Our Itinerary -- I'd love some advice and suggestions - Page 2 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Re: Our Itinerary -- I\'d love some advice and suggestions
Having traveled with 2 small children twice now (4 and 1 and then 5 and 2), I will say just be flexible! We built our touring schedule around the PSs that we had, and then just played it by ear. You do have nap time/breaks built in, so that's a good thing, but just be prepared that everything could go out the window if one (or both) of the kids had a meltdown (we've experienced it ourselves )
Some things that our kids loved were at AK (safari, the Dinosaur Dumbo ride, and Festival of Lion King), at MGM (Playhouse Disney and Beauty and the Beast show - there's not a lot at MGM for little kids), at Epcot (Living Seas, Spaceship Earth, Innoventions), and at MK (Fantasyland, Buzz, Race Cars, Toontown, Aladdin and Jungle Cruise)!
Keep in mind that my DD went on a bunch of rides when she was 4, and wanted nothing to do with them when she was 5. Each child is different, and just be prepared to not do everything that you had expected to do
Re: Our Itinerary -- I\'d love some advice and suggestions
Hi!
Sounds like a great itinerary!! We have 3 boys (11, 9 & 5) & have been to WDW several times when they were (1997:4 & 2; 2000:7, 6, 5, 3 & 1 (niece & nephew along); 2002:9, 7 & 3; and 2003:10, 8 & 4).
The first year I planned on the boys taking naps & that went out the window. They didn't nap (& it was difficult for dh & I to nap with them running around in room), so we just stayed at the parks. When they were tired they just fell asleep on the spot! You have to know your children, though, because I have nieces & nephews that when they get tired, they get very cranky & need a bed (as opposed to sleeping on the go in a stroller).
Something else that I haven't seen on your itinerary is Fantasmic! at MGM. Your children will either absolutely LOVE it or HATE it. We didn't do this on our first trip (rookies & not knowing about it). On our 2nd trip (2000) a friend raved about it to us, so we took the children. I was really afraid that my nc & np would freak (wouldn't do ITTBAB or HM), but they all loved it so much that we went 2 times that week!! Just a note, though, that you do need to get there atleast an hour early to get a seat (this is no joke! LOL).
It's good that you have the night time shows & parades early in week, in case they would get rained out.
As everyone has mentioned, just be flexible. Definitely do Dumbo first thing & get FP for Peter Pan & Pooh (always long lines).
Also, make sure that you take frozen (if possible - they melt FAST in the heat) water bottles and plan for snacks (don't go more than 4-5 hrs. w/o eating something). After going so many times I've finally planned snack breaks into our itinerary to make sure about keeping our bellies full (dh got really cranky when we haven't done this).
No matter what, though, have fun & go with the flow to be flexible.
Re: Our Itinerary -- I\'d love some advice and suggestions
First of all I like to say...WOW your good!! I am going around the same time and I am not as ready as you!!! ( my husband thinks I'm crazy thinking about our trip 50 days out)
In looking at you itinerary, the only thing that I see is that you are going in Sept, and there won't be many people there!! I went last year 9-27 thru 10-4 and it really was SLOW!! We had walk ons to everything including.. POOH ,PHILARMAGIC, ECT>>> This can only help you, but I have to say we never used fastpass!!! We did all 4 parks!!
We also have young ones DS5 and DD4 , they did take naps when we came back from the parks but I have to say we really did everything we needed before 1-2 oclock!! It was that slow!!! Just keep this in mind, I wouldn't want you to try to fit running for faspasses if it really isn't necessary. JMHO!!
As for eating, I don't know if it the Fla heat or just that we were excited about being on VACATION! But, one big meal and one maybe two light ones was all we wanted! We did get fruit throughout the day. So you may want to rethink this area as well?
Re: Our Itinerary -- I\'d love some advice and suggestions
Having read everyone's suggestions, I have to agree that the itinerary looks good and it looks like you have added some downtime to the schedule, which is a must with kids. All I can suggest is to be flexible if the kids change their minds on some of the rides but above all, have a fun time
Re: Our Itinerary -- I\'d love some advice and suggestions
I think it looks alright Dina. You have time scheduled ahead of the fact, for rests/breaks. The kids will need them, and you'll like them too! I love to plan to the hilt too, but I've found once I get to WDW, most of my plans go out the window and I just worry about making a PS on time. I really only plan what parks to do on what days, and the PS's...beyond that it's just too much schedule for me.
You are going to have a blast with those kids!!
Re: Our Itinerary -- I\'d love some advice and suggestions
So exciting- Having just travelled with a DS (5) and DD (3) last September- I hope I can help.
First question- Are you bringing your own stroller? might be easier on your 1 year old. We brought our double stroller and loved it for at the airport and at the parks. It was easier to find and gave some familiarity for the kids.
- Also, I agree with what was posted before(forgot who, sorry) FastPasses might be unnecessary. For most of the time we were there(mid-sept), the machines weren't even being used.
- Day 2 at Epcot- you have strolling from 6-8- some things to do might be the boat ride at Mexico(nice and easy) and Norway-the Maelstrom might be a little intense but my DS loved to climb around the viking ship outside! For Illuminations park an adult and 1yr old at the Cantina De San Angel( w/Margarita if wanted) early, and have the other adult wander with 4 yr old. Great place to watch Illuminations with a seat and table- the churros are great for a snack while waiting!
-Day3-at MGM- If your DS likes Radio Disney- don't forgot to find it. It is on the backside of Sounds Dangerous- if BB Good is there she will come out at different times- her assistant will come out and get your name for a shout out on the radio. One of our best magic moments of the whole trip.( It is also in the shade!)
- Day 5 at MK - right before lunch you are going to the Haunted Mansion- right outside of it is Columbia Harbor House- Great counter service restaurant- very cool not to crowded and great sandwiches if you want to try and get away from completely fried food. We liked it so much we went back to it the next day we were at MK.
5-6 Pirates of the Caribbean- was empty when we went through- so you should have no problem going through. Might want to do Magic Carpets of Aladdin ( like Dumbo).
One last hint- build in time for re-rides- DS loved Buzz Lightyear so much they did it 3 times in a row ( no wait at all!) DD did teacups over and over and over.
Re: Our Itinerary -- I\'d love some advice and suggestions
Thank you so much for all of those suggestions. I am writing them down!!!! We are bringing our double stroller, I think my 1yo will be much more comfortable in it, and needs the different recline positions. Thanks alot!!!
Re: Our Itinerary -- I\'d love some advice and suggestions
My best advice is to be flexible. Be prepared to throw your planning out the window if need be. Getting away from the parks at midway is the best plan. Even if the kids don't nap. A rest and a swim are very refreshing. My kids are 13 and 10, on our last trip in Oct., I had all my plans and ps's made and one day the kids were so tired after our midday break, that I cancelled our dinner ps and we spent the rest of the afternoon hanging around the resort and getting dinner at the food court. The kids felt so much better the next day. If you miss something on this trip it gives you a good excuse to go back. Have a great trip.
Re: Our Itinerary -- I\'d love some advice and suggestions
Other thoughts on Preschool things to do...
*Kidcot stations in Epcot-crafts just for kids
*Aladdin's story time in Morocco (WS in Epcot)-I found the info somewhere on this site, you might need to ask a CM when you get there
*Belle's story time in Fantasyland-the info I read said check your daily schedule
We did Aladdin and Jasmine's storytelling at DLand last year and it was one of the highlights of my DD's day. She was just 5 at the time and got to provide one of the sounds for the show. There were only about 40 people there total, so it was real intimate. Aladdin and Jasmine did pics afterwards and my DD got a special button for helping!
We're going to check out WDW's storytimes with the hope that they'll be just as good!
Stephanie
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You have to know your children, though, because I have nieces & nephews that when they get tired, they get very cranky & need a bed (as opposed to sleeping on the go in a stroller).
I am going around the same time and I am not as ready as you!!! ( my husband thinks I'm crazy thinking about our trip 50 days out)
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