Need Strategy for MK and US with 11yr. and 2 yr.

[motoxmom]

Hello! This is my first post .... We will be leaving in a week for WDW and plan to visit Magic Kingdom and Universal. We are taking our son(11) and daughter (2 1/2). I have PS for Chef Mickey's on Tue evening and was wondering if we hang around the resort area til 9PM if we could see Fireworks from the Lake or somewhere else in the resort area? We are staying at Star Island resort not on WDW property. Also any stategies for visiting MK and US? We only have time to spend a day at each park. We have our own vehicle. My son and I visited WDW once before but this is the first for husband and daughter. Any help is appreciated...Thanks and Disney wishes to all!

 

[ErinInCT]

Welcome to DIS!
How long will you be in Orlando? Can you and dh split up (one take one kid while the other takes the other)? There will be plenty of rides/attractions everyone can do together, but you may want to tailor some to each child (i.e. your dd may like princesses and want to watch Belle's storytime while ds goes on some of the "scarier" rides). I think you can do EPCOT & AK as a family but split up at MGM & MK for some rides & then meet up for the ones you can all do together. I don't know anything about US but it also looks like there are some places that are more appropriate for older kids, etc.
Oh yeah, I think you can watch Wishes from the Poly beach but I am not sure if that is open to everyone or only resort guests.

 

[prplcrzy]

I agree with pp that if you have limited time in the parks, the best thing to do is split up.

My kids are widely spaced too (12 and 2) so I know how things can be. In MK, I definitely would split up because your dd would want to be in Fantasyland and your ds would want to be anywhere but there!

US has alot for both, but not IOA, that is geared to the older crowd. US for your dd has ET, Woody Woodpecker's coaster (36" requirement), Barney's show & Curious George's play area. (I can't remember what else right now)

IOA has the Dr. Seuss area, but that's about it for the young crowd. There is a unicorn coaster (36" requirement) too and another flying ride the Jurassic section.

We have annual passes to Disney & Universal so we jump around to all of the parks and split up for somethings so everyone stays happy.

I can't offer any advice on the fireworks, you may want to post it on the Resorts board, someone may know over there.

Enjoy your trip!

Nancy

 

[motoxmom]

Thanks so much for the info... We'll be leaving Saturday 7/17...so I'm sure I'll be posting more questions up until the day we leave. I'm getting as excited as the kids. We are definitely planning on spliting up in the parks....in order to accomodate each child's ride requests.