So now that we are less than 3 weeks away from our WDW trip, I thought I'd share some of my crazy planning with those that planning trips with littles. For those that know me, they know I have a sickness, a disgusting obsession with all things Disney. Haha. Disney is in my blood. My mom's whole family worked there when I was born, and I've been most years of my life. I participated as a member of an anchor choir for around 5 shows a year for 3 years in the Candlelight Processional at Epcot. I like Peter Pan, will never grow up, in my heart. Disney will always hold it's place there, and now I get to share that joy and excitement with my children. *Feel free to skip to the bottom if you don't care about seeing my family and just want the tips/plans!* :)
Sophia has been lucky, and we first took her to Disney for a full day + the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party when she was just 18 months old. I worried that maybe she was a little too young, but she LOVED Mickey & Minnie when watching the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, so that was our Christmas gift to her. She LOVED it! She literally talked about it everyday after that for months!
It was an incredible experience we'll never forget!
The next year, we got a 4 day Florida pass, and she got to experience all of the parks! One park a month for four months!
Epcot
Animal Kingdom
Magic Kingdom (my fave!!!)
and finally Hollywood Studios (will always be MGM to me)
I am so ridiculously excited that in just less than three weeks, Rosalie will get to experience it all with us too! Sophia has even grown so much since we last went that she will now be able to ride the Mine Train (which opened several days after we went) and the Barnstormer this time! Woohoo!!! Her favorite rides from last time were Prince Charming's Carousel and the Tea Cups! We will see which will be her favorite this time around.
At any rate, the reason I began this post, is because, having lived in Florida, just 45 minutes from Disney my whole life, I'd done lots and lots (a stupid amount) of planning before we all went for the first time as a family (having never had children before). That said, when we were there, we had several people comment on my planning skills, and so I was thinking about it the other day while prepping for this new trip (a bit different since we'll be flying in from TX this time, and actually staying on site) that I should share my plans with others in hopes that maybe it can help them too! First let me mention that there are several times that I've seen people ask on the different Facebook pages about places to breastfeed (in Florida, you can feel free to do it anywhere your little heart desires! Go for it momma!). There however, for those that don't feel comfortable with public nursing, is a Baby Care Center near the hub with rockers, and a place to warm bottles, etc. Another thing that gets asked a lot is for those that babywear, and if you can babywear on any rides. You sure can!! Any ride that does not have a height restriction, you may babywear!! Woohoo! Carriers for the win! If you want the full list of rides and height restrictions, those are all available on the WDW website. You may also search for rides that are safe for pregnancy, although, I'll tell you from experience, for some reason they have Buzz Lightyear's ride on the list for pregnancy, but not Winnie the Pooh. IMO, Winnie the Pooh is a lot more jerky and gave me some anxiety. Buzz Lightyear on the other hand, not at all jerky and felt totally fine on it, so I personally would switch the two.
Please note, in regards to food, there are other restaurants of course available, but we a) were on a tight budget, and b) have a child who basically only eats nuggets, fries, and mac n cheese.
So here goes! Hope you find it useful!!! :)
Magic Kingdom
**Tip** Most people go around from one side of the park to the other (clockwise or counterclockwise). Go straight towards the castle and jump on all of the Fantastyland rides when the park first opens, with little to no lines.
Also, when we lived local, to save money, we would bring a semi large soft cooler full of cut up fruit, juice boxes, frozen bottled waters & gatorades, stuff to make sandwiches, chips, etc. We'd rent a locker up front and leave the soft cooler with ice packs in the locker (everything stayed perfectly cool there, even in the 96*+ weather. We'd go straight to Fantasyland, and bring a few small snacks & drinks in the stroller with us (if using a stroller, I highly suggest adding something to it to make it stand out as yours, and if you're bringing a carrier, especially a Tula, DO NOT LEAVE IT IN YOUR STROLLER. they are constantly stollen.) We'd use snacks to hold us over until about 45mins-1hour before the first parade and castle shows begin. Then David would run to the locker to grab our food while we found front row seats for the parade. We'd sit there and have a picnic lunch while waiting for the parade to start (saves a lot of money for a family). Then we'd just grab counter service for dinner (typically Pinocchio Village Haus or Cosmic Ray's). Sorry, I talk a lot, I apologize.
Adventureland
Jungle Cruise (FastPass)
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Swiss Family Treehouse
Pirates of the Caribbean (Can be scary for littles, but mine slept through it)
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
(Food)
Tortuga Tavern - $ Mexican - Burritos, Nachos, Quesadillas
(Characters)
Meet Characters from Aladdin
Meet the Disney Fairies at Tinker Bell’s Magical Nook
Fantastyland
Casey Jr. Splash & Soak Station
Dumbo The Flying Elephant
Enchanted Tales with Belle
It’s a Small World
Mad Tea Party
Seven Dwarve's Mine Train
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (FastPass)
The Barnstormer
Philharmagic
Peter Pan
Prince Charming Regal Carousel
Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid (FastPass)
Walt Disney World Railroad
(Food)
The Friar’s Nook - $ American - Chicken Nuggets, Hot Dogs, Snacks
Pinocchio Village Haus - $ American - Flatbread, Salad, Meatball Sub,
Chicken Nuggets, Fries, Breadsticks, Soup, Pizza, Mac N Cheese
(Characters)
Meet Ariel at her Grotto
Meet Fairy Godmother near Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
Meet Merida at Fairytale Garden
Meet Rapunzel and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall
Frontierland
Country Bear Jamboree
Tom Sawyer Island
(Food)
Golden Oak Outpost - $ American - Chicken Sandwich, Chicken
Nuggets, Fries
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe - $ American - Onion Rings, Fries,
Chili, Corn on the Cob
(Characters)
Meet Toy Story Friends near Splash Mountain
Liberty Square
Haunted Mansion (can be scary for littles, but is fine if you present it as funny)
Liberty Square Riverboat
(Food)
Columbia Harbour House - $ American - Sandwich, Shrimp, Chicken
Nuggets, Fish, Salad, Soups, Fries, Mac N Cheez
The Diamond Horseshoe - $ American - Sandwiches
Main St. USA
(Food)
Casey’s Corner - $ American - Hot Dogs, Nachos, Fries
The Plaza Restaurant - $ American - Meatloaf, Sandwich, Burgers,
Shakes, Sundaes
Tomorrowland
Astro Orbitor
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (FastPass)
Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor
Carousel of Progress
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
(Food)
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe - $ American - Burgers, Pork Sandwich,
Hot Dogs, Sandwiches, Chicken Nuggets, Ribs, Chicken, Fries
The Lunching Pad - $ American - Hot Dogs, Pretzels
**NOTE** bring bathing suit and sandles for Casey's Corner
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Animal Kingdom (to me, without kids is definitely a 1/2 day park)
Attractions
Affection Section (petting zoo)
The Boneyard (playground)
Discovery Island Trails (animals)
Habitat Habit (discovery trail with monkeys)
It’s Tough To Be A Bug (3D Bug’s Life)
Kilimanjaro Safaris (FastPass) (animals) earlier in the day
Maharajah Jungle Trek (animals)
The Oasis Exhibits (animals)
Pangani Forest Exploration Trail (animals)
Tree of Life
Tricera Top Spin (ride)
Wildlife Express Train (ride)
Food
Flame Tree Barbecue - BBQ
Pizzafari - Pizza, Sandwich
Restaurantasaurus - American
Yak & Yeti - Asian
Entertainment
Chakranadi
Finding Nemo - The Musical (Fastpass)
Flights of Wonder
Mickey’s Jammin Jungle Parade
Characters
Baloo and Louie at Upcountry Landing
Disney Pals at Adventurer’s Outpost (Fastpass)
Goofy & Pluto in DinoLand USA
Hundred Acre Wood Friends at Discovery Island
Pocahontas on Discovery Island Trail
Rafiki at Rafiki’s Planet Watch
Russell the Dog at Discovery Island
Chip n’ Dale at Rafiki’s Planet Watch
Donald Duck at DinoLand USA
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Epcot (a lot of people will disagree, but WITH littles, this is a 1/2 day park)
Attractions
Ellen’s Energy Adventure
Mexico Ride
Innoventions East
Innoventions West
Journey Into Imagination with Figment
Kidcot Fun Stops
Living With the Land (FastPass)
Seabase
Spaceship Earth
The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Turtle Talk with Crush
Food
Gelati - Gelato
Joy of Tea - chinese snacks
La Cantina de San Angel - Mexican
Liberty Inn - American
Lotus Blossom - Chinese
Sunshine Seasons - variety
Tangierine Café - wraps, platters
Entertainment
Illuminations
Off Kilter (SOOOOO worth it if they are still playing. I know they were going to be ending soon)
Characters
Aladdin & Jasmine in Morocco
Anna & Elsa in Norway
Belle in France
Disney Pals at Legacy Plaza West
Disney Pals at Epcot Character Spot
Donald Duck in Mexico
Aurora in France
Snow White in Germany
Winnie the Pooh in UK
Hollywood Studios
Attractions
The Great Movie Ride (FastPass)
The Movie Palace
Honey, I Shrunk The Kids Movie Set Adventure
The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow
Muppet Vision 3D
Toy Story Midway Mania (FastPass)
Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream
Studio Backlot Tour
Entertainment
The American Idol Experience (FastPass)
Beauty and the Beast Live On Stage (FastPass)
Disney Junior Live On Stage (FastPass)
Disney Junior Dance Party
Fantasmic
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show (FastPass)
Voyage of the Little Mermaid (FastPass)
Legends of the Force: Star Wars Celebrity Motorcade
Stormtroopers at the Gate – Hollywood and Vine Intersection
Boba Fett Patrol
Stormtrooper Patrol
Symphony in the Stars
Characters
Meet Buzz Lightyear and Woody at Pixar Place
Meet Disney Pals at the Sorcerer’s Hat
Meet Mike & Sully near the Studio Backlot Tour (Can't sign autographs)
Meet Minnie Mouse at the Magic of Disney Animation
Meet the Incredibles at the Magic of Disney Animation
Meet the Stars of Cars near Streets of America
Meet the Stars of Disney Junior at Animation Courtyard
Meet your favorite Disney Stars at the Magic of Disney Animation
- (Meet Disney Pals as Star Wars Stars in Darth’s Mall
- Meet the Heroes of the Clone Wars Near the Premiere Theater
- Meet the Dark Side near Darth’s Mall
- Meet Members of the Jedi Council near Premiere Theater
- Meet Members of the Rebel Alliance Near Star Tours® - The Adventures Continue
- Star Wars Celebrity Autographs at Echo Lake)
Food
50’s Primetime Cafe $$ American - Lots of Yum
ABC Commissary $ American - Cheeseburgers, Salads, Seafood, Chicken Nuggets
Backlot Express $ American - Cheeseburgers, Nuggets, Hotdogs, Salads, Grilled Turkey &
Cheese, Grilled Veggies, PB&J
Catalina Eddie’s $ American - Pizza, Salad, Italian Sandwiches
Fairfax Fair $ American - Chicken, Spareribs, BBQ Pork Sandwich, Mac & Cheese Hotdog,
Chili Dog, Salad, Turkey Sandwich, PB&J, Mac N’ Cheese
Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano $$ Italian, American - Flatbread, Pasta
Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner $ American - Italian Sausage, Bread Cones
Pizza Planet Arcade $ American - Pizza, Meatball Sub, Antipasto
Rosie’s All American Cafe $ American - Cheeseburgers, Nuggets, Pizza
Studio Catering Company $ American - Sloppy Joe, Deli Sandwiches, Wraps, PB&J, Nuggets
Toluca Legs Turkey Company $ American - Turkey Legs, Pork Shank
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LoL. See? I told you, it's a sickness. I can't help it, I'm a DisNERD. At any rate, enjoy your trip, and if you have any questions, by all means, feel free to leave a comment!!! :)
