Only one day for parks . . .

[kaguilbeau]

Only some of you will understand this idea. Others will think it is a waste of a trip.

We have been many times to Disney, and have a family trip planned for October 2017. However, as my granddaughter approaches her 3rd birthday, I really want to take her for her first trip. NOW! We have leftover parkhoppers, but only enough for a one day entry. We plan to spend 3 nights on Hotel Plaza Blvd at Doubletree.

I have two days to choose from to make our "park day". One of those has early entry at MK and late entry at HS. Since we don't have access to this feature for this trip, I am thinking of making our park day the day when there are no extended hours. This will be late Sept so crowds should be on the lower side.

It isn't unusual for us to park-hop on a trip and hit all 4 parks in one day. On this trip, I think we'll exclude EPCOT. Maybe start off at AK, hop to MK and finish with Star Wars fireworks. Nap will have to be in the stroller.

I'm thinking one of the other nights we can go to the Poly for counter service and to watch Wishes from the beach area. I also thought of going to AKL one afternoon to see the animals.

Oh, and we have old water park tickets to use one day too. Any other suggestions of something to do on our non-park day? Or where we could watch fireworks from besides the Poly? I did think of Boardwalk for higher Illuminations.

 

[mm1971]

For the fireworks, have you considered the fireworks cruise? It's an added cost, but you'll get to be out on the lake and be in the middle of the water pageant as well.

My kids always enjoyed mini golf when they were younger. If you hit BB for the water park, the mini golf is right there. There's also the BBB in Disney Springs if you feel like shopping on your day off.

Have fun!

 

[TravelingTotMom]

If you are only going to the parks for one day, and it's your granddaughter's first trip, maybe consider just spending the entire day at the Magic Kingdom?

We are passholders, and I have a 2-year-old son, and MK is by far his favorite park. We could spend days there doing everything he loves.

Instead of using time to park hop, she would have more time to go on rides and meet the characters. Start off early with the Welcome Show, and don't miss the Festival of Fantasy Parade! If she's under three, she's free at buffets and all-you-care-to-enjoy restaurants, so maybe a meal at the Crystal Palace?

You have another trip coming up to enjoy the rest of the parks, but an entire day at the Magic Kingdom would give her a chance to really take it all in instead of being rushed from park to park.

We do sometimes park hop, but it is a pain with a stroller, and we have to time it very carefully with nap time.

 

[kaguilbeau]

If you are only going to the parks for one day, and it's your granddaughter's first trip, maybe consider just spending the entire day at the Magic Kingdom?

We are passholders, and I have a 2-year-old son, and MK is by far his favorite park. We could spend days there doing everything he loves.

If I were buying tickets - this would be a good idea. I was trying to use some of my remaining unused tickets to save on costs. Really - to save alot of costs - I should just stay home
The only ones we have remaining are park hoppers and water park. I did consider saving the park hoppers for our 2017 trip and buy just one day tickets x 3 adults is still 300.00+.

All good thoughts to consider. . .

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I would just do MK in this scenario. I think the 3 year old is going to enjoy it most, and you can easily spend an entire day doing the rides she is big enough for and meet and greets. While I would totally try to hit 3 or 4 parks if it were a older kid/teenager/adult trip, I think it will be too much for a toddler.

 

[tami82]

I think MK for the whole day especially with a 3 year old

 

[cyneswith]

Whole day at MK. You may have parkhoppers, but MK will still be the best for a 3 year old.

 

[Fosteringaprincess]

I also think spending the whole day at magic kingdom would work out best especially with a 3 year old. I understand you have park hopper and don't want to not use it, but I wouldn't jump around for 1 day.There would be way to much wasted time. Magic kingdom is the best park for young kids! Have a good trip either way

 

[Nancyg56]

I understand that you want to save money, but if the reason behind this trip is a 3 YO child, then the trip strategy should be with the child's best interest in mind. Tryng to hop though 3 parks in one day may be a good plan for 3 adults who have been there before and are looking to just hit the highlights, but for a youngster's first trip I think it would be torture.

Honestly, I would forfeit the hoppersif I had to before I would follow through on this plan.

 

[Thing 1]

I would plan to do the whole day at MK as well. A day at MK, a day at the water park and then a day doing some of the smaller on site things would make a great great trip. That third day would be great for DS, FW, Resort hopping, a character meal etc. We did a short week end trip with one full day at MK a couple years ago and found we need some down time. We did a meal at Trails End Buffets and it was a perfect escape from the park for a couple hours.

 

[Cupcakesmum]

I agree that I wouldn't park hop with a 3 year old. She won't see everything in MK even with a full day. The other parks don't have as much appeal to a 3 year old.

 

[EvilQueen2018]

Just because it's a hopper, doesn't mean you have to hop. The rides she will enjoy the most are at MK and it will take a lot of time to get through them. As adults who are repeat visitors you may have skipped the kiddie rides and may not realize there will still be a lot of people in line for them. To create the most magic, stay at MK this visit and see the other parks (and MK) on the next.

 

[Crystal824]

I agree. I wouldn't hop.... not with a 3 year old. If it were me, I would stay in the MK all day. If you really want to see the SW Fireworks maybe stay in MK for the day and just hop over to DHS in the evening for that.