Need advice re: Magic Kingdom with 4- and 2-yr olds (Thanksgiving week)

[mami2emily]

Hi,

DH and I will be taking our two kids, ages 4 and almost 2, to Magic Kingdom this November (sometime the week of Thanksgiving).

Any suggestions for doing the park with young children? Must do attractions? How to tackle the park? Bring our stroller or rent a stroller? Suggestions regarding dinner reservations?

Although we will be staying with DH's family in Orlando during our trip, we will be booking a Disney hotel for a couple of nights (so that we can come back to the hotel for nap/rest time in the middle of the afternoon and recharge our batteries!) Any suggestions on a good Disney property hotel that will be FUN for the kids (cool pool areas for example).

It's been years since I went to Disney and I can't wait to go!!

Thanks in advance!

 

[dopey]

Hiya! I went last year with my two boys, who are now 8 and 3. My little guy obviously couldn't do everything my big guy did, and the rides and attractions we thought the little fella would like only made him cry. Which was basically everything. :hammer:

The only thing at the Magic Kingdom that didn't make him cry was meeting the characters. Lots of young 'uns are terrified of the characters, but I guess it didn't freak him out (for some reason, he's used to big, goofy-looking characters hovering over him). Oh, he also liked playing with the rocks over by Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. So, it just depends on your kids. (Ain't I a great help?)

Anyway, just make it as comfortable as possible for your kids and for YOURSELF! Personally, I don't like toting a stroller along, so we always rent. At all the parks, Disney rents strollers that accommodate two kids. However, if at the end of the day, you know your kids are gonna pass out on you, you may want to take your own stroller (it's a long walk to the parking lot, buses, monorails when you've got to carry two kids). On the other hand, if your kids are like mine, they'd rather walk than sit in a stroller. It was really fun when the little guy insisted on pushing the stroller -- usually into his brother's ankles. I hope that helps to settle the stroller issue for ya!

Get there as early as possible and go directly to Fantasyland (or make a pit stop at the Main Street Bakery for a caffeine and sugar rush). Ride Dumbo first, then Peter Pan (and then that Pooh attraction if you're into that sort of thing). Make sure you've got lots of sunscreen, water, film, tranqs (optional) and patience.

As for pools and dinner, you can't make a bad choice. All the restaurants are kid friendly and any pool is cool to kids that age. Just depends on your personal preferences and budget. Have a great time!

 

[mej]

I always bring 2 strollers - even the older one gets tired, and it keeps everyone happier ( as well as being a handy place to put the bags!!) It also means that you can wheel slleping infants right out to the car park, without having to hand in the park stroller.
Also we use the little ones fast pass to let the older one ride on the bigger rides twice!! Once with me and once with dad! She loves her little brother when that happens!!

 

[wdwguru]

I strongly recommend buying the UnOfficial Guide to Walt Disney World. The 2003 edition is supposedly out, but if you can't find it, go with the 2002 and ignore the parts about early entry. The book gives wonderful suggestions about all your questions and includes plans for people traveling with small children and how frightening each ride is etc. In our early days of visiting, we couldn't have managed without it.

 

[frazierle]

I have 2 fairly young children, and we've been going since my youngest was 1 (she's now 3) and my oldest just turned 6. My best advice is do what they want to go to. I would however head to fantasy land first and start there. But you will need to tour the park. My son at 4 surpised me and asked to go down splash mountain - since then it's his favorite ride at Disney. But he has tried to go into the Haunted Mansion twice and never made it out of the first room. My Daughter (youngest) did ride Thunder Mountain the last time we went and didn't want to get off it. But they always want to ride Dumbo, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh and the rest of the rides in fantasy land. We usually just point them in a direction and let them choose.

We usually rent the strollers at the park a (double) and this works out fairly nice. Until both the kids are whipped and you have to carry them to the bus or parking lot.

My kids preferred hotel is All-Star Movies the Buzz-Woody section. As someone said earlier you really cannot go wrong with any of them.

 

[GenerationX]

I went a little nuts before we went last year and bought nearly every guide book on the market. :hammer: I would echo what wdwguru has said and get the Unofficial Guide to WDW by Bob Sehlinger (the 2003 edition is out, I bought it as my one and only book for next year). It's the best one out there, hands down. It has a section on Scariness factors that we found extremely helpful the first year we went (my boys were 2, 4, and 6 then).

I would recommend bringing your own stroller, because you'll need it a lot, not just in the parks. Given the ages of your kids, you'll probably want to spend more time in the MK than the other Disney parks. I'd choose any of the monorail resorts, because they are so convenient to the MK.

Have a great time! :wave:

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

As already mentioned - buy the "Unofficial" guide book and read it thoroughly. Plan which rides you think will best suit the kids, book a character meal, and have fun

 

[Lilo]

My guy, now 6, has been going since he was 4. Definitely Dumbo, Peter Pan, Pooh, Aladdin, Buzz Lightyear. Meet the characters - they love it. Ariels Grotto, Mickeys Toontown. The first year my husband didn't wan to rent a stroller. Big mistake. Rent one, they can take a nap. As for lunch in MK. Either Casey's or there is a place across the street around the corner from the soda shoppe. I made lunch reservations as soon as I got to the park in the morning, you probably can make dinner reservations too. Tony's is nice. The Crystal Palace, Liberty Square. Depends on your budget.

I will be there for Thanksgiving week, but I am staying at the Beach Club and made reservations for Thanksgiving Dinner at the Coral Sea. We love to watch the fish.

Have a great time:lol:

 

[lentesta]

Hi Mami2Emily,

I think the twelve dollar investment in the Unofficial Guide is a good idea. We have children-friendly touring plans for all the parks that will cut down on the time you spend waiting in line. The 2003 edition has extensive hotel and restaurant reviews, too.

Thanks to all the folks that recommended the Guide in this thread. We appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Len

 

[Dwarful]

OK besides the guide book I would recommend picking up the video "Disneyland Sing-along" if your kids have never been..yes I know its DL not MK but it gives the kids a good idea of what to expect...character size, an over view of the rides from a kids point of view. we went in May with 5 kids youngest ones were 2 & 5. Both used the heck out of the strollers...even the 8 yr old did as well. If you don't want to haul a big stroller then you can rent them..but at $15 a day for double...it adds up if you will be there for an extended trip! We took the good big, cushiony comfy stroller that had a cover and reclined for the 2yr old. The older one we grabbed a $25 umbrella stroller at Wal Mart when we arrived in Florida. When we were leaving for the airport we had no problem finding someone willing to take the stroller...we got our moneys worth out of it and helped someone out as well! You should see peoples faces when you ask them if they would like a free stroller @ disney! The stroller was pretty decent too...little cover & basket underneath. We stayed at Movies Dalmation Bldg. # 1 close to everything and the kids loved it! The key is to relax, be willing to make last minute changes and if at all possible scheduel a character breakfast! If possible go for an early one..you get great photo ops on main st. when no one else is there! Sorry for such a long post....hope it helps!

 

[RogueHabit]

Originally posted by mej
I always bring 2 strollers - even the older one gets tired, and it keeps everyone happier ( as well as being a handy place to put the bags!!) It also means that you can wheel slleping infants right out to the car park, without having to hand in the park stroller.
Also we use the little ones fast pass to let the older one ride on the bigger rides twice!! Once with me and once with dad! She loves her little brother when that happens!!

Just remember, your stroller needs to be able to fold quite compact to get it on the transport.

We weighed up the cost last trip and it worked out cheaper to buy a new, lighter weight stroller for our daughter than it would have been to rent a stroller everyday for 2 weeks.

 

[wrwrwrwreee1971]

I carried a 4 yr old and a 1 year old in July. Here are my tips

1. Stay at a monorail resort. You dont know how many headaches that will save you. The kids can stay in their strollers on the monorail. On buses, you have to take them out and fold strollers up

2. Split up with the kids. I would take the 1 yr old and ride the TTA continuously at MK(he loved it!), while my wife went to Fantasyland with the 4 yr old. We would then switch. My one year old also would ride IASW forever, and it was good rest for me to ride with him.

3. Make a list of rides the 1 yr old and 4 yr old can both ride, and make a list of what only the 4 yr old can ride and do tip #2.

4. Buy 2 cheap stollers. One double stroller is a headache. They also fold up smaller.

5. Do not carry 1 yr old into the hall of presidents or the American Adventure in Epcot. They will not make it.(unless they are asleep)

6. My children loved the character caravan. They met many characters you normally do not see in the parks.

7. Dont be afraid to let your 4 yr old experience all the rides they are tall enough to ride.

8. Let your 1 yr old (and 4 yr old for that matter) get a haircut at MK. That is the fondest memory my children have of their trip.

9. If it is warm enough, let your children wear their swimsuits to the park and get wet anytime they have a chance. We went in July, and this was great.

 

[wrwrwrwreee1971]

My kids loved the Polynesian. We ate at O'hanas. My 4 yr old participated in the hula hoop contest, and really had a blast. Also, we thought we would do the afternoon nap thing. We didnt. The kids will get their rest at the parks. The best thing about Magic Kingdom for my 1 yr old was the tomorrowland transit authority. He would rest and sleep while we rode it. And the ride is continuously moving so i would ride it over and over while holding my boy. It was also a good rest for me. After awhile my wife would get the 1 yr old, and I would go with my 4 yr old wherever she wanted to go. Dont be afraid of the trip. We had agreat time and saw everything we wanted to see. The #1 tip that made our trip great was staying on the monorail line. Everything was so convenient, and no bus hassle, except for Animal Kingdom. But Animal Kingdom was our kids favorite park.

 

[mami2emily]

Many thanks y'all!! Gotta print all these great suggestions! Thanks again! nt

Thanks!