We (wife, kids, wifes whole family) are all heading to Orlando Sun. I've stayed out of the planning because it's her whole family. I know we are at Magic Kingdom Sat and my little girl is doing dinner with the princesses but wondering what else you suggest there for really little ones? My sister in law has 3 kids 10, 8 and 2. I've got a 5 year old girl and 2 year old boy. My plan was to take them in about 5 or so years because my son is so young but the in-laws called and said we are taking everybody to Disney + we already had free plane vouchers so I said why not. I know my girl will have a blast. My son will too but he is little and probably won't remember anything. Anyways if you have been what places do you suggest for kids as young as mine. Any can't miss spots or stay away from spots? I know it's expensive as heck... we're packing food etc. I'm looking for the hits+misses for little ones.

Thanks!:thumb:

Been five or six year but the family and I spent four days there.

Check into the hopper passes, which allow you to visit any park anytime.

Epcot did not do much for me or he kids...it did have the place where our daughters had breakfast with the princesses....I think it was in the international village there, which I liked more than the kids.

I really liked MGM or whatever it is called now. There is a restaurant in the park that is set in like the 19500's...small black and white tv' on the table, kind of like going back to your mom's old kitchen. The waitresses will get on you for having your elbows on the table and so forth...neat place (called 1950's Prime Time Cafe).

At the parks, take advantage of the Fast-Pass Ticket. Instead of waiting in lines, you go get a ticket and it tells you what time to come back and when you do, you are ushered to the front and get on the ride.

Magic Kingdom is the best for the little ones...lots to do there. There is a restaurant in there called the Liberty Tree...fantastic...colonial-like setting (dinner only).

Animal Kingdom was pretty good as well.

We also spent part of a day at Blizzard Beach which at one time was rated the best waterpark in the country. I believe that is associated with Disney World and may be used in accordnce with the hopper passes.

A must is to take in the shows at the end of the night.

Fantasmic at the old MGM is excellent, kids will like it and so will you. The parade and fireworks at Magic Kingdom is great for the kids.

There are a few shows within the parks throughout the day. Bug's Life in 3D was good...I think that is in Animal Kingdom. There was a good Little Mermaid show as well....can't remember which park. There was a pretty good Beauty and the Beast Show...I think at MGM.

Check with the local library for a Foder's or Frommer's Guide to Disney World.

I'm kind of like Clark Griswald on trips like this...set up an itinerary of what you want to do.

I planned it out that we would go early to the parks and during the heat of the day come back to the pool and swim, then head back out in the early evening. That is the benefit of the hopper passes. I think they rotate the parks in which one opens earlier than another and I think you can get in early with the hopper passes.

Edited June 26, 200917 yr by letabrotherspeak

Thanks! I think they have about everything planned but if I know them they don't think about what a 5 year old and 2 year old will like and not like. I worry about the heat this time of year so I'm all about the pool and coming back deal! Thanks again!

I do not have any suggestions besides take lots of pictures.

 

I was really young when I went to Disney World but I still have several very vivid memories of it.

I'm a bit of a self-proclaimed expert on taking a 2 year old--I've done it with 3 different children. In fact, I will be at Magic Kingdom on Monday with 4 of my kids! We are vacationing in the Clearwater area and are going to drive over for the day.

 

I agree pretty much with everything labs said. 5 years old is the absolute best time to go to Disney, IMO. They are not afraid of anything (which can happen with the younger ones) but also still believe in all the magic. That is why we are going on Monday because my 4th child is almost 5 and has not been since she was 2 1/2. She doesn't remember much of it so we wanted her to experience it at that special age.

 

You will spend the majority of your time at MK. That is the best place for the kids. If you are staying on site, take advantage of the Extra Magic Hour if you can. It is a lot less crowded. Make sure you rent a stroller, your 5 year old will need it as well. Also, if you change parks during the day, take your receipt and you can get another stroller at the new park. It also helps to keep up with your stuff. Purchase some lightweight ponchos before you leave and take them with you. It always rains in June in the afternoons down there. Also, take some big garbage bags to the parks so you can cover your stroller when you leave it. It may look a little silly, but you'll be glad when everyone else's stuff is soaked.

 

Don't waste your time at EPCOT. The only thing your kids would enjoy is the Finding Nemo ride. It is neat, but not worth the trip over there for that one ride. You would lose several hours and it is not worth it, IMO.

 

Definitely do Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon if you can. They are both awesome! If you have the Park Hopper passes, you can get on the shuttles and go right over.

 

Like labs said, Animal Kingdom is great! Totally agree--go see It's Tough to be a Bug, it is so much fun and air conditioned! There is a little kids ride area at AK that has quite a bit to do there for your little ones. The Safari is neat, but it might be a bit boring for the kids. If you get a chance, you need to ride Expedition Everest and Dinosaur. Your daughter could probably ride Dinosaur with you if she is tall enough--that is one of my kids' favorite rides.

 

Hollywood Studios (old MGM) is also a lot of fun. It is smaller, but there is lots to do. Beauty and the Beast is great--your daughter will be in heaven! Totally agree about Fantasmic--definitely make plans to see it. It is one of our favorite things in all of WDW. I think there are two shows, both at night. Check into it and make plans to go. The Playhouse Disney show is really cute, too. Especially if your kids watch that channel. It has Bear in the Big Blue House, Roly Poly Olly, Pooh and friends, etc. It is also air conditioned. Voyage of the Little Mermaid is pretty good, too. This park has more shows than rides, but that can be a good change. If you can, try and ride the Aerosmith ride and Tower of Terror. They are both really fun.

 

As you can tell if you are still reading this, I love Disney World. It is my family's favorite place to go. It has been 2 years since we were last year and my older kids think they have been deprived! Yes, it is expensive, but it is totally worth it for memories. If you have any other specific questions, stick, just let me know. Too bad you are not going to be at MK on Monday or we could try and meet up! Have a great time!

Wow thanks for all the great info! I know we are at MK on 4th of July but not sure what else they have planned through the week. I think Sea World one day. Have a safe trip:)

Strongly suggest that you get the hopper pass. Allows you to go to multiple parks the same day. If you are staying on Disney property you really need to look into getting the dining plan. It is well worth the money. You get one snack, one counter service meal, and one set down meal per day. For nice meals I suggest Ohana, Prime Time Diner, Whispering Canyon Cafe at the Wilderness Lodge, Japanese and Italian Resturants at EPCOT. Make sure to drink plenty of liquids. Because unfortunately you are going to be going at a very very hot time. Have to be very careful in that heat. Have a Magical Time!

Just got back from there and the heat was brutal. Go to Wal Mart and invest in the spray bottle with the fans. They are expensive at the park but really helped keep us cool.

 

At MK, there are lots of rides for the little ones that us big folk can also enjoy.

 

I agree, not alot at Epcot for the kids.

 

The show at Hollywood Studios is one of the best to catch. You MUST BE IN LINE early, early, early. The stadium holds alot of people but it is filled to capacity each show. Check the schedules because they do not do this one every night. It will certainly be worth your time to see.

 

Check out the meals before you buy. I agree they can be on the expensive side but if you check out the portions, such as the roasted chicken in the cafeteria in Tomorrowland, 2 people can easily share a meal.

 

The park hopper is a must, especially when it rains. You have to have the additional passes to the water park....not just the park hopper. That part of the ticket is called the Fun & More. This also gets you into Disney Quest located in Downtown Disney. The kids will love this...gets them out of the heat and/or the rain.

 

Have a great trip. I can't wait to go back.

How were the crowds? I have been Thanksgiving (good time), Christmas (nightmare), and Easter (equal nightmare). I am hoping the crowds are not as bad this time of year. We are only going to be at the MK.

How were the crowds? I have been Thanksgiving (good time), Christmas (nightmare), and Easter (equal nightmare). I am hoping the crowds are not as bad this time of year. We are only going to be at the MK.

 

I enjoy going on the Holidays because of the added hours. I remember leaving MGM at 3 AM on New Years Day morning. My kids rode the Rock-n-Roller coaster about 4 straight times without a line while the fireworks were going off at midnight. I took a break after two times.

 

 

I always have a plan of attack and we do everything in a very efficient manner. I always stay at one of the mono-rail resorts and always take advantage of the early hours and Fast Pass. We always manage to beat the crowds.

 

For instance, go to Magic Kingdom with the early hour opening and strategically get the big rides out of the way: Space Mountain, Splash Mountain etc. Then do the other things and be done by 11:30 AM having seen and ridden everything that you want. Go back to resort and take a nap or swim in the pool. That afternoon, as the crowds are starting to leave, go to a different park and get in some of the attractions there.

The crowds were not too bad, but we also had a plan of attack. Be there when the park opens. Know ahead of time what you want to ride. If any of them have the Fast Pass, go get it first thing and then go to your next choice. The neat thing is that on most of the rides, they tell you how long the wait generally is. I find them to go quicker than stated on the signs. Also, most lines are very interactive with lots of things to see and animated characters talking, etc. This really makes the line wait time go by quick.

 

The lines also tend to be shorter during the noon and 5pm hours when most are eating lunch and dinner. We always try to eat a little earlier or later.

 

They also offer a buddy type of pass where the parents can trade off in order for both parents to ride with the kids. Ask the attendants about that, it's pretty cool.

Is there scheduled times to see certain characters etc. I know we've got the dinner with the princesses scheduled on the 4th for our little girl. Our son would enjoy Buzz, Cars, Einsteins etc.

There are some scheduled time. Buzz and the Cars are usually Hollywood Studios.

 

Is your dinner with the princesses the one at Cinderella's Castle. For the Cinderella Dinner, she will get to meet Cinderella as you enter the Castle and you get a picture with her. At dinner there is a show that includes the Fairy Godmother and the mice.

 

I would recommend getting a borchure for each of the parks upon your arrival. They include a detailed schedule that does change from week to week.

 

Many of the characters you just catch in the parks throughout the day unless you do other character dining.

Never, ever take 2 parents with 3 children. I just learned today the first child had to ride the rides alone because we also had a baby:ohbrother: :isurrender:

Finally home. It was a BRUTAL trip filled with lots of magical moments! I went with my wifes family. We have an almost 3 year old son, almost 6 year old daughter. My sister in law had her 9 year old son, 8 year old daughter and a 2 year old son she adopted from Russia. My inlaws were with us too. It was really unorganized so we spent a lot of time in the sun with them trying to figure out where to go next. We basically saw everything in the park. If you go and have a younger daughter then the lunch with the princesses is priceless (they scheduled that months in advance). It was in the top of the castle. I split up for almost 2 hours waiting in a long line so my little girl could get her picture with Mickey+Minnie. It was a long wait but we're both pretty patient and had fun together. It worked out where we were in a very small room with just me, her, Mickey, Minnie and a guy taking the pictures. It was a great moment that was worth it for us. My little boy got his picture with Buzz so he was excited about that. We did the fast passes and basically road everything in the park.

4th of July is an awful time to go. 72,000 was the last count I heard and I think there was more than that. 3/4's foreingers that couldn't speak English. The most rude people I've been around in my life. They would run flat over little kids and keep on trucking. I haven't sweat that much since I played football in the heat. It was borderline dangerous. 2 trams collided and killed 1 of the drivers. Fireworks were outstanding and the kids loved them. Felt like we were never going to get out of the shoulder to shoulder push to leave the park.

We also went to Sea World which was pretty good. Spent a day at a water park (seen one you've seen them all IMO) but it was fun. Mother in Law had a friend there who talked them into going to a place about 1.5 hrs away to a place called Silver Springs. It was a cool place for the kids. Glass bottom boat rides. Fed Giraffes out of our hands. Lots of Gators. Had Bears, Monkeys, petting zoos etc.

We also spent a couple of days just playing around the pools etc. The heat was flat out rough. That many people together in that kind of heat is not worth it. Glad our kids had a blast but wouldn't put them through that again. I kept pouring the liquids especially to the two year olds. GREAT call on the water bottle fan! Best investment of the week!