Please help me pick B2B- MVMCP , MK or Spirit of Aloha?

[Hotdogdance]

Hi- we are heading to WDW Dec7-11 (wed-Sun) with a 4yoa and I'm struggling with plans

Are current plan is below...
1 day MK (fri or sat?) 1 thursday night of MVMCP and Fri night - Spirit of Aloha at 515pm.

Now starting to wonder if it would be better to skip the Aloha dinner and just do another night of the Christmas party or 2 days in the park.

Any input is appreciated. 4yoa daughter is all about the characters- and all the character dinners are booked. First time visit as well. Thanks so much.

 

[MagicSoup]

What characters is she into? That could help with making recommendations.

I'm seeing availability for Mickey's Backyard BBQ during your dates and that might be more fun for a little one than the Spirit of Aloha dinner.

I would personally do a second park day unless you have a reason not to. That will open up more character dining (Tusker House at Animal Kingdom, Garden Grille at Epcot, Hollywood and Vine at the Studios etc.) and give you more flexibility in your plans. Even if you want to only do Magic Kingdom this trip if you have two full days in the park I think you'll be more relaxed and be able to enjoy it all more. If you're prioritizing meet and greets there are options at some parks that you can't get at others (Anna & Elsa in Epcot, Disney Junior in the Studios, etc.)

The link below will take you to a disboard thread where other people post reservations they play to cancel so you might be able to coordinate that way: http://www.disboards.com/threads/december-cancelled-adr-thread-guidlines-in-first-post.3515270/

If there's a dining experience you really want keep trying!

WDW Prepschool is a great place to start if you really feel lost.

 

[roseaster]

Nix the Spirit of Aloha. It's a nice show, but not much to hold the interest of a 4 year old. We did it when my kids were a little older, and even then they were bored.

I also wouldn't do a 2nd MVMMCP. It was nice enough, but not really enough extra offered to justify the extra price.

I, too, would go with a 2nd park day. For dinner shows my kids always loved Hoop-de-doo Review. It's corny fun little kids like.

 

[shalynvalentine]

The show is great, but not for a 4 year old.

 

[Hotdogdance]

She adores Mary Poppins and the princesses.

I will check out the BBQ and further contemplate the Christmas party.

Stupid question--- is the park doable for most 4yoa from roughly 10am til 7pm or do most tucker out after about 5 hours?

Thanks so much for the sites, prep and advice. We have done DCL but this park stuff is way out of my league and I'm a bit late to the game.

What characters is she into? That could help with making recommendations.

I'm seeing availability for Mickey's Backyard BBQ during your dates and that might be more fun for a little one than the Spirit of Aloha dinner.

I would personally do a second park day unless you have a reason not to. That will open up more character dining (Tusker House at Animal Kingdom, Garden Grille at Epcot, Hollywood and Vine at the Studios etc.) and give you more flexibility in your plans. Even if you want to only do Magic Kingdom this trip if you have two full days in the park I think you'll be more relaxed and be able to enjoy it all more. If you're prioritizing meet and greets there are options at some parks that you can't get at others (Anna & Elsa in Epcot, Disney Junior in the Studios, etc.)

The link below will take you to a disboard thread where other people post reservations they play to cancel so you might be able to coordinate that way: http://www.disboards.com/threads/december-cancelled-adr-thread-guidlines-in-first-post.3515270/

If there's a dining experience you really want keep trying!

WDW Prepschool is a great place to start if you really feel lost.

 

[Hotdogdance]

Nix the Spirit of Aloha. It's a nice show, but not much to hold the interest of a 4 year old. We did it when my kids were a little older, and even then they were bored.

I also wouldn't do a 2nd MVMMCP. It was nice enough, but not really enough extra offered to justify the extra price.

I, too, would go with a 2nd park day. For dinner shows my kids always loved Hoop-de-doo Review. It's corny fun little kids like.

awesome- thanks so much Survey says....-- the aloha is nixed in lieu of park day

 

[JAMIESMITH]

We took our daughter to SoA when she was four and she actually really enjoyed it.

 

[roseaster]

She adores Mary Poppins and the princesses.

I will check out the BBQ and further contemplate the Christmas party.

Stupid question--- is the park doable for most 4yoa from roughly 10am til 7pm or do most tucker out after about 5 hours?

Thanks so much for the sites, prep and advice. We have done DCL but this park stuff is way out of my league and I'm a bit late to the game.

At 4 mine all could easily go 10 am to 7 pm, and often beyond. All but 1 was done napping at that point, and even he was so excited that if he did drift off, he did it during slower things like Hall of Presidents.

The thing is that they were so excited "tired" never hit them until they sat in the bus seat to return to the hotel, and then they were out like a light. We would go 10ish (we aren't morning people) am til closing and I had a few that still cried that they had to leave, even though the park was closing.

 

[Hotdogdance]

At 4 mine all could easily go 10 am to 7 pm, and often beyond. All but 1 was done napping at that point, and even he was so excited that if he did drift off, he did it during slower things like Hall of Presidents.

The thing is that they were so excited "tired" never hit them until they sat in the bus seat to return to the hotel, and then they were out like a light. We would go 10ish (we aren't morning people) am til closing and I had a few that still cried that they had to leave, even though the park was closing.

THanks again - that helps with the planning in case some meal times arise and picking our park days.

I know crowd prediction is not a science but as a general rule, would Saturday be more crowded than a Friday with a Christmas party night? sorry to bug-

 

[roseaster]

THanks again - that helps with the planning in case some meal times arise and picking our park days.

I know crowd prediction is not a science but as a general rule, would Saturday be more crowded than a Friday with a Christmas party night? sorry to bug-

We've only done the xmas party once. We are MNSSHP people LOL. My understanding is for the parties and evens, like Food and Wine, is to expect bigger crowds on the weekends, and I think this includes Fridays, as it isn't a school night and more locals are likely to attend on those nights.

IDK if you have or can work this into your plans, but if you have a princess loving girly-girl my girls loved Bibbity Bobbity Boutique.

 

[Hotdogdance]

Gotcha- we may look at the Bibbity thing she would relish being princess for a day.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

Touring Plans has a free Reservation Finder. You could try putting in your two most-wanted searches, like maybe Akershus (Epcot, princesses) and 190 Park Fare (breakfast with Mary Poppins, dinner with Cinderella, her sisters, and stepmother). (You're limited to two searches at a time.)
Our trip overlaps with yours (and Free Dining, which will make reservations tougher). I know it's frustrating to not have anything open, but everyone's plans change. I had about four meals I could not get when I did my 180-day ADRs, but I'm down to one (H&V Minnie's Seasonal Dining) thanks to dumb luck from checking every morning and thanks to Touring Plans. I feel I have a decent chance to get my last ADR, even if it might open up when we're already in Orlando!

 

[Hotdogdance]

awesome tip- thanks so much. That makes sense why reservations are so scarce. Was able to successful get a breakfast through the ADR boards here. Fingers crossed for maybe one more if not- quick service it is and that will be fine. Hope you guys have a great trip.