Thanks. And a litle more advice needed for 1st timer...

[hardysmom]

OK, I am feeling much better about our 3 day, April trip to WDW with our 5 yr old and 3 yr old twins. Based upon your recommendations, this is the current plan-

1) Instead of AKL, we will stay at the Poly to be on the monorail. THANK YOU for this advice. I think it is PERFECT for us. Huge sigh of relief. So, now the question is- what view? Any suggestions? Any particular set of rooms I should request?

2) I moved the trip from April 1-4 to April 17-20 (Tues-Fri). Unfortunately, that was the latest we could go, but hopefully the peak crowds will be thinning out. Crossed fingers. Any advice on this? I am not TOO worried about ride lines since our twins will be too small for anything but super-kiddie rides. I don't see DH and I waiting in lines alone for adult rides while the other waits with 3 young kids, kwim? Nor can the kids tolerate much of a wait. They're just too young to understand. We might split up a little so that our 5yr DS can be a big-kid, but that would be it. Anything with "thrilling" in the description is out of our league, at least this trip. I think my kids will be mostly into Characters/Princesses. Our 5 yr old still Believes.

3) We will just do MK, since we only have 2 days. I may get a parkhopper on 2 tickets so I can take my 5yr old to spot Playhouse Characters at MGM while the twins nap. We'll see. Is it feasible to go into MGM with such a singular purpose and get in/out within a couple of hours? Do you have to go to the show to see the characters or are they wandering around?

Final question (for today) what are your favorite character experiences/meals for a family with VERY young kids (8:30 would be a LATE nitght for my gang)?

Thank you!!! Stephanie

 

[mmeb144]

I wouldn't count on a short line at the "kiddie" rides. They tend to be the longest lines in the park. You still need to get there early to really enjoy all the experience. Remember to bring some small toys to play with while you wait for the attraction. It's a good time to emphasize that everyone gets a turn, if everyone waits patiently.

Marie

 

[SuperTink]

I am not TOO worried about ride lines since our twins will be too small for anything but super-kiddie rides.

In our experience, these seem to be the rides with the longest lines. Just something to consider.

 

[UGAFan0829]

Just wanted to comment on my favorite character experience/meal. We ate at Crystal Palace on our trip and it was wonderful. There were a lot of babies and small kids, so I think it would be perfect for your kiddies, especially your 5 year old! Good luck, I hope that you have a wonderful time!

 

[disnut8]

Even though I've never eaten there (two adults, no kids), I agree with the Crystal Palace suggestion. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner so you can adapt to your plans. It's a buffet so be warned you might be spending more of your time at the buffet with the kids' plates.

Other suggestions for dinner (since you are staying at the Polynesian) are 1900 Park Fair (buffet), 'Ohana's (family style), and Chef Mickey's (buffet).

 

[codygirl5150]

We're doing Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace, and 1900 Park Faire with 5 kids, ages 2 yrs to 13 yrs (not all mine, just for the record!!).

 

[krissyh]

You all go through the line. Then Mom and DD5 ride while Dad waits with the little ones. When the ride is over - Dad and DD5 ride while mom exits with the little ones. Great of when the little ones are napping in the stroller.

 

[VAN]

I think your change in dates will serve you well ... the crowds should be manageable if you plan it correctly (be there at rope-drop ... mid-day nap and then stay til close).

My DH and I actually took our two kids when they were 3 & 4 years old. We did not have a problem with them keeping up at all. We did utilize the stroller rental (at that time the stroller was such that they could sit in it back-to-back). When we started running out of steam, we would go to something like the Hall of Presidents where you sit in a comfy chair and watch the show (little ones will often nap). Pace yourself ... plan to use fastpasses for the "slow loading" rides (e.g. Peter Pan) so that you aren't waiting in line. If your children have a "must see" attraction ... do it first! That way, if you have to skip an attraction because of long lines you'll be okay -- "we'll just see it next time".

If you plan well, I would think you could hit the small child highlights at the MK in one day and then could spend the other day at one of the other parks. I would not try to rush to the studios while the little ones nap ... you'll be exhausted! Do the studios or the AK for your second day.

Anyway, that's my two cents. Your visit is very brief and I suspect will only make you determined to visit again soon for a longer period.

p.s. Good "free" evening entertainment for the family can be found at the RiverRoost Lounge at Port Orleans Riverside from (I think) Wed-Sat nights -- Bob Jackson. The kids will love him! We make this a regular stop on our yearly visits.

 

[skier_pete]

It may be a bit rushed to go over to MGM to meet characters for an hour or two, but if you do I do know that JoJo and Goliath from JoJo's Circus, and I believe Leo and June from Little Einstein Meet 'n Greet on Mickey Avenue. The parks now give out a nice schedule for the times and locations for the various meet-n-greets. I don't know if you can get this at your hotel, but definitely at the front gate. There is also a playhouse Disney show which has Bear in the BBH, JoJo's Circus, Stanley, and Winnie the Pooh live on stage. If your taking the time to go over for a short time, it might be worth catching.

SkierPete

 

[Minnie824]

I would go to Crystal Palace for dinner definitely. I wouldn't bother going over to MGM. If you have extra time with just your 5 yr old, go back to MK and go on some of the 'bigger' rides, Big Thunder Mountain, Splash mountain. Or I would even head to Epcot for Soarin and Test Track. We didn't really do much at MGM this year at all with our 5 and 2 yr olds.

 

[SnwflkCts]

Go to the Poly Resort thread to post your question about views. You will get lots of great advice: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=820260

I LOVE THE POLY!! The short Monorail ride to MK is AWESOME!

Also a great site about the Poly is TikiMan's site. He visits the DIS Poly thread frequently also:
http://www.tikiman2001.homestead.com/map.html

No advice on the other stuff.

 

[kathmzh]

Isn't there a Playhouse Disney breakfast at MGM? You could do that one morning (if you don't want to waste early morning park time, get a late b-fast seating). If seeing characters are a priority, character meals are the most efficient way -- you need to eat anyway, it's like killing two birds!

 

[mom2aandj]

The lines to the kiddie rides in Fantasyland CAN be the longest in the parks. But that's very easy to deal with if you get to the MK before the gate opens, go immediately back to Fantasyland, ride Dumbo first and then do the rest of the rides back there. We did that with our 4 and 1 year old last time and got every ride in that we wished to go on in less than an hour!

 

[MomofCKJ]

I think it impossible to avoid all spring breaks but here in the Northeast a lot of public schools have the 3rd week of April off each year for break. We don't go by when Easter falls, it is the 3rd week of April for the April vacation.

I hope you have a wonderful trip! The Poly looks wonderful!

Allyson

 

[dimimi]

I also agree with eating at Crystal Palace and doing Chef Mickey's breakfast. We enjoyed both of them. The nice thing about Crystal Palace is getting a little break from the park. The Tikiman site will give you a TON of info abou the Poly. We stayed there and loved it. You will love using the monorail. I think you'll find plenty to do with all of the kids. There are many rides that everyone will enjoy and you many not need to feel like you have to split up. You could even return to Magic Kingdom with the 5 year old while the others nap. Have a great trip! My sister is at the Poly now and loves it!