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We only go to magic kingdom once per trip so bussing is fine for us. Epcot and hollywood studios are close enough. I always hated how the deluxe monorail resorts usually share a bus for HS and AK. I am stuffed so much it hurts from Boma. Hadnt been in a few years. It was awesome.
Have you looked into a private fireworks cruise for her B-day? Kinda pricey (well not for wdw), but it looks amazing. Rent the boat with a captain, they decorate it and you, her and your friends hang out on the lake and watch either the MK or Epcot fireworks. LinkLinkWe just found these, and are going to do it for the Pirates and Pals one for our kids. My little guy loves Capt hook.Wife turns 40 on 4/22.Just got us hotel/passes the weekend of 4/20
Wow thats really cool. Im going to consider this for Sun night. I'll report back.Have you looked into a private fireworks cruise for her B-day? Kinda pricey (well not for wdw), but it looks amazing. Rent the boat with a captain, they decorate it and you, her and your friends hang out on the lake and watch either the MK or Epcot fireworks. LinkLinkWe just found these, and are going to do it for the Pirates and Pals one for our kids. My little guy loves Capt hook.Wife turns 40 on 4/22.
BLT and Saratoga are both Vacation Club resorts. They have limited rooms for regular bookings. How old are the kids? Do you need cribs and such or are they old enough to be in regular beds/pull outs?There are lots of options for this, you can do multiple rooms that adjoin, you can do a treehouse, or a suite. I reccomend if you want a 2 bdrm suite, look into renting DVC points. The best suites are part of the vacation club and you can usually get these for $13/pt here. This will save you a bunch of $$ vs direct booking depending on when you want to go. My best recommendation is make a list of what you want in a resort——room size, location to parks, food/restaurants, etc. Then price out those resorts. With little kids, we love BLT b/c it is literally next door to the MK, but on the downside, there is not place inside to get food, you need to go over to the Contemp. You can also get suites here that would fit your needs, and a theme park view lets you watch the fireworks form your balcony. As for how far out, I'm not sure. As DVC member we can book out as early as 11 months in advance.Edit to add: there is a new "Suite-like" resort that's brand new called the Art of Animation. I've heard nothing but great things about these rooms and they are pretty cheap, I think about $150/night which is not bad on property.
Kids will be 7,5 and 2 when we go. The two year old will be able to sleep in a bed. Contemporary is really an ideal location and I think we would utilize the on-site dining, which would put preference over BLT. I'll look into the points renting, thanks for the advice!
BLT has the best suites for your sized group in the area. The 2 resorts are basically one. they are connected by a footbridge and you can use either side's restaurants, pool, marina, etc. Its not so much of a pain with the trade off's being the room size, and depending on view being able to watch FWs from your room (they even have the music playing on a special channel during it). Plus the monorail is there too. BLT is also decorated very modern looking, while its very disney, there is not the same overall themeing you would get from say a Boardwalk or Polly. Overall, with kids, you cant go wrong with BLT/Contemp. Good luck, let us know if you have any other Q'sAlso, as a DVC member, I can get you the amount of points you would need to rent depending on when you go. So if renting is something you are considering, PM'me the dates you may be looking at and I can get you the values so you can gauge the basic cost. The same charts are also on that guys website too.
We did a regular room at the Contemporary with 4 kids and the youngest being 2 (she did not count at the time). I think we did 2 full or twin bed, so 2 or 3 kids slept on that and they have a couch/bed where one or two slept. We did the MK view and was so nice when we could watch the fireworks from the room at night.
Do your homework. Some counter service places are great (especially at Epcot)... others are typical amusement park stuff.My recommendations:Hollywood Studios - Studio Catering Co. (pannini, other sandwiches) and Toluca Legs (turkey leg)Animal Kingdom - Flame Tree Barbeque (ribs, smoked chicken)Magic Kingdom - Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe (rotisserie chicken) and Casey's Corner (big hotdogs)Epcot - Tangerine Cafe (gyro, lamb platter), Yorkshire County Fish Shop (fish and chips), Boulangerie Patisserie (Pastries, light sandwiches), and Sommerfest (brats)Disclaimer: my last trip was nearly two years ago. YMMV
are you doing the Cape May Character breakfast? Its right in your resort and my fav. Dinner there is good too if you like a fish bake.as for QS, I'm biased ot Pecos Bils in the MK, but thats bc i use to work there. we mainly go with the flow.When are you going, we are making our ADRs tomorrow—180 days out
September 27 starts food and wine festival this year.
I highly recommend Wolf Gang Puck Express at DTD Marketplace (don't confuse this with the table service at the other end of DTD). It is a quick service and the food is top notch and a great value for the credit. You can easily split meals there too bc of the size. We almost always go at least twice per trip. Breakfast is good too.'ThePassion said:
We are doing the same thing in April. Our last two trips have been with friends/family that had never been so they were both trips where we hit all the main highlights. We are only doing a couple of park days but doing water parks, quest, maybe LaNouba, Splitsville, and hopefully hitting up Jellyrolls. We always say we are going to do that type of stuff but never do. Make sure you have time to check out the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival if you haven't before. Oh and of course 'Ohana will be had!'Yankee23Fan said:
We stayed here in November. We stayed in the Lion King Family suites and they were nice. They are definitely not in the $150 range (unless you stay in a regular value room in the Little Mermaid Section) but you have quite a bit more space. I would say the price is closer to that of a moderate/deluxe room but you have the extra room which is why we opted to try it out. It was nice to have a separate master bedroom, 2 bathrooms and table to use. The theming throughout the entire resort is top notch.'glvsav37 said:
for dinner
HS...agreed...also had decent meals at the Backlot Express. Decent sandwiches over near RnR and Tower of Terror too.AK...I was not impressed with Flame Tree a few years ago, but its been a while since i had it. Pizzaffari was a go to for a few trips but I have been rather unimpressed lately (main draw was they had mini quesadillas on the kid's menu that my son loved...don't have them anymore). I think we usually go with a burger at Restaurantasaurus.MK...ditto on Cosmic Rays and Casey's Corner...and the burgers at Pecos Bill are good too.Epcot...not sure why but it does not seem we do much counter service there. Have done the walk up there at the Land by Soarin and its ok.Other things we have done there is Le Cellier, some pizza place in Italy...and long ago have done both the cheap and not so cheap places in China. The more expensive was better obviously...but pricey.
May be better hopping out of Epcot through the back entrance and heading over the Yacht and beach resort Beaches and Cream. Might be less hectic and really good, fun food and atmosphere
The flower and garden festival will be having food kiosks this year. We will be adding an April trip to take advantage of the annual passes again. I have heard they will have half the kiosks.
thanks...but the breakfast is really good there IMO. I know lunch/dinner is really different. It is basic buffet with normal type food, and table service of sausage, eggs and the cheesy hash browns. We did it 2 years ago. Yes, there are a few other places to meet the princes, but we like it bc from our resort, we can get the monorail, get in the park pretty early, do the 3-4 things the kids like in Epcot and get out for other stuff.Link edit
Princesses, so spend a ton of time in Magic Kingdom. Get her an appointment at the Bippity Boppity so she can dress like a princess. If you want to go to the new Beauty and the Beast restaurant you need reservations now. You and the wife should enjoy the World Showcase in EPCOT. If you go in October there is the Food and Wine Festival going on at the same time.Character meals are probably musts too so that she can meat a bunch of them while eating, and the food is good too. Frankly, there is a ton.'Arizona Ron said:
Im only basing this on your other posts. It sounds like you can afford to stay on site and at a nicer place. My suggestion would be the Polynesian. It is right on the monorail line, has Ohana in it and does allow you to leave your daughter at the neverland club for just some time with you and the wife.My daughter is 5 and we went in October. She loved the magic kingdom and had a lot of fun at Hollywood studios. She didnt love Epcot. She liked Animal Kingdom but it is more of a half day/pool daySo unless you want to eat something specific in Epcot, I would stick to 2 days of MK and one each of HS and AK. You can also spend a little extra money for a park hopper and go to as many places you want within a day. It really is a great deal that I usually go with but didnt my last time there'Arizona Ron said:
Must sees...depends on the kid. Is she up for some of the milder "thrill rides"?MK...space mountain if she is tall enough...buzz lightyear and the laugh floor near by.Pirates of the Carribean if she is not scared of such things. Splash and Thunder Mountains. Aladdin's magic Carpets and the Jungle Cruise all nearby those things.Haunted Mansion and the old tried and true items like Small World, Peter Pan and so on back there with the Carosel.Newer section as another castle and a little mermaid ride.Then head back to the TeaCups, Goofy's Barnstormer and Dumbo.Hard to say what is a must see but those are the things we "have to hit" while we are there usually.AK...Safari especially if she is into animals. There is a little walking trail near there for more animals.Kali River Rapids for the typical round boat rapid ride. Also another walking trail with animals near there.Not sure how tall or if she is into coasters but you have Everest back there too.Shows? Have a Nemo live show and Lion King...both are excellent.Back in DinoWorld there is a small coaster but it has a decent height requirement. Also a dumbo like dinosaur ride back there.Bird show is ok too...my kids did not like Its Tough to be a Bug.HS...Toy Story Mania...go there first to get fast passes or you won't get on the thing.Shows...there is a Mermaid Show, a Disney Jr. Show (she may be getting past that stuff though) and a Beauty and the Beast Show. Also more action like shows with Indiana Jones and also a Car stunt show.Star Wars Ride is cool...but its one of those simulated motion things. My kids loved it (8 year old boy and 5 year old girl...though, she was less thrilled about it). If its just about the kid...that will do. If you and the wife want to ride the big things...you can do a rider swap for things like Tower of Terror and Rock n Roller Coaster. You ride it...they give you a ticket and then your wife can go through the fast pass line and get on.EP...Soarin, Nemo (Turtle Talk is good), not sure when Test Track opens back up, Mission Space, Spaceship Earth...the Agent P experience thing is pretty fun too though might be a bit much for a 5 year old...but if she likes Phineas and Ferb it would still be fun.Characters all over every park that you can hit too.Im sure I missed a crap ton in there too that others will add.'Arizona Ron said:
IF you can get a reservation. LeCellier is still one sit down for lunch. Highly recommend that because the fillet is on the lunch menu.Quick service I like Mexico in Epcot. Pecos Bills (Burger with all the fixins) or Cosmic Rays (ribs for something different counter) in MK.
Belle's story time in the new area of fantasyland was great. The one thing my daughter talked about the whole day. Norway has a Princess breakfast. Normal breakfast, but with most of the princesses meet and greets. MK has a inside princess greet where you can knock out 3 of them in one line. It's on the right when you first enter the park. Bibbidi-boppity boutique thing is pricey, but a great time for the princess.'Arizona Ron said:
My son must be weird or something, because Epcot was his favorite both times we went. He was (nearly) 5 the first trip and just barely tall enough (44") to ride Mission Space. We ended up riding that thing at least 8 times, only one of which was the "easy" version. He loved it.
good replies so far. 4 days is tough, so you are not going to be abel to see everything. Big Questions you need to ask yourself is:Where are you staying? On property/off? It makes a huge difference in what you can comfortably do.Are you a "In at rope drop till they kick me out" type family, or one that may need breaks or else the kid will implode?When are you going? park crowds and hours make a big impact on what you can see.My best advice is to go buy a book. I know it seems outdated, but they are usually the most up-to-date pieces and it is all in one place—not on the inner-webs all over the place, and trust sources so you know your not getting some boring shlub's take on something that would ordinarily be fun.go through the book, see what you like and then make a FLEXIBLE plan around that If you want princesses, I suggest Cindy's Royal Table in the MK castle for breakfast or dinner. Great atmosphere, good princess mix but somewhat pricey. I advocate character meals as a whole because it knocks out 2 big items off most people's list....seeing characters, and eating.With 4 days I would not park hop as much. Pick your days and stay there, soaking it in. THe only park hopping i would recommend is doing epcot for a 1/2 day at night and then animal kingdom in the day and MK at night. I doubt there is a whole lot your daughter will lie in Epcot so do those few things and stay for the fireworks. AK closes early, so hop to MK or another park from there.Get a smart phone app. I use "Line" by Touring plans, as well as the official "My Disney Experience" app. THese come in huge for checking wait and fastpass times. Plus the Diz Experience one will tell you where certain characters are. Side tip: in the AM, go to any guest relations and they can give you a complete schedule of when certain characters will be and where. overall, don't get too caught up on 'doing stuff' Just enjoy it. you can't do everything and if you try, you'll be exhausted and cranky for the whole trip.'Arizona Ron said:
My son was 6 on his first trip, will turn 8 on our first day this time so we let him choose what our first park will be this trip-EPCOT. He loves the ride at Mexico, Test Track, Illuminations etc.
I always leave the last day (of 7) open and let him choose which park to spend it at. Both times he chose a third day at Epcot. A park some advocate skipping entirely with kids. So yeah... definitely depends on the kid.
There are definitely better ways. Usually I can get full on their weird stuff, but it's not amazing by any means.
Son was 2 his first trip...almost 3 his second.Went again when he was 6, 7, and 8.My son was 6 on his first trip, will turn 8 on our first day this time so we let him choose what our first park will be this trip-EPCOT. He loves the ride at Mexico, Test Track, Illuminations etc.
I always leave the last day (of 7) open and let him choose which park to spend it at. Both times he chose a third day at Epcot. A park some advocate skipping entirely with kids. So yeah... definitely depends on the kid.
What did they bring you?Of course they enjoy doing it. Gotta get sick of making potstickers and grilled shrimp all day, every day. They probably fight over it.
Maybe Tom Sawyer Island in MK. You can usually escape the crowds there. There is a dock with seating that is across from the river boat.
Not planning to park hop. It's a trip that 90% for my daughter and 10% for us. She's 5, I think 2 days at MK is more than enough and maybe we'll hit something else but it really all about MK.
Not that this helps you, but is it true that Harry Potter World was originally going to be at Animal Kingdom?
Me and my wife just got back from our trip. We stayed at the Hilton in the downtown disney area. Its around 100 dollars a night i think. You can easily walk to downtown disney from the hotel. They have buses that run every 30 minutes that take you to the disney parks because it is a disney hotel so you also get the extra magic hours. The hotel has a Benihana inside it. I would just do the 2 park pass for universal and islands and do them the same day. You should be able to do everything at both parks in a day. I'd also do a park hopper for disney and do as many of the parks you want in one day. Then just take the third day and relax go to downtown disney or a dinner show or something. We did all four disney parks in about 8 hours on the 23rd. We went on close to 15 rides and got to experience all 4 parks in one day. Hope this helps have fun.
