Need your help and advice

[MickeyNicki]

DH and I have been to WDW so many times that we know what we want to do and see and can budget our time. This October we are taking our 2 nieces, age 4 and 10 for the first time ever, they have never been before and we have never gone with young children before. We are getting there later Thursday night and leaving sometime on Sunday.

This is what I had planned but now I think it would be too much for them and they would not enjoy any of it.

Friday, go to Epcot for the Princess Breakfast, do Turtle Talk/Nemo thing, the Land, Figment and maybe Soarin and Test Track for the older niece. From there we would take them to the BBB for a makeover, put them in the costumes and head out to MK for the MNSSHP.

(I am rethinking the entire day, shoud I do CP for the character breakfast, spend the am at MK, go to the BBB for the makeover and then back to MK for the party?)

Saturday, sleep in a bit, go to breakfast at the food court (we are staying at ASMo) and head to AK for the day, hop back over to MK to see what we missed. Or should I head to Epcot?

Sunday, have ressies for Chef Mickey, take them to DTD for shopping and head on home.

Any advice is welcome, I dont want the kids to get worn out running from place to place but I do want them the to have the best weekend ever. Do I need to schedule a time for a nap (4 year old) or will she conk out in the stroller?

 

[Mickey1122]

For the Friday, I think kids of that age would get more fun out of Magic Kingdom.

 

[Quinn222]

I'm really concerned about that very long Epcot/MNSSHP day that you have planned. I'd do the character breakfast (if it's late, you want to be well rested) and the boutique and the party and that's it. Make sure you have plenty of rest time before the party and that way you and the kids can stay for most of the party (if not all) and really enjoy it. With what you have planned I'm thinking the four year old especially is going to be wiped out long before the party even starts.

 

[MickeyNicki]

So should I dump the whole Epcot thing altogether?

What about having breakfast at CP on Friday, hang out there for a bit, go to BBB and get the makeover, go back to MK for the party?

For breakfast on AK day should I try to squeeze in Chef Mickey or Donald Breakfast at the park?

The day we leave should I do the princess breakfast and then leave??

I am so confused, I want the girls to see everything but a weekend is not enough time....what is the must do without all the bouncing and running around?

 

[heart4dis]

but if I only had a weekend with the kids, I would skip Epcot. Personally I don't park-hop unless we go back to a hotel for a nap/rest/pool time--then it doesn't matter if you want to go to a different park. Otherwise it takes too much time (w/kids) just maneuvering. I would focus on MK, MGM and if time AK. Also, just a warning: you'll have some disagreements and negotiations to do between the girls since their ages are so far apart. Just set expectations ahead of time that they will each have to "endure" some rides/shows for the sake of a sibling. They'll each get their time, and of course there is plenty that both will enjoy.

 

[fostrmom2mny]

Remember the saying that you're only as stong a chain as your weakest link? So it goes for touring WDW with youngins.

More than likely, the four year old will be the one who will get pooped out and when little ones start getting tired, they get cranky!!
Besides getting cranky, they can get over stimulated as well. That's high on nigh of total chaos!!!!!!

I like the Epcot breakfast, with the Turtle and Living Seas area. Stay in the park till about 12:00 ish then make a resort break. After the break then do the BBB dinner and then the party. Just make sure you give the girls the breaks, or it will be just plum miserable for all of you, and that's not what you have in mind.

Make this a leisure pace and take lots of pictures. The memories that Aunt and Uncle creat for these girls will last a lifetime. Quaility is a much better gift than quantity.

You have a wonderful trip.
Gerri

 

[millerjudi]

We were at Disney for four days in November 05 with our the DS8 and DD6. They loved the Magic Kingdon, BUT they also loved Epcot We did not go to AK, so I cannot comment on that. We got to the parks each morning before opening, toured until about 3:00 took a swim break, got cleaned up, and went back out to dinner (Ohana one night, WCC one night, and one night at Garden Grill then we went to worldshow case in Epcot) and a little evening entertainment. One night my husband took my son to Illuminations and my 6 year old and I went back to the hotel. So, I actually would agree that a break is a good idea, but I think the kids have more stamina than you think! Good luck and have fun--my children say it is the best vacation we ever went on, and that WDW is the best place on earth!

 

[Jrabbit910]

Hi Mickynicki,
Your plan sounds fine. It doesnt sound like anything is wrong with it at all but IMO, why dont you give the kids a choice to plan thier own day. I am not telling you to leave it up to the kids but let them both know what's out there and see what they really want to do. See what thier intrests are and plan it into your days. Anyway you plan it I hope that your trip is great & they think that its the best place ever.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Hi Mickynicki,
Your plan sounds fine. It doesnt sound like anything is wrong with it at all but IMO, why dont you give the kids a choice to plan thier own day. I am not telling you to leave it up to the kids but let them both know what's out there and see what they really want to do. See what thier intrests are and plan it into your days. Anyway you plan it I hope that your trip is great & they think that its the best place ever.

I cannot let the girls decide what to do...it is a surprise! They have no idea we are taking them! I am def going to take the advice for an afternoon break. I will need a nap just as much as they will!

 

[Disneyhappy]

With the limited time you have, MK would be number one on my list for their ages and number two would be MGM, AK in third. I'm sure they would also enjoy Epcot. BBB sound so cool and I can't wait until I have the opportunity to take one of my young nieces again! How special for your nieces. No matte what you do, you all will have a great time.

 

[senecabeach]

Well...... I'm sure glad I'm not the only one who has... in all these 35 years..never taken kids to WDW... then...... .
....Oh My Gosh .....
I'M TERRIFIED!! ..what?..where?...how?...me, the "tour guide"??

So... I did take my extended family on their 1st trip to WDW over Memorial week.....and we all survived!!

Here's some background: 3 lil' princesses, ages 3, 6, 8 (parents too!!)
Here they are the morning they left..wearing stuff I sent them the week before calling it the "Disney Survival Kit". Water bottle, sunglasses, fanny pack, sun tan lotion, DD's...la...la..la

Am I in trouble..or what???

So....the day everyone arrived (about 2PM) we went swimming in SAB and toured the BC/BW area.

The next full day was the MK, of course, what's more important??
We did Fantasy Land first.. was Dumbo, teacups, Peter Pan, the u-drive cars, small world, M.P...by that time Toontown was open and we did M&M Houses..
P.S. Dont forget the tent by the train station...pictures with the characters..your choice of 3 lines.

I had lunch scheduled @ CRT for 1 PM. Yea..it was big bucks...but just look at these pics and tell me it wasn't worth it???

Now...the most important part...back to the BCV right after lunch to swim/nap...because Spectro and Wishes are tonite!!

AH....OK....doin good so far..now its 6:30, everyone well rested, cooled off and out for the evening!!

Sorry I have been so long winded but even in a full week I wanted the kids to do and see more but thier rest time was as important for me as for them.
Yes...we did the MK again focusing on the "mountains", buzz, jungle cruise, afternoon parade. We did 1 MGM day/evening, 2 EPCOT days/evening. 1 complete rest day encompassing DTD +Bibbidi Bobbidi Botique.

I had a "GRAND" time and memories I can't even explain into words.
YOU will too!!!
RELAX and ENJOY !!!

BTW... I did take 3 more solo days there to chill..

 

[MickeyNicki]

Well I think DH and I have it figured out.

Friday, go to AK in the am, have breakfast at Donald Duck thing. GOING EARLY. Go back to hotel to rest. Get girls made up for the MNSSHP.

Saturday, go to CP to see Pooh and friends for breakfast. GOING EARLY. Stay at MK until 3 and go back to hotel and swim or rest. Go back to MK and play some more.

Sunday, go to Epcot for the Princess Breakfast. GOING EARLY, play at Epcot until noon, go to DTD for BBB and lunch then hit the highway to home.

Does that sound good? I am going planning crazy!!

 

[la79al]

We took DD last year a month after she turned 4 and DS was 10 1/2. I would make MK and AK my priority parks. Our two enjoyed a few things at Epcot and MGM but definitely enjoyed MK and AK the best and could easily spend one day in each. Since you have 2 girls, I would do a princess meal on Saturday and I know my kids LOVED Chef Mickeys so maybe do that on Sunday. Keep in mind though, they may want to head back to MK for a few favorite rides though on Sunday morning. You seem to have a very full Friday planned for two girls that will most likely be overwhelmed with WDW. Get a stroller for the little one, even if she NEVER rides in a stroller. You stand a better chance of her lasting through the day.

 

[millerjudi]

Well I think DH and I have it figured out.

Friday, go to AK in the am, have breakfast at Donald Duck thing. GOING EARLY. Go back to hotel to rest. Get girls made up for the MNSSHP.

Saturday, go to CP to see Pooh and friends for breakfast. GOING EARLY. Stay at MK until 3 and go back to hotel and swim or rest. Go back to MK and play some more.

Sunday, go to Epcot for the Princess Breakfast. GOING EARLY, play at Epcot until noon, go to DTD for BBB and lunch then hit the highway to home.

Does that sound good? I am going planning crazy!!

PERFECT!!!!!