Itinerary advice needed

Question

Hi,

Travelling with my family - 6 and 8 year old and staying onsite. We went to Disneyland and DCA about 2.5 years ago and now coming to WDW partially for my work trip. I have about 2.5 days and 4.5 days for the rest of my family and thinking about different promotions we can use. For reference going in mid June which I hear is quite hot. Thinking about the 3 day ticket promo for my husband (but that promo doesn’t include Magic Kingdom) and I can get various partial 1pm or 4pm tickets for parks through the conference and also waterpark days are free during check-ins this year:

Day 0 - All Star Sports arrive late evening and probably just dinner in food court and groceries

Day 1 - AK - my son is obsessed with dinosaurs and hopefully Dinoland and rides there are still open, both children will love the Safari and several other attractions

Day 2 - Check into Port Orleans FQ / waterpark day at Typhoon Lagoon if open;

Day 3 - ?? Check into Contemporary resort / waterpark day at Blizzard Beach or Magic Kingdom (I want to squeeze both in the same day but hubby thinks I’m crazy or we will be too tired). I’m only available to hang with them in the morning till noon and evening after 4pm

Day 4 - Epcot?? I’m going to be in Epcot in the evening anyway and figure my family can spend the morning/day there and we can meet in the evening. Is this still a good choice for a 6 and 8 year old? It has some rides they would be interested but there certainly isn’t as many rides.

Day 5 - we leave at 12-1pm for airport / most likely my family will relax with hotel amenities or check out Disney Springs beforehand.

I looked at MK and HS rides and they have a lot of similarities to Disneyland / DCA - so are we missing out if we don’t go there? If we do still do Magic Kingdom, maybe I would swap Day 2 and Day 3 so we can still get a full day. Or what about a morning at Blizzard Beach and an evening in Magic Kingdom?

If you are wondering why on earth would we switch hotels so much, it comes down to splitting my personal vs work accommodations along with other several other factors we have thought about.

Don’t think we’ll be back here anytime soon and it feels like a sweet spot for my kids ages. I also think park hopper is too expensive and not interested in going that route although I can kind of ad-hoc make one if we combined free waterpark day and my ability to get some evening only park tickets.

Answer

Your itinerary shows thoughtful planning around both your work schedule and maximizing fun for your kids. Here’s some advice to optimize your 2.5-day and 4.5-day park experience, keeping in mind mid-June heat and kids’ ages (6 and 8):

Day 0 – Arrival at All-Star Sports

Perfect plan: grab dinner at the food court, pick up groceries for snacks and breakfast, rest up for the next day.

Day 1 – Animal Kingdom (AK)

Dinoland USA and Dinosaur ride: still great for your son who loves dinosaurs.
Kilimanjaro Safaris: must-do for both kids; go early to see more animals active in the morning.
Other highlights for kids: Expedition Everest (if they meet height requirements), Festival of the Lion King show, TriceraTop Spin.
Use Genie+ or Lightning Lane where possible to minimize wait times, especially for popular rides.

Day 2 – Check into Port Orleans FQ / Waterpark

If Typhoon Lagoon is open, early arrival is ideal as it can get busy mid-morning.
Relaxed pace: waterparks are a great way to beat the heat and still have fun without exhausting the kids.
Lunch: consider quick-service options within the park or hotel for convenience.

Day 3 – Morning options / Afternoon & Evening

Blizzard Beach in the morning: good way to use your free waterpark day, keep it short (2–3 hours) to avoid overheating or fatigue.
Magic Kingdom evening: with your availability after 4pm, you can experience evening shows, parades, and a few key attractions.
Alternative: if the family wants a full day in Magic Kingdom, consider swapping Days 2 & 3 and dedicating a full day to MK; then waterpark can be on your first resort stay for more flexibility.

Day 4 – Epcot

Morning & afternoon for family: Future World has kid-friendly rides (Spaceship Earth, The Seas with Nemo & Friends, Test Track for older kids) and interactive exhibits.
Evening: you can join them for dinner or fireworks at Epcot. The World Showcase can be enjoyable for short walks and quick snacks, but may be less ride-intensive for your kids.
If your kids prefer rides over cultural exhibits, consider half-day Epcot and swap in Hollywood Studios for a few rides instead.

Day 5 – Departure

Relaxed morning: hotel amenities, Disney Springs visit, or breakfast at your resort.
Check-out timing: aim to leave ample time for airport transport given mid-day traffic.

General notes & advice:

Magic Kingdom has unique rides not found in Disneyland (Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Peter Pan’s Flight, Splash Mountain) and is more immersive for younger kids, so consider allocating a full day if possible.
Given park hopper isn’t of interest, strategically use free waterpark days and partial park access for your work schedule; this is fine and avoids overwhelming the kids.
Heat management: bring water, sunscreen, and plan for midday breaks either at the hotel or indoor attractions.
Dining: use mobile ordering for quick-service meals to save time in parks.

Suggested alternative swap:

Day 2: Magic Kingdom full day for the family.
Day 3: Morning waterpark (Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon), early afternoon rest at the hotel, evening MK or just relax.
This gives kids full exposure to MK while still including waterpark relaxation without cramming both into one exhausting day.

Overall, your itinerary is solid, balancing kid-friendly activities, waterparks, and your work schedule. Minor adjustments like the above swaps can optimize energy and maximize enjoyment for your family while still allowing you to participate in key moments.

Itinerary advice needed

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