30 Days of Disney - Hollywood Studios with a Toddler

This is the last in my 4 part series of Toddler's at Walt Disney World.  Today we take on Hollywood Studios.

I'll preface this with saying, we are going to see a lot of changes coming to Hollywood Studios in the next few years so while it may be limited in options for the little ones right now, that will soon change!!

I always recommend starting early in the day and this park is no exception. Because of the tiered rule you can't get more than one headliner.  If you have older kids or adults who want to ride Rock N' Roller Coaster or Tower of Terror, start there so there is little to no wait for the little one's. I would recommend using your Tier 1 fastpass for Toy Story Midway Mania...a fun ride for EVERYONE! Plus there is also a meet n' greet for Buzz, Woody...and you might even catch a Green Army Man or two!

Hollywood Studios is definitely a slower paced park due to the lack of traditional rides.  You'll find lots of shows (see below), lots of character meet and greets and even a few unique offerings like the Magic of Animation section of the park. Here you can watch a cute movie on character development in Disney movies starring MUSHU! There is lots of hands on stuff for little ones including some fun and unique Character Meet and Greets (including Baymax and Hiro)!

As far as family friends RIDES...they are few and far between.  Toy Story Midway Mania a definite plus.  The Great Movie Ride could potentially be a good choice  but it can be intense is some sections. Star Tours is great IF your child meets the height requirement. There are also 2 show/movies that don't have specific time and are ongoing...that's Muppet Vision 3D and Voyage of the Little Mermaid.

The tricky part about Hollywood Studios is there are currently 5 shows with specific times you can attend; Beauty and the Beast, Lights, Motors, Action!, Disney Junior Live On Stage, Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular and For the First Time in Forever- "A Frozen Sing-along Celebration"....not to mention Jedi Training Academy and Fantasmic.  These things can really lengthen your day and depending on the patience of your child (HAHA) you might want to pick just a few of these. With the exception of the Jedi Training academy, these shows all take place in large theatres and require you arrive 20-30  minutes before the show to grab a good seat.

Let's talk about Fantasmic...as a former Hollywood Studios cast member I have a special place in my heart for this show....HOWEVER it's not the best Disney has to offer and if you don't get a dining package that includes priority seating you  need to show up 60-90  minutes early to get good seats. Combine that with outdoor seating on hard metal bleachers and well...let's say if you skip this one you won't be missing too much.

Are your little one's fans of Disney Junior? Don't miss the character dining at Hollywood and Vine (Breakfast and lunch) with Handy Manny, Jake, Doc and Sofia! Only Sofia is available for a meet and greet outside this meal.

Also don't forget that Hollywood Studios is home to 2 awesome events that make it worth a trip in and of itself!! Star Wars Weekends and Osborne Family Lights!

Is the park limited in Toddler friendly activities? For now...BUT due to timing there is plenty to do for an entire day so go and explore! 

 

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30 Days of Disney - Animal Kingdom with a Toddler

Animal Kingdom is one of our favorite places to be. You've heard me talk about it on the blog numerous times, our wedding reception was held here...it's just a place we love to hang out, eat and of course, see all the attractions!

The first thing I'd like to say about touring Animal Kingdom with a toddler is keep in mind the shear size of the park...it's HUGE! Be prepared for a lot of walking. If you aren't using a stroller, today might be a good day for it!  Most people think Animal Kingdom is a half day park, but with little one's in tow, you  might find yourself there until closing time!

Ok let's start back in Africa! There are 3 big attractions for your toddler's.   This year Disney's live show, The Festival of the Lion King moved back to Harambe so be sure to check your time's guide. This is a fun interpretation of the movie and includes dancing, singing, acrobatics and more!

Also back in Africa you will find Kilimanjaro Safari.  This ride doesn't have a height requirement so everyone can enjoy! For a less bumpy ride be sure to ask for the front of the vehicle. Kids must sit between adults but they'll still have a great view!  The great thing about this ride is never the same twice because the Animals are always moving (yes they are real!)

A hidden attraction also located in Africa is the train ride out to Conservation Station! Not only do you get a glimpse behind the scenes at where the Animals Live but Conservation Station is a fun, interactive attraction. Once inside the building you can see live demonstrations, check out video inside some of the animal pens, meet characters, see live animals and more! Keep in mind there are only snack items out here so either plan to eat before or after you take the trip.  The train is the only way to and from Conservation Station!

A few attractions have a height requirement or might be a bit scary for younger kids including Expedition Everest, Kali River Rapids, It's Tough to Be a Bug, Dinosaur and Primeval Whirl....but be sure to head over to Dinoland anyway! Triceratops Spin is a great ride...just like Dumbo but with Dinosuars! Also in Dinoland is the Boneyard. This is  replica of a real dig site but just for kids! They can run, play,uncover bones and more! Plan this one for when Mom and Dad need a break :)

Between Expedition Everest and Dinoland don't miss Finding Nemo the Musical! It's an awesome indoor show full of color, lights and music! 

Throughout the parks there are tons of character meet and greets including Mickey, Minnie, Baloo, Russel and Doug and hopefully coming soon...Tarzan! 

Also be on the lookout for DeVine!

All throughout the parks you can find little trails to explore full of plant and animal life. Two of the biggest are the Pangani Exploration trail and Maharajah Jungle Trek.  These are tour-at-your-own pace and you can see  Gorillas, Tigers, Giant Bats and MUCH more!

Looking for something different to do? Check out the Wilderness Explorers game! In this game you'll explore Animal Kingdom earning badges. This experience can take a 3-5 hours to complete and doesn't have to be done all at once.

Also if you are looking for a great character dining experience, check out Tusker House breakfast and lunch with Donald, Mickey and gang!

 

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30 Days of Disney - Magic Kingdom for Toddlers

When I decided to write the 30 Days of Disney posts, some posts were pretty obvious...like traveling with babies and toddlers. Today's post is going to focus on the Magic Kingdom!  I think maybe of all the parks this is the most obvious choice is the Magic Kingdom. Not only is it what most people think of when you say Walt Disney World BUT it has hands down the most family friendly rides!

Even thought Magic Kingdom is probably the Disney Mecca for your little one's...it can also be overwhelming for both kids and parents alike! So instead of talking about the obvious rides, let's talk strategy!

1) Be at the parks early!

Take advantage of Early Extra Magic Hours here if you can! Also remember to be at the park PRIOR to opening and leave yourself plenty of time. Not only do you want to be there and ready when the parks open but they do a really cute opening show with all the characters. The lines are shortest in the morning and you can get a lot done in the first 2 hours. 

2) Eat Breakfast in the room

If you can manage to feed your little ones it will give you more time to see some attractions before making potty/food/snack breaks. This also allows you to hit the ground running in those first few hours!

3) Know Where the Baby Care Center is

I know your little one is not a baby anymore HOWEVER the Baby Care Center's are a great resource for your family.  If your little one isn't potty trained yet know they they have a diapers and wipes for sale as well as formula, juice  and baby food.   They also have a small tv with tables and chairs as well as rockers if your little one just needs some quiet time!

4) Take a Break

I know it's hard to do but if you want to take advantage of a full day at the parks, including fireworks, a break is necessary!  There are lots of options for this!

• Head back to your resort for naps or pool time
• Stop in at a nearby resort for lunch and quiet time. There are lots of resorts very accessible to the parks and they are offer quiet areas and great food!
• If you can't/don't want to leave the parks, find a quiet area for your toddler to take a breather. Many of the parks have gardens or little hidden nooks!

5) Look at the Menu's
Take a look at the menu's ahead of time. Know which restaurants have food your Toddler may like.  Before hopping in line look again and discuss what they may want to eat. We all know how picky Toddler's can be but Disney has something for EVERYONE!

6) Take advantage of Rider Swap
If you have a baby...or on the other end, if you have big kids, take advantage of Rider Swap! This is a great way to see if the attraction would be too scary for your toddler OR if it's a big kid ride, your toddler won't have too long of a wait until you get back!

7) Don't overbook Character meals
I recommend to clients not to book TOO many character meals for a few reasons. If your child hasn't experienced characters yet than booking an ENTIRE Meal can be overwhelming. Plus they are pretty time consuming at 60-90 minutes each! Try booking one or two to get your feet wet!

8) Pack Snacks!
We try and bring some snacks with us..like crackers, grapes, etc. These help in the moments where they need something NOW but maybe you are in between meals or aren't ready to use a full snack credit on your dining plan yet. These also help us out at meals while they wait for food to arrive!

9) Stroller, Stroller, Stroller!I highly recommend either bringing your own stroller or renting a high quality stroller. Disney's strollers are ok for older kids but if you think your toddler may doze off they are kind of uncomfortable. They are made of  a hard plastic and the back doesn't adjust at all. We love our City Mini especially for the way it reclines!

10) Let your Toddler lead the way!
Ok this is more of a personal tip but let's face it...they don't stay little forever! Take some time and throw your itinerary out the window! Just have fun and enjoy the small moments!

Traveling with a toddler and overwhelmed at the planning? Contact me today to book a vacation and get FREE Planning services!

 

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30 Days of Disney - EPCOT With a Toddler

Around here we talk about EPCOT a lot. While I hope that I have changed the perception of the park for some of my clients, it's still a popular topic. People feel it's too boring or adult centered and they don't want to "waste" their time.  So for today's 30 Days of Disney Post...I'm going to share a bit more about why we are planning TWO days at EPCOT with our toddler!

I think making lists is the easiest way to organize things...so let's talk about my TOP 5 reasons to head to EPCOT!!

EPCOT is very HANDS on! There is a ton of stuff for the little one's to get into. Innoventions are the the two big ones when it comes to this. These two large buildings house a ton of interactive shows and attractions. My favorite is the Great Piggy Bank Adventure where kids learn all about saving by playing fun games with a "real" Piggy Bank! Everything in these buildings allow the kids to touch and play...kind of like a fun interactive kids museum. 

The Seas  with Nemo and Friends...I think for our next trip my little girl might be looking forward to this the most! She's so excited to see Nemo and "meet" Crush...That's Turtle Talk with Crush, one of the most interactive attractions in all of Walt Disney World! The little ones sit on the floor while the parents stay in the back of the room. 

Crush magically appears in the tank in front of them and talks to them, answers questions and more! It's a must do for us!

Kennedy will be just at 40" on our next trip so Test Track is on our list. If your little one isn't tall enough to ride this thrill ride, simply head to the exit. At the end of the ride there is a showroom with fancy new cars as well as games and simulators for the whole family! It's a great place to wait while the big kids ride this attraction (and you wait to use your Rider Swap passes!)

Characters...characters and more characters!! In Future World you can get Fastpass+ reservations for the character spot. Here you can meet Mickey, Minnie and Pluto...but if you head into World Showcase you will find an array of Princesses including Belle (and the Beast), Jasmine (and Alladin), Snow White, Aurora and Mulan!!

World Showcase is also home to a fabulous Princess character meal, Akershus!

You may even find a few other characters lurking about :)

I saved my favorite for last...this one is for the kids AND adults alike! One of our favorite things to do is wandering around World Showcase while we eat and drink...so what's a kid to do? A LOT!!

• Agent P's Worldshowcase Adventures is a fun, interactive game that takes kids all around World Showcase.   First, visit a recruitment center at Odyssey Bridge, Norway Pavilion, Italy Pavilion or near the International Gateway to receive your assignment and pick up an interactive handheld device that will guide you on your mission.
  
  Next, scour for clues throughout the World Showcase and visit such destinations as:
  
  • Mexico Pavilion
  • Norway Pavilion
  • China Pavilion
  • Germany Pavilion
  • Japan Pavilion
  • France Pavilion
  • United Kingdom Pavilion.
• KidCot Fun Stops! These are great little stations set up around Worldshowcase. Your child is given a mask and then they stop in each country to decorate and add to the mask, while visiting with Cast Members from each country!
  
  Where to Find Kidcot Fun Stops
  
  
  • Mexico Pavilion (near Animales Fantasticos)
  • Norway Pavilion (at The Puffin’s Roost)
  • China Pavilion (near the exit of Reflections of China)
  • Germany Pavilion (at Volkunst)
  • Italy Pavilion (outside, near La Bottega Italiana)
  • American Adventure Pavilion (outside, near Heritage Manor Gifts)
  • Japan Pavilion (in the Bijutsu-kan Gallery)
  • Morocco Pavilion (at the Marketplace in the Medina)
  • France Pavilion (at Souvenirs de France)
  • United Kingdom Pavilion (at The Toy Soldier)
  • Canada Pavilion (at the exit of O Canada!)
• Passports..this one might be good for the older kids but I wanted to include it anyway. For about $10 you can pick up one of these cute little passports complete with stamps for each country, as well as fun little facts. 
  
• Each country also has an array of shows, entertainment and food to explore. Check out Steve Soares site for more details including show times.
  
  I also found this fun Scavenger Hunt that you could try!

And last but of course not least...don't forget Illuminations! This amazing fireworks display happens nightly at 9 p.m. (9:30 p.m. during the holidays).

 

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