Have I over committed with 2.5 year old? How does this itinerary/strategy sound?

[abr155]

Early morning in MK is pretty magical. We used to do pre-opening breakfasts (8am before a 9am open, for example), or use Crystal Palace for a lunch or early dinner. But the pictures and the ability to walk around a relatively empty park is priceless.

Our kids, now 7 and 11, were the same way! CP was a must, but unless we could snag a breakfast an hour before park opening, and take pictures on empty main street, we'd rope drop/early open and then go to CP for lunch or dinner. My parents, who are veterans of Vegas casino buffets, used to book the last breakfast reservation of the day to pay a breakfast price for breakfast and lunch foods. (I know). I have no idea if the prices are different but a late AM lunch worked very well for our family, especially if we were up early.

Yeah, while we'll miss a few walk-on rides while dining, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to be in the park an hour before regular guests for pictures! Have a dining alert set to try and get the 8 am as opposed to 8:20, so fingers crossed!

 

[RoseGold]

I knowww! I was so sad to see minimum age is 3! I mean, I get it, but I know my girl would sit. I looked into some outside princess makeovers that come to the room, but didn't want to take away any more park time. Guess that means we just have to go back soon haha

You can also book a kid's haircut at the GF spa. They'll give her a little Rapunzel braid or glitter or something. It's not as grand of an experience, and the spa isn't as wow as you would expect. But it's nice and special, and it's not in a park, so you could do it the first day.

 

[NJlauren]

I think it’s mostly do able.

The biggest red flag I see is getting a Minnie van for the 8:20 reservation can be hard!

I would plan on an earlier start and take the bus.

 

[abr155]

I think it’s mostly do able.

The biggest red flag I see is getting a Minnie van for the 8:20 reservation can be hard!

I would plan on an earlier start and take the bus.

Ooo, good to know. I Googled and searched all over to see when the Minnie Vans start running and how backed up they get. Maybe I'll play with the Lyft app a few mornings to get a feel.

 

[NJlauren]

Ooo, good to know. I Googled and searched all over to see when the Minnie Vans start running and how backed up they get. Maybe I'll play with the Lyft app a few mornings to get a feel.

It’s hit or miss in my experience post covid. You can get them but they are in high demand and there aren’t enough.

 

[Skippyboo]

What time does MK open on Sunday w your breakfast ADR ? You could always drive there yourself. You get free parking at the park onsite. Easier than lugging stroller onto the bus.

 

[SLThomas318]

Yep, love this! We did a cruise a few months ago, and while I had alot of things planned, I was prepared for the worst and completely re-evaluate!

Travel day is about a 6 hour drive (our entire drive is 13-14 hours divided into 2 days).

I thought about TRex for her as well because she also loves dinos (very well rounded girl haha), but I worried it might scare her.

Look at getting a Landry's card. It use to be $25 to sign up, but then you got $25 to spend for signing up.... so it was basically "free." You don't have to have a reservation, you just walk-up and they'll seat you with-in 15 minutes. It works at Rainforest, T-Rex, and Yak & Yeti (and a bunch of other places, maybe even some near you at home). You can walk in and let her check out T-Rex to see if it scares her or if she is cool with it. You could show her Rainforest Cafe too and then let her pick. We like it because it's so hard to predict what time we'll want to eat for making a reservation... especially on a travel day. It has become our arrival day meal since we can just go over whenever (assuming everyone is even up for a sit down meal).

It sounds like you have a great plan and a good mindset, you guys will have a great time!

 

[abr155]

What time does MK open on Sunday w your breakfast ADR ? You could always drive there yourself. You get free parking at the park onsite. Easier than lugging stroller onto the bus.

Opens at 8:30 for early entry and 9 am for everyone else! I was trying to avoid driving to MK to not have to go through TTC, but may be worth it this day since it’ll be so early?!

 

[abr155]

Look at getting a Landry's card. It use to be $25 to sign up, but then you got $25 to spend for signing up.... so it was basically "free." You don't have to have a reservation, you just walk-up and they'll seat you with-in 15 minutes. It works at Rainforest, T-Rex, and Yak & Yeti (and a bunch of other places, maybe even some near you at home). You can walk in and let her check out T-Rex to see if it scares her or if she is cool with it. You could show her Rainforest Cafe too and then let her pick. We like it because it's so hard to predict what time we'll want to eat for making a reservation... especially on a travel day. It has become our arrival day meal since we can just go over whenever (assuming everyone is even up for a sit down meal).

It sounds like you have a great plan and a good mindset, you guys will have a great time!

Actually already got it haha Such a good deal!

 

[Skippyboo]

Opens at 8:30 for early entry and 9 am for everyone else! I was trying to avoid driving to MK to not have to go through TTC, but may be worth it this day since it’ll be so early?!

The buses probably start around 7am. You can check them in the MDE when onsite from my resort page then bus times. Apparently the parking lot trams are back at MK. The parking lot hike is worst part of TTC parking.

 

[ktlm]

And thanks for the Fantasmic tip - I watched a few YouTube videos, and was a little hesitant to take it her to it, but decided since it's sit down (as opposed to standing fireworks), she could cuddle/burrow into me if needed without killing my back! Fingers crossed it doesn't scare her!

I don't know how it is since it has re-opened, but you used to be able to book the dining package and enter through the dining package line and then if you didn't want to sit in that area, you could just move and go sit somewhere else. We did that more than once. I think if we had sat more towards the back that first time she would have been okay.

Have you been to, or seen videos of, Rainforest Cafe? We haven't been to the WDW one because there is one about 15 minutes from my in-laws house that we used to go to all the time when DD was small. Be prepared that the Thunderstorm or possibly the gorillas suddenly starting up might startle or scare her- especially her first time. We thought we were going to have to leave in the middle of our meal the first time. LOL. I can't remember if DD had even turned 2 yet when she first went. If she gets scared, you might want to start her off with Small World at MK the next day- that should make her decide that dark rides are actually okay.

 

[kboo]

If your daughter loves animals, you could also book a meal at one of the restaurants at AKL (Boma, Sanaa, Jiko) and spend some time walking around there. Sanaa, especially, has windows onto a savanna although it's very hard to get.

 

[abr155]

I don't know how it is since it has re-opened, but you used to be able to book the dining package and enter through the dining package line and then if you didn't want to sit in that area, you could just move and go sit somewhere else. We did that more than once. I think if we had sat more towards the back that first time she would have been okay.

Have you been to, or seen videos of, Rainforest Cafe? We haven't been to the WDW one because there is one about 15 minutes from my in-laws house that we used to go to all the time when DD was small. Be prepared that the Thunderstorm or possibly the gorillas suddenly starting up might startle or scare her- especially her first time. We thought we were going to have to leave in the middle of our meal the first time. LOL. I can't remember if DD had even turned 2 yet when she first went. If she gets scared, you might want to start her off with Small World at MK the next day- that should make her decide that dark rides are actually okay.

Our local theme park has indoor dark rides she’s been riding on thank goodness! She watched a video of Rainforest and seemed to like it but I know it’s different in person!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Oh, and I'd really think about Bippidi for this trip. Especially if you don't think you'll be back soon.

If you have a girly girl, this is the ultimate. I would cut character meals or even G+ to get Bippidi to fit in the budget. It's my girl's top favorite thing at Disney. You can bring your own dress from eBay and they will surprise her with it in the dressing room if you are a little sneaky about it.

EDIT: Nevermind, have to be 3. Next trip!

Bippidi will not work with a 2.5 year old as child must be 3 and I have heard they are very strick about the age

 

[cheryllarsen]

As long as you can be flexible if she sleeps in the stroller which will likely happen!

 

[cheryllarsen]

Bring a battery operated fan to keep her comfortable during naps!