So blogger has this cool “stats” things where you can see which of your posts are getting the most attention. I wrote a post called “Only got two days to do Disney, check it out” in JUNE of 2008. This one post has had over 614 views since I wrote it. It’s the second most often viewed post I’ve ever written.
So I started thinking about that….
I bet there are a lot of people who go along with their family members to conventions, cheerleading competitions, games at the ESPN sports complex, or just a quick visit quite often. Those people have to be thinking, “what the heck can I do in just two days at Walt Disney World”??”
The original post I did was geared towards older kids, thrill seekers & roller coaster lovers. Which is great for them. But what about those people with “little kids” and only two days & a PARK HOPPER PASS to do Disney.
First off I’ll tell you any minute you can spend in Disney World is a GOOD minute. So if you can get an earlier flight and can get an additional half-day in I would pay for the 3day ticket. Great discounted tickets from www.undercovertourist.com (I buy from them!)
But for todays post I’m going to assume you only have two full days to work with.
You need to start to plan as SOON as you know you’re going.
1. Book Meals. Go online here to book. To save time you need only book character meals INSIDE parks. This will save on travel time and give you more time in-parks.
2. Know the crowd calendars. Because you are short on time it is even MORE important that you know which parks will have the smallest crowds. I’d suggest you pay the $10.95 subscription price to www.touringplans.com so you can see the crowd calendars, which is the BP (best park) and which is the P2A (park 2 avoid), and sample touring plans. AS well as get their awesome smart-phone app called Lines. (tells you the wait lines at attractions all over the park).
3. Know the time pitfalls to avoid. I’ve got a whole post on this. You can read it here (and you should). You need to rent (or bring) a stroller. I’d say kids up to 6yrs can fit in a double stroller pretty easily.
4. Know what times the parks open and close. Since you HAVE to be there at park opening in order to get some of those prime kiddie rides out of the way before the line stretches from here to Timbuktu. You can find times guides here.
So here’s what I’d recommend for a day with kids under 10 to maximize your experiences.
DAY 1
– Book 7:30am breakfast at Chef Mickey. You’ll see Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy & Pluto this way and its before park open so you don’t lose any time in parks. Its also a really big, kid-friendly, breakfast buffet so it will hold you further into the day. Less stopping for snacks.
– Be in front of MAGIC KINGDOM at 9:00 park opening (that’s the regular time anyway).
– Grab stroller & go straight up main street, through Cinderella’s castle, and into Fantasyland.
– Ride Dumbo & Peter Pan first!! Then ride Small World, Philharmagic, Carousel, Winnie the Pooh, & teacups. Grab a snack.
– After you’re done go to Tomorrowland and ride Buzz Lightyear. If the stand-by line is over 20 minutes grab a fast-pass for it instead. Do Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, ride Tomorrowland Transit Authority.
–Book lunch at Crystal Palace between 12-1 if there’s any openings. IF not just grab a counter-service meal. Crystal Palace allows you to see Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, & Piglet.
– Run over to Adventureland and ride Pirates of the Caribbean & Aladdin’s Magic Carpets if they really liked Dumbo. It usually has a much shorter line too.
– Ride bus over to Animal Kingdom.
– When at Animal Kingdom get times guide (you can also find that at THIS awesome link). Grab a fast pass for Kilimanjaro Safari. Then go see Finding Nemo and Lion King (whichever comes first, pay attention to that). Then ride the Safari.
– AK park normally closes early (around 5). Now rest for a little while. You’re not going to want to but you still need to because you are going to stay up LATE tonight and the get up really early the next day so you need a little rest.
– Look at the parade schedule for Magic Kingdom and see what time the night parade is going to occur. Get there about 45 minutes BEFORE the parade. Our favorite spot is right in front of the Barber Shop/Fire Station on Main Street, then move into the circle to watch Wishes fireworks. Then you’re really close to the exit and can beat at least some of the crazy exiting.
Go get some sleep, you’ll be up for park opening again tomorrow.
DAY 2
– Book 7:30am Breakfast – Akershush if you have a girl because you’ll see all the Princesses. If you don’t have a girl in your party I would suggest 1900 Park Fare (The Mad Hatter, Winnie the Pooh, Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland) or O’Hana (Lilo, Mickey Mouse, Stitch, Pluto).
– Either way you’re going to Hollywood Studios for park-opening.
– As SOON as park opens run over to Toy Story Mania and ride it. If the line’s already long and they’ve still got fast passes available before 12-noon then get the fast pass. See Little Mermaid, Playhouse Disney (if they’re really little). Then go through the Magic of Disney Animation line and go do a few of the more rare Character greetings. If you can get in a Beauty & the Beast or Indiana Jones show depending on what you want to do.
– Ride the boat over to Epcot for lunch. It will drop you off at the World Showcase. Before you get lunch, however, go over and get fast passes for Soarin’ if any are left.
– Eat lunch somewhere at Epcot.
– Check your fast pass and see what time you can get another fast pass and get one for Test Track if standby there is over 20 minutes.
– Ride Imagination, Living Seas with Nemo, Turtle Talk with Crush.
– If you’ve got some time get a Kim Possible quest in one of the Epcot countries. They’re pretty fun.
– Watch fireworks at Epcot circle.
And now you’ve done it, you’ve seen all 4 parks in 2 days and done most of the major rides.
Remember, its not about what you do, its about what ORDER you do things in.
Good luck!!
Have kids over 10 and/or thrill seekers? Read this post.
Just popping in to say nice site.
These are some great tips. Especially for a fist timer like myself. We will probably not be doing Epcot and spending whole day at MK instead and whole day at Hollywood or splitting Hollywood and AK on same day. I think this is a good starting point.