Walt Disney World Trip Planning can be done around your child. With a little scheduling, you don’t have to be one of those parents whom drag your child to all the parks each day, running them into exhaustion, just to say you went to Disney. Mark Podolski writes of his experience in planning his families Disney Trip and their experience.
The world of Walt Disney and its amusement parks can be an imposing place unless your trip to Lake Buena Vista, Fla., isn’t at least somewhat planned.  It’s no wonder the Disney complex has a ZIP code all to itself. There’s the mega popular Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, two waterparks, Downtown Orlando and seemingly enough resorts and restaurants to house and feed the city of Willoughby.

However, the best-laid plans can go by the wayside at a vacation stop such as Disney when bringing along a toddler. That meticulous schedule? It can — and most likely — will be torn up and adjusted with a young one along for the ride.

But at Disney, there are no worries. The staff at the Disney facilities we visited was warm, welcoming and accommodating.

Any question, request or inquiry was met with a smile. On a first visit to Disney, especially with a 4-year-old boy in tow, that makes a difference.

Speaking of young ones and Disney, the two can be synonymous with each other, so it only seemed fitting our travel party (myself, my wife, my mother and my son) stayed at the Art of Animation Resort.

The resort opened on May 31, 2012, much to the delight of fans of Disney films. It’s definitely a popular spot for families, as it showcases four popular Disney films: “Cars,” “Finding Nemo,” “The Lion King” and “The Little Mermaid.” At the “Cars” resort — you guessed it — replica cars from the film are everywhere, and rooms are decorated according to the section in which you stay.

Our room had orange construction cones for lamp covers, a metal tool cabinet as a dresser, and a map of Radiator Springs (the fictional town in “Cars”) on our coffee table. A master bedroom and two pullout beds, plus two bathrooms and a mini-kitchen were more than enough for our stay.

At the Art of Animation Resort, spending time indoors isn’t the way to go.

The mammoth swimming pool within the “Finding Nemo” section is the largest on the Disney grounds. My son fell in love with it. However, be advised the pool can overflow with toddlers, so for a more peaceful swim, the smaller “Cars” pool is a nice alternative.

Be prepared for an instant love affair between your child and the Art of Animation resort. Our Samson wasn’t bashful, saying, “I want to live here.” Mind you, we had yet to step foot in the Magic Kingdom.

We planned four-and-a-half days to see the sights, and luck was on our side. Rain was limited to a few showers, but it was hot each day during our May trip, which didn’t bother me. It was a different story for my son, and an example why even though a trip to Disney can be pricey, the services make it worth it. Take advantage of them.

Investing in park-hopper tickets (which allows entrance to the four Disney theme parks at any time) is wise, but know that the waterparks are not included.

The Disney bus gets a youngster ready for the Magic Kingdom on approach. As we closed in on the drop-off area (just a few hundred yards from the main gate), a catchy song added to the excitement. My son wasn’t the only one excited.

“I’ve got goose bumps,” my mother said as we approached the entrance to the Magic Kingdom.

That’s the beauty of Disney: It doesn’t matter how old you are.

Still, there’s no getting around the crowds at the Magic Kingdom, especially late in the week, so if your child can’t stand the heat or large masses of people, the perk of a Disney bus can save the day — and possibly the enjoyment of your vacation. A one-day pass to any Disney park — which was $89 per person but recently increased to $95 — allows for re-entry. There’s never a long wait for the buses, which run about every 10 to 15 minutes to and from the Art of Animation resort (but check with the resort you stay at on a future visit).

On our first day, we had plans to arrive early at the Magic Kingdom and stay late. That went by the wayside quickly. Within a few hours, Samson, not to mention my mother, had enough of the heat, so it was back to our hotel for lunch and the pool.

A few hours later, we returned. Without a bus, a group is either forced to stay at the park or pay for parking twice in the same day.

Talk about a no-brainer. The buses take you anywhere on the Disney complex and allow the flexibility to adjust your daily plans on the fly.

A breakdown of our four days at Disney and the must-sees and dos from a child’s perspective:

— Magic Kingdom: We spent parts of three days there, and when we first entered the park, a parade began down iconic Main Street, U.S.A. Check Disney’s schedule of parades, because your child will love it. It’s the perfect way to start the day. From there, checking out Cinderella’s Castle is a must, but after that heading to the back of the park is a good starting point. In Fantasyland, Goofy’s Barnstormer and Dumbo’s Flying Elephant were recommended and didn’t disappoint. Plus, there’s a splash area next to both rides. If your child has a fascination with trains, the popular monorail and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad are musts, and a nice break from the crowds for the adults. Also, don’t miss Tomorrowland’s Speedway and the Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, fun rides for young and old without a long wait.

— Hollywood Studios: It’s not just for adults and movie lovers, even though our day was part of one of three Star Wars weekends in May, so the likes of Darth Vader, Chewbacca and Stormtroopers were everywhere. Our son’s favorite was the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, which has the look of a movie set and showcases plenty of pyrotechnics, chases and stunts. Other shows worth your child’s time: A 3-D Muppets short film, the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: Movie Set Adventure, Disney Junior Live on Stage! and the 3-D ride Toy Story Mania! If the adults can get away for bit, the best bets are the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular (hands down my favorite) and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, the focal point of Sunset Boulevard. The crowds aren’t nearly as large as they are at the Magic Kingdom, but if you plan to eat at sit-down restaurant, plan ahead as most are booked with reservations.

— Chef Mickey: Don’t leave Disney without a stop here, but make a reservation well ahead of time. Otherwise, you’ll be waiting, and your child will be eager to meet Mickey and his friends. This hidden gem is the first stop on the monorail inside the Contemporary Resort, and the atmosphere and all-you-can-eat buffet is topnotch. We took in the breakfast buffet, which at $31.99 per person is a bit pricey, but it’s a buffet your stomach won’t forget. The topper is when Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Donald Duck and Goofy mingle with the crowd for photos and autographs and later lead a song and dance. It’s not just for kids. A couple in their 30s seated a table over from us seemed to be enjoying themselves until it turned into full-blown excitement for the woman, who had her significant other take photos with Mickey and Co.

— Downtown Disney: To enjoy this waterfront setting, arrive for dinner, then check out a seemingly endless array of shops (your child will be in awe of the mammoth LEGO store and the world’s largest Disney store). Stay until dusk, when the lights reflect off the water and provide a gorgeous view. Check schedules as bands and orchestras play on select nights. We spent our last night here, and it was a wonderful send-off.

By Mark Podolski
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