should I go to MK with 4 and 2 year old under the following circumstances?

[CinderEmma94]

I would do it. Like others have said in the thread, I wouldn't be able to be that close to MK and not go. You know your kids and what they would be able to handle more than anyone, but it definitely is possible (and can be a great experience) if you want to do it. I have a 3 year old and 6 year old (he has severe special needs) and I take them by myself whenever we are able to go. It isn't the easiest thing I could be doing with my time at the resort, but the memories have made it more than worth the time, energy, and money for me.

 

[tinkerjo]

Either way, you can find plenty to do and have a great time. Personally think I would do the day in MK, there is plenty that the 3 of you can do to make it more than worth your time and money if you can afford it. Take the stroller, pack an easy lunch and snacks. You can hop back to the resort if you or the kids need a rest. But if you don’t go, you can enjoy the resort, swim, take rides on the monorail and maybe get some Dole whip at the Poly, go to Disney Springs, hop over to fort wilderness for the chip and Dale sing along. (Just started back up and my kids always loved this) watch fireworks and electric water pageant if they can stay up that late. Of course you can do all these things and still squeeze one day in at MK. Have fun and enjoy your trip

 

[pjacobi]

I don't want to get your hopes up, but some corporate events offer "free" tickets to Disney World for event attendees and sometimes extended to family members. I've been to Disney Land and Universal Studios in California on "free" tickets provided by an event. At the Universal event, I was able to get a "free" companion ticket for my spouse. Usually, tickets are restricted to several hours in the evening. Note the "free" tickets are indirectly paid by the event admission, sometimes costing $1000s or more but is hopefully paid by the company as a business expense.

You might be able to do a few things with a 2- and 4-year-old in just a few evening hours, to see if it is worth purchasing a 1-2 day ticket. However, corporate events are usually target for adults.

Hope you get lucky with some "free" tickets!


-Paul

 

[ktlm]

I would absolutely go! My favorite trips with DD were when she was toddler/preschooler. Assuming they aren't scared of characters, at those ages, my DD's favorite thing was just visiting all the characters. I think we had one day at MK that she basically wanted to go from character to character and we hardly rode any rides, and she called it the best day ever. There are a lot of rides that seat 3. Yes, assuming the 4 year old is tall enough and wants to go on the thrill rides, that is an issue, but there is plenty to do without the few rides that the 2 year old will be too short for, or that won't fit 3. Plus, I will say that just because a 4 year old is tall enough for the thrill rides, doesn't even mean they will want to do them. Mine loved most of those rides when she was tall enough to ride them at age 3 and wanted to do them again, and then a couple of years later she refused to ride any of the thrill rides she loved before because they were now scary.

If it were me, since you are staying at the Contemporary and will have monorail access, I would be thinking about both MK and EPCOT if you have 3 days to spend in the parks. You definitely could spend all the time enjoying MK, but EPCOT has Nemo, Frozen, Living with the Land, Figment, lots of characters (if they have all returned) etc.

 

[browneyedgirl1683]

I would go, but I would be completely flexible. Maybe pick three things to do. My kiddos wanted to meet characters, I wanted to get a specific treat, and we took pics by the castle.

I personally love the idea suggested of going to Epcot with little kids. Lots of attractions have indoor play-spaces, there's the aquarium, and there are a lot of gardens and statues to explore, plus unique and fun eats. If your kids aren't obsessed with any particular character, Epcot may have more quiet spots, fun fountains, etc. We did better at Epcot than we did at MK from my mom perspective.

 

[DL1WDW2]

I keep rethinking my advice and realize I can’t believe those words came out of my mouth!
I love Disney and always took the tiniest relatives in our extended family.
Yes go to MK for one day at least for first visit.
What kind of grandmother am I … Can’t imagine saying ; when they’re all grown up…
Yes we went to WDW but did no go to the MK … and take a cute picture of them in the Disney stroller.
I have one vintage 72 DL stroller made out of cardboard seats and plastic vinyl !

 

[kymom79]

I would absolutely go! My favorite trips with DD were when she was toddler/preschooler. Assuming they aren't scared of characters, at those ages, my DD's favorite thing was just visiting all the characters. I think we had one day at MK that she basically wanted to go from character to character and we hardly rode any rides, and she called it the best day ever. There are a lot of rides that seat 3. Yes, assuming the 4 year old is tall enough and wants to go on the thrill rides, that is an issue, but there is plenty to do without the few rides that the 2 year old will be too short for, or that won't fit 3. Plus, I will say that just because a 4 year old is tall enough for the thrill rides, doesn't even mean they will want to do them. Mine loved most of those rides when she was tall enough to ride them at age 3 and wanted to do them again, and then a couple of years later she refused to ride any of the thrill rides she loved before because they were now scary.

If it were me, since you are staying at the Contemporary and will have monorail access, I would be thinking about both MK and EPCOT if you have 3 days to spend in the parks. You definitely could spend all the time enjoying MK, but EPCOT has Nemo, Frozen, Living with the Land, Figment, lots of characters (if they have all returned) etc.

Interesting...I was thinking that so much of Epcot was under renovation now -- it looks like most of what used to be Future World?-- that a visit there wouldn't be the best use of ticket money....but you think they're mostly up and running?

 

[DL1WDW2]

I think there is still construction walls.
And huge crowds. And long lines.

Beware because some of this is memories of visits before Covid .
Its a whole different challenge nowadays.
I would be miserable as a child stuck in a stroller looking at peoples rear ends all day.
Please keep it simple and enjoy the resort and Fantasyland …

 

[ilovevacation]

I would absolutely go, I can't imagine being that close and not going. Regardless of your oldest height that child won't be able to ride anything that has a requirement because the little will still need you. That being said the 3 of you can ride the bulk of everything in MK. I can only imagine what an amazing memories you will make. I bet the 4 year old will very much the special day with mommy. You can watch stage shows and parades, ride it is a small world a million times, fly over London on Peter pan, or just enjoy the wonder of 2 little ones in MK. The nice thing about your location is you technically don't even need to deal with transportation, you can use walk. I think the most daunting thing with 2 without another adult is the idea of a bus. Depnding on size and your comfort level you could also consider baby wearing your youngest to keep your hands a bit more free and make you feel like you have a bit more more control,, especially in lines.( Tula os great and they make them for larger kids).Also, taking food/snacks will make your life easier and cheaper. Don't forget about mobile ordering- 1 less line to stand in. You are close enough to head back to your room for breaks. You can also do dinner with your husband if he doesn't have work obligations. The Wave was great but haven't been (yet, which will change next week) to steak house 71 but it gets good reviews. You are definitely going to have a magical time no matter what you chose!

 

[MeridaMerida]

Our two youngest children, who will be ages 4 1/2 and 2 1/4, will be accompanying my husband and me in February to a work conference he has at the Contemporary for three nights. Although I think the little ones and I could have a great time enjoying each other while exploring the Contemporary, other nearby hotels, the pool, and walking paths, I was wondering if it would be worthwhile to purchase tickets for me to take the littles to the Magic Kingdom for at least a day? Am I crazy to consider spending over $300 just for one day (or $600 if we wanted to take it easy over two days), given their young ages and that I would be managing them with no other adult, thereby limiting what the four year old would be able to experience? What would you advise -- just enjoy our chance to chill in a hotel that would normally be beyond our price range, or spring for the Magic Kingdom? I can't remember how much overlap there is between what an infant and a preschooler can do at MK, and I haven't theme parked by myself with the littles before either, so advice from those of you with more current experience would be appreciated!

Unless YOU really want to go, I would skip it. It's pretty stressful being in the parks with kids. I cannot imagine doing it alone unless your kids are really easy going. The resort will be fun and there's lots of Disney magic there.

 

[martikus]

Your husband should see if his conference offers discounted tickets. I had that once and could go after 2pm quite discounted. Then maybe your husband could go too. Depends what afternoon/evening stuff is. I’ve had 2 conferences at Disney and definitely skipped a couple dinners to enjoy parks because I hate networking anyways!

I’d go if I could. Small world alone at your kids ages is so magical.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I would definitely go!!

Of course, we took my DS at 18 months because we were about 45 minutes away in Florida to visit his great-grandparents, and I thought that was too close not to go.

So I couldn't be right at the Contemporary and skip it.

There's far too much at MK for anybody to do in one day anyway, so my advice is always to pick and choose the activities and attractions that work for your group. This is no different - it won't be thrill ride focused, but that's fine! There are plenty of rides with no height requirement, shows and parades, plus character meets if they want to.

Being that close, I would probably walk or monorail over early, go back to the hotel for lunch/nap/whatever, and then go back for more if you are all up for it.

 

[jo-jo]

Reading over all the comments, I think a one day ticket on the second day sounds best to me. You said three night. So first night, explore a bit, go watch fireworks from outside of park, next day more exploring, ride the monorail, take the boats over to fort wilderness, etc. the second full day do MK. For me ,(even 40 years ago) two days in a park with two young kids would be too much for me. I'd rather do the one day and the other day use that money to spend time on beach and get ice cream. etc.

I remember a trip with grandkids. 4 year old to small for the ride the rest went on. She was perfectly happy watching a lizard travel from tree to tree back and forth.