Boilermaker Rick wrote:
We just took our 3 year old here. It sounds like you've already made some decisions so some of these things you won't like to hear based on my experience.
We stayed in a Disney resort. I would NEVER consider staying offsite. It is remarkably better. If I was staying offsite, I would probably just go to the Magic Kingdom one day and find other stuff to do the rest of the time. Virtually everything is built to give priority to those who are staying on site. Extra magic hours. Better fastpass priority. Driving in the lines are long if you get there at the start. Not to mention the food package. If you really want to stay offsite too, then I would recommend a few days staying on resort property and then a few days offsite where you don't go to Disney at all. Your experience staying on site will be FAR SUPERIOR if you stay in their resorts. They have them at all price levels too so it isn't like you have to spend tens of thousands of dollars on your trip.
However, with a young kid like that, this is what I would do depending on the number of days in order.
2 days at the Magic Kingdom. More on this later.
1 day at Hollywood Studios. Go to Toy Story Land, do the Disney Jr. Dance Party, and then some other kid friendly stuff.
1 day at Animal Kingdom. The safari is really cool. Keep in mind this place is much hotter than the rest of the Disney properties and it is a long day. I've actually been to Animal Kingdom twice on two vacations, one with a kid and one without, and I think I've only seen 50% of the park because by about noon you are so hot you just want to go home.
1 day at Epcot. I would almost consider another day at Magic Kingdom here because there really is very little for kids at Epcot. Epcot is a cool park for older kids or adults but for kids under about 8 it's going to be the least memorable thing they do.
The rest of the time you have left at Magic Kingdom, and maybe the day you would have went to Epcot anyways. If you do decide to do anything but Magic Kingdom, I can give you some more tips on each.
As for Magic Kingdom, a fastpass is a must just like in most places. Get there for the park open and walk around main street and then head right to the carousel since it has no fastpass. You are going to get bad times for the fastpass because you are staying offsite(on site people get to pick a month ahead of you) but you should be able to get rides. Our kid loved: Dumbo, The Teacups, Aladdin's magic carpet. If you think your kid can handle rides where you are in the dark then Peter Pan and It's A Small World are good. Eat at "Be Our Guest" and also get a Cinnamon Roll from Gaston's Tavern. Frontierland can get good for kids too. The boat ride is good and requires no fast pass. Use the app on your phone to buy the food as the lines everywhere can be really long. Get a dole whip to cool off since you will be hot depending on how long you stay. Bring a stroller into the park. You will need it.
Do not waste your time fishing. You can fish anywhere. You can't spend time with your daughter at a truly magical place that will be one of the coolest experiences of her young life. Those memories last forever. When she is 16 and driving her car away will you remember the time you took her to Disney or the time you caught a fish inland in Florida?
I was at Disney as a kid, I don't really remember shit.. I do remember fishing down there on that vacation in the ocean and inland.
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The Original Kid Cairo wrote:
Laurence Holmes is a fucking weirdo, a nerd in denial, and a wannabe. Not a very good radio host either.