Hello Kathleen! Thanks for bringing such a fun question to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! I am so glad that you are planning a visit as the Walt Disney World Resort prepares for
Returning to a World of Magic!
When my kids were the age of yours we planned our visits around their interests and what we wanted them to experience. If your 9 and 7 year olds are interested in Star Wars then
Disney's Hollywood Studios is the place to be for all of the action in the galaxy at
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge! The same is true if they love Buzz, Woody, and all of their pals as you would not want them to miss out on
Toy Story Land! Finally, I must recommend
Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway at Disney's Hollywood Studios! This is the newest attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios and it is great for kids of all ages! I love this ride!
Disney's Animal Kingdom has many great experiences for children! From
Festival of the Lion King (a family favorite) where characters and music from the Lion King meet amazing acrobatic stunts to
Kilimanjaro Safaris where your family can experience a safari full of our planets many amazing species!
EPCOT wasn't a park we visited often when our kids were younger, but this park is beginning to theme more attractions to the young Mouseketeers! If your kids need to see Anna, Elsa, and Olaf then a visit to EPCOT should be added to your list for a boat ride through Arendelle on
Frozen Ever After!
Finally, no trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth is complete without a visit to
Magic Kingdom Park! I think your 9 and 7 year olds have to experience Mickey's PhilharMagic, Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Peter Pan's Flight, Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Splash Mountain, and, yes, my little ones loved the Haunted Mansion - and still do!
Kathleen, I recommend spending three days in the Disney Parks and taking a day to relax at your resort! This was a planning strategy we used when our kids were younger and, quite honestly, still use this strategy to this day!
Hakuna Matata! Jonathan G.