Tips for MK with young children?

[Wazzo]

Hi DISers!

My brother's family is headed to Florida next week, and has asked me to give them some Disney pointers. They will be with another family, so they will have four kids total ages 2-5. I've never gone with young children, so I was hoping for some planning pointers. They're just going for one day, to the MK.

Are you allowed to go home for a nap, and then return again later that afternoon with a one-day non-Hopper pass?

I was also wondering how busy the parks are during the daytime before a Pirate and Princess Party.

Any additional tips would be great! Thanks!

 

[jenseib]

Yes they can leave and come back.
But depending on what day they go, it may be very busy and not get alot in, especially leaving and coming back.
We went last year with our 2 YO and she is 3 now and we are leaving today to go again. She really had a good time. The carrousel, Peter pan (which is closed right now), Pooh ride, She loved pirates of the Carribean. jungle cruise, haunted mansion, snow white, Its' a small world, dumbo, Alladin, Bear jamboree. The parades were a really bit hit with her. Goofy barnstormer (I think you have to be 36 inches) and going though Mickey and minnies houses. Buzz lightyear, the race cars. We didn't have time for everything and did some stuff twice. But there is other things we are going to try this year, that we missed last year. Plenty to do. We found that the later you stay the easier it is to get on rides. My DD is a late nighter, so this works well for us.
Also if they can fit in a character dinner, that is alot of fun too. Must make reservations though.
I know I'm missing some stuff, but there is plenty to do. Alot of the ridesat MK are for everyone!

 

[ms*mountaineer]

If you are only going to MK for one day - and it's a day that closes early for PPP - I suggest being open to the option of NOT leaving for a nap. It would depend on the kids and how they are doing - but most kids can rally for one day of excitement with no nap. (several days in a row is a different story) But watch how the kids are doing - they may be in no mood to leave and want to stay all day.

I suggest getting a stroller so if one or more needs some down time, they can rest there. And plan some quieter activities in the afternoon that might give a "break" in lieu of a nap - Belle's storytime, a playground in Toontown, things like that.

 

[wilde_oscar]

you should drag the kids kicking and screaming though the parks... all the time screaming at them about how much you paid for this vacation, so they better have fun, after getting them up earlier than they are used to, then dragging them around longer than they are used to, and not letting them have a nap that they are used to. And by all means scream louder at them when they cry.

or you could get there early, see a lot first thing in the morning when the crowds are still low, go get a quick nap if you are staying close, get back for the afternoon parade, do a little shopping, and call it a day before the late afternoon grumpies set in.

 

[Not so Dumbo]

you should drag the kids kicking and screaming though the parks... all the time screaming at them about how much you paid for this vacation, so they better have fun, after getting them up earlier than they are used to, then dragging them around longer than they are used to, and not letting them have a nap that they are used to. And by all means scream louder at them when they cry.

Hey, were you watching us on our last trip


I would tell them to go directly to Fantasyland when the park opens. The best rides for that age group are there and it will get really busy the later the day goes on. Then when Toontown opens go there. Like other posters have said, if MK closes early that night, then going back may not be the best option. I would take a break and get some ice cream on Main st and ride the TTA instead.

 

[Perditamarie]

Here are some tips that work for us:

* bring cooler bag w/juice boxes/snacks to have on hand-great for lines

* include time to run around in Pooh's playground and Toon town

* plan accordingly for squirty spots (like Donalds boat and Pooh's playground) w/sandals, change of clothes or diversionary tactics

* if you want to eat in a restaurant, make ADRs

* bring your own stroller

* watch out for loud or dark rides (snow white, Tiki room, Haunted Mansion etc)

* it will probably be busy, so plan for fastpasses (Peter Pan,Winnie the Pooh, Jungle Cruise and Buzz get very busy)--also, the Autotopia line is deceptive-it will be a way longer wait than it looks!

* some good spots for a bit of a rest are the TTA in Tomorrowland, train ride around the park

 

[ESN]

I have gone with 2 and 4 yr old, and 3 and 5 yr old ---

If they are early morning kids - as mine are - take advantage of that and get to parks before/at opening time - You will do more in 1 hour than you can all afternoon.

Afternoon Naps are a must do - even for adults! After naps - a little pool time will refresh everyone. Then return to parks.

Stroller,Stroller ,Stroller - a must have - keeps kids safe - and a great place to store change of clothes, water bottles, snacks, a few little books /toys for waiting times.

Try to book a character meal early in the trip - May spare you the torture of waiting in enourmous lines to meet Mickey, etc -- Pick a character meal based on thier interest -(e.g. - Akershus in Epcot for Princesseses, Chef Mickey etc) - If you can get this out of the way early on -- you'll be glad. I would avoid breakfast unless you can get a time that is before park opening - i.e. - Cinderalla's castle or Crystal Palace on an early reservation time -
before MK is technically open -- Otherwise - save it for lunch or dinner - when rides are more crowded.

With little ones - never underestimate the thrill of the monorail! We arrived into MCO in late afternoon - we spent the first hour or so riding around the monorail - checking out the sites - and then had dinner at Chef MIckey's - a great way to start without incurring the cost of a park admission.

I would also advise focusing on MK - IMO for little ones - nothing else compares. AK is good too - MGM/HS and Epcot were not such hits with my little ones.

Above all - follow the kids leads - pushing them to do a ride/show that scares them will backfire on you -- One "scary" show may discourage them from trying others they would enjoy

One more thing - I would get a Disney collection of stories - if they don't already have one - and read some of it to them each day . If they know all the characters - it will be more exciting for them

I am sure they will have a blast!

 

[scootch]

I didn't read all the other responses, but will give you some of my pointers.

bring drinks/snacks... this way you dont' have to stand in line to get them

put your phone number on masking tape and put inside their shoe. If they get lost, they can take off their shoe and someone will call you(can you tell I take my girls ALONE to the parks).

Do the family fun parade, line up by the popcorn stand by castle. It is so much fun for kids!!!

Get to parks at opening, then go back to hotel for break. Even if they don't nap, just getting out of the stimulation works wonders.

Go to chef Mickey's for the character interaction 1-1.. they have the largest number of characters at any meal and both boys/girls like it.

I use a stroller even though my kids are 6 and 8.. yes, 8.... i rent a double stroller, worth every penny. Even if she isn't in it all the time, the time she is in it, priceless.(again, can I tell you I push them by myself for a week.. ho hum)

Go with what they want.. if they want to watch the castle show 3 times... let them.... you are really there for them to have a great time and if they don't see something, not a big deal.

Be sure to see Spectromagic!

 

[SmallWorld71]

Hey, were you watching us on our last trip


I would tell them to go directly to Fantasyland when the park opens. The best rides for that age group are there and it will get really busy the later the day goes on. Then when Toontown opens go there. Like other posters have said, if MK closes early that night, then going back may not be the best option. I would take a break and get some ice cream on Main st and ride the TTA instead.

I second this! And tell them to start with Dumbo! No kid that age will pass it up and the lines are very long and move slowly. The next busiest rides in Fantasyland are Peter Pan and Winnie the Pooh so either ride them early or get FP. Make sure to tell them about FP, the adults can use them to ride the big rides without waiting. Also, make sure they know the kid swap/ rider switch policy.

 

[jenseib]

Well if I read right they are only going one day right? Anyway they can rethink that and do more?
Anyways, if they are going next week, Peter Pan is closed right now till the middle of March for refurbishment, so thats one ride that will be missed.
I think the pirates and princess people are allowed to start coming in at 4 PM even though it doesn't start till 7, so I expect it to be pretty crowded.

 

[cabanafrau]

SmallWorld71 has it nailed. If they want to ride Dumbo, it must be the 1st ride, 1st thing in the morning. Disregarding that plan alone will cost an extreme amount of time. When littles are involved, Fantasyland is a top priority.

 

[wilda]

I agree with going directly to Fantasyland. I might have missed it but is the OP's family staying at a WDW resort? Leaving the park and then returning later on takes a lot of time and energy if you are staying off property...

 

[twinspluscade]

Hi DISers!

My brother's family is headed to Florida next week, and has asked me to give them some Disney pointers. They will be with another family, so they will have four kids total ages 2-5. I've never gone with young children, so I was hoping for some planning pointers. They're just going for one day, to the MK.

Are you allowed to go home for a nap, and then return again later that afternoon with a one-day non-Hopper pass?

I was also wondering how busy the parks are during the daytime before a Pirate and Princess Party.

Any additional tips would be great! Thanks!

Hi! We've gone twice to WDW, once when kids were 4,4, and 2; and once when they were 5,5 and 3.

I agree with the others who suggest heading to Fantasyland first, and riding Dumbo first of all. Then do the other Fantasyland rides--don't forget meeting Ariel in the grotto if they have any princess fans. Then, head to Toontown, and do the rest of the park.

Personally....with just one day, and several little ones with....I would skip all the big "adult" rides altogther (Space Mountain, Stitch, etc.). It would take forever for the adults to ride them (they'd have to take turns staying with the kids). Instead, stick with the rides that everyone can ride together. There are many of them in MK!

Normally I would advise taking the naps, but since it's a PPP night, I would skip the naps. Maybe just plan on leaving the park a little bit earlier instead, since they won't have to worry about missing fireworks or Spectro.

A character meal would probably be fun for them, too. I'd recommend Crystal Palace for dinner.

 

[Hawk]

We have done it numerous times with infants, toddlers, tweens and teens and now grandchildren for another round. Good advice in the above posts. Also: Plan, Plan, Plan - have your brother's family do it together with the other family. Spend the $20.00 on Tourguide Mike or similar guide. They only have one day - and will not be able to do it all, but have them do it wisely!

Tim/Hawk

 

[disneygals]

Relax on your normal rules!

candy on line at Dumbo...ice cream before dinner..churros if you're feeling a little crabby. Sorry, but it works!

We never went back to the rooms during the day...takes too much time.