Disney guidance needed

DH, DD and I went to MK last March. She was 3 and enjoyed it. We were with my in-laws who didn't make it easy. The FL schools were off and it was so crowded. We lasted 4 hours and were done. DH and I hated every minute of it and vowed to never go back.

We've decided to give it another chance for DD's sake. We know she'll love it. We'll be there for 4 days. We want to "do it right" or at least have some sort of a plan. I'm figuring 2 of the days at MK - maybe with an afternoon break, an to go back for the fireworks or the dessert party one night. One day at AK and one day either at Epcot or back at MK.

Tips? Tricks? Must do's?

What web sites, books, other resources do you suggest?

I am so overwhelmed trying to plan this and I haven't even started.

What I really want is for the days at MK to be truly magical for DD, she is 4 and loves the princesses and fairies.

Message edited 3/11/2012 5:42:39 PM.

Re: Disney guidance needed

Simple - get someone else to do it for you Seriously. Going through a Disney Specialist TA means you pay the same thing as booking Disney directly, but you get someone to do the worrying/planning for you.

What time of year will you be travelling? Are you staying on property?

If you don't know how to do Disney right, it can be a horror. if you do, even the most crowded days can be a breeze. We were at MK yesterday on a VERY crowded day and didn't wait in any line. We did wait 25 minutes for Snow White, but everything else was under 5.

The MOST important thing you can do, and I can't emphasize this enough is to get to the parks BEFORE the open. Everyone who tells me they had a nightmare trip got to the park around 11:30 and was totally wiped out by 3. This is not surprising since it's the busiest and hottest time of the day.

Get to the park before it opens. As soon as it does, you will WALK ON almost every ride for the first 2-3 hours. When it starts to get hot and crowded, then you can see one of the high capacity indoor shows or rides, head back to the hotel for a nap and swim and then come back in the evening when it's cooler and less crowded for fireworks.

And the afternoon break is not a maybe, it's a MUST. I put it into all of the itineraries I make, even for adults! WHY battle the crowds in the FL heat when you can relax by the pool and come back refreshed in the evening to fully enjoy everything.

I think your plan in terms of # of days at each park is pretty sound. Will you have parkhopper tickets?

Since DD loves Princesses, you should make a reservation for Cinderella's Royal Table or Akershus. She will get to meet almost ALL of the Princesses in an hour's time WITHOUT waiting on lines.

Would you consider Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique? Your little one can have a full on Princess makeover. It's very very popular, but it's also kind of expensive. There are a few different packages and you can bring a dress from home to save $ and just have her do her hair at the boutique.

Even at EPCOT, DD can have some great Princess experiences. She can meet each Princess in her home country - Belle in France, Snow White in Germany, Mulan in China, Jasmine in Morocco, etc. It's not limited to MK. EPCOT is a lot of fun for the little ones as well.

You're really smart to want to have a plan. One reason they are expanding Fantasyland right now is that it is so crowded and the littlest guests have to wait in the longest lines. Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, and Dumbo can have extremely long lines even in the off season. Having a good plan means you'll get to see these attractions with no waits when the park opens of by using fastpass, and you can save the attractions that don't get very long lines for later in the day.

ETA: As far as guides, be really careful on the internet. There is a lot of false or outdated info out there. Personally I like the Unofficial Guide, but if you're already overwhelmed it can overwhelm you more with TOO much info.

Message edited 3/11/2012 6:01:23 PM.

Re: Disney guidance needed

We will be there the first week of May.

I guess that we can't have someone do it or us. We are using points to stay at one of the hilton hotels so we are not staying on property but very near by. About a 20 minute shuttle ride to MK and a 5-10 minute walk from Downtown Disney.

LOVE all of your ideas. Thank you!

ETA: We are probably not getting park hopper tickets. One park per day is probably more our speed. DD is 4 and we figured she'll be entertained enough with one park per day and pretty wiped out too. We only want to go to MK one night so we'll plan that on a day we are there in the morning.

Message edited 3/11/2012 8:00:39 PM.

Re: Disney guidance needed

We are going in May also. I think your last trip was probably not so great b/c you had other people with you who you had to factor in and also b/c you may not have been prepared and it's overwhelming.

My DD is 3 and we have booked a few character meals and 2 princess meals.

I would say you MUST book now or you wont have any shot at getting even one. There is little left.

Try to book Akershus in Epcot...princess bkfst or dinner.

Cinderellas Royal Table is probably booked but if you can get a ressie that would be great.

Some character meals that you could probably still get are Tusker House in Animal Kingdom. Daisy is there. Another one you may still be able to get, I saw it was available for a slot or two is Crystal Palace (winnie the pooh).

A good book is Offical Guide to Walt Disney World by Steve Birnbaum. I bought mine at the Disney Store.

Also, Grand Floridian has Cinderella meals that are still available. Also...they have a My Disney Princess Tea Party $$$$ that you can book. It costs alot but its very personalized and it is at the Grand Floridian. I had booked it but cancelled b/C I read that my DD might be too young to enjoy it fully.

A good resource is www.waltdisneyworld.com. Create an account and you can book reservations to restaurants, see what is available etc. But I have to tell you if you want even one meal with a Princess, etc, you really have to get it now.

Any other ? let me know. I will try to help if I can. I really suggest the above book to break it down easily with rides in each park that you think might be for your child or not. I made a list of rides that are must do, rides to pass on, etc. That way we can narrow down what we want to do quickly while there.

Message edited 3/12/2012 9:20:03 AM.

Re: Disney guidance needed

Thanks! We booked a lunch at Akershaus. That is the only character dining we will do. We'll make it a fun day at Epcot. International flower festival will be happening so she'll love the butterflies and pixie Hollow play area by the fairy topiaries.

The princess and fairies are top for her with the rides a close second. She is just about at 44 inches which means if she grows a little more, she can go on almost everything. She is a roller coaster nut. We really have to learn how to maximize use of the fast pass.

We will go back to hotel for pool and lunch most days, and then return to that day's park, hopefully with fast passes in hand. We are skipping the parkhopper option as it will be a lot for her. We figure a park a day is plenty.

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If you are interested, this lady makes princess dresses that are functional. Meaning they are actual clothing items and aren't itchy/scratchy like the traditional ones.

link

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