Three Days with a 5yr old.

[salisboss]

My wife and I are taking our daughter (will be 5 at trip time) to WDW in November 2021. We will have three days in the parks. We are staying at Shades of Green and plan on using the Poly monorail etc. We are planning on base tickets as well. What park breakdown would you all recommend? She is really into Lion King and Frozen so we are thinking 1 day each MK, AK, and EP.

 

[glocon]

Just wanted to add, there is a Frozen sing along that is so fun at HS, as well as the Toy Story area at HS. Maybe look at the rides at AK and EP to make sure you want both of those and not HS. Definitely would keep MK! Have fun

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

I first took my daughter when she was 5. It was so wonderful., although things were simpler in 1995. The internet had not taken over everything yet, and you didn't need to plan. It was all "discovered magic". You didn't already know the surprises and fun before you even went. How I would love to take a 5 year old again! Take it as slow as you can. Sit on the curb to eat your Mickey ice cream bar and people watch. It is so magical and still can be overwhelming with all the variety and all the stimuli. I agree with your park picks. But I would also think about trading Epcot for 2 days at MK.
What ever you decide, enjoy. It is such a precious time. Thinking of it brings tears of wonderful memories. But take it slow, so you all can enjoy. PLEASE don't plan a busy schedule. Breathe the beauty and sing and dance down Main Street.

 

[GBRforWDW]

My wife and I are taking our daughter (will be 5 at trip time) to WDW in November 2021. We will have three days in the parks. We are staying at Shades of Green and plan on using the Poly monorail etc. We are planning on base tickets as well. What park breakdown would you all recommend? She is really into Lion King and Frozen so we are thinking 1 day each MK, AK, and EP.

This is just me, but I'd do Hollywood Studios over epcot. Hollywood studios has a Frozen sing along show that is 20-30 minutes compared to a 2 minute ride in epcot. Plus I love Toy Story Land, it's so much fun, even if you just do the 2 non roller coaster rides. Plus there's the Mickey and Minnie ride that is great. They also have a Disney Junior dance party with some dis junior characters including Timon.

However, you can probably do most things in the morning, so if you were able to add park hoppers, you could head to epcot for the afternoon/evening. I'd definitely take a resort break in between though. It's easy to get exhausted from everything.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

Just wanted to add, there is a Frozen sing along that is so fun at HS, as well as the Toy Story area at HS. Maybe look at the rides at AK and EP to make sure you want both of those and not HS. Definitely would keep MK! Have fun

I would comment the Frozen sing along is aimed at higher level humor than a 5 year old would understand. And the Toy Story rides at HS might best wait until next trip. Pretty advanced for a 5 year old.

 

[GBRforWDW]

I would comment the Frozen sing along is aimed at higher level humor than a 5 year old would understand. And the Toy Story rides at HS might best wait until next trip. Pretty advanced for a 5 year old.

The humor is to keep mom and dad entertained. Kids are there for the songs and love having a chance to belt out all their favorite Frozen tunes. Plus shows in November and December typically add Olaf, which makes it more exciting for the kids.

 

[RanDIZ]

Definitely keep the itinerary of MK, EP and AK. Yes the HS Frozen sing a long is great, but does not compare to a 5 yo experience on the Frozen ride and Norway pavilion. You’ll also have Ratatouille open by then in EP. HS is also the most busy park right now.

 

[TravelandLeisure]

I would comment the Frozen sing along is aimed at higher level humor than a 5 year old would understand. And the Toy Story rides at HS might best wait until next trip. Pretty advanced for a 5 year old.

I can’t say I agree about Toy Story rides being “advanced” for a 5 year old. TSM doesn’t even carry a height requirement (my then 10 month old rode), and Slinky is a great, non-intense junior coaster. Alien saucers is also nothing more than a mild spinner aimed at toddler age kids.

With that being said, OP I would definitely do Hollywood Studios in place of either Epcot or AK.

 

[Tinker_Belle]

That is a wonderful age to go! We took our daughter at 4 1/2, and she loved all the parks. If you’re not set on Epcot, I’d suggest 2 days at Magic Kingdom. There are so many more attractions there, especially for a 5-year-old. Our daughter also loves Frozen, but Magic Kingdom was her favorite park.

 

[salisboss]

We are definitely planning on some time in the morning, afternoon pool time, and then back in if we feel like it. Agree with the feedback about not trying to do too much. The comments have given me food for thought. She has watched the Frozen sing along on YouTube dozens of times.

 

[LvnDsny]

If you are staying at Shades, are you eligible for the Military Salute tickets? If you are, the 4 day military Promo ticket costs less than a 3 day MYW and includes Park Hopper. Whichever parks you choose, she is going to have a great time!

 

[salisboss]

If you are staying at Shades, are you eligible for the Military Salute tickets? If you are, the 4 day military Promo ticket costs less than a 3 day MYW and includes Park Hopper. Whichever parks you choose, she is going to have a great time!

I am not (I am a DOD Civilian) but I do get a hefty discount from our post travel center

 

[ChiGirlMom]

I first took my daughter when she was 5. It was so wonderful., although things were simpler in 1995. The internet had not taken over everything yet, and you didn't need to plan. It was all "discovered magic". You didn't already know the surprises and fun before you even went. How I would love to take a 5 year old again! Take it as slow as you can. Sit on the curb to eat your Mickey ice cream bar and people watch. It is so magical and still can be overwhelming with all the variety and all the stimuli. I agree with your park picks. But I would also think about trading Epcot for 2 days at MK.
What ever you decide, enjoy. It is such a precious time. Thinking of it brings tears of wonderful memories. But take it slow, so you all can enjoy. PLEASE don't plan a busy schedule. Breathe the beauty and sing and dance down Main Street.

Thanks for sharing! Reminded me of taking my daughter solo when she was 5. That was 18 years ago! I borrowed a tour guide book from the library and we open and shut the parks for 5 days.
My youngest now is 5. I will agree with PP to possibly swap Epcot for HS or MK again. When we only have time for one park we ALWAYS go to MK. The first and/or last park we go to is MK. The most attractions that a 5 & 7 year old can ride on. And there is just something so magical about walking down Main Street and seeing the castle. I spend more time watching my kids reactions than anything else.

 

[salisboss]

Thanks for sharing! Reminded me of taking my daughter solo when she was 5. That was 18 years ago! I borrowed a tour guide book from the library and we open and shut the parks for 5 days.
My youngest now is 5. I will agree with PP to possibly swap Epcot for HS or MK again. When we only have time for one park we ALWAYS go to MK. The first and/or last park we go to is MK. The most attractions that a 5 & 7 year old can ride on. And there is just something so magical about walking down Main Street and seeing the castle. I spend more time watching my kids reactions than anything else.

We are looking at going again in 2023 so Epcot may be a better choice then especially with the construction winding down. So much great advice from everyone

 

[kwdw]

If your 5 yo knows anything about Star Wars, I might suggest HS over EP at that age. Definitely keep MK and AK. Both EP and HS have good stuff for a 5 yo, but my niece would have picked HS at that age. She hates walking through WS!

 

[KMarston]

We’ve taken our grandson each year and last year was year five! Absolutely MK,AK and Epcot. Epcot has Nemo, the Aquarium, Figment, Spaceship Earth and Living with the Land, not to mention Ratatouille, Frozen and the Mexico pavilion. At AK make sure and pickup a Wilderness Explorers book. You “earn” badges, identify animals and lots of activities! Our only problem was convincing him it didn’t apply to the other parks. I think it was his favorite part!

 

[MMR76]

I agree with others who have suggested HS over EP.

 

[salisboss]

We’ve taken our grandson each year and last year was year five! Absolutely MK,AK and Epcot. Epcot has Nemo, the Aquarium, Figment, Spaceship Earth and Living with the Land, not to mention Ratatouille, Frozen and the Mexico pavilion. At AK make sure and pickup a Wilderness Explorers book. You “earn” badges, identify animals and lots of activities! Our only problem was convincing him it didn’t apply to the other parks. I think it was his favorite part!

Our thoughts exactly. We may spring for park hopper tickets and if we get done with epcot early we can jump to MK for more time but we don't have to hit everything

 

[Tawney]

Add me to the HS over Epcot crowd.

The first time that I took my son to WDW, he was four. We skipped HS because Galaxy's Edge and Toy Story Land were both under construction, so I wasn't sure if that would be a good choice. We did Epcot instead. ...and while we still had fun, I wish I would have chose HS! We visited HS for the first time when he was six, and he absolutely loved everything about it! He loved every little thing that we did that day.