Need help with WDW planning before a Disney cruise

[catsrgr8]

We are looking at planning a few days at WDW in April 2024 before we leave on a 4 night cruise on the Disney Wish. We live in CA and have been to Disneyland multiple times with my daughter (she’ll be 7 next year) and will be taking her to Disneyland in January 2024 as I will be running the Disneyland half.

We figured that while we’re out in FL for the Disney cruise we should spend a few nights at WDW. We were considering 1-2 park days and 1 hotel/pool/non-park day. I’m still unsure what parks we’d visit on our 1-2 park days, but am trying to figure out which resort would be best. I know this is a resort thread but I also feel torn deciding on parks…I feel like we need to do MK because my daughter would love it the most (she’s not really into “big” or “scary” rides) but it’s also the most similar to Disneyland.

Since we’re planning a hotel/pool day I’d like to pick an option where we’d really enjoy the resort and amenities. I’ve been leaning towards Deluxe resorts and renting DVC points but I’m all over from AKL to BW, BC/YC, WL etc.

Appreciate any thoughts or suggestions!!

 

[EllieJedi]

Welcome! I think 7 is a perfect age for a first trip to Disney World. My kids were 7 and 8 on their first trip, and it was nice as they were old enough to go most of the day without being too tired but young enough to be excited by the characters. Does your daughter have any favorite Disney characters or movies? Does she like animals a lot?

I do think that AKL is a unique experience and if she is into animals at all that is worth considering but the location as good as the other deluxe resorts. I also love WL and the dining there might be a little better for a 7 year old plus you would have the boat to MK. The Epcot area resorts are all great for a resort only day. I would stay at BW only if the construction was done by then. YC/BC has Stormalong Bay which is a mini-waterpark but it can also be a bit tough to keep an eye on smaller kids. I sometimes prefer the quiet pools at YC/BC. It’s nice to be able to walk to Epcot or HS for an afternoon or evening, if you maybe wanted to do a partial park day and some pool time. Epcot does have Frozen Ever After, the Beauty and the Beast Sing Along and Ratatouille so there might be attractions that would appeal to your daughter plus the countries are beautiful.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I second EP resort area. EP is a must. As for the second park you’ll have to browse the offerings to make that call. If you make your parks EP and DHS and you won’t have fight with Disney buses staying in EP area. They suuuck when you’re used to DL lol.

Buy travel insurance that covers timeshares because most DVC rentals are non refundable.

 

[RoseGold]

If she's already been to DL a bunch, and you're about to go on a whole Disney cruise, what about Universal? Is she into Harry Potter?

 

[catsrgr8]

Does your daughter have any favorite Disney characters or movies? Does she like animals a lot?

Awesome advice! I appreciate the pros and cons to the various areas for hotels. It seems like the hotels near EP/HS have a lot going on in that area. AKL seems super unique but obviously a bit isolated from everything else.

My daughter loves lots of Disney characters and movies, it seems to be constantly changing! She loves meeting characters and princesses, enjoys shows and experiences, and loves rides too.

 

[catsrgr8]

I second EP resort area. EP is a must. As for the second park you’ll have to browse the offerings to make that call. If you make your parks EP and DHS and you won’t have fight with Disney buses staying in EP area. They suuuck when you’re used to DL lol.

Buy travel insurance that covers timeshares because most DVC rentals are non refundable.

Thank you!! It sounds like I should explore EP a bit more as I initially didn’t think it was as geared towards kids (I last visited EP almost 30 years ago).

I’m stuck feeling obligated to visit MK since it’s classic, even though I know it’s similar to DL. I also know a lot of rides that my daughter would like at MK. Although in reading about WDW it sounds like there are just a lot less rides at the parks than DL so I probably just need to change my expectations and understanding of the 4 parks.

Thanks for the travel insurance tip too!

 

[catsrgr8]

If she's already been to DL a bunch, and you're about to go on a whole Disney cruise, what about Universal? Is she into Harry Potter?

Unfortunately she’s not into Harry Potter...although my husband definitely wishes she was because he’d love to visit Universal

 

[gottalovepluto]

Thank you!! It sounds like I should explore EP a bit more as I initially didn’t think it was as geared towards kids (I last visited EP almost 30 years ago).

I’m stuck feeling obligated to visit MK since it’s classic, even though I know it’s similar to DL. I also know a lot of rides that my daughter would like at MK. Although in reading about WDW it sounds like there are just a lot less rides at the parks than DL so I probably just need to change my expectations and understanding of the 4 parks.

Thanks for the travel insurance tip too!

It is not as geared toward kids, so if your kid really your main focus then maybe AK with the animals or DHS with Toy Story Land will be better. EP is more of a some for the kid some for parents sharing type park EP has new rides the kids can enjoy like Frozen and Remy. During the flower festival of spring it has a butterfly tent and character topiaries all over the park and festival food booths as well. As far as characters for EP it’s basically the Princess park.

Also be prepared for a lot more walking no matter what parks you pick. I had heard that but until I experienced it I still didn’t grasp the physical size difference between the parks. The rides are much more spread out at WDW parks than you’ll be used to so you will all need lots of energy.

 

[Redsred3]

We did this before our cruise. We did two days at Boardwalk and went to Hollywood Studios day 1 and Epcot on day two. Then we went on the cruise. On the day we got back, we went to AKL and had a nice resort day. Then the next morning we did rope drop at Animal Kingdom. I was worried we would regret not going to MK, but really this itinerary worked perfect for us. Plus, it gives us an excuse to go back! For reference I have a 7 year old son, and a 17 year old daughter.

 

[RoseGold]

Unfortunately she’s not into Harry Potter...although my husband definitely wishes she was because he’d love to visit Universal

You've got a year to watch some Harry Potter. I'd rather do that than duplicate DL in a weird way. Especially if you don't see yourself coming back to Florida.

In your situation, if you must go Disney, I'd go Epcot or AK, just to do it differently.

 

[jimmymc]

Magic Kingdom is obviously a great part for a 7 year old girl. For the other park, Epcot and Animal Kingdom are the most unique east coast parks. If she is into character meets, Anna and Elsa meet all day in the Norway pavilion and other princesses can be found in their countries.

I really think all the deluxe resorts are great, so I don't think you'll go wrong with the one you choose. I own DVC at Wilderness Lodge because I think the theming is perfect. They also have a great food selection. BC/YC, Poly, and BW have the best pools in terms of the slide and things to do. GF is also pretty good, but they'll all be fun for a pool day.

 

[catsrgr8]

Magic Kingdom is obviously a great part for a 7 year old girl. For the other park, Epcot and Animal Kingdom are the most unique east coast parks. If she is into character meets, Anna and Elsa meet all day in the Norway pavilion and other princesses can be found in their countries.

I really think all the deluxe resorts are great, so I don't think you'll go wrong with the one you choose. I own DVC at Wilderness Lodge because I think the theming is perfect. They also have a great food selection. BC/YC, Poly, and BW have the best pools in terms of the slide and things to do. GF is also pretty good, but they'll all be fun for a pool day.

Awesome thanks! Great suggestions regarding princesses at Epcot too!

Sounds like I have a good problem with lots of great resorts to choose from too!

 

[sponica]

We're doing the same thing, but in late February. Right now, my plan is to stay at Pop for our two pre-cruise park days (although, check back with me when I actually go to book it, I can already hear my 7 year old at the time complaining that the pool has no slide). That being said, we might go with Gran Destino because it is the nicest of the moderates and equi distant from everywhere.

I think we'll also do a night after we get back depending on flight schedules...and I'm not planning on doing a park that day so we might just try to get a night at a deluxe like AKL or WL.

 

[Anna131517]

For a 7 year old, I’d recommend looking at Carribean Beach Resort or Port Orleams Riverside or New Orleans, as long as their pools are not being refurbished. There’s so much to do at those resorts and I actually prefer the moderate reaorts for their quick serve dining options. They have great pools and lots of fun activities. CBR is more convenient because it’s on the skyliner but PORand PONO are a boat ride away from Disney Springs and are near Typhoon Lagoon.

We have 3 kids and stayed at POR before our Fantasy cruise, and did a split stay between Boardwalk Inn and Caribbean Beach in 2022. My kids loved POR and CBR. I really did not like the Boardwalk area because it was hard to find food for my kids to eat when they randomly got hungry. I mean there are plenty of table service places that require reservations (which fill up), pick up at Trattoria Al Forno took well over an hour, and the Bakery had very limited selection. With the park reservation system I couldn’t just walk over to Epcot to grab something to eat.

For after the cruise look into staying at a cabin at Fort Wilderness and scheduling activities like archery or horseback riding. Animal Kingdom Lodge would also be a nice post-cruise place to stay - after our Wish cruise we had dinner at Boma, walked around and saw the animals, and my kids spent about an hour on the playground while DH and I just chilled. Both Fort Wilderness and AKL are just completely different experience. We stayed at the Cabins before our Wish cruise and went to the HoopDeeDoo Review dinner show and the kids really liked that. They also thought the cabin was cool.

 

[glocon]

I’m going to go against the grain here and say skip MK.

Even though it’s a great park for a 7 year old, you have DL closer to home for that.

Explore what is unique to WDW and do AK and EP.

EP has lots for younger children to do.
Spaceship Earth, Living with the Land, Nemo, Figment, Gran Fiesta Tour, Remy, Frozen just off the top of my head. And the whole world showcase to explore with the Kidcot stations and different shows in each country. And Akershus to have a meal with princesses.

And AK is so beautiful and has Pandora, the Safari, Rafiki’s Planet Watch, It’s Tough to be a Bug (that might be a bit too intense tho), The Lion King and the Nemo show, the bird show, and the Wilderness Explorers trial to learn and earn badges.

I’d try something different than what you can easily get at DL since you’ll be right there anyway!

Sounds like a memorable trip no matter what you decide- have so much fun!

 

[DisneyByMarriage]

I’d consider buying a park hopper - then you can do two parks and possibly go back to another in the evening. It’s more expensive, but it’s nice to know that if it’s pouring down rain one day you can pop back for fireworks another. I think definitely Animal Kingdom, and while Epcot is fun, I’m not sure I’d pick that over Magic Kingdom for a 7 yo girl who likes princesses and not thrill rides. I do know if I told my three boys (7,9,11) to pick only two they’d choose animal kingdom and HS, but we are huge Star Wars people so that’s why. For resorts, I love animal kingdom, riviera and Polynesian.