What NOT to miss with 3 and 5 year olds?

[debbiebones]

We'll be making a trip to WDW this November and this being our kids' first time, I want to make sure we do what THEY want to do. We're planning on Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Epcot for sure. What should we be sure not to miss given the fact our kids are 3 1/2 and 5?

We'll probably skip the water parks since we have SAB at the Beach Club.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[Selket]

My kids are 5 and 1.5 and the older one loved Splash Mountain. He also loved Buzz and the rides like Dumbo. He enjoyed all the Fantasyland rides for that matter...and Haunted Mansion. He even rode TOT but said he wouldn't do it again (I couldn't believe he wanted to in the first place). At EPCOT we all loved going into Ice Station Cool...guess we were thirsty The Living Seas was a big hit there. The Biergarten restaurant there turned out to be the best for the kids as they enjoyed the live musical show. The Norway lunch was also the best kid's meals we found anywhere on property. It really depends on your kids! If yours are like mine they would have been happy staying in the pool all day! We had to budget extra pool time. They also enjoyed the fireworks and Spectromagic.

 

[mommystieg]

Our DD3 loves these:

MK
Everything in Fantasyland
POtC
Jungle Cruise
Tiki birds
Buzz Lightyear
TTA
Indy Speedway
Spectromagic
Share a Dream Come True parade
Cinderella's Surprise Celebration

Epcot
JIYI
Spaceship Earth
El Rio del Tiempo
making a mask at the Kidcot Fun Stops
playing in the fountains

AK
Kilamanjaro Safaris
Conservation Station
Tarzan Rocks
Festival of the Lion King

MGM(if you decide to go)
Playhouse Disney
Voyage of the Little Mermaid(although Ursula scared her a little)
Beauty and the Beast
Fantasmic
Disney Stars and Motorcars Parade

She loved meeting the characters and posing for pictures. She also enjoyed FITS and Illuminations as long as someone covered her ears Have fun!!

 

[cinder1]

I have 8, 6 and 3.5 year olds. Since the 6 yro was 4, her absolute favorite has been Brer Rabbit (to everyone else in the world--Splash Mountain). The 6 yro also loves BTMR. Here is a list of the rest:

MK: Splash Mtn, BRMR for the 6 yro.
Buzz, Jungle Cruise, It's a Small World are the 3.5 yro's favorites.

Epcot: El Rio del Tiempo, Ice Station Cool, The Land, Spaceship Earth and any live performances for both the 6 and the 3.5 yros. The 6 yro also loves Maelstrom and Test Track.

AK: Festival of the Lion King, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Rafiki's Planet Watch and train for both. The 6 yro also likes the Kali River Rapids.

MGM: Beauty and the Beast and Little Mermaid for the 6 yro. We found the least here for the younger ones. (Last time we were there The great movie ride was under refurbishment) Now my 8 yro likes TOT and Star Tours.

The all love every parade and fireworks!!

 

[MrsMud]

I know some people would disagree, but I think if you have to pick 3 parks for kids this age, go to MK, AK and MGM, and skip Epcot. My kids were 3 1/2 and 5 1/2 our last trip, and they liked MK, MGM, AK, and Epcot in that order. At MGM they liked all of the shows (Playhouse Disney, Little Mermaid, Beauty & Beast, Hunchback, Muppets 3D) as well as Fantasmic. But they also saw more characters here than at any other park. I was surprised at how much they enjoyed getting pictures and autographs with all their favs. The only thing they really liked at Epcot was Honey I Shrunk the Audience and the lights (Christmas time). Plus if you go to MGM you can do child swap and both ride TOT and RnR, which are two not to be missed rides, IMHO.

 

[CamColt]

My kids are 3.5 & 6.5 and we have been going once a year since 2000. Just got back and of course MK is their favorite, with Buzz, Speedway, & TTA(go figure) being their favorites there. They also enjoyed Fantasyland and just about everything else there.

Epcot comes in a close second with them. We spent 8 straight hours there but could have done more. There is so much exploring for them and they enjoy any hands on stuff. At Innoventions they played games, made paper & colored on it, used the computer, etc... They could have spent hours watching the dolphins, stingrays and other "cool" fish at the Living Seas. They had a blast at the Fitness Fairgrounds(again wanted to stay longer) and got some laughs out of Cranium Command in Wonders Of Life. The dinosaurs in the Universe of Energy are always a big hit. Journey Into Your Imagination was fun for them too. They loved the beavertail sancks. After we left we realized we never made it to the Viking Ship playground in Norway, and the kids wanted to go back. We could have easily spent 2 full days there.

MGM is great if your kids like shows. Mine really enjoyed Indiana Jones, but werent thrilled about the Muppets or Beauty & the Beast. the youngest got a kick out of Playhouse Disney. Pizza Planet was a big hit here with them.

At AK they mostly like the Safari and Dinoland(boneyard, tarzan, triceratops spin). We were with another family with boys 4 & 6 and all 4 of the kids were totally freaked out by Its Tough To Be A Bug.

 

[kidlit]

My 4 year old DD still talks about Winnie the Pooh, Buzz Lightyear, and Tom Sawyer Island (she loved the bridges and caves there). She also loved the Living Seas but was very disappointed in Spaceship Earth. Every kid id different though. Have a great time!

 

[jacksonsmom]

It really depends on your child, some kids can't do the 3D shows but my 3.5 year old LOVED ALL of them. You have to know your own child's limits..with that said here is what my 3.5 yr old (at the time) enjoyed at his first trip to WDW

Magic Kingdom

ALL of fantasyland
Buzz Lightyear
TTA (rode it 9 times on Enights!!!)
Haunted Manison
Magic Carpet Ride
Pirate of the Caribbean
BTMRR
Tomorrowland Speedway

Animal Kingdom

Safari Ride
It's tough to be a bug
Dinosaur
Lion King show
Triceratops Spin

Epcot

HISTA
Universe of Engery
Jumping in the Fountains
Test Track
Spaceship Earth
Looking at the jellyfish at the Living Seas

MGM (in case you go there)

Great Movie Ride
Star Tours
Tower of Terror
Little Mermaid
Playhouse Disney
Muppets
Beauty & the Beast show
Fantasmic
Going into Pizza Planet (to go to the bathroom, he still talks about it! LOL)

He also enjoyed finding & meeting all the different characters around. Town Square in MK has TONS of characters in the morning hours.
Also one thing he REALLY loved & still talks about is riding the Monorail! I have a picture of him with his hands up while riding the Monorail. He did that whenever we would ride it

Just remember every child is different, what one child liked, another may not!

Have fun

 

[sters]

My little kids loved the outside shows at the World SHowcase in Epcot and we didn't even have to drag them out of the stroller! My son could've watched those Japanese drummers for hours! My kids when they were those ages loved Epcot the best, and that always surprised me. Food Rocks in the Land was also popular with them. The playground in Norway. At the magic kindgom, they liked Toms Sawyers Island and the rides at FAntasyland. At AK, the Boneyard was VERY popular, as was the Safari ride. They didn't care for MGM, but it might have been because we'd been pretty burned out by then. Have a great time!

 

[Hnymoon@Dixie]

Don't miss small world, peter pan & Buzz LIGHTYEAR!!!!!

 

[CalGal]

Do at least one character meal. Be sure to make a PS (Priority Seating). Most people recommend Crystal Palace, but that is actually my least favorite because it takes too long (took me 1/2 hour to be seated for my PS and another 1 1/2 hours for all the characters to make the rounds). I like Liberty Tree Tavern at MK, Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary Resort, or, of course, Cinderella's Royal Table for breakfast at MK. There are other excellent ones at Epcot and other resorts. You can check the restaurant boards if you want more recommendations about character meals.

 

[jessiesue]

Don't forget to make chocolate chip cookies at Epcot. I believe it is in the Land. The same building where Food Rocks is at. The kids love it and it's a nice time for the adults to sit down and relax. Also, a great free snack for the kids.

 

[mommi97]

I have a 3 year old and 5 1/2 year old. This is what they liked.

3 year old favorites at MK:
Barnstormer
Dumbo
Buzz Lightyear Spaceranger spin
Astro Orbitor
Tomorrowland Indy Speedway
Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Cinderella's Golden Carrousel
Peter Pan'
Character Meets

5 year old favorites at MK:
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Splash Mountain
Space Mountain
Buzz Lightyear
Peter Pan
All the parades
Haunted Mansion
Pirates of the Carribean
Indy Speedway
Barnstormer
Dumbo
Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Astro Orbitor

3 yr old at AK
Kilamanjaro Safari
Tarzan Rocks
Festival of the Lion King
Triceratop Spin
Character Greets

5 yr old at AK
Dinosaur
Primeval Twirl
Festival of Lion King
Tree of Life
Triceratop SpinParade
Tarzan Rocks
Kali River Rapids

3yr old Epcot:
Honey I shrunk the Audience
Spaceship Earth
Kidcots

5 yr old at Epcot:
Mission Space
Test Track
Spaceship Earth
Honey I shrunk the audience
Kidcots

We just got back on Sunday and wow it was great, already want to go back again!

 

[mommi97]

I would also agree with MrsMud if you had to do 3 parks, I would skip Epcot and do MGM instead my kids weren't as impressed with Epcot and they loved MGM.

 

[Jackie H.]

MK:
Jungle Cruise
Tiki Room
Country Bear Jamboree
Small World
Peter Pan
Dumbo
Mickey's Philharmonic
Toontown
Buzz Lightyear
Tomorrowland Indy Raceway
Railroad
the parades
the fireworks if they don't mind loud noices

Maybes:
Pirates (just be aware that at the begining there is a very dark part, but nothing jumps out at you - if you can get them through that part they should love it)

Snow White - this really frightened my kids at this age - the witch does jump out in dark places

The 5 year old only: Splash Mtn, Barnstormer. My daughter who isn't a daredevil loved Splash Mtn at 5. The whole ride is tame and fun until the drop at the end. We just held her tight and covered her eyes and she never knew the difference!

I would avoid Alien Encounter at all costs!

Hall of Presidents is a good, long show and they may nap during it while you cool off!

EPCOT:

Spaceship Earth - it is dark, but nothing startling (see my tip for dark rides at the end of this post)
Univ of Energy - especially if they love dinosaurs (3 year may nap)
Wonders of LIfe - they can run around and the colors in there are bright. Probably wouldn't try Body Wars; but I bet they would enjoy the cartoons showing in there; The Making of Me is about how babies are made - this will lead to A LOT of question from the 5 year old
Living Seas - if they like looking at fish
The Land - Food Rocks and Simba movie (about the environment, but they will like seeing Simba); the boat ride is very interesting to adults and some kids - another one where the 3 year old may nap and I bet the 5 year old would like it
Jouney into your Imagination
Mexico ride
Norway ride
Illuminations (fireworks, loud noises)

Skip: Honey I shrunk the audience - it is fairly intense; the movies in China, Canada & France are great but probably won't interest your kids much

MGM:

The Little Mermaid show
Fantasmics!
Honey I shrunk the kids adventure zone - but be aware that it involves a lot of climbing and stuff for parents to keep up with kids

Maybes: Indiana Jones - 5yo should enjoy it (a stunt show)
Muppet 3-D show - a very funny show, but some kids don't like the way things appear to be 'jumping out at them'. Just have them take off the glasses if it bothers them. I was suprised that my kids did not like this at all when they were younger - they love it now. This is the tamest 3-D at Disney, judge from this one if Honey in EPCOT and Bug in AK would be something they would like.
Backlot tour: the tour part is pretty boring, but Catastrophe Canyon is fun and it isn't scary - maybe warn them about the water and fire is coming but you promise it will not get to them
Great Movie Ride - this is a great ride and they should enjoy it, but the Alien from the movie is kind of frightening to young kids. We just covered the eyes of our young kids during this brief section.
shows - many great shows, you know if your kids would like that

skip: Tower of Terror, Rock n Roll Coaster, Star Tours

AK:
Safari
Lion King Show
Boneyard (another play area)
Pocohontos animal show
jungle treks - seeing the animals

Maybes: -the shows; Primevel Whirl - the 5 year old would probably enjoy it - watch it and then decide

Skips: Tough to be a bug (the most intense 4-D at WDW); Dinosaur, Kali River


WDW in general:

definately do a character meal - I suggest on the last day of your trip. Then the kids have seen characters everywhere, they've gotten used to them. It is a good way to end a trip.

Hoop Dee Doo Revue - kids love this one

Characters - try to prepare your kids for the characters - they are large and many kids are afraid of them. Do they like Santa? that may give you a clue

Tip for dark rides: My kids were 'tense' on dark rides. They kept thinking something was going to frighten them (this was after the Snow White ride). So I got them each a small flashlight on a string to wear around their necks. We were clear on the rules: they could never shine them at anyone, they could only shine them in their laps or at their feet. This gave them all sorts of confindence! After a couple of days they didn't even need it anymore! You might try that with the 5 year old.

My #1 Tip (that you didn't ask for): don't push them. Rest everyday during the mid-day.

You will have a great time!

 

[topfueltn]

Our DD3 loved many things including

- Voyage of the Little Mermaid
- Ariel's Gotto
- Goofy's Barnstormer
- Playhouse Disney
- Kilimanjaro Safari

But by far the most magical moment was watching her reaction to the SpectroMagic Parade. The expression on her face was priceless as the lights and music erased an evening of thick crowds and soaking humidity.


Don't miss this one!

 

[Alice28]

These are the attractions my 2 & 5 year olds (both boys) loved; obviously some of these rides were only experienced by DS5:

MK:
They both LOVED Small World- I think we went on it 4-5 times
Peter Pan (hit this right after Dumbo, first thing in the AM)
Pooh (esp 2 year old)
Carousel
Dumbo
TTA (big hit!)
Buzz (Another big hit!)
Splash (5 year old went on it at least 5 times---2 year old loved the play area underneath the train station)
Jungle Cruise
Aladdin's Carpets
Tiki Birds (2 year old adored)
Train
Both of them liked walking around ToonTown- Goofy's barnstormer was under rehab so we didn't go on it

Epcot:
DS5 liked Test Track
Spaceship Earth
Living Seas
Land Boat ride was ok
The trains in Germany
All the character meet n greets scattered around the World Showcase
I think they would have liked Food Rocks & JIYI, but we left Epcot early and returned without the kids another day.
Although we didn't see a lot in Epcot, my DS5 really liked it

MGM:
Star Tours (DS5 LOVED the shop!!)
DS5 went on ToT, but didn't want to go on it again
Meeting Woody and Buzz- HUGE highlight
DS5 liked playing along with Millionaire, DS2 got very impatient
Honey I Shrunk the Playground
Pizza Planet
Muppets was okay, same with Indiana Jones- I doubt they would be clamoring to see either of these again

Animal Kingdom:
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Kali River Rapids
FOTLK
Dinosaur Dig Site

The only ride of the whole trip DS5 was adament he would NOT go on was Dinosaur- the preview on our WDW tape scared him. Otherwise he went on everything he was tall enough for...he missed Space Mountain by 1/4" (he went on it at DL though and thought it was okay...), and was several inches too short for RnRC and AE (which I wouldn't let him go on anyway).

HAVE FUN!!! Take a rest break every day to swim or nap and you'll have a blast.

 

[MrsMud]

I noticed a couple of people recommending to skip the 3Ds. I guess it depends on your kids, my girls loved them all at that age. I did sit them on our laps so they couldn't feel the bees or bugs in ITTBAB, or the rats in HISTA. They were ROFL when the dog sneezed all over everyone in HISTA, though!
Have fun!

 

[jacksonsmom]

Originally posted by MrsMud
They were ROFL when the dog sneezed all over everyone in HISTA, though!
Have fun!

I agree. My son just loved that part, when we came home he kept telling everyone about the dog who sneezed on him!
I would say explain the 3D effect to your kids, if they seem OK then let them try the 3D movies. My 3.5 yr old son loved every one of them. I would start out with the Muppets first & see how they do with that one, since that is the tamest one!