New a QUICK answer (leaving tomorrow!!)

[brutale4]

First time visitor, leaving TOMORROW with my wife and two girls (7 1/2 and 5 1/2). No sleeping for me tonight! I just found this site and I'll be here all night! Staying at Contemporary, Sun thru Friday.

OK, my questions is this. WE arrive at the Orlando airport at 4:10pm, express it to Contemporary and then right to MK. I'm thinking we could be in the park before 6pm. So, what would you do at 6pm walking into Magic Kingdom with two very excited little girls? We can probably hang in there until about 10pm at the latest ....

Thanks to any who manage to throw a reply my way!

 

[vpack05]

I have 4 children under 12, so I'm familiar with the munchkin set!

I would let the kids dictate where to go. Are they familiar with WDW at all? There's a terrific carosel (sp?) in Fantasyland for a nice intro, or even take the train around the park first thing. Then you spot things that you really want to see or do! Make sure to note when the parades are and try to schedule accordingly. Of course, if they aren't into that, all the better for getting onto rides during the events! Are they looking for character experiences or rides? That makes a difference.

 

[brutale4]

Thanks Kim! I think they would love character greets and gentle to medium rides (i.e. the Dumbo has them excited). My main thing is with heading into the park at 6pm what's best at that odd starting time. Good idea to let the kids dictate, I keep forgetting about that!

 

[mjmcca]

Tommorow the MK is open until midnight and there are extra magic hours that night to keep the park open until 3 am if you can stay up that late.

 

[IndyJammer]

Welcome to the DIS Brutale4!!! And Good luck on your trip tomorrow!!!

However, I think making it to the MK at 6 is probably pushing it - especially with 2 kids under 10. I would count on 7ish and you are more likely Not to be disappointed. We have 3 - 10, 4, & 1 - so, we've definitely been in your shoes before! The first trip is very exciting - and you may have sensory overload!

After a long trip, I would just plan on taking it a little slow tomorrow evening. Just walk up Main Street & take everything in. Head through the Castle & then take in a few rides in Fantasy Land. Maybe try to catch Spectro at 9:00 and Wishes at 10:00 - and plan on rides starting the next day! You are going to be there for almost a week - so don't try to do too much on that first day! Good luck & Have fun!!!

 

[brutale4]

My girls usually go to bed at 8pm (central). So we probably make it to about 10pm EST running on disney adrenaline, but they are going to do a hard crash about that time ... So I figure I have four hours

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

Take your time and enjoy the sights while you are all walking down Main St. Get a photo of the family in front of the Castle. Watch the fireworks and just enjoy every minute that you're there!!!Take in a few rides ,but don't try to rush thru the park. When the parade goes down the street ,many of the lines for the rides will be shorter. We especially loved riding Splash Mountain the last thing at nite and watching the fireworks going off as we were riding down Splash Mtn !!! Have Fun & Enjoy

 

[brutale4]

Thanks IndyJammer. What a fantastic family photo you have there, I'm going to try and get my crew in the same shot!!

Very good advice. Our plan was this:

Sun eve: MK
Mon: Studio
Tue: AK
Wed: Epcot (we have princess breakfast at 8:30)
Thurs: MK (we have Royal Table at 2:10)
Fri: leave

You think we need more time in MK since its our first time and considering two girls 5 and 7??

 

[IndyJammer]

I would probably try to aim for a little more MK time. But, your plan is solid - so long as you have Park Hoppers, I'd just spend about half the day at AK and Epcot and spend the evenings at MK. Don't try to do everything the first trip - you will wear everyone out! Just remember it is a vacation - and if you don't get to do Everything, then that's just a great reason to go back!

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

I think that I would only spend part of the day at Epcot. My kids were not really all that interested in Epcot...I find it more suited towards adults. DD 9 and myself had the Norway Character Breakfast in August...we "loved" it and got lots of great photos with all of the princesses...make sure you have lots of film in your camera !!! Do you have park hoppers...if so I'd split my Epcot day with MK in the evening.I can't see my family spending an entire day at Epcot...MK is alot more fun for the kids (IMO).

 

[MouseWorshipin]

A word to the wise: remember to tell your girls that they can't go up into the castle. All you can do is walk through a tunnel. Lots of kids are very disappointed by that.

Have a great trip!

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

A word to the wise: remember to tell your girls that they can't go up into the castle. All you can do is walk through a tunnel. Lots of kids are very disappointed by that.

Have a great trip!

They look like they have lunch resies @ CRT and in that case they will be allowed up into the Castle for their meal with the Princesses.

 

[dizenthusiast]

Well, maybe I'm going to be the contrarian here, but are you *sure* you want to hit the MK that first night, and stay until late? If it makes it so that you can't get up early the next morning, it may not be worth it.

I think you would be much better off getting to bed early, then hitting the parks first thing the next morning, when the crowds will be much lower than they are at 6pm!

Just MHO...

Have a great trip!