https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 28 Apr 2026 08:59:28 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/last-minute-trip-to-disney-with-kids-help#post-2868623 Thu, 24 Jan 2019 17:03:37 +0000 justjules 2868623@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skinnycow: @JennyPenny: @charm55: @erinbaderin: @Anagram: @808love: THANK YOU guys so much! Lots of good info and tips. I’m going to sit down tonight and try and nail some things down. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/last-minute-trip-to-disney-with-kids-help#post-2868550 Thu, 24 Jan 2019 10:38:33 +0000 808love 2868550@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: Yes, we did the Cinderella breakfast to get in early and it was wonderful. We also did the early Be Our Guest breakfast another year for early admission. You can order your meal ahead. The turnstile line is all the way to the left. Reservations are hard to come by but you may get lucky. That is the best way to beat the crowds with little ones! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/last-minute-trip-to-disney-with-kids-help#post-2868546 Thu, 24 Jan 2019 10:33:34 +0000 Anagram 2868546@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, and last tip---Ubers (someone correct me if I'm wrong, but we Ubered once last time and I think this is true) there can come with a car seat AND they can drop you close to the main gate-- not at the TTC, so that significantly cuts down on your transit time to inside.</p> <p>But at the same time, if you go early and are driving, you will get a pretty close parking space anyway--but it is at th TTC, so then you do have to take the monorail or boat to MK entrance. When we went, we had an 8am breakfast rez at Cinderella's castle on a day when park opening was at 9am. So we arrived at the TTC around 7:30 am--parked literally first row. Walked right onto monorail and were at the front gates by 7:55 and were immediately let in to go to the castle. That was on a lower crows day, around a 4 on the crowd scales.</p> <p>So a last minute trip is totally doable and will be super fun! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/last-minute-trip-to-disney-with-kids-help#post-2868545 Thu, 24 Jan 2019 10:29:49 +0000 Anagram 2868545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>And you don't need reservations at all for all of the Quick Service dining options--on the app, you can even order in advance and just do counter pickup to save time--which is clutch when traveling with small hungry children. No ordering lines, no wait for food.</p> <p>With only 1 park day, I would not plan any dining or anything outside of the park. Personally, I probably wouldn't do any "table service" stuff at all, just because it takes a long time and there's so much else to do. You are constantly resting your legs in shows and on rides, so that wasn't really an issue for me, and I wanted to go, go go when we were there (our kids were newly 2 and 4 when we went).</p> <p>And there are "baby care" stations around the park with changing tables, rocking chairs, if you need that. You can also rent a double stroller that lays down (like a britax double) if you want--so your kiddos can sleep on the go. Or you could babywear. Some rides even allow you to babywear on the ride itself (on the front of you only), so if you younger one is napping, you don't have to take them off.</p> <p>But you could also just do some shows during nap time, too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/last-minute-trip-to-disney-with-kids-help#post-2868543 Thu, 24 Jan 2019 10:28:04 +0000 808love 2868543@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m leaning MK for the classic first timer Disney experience. Get on the Disney World website and look for fast passes. Get to the park half hour before opening if at all possible. Take pics on empty Main Street and head for Fantasy land. It is a 45 min journey there. If you get there early you don’t have to use a fast pass for the first two rides. Book these Fast Passes as early and close together as allowable: Peter Pan. Enchanted with Belle (interactive show), Dumbo. That is in order of priority. Since you can get only 3 fast passes, do Small World when you first get there. Ride the other rides in Fantasyland and visit the castle as you wait for your next fast pass time. Have fun!!!</p> <p>Also Ariel doesn’t have a Line. The only other great small kid ride outside of Fantasyland is Jungle Cruise. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/last-minute-trip-to-disney-with-kids-help#post-2868541 Thu, 24 Jan 2019 10:25:07 +0000 Anagram 2868541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Off the top of my head, rides with no height requirement at MK that my kids loved:</p> <p>-Carosuel<br /> -It's a Small World<br /> -Peter Pan's flight<br /> -Belle's House<br /> -Ariel's ride<br /> -Dumbo<br /> -There's a play structure thing inside the dumbo ride that my kids would have stayed in for 2 hours if I let them (good for rainy times)<br /> -Buzz lightyear ride<br /> -Peoplemover (my kids super loved this one for some reason)<br /> -the Carousel of Progress (totally different from prince CHarming's carousel, listed above)<br /> -Pirates of the Carribean<br /> -Haunted House<br /> -Jungle Cruise<br /> -Tikki Room<br /> -Aladdin's carpets<br /> -Swiss family robinson tree house</p> <p>There are just SO MANY things to do with young kiddos. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/last-minute-trip-to-disney-with-kids-help#post-2868537 Thu, 24 Jan 2019 10:19:32 +0000 Anagram 2868537@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@justjules: I would 100% do Magic Kingdom with kids your kids' ages. They can ride the vast majority of the rides at MK, and all the shows are appropriate. We loved AK, but there are very few rides at all, a lot more walking around between attractions (like some attractions are literally walks on "jungle trails" to see animals--like a zoo). Do MK. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/last-minute-trip-to-disney-with-kids-help#post-2868529 Thu, 24 Jan 2019 09:48:31 +0000 erinbaderin 2868529@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@justjules: You could do Chef Mickey's - I think they have breakfast or lunch. Or there's the Crystal Palace, which has the Winnie the Pooh characters. You might have a hard time getting a reservation at this point but Touring Plans has a reservation finder - you put in what restaurant you want and what time and it sends you a message if something becomes available. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/last-minute-trip-to-disney-with-kids-help#post-2868528 Thu, 24 Jan 2019 09:41:33 +0000 JennyPenny 2868528@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, one other thing my kids loved at MK is we were wandering by and there was this random performance at the castle with Elsa, Anna, and Olaf - and my son is currently loving Frozen so he was super enamored with it. Maybe its something with times announced in advance somewhere (hopefully someone more knowledgeable than me can chime in) but it was a surprise for us that made DS's day :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/last-minute-trip-to-disney-with-kids-help#post-2868526 Thu, 24 Jan 2019 09:26:08 +0000 erinbaderin 2868526@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@justjules: My kids are also teeny, but there are so many rides that have no height requirements. I think your best bet is MK - for your reference, here's my plan for our first day: <a href="https://touringplans.com/plans/print?id=3410409" rel="nofollow">https://touringplans.com/plans/print?id=3410409</a> That's entirely in Fantasyland, and only two of those rides have height requirements. MK also has, as far as I can tell, the most characters to meet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/last-minute-trip-to-disney-with-kids-help#post-2868525 Thu, 24 Jan 2019 09:22:01 +0000 charm55 2868525@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@justjules: I would do MK if you are just doing one day. There’s so many rides that everyone can do. My kids do love AK but MK is classic Disney and you will easily fill an entire day. AK for us is not a full day.</p> <p>Once you link your tickets to your account via the website or app you will be able to make your 3 FPs for free. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/last-minute-trip-to-disney-with-kids-help#post-2868524 Thu, 24 Jan 2019 09:17:25 +0000 JennyPenny 2868524@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@justjules: You automatically get them - they don't cost anything. Same for the ones you get after you use up the first 3. </p> <p>Between the two parks - my kids loved AK because my 1 yr old is obsessed with lions so the safari ride was super cool for him. The Lion King show was incredible as well. I really don't remember there being many rides there that were appropriate for our kids. MK just had a lot more different things. There my kids liked the simple rides like Aladdins Carpets, Flying Dumbos, Carousel, Mad Hatter Tea Party, and there was a Toy Story ride with blasters. The nice thing about a lot of those is the line times were super short so we could do some of them a few times in a row with minimal waiting - and there's no height requirements. And there were some good shows there - like the grown ups all loved the Monsters Inc Laugh Floor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/last-minute-trip-to-disney-with-kids-help#post-2868522 Thu, 24 Jan 2019 09:16:32 +0000 skinnycow 2868522@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@justjules: There are so many rides without height requirements! I'd do MK because there are a bunch of things both of your kids can ride.</p> <p>We went with my daughter when she was just over two and she had a blast. You obviously won't be able to ride rollercoasters but you'll be able to do most of the Fantasyland rides and several others across the park.</p> <p>ETA - we love AK but a ton of rides there have height requirements. My daughter still loved it, though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/last-minute-trip-to-disney-with-kids-help#post-2868519 Thu, 24 Jan 2019 09:00:45 +0000 justjules 2868519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: oh! This makes me reconsider my slight preference for MK. Do you think AK would be better because of the shows? Are there also some rides there? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/last-minute-trip-to-disney-with-kids-help#post-2868515 Thu, 24 Jan 2019 08:58:57 +0000 justjules 2868515@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: yes just one day! Leaning toward MK but open to suggestions. Maybe AK instead because kids are so young? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/last-minute-trip-to-disney-with-kids-help#post-2868513 Thu, 24 Jan 2019 08:57:09 +0000 justjules 2868513@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: we are looking at Monday the 4th. The website I looked at said there was a cheerleading thing (I think?) that weekend but Monday is supposed to be slower. </p> <p>We won’t be able to do many rides based on height. I don’t even know my sons height but he’s on the shorter side for a 3 year old. My 21 mo old daughter is the thrill seeker of the family haha so hopefully there is at least one ride she can do. </p> <p>Any dining recs? I was googling some things last night. I think they would be into the Mickey characters (tangled and frozen are t he only Disney movie they have seen parts of) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/last-minute-trip-to-disney-with-kids-help#post-2868510 Thu, 24 Jan 2019 08:51:40 +0000 looch 2868510@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The thing about Disney that I have found is that they do "magic" so well, that even if you just walk around all day and don't go on a single ride, there is just so much to see and take in.</p> <p>I think the best way to get bang for your buck with Disney tickets is to see some of the shows, like Finding Nemo and Lion King, both at AK. They are legit Broadway level performances, plus you get a break and are sitting inside in the air conditioning. Every seat in the house is a good one, so they're ideal for families. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/last-minute-trip-to-disney-with-kids-help#post-2868509 Thu, 24 Jan 2019 08:51:15 +0000 justjules 2868509@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@charm55: good tips! Thanks so much! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/last-minute-trip-to-disney-with-kids-help#post-2868508 Thu, 24 Jan 2019 08:50:35 +0000 justjules 2868508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyPenny: I’m torn between AK and MK. What would you recommend on your last experience? Because they are so young we will keep the day light. And sorry if this is a silly queation- but when you say “you get 3 fast passes” is that automatic? Or something we have to pay for additionally? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/last-minute-trip-to-disney-with-kids-help#post-2868507 Thu, 24 Jan 2019 08:48:07 +0000 justjules 2868507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@808love: we are debating between animal kingdom and magic kingdom. Because our kids are so young and won’t be able to do lots of rides I wonder if animal kingdom will be better? What were your experiences? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/last-minute-trip-to-disney-with-kids-help#post-2868502 Thu, 24 Jan 2019 08:10:05 +0000 Anagram 2868502@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@justjules: As soon as you have your ticket, log on (or DL the app) and try to get 3 fastpasses, and then post here what they are and we will help you fill in a plan. So you are going for 1 day only? And going to Magic Kingdom? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/last-minute-trip-to-disney-with-kids-help#post-2868501 Thu, 24 Jan 2019 08:08:48 +0000 erinbaderin 2868501@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think as long as your expectations are low, you'll have a blast! With the ages of your kids you're not going to want to go on the really big rides anyway (Space Mountain, etc) so that will help - I get the sense that the littler kid rides are not as insanely popular. Check out the website Touring Plans for some tips on structuring your day - where to go when, etc. At this point you might have a hard time getting a fast pass for, like, Peter Pan, but you could definitely still get them for some rides your kids will love, or some character meetings. Have fun!</p> <p>Do you know which day you want to go? I was checking crowd calendars for your dates - the Saturday is the busiest. It looks like the Sunday is going to be pretty quiet - Super Bowl Sunday is probably going to be pretty quiet so that might be a good day to pick if you're not football fans. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/last-minute-trip-to-disney-with-kids-help#post-2868496 Thu, 24 Jan 2019 06:08:18 +0000 charm55 2868496@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You will have a great time ! Go early, because the lines are shortest first thing in the morning and head to Fantasyland. There are lots of attractions there for the whole family. Definitely book your 3 fastpasses in advance and use the app to get more. Some attractions may not be available this close out but there will still be lots to choose from. The Festival of Fantasy parade is at 3pm and is fantastic. It’s less crowded if you watch it from Frontierland. </p> <p>If there’s a ride that you want to do that has a height requirement, you can use what’s called Rider Swap. Ie: Your DS wants to ride Barnstormer, which your DD can’t go on. Your partner can enter the Barnstormer line with your DS and ask for a rider swap.. Your partner and DS will ride while you and your DD go do something else. Once they are done riding, you can look on the app and there will be a return time for the Barnstormer Rider Swap . Then, you and your DS can ride Barnstormer again without having to wait in the regular line while your partner waits outside the attraction with your DD. </p> <p>It sounds complicated but it’s not in practice and it makes life a lot easier with little kids in tow.</p> <p>Have fun!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/last-minute-trip-to-disney-with-kids-help#post-2868482 Wed, 23 Jan 2019 22:35:02 +0000 JennyPenny 2868482@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My family and I just got back from a Disney trip and we were complete newbies beforehand too. And all the planning threads super stressed me out that I’d end up having a failure of a trip, but we had a great time. You get 3 fast passes in advance that you can book and it’s basically a special slot for going in a shorter line. Once you use all 3 you can book 1 more at a time. So it’s beneficial to book slots earlier in the day. We did 5 days and stayed at an Airbnb which worked well for us. We packed our lunches and did breakfast and dinner at home. Our kids (4 and 20 months) were too young to care about special dining with characters or anything so I think that made planning easier. We did all the parks and Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom were our favorites by far. MK had more variety to us while AK had a lot of shows. It was a fantastic trip in the end even though we planned almost nothing in advance so don’t stress too much :happy:</p> <p>ETA: oh, and get the app. It’s how you book fast passes and it will tell you how long wait times are at different rides so you can decide what you want to do. </p> <p>ETA again: If you choose MK the actual park is a bit away from the entrance and you have to take a boat or monorail, so add in some extra time for that in the morning. Especially if you also have to pick up tickets. You can actually do that the day before which would save time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/last-minute-trip-to-disney-with-kids-help#post-2868480 Wed, 23 Jan 2019 21:59:21 +0000 808love 2868480@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You might really like Animal Kingdom. Jump online and get some Disney food reservations and fast passes. Use the height filters. The parks are far away from one another so you probably won’t want to hop. Eta: Ooops just saw you are only doing one day. Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom is good if you will never go to Disneyland because it is basically the same. The unique park for Disney World is Animal Kingdom. Have fun!!!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/last-minute-trip-to-disney-with-kids-help#post-2868449 Wed, 23 Jan 2019 19:49:27 +0000 justjules 2868449@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I planned a last minute trip to Orlando because we saw a good deal. We are going Feb 1-5. Originally we just planned to stay at the resort but my mom just told me tonight she wants to gift us tickets to Disney!<br /> We will probably go that Monday (I looked quickly on the crowd predictor and it said that’s a slowish day).</p> <p>DS is 3 and DD is 1.75 (21months). Help me out! Those other Disney planning threads give me slight anxiety because people are planning a year out in advance :silly: I’m thinking Magic Kingdom and just keep expectations low. I think the kids will like seeing the characters, and a few rides. </p> <p>Any tips for a last minute Disney day?! I know basically nothing lol. I’ve heard of a fast pass but not even positive what it is (you skip the line I’m supposing) </p>