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Hi there! I'm going to walk you through what Flamingo Crossings is (shops, restaurants, hotels and all) and then share family-friendly itineraries for trips of 3, 5, 7, and 9 days. All of this is told from my perspective as a lifelong Disney lover and budget-conscious mom. These itineraries were built based on all the trips I took over the last few decades. Let's dive in!
| Time | Activity | Mom Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | • 7:00 AM: Free hot breakfast at Homewood Suites • 8:00 AM: Rope drop Magic Kingdom – Fantasyland first (Peter Pan's Flight, Dumbo) | Grab coffee-to-go at Starbucks in Town Center on your way to the park entrance |
| Midday | • 12:00 PM: Pool break & picnic sandwiches in your suite (pre-stocked from Target) • 1:30 PM: Quick nap/rest for little ones | Pack swim diapers and a beach towel so you can slip back for a cool-down without changing everything later |
| Afternoon | • 3:00 PM: Return to MK for Pirates of the Caribbean & Big Thunder Mountain (use Rider Switch for the 5-year-old) | Use Genie+ for Big Thunder to minimize wait—especially on a busy weekend |
| Evening | • 7:00 PM: Grab fireworks spot on Main Street U.S.A. • 8:00 PM: Post-show dinner to-go at Ellie Lou's Brews & BBQ (15 min drive) | Order ahead via app so you're back in the suite eating finger-licking BBQ in your pajamas before bedtime |
| Time | Activity | Mom Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | • 7:30 AM: Hotel breakfast + pack snacks • 8:30 AM: Rope drop at Hollywood Studios – head straight to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge | Book a Lightning Lane for Rise of the Resistance the night before—worth it to avoid a 2-hour standby line |
| Midday | • 12:00 PM: Lunch break back at Flamingo Crossings (PDQ chicken & fries) • 1:30 PM: Pool or water-slide time | Keep an eye on little ones by the splash area phone-free—your break depends on it! |
| Afternoon | • 3:30 PM: Return to Studios for Toy Story Land (Slinky Dog Dash, Toy Story Mania) • 5:30 PM: Hop to Epcot for Frozen Ever After | Use the International Gateway entrance at Epcot if you have park-to-park tickets—shorter walk than TTC |
| Evening | • 7:00 PM: World Showcase stroll & snacks • 8:30 PM: Epcot fireworks from Italy pavilion | Share snack-sized festival bites so everyone gets a "taste tour" without huge tab |
| Time | Activity | Mom Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | • 7:30 AM: Final hotel breakfast + pack up luggage in the car • 8:30 AM: Rope drop at Animal Kingdom – Pandora & Safari | Arrive before rope drop; Animal Kingdom rides fill up fastest here |
| Midday | • 12:00 PM: Lunch at Satu'li Canteen (mobile order to skip line) • 1:00 PM: Festival of the Lion King show | Mobile-order a few extra bowls to share—kids love sampling each other's "custom" bowls |
| Afternoon | • 2:30 PM: Gorilla Falls / Maharajah Jungle Trek trails • 4:00 PM: Quick Character Meet at Adventurers Outpost | Use the baby monitoring feature in your room to let toddlers nap quietly—you can hear them from the lobby |
| Evening | • 5:00 PM: Early dinner at Lime Fresh Mexican Grill in Town Center • 6:30 PM: Head home or to airport | Stop at Target on your way out for road-trip snacks and souvenirs to beat the airport crowds |
Q: Which parks should we pick on a 3-day trip?
A: We recommend Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios + a hop to Epcot, and Animal Kingdom to cover all four in depth.
Q: How far is Homewood Suites from Magic Kingdom?
A: About a 13-minute drive via Western Way—faster than many internal Disney buses!
Q: Can we use Disney's Early Entry at Flamingo Crossings hotels?
A: Yes, as a Disney Gateway Hotel, you get 30-min early entry like on-site resorts.
Stay tuned for our detailed 5-day and 7-day itineraries with even more family-tested tips and tricks!