Which parks for 3 and 5 year old?

[castlefor2]

Are there any parks that we should skip with a 3 and 5 year old? We are heading to Disney for the first time in November. Looking at some of the ride descriptions, a large number of them would be inappropriate for my kids. My daughters do not like scary things. For example, they only watched 10 minutes of Little Mermaid b/c they got too scared. My little one also doesn't like to get water on her face still. They are really only familiar with the Princess, Winnie the Pooh characters and Mickey Mouse clubhouse.

Thanks!

 

[DonaldDC]

Unless your daughters like Nemo I would suggest skipping Epcot. But for our son (age 3 the first time we went) the Living Seas with Nemo was one of his favourites! So we spent a half day there and then park hopped.

We found that his favourite park (both at age 3 and 5) was Hollywood Studios. A good mix of shows, character greetings and the occasional ride. (At age 5 he loved Toy Story Mania, he even beat DW a couple of times legitimately)

Just a guess as I don't have any daughters, but perhaps spend half day at Epcot, 1 1/2 days at MK and 1 day at both HS and AK. I don't know how long you're going. But just based on my experience this would be my recommendation.

Good luck and enjoy!

 

[two*little*birds]

I would suggest (JMHO) the following order of preference...

Magic Kingdom
Animal Kingdom
Hollywood Studios
Epcot

Each child/family is different though, you just have to find what works. Until then you just have to keep coming back!

 

[murcor]

Depending on how long you will be there and if you are going back again in the future. Magic Kingdom for sure for 2 or 3 days as Im sure you dont want to go strait out from dawn to dusk. The girls will love, love, love MK especially going at their pace



Hollywood Studios-Playhouse Disney
Sing, dance and play along with this live musical revue featuring Jim Henson's Bear in the Big Blue House and familiar faces from Playhouse Disney.

Save Epcot and Animal Kingdom for another trip

 

[natashag76]

I had the opposite experience as the PP! Mine also can't handle a lot of stuff. We had to turn off Cars in the first 5 minutes, b/c the crash scene on the racetrack upset them so much! My DD and DS (same ages as your 2) loved Epcot, but freaked at all the explosions and noises for the shows at HS. They couldn't do Rockin' Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, the Earthquake in the movie ride was too much....but they loved Soarin', Journey to Imagination, Nemo, the boat ride in Mexico (very much like it's a small world), and all the shows at the different countries were fascinating. Also, they have this thing called "Kidcot" at a few of the different pavilions where they can draw and make a little art project at no extra cost! It was great when they needed to "do" something other that ride around. Also, especially on rainy days, Innoventions has different indoor activities, almost like an indoor playground. So, to make a short story very long - I vote for Epcot!

 

[abirdd]

My little guys have been going since they were 3 months old. Duncan used to love the characters, this past trip he went into the terrified mode. However, when it came to rides, watching shows and interacting with CMs, he was in heaven.

Only you know your children the best. Ride descriptions are one thing, actually going on them is another. Duncan (who turned 3 in Feb 2009) ADORES the carousel, so we start there EVERY trip at his request. Then we move onto Small World, Peter Pan, Dumbo, etc. He turned into a big roller coaster junkie on our last trip, and refused to go on the "Baby Barnstormer", it's all about Big Thunder nowadays.

I used to think skipping EPCOT was wonderful - but Duncan and Pierce can't get enough of the Nemo ride. For some reason, they are also addicted to Figment (Journey Into Imagination). Not to mention Duncan has reached the point where doing the Kidcot activities and hands on demos now appeal to him. The CM's "around the world" were incredible with kids, from teaching him hello in their mother tongue to sharing the odd candy treat (a CM in Japan gave Duncan a couple different hard candies she loves, and he was was on cloud nine).

For us, we've reached the point skipping parks no longer happens. We go with the flow, since every day brings a new adventure. Let your kids test out the rides or activities at their own pace, and allow them to interact with the other children. You'll find little kids are the greatest motivator for each other, and once yours see the excitement, the bug will bite.

 

[Alderbrook]

My 3.5 y/o son is a thrill seeker, always has been & he's already been on big rides. We took him to Marineland to test him out this summer. Now we have a better idea of what he can handle ride wise.

Even if your kids can't handle the rides, the shows & things to see at the parks are awesome so if you have a park hopper at least check them out. If you aren't happy, hop to another park. Epcot from what I remember is very hands on. Jouney into Imagination is great for small children. Epcot is a theme park like no other, it's about advancement & learning, but in a fun way. Some of the rides are tame and the ones that aren't your children may be too small anyways. Test Track & Mission to Mars are probably out, but I think those are the most advanced rides there anyways. I love Epcot, always have even as a child, MK is awesome too, but remember a few of the "kids" rides can be scary. Snow White is apparently pretty scary & another one but I can't remember which one.

 

[snickerboo]

Skip Epcot. It's a lot of walking and the 3-yr-old will be too little for Soarin', Test Track, etc.

If they like Animals, they'll enjoy Animal Kingdom. DHS, to me, is more for little boys & older kids but it does have the Beauty & The Beast show, Ariel and Playhouse Disney. Fantasmic is awesome but it might be too scary for them (lake of fire, villains, and giant dragon like Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty).

I'm with the poster who said spend more of your time at Magic Kingdom. It's perfect for them and you cannot see it all in a day or two.

 

[4everlovethemouse]

I've taken my daughter to WDW or Disneyland at ages 13 months, 2, almost 3 and almost 3.5. Each trip was a different experience. At two she didn't like "Dark rides" so even Peter Pan's Flight was a bad experience. If your daughters are more timid definitely spend lots of time in MK but read the ride discriptions to see if your children would like them. Mickey's Toon Town Fair in MK will likely be right for them as will It's a Small World (although DD didn't like the "shaky bird" and refused to go on it again at age almost 3), the carrousel, Dumbo, Magic Carpets of Alladin are all outside and kid friendly. Mickey's Philharmagic is a great 3D movie but can be intense for young kids (dark, and loud).
I think there are good things for kids in each park as the other posts have said. If rides really aren't what they like to do they will still have fun meeting characters (stick to face characters if they think Mickey's scary), pressing coins, doing craft activities in EPCOT at Kidcot fun stops, seeing animals at AK, watching shows (Playhouse Disney Live on Stage is at Disney Studios. This show is good and replaced Bear in the Big Blue House)and parades, and eating Mickey Mouse ice cream bars.
I hope you have a magical vacation with your family.

 

[castlefor2]

We're going for 7 nights/8 days but really only there for 6 b/c of the timing of our flights. But I don't want to spend the 6 days all at the park. I am hoping that this vacation will be a some what relaxing one for my husband and I and I don't think going to the parks every day will make it relaxing. I thought if we went to the parks for 4 days then the other 2 days can be spent relaxing at the pool and eating. We're staying at the POR which I hear has a nice pool area. Hopefully the weather is warm enough in November to accomplish this.

I think we might only do 2 parks for this trip. I know we will be back another time when the girls are older and can go on more rides.

Thanks for your help!

 

[DbleTheFun]

If you are only going to do 2 parks, then I suggest Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.

You may want to consider park hoppers though... so that you can take advantage of other parks if time permits, or if you want to try a meal or two in one of the others. (Get a sitter through Disney one night and enjoy a nice romantic dinner for 2 at one of Epcot's fabulous restaurants for you and Hubby)

:O)

 

[squirrel]

I vote for MK and AK.

Hoppers might be a good idea-I haven't seen the hours for Nov.

AK does close early, but there is so much for younger children to do. Finding Nemo the Musical and Festival of the Lion King are excellent.

We had 10 day passes last year and spent 3 days each in MK and AK, 2 days each in DHS and EPCOT. We also did MNSSHP one night.