What are the must dos for a first timer with young children (5 and 7)?

[Guest]

What are the things that you shouldn't miss for first timers (and probably only timers)? We are going early Nov and have 2 children 5 and 7

I have the following on my list:

Rivers of light (must check time)
Fantasmic (must check time)
Epcot illuminations @ 9

Anything else I am missing out on?
Have character dining that I will do too but want to work them around anything else I should do

Would love to hear any suggestions.
Will have a week.
Thanks

[DisneyDaffodil]

Character meets, I love watching small children's faces light up when they meet the real Mickey ☺
A character meal is a great way to do this but I think children love seeing the characters in the parks too.

[FunlovinEeyore]

My 2 were 4 and 8 for their first trip. They loved character meets and getting their autographs. They also loved collecting pins (not trading - why would you trade them mummy? :). We spent a lot of time doing both those things.

[amarooney]

If you do a Rivers of Light Dining Package at Tusker House you will get a character meal and all that goes with it plus premium seating at the show. Character meets are a great place for the kids for photos and autographs.

[Excited6910]

Mine were 5, 7 and 9 when we went.

They loved,

Wishes
Illuminations
Fantasmic
Pin trading
Autograph collecting
Character meeting (dining and parks)
They loved most of the rides
Eating Mickey shaped ice creams

I'm sure they'll loved whatever you manage to fit in.

[xcited]

Not sure what its called (but someone will provide more info i'm sure) but getting the bear stamped around the world in epcot. First time my kids were not interested in around the world at all, so it wasn't the best of days. Second visit with the bear thing they loved it as we all did, gave them a bit of excitement, and focus. Not something you essentially need to plan for but something to help the kids enjoy their visit.

Essential for me is character dining, I love it and the excitement of the characters coming to your table next. Autograph books are also fun.

for girls pop a princess dress on them, everyone will greet them with "hello princess, good morning princess" absolutely priceless when your daughter says "they really think i'm a princess mummy."

[xcited]

Enchanted tales with Belle, is also fun for the kids to participate in the story with Belle.

[Guest]

Thank you all,

I have a some character dining adrs booked. Cannot wait to see their faces.
I cannot seem to book rivers of light, but I have made a Tusker booking.
I also have made a Fantasmic booking.
Cannot wait to see Epcot illuminations - we all love fireworks!
I didn't know about getting the bear stamped in Epcot, but that would be something they would love - off to look into it now.
And Wishes is another thing to add to my list.
I don't know who is more excited about Disney - me or the children 😄😄😄😃

[sparklegem]

Plenty of pool time. All my kids wanted to do was get in that pool, but I had made so many plans and booked fast passes. We have a much looser plan this time and we'll have much more pool time. We did a lot and it was exhausting (amazing too).

I love it when people say that they will only go once 😆

[loola30]

Originally Posted by sparklegem

Plenty of pool time. All my kids wanted to do was get in that pool, but I had made so many plans and booked fast passes. We have a much looser plan this time and we'll have much more pool time. We did a lot and it was exhausting (amazing too).

I love it when people say that they will only go once 😆

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^^^This. Don't forget plenty of breaks and down time!

I would Fast Pass meeting Mickey Mouse at Town Hall MK. It was the first thing we did on our first day and it was such a wonderful (and emotional! ) start to the holiday!