Must See Attractions for a 3yo, 1st Time!

[Spoiledtcangel]

Hi All our first trip to WDW will be a short one from 11/27-12/1 I think I Have all my FP picks ready to go but want to make sure I'm prioritizing right them right in order of things the LO would like

She's 3 and will be turning 4 in February, She's very tall for her age 45" looks more 5 than 3, Doesn't scare easily if at all and loves almost everything! Were doing 1 day HS, 1 MK and 1 Epcot.

These are my priorities please LMK if you think something should be replaced or moved to the bottom of the list, I would rather have advice from those who experienced the attractions first hand than the descriptions I've read online! Also are some of these less popular (no long lines, easier to get on etc.)TYIA

Hollywood Studios
FP1 Toy Story Mania
FP2 Voyage of Little Mermaid
FP3 Disney Junior Live
Also for mommy while grandma takes her Tower of terror and rock n roller coaster LoL)

Epcot
FP1 Frozen ever after
FP2 The Seas with Nemo & Friends
FP3 Mission space
Also looking at Talk with Crush and Pixar movie

Magic Kingdom
FP1 Peter pans flight
FP2 Pirates of the Caribbean
FP3 Seven dwarfs mine train
also looking at it's a small world, under the sea, Monsters laugh floor, Space mountain, tea party, dumbo and Haunted mansion

 

[Pkltm]

Hi All our first trip to WDW will be a short one from 11/27-12/1 I think I Have all my FP picks ready to go but want to make sure I'm prioritizing right them right in order of things the LO would like

She's 3 and will be turning 4 in February, She's very tall for her age 45" looks more 5 than 3, Doesn't scare easily if at all and loves almost everything! Were doing 1 day HS, 1 MK and 1 Epcot.

These are my priorities please LMK if you think something should be replaced or moved to the bottom of the list, I would rather have advice from those who experienced the attractions first hand than the descriptions I've read online! Also are some of these less popular (no long lines, easier to get on etc.)TYIA

Hollywood Studios
FP1 Toy Story Mania
FP2 Voyage of Little Mermaid
FP3 Disney Junior Live
Also looking at Great movie ride (and for mommy while grandma takes her Tower of terror and rock n roller coaster LoL)

Epcot
FP1 Frozen ever after
FP2 The Seas with Nemo & Friends
FP3 Disney & Pixar Film
Also looking at Talk with Crush and Mission Space

Magic Kingdom
FP1 Its a small world
FP2 Pirates of the Caribbean
FP3 Under the sea
also looking at Peter pans flight, Monsters laugh floor, Space mountain, tea party, dumbo and Haunted mansion

Great movie ride closes August 13th, so that is not an option.

If you want to ride Peter Pan you should fastpass that over It's a Small World

 

[BrianL]

Hi All our first trip to WDW will be a short one from 11/27-12/1 I think I Have all my FP picks ready to go but want to make sure I'm prioritizing right them right in order of things the LO would like

She's 3 and will be turning 4 in February, She's very tall for her age 45" looks more 5 than 3, Doesn't scare easily if at all and loves almost everything! Were doing 1 day HS, 1 MK and 1 Epcot.

These are my priorities please LMK if you think something should be replaced or moved to the bottom of the list, I would rather have advice from those who experienced the attractions first hand than the descriptions I've read online! Also are some of these less popular (no long lines, easier to get on etc.)TYIA

Welcome to the DIS and I hope you enjoy your first trip. You should check out this thread for lots of Fast Pass information including which attractions really don't need it or aren't a priority:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/fastpass-frequently-asked-questions.3491680/
All thanks to mesaboy!

My thoughts on your picks are below in red:

Hollywood Studios
FP1 Toy Story Mania - Yes definitely
FP2 Voyage of Little Mermaid - It really isn't necessary to get FP for shows - I know there isn't much else at HS these days, so these are okay choices
FP3 Disney Junior Live - See above
Also looking at Great movie ride - Great Movie Ride is closing in August of this year to make way for a new Mickey Mouse ride, so it will not be open on your trip.

Epcot
FP1 Frozen ever after - Absolutely! - This one can be hard to get too so make sure you book it as soon as you are able to.
FP2 The Seas with Nemo & Friends - Don't really need one for this - Spaceship Earth might be a better choice.
FP3 Disney & Pixar Film - Don't really need one for this either.
Also looking at Talk with Crush and Mission Space - Mission: SPACE may be a good choice because it is coming back with an all-new version this August! The new Green Mission is very suitable for younger riders and even has a lowered height requirement with a booster seat.

Magic Kingdom
FP1 Its a small world - A classic! It can get long lines when buys, and in the afternoons. You can FP or go early (if you Rope Drop, do this AFTER Peter Pan)
FP2 Pirates of the Caribbean - Great ride and can be useful to FP if it is busy.
FP3 Under the sea - I've never much needed one here. This is a constant loader so the line moves pretty fast.
also looking at Peter pans flight, Monsters laugh floor, Space mountain, tea party, dumbo and Haunted mansion - Peter Pan gets very long lines and is a good FP choice - though you will skip the very cool and new interactive queue. If you can go right at rope drop, then do that. You do not need one for Monster's Inc. at all. Dumbo has an indoor play area while you wait with a pager, so that could be fun without FP. Space Mountain is always a good use, as are the other "Mountains" and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train - this one is another very popular choice.

I hope that helps. Anyway, have a great time!

EDIT: One note to add. You are going the week after Thanksgiving which is typically a lower crowd time. You are after the holiday week, schools are still in, and the Christmas rush hasn't started yet. It's no guarantee with the way crowds have fluctuated lately, but you shouldn't have peak crowds. That said, if you have an FP for something and the stand-by wait time is really short, remember that you can change it to something else on the app if you want to. Or, if you schedule them early, you can just burn them up, then get additional ones after the first 3 are used.

 

[gatorlisa]

Agree with the above that better to FP PP than Small World.

A friend of mine took her 3.5 year old for the first time this past spring. She's apparently a little thrill seeker and rode Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Expedition Everest and loved them. If she's tall enough for SDMT, perhaps consider trying that one. It's very tame and kid friendly. I wouldn't necessarily try it as the first ride, but if she seems to take well to the rides, she might enjoy it.

 

[ucfknight]

Would second the Peter Pan recommendation for FP+.

 

[wedowdw17]

Nice choices overall. I agree with changing to Peter Pan at MK - that line builds quickly! Last time we went my daughter had just turned 4 - though she's at the opposite end of the growth curve (5% for height) so we were limited in some ride choices. If your daughter is into characters, I would consider switching either your Seas with Nemo or your Pixar Film FP for the Character Spot Meet & Greet at Epcot. Depending on your desired time of day, the characters build bigger lines than either Nemo or the Pixar Film. Whether you FP it or not, I would highly suggest the Frozen Sing Along show in HS - it's a must for any Frozen lover and is actually really enjoyable for adults. My mom even insisted we make this a priority to see again in HS on our next trip. The storytellers are a riot!

 

[Spoiledtcangel]

Thank you all I have updated my list to reflect the most recommended changes!

One other question do you get any FP selections with the MVMCP admission? If so this would help immensely with the MK day LoL

 

[mesaboy2]

Thank you all I have updated my list to reflect the most recommended changes!

One other question do you get any FP selections with the MVMCP admission? If so this would help immensely with the MK day LoL

If you are asking if you get any additional FP selections because you have MVMCP tickets and MK tickets for the same day, the answer is no. No guest can preschedule more than 3 FPs for a single day.

FPs are not needed during parties anyway because attraction waits are generally short.

 

[BrianL]

Thank you all I have updated my list to reflect the most recommended changes!

One other question do you get any FP selections with the MVMCP admission? If so this would help immensely with the MK day LoL

Well, you COULD get FP selections with the party ticket (unless that changes this year - there is some talk regarding the Halloween Party tickets), and you could do that between 4 and 6:30 PM on the party day (since a party ticket will allow you into the park at 4 PM). However, if you are already doing a park that day, or MK, you cannot have more than your 3 per day, so unless the Party is on a day by itself, you can't get extra. Now, the nice thing about the party is that during the party, wait times for most attractions will be relatively low. A LOT of stuff is walk-on since people tend to wait for the special characters and other party activities. Don't miss the party parade and fireworks though as they are always very good!

 

[Spoiledtcangel]

Thank you, originally I had MK planned for 11/30 and HS planned for 11/28 after looking at park hours which are only til 4:30 on 11/30 I have to change them so I'm going crazy trying to switch dinning those days and don't really want to give up my crystal palace reservation unless I can get it for the new date LoL

I honestly never knew so many reservations were part of this and wish I did however it was booked semi last minute and I managed to get some good reservations by luck! One reason I can't give up my 11/29 as I got in Akershus by pure chance (ok maybe not chance as much as sleeping with my laptop the past week)!

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

I am not sure if it was over looked or not but what about dumbo that was my favorite at her age

 

[Spoiledtcangel]

I am not sure if it was over looked or not but what about dumbo that was my favorite at her age

I have that as a non FP one on my list as I was told it doesnt really get very long lines but it's definitely there

 

[BrianL]

Thank you, originally I had MK planned for 11/30 and HS planned for 11/28 after looking at park hours which are only til 4:30 on 11/30 I have to change them so I'm going crazy trying to switch dinning those days and don't really want to give up my crystal palace reservation unless I can get it for the new date LoL

I honestly never knew so many reservations were part of this and wish I did however it was booked semi last minute and I managed to get some good reservations by luck! One reason I can't give up my 11/29 as I got in Akershus by pure chance (ok maybe not chance as much as sleeping with my laptop the past week)!

There must be a special event on 11-30 for MK. I would definitely switch those days. Plus, it's always fun to do MK first, as nothing says Disney like MK!

 

[Spoiledtcangel]

There must be a special event on 11-30 for MK. I would definitely switch those days. Plus, it's always fun to do MK first, as nothing says Disney like MK!

Yes I couldn't even find out what it is LoL

4:30 is too early of a closing and would feel like a wasted day for me. So I would rather do MK on the same day as the Xmas party so I have from 9-midnight I think

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

Yes I couldn't even find out what it is LoL

4:30 is too early of a closing and would feel like a wasted day for me. So I would rather do MK on the same day as the Xmas party so I have from 9-midnight I think

Sorry I feel like I am over stepping but I am assuming you bought a party ticket right

 

[Spoiledtcangel]

Sorry I feel like I am over stepping but I am assuming you bought a party ticket right

Yes! Luckily I stumbled across the events page on the Disney site and noticed we will be there on one of the days! LoL

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

Yes! Luckily I stumbled across the events page on the Disney site and noticed we will be there on one of the days! LoL

Then I would make that your MK day because you well have the most time and MK is huge

 

[robl45]

I'm assuming you aren't going to AK. So holly wood studios toy story mania is an obviously fast pass, but she probably is too small to play. My daughter at 5 could barely play it. You say she doesn't scare easily so why are you not taking her on tower of terror? That would be a fast pass for me. Star tours as well.

Epcot, I would probably FP test track instead of frozen, that ride breaks so easliy unless you aren't planning on doing test track.

Magic Kingdom I would fast pass splash mountain, seven dwarfs and space mountain. Peter pan is long but usually you could probably find a fast pass for it later and the queue is nice to wait in anyway if you have to do that. My daughter loves splash mountain and has since she was tall enough to get on it. She still isn't 44 inches yet and she is 6. Pirates there are times you can find the line lower and you can almost always get a fast pass later for that.

Hi All our first trip to WDW will be a short one from 11/27-12/1 I think I Have all my FP picks ready to go but want to make sure I'm prioritizing right them right in order of things the LO would like

She's 3 and will be turning 4 in February, She's very tall for her age 45" looks more 5 than 3, Doesn't scare easily if at all and loves almost everything! Were doing 1 day HS, 1 MK and 1 Epcot.

These are my priorities please LMK if you think something should be replaced or moved to the bottom of the list, I would rather have advice from those who experienced the attractions first hand than the descriptions I've read online! Also are some of these less popular (no long lines, easier to get on etc.)TYIA

Hollywood Studios
FP1 Toy Story Mania
FP2 Voyage of Little Mermaid
FP3 Disney Junior Live
Also for mommy while grandma takes her Tower of terror and rock n roller coaster LoL)

Epcot
FP1 Frozen ever after
FP2 The Seas with Nemo & Friends
FP3 Mission space
Also looking at Talk with Crush and Pixar movie

Magic Kingdom
FP1 Peter pans flight
FP2 Pirates of the Caribbean
FP3 Seven dwarfs mine train
also looking at it's a small world, under the sea, Monsters laugh floor, Space mountain, tea party, dumbo and Haunted mansion

 

[TXPyroMom]

Yes I couldn't even find out what it is LoL

4:30 is too early of a closing and would feel like a wasted day for me. So I would rather do MK on the same day as the Xmas party so I have from 9-midnight I think

The park is closing for a private Cast Member event. It's for cast members celebrating 5,10,15 etc years of service.

We will be there the same time as you

I would add in Splash Mountain for your MK day. My daughter was 5 on her first trip, and not a thrill seeker, and that was her absolute favorite ride. The story is great, even though it will be new to your daughter.

 

[Roxyfire]

Another good one for that age that I don't see mentioned is Enchanted Tales with Belle. I haven't done it but it seems like she'd be the perfect age. That's a good one to FP too because it can take a while to get in from what I've read.