What NOT To Miss With a First Time 5 Year Olds Trip?

[viluvsdisney]

Hi - our friends are taking their 5 year old son for a first time trip to WDW next week - what should they definately plan on doing? I'm not sure of his height - any suggestions are welcome - Thanks!

 

[tink2]

5 year olds are so fun at WDW!!! My son is only 3, but he loved everything! He loves Buzz Lightyear and Woody- see them at Al's Toy Barn at MGM. He loved everything in Fantasyland- didn't ride Snow White b/c older sis got scared to death of it on a previous trip. Goofy's Barnstormer in ToonTown is fun- scared DS a little but he is only 3. He loved the drums in Africa at Epcot and several of the world showcase things. MGM is fun too- saw the incredibles at the end of the animation tour. We skipped AK this year, but I"d imagine a five year old boy would love it!
My kids both love all the parades and night shows- must sees!

 

[sarahandhannahsmom]

One thing we learned was to do the parks in a particular order. If you tour MK first, the younger kids don't appreciate Epcot at all.

We go to Epcot for two days, then AK, then MGM, then Magic Kingdom. That way, it just gets better and better. Not sure how long they are staying. We usually spend two days at Epcot, 1 each at MGM and AK, 2 days at MK and one day at a water park or at the resort swimming pool.

There are too many things to list that are not to be missed. He may be too little for the roller coasters.

The parades are extremely fun for the little guys. They should do at least one character meal (Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey's or Donald's Restaurantosaurous are good choices for boys).

My biggest suggestion is for them to plan before they go. We use the Unofficial Guide and find it very helpful.

 

[Mainebound]

Hi - our friends are taking their 5 year old son for a first time trip to WDW next week - what should they definately plan on doing? I'm not sure of his height - any suggestions are welcome - Thanks!

Having just returned with my DS5, I have a definite opinion on this one. I could list everything at WDW, but here were just a few highlights:

Magic Kingdom:

1. Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom. We went to MK on three days last week and he rode it 5-7 times each day (I know, aren't we good parents??!! LOL!). Buzz is also on hand most days from about 9-5 right next to the ride for pictures. (You can also find Buzz at MGM Studios in front of Al's Toy Barn, along with Woody, most days.)

2. My DS also loved Tomorrowland Indy Speedway, but no Fastpass for this one, and it gets very crowded very fast. Unless they can get him there in the first 30 minutes from park opening, they should skip it as the line is deceptively long, smelly and hot. Still, my DS LOVES the chance to drive his own car (technically, kids under a certain height are not supposed to "drive" but with a 5 year old, as long as an adult is with him, the CMs look the other way).

3. Tom Sawyer Island, raft from Frontierland. It gets overlooked, but it is a GREAT chance for the active boy to run around and play pirate. Tunnels, lookouts, swinging bridges, ropes, cannons and fake guns (not allowed in our home so he loves this), -- it is a lot of fun.

Epcot:
1. Test Track. It's not as scary as it looks, at all. DS5 loved this one, at 4 years old, too!

2. Turtle Talk with Crush in the Living Seas. Hysterical for the preschool set, and for anyone!

3. If he is into games and video games, Innoventions, especially the West side (I think) where you can build and race your own virtual robot against others, and then you get to build an actual robot to take home with you, for free!

We just developed the 15 rolls of film from our 11 day trip and DH and I noted how HAPPY DS5 seemed this whole trip. He's a happy kid anyway, but he was just BEAMING in every picture. I could list every park and every thing he did as a "must do", honestly!!

Hope they have a great trip.

 

[Mainebound]

There are too many things to list that are not to be missed. He may be too little for the roller coasters.

Our DS5 is in about the 65% percentile in height at 44 inches and that's tall enough to do all the rides at MK, including coasters. There are very few things he couldn't do, and those he wouldn't be ready for anyway!

Also, every family is different. We do MK before Epcot every year without a problem. DS5 and DS3 LOVE Epcot.

I also agree with having a good plan, and with the endorsement of the Unofficial Guide. We used it to great effect three years running.

 

[YCFAN]

Playhouse Disney in MGM is also very good for the little ones as well as The Voyage of the Little Mermaid. The afternoon parade at MGM "Stars and Motorcars" is a great parade for that age. It has ALOT of characters and was my 4 year old's favorite parade.

 

[NYDisneyMom]

Hi - our friends are taking their 5 year old son for a first time trip to WDW next week - what should they definately plan on doing? I'm not sure of his height - any suggestions are welcome - Thanks!

Breakfast at Chef Mickey's.

Riding the Monorail

MK: My son's always loved the Speedway, Buzz Lightyear, Goofy's Barnstormer, the Parade.

Epcot: Figment, the Living Seas (Crush), the "Statues" in France, the little boat ride in Mexico

MGM -- the Incredibles, Socerer Mickey in the little 'theater', The Incredibles in the Animation courtyard. Playhouse Disney (if he's still into that, I can't remember what age my boys wouldn't do that anymore). Muppets 3-D. Parade!!

AK -- Kilamanjaro Safaris, dinoland (but not Dinosaur!!) Lion King show, Camp Minnie Mickey!! Parade!

 

[Mermaid02]

PhilHarmagic in the Magic Kingdom.... best 3d I have EVER seen.... I was trying to touch the characters.....