1st ever visit - taking 2 toddlers with us

[sonill]

Well, I've had my first stab at an itinerary and would really appreciate some expert advice. We've got quite laid back daughters (ages 3.5 and 1.5) but are planning to be led by them in terms of how long we stay at parks (current thinking is we'll go home for a break early afternoon and then go back - we're staying at the Bahama Bay Resort).

So here goes :

Monday 6 June
Do online check-in go to hotel

Tuesday 7 June
Flight at 10.25am
Entertain kids for how many hours…..?!

Wednesday 8 June
Epcot

Thursday 9 June
Magic Kingdom

Friday 10 June
Kennedy Space Centre (or Water Park depending how kids are)

Saturday 11 June
Disney MGM Studios - Star Wars weekend for hubby

Sunday 12 June
Seaworld

Monday 13 June
Animal Kingdom am
Shopping pm

Tuesday 14 June
Gulf Coast

Wednesday 15 June
Universal/IOA

Thursday 16 June
Typhoon Lagoon am
Magic Kingdom late afternoon in the hope they’ll be happy to wait for fireworks

Friday 17 June
Revisit our favourite bit before coming home


So are we trying to squeeze in too much or should I try to get in some more shopping?????

I am in a total confusion about which park tickets to buy so if anyone feels inclined to make suggestions I'd be very grateful.

Please fire away - be as critical as you like. I'm so looking forward to this holiday that getting it as "right" as possible is really important to me.

Sonill:jump:

[JDG]

Looks good

Just a quick suggestion - I might be tempted to go to SeaWorld on the 1st full day (rather than Epcot). The pace is slower at SW and ther's probably less walking.

Kennedy might be a bit dull for the DDs (you know them best) - they might need a water park break by then (or a lzy day round the hotel swimming pool).

Shopping - you can never have too much!!

Enjoy

Julie

[BevS97]

My dd didn't like Kennedy when she was 3.5, everything was either scary or boring. I thougth it was amazing, but it was hard to see everything with her in tow.
Likewise, she didn't enjoy Universal/IOA at that age - she LOVED seeing Barney but that was about it. For the ages of your kids I would concentrate on Disney and Seaworld.
I would agree that starting at Seaworld is a good idea, or else Magic Kingdom as seeing the castle really gets the holiday off to a good start.

Given the lengthof your trip, I would probably buy the 7 day passes which would give you a lot of flexibilty to pop in and out ofthe parks at will. Spend one day at seaworld and one day relaxing/shopping/at the beach, and you pretty much have full access into the parks for your entire trip.
We find that flexiblity is imporant - if we are havinga good day we will stay late, if we are tired or the kids are ratty we will leave early and come back another day.

We don't find the afternoon break tends to work - we are more likely to h ave an early start and an early finish, or else relax in the morning and head to the park after lunch and stay late (we do this when we want to see the fireworks)

Personally, I prefer Blizzard Beach to Typhoon Lagoon for little ones - I think the kiddies area is nicer, but others disagree.
TL is sandy, and there is water that can be sprayed around - I hate sand, and my dd hates water hitting her in the face, so that pretty much makes the decision for us

[paulab]

Hi there, hope I dont sound a know-it-all:( but we have generally found - and I have 3 boys, who are now 5, 9 and 11, that doing 2 park days on the trot requires the next day to be a break day, i.e, staying at pool, or water park for relaxing TL is excellent for this, as its like a day at the beach! SW is great for a 1st day ats its not so hectic as the other parks and allows you to get acclimatised to the heat in a more comfortable atmosphere. I would certainly say leave KSC. We are going for our 4th trip this year and this is the first year we are going to attempt it, I still think my 5 year old will be interested for the first hour and thats it! Most of the parks generally require at least 2 days, although AK only needs a day (and closes quite early), and your girls will probably be too small for many of the rides at IoA and US. That said, you are obviously going to spend a LOT more time in the 'princess' areas than I have had need to:D :D Are you going to make any PS's for the character meals?

Paula

[REH]

I would consider trying to book a PS for a character meal - Chef Mickeys is one of my faves. Also how about booking a Fantasmic Dinner Package- Hollywood & Vine is a good choice.

[sonill]

Thanks for your replies. Will definately take the Seaworld suggestion on board. Discussed the KSC thing with hubby last night and we will probably give it a miss. It's so easy to be tempted to try and do everything in one visit!

We're still not sure what to do about Universal and IOA. Our eldest is a huge Barney fan but she also likes the Cat in the Hat. If we were to decide to do just one park do you have any advice over which of the two parks might be best?

If we have time and space on our tickets is it worth doing both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach?

As for PS's we would like to do some but I haven't a clue where to start. Initially thought one with Winnie the Pooh etc would be good, but now thinking princesses or mice might be good fun too. Don't know whether breakfast or dinner would be best - so may questions, so little time.........

Thanks for your help