Planning for a Short Trip

One of my readers asked this question:

We are travelling to Walt Disney World at the end of April for five nights and four days and staying on site. We have a 4-year-old daughter and a 7-year-old son. What theme parks would you recommend us seeing? What types of tickets would be our best choice if we went to the parks for three days and took one day to enjoy the resort and relax?

This is a typical situation for families who have a few days for a short vacation. While they will not be able to enjoy every attraction at Walt Disney World, they can enjoy a very nice vacation by planning ahead. Keep reading to see my suggestions.

If I had only three days to spend in the parks with two little ones, I would get a three-day Magic Your Way with the Park Hopper option. We would start early each day to avoid the crowds. Here is my schedule:

Day 1: Morning at Disney-MGM Studios, with our primary objectives to see Playhouse Disney Live, The Voyage of the Little Mermaid, the "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" Playground, and the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular (maybe Beauty and the Beast instead if the boy didn't mind too much). Then we would parkhop to Disney's Animal Kingdom. Immediately upon arrival get a FastPass for the Kilimanjaro Safari. Then go to Dinoland USA, see the next available showing of Finding Nemo the Musical. While waiting, visit the Boneyard playground and ride Triceratops Spin. After the show, take the Safari ride (using our FastPass), and go through one of the walking trails (Pangani Forest Exploration Trail or Maharaja Jungle Trek). Have our meals at counter-service wherever we happen to be; both the Studios and Animal Kingdom have nice counter-service options.

Day 2: We would begin at Epcot, going straight to pick up a FastPass for Soarin' in the Land Pavilion. Then visit the Seas with Nemo and Friends. Ride the clamobiles, then see Turtle Talk with Crush. Then we would go back to the Land and see Soarin', perhaps followed by a stop at the Imagination Pavilion, Test Track or Mission: Space depending on the interests of the children. Then we would take the monorail to the Magic Kingdom. For that afternoon, we would hit the less busy attractions, such as Mickey's and Minnie's houses in Toontown, or whatever is available, including seeing the afternoon parade. Again, meals at counter-service to save time and money.

Day 3: Rest day at the resort, enjoying the pool. We would probably take a trip to Downtown Disney for an early lunch at the Earl of Sandwich (because it is my absolute favorite!). Depending on our budget, we might go for a ride in the mini power boat or visit the petting zoo at Fort Wilderness. We would go to bed very early, because tomorrow is an early day!

Day 4: This would be our all-day trip to the Magic Kingdom. The key is to arrive about 30 minutes before the park opens so that we could hit as many of the Fantasyland rides as possible before 10:00 AM. (We might send someone to pick up FastPasses for Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain or Jungle Cruise, depending the preference of the kids.) Next on the list is Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion. Other activities would depend on the crowd levels. We would probably have lunch (call for reservations in advance today!) at the Crystal Palace (with Pooh and friends) or Liberty Tree Tavern (with Mickey and friends). We take as many breaks in the afternoon as we needed and have dinner at a counter-service, probably Columbia Harbour House because it is quieter.

You might be wondering why we would do Magic Kingdom last. The Magic Kingdom is so exciting for the kids that they would expect the other parks to be just like it. By doing the other parks first, they are able to really enjoy them without comparing them to the Magic Kingdom. This schedule gives them what's best for children their age at each of the other parks, then provides the maximum time in the Magic Kingdom.