Headed to Disney World on Wednesday and Thursday

[Anonymous]

I am headed to Disney World - most likely just magic kingdom with a 4 and 5 yo. I have done almost no planning and have no tickets to park etc. Are there any must do things that I should do in preparation. My expectations are fairly low - just want to go have fun with kids and spend the evening in the hotel pool. Any suggestions of things to do before are welcome.

[Anonymous]

Bring protective lotion and super sunhats. Enjoy.

[Anonymous]

That's how we've done it before - just turn up early and buy a day ticket on the day. Get your fast passes (maybe the rules changed on those recently). And head to Magic Kingdom. Maybe go for an early dinner at the dinosaur restaurant at Downtown Disney (if you go early, you can wait a fairly short time for a table). I would do that on a different day or the kids will be too tired.

[Anonymous]

I am sure you know this, but Easter week is one of the most crowded times of the year. Brace yourself for insanity.
Even with very low expectations and laid back attitude it won't be much fun. Any chance you can go in a week or two?

[Anonymous]

Did you post this same question last week?

It is spring break and going to be super crowded. Since you don't have tickets and can't prebiotic your three fast passes, just go with very low expectations. Try to get tickets before you get there so you can do fast pass before u get there.

Try to make reservations for that restaurant.

But most importantly, lower your expectations (but it seems like they already are) and have a good time.

[Anonymous]

Get to the park early, before opening. When it gets too crowded, go back to the hotel for a swim.

Easter is often nuts at the parks. They sometimes have to close the parks to new admissions because they are at capacity.

[Anonymous]

The dinosaur restaurant is T-rex. If you try to make reservations through Disney, they'll tell you there are none available. But then I called the restaurant directly and got a reservation, no problem.

But it wasn't Easter week.

[Anonymous]

Umm - I don't want to be a bummer but WDW requires some planning.
Fastpass has changed and they are now booked MONTHS in advance. If you show up that day, you likely won't get what you want or the times will be very late.

I'm not saying you cannot get a FP the day before or the day you are there - it's just not going to be that easy.

We plan months in advance, buy guidebooks and do crowd studies. We rarely wait in line for more than 5 minutes.

You will wait in a lot of lines so be ready for that. This is not the week to go without a plan. Sorry to be harsh but it's true.

Don't show up at the gate and wait to buy tickets. Get them early or through the hotel. Get to the park 30-45 minutes before they open. It's your only chance. Seriously - you really HAVE to be there very early or you will regret it.

[Anonymous]

Oh lordy. YEah, what everyone else said.

To be honest not sure I'd spend a ton of money on this. Maybe one day in the park. It will be insanely crowded.

I hope your kids are early birds. Get up early and get to the park. Come back for lunch.

Maybe, since it will be so crowded, you should think about finding spaces to watch the parades. That might be your best shot to see things that your kids wouldn't otherwise see. Because mostly they will see people's butts as you wait in long, long lines.

[Anonymous]

Yes go early. I spent 10 days in the summer a few years ago.
It was very crowded but we still enjoyed. You can do so much in the first 3 hours the park is open. Then go to the tiki room, country bears (is that still there?) enjoy! It's ways magical to me.

[Anonymous]

It takes no planning. Just show up and enjoy. Get a guidebook if you want help. There is an official guide for kids that is helpful. Check online prices vs. at the ticket stand. When we went, online was cheaper.

[Anonymous]

Rent a double stroller a the park. Do NOT make them walk. It will be a nightmare. Bring a towel to line the bottom of the stroller. This is the only way I would manage the crowds with small children.

[Anonymous]

Get there early and do book fast passes ahead of time. For that age, stick with Fantasyland first.

Instead of staying all day and doing the hotel pool in the evening, so the hotel pool in the afternoon when the parks are crazy crowded and return in the evening.

Maybe book a character meal. I refuse to stand in line to meet charachters, so the meals are great.

[Anonymous]

We were in Orlando at that age, and my kids only wanted to do Sea World. You could try that park instead maybe.

[Anonymous]

I'm here now and we are leaving tomorrow. bring big umbrellas it will rain hard on and off all week. Yes, it's packed but set up your disney account now and go to a fast pass station (City Hall at magic kingdom) when you get to the park because the server is busy and doesn't always work from outside and tells you nothing is available but they were able to get us in to a few things.

Your kids are small so don't feel like you have to do too much or stay all day. They will have fun just seeing the characters. It can be hot during the day and cool at night so layer up.

I didn't plan months in advance but it was my second time and I stumbled across the new fast pass thing a week before we left and managed to secure a few things but I purposely tried to avoid most of spring break. I felt bad taking my 6yo out of school but now I'm glad I did. It may be a couple of years before we go back. He's still pretty young too appreciate a lot of it.

Good luck.