Walt Disney World With Kids (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [52]
Plan at least one evening each in the Magic Kingdom, Hollywood, and Epcot so that you can see all the closing shows.
Set Your Priorities
Next, poll your family on what attractions they most want to see and build these priorities into the plan. I’d let each family member choose three must-sees per park. For example, at Hollywood, 10-year-old Jeremy wants to ride Toy Story Mania, the Tower of Terror, and Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster. His 6-year-old sister, Elyce, chooses Muppet*Vision 3-D, Beauty and the Beast, and Voyage of the Little Mermaid. Mom thinks the ’50s Prime Time Café sounds like a hoot and wants to ride The Great Movie Ride and Toy Story Mania. Dad is all over the Tower of Terror/Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster thing and thinks the Lights, Motors, Action! stunt show sounds interesting.
Okay, because of some overlap you have nine items on this family’s personal must-see list. They should make sure that they experience these attractions even if they don’t do anything else. With any luck, they’ll have some extra time and may be able to work in a few other things as well, but the key is to make sure you honor everyone’s top three choices.
Cut Some Deals
Building each family member’s must-sees into the touring plan has many advantages. You’re seeing the best of the best, you’ve broken out of that “gotta do it all” compulsion, and the kids feel that they’re giving input and are full partners in the vacation planning.
There’s another huge advantage: A customized touring plan minimizes whining and fights. Your 12-year-old is more apt to bear a character breakfast with good grace if she knows that you’ll be spending the afternoon at Blizzard Beach, one of her top choices. Kids understand fair. They might fidget a bit in Chefs de France, but if you’ve already covered Soarin’ and Mission: SPACE, you’re perfectly justified in saying, “This is Mom’s first choice in Epcot, so be quiet and eat your croquette de boeuf.”
Break Up the Days
Divide each day of your visit into three components: morning, afternoon, and evening. It isn’t necessary to plan where you’ll be every hour on the hour—that’s way too confining—but you need some sense of how you’ll break up the day.
Pencil in things that have to be done at a certain time. You have a character breakfast for Wednesday morning, for example, or you must be in the Magic Kingdom on Friday night because that’s the only time the evening parade is scheduled during your visit.
Monday
Morning: Magic Kingdom
Afternoon: Rest by hotel pool
Evening: Epcot
Tuesday
Morning and afternoon: Animal Kingdom
Evening: Hollywood
Wednesday (rest day)
Morning: Character breakfast
Afternoon: Downtown Disney then early to bed
Thursday
Morning and afternoon: Blizzard Beach
Evening: Epcot
Friday
Morning: Hollywood
Afternoon: Rest by pool
Evening: Magic Kingdom
Note: This plan assumes you have the Park Hopper option on your tickets.
Favorite Attractions for Preschoolers
IN THE MAGIC KINGDOM
Aladdin’s Magic Carpet
Country Bear Jamboree
Dumbo
It’s a Small World
Jungle Cruise
The Little Mermaid
Mad Tea Party
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Monsters, Inc.
The parades
Peter Pan’s Flight
Story Time with Belle
IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM
The Boneyard
Festival of the Lion King
Tree of Life—It’s Tough to be a Bug!
Kilimanjaro Safaris
TriceraTop Spin
Finding Nemo
AT EPCOT
Soarin’
Family Fun Kidcot Stops
Innoventions
Journey into Imagination
Turtle Talk with Crush
AT HOLLYWOOD
Beauty and the Beast
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure
Muppet*Vision 3-D
Playhouse Disney
Toy Story Mania
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Favorite Attractions for Kids 5–8
IN THE MAGIC KINGDOM
Aladdin’s Magic Carpet
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Country Bear Jamboree
Dumbo
It’s a Small World
Jungle Cruise
Mad Tea Party
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Mickey’s