Need some DIS expert advice

[nuge67]

I will be heading to Disney from Nov. 4th through the 12th; I just need some DIS expert advice on what I should do once each park opens with my 5 and 2 year old, both who love rides. I like to try and have a plan in place to maximize our time.

For example, at Magic Kingdom, do I jump on the train once the park opens and go to the back of the park and work my way forward and so on.

So, with active boys 5 and 2, what areas of these parks should I attack first? What is your plan for me?

Magic Kingdom
Epcot
Animal Kingdom
MGM


As a bonus, I may even take my oldest to Universal and Island of Adventure one day because he loves Nick and all the super heroes.

Thanks for your help.

(I just got the Passporter but I was hoping for some expert DIS advice as well)

 

[TinaLala]

So here's my list of what I recommend for your group 5 & 2 year olds...

MK - It might be a good idea to jump on the train so you can see the lay of the lands. Otherwise I would go over to Buzz Light year, then to Indy Speedway, make your way over to the Mad Tea party, over to Pooh, Peter Pan, Small World, grab a snack at Mrs. Potts. Skip over to listen to Storytime with Belle (usually around 1:15pm - good resting time), Dumbo, some playtime at the hundred acre spot, Philharmagic. Make your way over to Toontown to the judge's tent to see some characters, go into Mickey & Minnie's house, run through Donald's water spot. Stop for the 3pm parade. There will be a nap in there somewhere. If you are staying on site, I'd say go back to the resort for some pool time or a nap. Then go back if you have a Hopper pass. Grab dinner at the Crystal Palace. Stroll over to Country Bear Jamboree, see if Buzz and Woody are at the Diamond Salon, Aladin's carpets, maybe a jungle cruise and POTC. Grab a dole whip, tiki room. Watch the night fireworks.

AK - Go to Donald's Breakfasourus for breakfast. Then spend some time at the boneyard playground, jump on the Triceratop spin. Go over to Camp Minnie & Mickey to see the gang, Festival of the Lion King, Tough to be a bug (might be scary), Kilimanaro Safaris, Rafiki Planet Watch (keep your eye out for talking trash cans), grab some lunch at Flame Tree BBQ, check out the Tree of life with some binoculars you've brought. Go back to the resort for some pool time. It's hot at this park so some pool time is a good cool down.

MGM - Go to Hollywood & Vine breakfast with the Playhouse Disney characters. Start at Playhouse Disney, Voyage of the little mermaid, hang around Mickey's hat or the Meet and Greet with the characters. Stroll down Mickey Ave to see JoJo and Goalith, spend some time in the Shrunk the Kids movie set, muppets 3D show, stop outside the Muppet's fountain to get a temporary tatoo, grab a pizza at Pizza Planet. Al's Toy Barn is a good place to see the ToyStory friends, Stunt Show, Beauty & the Beast show is a nice rest time. Stay for the Motor Car Parade. Grab an ice cream over at Gertie's. Go to Hollyood & Vine for dinner with the Fantasmic deal and stay for the night show.

That's all I can think of right now. Hope it helps.

 

[BlondeAlligator]

I have a 4 year-old & my best advice is to make reservations for some character meals. The Passporter should tell you what characters are at the different locations. This is such an easy way to get to meet a lot of characters without waiting in the crazy lines that form in the parks. My DD is Autistic & has a hard time waiting in lines, but she met all her favorites at our meals...the best part is that they come to you! You just sit there enjoying your meal & the characters show up one after the other. It's so much fun for the kids!

Be sure to plan som e down time each day...you are going at a low crowd time of year, so you should be able to get more don in the parks in less time...be sure not to run your little ones ragged.

Beyond the parks there's a lot of fun stuff, too...minigolf at WDW is so fun...it might be too cold for the waterparks, but you won't know that until you get there. If you do a waterpark, plan to get there when it opens & go on a weekday...you'll have the place all to yourselves & can enjoy the slides & then stop & have lunch when everyone else is just arriving.

EPCOT holds a lot of fun for the kids, though some might not agree with me...My DD loved Soarin' (your 2yo may not be tall enough to ride, though)...the new Nemo-themed Living Seas may be open by then , but I'm not sure. The Imagination ride (although not as good as it used to be) is a good bet for the kids, & there's interactive exhibit at the end of the ride.

Let us know if you have any other questions! You'll have a great time...I honeymooned there in November (Nov 6 wedding) & it's still my favorite time of year to go. Enjoy!!!