Toddler Touring Assistance please :)

[lilmape]

Hello,
I'm really grateful for these forums. I've been able to find so much useful information for each of our trips... I have a question... Or rather I need advice for touring with a toddler. We will have 4 day park hopper tickets (military salute tickets) and will be doing one MNSSHP night. I can not figure out the best touring schedule. I feel guilty leaving out a park and I really want to begin and end with MK... Here's what I have so far but am open to suggestions...

Sept 28 - MK
Afternoon Break
MK

Sept 29 - EP
Afternoon Break
EP

Sept 30 - Enjoy Resort

Oct 1 - MNSSHP

Oct 2 - AK
Afternoon Break
Enjoy Resort

Oct 3 - HS
Afternoon Break
MK

 

[bellazachmom]

You didn't say how old your toddler is, but I agree that you will want to end your trip at MK!

My suggestion is to flip your HS and MK days.

There are a bunch of fun things that my kiddos really enjoyed at HS, mainly shows and character meets, but it's a great way to "get your feet wet" so to speak.

You can enter MK at 4 on the day of the Halloween Party and do a few things before the party starts so you really are getting 2 days there.

Hope you have a wonderful time!

 

[Sparkie]

I would do HS on Oct 1 and do MNSSHP. The only day your are "hopping" with your current schedule is the last one. At $60 a ticket to hop that is an expensive hop. I would purchase MYW base tickets, keep your schedule as is with the exception of HS on MNSSHP day.

 

[mummabear]

Personally I would use my full day at HS and do my half day at EP. We have never really found the kids enjoy a lot there and are toying with skipping it completely next trip (if not for the fact the DH likes being able to drink there )

 

[Sleepy425]

Mi

I would do HS on Oct 1 and do MNSSHP. The only day your are "hopping" with your current schedule is the last one. At $60 a ticket to hop that is an expensive hop. I would purchase MYW base tickets, keep your schedule as is with the exception of HS on MNSSHP day.

Military salute tickets include hopping or water parks (or you can pay extra for both).

 

[Sparkie]

Aha! Didnt catch that. I have never used the Military Salute Tickets. We/or any family members dont qualify.

 

[luvpooh]

I'm currently trying to plan our trip with a toddler as well. Some advice I've received is to be flexible about your evening plans, as the child might be too tired or overstimulated to go back to a park.

Not knowing the hours/EMH schedule offhand, I would suggest possibly not doing AK the morning after MNSSHP. I'm still not sure if we're going to do the party at all, that's the biggest 'wrench' in my plan right now!

 

[cjparker0110]

I agree with luvpooh about being flexible with you evening plans. Even toddlers who usually stay up late (read: refuse to go to bed on time) can get exhausted and worn out. I'm glad you have factored in afternoon breaks for the kids. I've seen many meltdowns around parade/fireworks times and parents who make their kids stay no matter what. I think it is more enjoyable all around to work with your kids, not against them. In 2017 I will be experiencing my first trip with kids...four of them! The oldest will be 6 at that time. I'm not sure if I will be prepared for that or not.

 

[Ava]

We had a 16-month-old (and a 5yo) last year, and the afternoon breaks were key. I would also suggest not planning a park in the morning the day after MNSSHP. It will be a very late night for your toddler. Personally, I'd switch your resort day and your AK day, so you can sleep in and relax after the party. If you're planning a late evening at EPCOT, you could do a later arrival at AK the next day. The crowds here tend to die down in the last couple hours that the park is open because a lot of people hop to other parks in the afternoon.

 

[lilmape]

I only anticipate doing one early morning. My kiddo isn't a super early riser unless we wake her up. It will be a late arrival to AK the day after the party. I also don't anticipate staying the entire party. I did switch the HS and MK days in the beginning to have a soft start to the week. Though I have parks listed in the evenings those all depend on what she can handle after rest time. Thank you all for your responses. Planning for a kid's trip makes me nervous. So many unknowns! Oh, she will be 3.