Two days in Magic Kingdom with 2.5 year old

So I am doing five nights in Disney but only have park tickets for two days. . .

What do you think of my plan. I have never been to Disney and neither has DH (well since he was an infanti). This is ALL ABOUT DD who will be 2.5, I dont really care about us as long as I get a nice drink with dinner

*JANUARY*

Arrive Monday (from Naples FL)
Dinner at Boatwrights (at our hotel POFQ)

Tuesday - Get to park at 9AM, do as much as possible so basically all of Fantasyland. My must do: Dumbo, carousel, meet and greet with Mickey/Minnie and Princesses. Get lunch, do whatever else we find. When we see DD starting to crash, head back to the hotel and have dinner, relax for the night

Wednesday - lounge about, breakfast and lunch at the hotel, hang around until 4ish and then go back to MK
5:20 Dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table
7 the Electric Parade
8 Wishes

Thursday - breakfast at Chef Mickey's
take the boat over to Downtown Disney and have dinner there

Friday - wanted to leave it open, possible see an Orange Grove? or maybe a ride out to a beach if its warm? Mini Golf?

Saturday - start heading home, first stop in NC [yes we are driving! LOL]


I especially want to know what you think about Wednesday night? and am I planning too much? too little? Will we bored?

If anyone has any BUDGET FRIENDLY ideas please share!

Thanks, and sorry for the Disney question! I know it is frowned upon.

Re: Two days in Magic Kingdom with 2.5 year old

I think it's a waste of a day on a park ticket to not get there until 4pm in the day. I would lounge around a different day to be honest, and hit the park right when they open. But I'm personally about getting my money's worth when it comes to buying tickets.

The Chip and Dale singalong campfire is so fun at the Ft. Wilderness resort, and anyone can go. It's free, but you buy the sticks and goods to roast the marshmallows (or bring your own). Chip and Dale make an appearance for pics, and they show a movie after. It's a lot of fun! It's in the evenings, at 7 or 8 depending on the season.

Message edited 10/17/2012 3:09:09 PM.

Re: Two days in Magic Kingdom with 2.5 year old

Re: Two days in Magic Kingdom with 2.5 year old

Thank you!

DD is really good at coming along wherever we drag her but she has NEVER not once slept anywhere but her own crib so I am terrified of hte dreaded DISNEY MELTDOWN I keep hearing about!

I just dont want to over do it and then ruin her time AND our time. . .but maybe I am UNDERdoing it instead LOL

Re: Two days in Magic Kingdom with 2.5 year old

Honestly if she is that tired, odds are she will pass out in the stroller. My DD was 3.5 when we went and doesn't nap. She never had a meltdown and actually did pass out in her stroller.

If anything, go to the park in the am, then go back to the hotel around 12pm. Then head back out around 3-4 pm. I would always do the park in the am, GOD FORBID your DC got sick or just got sooo tired that you don't make it back at night, kwim?

Message edited 10/17/2012 7:30:10 PM.

Two days in Magic Kingdom with 2.5 year old

I just came back from Disney with my 2 yr old. We had breakfast at the hotel and hit the parks right after. My DD doesn't really nap in the stroller so we would go back to the hotel around 12:30 so she could nap and DH and I could unwind a bit. I think hitting the parks as early as possible is the way to go. My advice is play everything by ear and don't overdo it. Take your DD's cues and everything will be fine!

Re: Two days in Magic Kingdom with 2.5 year old

Thanks all, I am glad I asked here. . .because on the other boards it was all about meltdowns and freak outs LOL

I will definitely go in the morning now. . . but I wont wake anyone up just see what time everyone wakes up - the park opens at 9 anyway so thats not too early. . .

Re: Two days in Magic Kingdom with 2.5 year old

So you don't have a shock when you go to CRT you should know that the MK is a dry park so no drink with dinner at CRT but you can get one at boatwrights. The only place in MK to get a drink will be the new bee our guest but that isn't open yet.

I too think you need more time in the MK I would not lounge around the hotel and go at 4. Waste of a ticket and you will want that time in the park. I see most kids napping in their strollers. Both my girls did. You are better to go at rope drop, leave after lunch for a break and come back.

Re: Two days in Magic Kingdom with 2.5 year old

Re: Two days in Magic Kingdom with 2.5 year old

I practically went from opening to closing with my 2 kids who were then almost 2yrs old and just 3 yrs old! I ddint want to miss a thing and got my money's worth! My younger napped in a stroller (bought my jogging stroller - so it fully reclined and he was comfy)

There is so much to do and I love all things Disney!

If your kids love Disney Jr and Pixar movies - I also recommend Hollywood studios - they have lots to do with these two categories - This was one of our favorite parks and had our favorite (audience participation) parade!

Re: Two days in Magic Kingdom with 2.5 year old

You're not going to get much time to "play" at MK since basically the 2nd night will be all dinner and waiting for parades/fireworks. I'd plan to do MK in the morning until noon, take a nice long break, and then come back for parade and FW. I think you can make it work.

Re: Two days in Magic Kingdom with 2.5 year old

We went for the first time this past spring and bought a 4 day parkhopper. We ended up throwing away the 4th day ticket. We only spent 3 hours or less at each park when we went. We went with a 3yo and 1yo. I know this is uncommon but we decided we would rather rest. We knew we would be back and did not feel the need to attempt to do everything. 6 months later, we are going back.

I think early morning is the absolute best time to go to the parks with young children. I would recommend checking out Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios on Wed morning. You can hang out for a few hours and go back to the hotel to rest.

When we went the last time, we stayed off property so it was inconvenient to go to/from the parks after resting in the middle of the day. This time around, we will be staying on site by the monorail.

Re: Two days in Magic Kingdom with 2.5 year old

Thanks all!

83 days!!!