Where would you go first??

[MouserMom09]

We are taking our kiddos to Disney for their first time in July, which we are still keeping a secret from them! We will be there July 3-10. Our DS is 7 and our DD will turn 4 while we are there.

What are the suggestions for each park....things we must do first and things we simply can't miss out on??? Best times for the park? Best Fireworks show?

It has been so long since my DH and I have been. So I know a lot has changed. I was hoping for some help from people who have a better knowledge of the parks than myself.

I have heard Fantasy Land at MK....and Expedition Everest & Dino Land at AK. But other than that....I am quite lost!

 

[AshtonsMom99]

I think you should go to MK first...it's the pinnacle of the trip. Everyone needs the picture of their kids in front of the castle the first time...
Have a great trip!

 

[Mom2m&k]

I second MK first....that walk down Main Street is just the best ever!!

 

[monorailsilver]

Hmmm...

The first place I went to after checking in at the resort & taking a swim is to Chef Mickey's.

Then the next day I'd probably go to MK.

Although I am one to go to the park that has early entry for that day so I can get an extra hour on the crowd before I leave at noon for my mid-day break.

MK-My oldest went on SM last year & was a bit freaked out although she says now she will go on it again but that was our first stop one day while my dh & my other 2 got fast passes for Buzz Lightyear. That am we also did the Speedway & then headed to Fantasyland (I think we did FL one other am too). We didn't do the other 2 mountains there since she was not a happy camper from SM. I figured I wouldn't scorn her image of Disney for taking her on something worse/faster/steeper.

We love Wishes & will either watch it from the front of the castle or at the Poly beach (we try to do Illuminations & then rush back 'home' to see Wishes for 10).

We love Spectromagic too. I can hear the music in my head right now & I am getting goose bumps.

Epcot-Turtle Time with Crush is pretty funny. Test Track. We didn't do Soarin since my kids didn't want to. They loved playing at the Imagination Center (don't forget some emails to send a picture of you & your family).

We love Illuminations.

Studios-Toy Story Mania. My kids were not ready for the Rock & Roll Rollercoaster or The Tower of Terror. They liked Muppet Vision too.

AK-we didn't go last August because we only had 5 park days & they were tired from walking or begging for a stroller ride so I decided to skip it that trip. I only wanted to go to take my dd on EE but after SM I knew better. Plus it is a hot park & they were hot on a daily basis. Next trip. I know they would of liked the Safari since they don't remember it from their last trip.

BTW, my kids were 7, almost 5 & 2½ when we took them last.

Just remember to relax (LOL!). Don't stress out if you didn't get to see something. I have been many times & I know there are still things I have not seen or eaten. Go by your kids scheduale. Don't over scheduale your day otherwise your fun vacation may turn into a not so fun one with your kids. I made my kids nap every day & none of them napped on a daily basis. My 7 year old dropped her head on that pillow at about 1 every day & slept until about 3 or 4 & she was good to go that night. The same thing with my youngest. My middle, forget it. He is the energizer bunny & doesn't need sleep.

 

[WLfamily]

I would say visit MK first because it is not until you see the castle that you know you have really arrived You must ride Dumbo, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, Small World...just make sure to cover fantasyland. SpectroMagic is not to be missed. Oh, and they will love Mickey's Philharmagic!
AK: must take them on the safari, best way to see all the animals. Mickey's Jammin Jungle Parade is the best in my opinion, high energy!
Epcot: Soarin is a must do, Turtle Talk with Crush, Finding Nemo Ride, and Illuminations is the best fireworks ever.
HS: Muppet Vision 3D, Toy Story Mania, your 4 year old will enjoy Playhouse Disney, and you have to let them eat at Toy Story Pizza Planet.
Don't forget to ask a CM if you can ride up front on the monorail. You will have an amazing trip!! Have a great time!!

 

[TheDizMom]

MK is a definite first!!! Fantasyland is my kids favorite. I wouldn't miss Buzz Lightyear it's is just a great ride. The best fireworks and parade is Spectomagic. Best restaurant for the kiddos is Chef Mickey's. Don't miss Turtle Talk with Crush at Epcot. The Princess shows are a don't miss them for little girls, and if you want a character meal with lots of them go to Akershus at Epcot. It's better then Cinderalla's Royal Table. The next option would be dinner at 1900 Park Fare for Cindy and friends. Do not miss Kilamanjaro Safari, The Lion King Show or Nemo the musical at AK, it's also a great place to see characters in Camp Minnie/Mickey.

Have fun. We took our 2 at pretty much the same ages for the first time and they are devotees now .

 

[lindsmom]

I guess I'll share my dissenting opinion (sort of).

Which park to visit first totally depends on your child. But if your kids are really big into rides etc you may want to go to Epcot first, because once they've been to MK and done it they'll be disappointed in Epcot because it's the anti - ride park. You don't want them to be let down; you may be better off to build up to MK. Ironically, this was our plan: Epcot, then HS and AK, then MK last. That's when we found out that DD isn't a huge ride person and the highlight of MK was breakfast at the castle. The rest was "enh". She LOVED Epcot, and we ended up going back on day five. HAHA. We'll know better next time.

 

[courtneylauren]

definitely go to magic kingdom first!!! castle pictures are priceless.

i read about a lady who ran ahead of her family, so she could get a picture of the look on her daughters face when she first saw the castle. it was adorable

 

[TDSAXX]

At the Magic Kingdom you want to try to hit Dumbo first right at park open. Little kids will love this ride but the wait can be excruciating.

 

[Madzac]

We also do the opposite... we go to Epcot first and try to save MK for later in the week... especially the first trip. MK is the most magical by far and I know that after MK, it is hard to compare! My kids enjoyed the other parks more doing them BEFORE MK!

 

[CLR4321]

I agree to go to the MK first! Take either the monorail or the boat in...it makes it more magical! MK has Fantasyland as you are aware, the Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square, Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise at Adventureland, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain at Frontierland, and Space Mountain in Tomorrowland. Of course there's a lot more attractions, but these are some of the great ones!

 

[MouserMom09]

WOW!!! You guys are great!

Thank you all so much for all the fun Disney tips! I wrote everything down. I know that we are going to be super busy trying to fit everything in, but I want to make sure FUN is the most important thing on the agenda.

Our dd is going to BBB and afterwards to breakfast at Akershus. She is going to love it! I cannot wait to see her sweet little face when she gets to see the princesses.

Our ds is the biggest Star Wars fan...ever! My DH is taking ds to Star Wars in HS on the morning that dd is going to BBB . He is really wanting to get ds in for the Jedi Academy. I believe our ds would pass out from excitement! Have any of you ever done this one? If so, any suggestions?

Also...we are staying @ POP. I want the kiddos to be able to ride on the monorail or the boat into MK. Where do we need to get dropped off @ in order to get on the monorail? What about the boat?

Thanks again for the great info!!!

 

[iluvsplashmtn]

In your case, I think I would do Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom and DHS, in that order. Save the one you think would be 'best' for last.

When I was an early teen we went to WDW for the first time. We went to MK first (in my opinion the best). After seeing that, the bar was set so high the other parks paled in comparison. Granted, we still had a blast, but I think we would have enjoyed the other parks a tad bit more had the bar had not been set so high

We're going in May '10 and the order for us will be DHS, Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom.

 

[kathiewe]

Since your kids are young -- MK first absolutely. There is nothing like the view of the castle -- it is Disney World.

Then, if you are on park hopper passes, you can take the monorail to Epcot. If not, you take the monorail for a tour around bay lake.

Have fun -- it will be magical!