Advice for Friends

Walt Disney World
21

This is very accurate and the reason we always go to Adventureland on our first morning. And the Magic Carpets, as early as possible.

We did AK the second morning because animals.

Our 4th day (after the rest on day 3) we opened HS with Tower of Terror for all 3 and RnRC for the 2 older ones. All 3 scoffed at Slinky as we headed to Toy Story Mania and Star Tours.

We then had a great lunch at 50s Prime Time where I think we were 9 at the table. (Star Wars Land had just opened and a couple adults were there.) Our waiter, Brother, was a hoot.

That evening was another Epcot evening. We have always toured a different evening park than the morning park. We usually use Disney transportation and usually discuss with kids what they liked enough to repeat.

I have found with kids that repeating parks makes the memories stick in their heads better. That’s one reason we do MK’s Adventureland and Frontierland one morning and visit another day for Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. Same with the other parks. And it’s why we have done Epcot on so many evenings - the girls remember Norway and Mexico better having experienced them on a different day.

Our goal with kids, grandkids and great grandkids has been good memories regardless of ride, food, watching street performers, whatever. One universal good memory for any age group is Cast Member interaction. The kids we’ve traveled with have usually brought favorite plush toys. Many times Mousekeeping with set up the toys in fun ways. Some of the kids we took also returned the favor - setting up their toys for the Cast Members before leaving for the park that morning.

Another important thing is to make sure everybody understands that things happen. Rides quit operating. Weather can be crappy. It’s all memories.

Kids of 7 that traveled with us always had their own way of carrying their own stuff - waist pack, pockets, small back pack. They had sunglasses, a snack, perhaps a disposable camera, water bottle. I like the small 8 or 10 oz ones. Just keep refilling.

A loose guideline is best. Especially if kids have not been to any theme park. They may not like dark rides. Or spinning. Or drops. Be ready to improvise.

One trip the 5 yo wanted to wear the flip flops she always wore at home. Walking from the bus and down mainstreet produced a blister. Quick trip thru the Emporium for socks and crocs and we’re back in business. :sunglasses:

5 Likes
22

I think it will be exhausting. It is for me. I prefer to have a sit down lunch as a break and then leave the parks in the afternoon and be done. They could go back once for FW or just watch from afar. If you don’t know a lot you don’t k ow what you’re missing. They won’t be able to do it all and resort time will essential.

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23

This would be exciting for first time visitors!

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24

Strollers. Much easier at their age to push a stroller than to carry an exhausted and/or “tantruming” seven year old.

Instead of focusing the full experience, focus on having fun. With only 4 park days, getting the full experience will be exhausting and most likely unachievable.

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25

This! They should focus on the highlights tour. Do the top 5 or 6 things at each park and the rest is lagniappe.

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26

This!! And that may consist of just walking around and seeing shows / meeting characters (because the waits are shorter and everyone can do them).

The full experience is different for everyone. Asking a bunch of maximalists how to get your moneys worth will skew the results.

Do the grandparents like rides? My parents don’t, and if they had gotten a wild hair about doing something like this, they might not have realized that most rides are too big for kids to ride alone (and 7yo’s can’t ride alone anyway).

Do the kids like rides? If they don’t know / haven’t experienced a theme park before, that may be a stressful first for grandparents to handle alone. My kids took several trips to work up to simulators and coasters.

I personally wouldn’t even talk about LLMP etc. with grandparents taking small kids for everyone’s first time unless everyone really wants a big ride -focused theme park vacation. If they just think of WDW as Mickey out wandering around and want to give the kids some magic (which is a great sentiment!), I would steer them to shows, character meets/ in park character meals (if budget allows), and smaller recognizable format rides (teacups/spinners, carousel, train, carpets, Nemo, etc). Less waiting without the money or technology stress, full days but with inside A/C breaks at shows, and less stressful rides that everyone can do together. And gives everyone more to go back for if it is a success.

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27

I think two 7 year olds can ride together if they both meet the height requirement for the ride. My 9 and 7 year old were allowed to ride together on all rides this past trip now that DS turned 7.

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28

Not quite.7 and up can ride alone. Under 7 cannot. Per WDW rules page:
“To board an attraction, children under age 7 must be accompanied by a person age 14 years or older.”

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29

This is a definite consideration, especially for keyless entry and tapstiles. Avoid all the hassles of Smartphone Wallets and Touchless technology by getting World Key Cards for free from the resort hotel during check-in or Guest Relations at a Park. Might be old school but they work flawlessly.

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30

Yes this is right.

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31

LOL, I can honestly say that I have walked through Dinoland USA one time, and have never even been drawn to it again. And AK is my favorite park.

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32

It’s a shame that the Boneyard closed - that’s the only reason we’ve visited in the past few years.

I’m in the minority who likes Dinosaur but my family dislikes it. The rest of AK is vastly superior to Dinoland.

Correction: It’s a shame the Boneyard is closing. I believe it is still open now temporarily.

1 Like