Need help with which activities to NOT miss on our trip...

[Happy-go-Lucky]

This is our first trip to WDW (we're staying off property this time) and I know there are a TON of things to do as far as dinner shows, character breakfasts, etc...Can you guys recommend some "DO NOT MISS" things we want to try and do? Any special dinner shows for a 4, 7 & 8 yr. old? What are some activities/shows you don't miss when all you Disney buffs go each year?

THANK YOU!!!!

 

[tink81]

I would say that a few things I would never miss (and I am 24 years old) are:

Beauty and the Beast Show at MGM (check park guide for times)

Kilimanjaro Safari (get there as close to park opening time as possible to see the animals moving around)

Cinderella's Royal Table (any mealtime is a good time but breakfast and lunch have characters)

Fantastmic! (Try to get there anout 30 min before showtime to get good seats, sometimes they let little ones come up to the very front)

Mickey's Philharmagic (they best 3D show at any Disney Park EVER)

Soarin'

Test Track

Space Mountain

Splash Mountain

Spectro Magic parade

Have fun!

 

[RockStarBaby]

I love Chef Mickey's!! I've been going there since I've been around 7. We eat there at least once every trip. The food is good too. I've always been a picky eater and have never had trouble finding food I like. Both Breakfast and dinner is good

 

[ClemsonTigger]

This is our first trip to WDW (we're staying off property this time) and I know there are a TON of things to do as far as dinner shows, character breakfasts, etc...Can you guys recommend some "DO NOT MISS" things we want to try and do? Any special dinner shows for a 4, 7 & 8 yr. old? What are some activities/shows you don't miss when all you Disney buffs go each year?

THANK YOU!!!!

I would strongly suggest Hoop de do Review for all ages.

Check out park listing for rides and restaurants here on this site and on www.allearsnet.com.

For your meals, you will need reservations.

I think it would be a good idea to get a guidebook to look over before hand. I suggest the Unofficial Guide.

It will be a bigger challenge staying off site with the little ones, but I would focus on mornings and coast for afternoons so as not to totally tire them (and you)
At AK
Don't miss Festival of the Lion King, possibly the best show in WDW
Safari is great for all (do it early AM)
Expedition Everest for all tall enough
Dinosaur may be too intense for all three younger ones
Flights of Wonder would be a good show to relax at in the PM with little legs getting tired.
Tough to Be a Bug (in the Tree of Life)
...maybe Kali River Rapids...but chances are you will get soaked!

For MGM
Check into dinner packages that include special admission to Fantasmic. With the small children having reserved seats and less time to wait are the way to go.

50's Prime Time Cafe for dinner...you will really enjoy it, and the kids will like mom and dad getting picked on.
..also Sci Fi Drive In (best for lunch)
All will like both Indiana Jones Stunt Show and Lights Motors, Action Show (get fast pass for that)

If you're short on time, skip the backlot tour, it isn't near what it used to be and except for a few parts, the younger ones will be bored.

Epcot

All the countries have good restaurants, up to your taste

All will like Soarin' and Test Track (hopefully meet height requirements) [take advantage of fast pass for both]

Mission Space may be too intense for this trip


Illuminations fireworks

MK

Well there's lot of rides....
Lunch or Dinner at the Castle (dinner is easies for Res.)
Liberty Tree Tavern is probably the least crowded character meal (dinner only)

Parade and Wishes fireworks

Depending on time, you may also consider the Boma Dinner buffet at AKL, O'hana at Polynesian, Whispering Canyon Cafe in Wilderness lodge. These all have a wonderful exotic feeling and are very kid friendly but pleasant for adults as well.

 

[mitchk]

I would strongly suggest Hoop de do Review for all ages.

Check out park listing for rides and restaurants here on this site and on www.allearsnet.com.

For your meals, you will need reservations.

I think it would be a good idea to get a guidebook to look over before hand. I suggest the Unofficial Guide.

It will be a bigger challenge staying off site with the little ones, but I would focus on mornings and coast for afternoons so as not to totally tire them (and you)
At AK
Don't miss Festival of the Lion King, possibly the best show in WDW
Safari is great for all (do it early AM)
Expedition Everest for all tall enough
Dinosaur may be too intense for all three younger ones
Flights of Wonder would be a good show to relax at in the PM with little legs getting tired.
Tough to Be a Bug (in the Tree of Life)
...maybe Kali River Rapids...but chances are you will get soaked!

For MGM
Check into dinner packages that include special admission to Fantasmic. With the small children having reserved seats and less time to wait are the way to go.

50's Prime Time Cafe for dinner...you will really enjoy it, and the kids will like mom and dad getting picked on.
..also Sci Fi Drive In (best for lunch)
All will like both Indiana Jones Stunt Show and Lights Motors, Action Show (get fast pass for that)

If you're short on time, skip the backlot tour, it isn't near what it used to be and except for a few parts, the younger ones will be bored.

Epcot

All the countries have good restaurants, up to your taste

All will like Soarin' and Test Track (hopefully meet height requirements) [take advantage of fast pass for both]

Mission Space may be too intense for this trip


Illuminations fireworks

MK

Well there's lot of rides....
Lunch or Dinner at the Castle (dinner is easies for Res.)
Liberty Tree Tavern is probably the least crowded character meal (dinner only)

Parade and Wishes fireworks

Depending on time, you may also consider the Boma Dinner buffet at AKL, O'hana at Polynesian, Whispering Canyon Cafe in Wilderness lodge. These all have a wonderful exotic feeling and are very kid friendly but pleasant for adults as well.

You frogot Muppet vision 3D at MGM, shame on you:wave:

 

[kodiak5bears]

Animal Kingdom's "Festival of the Lion King", MOST DEFENITELY the best show in WDW!!

(parents of a 12,7,& 6 yr. old)

 

[RonAnnArbor]

You might also want to check out The Ultimate Guide to Walt Disney World at your bookstore - there are good breakdowns there as to which attractions tend to scare kids (and a LOT of them do)...as well as ratings for enjoyment by toddler/child/teen/adult/senior

My own list of don't miss events differs by adult/child which is why I won't post that for you as I no longer go to the park with any kids.

Note: rides that scare young kids that you wouldn't expect: Splash Mountain (they think either it goes underwater or the drop is really high and dangerous and then miss all the fun of the animatronics inside the mountain)...Snow White (the witch keeps popping up; the Tiki room (darkness, loud noises, angry shouting). You will find that your 7 and 8 year olds will react much differently from your 4 year old.

 

[CommandoDisney]

You might also want to check out The Ultimate Guide to Walt Disney World at your bookstore - quote]

I would also suggest the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2006. I really gives you a good idea of what to expect and gives you great touring plans and advice. Depending on how adventurous (and tall) your kids are see what kind of stuff they will want to go on. We went this summer with a 4 year old who wanted to do EVERYTHING the big kids were doing and he liked most of them... except Tower of Terror, Its Tough to be Bug and Dinosaur. He liked Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain. Dont worry about seeing everything the first time though, since youll run yourself ragged trying to do so! Have a great trip though!

 

[ClemsonTigger]

You frogot Muppet vision 3D at MGM, shame on you:wave:

You wouldn't want me to get everything...had to leave some room for others to contribute, right? :lol:

I love it, but my kids were pretty scared of it up until 8 or 9....

 

[disney jaz]

anything you choose to do will be the best there are no bad attractions they dont call it the happiest place on earth for nothin!!my personal favorites mission space epcot(thrilling)spectromagic parade MK (select nights) Dont miss this Fantasmic MGM and the Bugs life show thats in the tree of life at animal kingdom. the kids will love that your going to have a great time
one more piece of advice go slow dont let the week speed you by stop and smell the roses...literally