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Planning for a Disney Trip with a Preschool Pirate or Prince?

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Is it different than other trips?

Yes! Visiting Walt Disney World is different and just magical with a preschool adventurer! While you might be excited about the latest thrill ride, your prince is more interested in meeting up with all of the Disney Pals and Adventurers and enjoying the attractions that are designed with preschool children in mind! You can still ride your favorite ride if you utilize Ride Share (let the cast member at the attractions entrance know you want to use this service and they will help you! Note: not all rides have it, but most of the ones that need it do have it!)

What is the Perfect Resort to Stay in with a Little Prince? 

There are several great choices! For a Deluxe Resort, you might want to consider Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Jambo House. Why here? More animals, animals, and more animals! In addition to animal viewing areas, you can purchase special animal view resort rooms! What special amenities are here? Well, in addition to the pools, Jambo House Campfire Activities, and Movies Under the Stars, you can also enjoy Wild About Painting and bring out your own creative artistry!

As a moderate resort, at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort you can save a little money but find plenty of special touches! While it no longer has pirate themed rooms, Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort does still have fishing, movies under the stars, and Caribbean Beach campfire activities, plus a special  Spanish themed pool including cannons. Looking for some great transportation? Your little pirate will love taking the Skyline to Epcot and Hollywood Studios!

Looking for something cheaper? Try Disney's Pop Century value resort! This resort features larger than life iconic theming throughout the resort and uses the Disney Skyliner to transport you to Epcot and Hollywood Studios!

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Magic Kingdom

This is the ultimate princess experience for all princes age 3-12. Though you may be thinking this is just for princesses, no worries! Packages for him start at about $20. For this price, he will get a princely coiffure with a sword and shield. Other available packages include costuming as well for an added fee. If this experience is on your to do list, keep in mind that reservations are recommended and are available 60 days before your trip begins. 

Not what you're looking for? You may want to check out the Harmony Barbershop on Mainstreet. While they do not do a prince hairdo, you can get your child a haircut with a simple styling with spray. Though the website does not state this as fact, in years past you could even get a little pixie dust for just a little more!

Plan to go first thing in the morning?

Rope Drop is showing up to a park and getting in line before it opens. It is not something Disney tells you to do, but something guests began doing. Do you have to do it to have a great day? Absolutely not! Some guests feel this makes their best day. Others prefer to sleep and arrive later. It is your vacation! You do you! If this is indeed your plan, I recommend purchasing Genie+. You purchase it at 7am and then you may begin selecting your reservations for Lightning Lane one at a time. For more details click on the hyperlink found earlier in this paragraph.

Alright I'm going to rope drop and buy Genie+, but what should I reserve first?

Magic Kingdom

Meet and Greet

Start at Town Hall where you can meet the mouse himself, Mickey! Next, head to Adventureland and he will enjoy meeting Aladdin and Jasmine, just behind Aladdin's Magic Carpet Ride! On your way to Tomorrowland, make sure to stop by Pete's Silly Sideshow to meet the Dashing Disney Pals! In Tomorrowland, look for Buzz Lightyear! Check your My Disney Experience app for times to meet these Disney friends!


Rides

Ok! Good start, but your pirate will want to ride some rides too! Most of the rides in the Magic Kingdom are appropriate for preschool children, with a few exceptions. All of the coasters(Space Mountain, Tron, The Seven Dwarfs, The Barn Stormer, and Big Thunder Mountain) have height limits for safety reasons. Also, Tomorrowland Speedway has a height restriction. Each has a different height restriction, so you will want to check the My Disney Experience app for those restrictions before arriving at the coaster. There's nothing sadder than an excited guest who is not yet tall enough to ride. 

So where should I start? Go for adventure! While your little adventurer may enjoy...well, just about everything, they are sure to enjoy Peter Pan, The Pirates of the Caribbean, The Jungle Cruise, and Aladdin's Magic Carpet Ride. All of these rides are in Adventure Land, except for Peter Pan which can be found in Fantasyland. You may want to note that Peter Pan has one of the longest lines in the park! Definitely worthy of using Genie+! Oh, yeah! Watch out for the camels at Aladdin's Magic Carpet Ride! They spit!

What else? Head to Frontierland for Tom Sawyer's Island. Ride a raft to the island and let your adventurer stretch his legs as he explores the island! If your little one isn't afraid of anything, then you'll want to visit The Haunted Mansion, located between Liberty Square and Fantasyland. (If you little is timid, save it for another time when they are older.). Once you've made it to Tomorrowland, you'll definitely want to stop at Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin! Your adventurer will love saving the galaxy! And of course, don't forget the iconic Tea Cups! You'll find them located just between Winnie the Pooh and Tomorrowland.


Dining 
The Crystal Palace is hosted by Pooh and his friends! Enjoy a buffet meal as they visit each table in the restaurant for pictures and autographs.

Want to eat with Mickey and friends? Head to The Contemporary, right next to the Magic Kingdom for Chef Mickey's. Chef Mickey's is also a buffet, which is great for picky and non-picky eaters alike! As you dine, Mickey and his friends will take time from their jobs in the kitchen to come and visit with you! Have those cameras and autograph books ready!

Parades, Cavalcades, and Fireworks

No adventurer's day is complete without watching a parade and waving to your favorites! Currently, the parades are at 12noon and 3pm. Also, there are cavalcades (mini-parades) at 10:45, 1:35, and 4:25. And of course, end your perfect day with fireworks at 8:15pm! Consult your app for any time changes to avoid any disappointed littles!

What is there for my adventurer when we aren't at the Magic Kingdom?

Epcot 

In France, sing along at the Beauty and the Beast Sing-along! While you're there you might want to checkout Remy's Ratatouille Adventure! This attraction has long lines so you might want to use a Genie+ reservation for it!

In Norway, ride Frozen Ever After (another Genie+ recommended ride).

While in Epcot, don't forget to checkout Journey into the Imagination with Figment, Gran Fiesta Tour starring the Three Caballeros in Mexico, The Seas with Nemo and Friends and Turtle Talk with Crush! Just to name a few!

Where will your adventurer want to eat? The Garden Grill, with Chip and Dale is a great choice! You'll love the fresh food that was grown at Epcot and he will enjoy meeting Chip and Dale!

Hollywood Studios

Shows

What better show for an adventurer than Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! Complete with gunfire and explosions, this show is cure to delight little boys everywhere! Pixie Dust Tip: Bring ear protection for littles with sensitive hearing!

Rides 


Your little adventurer will adore Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway! Other favorites include: Alien Swirling Saucers, Toy Story Mania, Disney Junior Play and Dance, Lightning McQueen's Racing academy, and Muppet's 3D.


Meet and Greets

Your adventurer  can meet Chewbacca at the Star Wars Launch Bay, Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight, and Disney Stars at Red Carpet Dreams. Where will a preschooler want to eat? Hollywood and Vine with Minnie Mouse or Disney Junior Friends! Check your app for appearance schedule before reserving!

Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom is definitely a great preschool park!  Your adventurer will enjoy seeing all of the animals on the Kilimanjaro Safari as well as Conservation Station, and the Gorilla Falls Explorations Trail. In addition, there are some great shows: It's Tough to Be a Bug!, Finding Nemo: The Big Blue...and Beyond! and of course, The Festival of the Lion King! Finally, don't forget to meet your favorite Disney Pals at the Adventure Outpost!

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