Need suggestions: Disney for 3rd birthday

Man, I can't even believe I'm making a Disney post. I'm sooooo not a Disney person. Here's the deal: i live in FL, and in lieu of a big birthday party for DD, we are gonna take her there for 2 days instead in march.

I know nothing about Disney, or any of their properties, or where to go that will interest her. I'd prefer to stay at a higher end hotel, which has access to monorail to get to parks. Where is Sofia and other characters? Hollywood studios? Maybe do a character meal?

Please help this non-Disney person!!!

Need suggestions: Disney for 3rd birthday

It would be really cute to book the Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique for her birthday. I would do the castle location over the Downtown Disney one. My niece did it last year on her birthday, and they gave her a birthday banner, it was a very cute experience. For dinner we ate at Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary. It's a character meal, and was so fun!

Re: Need suggestions: Disney for 3rd birthday

we're taking DS who is 3 next week.

For hotels... the comtemporary hotel has the monorail to magic kingdom- the monorail actually goes through the hotel. Polynesian hotel also has monorail access.
Another Moderate resort is the Wilderness Lodge- they have a ferry boat that goes to magic kingdom, which is such a cool way to get there! They also have a nice pool with water slides, etc.

As far as character stuff... we're doing chef mickey's at the contemporary hotel. it has the "original" characters- mickey, goofy, pluto, Donald, Minnie.
there is also a couple of princess meals- one in epcot- Askerhaus is one of them I think?? but I'm pretty sure there are more.
Hollywood studios has a meal that has all the Disney Junior guys- Jake, Sofia, Doc. Its at the Hollywood and Vine restaurant there. I found out about this too late and it looks like its all booked up for while we're there... but if she likes Disney Jr. that might be one to look into.
And if shes into the princesses, like somebody else said- you might want to look into Bibbity Bobbity Boutique... they give her princess makeover, which might be fun for her birthday.

If you stay on Disney, you'll get a magic band to wear while you're there which links all of your reservations, is your hotel room key, etc.

Need suggestions: Disney for 3rd birthday

Thanks, these are helpful tips. I def wanna take her to that Hollywood & vine, she loves disney jr.
I'm gonna go online tonight to research more, but can I make reservations for those types of things online or do I need to call?

Message edited 2/18/2014 2:50:27 PM.

Need suggestions: Disney for 3rd birthday

I agree with the suggestions above. My kids love Disney Jr so we did Hollywood & Vine for lunch and saw the Disney Jr Live Show. They loved it. We stayed at the Contemporary..which was awesome bc the monorail runs through the hotel. You can make res online.

Re: Need suggestions: Disney for 3rd birthday

Re: Need suggestions: Disney for 3rd birthday

You dont need to book your hotel in order to make dining reservations. If you know what days in march you are going i would definitely book the character meals asap as they book up quickly.

Message edited 2/18/2014 4:49:53 PM.

Re: Need suggestions: Disney for 3rd birthday

It might be hard to get Bippity Boppity boutique, or popular character meals at this very last minute trip. Those things can be booked 180 days out. Are you taking her before she is 3 or after? You might have to talk to BBB if you book before bc they must be 3.

I would call tonight and get reservations. BBB can only be booked by phone. Restaurants can be done online.

You will need to make hotel reservations and get tickets to make your FP+ reservations. Since I take it you are in the 60 day window.

If your DD likes princesses I would try Cinderella's royal table. It might be too late to get that. If so my kids actually preferred Akershus in Norway. EPCOT has most of the princesses in world showcase as well. So that might be easier to get.

If you want Mickey try chef Mickey's but it might be booked. Also try tucker house, or ohana's breakfast. Hollywood and vine now has jake, a doc and princess Sofia. Not sure if it will be available either but Princess Sofia does greet at HS.

Re: Need suggestions: Disney for 3rd birthday

There are 3 resorts that actually sit on the monorail. The Contemporary, the Polynesian, and the Grand Floridian (that is price order as well, low to high).

Character meals range from classic Mickey and friends (Chef Mickey @ the Contemporary; Tusker House @ Animal Kingdom), to newer characters (Lilo & Stick @ Polynesian), to Disney Jr (Hollywood & Vine @ Hollywood Studios); to Princesses (Cinderella's Royal Table @ Magic Kingdom; Akershus in Norway @ Epcot). You can also see Pooh and friends @ Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom, or Chip & Dale @ Garden Grill in Epcot.

You can only get to Magic Kingdom and Epcot via monorail. You have to use the bus to get to Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios. IMHO, besides meeting the Disney Jr characters there is very little at Hollywood Studios for a 3 year old. They have a Disney Jr stage show which is (again IMHO) very difficult to see, and is done using puppets, not full size characters. There is a Little Mermaid attraction which gets loud and could be scary for a 3 year old, and a 3D Muppet movie. That's it. We're headed back in October, and despite my DH's love for Tower of Terror we are skipping that park altogether.

Magic Kingdom has much more for that age child to see and experience. Additionally, if you're planning to only go for 2 days, I would stick to one park and not try to hop around. The Contemporary is walking distance (@ 8 minutes) to Magic Kingdom, which gives you the opportunity to stroll back and allow DC to nap mid-day.

Need suggestions: Disney for 3rd birthday

Thanks, great tips!!