First Disney Trip with Kids- What to Do? Where to Stay?

With the younger ones, I would recommend staying at a Disney hotel. With 5 people your choices are limited a bit.

Remember the longer you attend Disney the less expensive it gets. I don't know exactly, but it's only like $20 more for the 4th day. Probably a lot cheaper than going to Hollywood Studios. Just a recommendation in case you have budgeting issues.

Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom have the most to offer for the little ones. I also found that Animal Kingdom has the most characters wondering arround, although you won't find the princesses there. Be sure to book a breakfast with the princesses. They fill up fast.

I LOVE Disney questions...they are my absolute favorite to answer! Anyways...what time of year will you be going? That changes some of my answers.

As for staying somewhere, I highly suggest staying on Disney property. The hotels are wonderful and even though you will have a rental, it is so much easier to take one of their buses, boats or monorails to the parks (plus it costs about $14 a day to park your vehicle). As to which resort, PM with what you are looking for, and guaranteed there is a resort that fits your needs! :)

As a quick note, Mickey's Toon Town will be closed during your time there (since it doesn't open again until 2012-2013), so don't plan on doing anything in that part of Magic Kingdom. I also suggest booking any restaurants you want to eat at now (if you are going within the next 180 days). The best ones fill up fast...again, PM me with what you are looking for, and I can give you my recommendations!

As for sights...anything and everything they will! There is absolutely nothing at either park that I dislike! Shows...all of the fireworks are amazing, and really any of the shows in the parks are worth your time.

With your one year old, just plan on having a stroller that you like, and you will be good to go. All you have to do with rides she can't ride is do the baby exchange (if both you and hubby want to ride)...it is really simple and will actually save you quite a bit of time at the park!

We go every year (sometimes more than once), and own a Disney timeshare, so I feel pretty confident in my Disney knowledge at this point. Please feel free to PM me with more questions (or answers to mine)...I LOVE talking about Disney! :)

I would definitely try to fit in Animal Kingdom. The last time we went with my parents, sister, BIL, nephew, me, DH, DS, DD. The 4 of us went to a different park every single day because our kids were a little older & we wanted to keep them busy it being their first time there. The Animal Kingdom day was definitely everyone's favorite.

We also found it easiest to rent a house instead of getting hotel rooms for a few reasons. The first is that we had our own screened in pool, the second is we had a fully functional kitchen so did breakfast there every day & some dinners. Also once the kids were in bed the adults could hang out in the living room just like at home instead of being cooped up in a tiny room & having to be quiet after 8pm.

Hello! We just came back with our 4 and 1 year old...Here are some tips:
Magic Kingdom is the best out of all parks for little ones
Animal Kingdom is second
You can probaly do a halfday at Hollywood Studios as they don't have that much for young kids and I think you need to wait in line before the park opens or sign up for that Jedi training.
The best place to stay is right by Magic Kingdom (we didn't and it took us sometimes 45 minutes to get there with waiting for the bus and all and we stayed in one of the Disney resorts). The Monorail stalled a couple times so only take it once and if you aren't rushing to feed the little one (that was our issue!)
The Dining Plan is fantastic and I would highly suggest you buy it. When are you going? Call now to set up Character Dining (the kids get to meet Mickey and some other characters at breakfast or dinner...REALLY worth it!)
Regarding the one year old - take a very comfortable stroller, lots of snacks and diapers. If you stay at a Disney resort you don't need a rental car. They have buses, boats and the monorail that take you to each park from your resort. I wouldn't take the car seat on the plane for the one year old either. It's too big of a hassle and they want to sit with you anyway.

Have a great time!

We went at least 8 times as our daughter was growong up. We LOVE the Polynesian which is on the monorail line and so easy for access to MK and buses to AK, etc.

We never stayed anywhere other than the Polynesian. It is pricey but for us, it was worth it.

AK is one of our favorite parks, especially the safari ride. The daily parade at MK is a must see, nightly fireworks at MK. Luau at Polynesian is fantastic. O'Hana restaurant at Polynesian is great for character breakfast. Chef Mickey at Contemporary is a good place as well.

We enjoy Epcot as well.

We never did a rental car.... don't really need it. We took a private cab from the airport to the Polynesian for about $80 each way. This was our preference...straight shot to and from hotel and airport. They do have free shuttles to the resorts... you just don't know how long you'll be on the shuttle... depends on how crowded it is.

Have fun!!

For your daughter, there is a store that looks like a circus tent in Magic Kingdom Mickey's Toontown where 3 of the princesses and 3 fairies sit all day long. The tent is a retail store and the lines for the pictures/greets are inside the store to the right. Just ask any worker around Minnie's house. Also, Belle has story time next to the castle/Starlight cafe 5 times a day. Snow White comes out 2x a day on the back side of the castle, near Wishing Well/Belle's storytime.

You can take strollers on the monorail quite easily, but not on the steam train that goes around the park. Found this out the hard way!

For Hollywood Studios, call ahead and ask for age details. My daughter wanted to do American Idol, but you have to be 14+ to get on stage.

The days you are staying around Disney, I would stay at one of the Disney Resorts (the All Stars are a good value without all the frills). They will transport you to the parks so you don't have to navigate the traffic in unfamiliar areas. Do the meal plan...much cheaper than purchasing your food outright. Also, plan ahead and make reservations for breakfast or lunch w/ the princesses (either at Magic Kingdom or Epcot).