MK EMH Rope Drop w/ 3 Year Old Boy

[Boo Bear]

I'm taking my DS3 (well weeks from being 3) to WDW for a special trip with just Mommy in December. I have a few questions about planning this to make our trip extra magical.

Thursday, Dec. 4th is going to be our last park day and it's also EMH. We're staying at AoA and relying on buses for transportation. What time should we plan to be at the MK for EMH rope drop?

This day will be our second full day in the MK during our stay and we're also spending a few hours on Wed for WDWRR and Tom Sawyer Island. I have FP+ for Tomorrowland Speedway & Peter Pan that morning and one for Barnstormer in the afternoon. What should I plan to do during EMH with a little guy? I'm not sure if he's 38" but I have a FP+ for 7DMT on Tuesday the 2nd and I'll go there first if he's tall enough and likes it. After than what do you all recommend that I try to do?

Keep in mind that we're also attending MVMCP that evening so we'll squeeze some more things in then.

Thanks! I always get the best advice on the DIS

 

[Aerinha]

Get there by 7:30 so you can get through security and see the opening show.

 

[Boo Bear]

Get there by 7:30 so you can get through security and see the opening show.

Thanks!

 

[letsgoreds]

I agree with 730. I love the opening show...makes me cry each time for some reason. We were there same time as you last year with DS8 and DS3.5. DS 3.5 favorite rides were Buzz Lightyear, Speedway, Astro Orbiter, Barnstormer, Peoplemover, BTMRR, Dumbo, ETWB (he was Maurice) and meeting Stitch (I'm not a character person, but he was hilarious). He enjoyed other stuff too.

Ride BTMRR, Jungle Cruise, Astro Orbiter, People Mover at night for a different feel. If you have already seen Wishes (especially the one from MVMCP...bigger and better), try to time it to ride Astro Orbiter as the fireworks are going off. Also bring a couple of tubes of glow sticks. They are cheap fun, and we always bring enough to share with other kids around (boys enjoy passing them out). Great if you are waiting for a parade at night.

Oh...and sign up for Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom game (its free!). You don't have to play it...but the free cards (5/person/day) are great. They are great to bust out when in a longer line. My nephew was 4 and really grooved on that during a previous trip. Bring a ziploc baggie or something for him to hold them. They give a special card out at the parties (also get another free pack of cards/person), so make sure to stop by and pick them up. The party cards go on eBay for around $15-$25/each, so you could always sell them if you don't like them...or PM me and I could definitely trade some cards with you. We recently moved to Seattle...so WDW isn't in our future ; ( My boys were BIG SOTMK fans. There are often people who trade at Tortuga Tavern or at the portals if there is a special card he is looking for (Woody, Buzz, Lightning McQueen, etc.).

Have a great time!!!

 

[Boo Bear]

I agree with 730. I love the opening show...makes me cry each time for some reason. We were there same time as you last year with DS8 and DS3.5. DS 3.5 favorite rides were Buzz Lightyear, Speedway, Astro Orbiter, Barnstormer, Peoplemover, BTMRR, Dumbo, ETWB (he was Maurice) and meeting Stitch (I'm not a character person, but he was hilarious). He enjoyed other stuff too.

Ride BTMRR, Jungle Cruise, Astro Orbiter, People Mover at night for a different feel. If you have already seen Wishes (especially the one from MVMCP...bigger and better), try to time it to ride Astro Orbiter as the fireworks are going off. Also bring a couple of tubes of glow sticks. They are cheap fun, and we always bring enough to share with other kids around (boys enjoy passing them out). Great if you are waiting for a parade at night.

Oh...and sign up for Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom game (its free!). You don't have to play it...but the free cards (5/person/day) are great. They are great to bust out when in a longer line. My nephew was 4 and really grooved on that during a previous trip. Bring a ziploc baggie or something for him to hold them. They give a special card out at the parties (also get another free pack of cards/person), so make sure to stop by and pick them up. The party cards go on eBay for around $15-$25/each, so you could always sell them if you don't like them...or PM me and I could definitely trade some cards with you. We recently moved to Seattle...so WDW isn't in our future ; ( My boys were BIG SOTMK fans. There are often people who trade at Tortuga Tavern or at the portals if there is a special card he is looking for (Woody, Buzz, Lightning McQueen, etc.).

Have a great time!!!

How do I sign up for SOTMK? That sounds like fun!

 

[Itinkso]

How do I sign up for SOTMK? That sounds like fun!

Just stop by the Fire Station in Town Square and the CMs will get you started with a starter pack, key card, and directions. There's also a location in Liberty Square where you can pick up the starter items.

 

[letsgoreds]

There are two places to sign up (and pick up party card).

Biggest/best place is at the Firehouse near the main entrance. Oh...and consider a 'first haircut' at the barbershop if you (or DH) are in the mood. They do a great job, and are reasonably priced. We didn't have reservations (always a good idea), and had to wait a bit.

Second place is behind the Christmas Shop in between Frontierland/Liberty Square not to far from the castle. Check out 'how to' on Youtube, etc. for a basic summary of the game.

Might even be something the adults would enjoy ; )

 

[Boo Bear]

There are two places to sign up (and pick up party card).

Biggest/best place is at the Firehouse near the main entrance. Oh...and consider a 'first haircut' at the barbershop if you (or DH) are in the mood. They do a great job, and are reasonably priced. We didn't have reservations (always a good idea), and had to wait a bit.

Second place is behind the Christmas Shop in between Frontierland/Liberty Square not to far from the castle. Check out 'how to' on Youtube, etc. for a basic summary of the game.

Might even be something the adults would enjoy ; )

I'm interested in learning because I'm a huge nerd and love stuff like that! Ultimately I'd love to teach something like that to my son. I am mom and dad to my son and I daydream about the type of relationship we'll have as he gets a little older. I think that would be something that he would think is cool to learn once he's at that age. Hopefully he will think it's cool that mom is into it too!

 

[letsgoreds]

You two will have a fantastic time! We have family in FL and frequently visited (from OH)...usually just my oldest and me.

I really got my nerd on before our first SOTMK trip. I wrapped a book like this in brown paper, printed out/pasted a SOTMK image, brought sharpie, threw it all in a gallon sized bag, and used it to collect signatures at M&G.

http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/4-pocket-collector-s-portfolio-755405/

There are also SOTMK groups on Facebook where they educate and trade. There are some locals with a LOT of cards, that enjoy being generous to new sorcerers. The one I like is SOTMK Helpers. If you know you will be in MK on a certain day to play/trade, you can post on the FB group and often others will meet you and help you on your way. Good people.

Have fun : )

 

[blackbee045]

They do a great job, and are reasonably priced. We didn't have reservations (always a good idea), and had to wait a bit.

Second place is behind the Christmas Shop in between Frontierland/Liberty Square not to far from the castle. Check out 'how to' on Youtube, etc. for a basic summary of the game.

 

[Starhart81]

I'm taking my DS3 (well weeks from being 3) to WDW for a special trip with just Mommy in December. I have a few questions about planning this to make our trip extra magical.

Thursday, Dec. 4th is going to be our last park day and it's also EMH. We're staying at AoA and relying on buses for transportation. What time should we plan to be at the MK for EMH rope drop?

This day will be our second full day in the MK during our stay and we're also spending a few hours on Wed for WDWRR and Tom Sawyer Island. I have FP+ for Tomorrowland Speedway & Peter Pan that morning and one for Barnstormer in the afternoon. What should I plan to do during EMH with a little guy? I'm not sure if he's 38" but I have a FP+ for 7DMT on Tuesday the 2nd and I'll go there first if he's tall enough and likes it. After than what do you all recommend that I try to do?

Keep in mind that we're also attending MVMCP that evening so we'll squeeze some more things in then.

Thanks! I always get the best advice on the DIS

We stayed at AoA last trip, and the busses were very inconsistent. I would be at the bus stop by 7:00 to be sure to make the morning show.

7DMT is good for EMH as long as you are quick to get there at rope drop. It can get over a 30 minute wait pretty quickly, even during EMH. Peter Pan, Pooh, and Little Mermaid are good choices during EMH.

Our boys were 4 and 2 on our last trip and these were their favorites.
1) Barnstormer- they rode it 6 times in a row on our 2nd MK day.
2) Speedway- they loved driving the cars. (DS4 loved pretending to race the other cars beside him, but when we did it before 10am, they only had 1 of the 4 tracks running. Not sure if they do this every morning.)
3) Buzz- They of course love Buzz, good one for EMH also.
4) Tom Sawyer Island- glad to see you have a couple hours planned here.

They both liked Dumbo (especially DS2), but I think they both liked the new playground in the Dumbo wait area better, make sure to do that even if there is no wait for Dumbo.

They both really enjoyed Pooh, Peter Pan, Little Mermaid, Small World, and Magic Carpets. They both preferred doing rides over seeing shows, but they both enjoyed Monsters LF, Philharmagic, and ETWB. They also enjoyed Peoplemover, Tea cups, and Carousel. They didn't do Astro Orbiter and 7DMT wasn't open yet, so not sure about these two. They were both fine on Haunted Mansion, Pirates, and Jungle Cruise, but not their favorites.

They definitely did not like Stitchs Escape, disappointing because they both like Stitch. My DS4 did not like the Tiki Room, DS2 was fine with it.

Never tried Pirates Adventure game or SotMK, but DS4 especially liked Agent P's Adventure in Epcot and Wilderness Explorers in AK, so I would think these would be fun games.

 

[Boo Bear]

We stayed at AoA last trip, and the busses were very inconsistent. I would be at the bus stop by 7:00 to be sure to make the morning show.

7DMT is good for EMH as long as you are quick to get there at rope drop. It can get over a 30 minute wait pretty quickly, even during EMH. Peter Pan, Pooh, and Little Mermaid are good choices during EMH.

Our boys were 4 and 2 on our last trip and these were their favorites.
1) Barnstormer- they rode it 6 times in a row on our 2nd MK day.
2) Speedway- they loved driving the cars. (DS4 loved pretending to race the other cars beside him, but when we did it before 10am, they only had 1 of the 4 tracks running. Not sure if they do this every morning.)
3) Buzz- They of course love Buzz, good one for EMH also.
4) Tom Sawyer Island- glad to see you have a couple hours planned here.

They both liked Dumbo (especially DS2), but I think they both liked the new playground in the Dumbo wait area better, make sure to do that even if there is no wait for Dumbo.

They both really enjoyed Pooh, Peter Pan, Little Mermaid, Small World, and Magic Carpets. They both preferred doing rides over seeing shows, but they both enjoyed Monsters LF, Philharmagic, and ETWB. They also enjoyed Peoplemover, Tea cups, and Carousel. They didn't do Astro Orbiter and 7DMT wasn't open yet, so not sure about these two. They were both fine on Haunted Mansion, Pirates, and Jungle Cruise, but not their favorites.

They definitely did not like Stitchs Escape, disappointing because they both like Stitch. My DS4 did not like the Tiki Room, DS2 was fine with it.

Never tried Pirates Adventure game or SotMK, but DS4 especially liked Agent P's Adventure in Epcot and Wilderness Explorers in AK, so I would think these would be fun games.

Thanks for the feedback about EMH priorities. We aren't planning on doing Stitch or Tiki Room, or Teacups (i can't spin in tight circles without feeling sick). I was thinking that I should probably plan time to ride a few things a bunch of times because that's just how DS is at this age.