Two Parks in One Day with 3 Year Old?

[ArRzrbk]

We are going "home" to the BCV for the first time for our son's third birthday, and I am wondering if it is possible to do two parks in one day? If so, strategy ideas are very much welcome

Also, which park will he most likely have the best time in at that age. Oh, and is Animal Kingdom worth visiting? DS does like animals and dinosaurs, but they are not a big to do with him right now... Anyway, thanks for the help

 

[ErinInCT]

I think you'll see many people do 2 parks in one day. But if you mean trying to do & see everything, then no way.
You can do AK in the am & then go to MGM in time for the pm parade thru Fantasmic. That is probably the most common 2 parks in 1 day idea where you can actually do just about anything a 3 yr old would want to do & still have a break in btwn for a nap or swim (he'll probably love the BC pool!).
He will, without a doubt, have the best time at MK so be sure to plan most of your time there.
Have a great time!
Happy b-day to your son - be sure to get a special pin in MK, I think it is at town hall which is the 1st place on the left as you enter the park!!

 

[Colinsmom]

We did two parks in one day a couple times with our two year old. Broke it up in the middle with a nap. His two favorites were MGM and AK because there were lots of characters with no waiting - MK was a little too busy for all of us when we were there. Plus, he liked the shows - Lion King, Muppet 4D, Mermaid - and the Kilimanjaro Safari.

 

[mjmcca]

Since you are staying at BCV it would be very easy to do any park as an early park and then either Epcot or MGM as a second park.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I'd probably pick any two parks other than Magic Kingdom. Please note that with EPCOT you won't be able to see most of it in a half day.

And...if Extra Magic Hours coincides in a good way you might do well with two parks.

 

[timandlesley]

We went with our 3 year old and 6 month old last year and did two parks every day for 5 days. We went early, used fast pass often, and left in the afternoon after lunch for naps back at the hotel and returned after that and had dinner in the parks and stayed for the night parades, fireworks, or shows.

Our kids favorites are MGM: LOVED Playhouse Disney Show, Ariel show, and Muppets 3D. Stars and Motor Cars parade was rained out the night we came back but it is supposed to be great, so I'd do this one in the afternoon if hopping so you can catch that parade, it's later like around 5:30 so you'd arrive back from naps in time to view.
Animal Kingdom was great: my son is into trains and we rode the train around, they BOTH loved the SAfari. Definitely a morning park since they close so early at night. Use fast pass on the Safari.
Magic Kingdom is of course the best, Buzz light year, Pooh's honey pots, Peter Pan's Flight, Toon Town (Mickey and Minnie's house) were their favorites. Spectromagic is amazing at night so if you hop that day do MK at night to catch spectro and Wishes.
Goodluck! and have a great time.
Lesley

 

[Brina]

We did a lot of park hopping when our boys were just shy of 3. They really loved being able to run around at the boneyard and honey I shrunk the kids play areas, so we went to one or the other every afternoon. You will find that even if your ds doesn't nap anymore at home he may really need one while at Disney - it is a tiring place for a little guy. therefore it is really easy to pic a before nap park and an after nap park.

 

[pooksma]

Our DS was 3 last year when we went for the first time. He really loved AK. We didn't do it all. We ended at the boneyard(which he loved). He had a great time on the Safari-we gave him his own disposable camera to take pics with, he's a big animal lover. This trip we will make it to Asia to see the tigers.

 

[mjmcca]

Some kids wont nap no matter what you do with them. My son will not nap even when he is tired at WDW. We would go back to the room no nap I had to take him out so he wouldnt wake his younger sister.once i took him for a drive inthe car thats the only time he slept but that was a one time thing because traffic in the area surrounding WDW at rush hour is NOT FUN!


ON out last trip DS was 4 DD was 2 one day i took my freinds kids with us boy 5 girl 3 we spenthte whole day out started late at MGM and then took the boat to Epcot. It was a long day for them even though we had 2 strollers. They all fell alseep except MY DS.


So I guess you can try but some kids wont sleep no matter what.

 

[swilphil]

We have taken two kids to WDW around the age of 3. We also take a break in the middle of the day and head to a different park after swimming/naptime, unless we want to go back to MK for evening activities. Since you are staying BCV, you will be able to do Epcot and MGM very easily. We often did MK in the morning, and then one of those parks in the latter part of the day. My kids love all the shows and play area at MGM. Epcot's World Showcase is a great place to wander around, and the Kidcot stations are perfect for preschoolers.

My kids did not like AK at all at the age of 3. There are very few rides they can go on at that age, and we found bus service from AK back to the Epcot area resorts to be an extremely long wait both times we were there. You can easily skip this park.

 

[huey duey & luey]

We just went in Nov my kids were just over 2 1/2. Many days we did 2 parks. It is very easy because you are so close to EPCOT and MGM (we stayed at BWV). We would usually go around 9-10(ate breakfast in the room) and stay to about 1 maybe 2. We would coome back and either rest or go swimming. After we would bath the kids and we would alk to either EPCOt or MGM. My kids actually napped in the strollers, I was very surprised. We would do the nighttime shows and get something to eat. The day we went to AK (which my kids loved, especialy the affection station) we stayed later til 4. We came back , relaxed for a little while and walked over to beaches and cream to eat, and then just walked around the boardwalk. The location was really great

 

[ArRzrbk]

Wow! Thanks so much to everyone for responding. And I really appreciate the information about what attractions your kids liked best. That is gona help us a lot. I can hardly wait!!!

 

[turnerx5]

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. I would say it depends on your experience with Disney. Many folks who advocate park jumping are experienced park travelers. If it is your first time to WDW, I would personally think twice about park hopping on consecutive days just because it will take quite a bit out of you, and you really will need to plan your time in each park well (i.e., don't end up at the back end of the Animal Kingdom when its time to leave for Epcot because there's no transportation like the trian at the MK).

That said, on our 1st trip this past November (with a 3yrs old DS, DD (6), DS (9)), we did early entry @ MK, stayed till 10:30 am, then did MGM from 11:30 till 4pm. My wife left with the 3 yr old at about 2pm, he really had seen all that was age appropriate and was ready for a nap.

My other advice is to plan to go slow. Our first day in the MK, our 3yr old was maxed out and imploded at 11:30am, after 2 hours in the park. He got better as the week went on, but a 3yr old is still a 3yr old, and you'll be happy if you expect problems and are pleasantly surprised if your 3 yr old makes it farther than you planned.

Hope this helps! Good luck, Tx5.

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