Our Itinerary -- I'd love some advice and suggestions - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Our Itinerary -- I\'d love some advice and suggestions
It's been 14 years since I've been to Disney, and DH has never been there. We also have two young boys (1 and 4) So, I do not know if I'm allowing for enough time for things, or if I'm missing something big. I'd love some opinions (don't hesitate to criticize, I really want to make this a great trip). I do know we're not doing alot at AK (though if there is something we shouldn't miss please let me know-- boneyard is in rehab though). Also afternoon parades are at 1yo's naptime, so we're only doing one this trip. We're going again in July 2005, so we can do more then, and concentrate more on AK. Otherwise, lay it on!! Thanks!! Also this trip is in September(so I'm thinking lines won't be too bad). And, I know we're skipping all thrill rides-- DH and I are taking a short trip in January, and will do the thrill rides then. Please let me know if this is really commando style.
Day 1
Flight arrives at 6:07pm
Quicksilver
Quick Grocery Stop
Driver also making stop at DTD to activate APs
Arrive at WL (I'm thinking around 8)
Get a late snack in room (pizza), maybe take kids for late swim, unpack
Day 2
7am go to boat launch to Contemporary and get monorail to GF
8am- PS 1900 Park Fare
9/9:30 Head to MK
9:30- 11:30 Main Street, Cinderella's Castle, Carousel,
Get a fastpass for Jungle Cruise
Tiki Room
11:30 - Lunch at Pecos Bill
12-12:30Jungle Cruise
Back to WL
Aidan and DH swim, Danny naps while I read on balcony
3:15 - Head to Epcot
Walk through Future World, and take Water Taxi to Italy
4:15 PS - Dinner at Alfredo's
6-8 Stroll Italy to Canada
8pm- Find Spot for Illuminations
9pm Illuminations then back to WL
Day 3
7:30 Bus to MGM for EMH
Muppet Vision 3D
Get Fastpass for Voyage of Little Mermaid
get in line for Playhouse Disney before EMH is over
Playhouse Disney
Voyage of Little Mermaid
Walk around a bit
Stop at Al's Toy Barn for characters
11:15 Back to WL
Noon- PS at Whispering Canyon
1-3 Swim / Danny naps
@ 3:30Back to MK
Get Fastpass for Buzz Lightyear
4:30 PS at Plaza Restaurant
6-7 Buzz Lightyear and maybe Carousel of Progress
7 / 7:15 Find spot for Spectromagic near Frontierland?
8pm Spectromagic
Country Bear Jamboree before finding spot for Wishes(??? not sure if this is possible)
9- Wishes
Stroll stores as everyone leaves park
Day 4
7:50 Breakfast Chef Mickey
Swim
12:45 - Head to MGM
1:35- Lunch at Sci-Fi
3:00 Find spot for Stars and Cars (this is our parade because 4yo loves JoJO)
4pm - Beauty and the Beast
Boat to Boardwalk
Take short walk on Boardwalk
Bus to DTD
Stroll Disney Marketplace (Get dinner at McDonalds for kids, because they love McD's)
Day 5
7:15 Boat to MK for EMH
8:00 Get Fastpass for Winnie the Pooh
Ride Dumbo, DH and 4yo ride Mad Tea Party (maybe)
Get second fast pass for Peter Pan (hopefully if its ok by that time)
9:00Winnie the Pooh
Get Fast pass for Mickey's philharmagic
9:30 Peter Pan
Get Fast Pass for Haunted mansion
Mickey's Philharmagic
Haunted Mansion (maybe, I think I'm gonna see how 4yo is as we walk up to it, we may have to sneak out the chicken exit)
12:00 Lunch at Liberty Tree
Back to WL
4pm have some pizza in room
4:30 back to MK
5-6 Pirates of the Carribbean (I hope we can get this done in an hour)
Take RR to Toontown
6-8 Toontown (I hope this is enough time for Toontown)
Wishes
Day 6
7:30 Bus to AK for EMH
stroll through Oasis
Go right to Festival of Lion King and get in line for 1st show
Festival of LIon King
Pocahontas
Triceratop Spin
11am - Lunch at Rainforest Cafe
Back to WL
Swim / Nap
3pm Head back to Epcot
4pm Dinner at San Angel Inn
5:30-7 (Future World - Universe of Energy and Journey to Imagination)
7-9 Stroll Mexico to American Adventure
Maybe watch Illuminations again, maybe head out before crowds leave
Day 7
7:30 Breakfast at Whispering Canyon
Take our time checking out
Head to Epcot
10-12 The Living Seas (son obsessed with fish)
12 PS at Coral Reef
1:30-3 Circle of Life, Food Rocks
Head bacck to WL, Quicksilver coming at 4:30
Now that it's all written, it sure does seem commando (either DH or I will run for FastPasses, while one of us sits w/kids as they have a snack, or look around a shop or something like that). Please let me know if this is too much.
Re: Our Itinerary -- I\'d love some advice and suggestions
I really can't say much on this one since I don't have kids. For DH and I this would be a great plan. It seems like it may be just a little much with such young children though. But you know your children waaay better than I do, if you think they can handle it, go for it! Just be prepared and willing to change things around if things aren't going just as you plan. I am an overplanner just like you, and that can sometimes be a problem if you try to stick to closely to your plans! Just be prepared for the unexpected...Sounds like you have a fantastic trip planned though!
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Re: Our Itinerary -- I\'d love some advice and suggestions
it sounds like a thorough plan - just keep in mind to be flexible and all of you will be much happier. As an example = I had a list of rides I was SURE my DNiece (5) would want to go on and I got it COMPLETELY WRONG! She wanted nothing to do with those rides and rode the ones I though she wouldn't like.... so....
Also - have you talked with DS (4) about what he wants to do? Has he seen the planning video? This may help. I love that you've built in Swimming/nap time for everyone - that is a great idea.
Re: Our Itinerary -- I\'d love some advice and suggestions
Hey! It sounds like fun, but it may be a little too much for the kids. I like the way you are taking the breaks in the afternoon, but I don't know if all the late night shows are going to work well with all the really early morning EMH, etc. You may find that some of the later nights or early mornings you have planned may have to be forfeited.
I also try to imagine what rides we will try to hit in some sort of order, but it never works exactly as planned. Sometimes, we re-route ourselves if 1 ride is faster(or slower) than others. We usually get it all done, but maybe not in the way that I had originally had planned it.
Also, I just wanted to comment on the Lion King show. I am almost positive that the 1st show is always around 9:45 or so. When we were there on a EMH day, they wouldn't even let you go back to that area until 9:00.
Your kids and DH may be better at the "go-go" speed than mine are! We always leave the parks around 3:00 and hang out at the pool, rent boats, etc. for the rest of the day. We usually have dinner at one of the resorts. I made the fatal mistake the first time we went to WDW as a family to try to go "commando" style and everybody hated me for it! So, we are now on the "relaxed" plan! We usually stay long enough to get all the attractions we want done in, but we never ride something twice. Also, DH and DS can't do thrill rides, so that alleviates a lot of the pressures on time.
Have a great time no matter what and just be flexible!
Re: Our Itinerary -- I\'d love some advice and suggestions
Thank you so much, this is so helpful!!! I didn't think it was too bad until I wrote it down and typed it out. Now I have to figure out how to cut it down. You guys are the best!!!!!
Re: Our Itinerary -- I\'d love some advice and suggestions
Unless I'm wrong here, I think you're missing something big at Animal Kingdom - the Safari? I've looked twice and can't see it in there. If it is, forgive me, but if it's not, be sure not to miss this - it is awesome and definitely a "must do". It's something to do as soon as you get into the park.
The rest of it looks fine, although like Valerie, I can't help much, as we don't have kids, but it looks like you've got lots of rests built in there and some nice choices for places to eat as well. I don't think it looks too commando style, although as Valerie mentioned, do be prepared for the unexpected.
Re: Our Itinerary -- I\'d love some advice and suggestions
I like the way you've built in naps and FPs, that should really help! Don't be surprised if one or both of your DSs don't want to do something you've planned, though-my DD took a dislike to Pooh ( ) but I still made her ride it again b/c we had an FP That was in Oct-in Mar, just skipped it altogether, just wasn't worth it! Surprisingly, she was okay with Snow White , which I find scary! Kids...
MGM is hard with a little one-Playhouse Disney wasn't open until after EMH and we had to RUN from VOTLM over to PD to barely make it for the first show-the rest of the shows were going to have a 30-60 min wait, per the CM, so she advised we try to make the first one...which we did, barely. I couldn't enjoy Mermaid at all, though, waiting to get out to see Playhouse Disney. Another lesson, there . My DD didn't like Muppet 3D, but LOVED Mickey's Philharmagic in MK. Another head scratcher. Again, these are just my experiences but goes to show that you just can't predict the little ones' reactions or preferences!
JoJo and Goliath are now doing "meet and greets" so ask a CM at the Studios when and where your DSs can meet them...and make sure you have lots of film!
Re: Our Itinerary -- I\'d love some advice and suggestions
You're right, I didn't plan for Kilimanjaro Safaris. When I did the planning, I used the Passporter ride explanations, and I saw the height restriction symbol along w/ the 4 and up (my son will have just turned 4), and I thought he wouldn't be able to do it. I just pulled it out and gave it a better look, and saw that the height restriction is for front two seats, so I guess we can do it. Thanks for pointing that out!! Thanks also for the heads up on JoJO, I'll definitely check him out!!!
Re: Our Itinerary -- I\'d love some advice and suggestions
In looking at your schedule, day 2 and 3 seemed more commando than the others. Also, you have three large meals planned on day 2, which for us, would be too much food too close together. You might be able to get away with 2 meals and a snack in the middle. They do take up a large portion of your time.
Re: Our Itinerary -- I\'d love some advice and suggestions
It's funny I was also starting to think the same thing-- the meals are taking up too much time, plus my kids hate to sit still. I'm a mess now, I'm starting to rethink all of our plans. I'm driving my husband crazy!! Thanks for the advice!!!!!!!!!
Re: Our Itinerary -- I\'d love some advice and suggestions
Don't rethink everything! Just be sure that you leave room for spontinaeity (did I spell that right?). In my plans I'm trying to have an idea of where we'll be each day, but not specifically ride by ride. What happens if your little ones need a snack, or you can't resist that neat looking shop. Will you mind being thrown off schedule a little? Definetely keep your afternoon rest time though. We took our DD to DLand here in CA for the first time when she was 2 1/2 yo, and we so LOVED staying overnight. That room to go back to was wonderful. She'll be almost 6 this time, but we'll still take a break just about every day. DH and I need it as much as her I think! Like I said, don't scrap your plans completely, just be flexible!
Stephanie
Re: Our Itinerary -- I\'d love some advice and suggestions
Boy can I relate to planning it all out and then starting to re-think everything. I have changed our plans quite a few times now. This is how I see it. After talking to so many people on the boards ..... looking through the guidebooks.... planning --- re-planning---- and yes... still more planning... by the time we go in November I should have The Mother of all plans
And yes... I have driven my husband crazy!!!!!
But isn't it all just sooooo much fun!!!!! I have to confess... I love it!
Re: Our Itinerary -- I\'d love some advice and suggestions
Your plans look like fun, but all the PS's might be hard for the little ones. When I first planned our trip, I had several each day, and then I re-thought it. Now I have one planned for each day, and I just decided which park to go to for each day/section of the day. You do never know when you MUST stop to by some cool souvenier, or have a mickey bar! Or frozen banana, my favorite. A tradition my family has(from our trips to DL) is to let each person pick where to start for the day. So I'm not sure where we will start, but it gives everyone some control (your 4 yr. old probably could already give his 2 cents!). My DS (5) has been listening to the passporter readings, watching the planning video, and reading WDW for kids by kids, and he says we should hit Kilamanjaro Safaris first on our animal kingdom day, before the animals get hot and go to the shade! I think I'm creating a monster! Can't wait to read your report!
Re: Our Itinerary -- I\'d love some advice and suggestions
Your itinerary sounds like a lotof fun. I think it looks like more written down than it really will be. You only have a few rides/attractions scheduled for each day, so that shouldn't be too hard to get done. Just make sure you ARE ready for things to get a little off track every once in a while, you never know what will happen with young kids, especially in a place like Disney World! Also, about the PS, its great that you get to check out so many nice restaurants. When we were planning on visting for only a week or so, I also tried to fit in as many PS reservations as possible, because I wanted to be able to see and do everything. However, we all know that's not possible. Pick your top choices and try to stick to one PS arrangement each day. Stick to the special ones you and your husband will enjoy and are also lively and fun to keep your children occupied and entertained. Keep us updated on your plans, I'd love to hear what you finally decide on!
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We usually stay long enough to get all the attractions we want done in, but we never ride something twice. Also, DH and DS can't do thrill rides, so that alleviates a lot of the pressures on time.
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I've looked twice and can't see it in there. If it is, forgive me, but if it's not, be sure not to miss this - it is awesome and definitely a "must do". It's something to do as soon as you get into the park. 
) but I still made her ride it again b/c we had an FP 
That was in Oct-in Mar, just skipped it altogether, just wasn't worth it! Surprisingly, she was okay with Snow White 
, which I find scary! Kids...
. My DD didn't like Muppet 3D, but LOVED Mickey's Philharmagic in MK. Another head scratcher. Again, these are just my experiences but goes to show that you just can't predict the little ones' reactions or preferences!
Just be sure that you leave room for spontinaeity (did I spell that right?). In my plans I'm trying to have an idea of where we'll be each day, but not specifically ride by ride. What happens if your little ones need a snack, or you can't resist that neat looking shop. Will you mind being thrown off schedule a little? Definetely keep your afternoon rest time though. We took our DD to DLand here in CA for the first time when she was 2 1/2 yo, and we so LOVED staying overnight. That room to go back to was wonderful. She'll be almost 6 this time, but we'll still take a break just about every day. DH and I need it as much as her I think! Like I said, don't scrap your plans completely, just be flexible! 
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