Disney World Questions

[traveler_t]

Visiting Orlando for the first time with kids (5yo, 7yo) for 4.5 days. They do not like scary rides so only slow/non-scary. Some questions:

1. The first day we'll arrive 3pm to the hotel. Is there a way to buy a half day ticket? If not should we pay for a full day ticket or do other activities outside like character dining etc.

2. We plan for 1.5 or 2 day Magic Kingdom, 1 day Animal Kingdom, 0.5 day Epcot and 1 day Universal Island of Adventure. We'll have early access in all of them except Epcot. We're ok with a bit rushed visit since we don't know when/if we'll be back. What would you change? Epcot will be a park hopper day and we'll focus on the small portion that is age appropriate.

3. Is it worth while to do the Caring for Giants activity or better focus on other activities in AK?

Thank you!

 

[NelleBelle]

1. Depending on how long your travel day is the day you’re arriving, I’d likely pass on doing a park that first day and go out for dinner.latmkidsnlo e pools and I’d spend some time rlwxinf by the pool. You don’t say if you’re staying on-property but most Disney hotels have plenty to keep busy. Disney doesn’t offer half-day tickets.

2. Your park days sound good. Although our kids didn’t have a ton of options at that age when we went to islands of adventure. They didn’t enjoy “scary” rides until they were about 12 and 10.

3. I’ve never done th Caring for Giants so can’t comment on that experience. I’m sure others who have will offer better insight.

 

[MarvelCharacterNerd]

I'm not sure either Islands of Adventure or EPCOT would offer much to the littles (even the Frozen ride has what could be considered a scary moment of being pushed backwards if they're easily anxious) - unless maybe they're already big Harry Potter fans and just want to enjoy the theming at Uni or they're Marvel fans and want to meet the comic book characters at Uni?

 

[nickys]

I'm not sure either Islands of Adventure or EPCOT would offer much to the littles (even the Frozen ride has what could be considered a scary moment of being pushed backwards if they're easily anxious) - unless maybe they're already big Harry Potter fans and just want to enjoy the theming at Uni or they're Marvel fans and want to meet the comic book characters at Uni?

IOA has Seuss Landngs for little ones.

Epcot has a lot though. FEA, Remy, 3 caballeros, The Seas and The Land, SSE, Figment. Plus the Kidcot stations around WS and the interactive game.

 

[JIMINYCR]

By the time you arrive and get the kids settled in you will probably have a lot less time than you think. Travelling with kids they have to decompress and relax from the drive or flight. Doing things around the resort or DS will give you some time to ease into the vacation so the next day you will get full value of your time. Id go 2 full days MK with kids that age. Possibly doing full days for EP & AK. and save Uni for a trip back when they are older. Make this trip a total Dis trip for their first one, doing more character M&G's., not pressing them to do too much in a day that stresses them out.

 

[JohnD]

Visiting Orlando for the first time with kids (5yo, 7yo) for 4.5 days. They do not like scary rides so only slow/non-scary. Some questions:

1. The first day we'll arrive 3pm to the hotel. Is there a way to buy a half day ticket? If not should we pay for a full day ticket or do other activities outside like character dining etc.

2. We plan for 1.5 or 2 day Magic Kingdom, 1 day Animal Kingdom, 0.5 day Epcot and 1 day Universal Island of Adventure. We'll have early access in all of them except Epcot. We're ok with a bit rushed visit since we don't know when/if we'll be back. What would you change? Epcot will be a park hopper day and we'll focus on the small portion that is age appropriate.

3. Is it worth while to do the Caring for Giants activity or better focus on other activities in AK?

Thank you!

1. If you go to a park on check in or check out, you have to pay for a full day's ticket. So that decision is up to you. On check in day, maybe go to a 5:30 Drawn to Life Cirque du Soleil show followed by dinner in DS. Or you could do an evening Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review which includes dinner.

2. I would give Epcot at least a day. It's a huge park. You don't know when your GOTG queue will be called. And there is still FEA, Soarin, LWTL, and Rat, at least. Maybe see American Adventure. That's a lot right there.

3. AK already has several shows--Festival of the Lion King, Finding Nemo, and Encounters in Flight--and you don't want your kids to miss them, along with two animal walking trails, Rafiki's Planet watch (train to petting zoo), and several age appropriate rides. Only do Walking with Giants if AK has a later closure.

 

[MarvelCharacterNerd]

IOA has Seuss Landngs for little ones.

Epcot has a lot though. FEA, Remy, 3 caballeros, The Seas and The Land, SSE, Figment. Plus the Kidcot stations around WS and the interactive game.

I don't think Seuss Landing will fill a day though? The rest there are thrill rides or at least, not quiet gentle kid rides.

As I said, if kids are skittish, the backward bit in FEA could be scary. Remy seems overwhelming. 3 Caballeros & Figment, and the Seas and the Land, would be good options though, you're right.

 

[NelleBelle]

Epcot was my oldest DS’s favorite park from the time he was very young. I think Epcot has a lot for kids 5-7. My son loved the shows and Soarin was a favorite as well. He was very tall for his age and ride when he was 2 1/2.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

I agree with most on here…don’t underestimate Epcot…I think your kiddos will enjoy FEA and Rat…the sights of Frozen will more than make up for the drops…Soarin’ will be a hit as well along with the 3 Cabs in Mexico.

 

[MarvelCharacterNerd]

And if the kids are skittish, Soarin' can be scary, too, being swooped up in the air and hanging up there. I know adults who don't like it. Just saying it depends how sensitive the kids are and what is scary to them.

 

[plutofan15]

I would plan a full day at Epcot. It was one of my kids favorite parks at that age. There is plenty to do and see. Don’t underestimate the appeal of the park to kids of that age.