Many people are travelling to our Encore Resort at Reunion water park vacation home community in Orlando Kissimmee, they are primarily planning to go to Walt Disney World as the highlight of their vacation.  For those travelling with toddlers and young preschool aged children (kids under 5), I have compiled my list of attractions that I think you should consider.  These attractions are not only great for the younger kids, but also great for grandparents, as many of them are slow rides or shows.

While this is not by any means an exhaustive list, here is my list of attractions suitable for those younger kids.  Double check on the height restrictions for some of the rides, but I believe those listed here are for kids 40 inches or shorter.  All of these attractions are great, but those with a * next to them are attractions I would certainly try to fit into your schedule if you can.  Those marked with + are the ones that we almost always do when we are at Disney - the are always magical for us!!  Enjoy!

Magic Kingdom:

Dumbo
*It's a Small World
*Winnie the Pooh
+*Jungle Cruise
Carousel
*Peter Pan's Flight
Journey of the Little Mermaid
Enchanted Tales with Belle
*The Barnstormer (my daughter's first roller coaster at age 3)
+*Mickey's PhilharMagic 3D Movie
*Buzz Lightyear
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
+*Pirates of the Caribbean
*Seven Dwarf Mine Train
*+Splash Mountain
*Thunder Mountain
People Mover
Enchanted Tiki Room
Swiss Family Treehouse
+*Monsters Inc Laugh Floor
Country Bear Jamboree
*Parades (don't get there an hour before for good spot - watch from behind people - the floats are high.  You will find lighter crowds at the beginning of the parade in Frontierland)
*Fireworks (they are in the sky - no need to squeeze right next to the castle.  If you are half way down Mainstreet USA you can still see the images on the castle and it's a quicker escape too)


Epcot:

*Journey into Imagination
+*Living with the Land
*The Seas with Nemo + Aquarium
*Turtle Talk with Crush
+*Spaceship Earth
+*Frozen Ever After
+*Disney Pixar Shorts
*Grand Fiesta Tour
+*Kidcot Fun Stops (At each International Pavilion)
+*O Canada 360° Movie (Canada Pavilion)
*Reflections of China 360° Movie (China Pavilion)
*Illuminations Fireworks (anywhere around the world showcase is a good spot.  We usually find it a bit less crowded between France and Morocco where Belle does her meet and greet)

Hollywood Studios:

+*Toy Story Mania
Alien Swirling Saucers
+*Slinky Dog Dash
+*Beauty and the Beast Live
*Disney Junior Dance Party
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
*Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
*MuppetVision 3D
*Fantasmic (night show)
+*For the First Time in Forever - A Frozen Sing Along
*Star Wars Fireworks
*March of the First Order


Animal Kingdom:

+*Festival of the Lion King
+*Finding Nemo - The Musical
River of Lights (night show)
*Up - A Great Bird Adventure
*It's Tough To Be A Bug - 3D movie (a bit dark and scary)
+*Kilimanjaro Safari
Na'vi River Journey
TriceraTop Spin
*The Boneyard

The new Nicklaus course clubhouse opened in December 2018 and houses Reunion Resort in Orlando Florida's newest restaurant - Traditions at the Nicklaus Clubhouse.  The new restaurant offers American regional cuisine served in an upscale sports bar setting. The menu is seasonal and local with farm to table elements and a public house feel including craft cocktails and signature barrel aged bourbon program. The open-air kitchen (with chef's table option)and service style is designed to be friendly and welcoming and appeal to members and locals alike. They are promising weekend entertainment and signature drink menu make it a gathering place for celebrations large or small.  I will be travelling to our Encore Resort at Reunion vacation home in Kissimmee in early February and plan to check out this new dining option.  It is a short drive or a 20 minute walk from our Encore Disney World vacation villa, so it is a great new option for an evening out.  Check out the other Reunion Resort dining options, available to our Encore Club vacation guests, on our website.  I'm sure you will find that this will restaurant will quickly become one of the best restaurants near Reunion Resort.

Just announced on ​Disney Parks Blog, starting January 18, 2019, you can now reserve a seat at, arguably, the best viewing spot to watch Epcot's fireworks "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth" - the patio behind the United Kingdom Pavilion's Rose and Crown restaurant.  Better yet, your reserved seat comes with a 3 course meal which includes unlimited alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages.

Reservations are available starting January 17 for reservations starting on January 18. Pricing is $85 per adult (ages 10 and up) and $35 per child (ages 3 to 9), with tax and gratuity included. The experience, showtimes, and menu items are all subject to change without notice, and alcoholic beverages will only be served to guests 21 and up with valid ID. For more info or to make a reservation, call 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463)

Based on the announcement, here's the menu for the event:

Appetizer: Scotch egg ($12) or United Kingdom Cheese Platter ($14)

Entree: Fish & Chips ($23) , Corned Beef & Cabbage ($24), Scottish Salmon ($27), or Bangers & Mash ($21)

Dessert: Trio of deserts (sampling of Sticky Toffee Pudding, Nouget Bar, and English trifle on one plate)

This is an off menu dessert, but since desserts at the Rose & Crown generally run around $7, and assuming you go with the most expensive items, you would end up paying $48 if you purchased the items separately.  After tax and gratuity (assuming a 20% gratuity), the bill would total of $60.72. Add in a pint of the UK's fines (with tax and tip) and you'd end up at around $75.00. So if you get more than one drink, you're making money.

If you are interested in this event, I would highly recommend taking an Uber from our Encore Resort at Reunion vacation home.  The cost is generally under $20.00 each way, which is not only socially responsible, but also saves you the price of the Walt Disney World parking cost.