Disney BTDT advice

We are taking a trip to visit DH's parents in FL and are going to drive over to orlando for two or three days.

My oldest will be about 32 months old and the baby only five months. We plan to do Magic Kingdom because my daughter is currently obsessed with princesses. We will have family there to help at least one of the days. I have heard you need two days to do Magic Kingdom with a toddler but I am wondering what we should do the other day. We would probably have to leave on the earlier side the last day to make it back to his parents house. Any suggestions on where to go?

Also those who have been, am I crazy to think it would be fine tobring my double stroller to the park? Are there any places to nurse a baby that are not totally out in the open? Any other suggestions?

Message edited 11/8/2010 4:55:10 PM.

Re: Disney BTDT advice

You can do MK in a day. Some of the stuff is for older kids. Definitely bring your own stroller.. Won't be a mistake. I would do MGM on the other day. Very kid friendly. There are quite a few rides your DC can do in both places..We took DS there just before 5 months old and he had a blast. Its a small world was a big hit. As were the parades and fireworks...There are baby stations that you can go to and feed the baby. They have private nursing area's. Get a map when you get into the park to find them...I have been down with another family with 2 kids. Both toddlers and we never had a problem with doing MK in a day. They are open late..You can go in the morning and do half the park. Go back to where you are staying for naps and food and then go back to MK...Have fun...Wish we were going!

Re: Disney BTDT advice

We went this summer and did a day at MK (from open to close), then a day at animal kingdom (which closes earlier anyway), and another day at MK (again open to close)...we could have done another day at either park, but we definitely could have spent more time at MK. Its our favorite park!

I would definitely bring a double stroller...we did and it was perfect. They both really needed a break by the late afternoon. The baby changing stations are great also. They have lots of room to nurse privately and to change the baby, etc.

Re: Disney BTDT advice

Bring your own stroller. You can rent a double but they are $$$$ and have no basket (they are made of hard plastic/PVC). AND you cannot take the strollers out of the park.

You can def. do MK in 1 day for the younger kids' rides.

I like Epcot. They have the Nemo ride, some "science" interactive stuff for toddlers/preschoolers, aquarium, etc...

Re: Disney BTDT advice

magic kingdom and MGM are the most kid friendly mgm has alot of kids shows and both parks have a kids ride section, universal has alot of big roller coasters and sea world might be boring for your kids ages

Re: Disney BTDT advice

We went when my DS were 2 (almost 2.5) and 6 months. We did 2 days of Magic Kingdom and 1/2 day at Epcot and 1/2 day at Animal Kingdom. There was more DS was into at Epcot--he loved the Nemo stuff and really enjoyed walking around the countries. But we definitely enjoyed Magic Kingdom the most. I didn't want to bring my double only bc it is a BOB and I was worried it would get damaged on the flight and it worked out fine with 2 singles. We ended up parking the Maclaren in stroller parking a lot as my 2 year old wanted to walk. I also nursed a lot at the child care stations--there is one in every park, but sometimes its hard to get to one if you are on the other side of the park and the baby is hungry. So I brought and used my cover, sometimes I just sat out of the way or whatever. It was never a problem. If you want to eat at the park or do any character meals make sure you book ahead of time. Also since DS was 6 months we didn't take him on a lot of rides, so I would use my ticket to get a fast pass while they were online for another ride. Also make sure you take advantage of the rider swap on some rides--for example, DH waited online for the fast track cars, rode with my 2 year old and then as soon as they got off I got to ride with him again in stead of waiting in line again, if that makes sense. Have fuN!!

Re: Disney BTDT advice

The babycare stations are very nice. Get a map as you enter the park and locate the Baby Care Station and head over there when you need to nurse if you cannot find a private spot. They have everything there for comfortable and private nursing. Also, they sell anything you may need for baby.

The double stroller is fine, lots of people do it! Whatever works for you.

My advice is to make a reservation on Disney property for the nights you will be there. I think all of the parks are great for LO's, but Disney Studios has a great playground, Little Mermaid Show and Playhouse Disney show. Animal Kingdom would also be a fun day. I love EPCOT too. Really hard to pick only one other park!

Happy Planning

Re: Disney BTDT advice

Ok I have a different opinion then a PP. I think you need 2 days to do MK. There is just so much to see. I'm sure it's possible to do a lot in one day but I still say you need 2. Hope you stick with your plan of 2 days in MK. the 3rd day could be any park really. They are all good. We have yet to go to MGM b/c I didn't think it was geared to my children but I've heard from others that they would like it. We did AK as our other park and they loved it. That park can definitely be done in a day.

Your oldest DD is going to LOVE it!!! the baby will too but obvioulsy not like her sister.

Message edited 11/8/2010 8:45:49 PM.

Re: Disney BTDT advice

The Magic kingdom has a nice place to nurse - they have a baby center - it has rockers for nursing moms in a quiet room, they have a room with high chairs and tables if you want to quietly feed your child, they have an area where you can buy baby food (gerber), formula, baby medicines, sunscreen, diapers and diaper essentials. They also have a large changing area with several tables - that they that doctor office paper and they were always scrubbing them down when we were there it was pretty clean.

All 4 major parks have a baby care center - but EPCOT and MK are the most elaborate.

As far as the parks - It really depends on when you will be there. During slower seasons you can do 1/2 the park in a morning and during more crowded times you can still do a bunch but it requires planning and getting there early before rope drop etc.

I would DEFINITELY bring the double stroller with you. We brought our city mini double back in May when we went (DD#1 was 34.5 months old and DD#2 turned 1 on the trip). It was perfect - room to store snacks, great canopy for shade, and perfect for DD#2 to take frequent naps.

DD#1 has been 2 times - this past trip and when she was 15 months old. Which parks are best will really depend on you and your DC.

I would say 2 days for MK (since I think you said you have 3 days). Or at least 1.5 days at the MK. I personally like EPCOT. Both girls really enjoyed that park. They liked spaceship earth, loved the nemo ride and turtle talk with crush, and also really enjoyed journey into your imagination and the play area after the ride. There is also living with the land, an interactive water area IF it is warm, then they also loved the boat ride in Mexico with donald - DD kept saying it was like it's a small world. I also like that they have a ton of characters - DD got to meet Aurora and Marie from Aristocats in France, Alice and Winnie the pooh and Tigger in England, Snow white in Germany, Jasmine and Aladdin in Morocco, Tiana was in the American Pavilion, and Mulan was in China. Also many of the countries have a table where the children can make masks.

As to whether you pick AK or HS that is really depending on your DC. HS is a lot of shows (mostly shows) - so you would have to be ready to go and sit thru several shows which might not work for your 5 month old. Neither one of my girls really like HS - DD#1 didn't like it the 1st time - and only enjoyed 3 things there this time (Toy story ride, Mickey clubhouse show and the honey I shrunk the kids playground then she asked to leave). I like AK but if I only had 3 days I would spend them at MK and EPCOT - AK is fun but can be done on a later trip I wouldn't pick it instead of EPCOT.

Message edited 11/8/2010 6:37:50 PM.

Re: Disney BTDT advice

If you have 2.5 days I would def do MK and HS.

I would prob do 1.5 days at MK and 1 day at HS


If your older DC is into Toy Story - HS is a MUST
The parade is the best, very fin, very active all the pixar movies get off the floats and dance with the crowds!
and there is also a great section for Disney Clubhouse with a cute show with all the shows that are on Disney every morning (tigger & pooh, Little Einstein, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, etc)