Time in Magic Kingdom

[jamen65]

Hi we are going for 5 days Sept 9-14 how much time should I plan on in the Magic Kingdom? I know we are goung to be going back to hotel for naps and for swim kids are 2&4 I was planning on going the 2 days they have EE and doing character breakfast around 9. Should I plan on a third day or is that to much and am I missing to many other things? I am not sure how to plan this trip exactly. Does anyone have a book suggestion that would help me? <IMG SRC="/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif" alt="confused">

 

[eeyore0662]

The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, and the Birnbaums Official Guide are the ones I faithfully use. Great tips on WDW with kids. As far as MK is concerned it really depends on how many things your kids are going to go on--I know that there are height restrictions on the Mtn and Alien Encounter. I would say at least 2 full days, with maybe 11/2 to 2 hour naps built in should be doable, especially if you are planning on doing an EE morning. My only suggestion is to try to get your PS for your character breakfast a little later, if a later time is available, so you can take full advantage of the slower time in the park. You can knock out all of Fantasyland and do Buzz Lightyear before the park opens to the general public (at least that has been my experience--unless you are going on a Saturday), and be ready to go into Toontown when the rope drops at 9 am. You have to do what is best for your family Have a wonderful time!!!

Have a Wonderful day, Eeyore

 

[Jenn]

I think 2 days is good. We typically stay for a week and do 2 days at MK, 2 days at Epcot, 1 MGM, and 1 AK with a little hopping in between.

Jenn

 

[snowball22]

Two days is appropriate. We had our 5 year old son and 7 year old daughter in tow. We arrived with early entry and did not leave until after the electric light parade. We were non stop the whole day and still missed a third of the park. Now we have to plan another trip to see the rest of the park-darn(he he he). Enjoy!!!!

 

[welovedisneyfamily]

When I went last year with my 1 and 4 year old I found that MK was very limited for kids their age. We were basically limited to the pooh and dumbo rides and a couple of other rides. I'm visiting again this year in June and we are thinking about skipping it all together.

 

[Sammy]

We went this past September and I had done the itinerary to include 2 days at MK during our 9-day trip. It wasn't enough!! We ended up changing the itinerary around and spent 3 full days at MK....the kids were having such a ball there they decided to skip the water park day and go to MK again instead!!!

<font face="Harrington" size=5 color="blue">Sammy</font>

<font face=:Harrington" size=3 color=red>Have a Disney Day</font>

<font face="Comic Sans MS" color=orange >1975 - offsite
1981 - offsite
1990 - offsite</font>
<font face="Comic Sans MS" color=blue> Sept. 2000 -<font color=green> Dixie Landings</font>

 

[All Aboard]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>When I went last year with my 1 and 4 year old I found that MK was very limited for kids their age. We were basically limited to the pooh and dumbo rides and a couple of other rides. I'm visiting again this year in June and we are thinking about skipping it all together.[/quote]

Well, you posted on April 3rd, so it's not an April Fool's joke.

Seriously, I was shocked when I read this, especially concerning the 4 year old. I've been taking my daughter to WDW since she was a year and 10 months old. She's now three and will be going on her 19th trip later this month.

Here is what she loves at MK: Carousel, Dumbo, Snow White, Peter Pan, Small World, Pooh, Mad Tea Party, Barnstormer, Astro Orbiter, Buzz, TTA, Speedway, Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Tiki Room, Jungle Cruise, Bears, Liberty Belle. Heck, she even enjoys the Carousel of Progress and the Hall of Presidents. And of course, Magical Moments parade, Main Street Electrical Parade, Fantasy in the Sky, Every Day's a Holiday, the character greetings. She will be 40 inches tall this summer and that will open up a couple of other attractions to her.

Not sure why you found it so tough to find things for a 4 year old to do. I feel bad, though. I can't think of a better place in the world for kids that age than the Magic Kingdom. You mentioned skipping it next time. Wow, I would think it to be the LEAST likely park skipped with kids that age.

In any event, to the original poster: plan for 2 days at MK and leave some flexibility in your schedule. You may find yourself back there more.

_____________________________________
Por favor mantengan se alejado de las puertas

 

[Ecdubfan]

I agree, it would be quicker to list the attractions my children (5 & 3) can't do compared to those they can. The only things they really didn't do were the 3 mountains, alien encounter, and the astro orbiter. Most other things at least kept their attention with the theming, if not the ride itself.

We usually spend 2 days at MK. We take a leisurely pace. If we miss something, there is always next time.

Christmas 1979
July 1989 offsite
July 1996 Offsite
August 1999 Offsite
March 2000 Offsite (Fairfield Cypress Palms - new owners)
Feb 2001 - All Star Sports

 

[M]

I was very surprised by welovedisneyfamily's response. We took our 1 & 4 year old last November (it was the second time for the 4 yo). There were many rides that our DD's could not go on and there were a number of rides that our not so adventurous 4 yo passed on like the Barnstormer. But there still is a good variety of rides that they both enjoyed. We went on some rides multiple times (Dumbo, Pooh, Small World, The Car one in Tomorrowland,..). They never tired of these rides. We spent 2 1/2 days at MK and could have spent more. I would plan for two days, but be flexible. Your kids might have their fill after one day or three days might not be enough.

It is good that you are planning for a nap break. As for EE, if you can get your kids up and ready that early, more power to you. We would not have much of a hope to do this. If it were me, I wouldn't worry about planning around the EE. Getting to the park at the regular opening time is plenty early enough. Plus you won't be tied to the EE park and the increased crowds for that day. Your kids will have a long enough day as it is. IMHO

[This message was edited by M&M's Daddy on 04-05-01 at 02:25 PM.]

 

[kaza]

I would suggest giving the kids a small breakfast at the hotel and booking the Character breakfast for last seating so it is like an early lunch, then returning to the hotel for naps and swimming. You will miss the hottest time in the park and return rested for the evening.

 

[KangaT]

On our first 2 trips to WDW, my DS's were 5 and 2.5 (first trip) and then 7.5, 5 and 1.5. Both times, we ended up spending part of almost every day in the MK. There's a lot at Epcot that's just beyond pre-schoolers. Even with the Kid Stops in WS now, that area won't hold much interest for my boys when we go again in May.

Though my kids will be older this time (10, 7.5 and 4), we're still planning on being in the MK some point at least 3 out of the 7 days we're there. That's fine by me. I love exploring the other parks, but there's a reason they call it the "Magic" Kingdom. My trip will be made the first day we're there, when we walk through the gates and spy Cinderella's Castle at the other end of Main Street. I get goose-bumps just thinking about it!

90 honeymoon
95,98, 01 w/kids & grands

 

[Planogirl]

When our DS was real small, we split most of our time evenly between MK and Epcot while MGM got much less time. When DS was only 1, he adored Spaceship Earth, Imagination and Kitchen Kabaret (now Food Rocks). I saw Spaceship Earth so much that year that I knew it by heart by the time we left.

We would enjoy MK in the morning before the crowds got to be overwhelming and then we headed to Epcot or MGM later in the day. Of course, we didn't have Animal Kingdom to consider at the time. Also, we always had to set aside one afternoon and evening at MK for parades and fireworks, and the beauty of the park at night.

I would definitely plan on two mornings and one afternoon/evening at MK and increase that if you need to.

wishin' on a star in Texas...