stunt show, and a Playhouse Disney stage show.

At both parks there are opportunities to meet characters for pictures and autographs.

 

[PrincessJasmine1972]

You need to buy the book "Walt Disney Work with Kids" it is written by a mom and WDW fan Kim Wright Wiley. She really puts into words which rides are okay or noisy or dark. When my kids were younger, now they are 8 and 12, we would sway up and one of the adults would ride the ride first then report back what is was. I could then tell the kids about the ride and if I think it might scare them or not. Like the Haunted Mansion, they still don't like it and I don't make them either. We aren't into the scarey stuff yet and hopefully never. Anything in Fantasy Land is great but ride Snow White's ride, it really focuses on the wicked witch and not snow white. Some kids don't like it. Make sure to stop at Toon Town in MK. The kids and parents will love it and you can get great autographs and pics. Goofy's Barnstormer is a good beginning to roller coasters. It only lasts 50 seconds and it goes pretty fast but not enough to scare most little kids. I could go on and on but I am getting tired. I will try and look back tomorrow afternoon when I get home. Please get that book. It is about $14.-$16. Get the book it is worth it for all of her tips. She has "scare factor" and lets you know what the ride is. HOpe this helps. If I wasn't so tired I would give you more. We are leaving in 10 days for our 10 trip with the kids. Hope yours is good. Try not to go during Feb. 16 the 20 because it is mardi gras in Alabama and Louisiana and thekids are out of school. It still isn't bad but a little more crowded than ususal in February. Bye.

I bought this book at a used book store the other day..albeit its the year 2000 version, but a great read nonetheless!

 

[Rella Bella]

I would say you shouldn't skip any of the Disney parks. Get Hopper passes and then if something doesn't pan out you can always go to another park.

I totally agree, there is something for everyone at every park. Our friends just took the kids for the first time and the whole family loved Epcot... it was their favorite park (kids 6-7-10 & 14). DS loves something at every park. Also the evening spectaculars alone are well worth your visit. Wishes at Magic Kingdom, Fantasmic at MGM and Illuminations at Epcot... see them all if you can!

Feb is a great month to go! The lines were almost non-exsistant! The only day that was busy (and it was very busy) was the Monday after the Datona 500 (that would be Feb 19th this year), and by mid-day Magic Kingdom was packed!! We felt like everyone at the race took a bus directly there! So if that is one of your days, you might want to avoid MK, I don't remember the other parks being as crowded.

Depending on how many days you'll be there it's kind of nice to take a slower day in the middle of your trip. So on that potentially busy day you could do a park in the morning before the rush hits & then spend some time at your resort pool, one of the water parks or visit Disney Quest & DTDisney. Or you could go to the "Hoop De Doo Revue", see "Cirque de Soleil" or the Lauau in the evening... there is a lot to choose from.

Stay on this board and look around, you'll get all your questions answered!
Happy planning... it's half the fun!

 

[flortlebap]

How wonderful that both your girls are having their birthdays down there!

I'd say to you that there's something for everyone at each of the parks. We are taking the three girls (5, 2, 1) to MK, AK, MGM and Epcot! It will mean some baby swapping to do the rides we want to, though.

You'll probably find park hoppers to be invaluable - some people can do MGM/AK for a day or two, some find them doable in half a day. If you do finish them in half a day, you can pop over to MK where you know is packed full of attractions for kiddies!!