My DH has a conference at Disneyworld from 12/1-12/4. So, we are going to come several days longer and make a family vacation out of it. We will arrive on the evening after Thanksgiving (11/26) and depart 12/4. It will be my husband, our 18 month old (at the time) daughter, and me. I just booked our flights and hotel (the Swan, where the conference is being held), and was hoping for some suggestions on an itinerary.

Given that we will have an 18 month old, our itinerary needs to be entirely toddler friendly, and given that my husband has 4 days that are going to be 3/4 conference-filled, I think we need to plan things for those days that are just doable in the late afternoons or evenings (and maybe something simple for me and my daughter to do while he is at the conference).

We obviously want to see the Magic Kingdom, which I think my daughter will LOVE. She is NOT afraid of characters, and in facts LOOOVES them. Great experience meeting Elmo recently. My husband also wants to spend some time at the Animal Kingdom.

Questions: We will have 3 full days (Sun, Mon, Tues), and 4 partial days (Wed-Sat) that my husband will be with us. How many full days should we devote to Magic Kingdom (I was thinking 2 or 3)? Is 1 full day too little, too much or ideal for the Animal Park? Is Epcot Center something we should spend a full day on or is it something we can see in an afternoon/evening given that we have a toddler? What about the other parks? Are they worth spending time with a toddler in? And, I had grandiose ideas about spending at least a half day in one of the water parks, but will it be too cold in December? And, is Mickey's Very Merry Xmas evening worth it with a toddler, given that her usual bedtime is 8:30 anyway?

Can't wait to hear your suggestions!

Try mousesavers.com for some ideas. Your child is very young to appreciate much at many of the the parks. If there are lines for things, she won't be too happy. there will be attractions thst she isn't big enough to do also. 1 day at any park is probably more than enough for her. You may want to do parts of days rather than full days also. Weather is iffy. could be great, could be bad. IF you have transportation, you may look for other activities for some days.

Thanks. But, I'm going to be there for a week, so I'm more looking for advice on how to split up the week than hearing that my child is too young for us to do much. I know she will need a nap, and we will not be able to see a lot of attractions in one day (so a "full day" by our standards is probably what most others would see in a half day).

But she is a very bright and easygoing child, who I do think she will LOVE a lot of the rides at the Magic Kingdom, especially in Fantasyland, and the characters, especially. I understand that there are parks that are too "old" for her. I'm just looking for some thoughts on how many days we might spend at the Magic Kingdom (recognizing that they will not be "full", packed to the gills days that you might have with a 10 year old), what other parks we might want to just check out for an afternoon, how much time to spend at them etc.

By the way, my understanding thus far is thatthe week after Tgiving is fairly dead, so I'm not expecting terribly long lines for the little kid rides and attractions, but others who have been at that time-- I'd love to hear your experience.

Your ddaughter is too young/small for many of the activities - even at Magic Kingdom. And the days right after Thanksgiving will be mobbed - with huge lines for many atractions. On those days I would think you should do only a partial day at the park. She won;t be ready for whole days.

Youmight also want to consider Sea World for part of one day - again much will be too old for her - but they do have some activities for tiny ones - and she might like feeding rays etc.

http://www.passporter.com/articles/t...sney-world.asp

I would plan on the parks you and your husband would like to see - there are things in each park that will appeal to a toddler. Definitely bring or rent a stroller! I'd begin by buying a guide book that includes info for children and check the discussion forums at www.disboards.com. You can post your questions there and get great information (it's my favorite Disney planning site). Also check the "best days" calendar at www.touringplans.com - this will help determine crowd levels and best parks to visit on which day.


Magic Kingdom - I'd plan 1 full and 1 partial day. You can always change this while you're there if you feel you need more time there. Just walking around and seeing all of the amazing sights and trying some treats works well. Most of the appropriate rides are in Fantasyland as you mentioned - Winnie-the-Pooh, Peter Pan, Dumbo, Small World and Mickey's Philharmagic are all things you can ride/see together. I believe there's also a play area. I'm not sure where to see characters currently (used to be Toon Town) but people on the disboards will know. The paddleboat ride, Country Bear Jamboree and Jungle Cruise should all be ok too as well as the parades.

Animal Kingdom - 1 day - Safari ride can be a bit bumpy but you see lots of animals. Both trails are great to walk to see tigers and gorillas. The Lion King show might be ok for her. Again, there is a parade in the afternoon and character greetings. Nemo show is great but long (45 min) and the Bird show is good. Dino Land has a play area.

Epcot - 1 day - many people don't take their kids here but I always have! Future World: Nemo ride is great for this age and maybe Turtle Talk and the aquarium. You might be able to ride Spaceship Earth together as well as Journey into Imagination. Ellen's Energy Adventure is good but long (45 min) and could be scary. Character greetings here too. World Showcase: Boat ride in Mexico, lots of chracter greetings (Beauty & Beast, Mary Poppins, Snow White, Pooh & Eyeore) and lots of entertaining shows and music.

Hollywood Studios - Not as much here - Little Mermaid (my personal favorite), Beauty & the Beast show. I think there's a breakfast with Playhouse Disney. Not sure if the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground is still there. Afternoon parade. Still plenty to look at and you and your husband may want to take turns to ride big rides (there's a child swap option).

Downtown Disney would be fun for you and your daughter while your husband is at the conference. I wouldn't do a waterpark - just use the hotel pool if it's nice out. I'd also rent a car - that way if your daughter needs to get back to the hotel you don't have to wait for transportation. You can also take a break midday and go back to the hotel. Maybe try a character breakfast or dinner (Chef Mickey's is good for that age).

You could go back to your favorite parks in the late afternoon/evenings after the conference. Here's what I'd do:
Sun 11/28 Epcot
Mon 11/29 Magic Kingdom
Tues 11/30 Animal Kingdom
Wed 12/1 Hollywood Studios (PM only) or Magic Kingdom
Looks like you may have to do Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party if you want to go back to MK onDec 2 or 3. I've never don it, so can't comment there.

Magic Kingdom is also the best park on Sat Nov 27, so you could go there Sat & Mon. I hope I understand your dates...

OK - this is long enough LOL! Hope that helps a bit.

Because you are planning on partial days, you could catch some warm hours for an afternoon at a water park. You have been misinformed about crowds. Thanksgiving weekend is seriously busy. Crowds will drop off on Sunday and you will have the park to yourself Monday and after. Have fun!

Will you be staying on Disney property? If so, there are many things to do with a toddler that doesn't involve going into the parks as you may not want to do so every day. Take a boat ride or a monorail ride, walk around the beach area at the Grand Floridian then go inside the hotel lobby. They'll have all the holiday decorations up and it will be like a wonderland for a toddler. They'll often have gingerbread houses and strolling musicians to capture a toddler's attention. They also have a character dinner there.

The suggestion to also go to Sea World is a great idea. I live in Orlando and have spent plenty of time with toddlers at the parks. You will be there at one of the busiest times of the year with extremely long lines. No matter how great a ride is, it's often difficult for a toddler to handle those lines, especially every day. At SeaWorld, you don't stand in many lines as you go to a large theatre area and watch an animal show. While waiting in your seats, they have entertainment to help pass the time. The mime at the Dolphin show is a big hit with the young crowd. SeaWorld also has a huge children's play area to run around and have some free play time.

Our playground had annual passes to Disney and SeaWorld when the kids were toddlers. Their favorite places were Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and SeaWorld. Probably not what you'd expect. Magic Kingdom didn't have enough places for them to get just free play time. Instead it was a lot of waiting in lines.

You know your child, but consider lots of the possibilities, including the very simple ones. Whatever you do, it will be a magical time!

stumpworks is right on the money about the crowds - busy Thanksgiving weekend and then they all go away which makes the first week of December a great time to visit WDW.

I'd agree with 1 full day at Magic Kingdom and one partial day. Animal Kingdom has plenty of characters and some great shows, plus easy to view animals. SeaWorld is a terrific suggestion. It's an easy park to do - few lines, beautifully landscaped, more laid-back feel (I believe the mime is at the walrus and sea lion show - in any case, he's very funny).

Thoughts:

The grotto pool at the Swan and Dolphin is great, don't miss it. And there are sandy areas for playing in the area between the Swan and the pool.

Take advantage of the fact that you are staying on-property. You can easily split your day between two parks. Specifically take advantage of the fact that you are just a boat ride away from both Epcot and the Studios. Also in the evening you can wander over to the Boardwalk, where they often have street performances and kids' activities going on.

Check the hours for each of the parks while you are there on the official website, and plan accordingly. Days when the Magic Kingdom shuts down early, for example, would be an opportunity to visit Epcot in the evening (which will be open until 9:30 while you are there).

Stay in Disney. Sea World is very nice but there is plenty to do at Disney, and the marginal cost of each additional day at Disney is minimal, the ticket prices really go down on a per-day basis after the first couple of days.

Holiday decorations will be out. Don't miss the Osbourne Lights at the Studios (be there for the lighting ceremony for an especially amazing sight). The Candlelight Processional show will be on at Epcot each night--your toddler might be too squirmy to attend, but you can wander by the American Pavillion and catch part of the show. Also at Epcot there are special performances/storytimes at each county pavillion (including Santa!). And there will be other special parades and shows going on.

It's an extra cost, but consider going to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.

Yes, Magic Kingdom will likely have the most appeal to your toddler, but in the other parks:
Each country pavillion in World Showcase at Epcot has tables where kids can color masks.
Innoventions in Future World at Epcot has lots of hands-on activities.
Check out the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground in the Studios and the dinosaur-themed playground at Animal Kingdom.
See the bird show at Animal Kingdom, it's very well done.
Take the train to Rafiki's in the Animal Kingdom, which includes a petting area.

Everywhere, pay special attention to the live performance schedules, including whatever is showing on the stage in front of the castle at Magic Kingdom.

When you visit Downtown Disney, your toddler can run through the splash fountain next to the toy store there.

Oh, and I should have mentioned Muppetvision 4D and the Playhouse Disney and Little Mermaid shows at the Studios, all great for your toddler.

...sorry for the serial post, but I also intended to mention the great baby care stations at each park, a great place to go with a toddler as well for a diaper change or (in the hotter months) to be in the A/C for a few minutes.

When you consider the recommendations above, please factor in the cost of admission to Disney parks. One day admission passes are $87+ per adult. You can get multi day passes for a slight discount, and Park Hopper for additional $$ allows you to go from one park to another on any given day.

These considerations could impact your itinerary; at least, they do for me.

Enjoy our weather and hope you have a wonderful time. The holiday decorations are wonderful.

Multi-day passes are much more than a slight discount. After the 3rd day each additional day on a multi-day pass is less than $10. So for example a 7-day pass, including the $54 park-hopping option (which option costs the same for one day or many days) is $320.57, tax included, or about $46/day.

I know you're dying for your child to experience the Magic Kingdom but if you're taking her to Epcot you should probably do Epcot first. Otherwise, she'll be wondering where all the things she saw at Magic Kingdom went and wanting to go back there instead of Epcot.

Better yet, plan a few hours at the pool with your daughter while your husband has a chance to experience the wonders of Epcot by himself...then switch off and have some time for yourself to do the same.

I don't get the idea of keeping your daughter out of Epcot. Epcot is not loaded with thrill rides. Your child can go with you in lots of attractions, and your daughter may enjoy lots of the sights and sounds. Japanese drummers, character appearances, street performances, etc. If you want to take turns at certain attractions like Soarin' you can do so, but I'd certainly rather be in the park together than wandering around Epcot by myself and then killing time back at the hotel.

Particularily with an 18-month-old. A four-year-old might wonder where Dumbo is. A toddler will get a great deal out of wandering around in what is an interesting place with a lot going on with her parents. With a child that young it's pretty much all good, unless something is frightening or obviously inappropriate.

I'm going to enthusiastically recommend Downtown Disney as well. 2 small and well-done kiddie rides (pay as you go) and lights, street performers, and beautiful stores (many very appealing to small children). Any of the parks will have things to appeal.

If she likes characters and isn't afraid of them, a character breakfast might be nice for the two of you. We LOVED Pooh at Crystal Palace in the MK, but it is a buffet, so you might not feel like managing that without another adult. I've never done it, but many people love the Ohana breakfast (Lilo and Stitch) and that is family style, so you don't have to wrangle a little one in a buffet line.

You should make reservations now for those, and for any Disney sit-down restaurants you want to eat in. It can be extremely difficult to get seated as a walk-in, even at less crowded times of year. You will get mixed reviews on Disney restaurants, but we always enjoy the dining, and it is a big part of the experience for us. One of the nice things about it, for a parent, is that even better restaurants are full of children, and you do not have to feel self-concious about bringing yours. The ONLY restaurant small children are not welcome in is Victoria and Alberts.

I forgot to mention that you make sure to take advantage of the "Extra Magic Hours" that are available to you as an on-property guest. One park each day opens one hour early for on-property guests, and another remains open for 3 hours after the scheduled closing for on-property guests.

Do they still offer Fastpass? I know you are not trying to hit the "big" rides, but when we were there some of the more popular rides (such as Dumbo) in the Magic Kingdom had some pretty long lines too. If you pick up a fastpass it will drastically reduce your wait time which with a toddler can mean a lot!

Baby might enjoy "wandering" around Epcot but for an adult to really get to stop and enjoy some of the more educational attractions, I agree, it would be nice to set aside a little time for yourself. When I heard that you thought your entire itinerary had to be "toddler friendly", I cringed at the thought of what you would be missing, it would be a shame.