Hi Christine,
Thank you so much for visiting planDisney with your question. I am happy to help you start to consider how to plan your day at Walt Disney World with your grandson!
I would suggest that the first step should be choosing which theme park you want to visit on your day at Walt Disney World. This
resource for planning a trip to Walt Disney World with little ones can be helpful in learning about great experiences for young children at each theme park. You could choose to purchase the
Park Hopper Option on your theme park tickets and visit more than one theme park on the day of your visit. However, I think that if you only have one day, staying at one theme park and enjoying all of the magic there might be a good idea. This way, you can focus on planning in only one theme park. If I was going to choose one theme park to visit with a young child, I would choose
Magic Kingdom. The magic in their eyes when they see Cinderella Castle is priceless, and there is endless wonder in Fantasyland!
Once you have chosen a theme park to visit, be sure that you
purchase valid theme park admission for the day you would like to visit for each member of your party, and also that you make
theme park reservations for the theme park that you wish to visit.
For the day of your theme park visit, here are a few tips. With young children who tend to wake up early, I suggest arriving at the theme park early, even a bit before the listed opening time if you can. I find that the theme parks are the least crowded in the early morning hours, and you can experience lots of attractions within the first few hours of the day. I also suggest that you let your grandson help with the planning a little bit. When my daughter was that age, we would let her pick one thing each day that was her "must-do." Perhaps if your grandson loves Peter Pan, it is a ride on
Peter Pan's Flight. If he absolutely must see Mickey Mouse, set aside some time to visit
Mickey Mouse at Town Square Theater.
I do suggest that you make a lunch reservation at a table service location. We would often make a slightly later lunch reservation when traveling with young children. This allows them, and you, a chance to sit down and take a break. A favorite for us is
The Plaza Restaurant, which offers a relaxed atmosphere and delicious fare. If you do make a later lunch reservation, be prepared to offer some mid-morning snacks as well to keep everyone full of energy!
Finally, you mention that you are traveling with multiple adults and multiple children. Consider splitting up for part of the day. If the other child is significantly older or younger than your grandson, they may be interested in different attractions and experiences. Splitting up for an hour or two can let everyone experience what they want to, and often makes for happier children and adults!
I hope that these thoughts help you get started with your planning, Christine. Please feel free to come back to planDisney with any further questions!
- Mona Leigh