Oh, what to do???????/

[sunnymom02]

My husband and I are taking the kids to Disney World in Feb 2007. (week before presidents week) We are spending 5 nights at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. We are driving down and will be arriving at the AKL on Saturday (sometime). My original plan was to do this:

SAT: Arrive at AKL sometime and just chill after a long days drive
SUN: Go to Sea World
MON: Go to Epcot
TUES: Go to Magic Kingdom
WED: Go to Animal Kingdom

and then on Thursday, we will drive to Port Canaveral for the cruise portion of our trip.

My question is, is this schedule too much for an 8 and 6 year old to handle? My husband and I have been to Disney before for our honeymoon, and he really did not enjoy the crowds and some of the parks. Basically, this trip is for the kids as we have "been there and done that before". He thinks that the kids will be exhausted by going to too many parks in a row and not having some down time at the hotel (AKL). I want to for sure go to MK and AK and SW. Can you do these parks in 1 day? (we will be there Feb 10-15, this is the week before pres. day, which is on Feb 19) I am not so sure about Epcot? Is this really a park for kids? I know that they have a lot of cultural things (around the lake) and the big ball. But I do not remember anything else about Epcot and was wondering if it was really worth taking the kids there or not. Maybe that could be our down day? Does anyone go down to Disney and not do some of the parks? It seems like everyone does all 4 of the disney parks, because they feel that they have to. MGM does not interest me as I am not a ride person and my kids really are not a scarry ride people either. Does anyone have any suggesstions? Any would be appreciated Thanks so much.


Sunnymom

 

[ohpoohmetoo]

Congratulations on your upcoming trip!

Regarding your schedule - I think it is definitely do-able I would just not try to do a whole park in one day rather I would go to the attractions that are most important to me first and then leave when everyone seemed tired and head back to the hotel to rest.

I believe Epcot is wonderful for kids they used to have the kid stations in each country which my kids loved it at 6 and 8. There is also a place in future world where they can play video/learning games and a lot of interactive stuff that they will enjoy. We really enjoy the fountain for a rest period and I might plan on going after lunch on Tuesday and plan on staying for illuminations.

For your Magic Kingdom day you might plan on going as early as possible and hitting half of your must-do attractions and then head back to hotel for lunch/rest before heading back to MK early evening and then staying for Wishes

I would plan on leaving for AK when everyone is awake and ready and then do the must-do's at this park I think this park is do-able without a break in between and it should not be that hot during your stay.

I hope this advice helps.

Happy Planning

 

[SnwflkCts]

I hope you have fun. Just my opinion but I would go to MK for two days and skip Sea World. This is me talking. I am just not into captured performing sea animals. A coworker said when they went to WDW again (He went with a 5 yr old and twin 2 year old boys) that although they had fun, Seaworld is the one thing he would leave off. But .... if you do MK early for two days, you will have the time to enjoy the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Do as much in Epcot as warrents.

AK can be done by early afternoon (you might miss some things but ...)

and that way you will have a relaxing time.

Just follow your instincts no matter what and if kids (or DH or you!) get tired, it is time to head back to the resort for R&R. HAVE FUN!

 

[alfredromero1975]

SAT: Arrive at AKL sometime and just chill after a long days drive
SUN: Go to Sea World
MON: Go to Epcot
TUES: Go to Magic Kingdom
WED: Go to Animal Kingdom

Skip Sea World and it'll make it easier Just kidding........

Try not to do too much and leave plenty of "cushion" time for extra downtime. Don't push it. Be sure to leave some time each time for your kids to regenerate at the hotel, whether that's watching TV or if they like eating at restaurants.

 

[cdrn1]

Congrats on your upcoming trip! You are sooooooo lucky (as is everyone who has a trip planned!) I think your itinerary is very doable. Just don't try to see and do it all at the parks. Pick your "must-sees" and go early and then spend the rest of the day swimming, relaxing (napping) and enjoying the beautiful AKL. Go back in the evening if everyone is rested...the parks are special at night.
I am going to go against the flow here and say that my DD and I spent a day at Sea World (she LOVES animals) and it goes down in history as being the single best vacation day I have ever had in my life (and I have had plenty.) We just had such a good, relaxing time that day.

 

[riopooh]

Our last trip with kis about the same age - Day 3 was the melt down day.
And we did huge (3 hour) swim/rest/dinner breaks every day. We started Day 3 went back for our mid-day break and decided to stay in.

I would do Magic Kingsdom 1st, while everyone is still fresh, AK 2nd (3rd day of parks considering you are doing Sea World) because that can be an early day and then on the last day let the kids lead you - if they are really looking forward to MK, then do it again or Epcot if they want something new.

Of course if you went for the park hopper tickets (on the extra $160), you would have more flexiblity.

Just have fun and don't forget to find time to enjoy the pool and some of the activities the AKL offers!

Most of all, don't forget to enjoy your children!!

 

[erikthewise]

I think you're fine as long as "Go to ..." doesn't mean "Go to ..., spend 12 hours there doing nothing but riding attractions and keep going long after it stops being fun". Some of the best things about WDW are not "attractions" as such.

Leave plenty of things for next time. You ARE going back, aren't you?

PS The cruise is great too, but it will seem like you just got on board and you have to pack your suitcases to disembark. Same advice there.

 

[sunnymom02]

Thanks everyone for the advice The reason that we wanted to do the MK on the third day is that is the only day that they have the electrical parade at night, while we were there. I have seen that before, and I want my kids to see it. What is Wishes?? Is that the fireworks at the end of the night?

As for Sea World, I really want to go there as I have never been there before and I love animals and so do my kids So I feel this would be a must for us.

As for Epcot, not sure what to do with this one yet?

I know in February, the parks are not open as long as they are in "peak" seasons. I know MK is only open from 9-8.

sunnymom

 

[makinorlando]

I hope you have a wonderful trip. The cruise afteward sounds wonderful!!

Since you still have planning time, maybe you can look on line for the description of the attractions/rides at the parks you want to go to, or get a set of maps (I will mail you a set if you like - just PM me), and pick out the things that the kids would like to do. Concentrate on those things, and save the others for another time. There is NO way you can do everything, so do not try!

I will give you some other info from my experience with my DD. We moved to Orlando when she was 6 and she is 9 now. Sorry if it's too much info!

I agree that EPCOT has enough thing for the ages of your children. When we visited WDW, and then moved to Orlando a few months later, we did not visit EPCOT, as a friend of mine said that she did not think my DD6 (at the time) would like it there - here DS9 never liked it. Well, once we finally went with some visiting friends, DD feel in love with it, next to MK it is her second favorite, and I would guess we spend as much time there as we do at MK. You have to give them time to "play" and not hurry them along though. There are lots of interactive things to do.

At six and still at nine DD loves:
1) Spaceship Earth (the big ball)
2) Journey Into Imagination
3) Test Track
4) Soarin (this opened in 2005)
5) Innoventions Buildings - she loves to play the computer games, the Fire Safety Game, making paper, virtual robot game (and making a FREE souvenier robot)
6) Mexico - slow boat ride that shows scenes from Mexico and it's culture
7) Norway - Maelstrom another boat ride with a slightly scary troll, and a small drop
8) China - watching the acrobats
9) Kidcot stations in all the countries where they get a paper mask to color and each country they get a paper charm to add on. When the mask is complete with all the charms of all the countries, they get a picture signed by the characters. She enjoys talking to the CMs from the different countries.
10) New - Living Seas with Nemo - cute ride for kids, particularly if they like Nemo & Turtle Talk with Crush.
11) Universe of Energy - we usually save this one for a hot summer day, as it is a long "ride" but it is dark and cool - a good place to rest!

If you don't like thrill rides, you can probably get through AK pretty quickly. In my opinion Festival of the Lion King is a must do. They also opened the new Nemo show which I have heard some good reviews on, but have not personally seen. When DD was younger she liked to play in the Boneyard in DinoLand. She LOVES Primevil Whirl, but it is not for someone that does not to go fast & spin! There's a dinosaur ride like Dumbo in MK.

Sea World is a big place as well, with lots to see, and several really good shows. This is one were you need to plan it right if you want to see all of the shows due to the scheduling and the locations in the parks. We love Blue Horizions, Clyde & Seamore, and of course Shamu. She loves to take time to play in the huge playground - with climbing nets and slides etc, and the new Shamu Coaster - made for younger kids - not scary! When we have visitors who have never been, we normally wind up going two days to see it all.

I would not totally rule out MGM, but it looks like your schedule is going to be full without it. DD likes the following - none of these are thrill rides although she does like RnR and Tower or Terror)
Voyage of the Little Mermaid Show,
Fantasmic (evening show),
Beauty & The Beast Show,
Animation Studio, where you sit at an artist type desk and learn to draw a character.
Great Move Ride - slow moving ride through the scenes of some popular movies.
3-D Muppet Movie
It's a Bugs Life Playground

 

[wdwdancerwannabe]

My DD was only 4 when we went - now it's been a year and a half - and she remembers and loved Epcot. She still talks about it just as much as any of the other parks..

When we do it again, we will not do any of Future World...unless we have extra time. But there is LOTS to do at Epcot for younger ones. I would also probably not spend too much time at the Land...except for SOARIN! That's a must! You'll also def.ly want to spend time in the Living Seas and also don't miss Honey I shrunk the Audience. Figment isn't all that great, but the kids like it.

Enjoy!