Disney World Advice!

Having taken young kids to Disney my best advice is to go to Sea World - Disney is much more fun when they are over 6. They understand it better and are much more patient.

There are a lot of good suggestions. I would like to recommend the autograph session at Epcot. It is indoors and they get to see Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto and the Chipmunks all at once. The wait can be long, but it is well worth the smiles.

A., Look over the resturant choices and try to make a reservation for one of the character meals. The buffets are great and the characters come to your table, no waiting in line!!!

I'm going to think about more things, we were just there last month.

M.

Yay A. and family!! You will have a great time, so long as you do a little planning up front and then remember to be flexible with those plans along the way.

I have been on WDW vacations more than 10 times now - half with my 2 kiddos who are now 8 & 9. I am also a participant in the Mickey Mom's Club, an exclusive group of addicted Disney World planners. We have an open website that allows you to ask questions of the experts - it is www.disneyworldmoms.com. It is set up like a message board, but all the posted questions are answered by official Mickey Moms. The answers are going to be more "Disney approved" than what you will get at the Disboards. That can be good because often on the Disboards have people answering questions with less than accurate responses and it can be bad because the Disney approved responses don't always give you the full behind the scenes, sneakier ways to save money.

My basic advise is to stay on property, buy the dining plan (it's easier) and have a plan of which park to hit each day - figure this out now. Then look through all the websites you can to find the restaurants that you are interested in, especially character dining. Call Disney dining 407-WDW-DINE to make your reservations at the sit down restaurants (one per day on the dining plan) you are interested in. Then match up the parks to the restaurants that you have reservations at. Example: if you make a breakfast reservaton with Mickey, Lilo & Stitch at Ohana's at the Polynesian resort, plan on going to the Magic Kingdom that day just a short monorail stop away.

If you are staying on property at a Disney resort, also look at the disney.com website for the calendar which lists the Extra Magic Hours so you know what time each park opens & closes. Here's a little known fact....you can actually enter each park about 1/2 hour before the park opens, even before those EMH's! A great overall plan is to get to the parks as soon as you are able to enter and see as much as you can while the crowds are still light. When junior starts to slow down after lunch time, head back to your hotel for some napping/downtime/swimming at the pool. Then go back to the park around dinner time through the fireworks. (Don't miss the Wishes fireworks at Magic Kingdom - they are amazing!)

Try to hit each park at least for one day - they all have something to offer and use those fast passes and tot swap options. Here are some of my family's favorites from when they were that age:

Magic Kingdom: Monorail, Mickey's Philharmagic, Toontown, Buzz Lightyear's Spaceranger Spin, Wishes fireworks
Epcot: The Seas with Nemo & Friends, Journey to Imagination, the Kidcot fun stops (a FREE craft area at each pavilion and each country around the world)
Animal Kingdom: the Lion King show, Safari ride, Boneyard playground
Hollywood Studios: Journey of the Little Mermaid, Playhouse Disney show, Toy Story Mania & the two stunt shows

Some of these are more girly or gender neutral and others would appeal to your boy. You know him better than we do, so make sure you target his interests. If he is a car guy, hit the Indy Speedway and Test Track, if he is tall enough. If he loves trains, ride the monorail to the parks & ask the Cast Member if you can ride up front! If he has found Star Wars, go watch or join in at the Jedi Training Academy, etc.

May is one of the best times to go - it isn't scorching hot yet, the Flower show is is full bloom at Epcot, and the crowds are lighter except for Memorial Day. Have a great time in the World and feel free to pm me if you have more questions!

Hi A., My advice would be to get to the park early, like when it first opens. We went when my girls were 4 and 2. We got to the part when it first opened because we knew our kids would be done for the day by abut 2 (both still took naps). It was the best choice we made on that whole trip! We didn't have to wait in any long lines for the first 3 hours or so. The part started getting crowed at around lunch. So by the time the lines were getting really long my kids were ready to leave. Also, at that age my kids liked Sea World better than Disney.

Personally I wouldn't take kids to disney before they are about 8. Because it's alot of money and they won't remember a thing about it. But your booked so my nephews loved the Little Mermaid show and I think Aladdin show. I went to the Little Mermaid one and it was really cute.
Buy ponchos at a gas station before you go into the park, unless you want to spend $8 - $10 for Mickey on one.

L.

Ride the monorail, when we got really hot outside we took a nice ling ride on the very nice and cool monorail, we just rode it around for about and hour, your sitting so your off your feet, you get to cool off, it's quiet and both my husband and son napped and we all felt so much better. It's also a really cool ride. Get fass passes for the indoor shows during the really hot parts of the day as well. Check out the web sites Mousesavers.com and the Dis.

My kids liked the Animal Kingdom park better than the Magic Kingdom, so I wouldn't skip that. Both parks have rides, and characters, but the Animal Kingdom was less crowded and more current. Some of the things at Magic Kingdom are getting kind of old. If you can, schedule a character meal. We did a breakfast with Mickey, Donald and Goofy at the Animal Kingdom (some of the others were already full when I tried to reserve them). I thought my kids, who were 5 and 8 at the time, would be a little old for Mickey, but they had an absolute blast. Also, the Lion King show was awesome, if it is still there, and it's free at Animal Kingdom. Have fun.
oh, and definitely get the fast passes. It takes a little more pre-planning, but it saves tons of time in lines. If you have two parents there, one can run get the fast pass for one ride while you're doing something else (you'll see what I mean when you get there).

Thank you for your post and replies. We are going to disney May 21. Your post and website reccomendations are helpful for me plan out our outings. Ages of children are DD8, DD6, DS2. Hope you have fun on your vacation as well.

You have lots of great advice here A.! We just went to Disney in February, and it was a lot of fun, with our 2 1/2 year old. I recommend character dining instead of waiting in lines to meet them - well worth the $$. We did Chef Mickey's and it was truly awesome. We did a 4 day parkhopper and felt a little stressed. WE could have easily spent 2 days at Magic Kingdom. Just remember to HAVE FUN!

I have to agree with Brenda S--I've found Disney to be a nightmare with a child under 6 or 7. They get tired too easy, there are stores with toys jumping out to taunt them every 50 feet. We ditched our 4-day passes to go to SeaWorld, which was a much more pleasant experience at that age.

Hey A.,

I had the same questions recently and was told to check out TouringPlans.com This group of parents researches visits to WDW and publishes a book annually. There's loads of great information, including birthday parties online, but you do have to pay for a "subscription." I wasn't sure it was worth it, but since signing up I can tell you their customizable plans are invaluable. They have plans you can print off and take with you as well as more extensive pages for pre-planning. Good luck and enjoy the special day!

S.

We went about 4 years ago, we LOVED the Lion King performance at Animal Kingdom, my 3 yr old at the time loved it. Also don't forget to take advantage of the things the park has for young kids and parents, fast passes, and even line hoppers, where they will let you go on a ride once with one parent, and then once with another parent. You have to ask the attendants at the front of the entrance to the ride for these passes, but you get to go in a separate line that is much faster than the "regular" line. You can also get them for the bigger rides that your child can't go on for the adults, so that you can go alone while your husband watches your little boy, and then vice versa. This saves TONS of time as you can imagine! They really cater to young families, so take advantage of it!

Be sure to take lots of water and snacks, food in the park is so expensive, and just enjoy yourself. Don't run around trying to do EVERYTHING, just choose the stuff you really want to see and you think you'll enjoy, and you'll have a much more relaxed and fun time. HAVE FUN!!

Make reservations for dining before you go, May can be a pretty busy month and it's much easier to already have your ressies. Check out disboards.com ~ They have a ton of information and if you have a question that you don't already see being discussed, you can post a question. I agree with the meal plan...allows you to eat as many character dinings as you want. Also, Disney photopass! It costs $100, put you get a CD with all the pics that they take in the park...when they have Disney photographers in front of certain attractions or with characters. Go to stitchkingdom.com and it will show you what all you can do with the photopass...they also take special pictures (have your child looking down at his/her hands...look at the pic at home & they have put tinkerbell in their hands). 2 years ago I shared the photo pass with some people on the disboards & it only cost $25....so you can check that out. The past years when we've gone, I made my daughter her own autograph book. We got a lot of compliments & special time with the characters because they were excited to see their own page. If you are staying onsite take advantage of the early/late hours they have for you. Get a button either at your hotel (if staying onsite) or at your first park for your sons birthday...he'll get a lot of attention for cast memebers. If you already have the park tickets for your stay, there are other things you can get for your sons birthday besides a free ticket to get in on his bday. I bought several small gifts for my daughter to have when we returned from a day at the parks. When we got back to the hotel...either my husband or I would run in real quick and put the toy/book out (or do it before we left for the day)...then we would say look what Mickey left you. It's cheaper to buy somethings from home and take them with you...and it gives them something to look forward to. My daughter got a kick out of it! It can also be an incentive for them to be good through out the day. If you are renting a car, stop by Wal-Mart or Target and get a case of bottle water...a lot better to spend $5 for a case instead of the crazy prices at the parks. Some places will even deliver the water for you if you are not renting a car (still cheaper than buying at the parks). On Disney's website they have a feature that shows you what are the best attractions for preschoolers. Have a ton of fun! Nothing is more precious than watching the expressions on your childs face when the experience Disney World!! :)

We scheduled breakfast with Pooh one morning and had a blast. If you haven't gotten meal passes yet, I would highly reccomend them. We did the meal passes and ended up eating in really cool places that we would not have normally eaten in because of the cost. MGM has a resturaunt that you sit in a car to eat, like a drive in theater. Really fun. There is a book you can get at the book store that gives you tips and must sees for Disney. It is updated every year, so make sure you get the 2009 book. Sorry but the name escapes me. Barnes and Noble is where we got ours and they should know what it's called. We used it and brought it with us, it even gives you hotline numbers to call and numbers to call to book charactoer dinners and such. Which is something you need to do now if you haven't already done it, cuz they get booked. If your son likes Buzz Lightyear, then the Buzz Lightyear ride will be the one for him in Magic Kingdom. Loads of fun.
Also, Disney lets you bring in food and drinks. So bring a backpack for snacks and stuff and don't forget your autograph book for the characters to sign. Hope ya'll have fun. Good luck and God Bless.

Hello A.,

My advice is... TAKE US WITH YOU!!! LOL I've never been so I really don't have any advice to give. All I can say is, "Have fun, and listen to the ideas the other Mamas have for you!"

Have a great time! ls

I know of a website, with lots of Disney information, tips and budget ideas. I hope it's okay that I post this, because it's not something set up to raise money for anyone, but rather just share information on a message board.

http://wdwwow.com/index.php

We are planning our trip in September. My sister and I are planning it for our families. She has found this site very helpful, as have I. It is a Disney Community website and has lots of information to give. From how to go on a budget to stroller swapping. Great information! Hope you have fun. http://www.disboards.com/

I agree with what several moms have mentioned... Get the meal plan - you can eat at much nicer places. Schedule character meals. Do the fast pass AND there is a rider switch pass - you could ride then use the pass for your husband to go ride without waiting in the line again. Both are very convenient!! Of course the autograph books. There are these little schedules you can get at each park along with the maps, and they tell you when & where the characters will be. Our kids loved the parades & fireworks - if you want the best view of the fireworks at Magic Kingdom, go to the front of the castle and get there at least a 1/2 hour early. It's so worth it! I have several PAGES of tips that were e-mailed to me before we went if you want me to send them to you I'd be happy to.

Remember to have fun! I got stressed one day trying to make everything perfect and got frustrated with my hungry, cranky 4 year old. Have patience, and be in the moment. I think Disney World really is magical! :)

A., I always use a website called Tourguidemike.com. It will cost you, around $20, I think. It has been awhile. However, he is a previous VIP tour guide and gives lots of good advice. We went to Disney in August last time and never waited in line longer than 5 minutes. Also, you can find on some message boards people who are willing to send postcards to your son from Disney that says something about looking forward to seeing you. Alot of times, it is a pay it forward situation, I'll do it for you, if you will do it for the next person. My kids thought that was really cool that Mickey was so excited to see them. Enjoy every minute of it. I know that we do every time.

Definitely book the character breakfast Chef Mickeys at the Contemporary! I'd call now since you are going next month they may be booked up.

Good Morning A., What a lucky little guy!! It's been ages since we were at Disney world. You can't possibly do everything it's so big.I think i would look at the maps they hand out and focus on age appropriate rides for your son. One thing we loved was the light parade if they still do that. But that would be a very Long Long day for even mom and dad not to mention your son.
Our boys were geee 8-6 when we went. So you can see since our son's are now 34-32 its been a very ong time.

I hope you get more information for these other Awesome Mama's here.

Have a wonderful time
God Bless
K. Nana of 5

always grab a fast pass ticket even if the lines show a 30 minute wait just in case. We were in a line that the fast pass was 1 1/2 hours away and said 45 minute wait, well we thought we would take the line and didn't grab the pass, well we were in that line over 2 hours and people with the fast passes got to go in front of us. That whole day was very disappointing, the lines were all over an hour wait and only rode 5 rides the whole day and those were the ones that you could ride anywhere like carnivals have as they had the shorter lines but were still an average hour wait and we missed the parade because we were like 5 people from the front after standing in line for 2 hours and then took another 30 minutes to ride when we were right there at the front as another fast pass group got to go. The place was so crowded that my kids didn't get pictures with any of the characters and didn't see them up close and really couldn't see the shows that far away as the crowd was overwhelming and we were there in April. Anyway we go to universal studios now and probably won't go to Disney again in Florida as we have checked the website to watch and see when their peak seasons are and it is most of the year and now the kids are teenagers and probably wouldn't enjoy it anyway.

Hope you have a better experience because if it's that crowded it is definately not worth the time and money.