Touring with Young Granddaughters

[SCDisneyfanatic]

We are heading to WDW 25-28 October with our two young granddaughters (4yo and 2yo). We plan to do EPCOT on Monday, MK Tuesday, AK Wednesday, and Hollywood Studios Thursday. Question is: based on that time of year what is the best plan of attack based on temps and crowds? I was thinking early park arrival, then back for a mid-afternoon nap (kids for sure...maybe grandpa too...LOL), and then evening in same park for the fireworks/show available. Any real tricks when planning with youngsters? Any suggestions are welcome!!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Having done some of this recently, the best advice would be to monitor and go at THEIR pace, and focus on quality over quantity. It's way better to enjoy a few things than it is to try and do it all and exhaust everyone. And mid-afternoon nap/pool is absolutely a great way to go. The only problem we had with that strategy sometimes was that they were having so much fun at the pool, they didn't want to head back to the parks (or at least they thought they didn't!!). You probably are already thinking about a character meal somewhere in there. October is likely going to be very busy, so some ADRs (and maybe fast passes, if they return?!) would be a good way to plan. Good luck and enjoy. Sounds like a very memorable trip!

 

[SCDisneyfanatic]

Having done some of this recently, the best advice would be to monitor and go at THEIR pace, and focus on quality over quantity. It's way better to enjoy a few things than it is to try and do it all and exhaust everyone. And mid-afternoon nap/pool is absolutely a great way to go. The only problem we had with that strategy sometimes was that they were having so much fun at the pool, they didn't want to head back to the parks (or at least they thought they didn't!!). You probably are already thinking about a character meal somewhere in there. October is likely going to be very busy, so some ADRs (and maybe fast passes, if they return?!) would be a good way to plan. Good luck and enjoy. Sounds like a very memorable trip!

Thanks so much for the tips. Yeah, I think it's going to be a very memorable trip and I love the idea of doing a few things that are very enjoyable and not trying to do everything at once!

 

[coolbrook]

Plan to have either two strollers or a double. You DON'T want to carry a four year old out of the park.

 

[Micca]

the best advice would be to monitor and go at THEIR pace, and focus on quality over quantity

In my experience, this is absolutely correct. You can have a general idea of how to spend the day, but when they get hungry/tired/need a bathroom break, those plans are instantly changed.

Regarding the strollers, get two singles (assuming there are two adults to push.) Gives more flexibility and it will be easier to get around in the shops other tight spaces.

 

[KateInWonderland]

As someone who was once a Disney youngster myself I do agree with going at your grandkids pace. Definitely get strollers for them, I know when I was little the excitement of being in the parks and zooming from place to place would tire me out quickly and I'd end up seated in the stroller full time after a while. I also recommend going early if you wanna combat crowds, then return to the resort for a nap. Alternatively, if you want to see the fireworks/night time shows I recommend going in the late afternoon. The downside to this is the parks could potentially be a lot more crowded. I hope this helped and that you guys have a magical trip!

 

[SCDisneyfanatic]

Great idea...two strollers it is!!

 

[SCDisneyfanatic]

As someone who was once a Disney youngster myself I do agree with going at your grandkids pace. Definitely get strollers for them, I know when I was little the excitement of being in the parks and zooming from place to place would tire me out quickly and I'd end up seated in the stroller full time after a while. I also recommend going early if you wanna combat crowds, then return to the resort for a nap. Alternatively, if you want to see the fireworks/night time shows I recommend going in the late afternoon. The downside to this is the parks could potentially be a lot more crowded. I hope this helped and that you guys have a magical trip!

They tend to be early risers so I think this is a great idea...hit the parks early and then do pool and nap in the afternoon...maybe a little more park time at night to see the fireworks and then call it a day!!

 

[Micca]

maybe a little more park time at night to see the fireworks and then call it a day!!

At this age it's always interesting to see who can stay up late enough to watch fireworks: The kids or grandma/grandpa The odds of all 4 being awake are similar to a lottery win.

 

[KateInWonderland]

They tend to be early risers so I think this is a great idea...hit the parks early and then do pool and nap in the afternoon...maybe a little more park time at night to see the fireworks and then call it a day!!

Thats a pretty solid plan! I hope y'all have a wonderful time!

 

[musika]

Another vote for a stroller - personally I'd go for a double over two singles, but to each their own. I would only plan on 2 nights of fireworks - maybe MK and Epcot? Those are going to be very late nights and will throw the schedules way off whack for little kids. Even early risers will struggle after a late night and be cranky (ask me how I know haha)

Another thing I note is that you don't have a rest day planned - If you have the time to spare I'd strongly consider it.

 

[jo-jo]

How tall will the four year old be? Be prepare for the one being tall enough for a ride but not the two year old.

 

[musika]

How tall will the four year old be? Be prepare for the one being tall enough for a ride but not the two year old.

That's a good point. The 4yo may well be over 40 inches which means a number of rides would be available to them and not the 2yo. Ride swapping is fun, though!

 

[SCDisneyfanatic]

Another vote for a stroller - personally I'd go for a double over two singles, but to each their own. I would only plan on 2 nights of fireworks - maybe MK and Epcot? Those are going to be very late nights and will throw the schedules way off whack for little kids. Even early risers will struggle after a late night and be cranky (ask me how I know haha)

Another thing I note is that you don't have a rest day planned - If you have the time to spare I'd strongly consider it.

Some great points...appreciate the inputs. Yeah, we really don't have a rest day in those 4, but plan to do a break each afternoon for naps (probably for the girls and grandpa...haha).

 

[SCDisneyfanatic]

That's a good point. The 4yo may well be over 40 inches which means a number of rides would be available to them and not the 2yo. Ride swapping is fun, though!

The 4 year old isn't very tall and in fact is not much taller than the 2 year old. Are there height requirements for all the rides? I imagine something like It's a Small World don't require a height, but how about things like Peter Pan? I guess knowing what they can both do would make planning easier. Thanks for any inputs anyone can provide!

 

[jo-jo]

Look at this link...

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/parks/height-requirements/
..list all rides and which have no height requirement.

 

[SCDisneyfanatic]

Look at this link...

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/parks/height-requirements/
..list all rides and which have no height requirement.

That's awesome!!! Thanks so much for providing the link.

 

[SG131]

At this age it's always interesting to see who can stay up late enough to watch fireworks: The kids or grandma/grandpa The odds of all 4 being awake are similar to a lottery win.

Yes! I wouldn't suggest a show every night, especially if the kids are early risers. And if the plan was to watch a show that night but one of the kids is struggling, split up and let one adult take the child back do the hotel.

I think the important thing to remember is that the kids are too young to know if they rode every ride. If something gets missed, they won't know or care. So if they're exhausted one day, spend some extra down time in the hotel watching tv or something. The pool is a lot of fun, but it also does drain energy especially if it still 95 degrees, which sometimes it is in October. And it's ok if you split up sometimes so that each kid can have their best time.

 

[SCDisneyfanatic]

Yes! I wouldn't suggest a show every night, especially if the kids are early risers. And if the plan was to watch a show that night but one of the kids is struggling, split up and let one adult take the child back do the hotel.

I think the important thing to remember is that the kids are too young to know if they rode every ride. If something gets missed, they won't know or care. So if they're exhausted one day, spend some extra down time in the hotel watching tv or something. The pool is a lot of fun, but it also does drain energy especially if it still 95 degrees, which sometimes it is in October. And it's ok if you split up sometimes so that each kid can have their best time.

Yeah, we are on the same wavelength. They are very young so we just want them to be introduced to Walt Disney World. We will likely just do a few rides, try to get them to a Character Breakfast or meal of some sort, and just let them enjoy the sites and sounds. We have done everything many times over since 1976 (first trip there) so really just want them to have some fun. And agree that pools are a favorite relaxation time. They love Grandpa's Pool.