Critique My Itinerary? 2 Days at MK with a 3yo and a 6 mo

[BestFaceForward]

We are staying off-site so we will be driving in. We are total newbs at this, I haven't been to Disney World in 20 years!! My kid doesn't watch a lot of movies at all, the only thing he will be very into are the characters from the Mickey Mouse Club, and rides. He gets a little scared easily. We also go to the boardwalk rides a lot so I was hoping to steer him away from the ones he can ride anywhere. My goal is to have fun and make it magical and not rush around the whole time. I will have to make stops to change baby's diaper and breastfeed. Really anxious about the Fastpasses I have and which to try to modify.

Day 1 4/26 (lighter crowd day):
Rope drop to 7Dwarves, keep trying to fast pass (trade Belle)
Head over to Splash Mountain and Rolling Thunder wait in regular lines
Bring Lunch to Tom Sawyer Island, hang around there a little after
(fit Haunted Mansion for one of adults above if possible, maybe while DH and DS are on roller coasters mom goes to HM w/baby)
FP for Peter Pan 1:20-2:20
Winne the Pooh (may trade in Belle for a FP for here)
Parade
FP Mickey M&G 2:50-3:50 (do we need a FP for this or can we just do this at end of parade?)
Little Mermaid
FP Belle (will prob cancel after watching youtube) 5:20-6:20
Dumbo
Tea Party
Speedway (or else where to fit?)
Fireworks, etc.

Day 2 4/27 (EARLY MAGIC HOURS BUT WE WON'T BE ELIGIBLE AS STAYING OFF-SITE. BUSIER CROWDS TODAY)

Try to get morning FP for Jungle Cruise
FP Pirates of the Carribean 10:05-11:05
FP Winnie the Pooh 11:25-12:25 (maybe move to Day 1)
Swiss Family Treehouse
if time Country Bear Jamboree or Tiki
12:30 leave for Contemporary for Chef Mickey at 1:15
3ish return to MK or find a place for 3yo to nap at one of resorts pools so we can extend day overall (can we do this?)
FP Monsters Inc 3:30-4:30 (have to watch youtube and figure out if we want this, why are FPes hard to get for this?)
More Tomorrowland stuff (really wish it was darker cuz this stuff looks way cooler in the dark. Maybe relax/nap somewhere at the Contemporary after brunch if that's possible and go back to MK later)
Tomorrowland stuff until we drop, probably skip fireworks

Comments, suggestions? Places to eat and times to fit eating in lol?

 

[DryerLintFan]

Have you watched the ride video for Winnie the Pooh? It's one of those that can scare 3 year olds, so definitely watch that one before you go. Same with Buzz Lightyear.

You cannot swim in resort pools if you are not a guest at that resort.

You *will* need the fastpass for the Mickey meet and greet if you're planning on the one in the square, with the talking Mickey. There another meet and greet up in Storybook Circus with the rest of his pals though that you won't likely need a fastpass for.

Keep in mind that the Tom Sawyer boats don't begin running until 11 am

Unless he's super into Belle i wouldn't waste time on the Enchanted Tales. Basically it's twenty minutes of pretend play and then a meet and greet.

 

[ELeigh]

The pools are gated at the contemporary (and most other resorts on property) and only resort guests staying at each resort can enter the pool area so probably not going to work for naptime.

 

[DarthVader]

The pools are gated at the contemporary (and most other resorts on property) and only resort guests staying at each resort can enter the pool area so probably not going to work for naptime.

I don't think the gates are locked, i.e., anyone can just open the gate and walk through

 

[Tuvalu]

I don't think the gates are locked, i.e., anyone can just open the gate and walk through

MagicBands (resort guest) are required for entry.

 

[Disvillain63]

Have you checked height requirements for some of the rides that you listed? Your 3-year old may not be tall enough.

 

[MomofPrincessGrace]

If you are wanting to extend your park days, I would recommend not leaving the park at all. It can be a very time consuming process to leave the park, walk to resorts, etc. I would recommend getting a double stroller and letting the 3 year old nap in it while you take a break. We found the "grassed" hub area in front of the castle a great place to take a load off and have lunch. There are many different areas that tend to be a little quieter where you can rest for a short period of time. Big Thunder and Splash may be a little too intense if your kid isn't really into rides. I would try Barnstormer with him first and see how he does. I would recommend a fast pass for Barnstormer because the wait can get pretty long for such a short ride. If he gets scared easily, avoid Haunted Mansion with him. My (5 year old at the time) was so spooked due to the atmosphere. She loved it after riding it the first time and realized it wasn't actually scary, but even waiting in the stretching room might cause an episode where he get scared (its dark and the voice over the speakers is a little spooky). Peoplemover and Carousel of Progress are also (sometimes overlooked) attractions that are a great way to get off your feet. We rode the people mover during fireworks one night and it was really cool to see from that perspective. Also, we were able to stay on like 3 times in a row because there was NO ONE in line. Astro Orbiter and Buzz Lightyear are also fun rides that the 3 year old would enjoy. Also, bring the 3 year old a swimsuit and check out Casey's Splash Area. It was a great way for my daughter to cool off and run out some energy. Another way to rest your legs is to take the train. We usually ride it at least one whole lap around the park and get off at whichever station is closest to our next ride.

 

[BestFaceForward]

Ok thanks so much. I think he would be okay on at least thunder mountain. He’s ridden some medium sized roller coasters before not just the little kiddie ones. He was just 42” last fall when we went to Sesame Place so I think he will be able to get on them, it’s just a little scary to me because I’m terrified of roller coasters as an adult (I used to love them as a kid go figure!). I traded the Belle FP for Thunder Mountain for him and my husband, and Haunted House for me and my infant haha. Still trying to snag a 7Dwarves one and look up that other Mickey Meet & Greet. And about to trade Pirates for Jungle Book. I think I’ll probably hope he takes a nap in the stroller. Can we rent them there at Disney? Someone said they have to be able to fold? Or is there somewhere I can read about those rules? I want to trade Monsters Inc in for something else too probably Buzz Lightyear for after Chef Mickey.

 

[BestFaceForward]

What about Tomorrowland Speedway? Will we need a FP for this do you think, or when is a good time of day to wait in regular line? Or try to get second-line FP once we do our first 3?

 

[DryerLintFan]

Ok thanks so much. I think he would be okay on at least thunder mountain. He’s ridden some medium sized roller coasters before not just the little kiddie ones. He was just 42” last fall when we went to Sesame Place so I think he will be able to get on them, it’s just a little scary to me because I’m terrified of roller coasters as an adult (I used to love them as a kid go figure!). I traded the Belle FP for Thunder Mountain for him and my husband, and Haunted House for me and my infant haha. Still trying to snag a 7Dwarves one and look up that other Mickey Meet & Greet. And about to trade Pirates for Jungle Book. I think I’ll probably hope he takes a nap in the stroller. Can we rent them there at Disney? Someone said they have to be able to fold? Or is there somewhere I can read about those rules? I want to trade Monsters Inc in for something else too probably Buzz Lightyear for after Chef Mickey.

With kids that age, you'll want to rent them from somewhere like Kingdom Strollers. They'll deliver to your hotel, and you can choose a model that works for you. There's a lot of walking to cover before you even get to the parks, and if you rent inside the parks you'll have to carry the kids that distance (plus the inside the parks ones are hard plastic).

 

[DryerLintFan]

What about Tomorrowland Speedway? Will we need a FP for this do you think, or when is a good time of day to wait in regular line? Or try to get second-line FP once we do our first 3?

You will likely have to wait around 20 minutes for this without a fast pass. Well worth the wait. Make sure the three year old is in the drivers seat!! But be willing to reach over and take the wheel. You can fast pass it, though, and save yourself some wait time. The queue for the Speedway is exposed to the heat and elements, and the smell is....... not the most pleasant. So it might be worth a fastpass to skip that, especially given the baby.

 

[BestFaceForward]

Thanks. I didn’t realize Jungle Cruise FP would be hard to get in the morning. I just tried and they’re sold out until lunchtime. New goal hah. So now I’m trying to snag a 7 Dwarves one for first morning and a Jungle Cruise for second morning. For ride swap do we all need fastpasses? Because I divided us up for Rolling Thunder and Haunted Mansion now .

 

[MomofPrincessGrace]

If you go early enough in the morning, the line for Jungle Cruise may not be that bad. You will absolutely need a FP for 7 Dwarves. It consistently has a long line. With you being off property and only having 30 days instead of 60 there is a good chance that all the good time FP for 7 Dwarves are gone. Most people want early morning FP because as soon as you use them you can get more.

Also, I second Kingdom Strollers. They were very reasonably priced and they deliver them right to your hotel.