Planning trip for 5 yo Girl

[Disneydad14]

I am trying to plan a trip for my five year old daughter and us in January 1/18. I am looking for some advice and have some questions. Here is a general overview of my itnenary.

1. I have booked the beach club villas for one week 1/18-1/25. I chose this because of stormalong bay and because we are also going to Aulani in October 2025 so I thought this would be redundant to do Polynesian.

2. Here’s what I planned so far.

1/18: Arrive around midday. Ease into the trip with a day of pool and lunch at beaches and cream . Maybe take a nap and go for a walk on the boardwalk annd get dinner there. I want to keep this day low key but am open for some other non park activities if anyone has a suggestion. I thought the boardwalk seemed logically because it’s close and seems fun .

1/19: this is MLK day so I plan on making this a resort day to avoid crowds. I thought we could wake up and do cape May character breakfast . Spend some time at the pool. I think the finale of the day could be storybook dinning at wilderness.once again want to avoid parks this day but open to some resort ideas .

The two other things I have identified as things I really want to do our bippipy boutique and Cinderella dinning .

I have been running some dry runs to register and I usually wake up around 7:30 EST and I could still usually get Cinderella but I haven’t once seen Boutique available . My question is with the Dvc window what are the odds that I will be able to get the Boutique and Cinderella . In my dry run I am not waking up 6am and don’t have the dvc advantage yet. I would really like to do these things with my daughter .


Any other suggestions I would really appreciate it . We were T Disney for 1 day before and we did akershus so I know about that but I want to deprioritize it bc we already did it and I really didn’t like the food at all.


Thanks so much in advance .

-Planning dad

 

[kanerf]

January in Orlando can be quite cold. I was there this year and you probably won't be swimming. It was in the 40's most days and colder at night. Make sure you bring lots of warm clothing.

 

[OKW Lover]

You know your child best, but I wonder if going in low key works. I would think the excitement of being at WDW kind of works against that.

 

[Karalee402]

The Boardwalk is such a fun atmosphere! My kids love it - you could do dinner at Blue Ribbon Corndogs or at the pizza window. Cape May is also a really great character experience for kids. I usually do a few dry runs leading up to our trips, too, and you'll get the best idea of what will be available if you get up right at the start time. The most popular things do go quickly within that first hour, so you may see much more availability earlier. Also, if you can plan doing the boutique later in your trip, you may see higher availability.
I also just wanted to take a quick minute to say how much I love all the thought you're putting into this trip for your daughter! You will have the best time!

 

[tom1944]

On your non-park days could you do some of the things at Disney Springs? I travel with a six-year-old and while we have not done these 2 things they are on my list- the car/boat at DS and the Balloon. Flight

 

[Dave006]

I have been running some dry runs to register and I usually wake up around 7:30 EST and I could still usually get Cinderella but I haven’t once seen Boutique available .

You really need to be ready to book online a few minutes before 6 AM EDT. Bookings open exactly 60 days before your resort stay. BBB reservations go very quickly. CRT used to be just as hot but they have dimmed in demand compared to BBB.

Dave

 

[lanejudy]

With a 5-yr-old, 2 resort/pool days in a row is too much, especially with the excitement of a first trip. Our child was that age on our first trip and really all she wanted was to go to MK and see Mickey. Every moment until those 2 things were accomplished was pure boredom and agony for her to wait. Plus as another poster mentioned, if it’s too cold to swim 2 consecutive resort days are hard to fill with alternatives.

I’m not sure what you mean by “the DVC advantage” with regards to booking — unless you simply mean the “+10” which allows anyone onsite to book ADRs for up to 10 days of a visit at the 60-day mark.

Other suggestions for your resort day(s) are mini-golf (Fantasia is near Beach Club), visit Fort Wilderness Campground and the pony rides or petting zoo, or go to Disney Springs.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

I agree with others that you are going to have an antsy kid if you take that first day off.

While I understand that your goal is to avoid the holiday, the reality is that your whole week there is likely going to be heavy crowds because of that holiday. Skipping that Monday isn't going to make your trip materially less crowded, but not going into a park your first full day there will likely make your daughter materially more frustrated. (Take a look at the Thrill Data history here. The actual Monday of MLK day isn't worse than the rest of the week.)

In January, don't expect to have good pool weather. If it happens, great, but don't plan your trip assuming you'll have a whole day at Stormalong Bay only to find out it's too cold.

For arrival day, there's not a TON to do on the boardwalk and the little acts start in the evening. I'd prioritize getting to sleep early so that you can get a jump start on a your first park day, maybe Beaches and Cream dinner instead of lunch and early to bed. If the weather is warm enough for pool time, great. If not, you could always take the skyliner (which as a first trip is an experience by itself) to go explore some of the resort features at Art of Animation. When my five year olds first got to Orlando, they made us stop and take pictures at every statue in the airport, so I wouldn't be surprised if your daughter would enjoy exploring those highly themed resort areas on arrival day.

 

[Disneydad14]

I agree with others that you are going to have an antsy kid if you take that first day off.

While I understand that your goal is to avoid the holiday, the reality is that your whole week there is likely going to be heavy crowds because of that holiday. Skipping that Monday isn't going to make your trip materially less crowded, but not going into a park your first full day there will likely make your daughter materially more frustrated. (Take a look at the Thrill Data history here. The actual Monday of MLK day isn't worse than the rest of the week.)

In January, don't expect to have good pool weather. If it happens, great, but don't plan your trip assuming you'll have a whole day at Stormalong Bay only to find out it's too cold.

For arrival day, there's not a TON to do on the boardwalk and the little acts start in the evening. I'd prioritize getting to sleep early so that you can get a jump start on a your first park day, maybe Beaches and Cream dinner instead of lunch and early to bed. If the weather is warm enough for pool time, great. If not, you could always take the skyliner (which as a first trip is an experience by itself) to go explore some of the resort features at Art of Animation. When my five year olds first got to Orlando, they made us stop and take pictures at every statue in the airport, so I wouldn't be surprised if your daughter would enjoy exploring those highly themed resort areas on arrival day.

Thank you . My research indicated that the week preceding MLK was actually worse and that the week immediately following it was actually low crowds. Are you sure or does anyone else have any insight because if this is the case I will move my trip . I used some online calendars and it said it was low the following week but I am not sure how accurate that is .

 

[Disneydad14]

The Boardwalk is such a fun atmosphere! My kids love it - you could do dinner at Blue Ribbon Corndogs or at the pizza window. Cape May is also a really great character experience for kids. I usually do a few dry runs leading up to our trips, too, and you'll get the best idea of what will be available if you get up right at the start time. The most popular things do go quickly within that first hour, so you may see much more availability earlier. Also, if you can plan doing the boutique later in your trip, you may see higher availability.
I also just wanted to take a quick minute to say how much I love all the thought you're putting into this trip for your daughter! You will have the best time!

Thank you so much I appreciate that.

 

[Disneydad14]

On your non-park days could you do some of the things at Disney Springs? I travel with a six-year-old and while we have not done these 2 things they are on my list- the car/boat at DS and the Balloon. Flight

I thought Disney springs was mostly shopping , I am brand new to Disney. Only been there to stop by once for 2 days this year on my way to somewhere else . I appreciate you pointing this out and I will look into it

 

[Disneydad14]

With a 5-yr-old, 2 resort/pool days in a row is too much, especially with the excitement of a first trip. Our child was that age on our first trip and really all she wanted was to go to MK and see Mickey. Every moment until those 2 things were accomplished was pure boredom and agony for her to wait. Plus as another poster mentioned, if it’s too cold to swim 2 consecutive resort days are hard to fill with alternatives.

I’m not sure what you mean by “the DVC advantage” with regards to booking — unless you simply mean the “+10” which allows anyone onsite to book ADRs for up to 10 days of a visit at the 60-day mark.

Other suggestions for your resort day(s) are mini-golf (Fantasia is near Beach Club), visit Fort Wilderness Campground and the pony rides or petting zoo, or go to Disney Springs.

Thank you. Yes that’s what I meant. My understanding is six months before my trip I will be able to book for my entire length. Now when I do my dry runs I’m seeing no availability but I’m wondering if I had that 7 day view I would see it and it won’t be hard.

 

[Dave006]

Thank you. Yes that’s what I meant. My understanding is six months before my trip I will be able to book for my entire length. Now when I do my dry runs I’m seeing no availability but I’m wondering if I had that 7 day view I would see it and it won’t be hard.

Sorry but the 6 month advanced booking of ADR type reservations aka 180 days window is gone.

It is now 60 days and has been since COVID 19 Pandemic reopening., Bookings open exactly 60 days before your resort stay. You really need to be ready to book online a few minutes before 6 AM EDT. Bippity Boppity Boutique (BBB) reservations go very quickly. Cinderella Royal Table (CRT) used to be just as hot but it has have dimmed in demand compared to BBB.

Dave

 

[jcemom]

I think the week following MLK week (meaning a full week after MLK day) is relatively less crowded. I'm not sure there are any truly LOW crowd weeks anymore. I was there the last week of January last year and it wasn't awful.

I agree with others about not putting two non park days at the beginning of the trip. Also, potential cold weather aside, many resort pools close for routine maintenance in January or February. Maybe someone familiar with the pattern at Stormalong Bay will come along and chime in on that possibility.

 

[Dave006]

I think the week following MLK week (meaning a full week after MLK day) is relatively less crowded. I'm not sure there are any truly LOW crowd weeks anymore. I was there the last week of January last year and it wasn't awful.

Yes the MLK week is often busy. The next week following is starting to be busy with activities like Pro Bowl attendees in Orlando and Dance and Cheer groups holding events that often run right to Feb. Also January is a very popular time of year for park attractions to go down for maintenance. Disney does announce attraction maintenance quite early so you should have advanced notice.

Also, potential cold weather aside, many resort pools close for routine maintenance in January or February. Maybe someone familiar with the pattern at Stormalong Bay will come along and chime in on that possibility.

StormAlong Bay (SAB) at the YC / BC is completing a major refub whiich Disney is calliing routine maintenance this year and will not reopen until near the end of June. Next year (2026) it should be fine in January except for cold snaps. This year SAB and BB (Water park that was open) closed on several days in January.

Dave

 

[tom1944]

I thought Disney springs was mostly shopping , I am brand new to Disney. Only been there to stop by once for 2 days this year on my way to somewhere else . I appreciate you pointing this out and I will look into it

It absolutely is mostly shopping but there are different things to do. There is a bowling alley for example. There is also Cirque du Soleil which I was going to try until someone here told me the show might be difficult for a young child since it has to do with the death of a parent.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Thank you . My research indicated that the week preceding MLK was actually worse and that the week immediately following it was actually low crowds. Are you sure or does anyone else have any insight because if this is the case I will move my trip . I used some online calendars and it said it was low the following week but I am not sure how accurate that is .

Thrill Data has actual historical averages, which they then color code so that you can see which days were better or worse.

Jan 2025 looked like this (MLK circled):


Jan 2024:


Then 2023:



While this year was a lot better than the two prior, there are red/orange days in both the leading week and week that includes the holiday.

Are you set on January? Or trying to do it around having some amount of school holiday included? If you're flexible, I'd be looking at the second half of April. Easter is on the 5th in 2026, so shoulder season will start around tax day through mid-May.

Here's what April 2024 looked like, lots more green and yellow in there once you get out of the post Easter busy week.:

 

[OHIOVACATIONER]

We are not going until June but I also was trying to find out how the times was for BBB and like you found no availability. At one time they also did the BBB at Grand Floridian and also Disney Springs. It might take some of the WOW out of it not being at MK but it might be something to look into.

 

[Disneydad14]

Thrill Data has actual historical averages, which they then color code so that you can see which days were better or worse.

Jan 2025 looked like this (MLK circled):
View attachment 948235

Jan 2024:
View attachment 948232

Then 2023:
View attachment 948234


While this year was a lot better than the two prior, there are red/orange days in both the leading week and week that includes the holiday.

Are you set on January? Or trying to do it around having some amount of school holiday included? If you're flexible, I'd be looking at the second half of April. Easter is on the 5th in 2026, so shoulder season will start around tax day through mid-May.

Here's what April 2024 looked like, lots more green and yellow in there once you get out of the post Easter busy week.:
View attachment 948237

Thank you . I think you’re making a compelling case for pushing it back . The combination of the pool not being available and it not really being a great time for crowds is interesting . I know and understand everyone’s concern about two resort days for a kid but my daughter loves pools so much that I thought I could pull it off but if the pool is closed then that would ruin that experience. I’d prefer early than April but there is no major reason we can’t wait . I have Aulani planned in October and wanted to do a big Disney trip this year bc this is my daughters last year of pre school and figured planning trips might become more difficult. Thank you and everyone else so much.

 

[Disneydad14]

Hello Everyone,

Thanks for the help so far. So ive taken what everyone says intto consideration and I was looking at a calendar and early february also looks like a pretty good time. I also think on average the weather in Flordia should be wamer and more suitable for swimming conditons than January. I like the idea of florida vacation in February since we are in the northeast and its nice to get a week of the sub then. Is there anything I am missing?