Son's first trip to disney what would you do?

stratus

Mouseketeer
Joined
May 15, 2016
My son will be 5 when we go to disney in 2017

We have planned to go late Nov into early Dec. We are going to split our time between BLT (7 days), VWL (3 days), SSR (3 days).

We are going to open presents by the tree in VWL, but aside from that and assorted character dinning, I don't have anything specific planned

His favourite disney shows in order

Anything Donald Duck (especially the ones they used to play during the Magical World of Disney)
Cars
Big Hero 6

We were thinking of dropping him at child care so he can play with kids his own age for a day or two. I suspect Animal Kingdom will be a hit. For reference it will be my wife, myself, my parents and son's god parents travelling around disney

Thanks in advance
 
With 13 days you can really take it slow and see and do a lot.

Book your FP for the rides you want 60 day in advance. Set a side some down time even a day or two where you hang out by the pool he plays with other kids and the adults have a nice dinner. After noon breaks are also good. As fair as his favorite see how many Donald's you can find too meet. Disneyland has cars land so you can not really do that but you could go to AOA ( the hotel ) where they have a card theme you do not have to stay there to go look around as fair as big hero 6 I think for now they just have the meet and greet. Have a great trip
 
Our 1st trip with kids they were 4 and almost 6. The mid afternoon breaks were def an important thing and my boys were obsessed with the pool at the resort. They are now 6 and 8 and we are going next week, still allotted down time mid day. Fast passes are a definite. If he's tall enough for the mine train, I'd do it. My kids looooove it. They also really like the shooting/scoring rides - Buzz Lightyear and Toy Story Mania. My younger DS is always all about meeting characters. The Mexico boat ride at Epcot has a lot of Donald in it and Donald meets ppl right by Mexico. Talking Mickey at MK would probably be a hit too for that age. We love character meals too.
Also as an aside we went to DL when they were 5 and 7 and Cars land was a huge hit with them, totally amazing and Radiator Springs Racers might be my fav Disney ride at any Disney park.
 
You may want to rent/take a stroller, it helps with carrying things and a ride for your 5 yr old. November/December is a good time to go.
 


Sounds wonderful but curious as to all the resort hopping. The packing , getting settled in to then pack up again and move over and over.. that's not only time and energy but not something I'd do with a young child.
I'd prefer to get settled into one resort, one routine etc
Enjoy ur visit!!!
 
Sounds wonderful but curious as to all the resort hopping. The packing , getting settled in to then pack up again and move over and over.. that's not only time and energy but not something I'd do with a young child.
I'd prefer to get settled into one resort, one routine etc
Enjoy ur visit!!!

I understand your point of view. I travel for work (a third of this year i have lived in a hotel) so packing lite is something I am very accustomed to. Additionally, we are staying places with ensuite laundry so we can also do lite packing. Part of the reason for hopping around is the dispersal of points we have. We could make most of the stay at BLT, but I really want to have time at the VWL, and Saratoga is meant as down time for everyone. I appreciate the feedback though to all!
 


With the amount of time you'll be spending, you can afford to take it slow. Don't push it, take breaks. FP+ is a great way to plan attractions, but don't use it as a bible for where you need to be and when. I like to use those reservations as a guide line and just go with the flow in between those times. You've got the luxury of time on this trip that many people don't have, enjoy it with your son :)
 
Baymax has a meet and greet in Epcot. There is a ride in the Mexico pavilion that has Donald, or finding Donald, as the main theme and a meet and greet with Donald. (Donald Duck is the only character that I have taken a picture with.) There is another meet and greet in the MK in the new Fantasylnd area. He also is at Chef Mickey's.

I'm pretty sure they have discontinued the Mater and Lightning McQeen meet and greet.

You can keep up to date with what's going on at specific parks at this site, www.wdwent.com
 
We went last month and my son is 5. His favorite park was Hollywood studios because of Star Wars. He also loved meeting all the characters at tusker house and chef Mickey. Both have Donald. Talking Mickey in the MK was a hit. He is very active so had a lot of fun exploring the caves and forts on tom sawyer's island.
 

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