Disney World

JennyJensing · December 2014

DH and I thought it would be fun to take 2-yr old DD on a "baby moon" of sorts to Disney World before our firefly comes along. Who has been in the last few years? Do you think Feb would be a good time of yr to go? Any advice, tips, must see/do activities?

Claire&Cub · December 2014

@JennyJensing‌ congrats on your baby moon! My SO and I are taking his 2 lil cousins to Disneyland sometime in the spring. We went last year during Halloween and it was awesome!I have definitely gotten some of the best tips and tricks from Pinterest as they have several categories Disneyland and Disneyworld related including calendars as to when the best time to go is. Good luck and have oodles of fun!

squeakyfrog15 · December 2014

February would be good! Just try to avoid Mardi Gras! It will be so much fun! Consider spending more time at Magic kingdom and animal kingdom than Epcot and Hollywood studios! Look up the toy story play area, it's for children, the food there is good too! We love Disney, but universal is even better! So depending on your time and price range I'd look into that too! Have so much fun!!

foodie12rn · December 2014

I just took my DD this past April. She was 15 months. I now wish I had waited until she was closer to two because she's hugely into Minnie Mouse and all the Disney characters now. February is a good time of year to go, as far as crowds. Just make sure to avoid school vacations. Just a cautionary tale about the weather- sometimes you will experience cooler (or cold, depending on what climate you're used to) in Florida during the Jan/Feb months.

The new Fantasyland is absolutely incredible. I am a huge Beauty and the Beast fan and got to dine at the Beast's Castle. Incredible! If you're serious about going, I highly suggest you book asap and start looking into dining reservations if that's important to you. Guests are able to make dining reservations up to 6 months in advance and the more popular restaurants book up FAST!

If you end up booking and need suggestions for activities, etc, PM me. I love Disney! I did a ton of research before we went

winterbaby1210 · December 2014

We just went last yr and are actually talking about going again in Feb! (My in-laws are in FL so we're there every winter and sometimes need a break from the visiting!)

Anyway, the magic kingdom was truly magical! We did a character breakfast at Chef Mickeys which was insanely over priced but you won't have to pay for DD since she's under 3 and you get to take pics and get autographs from all the characters! Totally worth the price since you don't have to wait in line at Disney to meet half the characters. I would totally recommend it (and if you can't get reservations anywhere keep checking back super often, like daily if you remember. They accept reservations starting 6 months out and it books up fast but I had great luck booking closer to the days we were going).

There are lots of great websites out there with all kinds of tips for Disney with toddlers. Just be prepared if you're a little emotional. I cried like 3 times in the day and 1/2 we were there because I was so thrilled to see how incredible it was for my son. I will never forget the look of amazement on his face the whole time or his massive smile. He still talks about it a year later.

Have a great time!

nicolea19 · December 2014

I live here :-) Plan at least a day at each park if you can, two days at MK if you are able to do so. Magic Kingdom is of course the best for little ones. If you are flexible with your time, and able to extend your stay, consider going to the parks at opening (or extra magic hours, if staying on property), going back to the room for the hottest part of the afternoon to rest, then going back and staying late. That's the BEST way to avoid tired meltdowns and over stimulation :-) If you want specifics, you can message me! I've been a pass holder since 1990 (I was three), everyone in my family has been a cast member, and I was previously a travel agent with Disney's College of Knowledge certification :-)

bosco213 · December 2014

I'm a Disney fanatic and go once or twice a year. February is a good time as long as you avoid holiday weekends. I use the disboards.com for all my planning, everyone is super helpful and friendly.

My biggest tips are: stay onsite if you can afford it, get to the park before it opens everyday and go back to the resort to rest/swim/nap, and plan all your meals/Fastpass in advance.

Also, don't try to go for like 4 days. Disney is massive and you'll wear yourself out. A longer trip is better because you'll have more downtime. Have fun!

LadyAnnibal · December 2014

I'm biased as I worked/work at both parks.

Feburary is pretty lax AFTER Valentine's Day.

Universal won't have many kiddie rides but has better churros haha.

Defintely spent 90% of the time in Magic Kingdom. It's so much fun! I did Ohana breakfast at the Polynesian for my 21st birthday and loved it! Lilo, Stitch, Mickey and Pluto are there. (Chef Mickey's is a lot of fun to work at!) Uhm...if you like fireworks definitely stay for Wishes!! If not try to leave a little before Wishes cause everyone starts shoving. Yes, to whoever said to eat at Be Our Guest!!! I had dinner there for my 21st birthday with no regrets!!! Uhm....just plan enough time to do ALL of the things! My favorite ride at Magic is Big Thunder Mountain and Haunted Mansion.

It'll be lots of fun!

ashiscute · December 2014

nicolea19 said:
I live here :-) Plan at least a day at each park if you can, two days at MK if you are able to do so. Magic Kingdom is of course the best for little ones. If you are flexible with your time, and able to extend your stay, consider going to the parks at opening (or extra magic hours, if staying on property), going back to the room for the hottest part of the afternoon to rest, then going back and staying late. That's the BEST way to avoid tired meltdowns and over stimulation :-) If you want specifics, you can message me! I've been a pass holder since 1990 (I was three), everyone in my family has been a cast member, and I was previously a travel agent with Disney's College of Knowledge certification :-)

Me too! I still have my graduation/Mickey ears!

OP- I think Feb is a great time to go weather and crowd wise. It might be too cool for swimming. There are usually good deals around this time that you can search for. My fave "ride" is Turtle Talk with Crush at Epcot. It's Crush from Finding Nemo and it's interactive so LOs can ask questions and whatnot. Have fun!

WafflesFriendsWork · December 2014

February is a great time to go!

Some tips from a Floridian:
- stay on Disney property if you can. It's worth it for the perks and convenience
- animal Kingdom is great but it's also kind of just a really expensive zoo
- You can meet SO many characters at Hollywood Studios (which will always be MGM to me!)
- do a Disney character meal. It's worth every penny and you'll see so many characters without having to wait in a million lines.
- Disney does NOT care about you bringing food into the parks, but food is also surprisingly good and low-ish cost
- go early to avoid lines and crowds and take a break for naps, pool time, etc before going back for the parades and fireworks.
- eat a dole whip. YUMMMM
- I believe if you get your child's hair cut there, they give you Mickey ears! I treasure my Mickey ears and DH and I got Mr and Mrs Last Name ears when we went last spring.
- if you book early you can pick how to use your fast passes in advance. There are plenty of blogs that tell you what to pick based on time of year and kids' ages.

For parents who can swing it, mid-September is a great time to go. Still warm enough for pool time and every one is back in school.

schulme2 · December 2014

Yes! I am a Disney fanatic too and also a Disney Vacation Planner! February will be a great time to go! Like PP said, stay on property, if you book before the end of the year there are still great discounts on room, ticket and dining packages! I would highly recommend the dining plan as you can take LO to character meals and really do more than you would without it! You guys will have so much fun!

jlucal · December 2014

Weather on FL is great in February. However, lots of schools have February vacation so you may encounter more crowds than if you came another month.

MK has added a lot of new stuff over the past few years!! Should be fun if you haven't been in a long time!!

MisSmartyPants · December 2014

I went i September 2013. It was awesome. The Harry Potter thing they have now is beyond amazing...if you are into Harry Potter. One thing that is going to suck for you is that you won't be abele to go on any rides...is it worth the ticket price to just walk around??

bosco213 · December 2014

MisSmartyPants said:
I went i September 2013. It was awesome. The Harry Potter thing they have now is beyond amazing...if you are into Harry Potter. One thing that is going to suck for you is that you won't be abele to go on any rides...is it worth the ticket price to just walk around??

Not to be nitpicky but Harry Potter is in universal studios not Disney!

it IS amazing but I probably wouldn't go to Universal pregnant...there isn't enough pregnant women (and small kids) can do, IMO. Disney is very family friendly. There will only be about 10 rides you can't do.

JennyJensing · December 2014

Ladies, this is some great advice!! I'm getting so excited just reading all of this

@squeakyfrog15 my family and I traveled to Orlando when I was 12 and we did both Disney and US. At the time, it seemed like there was more stuff at US for bigger kids to do. I'd like to take advantage of Disney while she's still young enough to enjoy it.

@foodie12rn I think I'd actually rather go when it's cooler! DH and I went to Mexico on our last babymoon and it was HOT!

@MisSmartyPants why won't we be able to ride rides? Are lots of them closed that time of year?

frig05 · December 2014

DH and I just went this week! We had a great time, though it was busier than we thought. February would be great. My FIL lives in FL and goes frequently. He says that it usually less busy that time of year.

@JennyJensing‌ I think MisSmartyPants was meaning that YOU can't ride a lot of rides. Being pregnant, there are rides that are not recommended. Since you LO is younger, you should be able to go on the rides he can go on. Just can't go on most of the big ones. We found out the week before we were flying down that I was pregnant. So I couldn't go on many rides, but I still had a great time.

Edit for spelling

JennyJensing · December 2014

Got it-thanks for clarification! Looks like DH will just have to ride those with her

I'm sure he'll be obliged.

Vegasbb · December 2014

We took my 2 year old DS last week. I feel like he was too young and it was a waste of time and money. The food at the parks is gross - I spent the better part of the week sick from eating it and being pregnant. I regret going and feel like it's overrated and too expensive. I don't get the hype.

wineandcake · December 2014

I'm trying to convince DH we should go end of March/April! I think DS would have the time of his life there (plus DH has never been either so it would be a big deal!).

I'm not at all into big rides and always had an amazing time there. Animal Kingdom and the water parks were always my favorite. I think with DS we would try to stay on site to avoid having to arrange transportation, but usually I stay off site. With a LO I think we would only do 2-3 parks so he isn't too overwhelmed by it.

c-elizabethf · December 2014

Disney world is so much fun, I've been quite a few times with my family and I loved it. Universal studios is awesome too. I've been during summer and winter and holy moly summer is super crowded obviously and hot. Winter was still warm enough to get wet and it wasn't as crowded and plus all the Christmas stuff was out. I'm sure February is a good month especially for crowds. We stayed at the port o call, movie themed like toy story, and music one hotel. I love the candy stores, there Caramel apples are delicious. And I love the 50's drive in diner. It has a drive in movie type thing and the booths are made like a car. I like the shows, I love the rides (I'm not a big thrill ride person, it depends on the height and if it goes upside down lol) Tower of terror is fun, splash mountain...now I want to go. I can't wait until dd is 5 we are going to take her.

MisSmartyPants · December 2014

@JennyJensing‌- I meant that YOU will not be able to ride a lot of the cooler rides, because as soon as the G forces on a ride are pretty much detectable, you can't ride those with a baby in your belly. I guess since you are going with a toddler, you probably will stick around the Cinderella Castle, and if that is the case, I guess the famous China Cup carousel will have to suffice. Personally, DH and I decided not to go to Disney until our kids are at least 6 years old, so they can really and fully enjoy the experience, and remember it too.

schulme2 · December 2014

We took our 1 year old in September and he LOVED IT! I think your DD will get a lot out of it!

MeinekeJen · December 2014

My husband and I just went in October for the Epcot Food & Wine Fest!! (So thankful we got that in before we were expecting!!). The New Fantasy Land work is complete and has a great atmosphere for the little ones, but there is a ton of construction right in the middle of Animal Kingdom (the new Avatar area). There is a bit of temporary Frozen activities at Hollywood Studios as well.

I'd advise staying on property and making your dining reservations ASAP, especially if you're wanting to go to the 'Be Our Guest' Restaurant! Also, I found articles on this blog SUPER helpful for packing and insider tips on how to be cost effective in the parks (ex: all quick service counters will give you free cups of hot or cold water...bring instant coffee packets or flavor packets! & photo pass photographers will also take your picture with your own camera). https://www.disneytouristblog.com

Hope this helps!! Make sure to take some fun bump pictures!!

RWPhoenix · December 2014

We went in October and had a blast. My biggest suggestion is to get the Disney mobile app so if you have Fast Passes, you can change them easily while at the park. Also if you are going to the Magic Kingdom get there about 15 to 30 mins early (pre-opening time) because there is a big welcome show. DD's face lit up when she saw it. I would suggest getting Fast Passes to Peter Pan's Flight, Jungle Cruise, Pirates. Have fun!

FSUNole31 · December 2014

Most everything has been covered, but I just wanted to add I love Disney and you guys will have a blast!!

ashleyhozey · December 2014

We went in February a few years ago and it was 70 and sunny the whole time! It was perfect! And not super crowded in Disney world.

valigrl21 · December 2014

We took DD#1 to animal kingdom when she was 18 months and honestly she wasn't impressed. If I could do it again, I would have skipped it and done magic kingdom, in a heartbeat. Like Pp said, it's just a zoo. A cool zoo but compared to magic kingdom? What was I thinking?

jekasi · December 2014

I am a FL Resident and Annual Passholder and go to Disney on 8+ trips per year. I'm also a former cast member (I worked at Epcot). If you haven't been in a few years the first thing you should know is that as the economy improves there is no such thing as "low crowds" anymore, however there are still better times of year to go than others (see a comprehensive list of best/worst times here). I could go on for days about the best way to avoid the crowds and see the parks, but here is my top 3:

1. Book fastpasses for rides ahead of time. You will need to purchase park tickets ahead of time to do this and link them to a Disneyworld.com account. If you stay on property, you can book 60 days out, if not you can book rides 30 days out. These booking allow you to "skip" the line for three rides per day, with the ability to add more on the day of once you use them all.

2. Plan breaks during the day. You will avoid most crowds if you go early when they open, head back to the hotel for a nap in the afternoon, and then return later for more rides and fireworks. If you are gung-ho on staying all day in the park, plan for a sit-down table service lunch. Getting off your feet for an hour or two in air conditioning and being waited on is a great way to recharge. Most restaurants book up early (starting at 180 days in advance!!!) and reservations are almost always required.

3. If you have not caught on to a theme here, Disney rewards those who plan. The more you know/plan before you get there, the more value you will get out of your vacation. I highly recommend either this website: easywdw.com as a planning tool, and he also wrote a book called "The easy Guide to Your First Disney World Visit".

Hope this helps and feel free to PM me if you have any questions

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