Newbie first timer questions

[🍀TwinsMom]

And check the menu for the Akershus princess thing at Epcot. It's not kid-friendly, IMO. It's a LOT of money to spend to have to buy a muffin from a cart 20 minutes after you settle the check.

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

At MK, the Festival of Fantasy parade is awesome for princess spotting. Get a good spot to view it and that might be a good fix versus the character meals. Or, maybe mommy and 10 YO dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table during fireworks? You can see the fireworks from INSIDE the castle and see the princesses.

 

[Straulin]

We first went to Disney with our kids at ages 4 (girl) and 2 (boy). The next time was 6 and 4.

Each kid is different, so mileage may vary. Ours were exceptionally good for the character dining meals. They are excited because they can see the characters getting closer. We got an autograph book so they would have to “get ready” which helped with their staying in place. Then they get to get up and down to hug each character and take a picture.

We also brought a park bag with us that had our standard “kids in public” supplies. (Coloring books, a few small characters, etc.)

Disney also releases small (3” high or so) characters for most of the animated movies. They come in sets of 5-6 characters at the various gift shops. A new set of those at the beginning of the trip kept them in their seat well too.

 

[KippyKip]

Just my $0.02, but I have never heard anything good about Chef Mickey's. If you have an active 3 YO who gets overstimulated, you do NOT want to be there in the middle of the Contemporary with the monorail running above and the crowds and noise.

I know it has gotten bad press, but we just did Ohana breakfast for the first time this July and really liked it! The food comes out immediately and was delicious (we also were starving, LOL.) Only thing that was rough was it took a LONG time for Stitch to make his way over to our table for our Stitch-obsessed son. It's family style at Ohana, so no wandering 3 YO but food comes out by the platter within seconds of sitting down.

I was able to make a reservation for Ohana for dinner on one of the night. I have been working on my 3 y.o. to stay in place. But I always walk with her.
We have MK reservations on Friday. So if we leave early because of a separate ticket event, that’s cool. We will just take the Skyliner to roam around and hang out at the other Resorts as you suggested earlier
And we have reservations for Animal Kingdom on a Monday. And Epcot is Wednesday. Lol As you can tell, I’m totally new and I didn’t plan for the extended hours. Lol

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

Definitely switch your park reservations for Monday and Wednesday, or don't worry if your have Hoppers. Epcot EEH, if you're IN the park at 6 p.m. you can try to get a GoTG spot in the queue (if they're still doing that then.) Don't miss that chance to ride it! It's awesome and fun.

AK is so magical decorated for Christmas at night. There isn't much to SEE, but the lanterns lit around the marketplace and stuff are really pretty. FoP and EE will be running. Those are great. Dinosaur! is hated by my husband and I and the kids (wayyyy too loud, rough, and scary,) but YMMV on that one. I feel it's totally skippable.

 

[DJFan88]

I love Dinosaur

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

I believe Riviera's main pool trivia is around 1-3ish? Try the specialty s'mores at the fire pit behind the main pool, too. They do it at sunset. So pretty! We haven't done Thanksgiving yet (planned for 2024,) but we have done early December several times and loved popping over to all the DVC lobbies to see the decorations.

Grand Floridian IS gorgeous, but it's mobbed 24/7. I found it very frustrating, and we don't need strollers or anything. Wilderness Lodge/Copper Creek/Boulder Ridge is totally worth taking a boat ride over to see, especially if you're doing Hoop Dee Doo. Boulder Ridge's lobby for Christmas is the EPITOME of Christmas cozy, IMO. I could rock in those chairs fireside all night.

Animal Kingdom Jambo is STUNNING at Christmas. If you make it to Boma for dinner, leave extra time to just wander around the lobby, look at the animals out the back patio area before sunset, and you can even do s'mores over there. The kids will love seeing the animals out back, and the tree and decorations are beautiful. The Jambo gift shop is very large and fun to poke around, too. Kidani's lobby is pretty, too, just more intimate.

Boardwalk and Beach Club lobbies (and even Yacht Club) are all in one beautiful evening stroll off the Skyliner. Beach Club does a gingerbread working carousel that is very cool. Last year the horses of the carousel were all themed after a different princess. That whole area is lovely to just meander with a hot cocoa or adult beverage. Bring blankets for the 3 YO in a stroller though -- gets chilly at night.

Riviera's lobby is beautiful for the holidays, IMO. It doesn't have a signature/feature tree, but I love the jabots on the porte-cochère and wreathes and stuff. Very elegant Christmas.

 

[mikeuno]

I love Riviera; hope you have a wonderful experience!

 

[MyDogTink]

Is your 3 yo on the younger or older side (closer to 4)?

My daughter’s first trip was when she turned 4.

Ask the front desk or housekeeping for a step stool for the bathroom sink.

I brought detergent pods and did laundry (mixed clothes and towels) on the first trip. Second trip I asked housekeeping or left a note (with a tip) asking for extras towels, coffee, etc.

Buffets can be stressful. We did it in Chef Mickey’s (enjoyed the food and characters) and Hollywood Vine (not a great experience at all). DD did good at sit down character dinners. There is a lot to occupy them!

My advice- go with the flow and what you get done, you get done. I was just grateful to finally make it after the pandemic and my kid constantly being sick.

Enjoy!!!

 

[KippyKip]

Is your 3 yo on the younger or older side (closer to 4)?

My daughter’s first trip was when she turned 4.

Ask the front desk or housekeeping for a step stool for the bathroom sink.

I brought detergent pods and did laundry (mixed clothes and towels) on the first trip. Second trip I asked housekeeping or left a note (with a tip) asking for extras towels, coffee, etc.

Buffets can be stressful. We did it in Chef Mickey’s (enjoyed the food and characters) and Hollywood Vine (not a great experience at all). DD did good at sit down character dinners. There is a lot to occupy them!

My advice- go with the flow and what you get done, you get done. I was just grateful to finally make it after the pandemic and my kid constantly being sick.

Enjoy!!!

Thanks for the tip about the step stool. My 3 yo is at the younger side.
We probably will just do about 2 to 4 rides in each park. My 3 y.o. is too young (also on the shorter side) to do most rides and my 10 y.o. doesn't like fast rides. For sure we will just get done with what we get done.

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

Just an idea, on Monday, HS is doing one early showtime at 7:15 of Fantasmic. If you do one of the dining plans earlier in the day, you are guaranteed a great view of the show. Normally I would just show up 30 minutes before Fantasmic and sit anywhere, but that early show is a great time to bring the kids on Monday night. IDK if that screws up any other dining/hopping plans, but Fantasmic is a lot of fun and free. Dress warm though, sitting on metal bleachers outside. Once the sun sets it gets cold and raw. We did it July in the historic heat wave, but after getting rained on and sitting on wet bleachers, we were clammy.

 

[KippyKip]

Just an idea, on Monday, HS is doing one early showtime at 7:15 of Fantasmic. If you do one of the dining plans earlier in the day, you are guaranteed a great view of the show. Normally I would just show up 30 minutes before Fantasmic and sit anywhere, but that early show is a great time to bring the kids on Monday night. IDK if that screws up any other dining/hopping plans, but Fantasmic is a lot of fun and free. Dress warm though, sitting on metal bleachers outside. Once the sun sets it gets cold and raw. We did it July in the historic heat wave, but after getting rained on and sitting on wet bleachers, we were clammy.

Thanks for the info. But on Monday, we will be at Animal Kingdom for Tusker House dinner. Does Fantasmic at WDW have the dragon? I know the one at Disneyland is .......... under repairs hibernating. And even when it comes back in Jan 2024, the dragon at Disneyland is still not available.
We were supposed to go see Fantasmic the week after the incident at Disneyland.

 

[KippyKip]

Just an idea, on Monday, HS is doing one early showtime at 7:15 of Fantasmic. If you do one of the dining plans earlier in the day, you are guaranteed a great view of the show. Normally I would just show up 30 minutes before Fantasmic and sit anywhere, but that early show is a great time to bring the kids on Monday night. IDK if that screws up any other dining/hopping plans, but Fantasmic is a lot of fun and free. Dress warm though, sitting on metal bleachers outside. Once the sun sets it gets cold and raw. We did it July in the historic heat wave, but after getting rained on and sitting on wet bleachers, we were clammy.

I want to thank you for all the info! Sorry I wasn't able to reply earlier. Work has been incredibly busy and so is taking care of my 3 y.o. lol.
On the days I didn't make park reservations, I just made additional park reservations just in case. I think I got lucky on Friday where I will be at MK and have dinner reservation at Crystal Palace at 7 and there is fireworks at 8. And I was able to make a reservation for Topolinos' character breakfast. And I am also going to try Chef Mickey anyway. lol.
We have done Tusker House back in 2018(? I think) for character lunch and it was fun. Last time at 2018, we stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge (hotel, not DVC yet) and dined at Sanaa (?) for breakfast and it as good. This time, we will try Boma for dinner.
On Monday, we can't do the DVC EEH at Epcot because we will be at Animal Kingdom but I made a reservation at 6:55pm and the park closes at 7pm. So, it might be fun for the family to walk thru a fairly empty park while we leave since they have never walked thru an empty park before.
I wasn't able to get Ohana breakfast but got it for dinner.
I also made reservations for Akershus Royal Banquet Hall and Cinderella's Royal Table for breakfast. I will probably do a little more research for them and might cancel one or both of them. My 3 y.o. is really into princesses and wants to dress as Elsa every day.
Since we are from California, I don't think we will be able to go to the early park hours because the kids are still sleeping in. But I will try to get inside the parks early each day so I can explore and roam in peace.
It is less than 2 months away and I am starting to get excited! Thanks for all the great tips.

 

[Robbie Cottam]

Topolino's Terrace is a must do
if you can’t get reservations go for breakfast and sit in the lounge
sorry for the body ipad is fighting me tonight

 

[KippyKip]

Topolino's Terrace is a must do
if you can’t get reservations go for breakfast and sit in the lounge
sorry for the body ipad is fighting me tonight

Thanks! I was able to make a reservation for Topolino’s Breakfast. We have an active 3 y.o. that can’t sit still for a sit down dinner. So, I didn’t want to go to a nice site down dinner. Haha. But I have been working with her since our last vacation and she listens to me a little bit more each day. Lol. I hope in two months time, she will stay at her seat more often.
Never stayed at a DVC before, so I am excited. I hope the weather will be ok during Thanksgiving.

 

[Robbie Cottam]

Thanks! I was able to make a reservation for Topolino’s Breakfast. We have an active 3 y.o. that can’t sit still for a sit down dinner. So, I didn’t want to go to a nice site down dinner. Haha. But I have been working with her since our last vacation and she listens to me a little bit more each day. Lol. I hope in two months time, she will stay at her seat more often.
Never stayed at a DVC before, so I am excited. I hope the weather will be ok during Thanksgiving.

TBH the dinner is amazing, but boring, our 8 and 11 year old barely made it ….
breakfast was way more fun

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

No problem on the delay! I got crazy, too. Glad you got so many good ADRs! And coming from CA, skipping breakfast/rope drop is a good idea to avoid the jet lag for the kids. Unless you don't have hopper tickets, you should be able to pop in on Epcot DVC EEH on Monday after AK, I believe -- if you have any energy left! LOL. GoTG and Ratatouille and Frozen are great.

Your Crystal Palace on Friday is wonderful! I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

We pretty much just do the parks 2nd shift now, and we're East Coast, but between being on the Skyliner and DVC with EEH, we can get a TON done after dinner and really enjoy taking a more relaxed approach to the parks. If you have any other questions, please feel free to shoot them over and we'll all jump in, LOL.

Have so much fun! I'm preplanning our Thanksgiving, 2025 trip mentally now, so if you get a chance after your trip, please update me/us how it went and if there's anything you would do differently. I don't know what to expect on the crowds and stuff for the holiday.

 

[KippyKip]

No problem on the delay! I got crazy, too. Glad you got so many good ADRs! And coming from CA, skipping breakfast/rope drop is a good idea to avoid the jet lag for the kids. Unless you don't have hopper tickets, you should be able to pop in on Epcot DVC EEH on Monday after AK, I believe -- if you have any energy left! LOL. GoTG and Ratatouille and Frozen are great.

Your Crystal Palace on Friday is wonderful! I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

We pretty much just do the parks 2nd shift now, and we're East Coast, but between being on the Skyliner and DVC with EEH, we can get a TON done after dinner and really enjoy taking a more relaxed approach to the parks. If you have any other questions, please feel free to shoot them over and we'll all jump in, LOL.

Have so much fun! I'm preplanning our Thanksgiving, 2025 trip mentally now, so if you get a chance after your trip, please update me/us how it went and if there's anything you would do differently. I don't know what to expect on the crowds and stuff for the holiday.

For sure I will update you! My tickets should be hopper tickets. We land super early on Sunday, I am thinking of dropping the luggage off (I hope I can do that) and then head to Epcot for couple of hours.
GotG will only be me. The rest of my family can't do that. I did Ratatouille about 5 years ago and I got motion sickness. lol. Last year, when I was at Disneyland Paris, my friend wanted to ride it. But the moment I stepped into the ride vehicle, I knew it was a mistake and I just stared at the ground the whole time. lol.
I know I want to do the Moana ride, I think it is new but I will need to do some research because I don't really know which park it is at. Fortunately, we are not big on rides. We normally do about 3-4 rides per park and that's about it.
I think my next step is to do more research about what we MUST ride. But I imagine not too many since my youngest is a short 3 y.o.
Being in west coast time, it will be hard to do rope drop. The only time we got to a Disney Park before the gates open was Tokyo Disney years ago. But I plan to get to the park super early each day to just roam and explore for an hour or two before meeting up with the family for breakfast or going to the park.

 

[CarolynFH]

I am thinking of dropping the luggage off (I hope I can do that)

Yes, you can check luggage with Bell Services.

the Moana ride,

Moana is actually a walk-through, not a ride, and it’s in Epcot.

Have fun!

 

[KippyKip]

Yes, you can check luggage with Bell Services.

Moana is actually a walk-through, not a ride, and it’s in Epcot.

Have fun!

Thanks so much! And I even thought Moana is at Animal Kingdom. It seems there is so much to do at Epcot!