First Timer, suggestions or thoughts on schedule

ayuhas · Mar 25, 2015

I am planning my family's first WDW trip. We are visiting September 25-October 4. We are so excited. My children are ages 18,15 and 11. My only daughter is the 18 year old and a Disney fanatic. I am trying to get our schedule finalized because we can do ADR in a few days. This is what I have planned.

Saturday- AK/MK
Sunday- RD at MK (go go until MNSSHP)
Monday-Epcot
Tueday- rest day
Wednesday-MK
Thursday- rest/ MNSSHP
Friday- DHS
Saturday-Epcot/MK

We will have park hoppers and hopefully will get tickets for MNSSHP.
Any thoughts or suggestions? Things you might change? Thanks

Alesia · Mar 25, 2015

For us, that would be way too much MK and not enough Epcot.

And you also have too much downtime for us, but we're action vacationers. We tried to take a day off in the middle of a trip in 2009 and we couldn't stand it. We were in MK by noon.

ayuhas · Mar 25, 2015

Alesia said:
For us, that would be way too much MK and not enough Epcot.

And you also have too much downtime for us, but we're action vacationers. We tried to take a day off in the middle of a trip in 2009 and we couldn't stand it. We were in MK by noon.

thanks for tips. The 2 Saturdays we may not park hop to MK, maybe DHS. Whatever the kids want to do. I am worried about the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot. Is going on Saturday going to be crazy?

dprincessmom · Mar 26, 2015

ayuhas said:
thanks for tips. The 2 Saturdays we may not park hop to MK, maybe DHS. Whatever the kids want to do. I am worried about the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot. Is going on Saturday going to be crazy?

YES - if at all possible don't do this. Have you check easywdw for the park recommendations during your trip? I have found the site to be pretty on the money. There are typically recommendations for the best park and why.

We did Epcot on a Saturday during F&W once. Won't make that mistake again.

ayuhas · Mar 27, 2015

dprincessmom said:
YES - if at all possible don't do this. Have you check easywdw for the park recommendations during your trip? I have found the site to be pretty on the money. There are typically recommendations for the best park and why.

We did Epcot on a Saturday during F&W once. Won't make that mistake again.

My whole vacation is based on easywdw schedule and undercover tourist. Except that second day at Epcot on Saturday. I think on our first day we will try to get a lot done so when we go back we will just stay until it gets really crowded. Then park hop. Maybe getting the world showcase done our first day will help. Thanks.

pangyal · Mar 28, 2015

Personally, I would avoid MK on Saturdays like the plague, as the crowds include locals (not saying at all that locals are bad, just that they add to the overall numbers)

EPCOTgrl1 · Mar 30, 2015

Food and wine will be happening at that time so you should spend a little more time at EPCOT. Also remember that MNSSHP is a late late night so check the times of DHS to give you family time to sleep in and be able to do everything that you want in that park.

peg110 · Apr 3, 2015

Some say it's too much downtime, I think it may not be enough. I guess it all depends. Just remember that you have to plan on getting up early and staying late for various events you may want. It's not always easy to get up and get moving as quick as you might want in the mornings. Conversely, it's not always easy to go right to bed at night. Count on "Prep" time too. Getting the next days clothes ready, cleaning up the last days stuff, etc...

It's tough to say what type of agenda is good for you versus what's good for someone else. My wife is not a big Epcot fan, but I love it and so does my eldest. The showcase can be hit or miss for us, as it's more about "Shopping" (and eating) and less about attractions in much of it. Of course shopping at WDW can get expensive.

Lastly, don't try to keep too rigid of an itinerary. Be flexible in that the attractions you may want to do, might have a LONGER line and as such it could through the rest of a rigid itinerary out of whack.

In any case, enjoy yourself and have an awesome time. Don't get too frustrated with lines and, well, idiotic people who only care about themselves. That's not what it's about.

kcarp36 · Apr 4, 2015

I am a CLark Griswold planner but i have to chill to have fun. We went last year in October and this year we are going in September. My advice is follow your schedule but don't freak out. Last year we woke up and decided to go to Hollywood Studios on Tuesday rather than Thursday. I just switched our fast passes on my phone. We had early Epcot plans decided to go late afternoon and just changed our fast passes. You are going at a slower time so you may have some flexibility.

On the day we went to MNSSHP we didn't go to the MK until about 2. The lines during the party aren't bad at all.

You have big kids it will be lots easier with big kids. When you see someone looking close to passing out from the humidity while looking for their stroller with a 3 year old wearing an adorable outfit unfortunately covered in pizza sauce please think of me.

DISGRL13 · Apr 8, 2015

A day of rest mid week is a must! It is good to just regroup and rest.

AK has a lot to look at and some great shows a half day there might not be enough. The Lion King show is amazing.

At DHS make sure you see Fantasmic at the end of the night. You can get a dine and reserved seating package that worked well for us. Enjoy!

SarahMynah · May 4, 2015

Another option that we often do is to take a mid day break on some days - get to the park early to take advantage of smaller crowds, then leave around lunch time when it's busy and hot. Nap and swim at the hotel for a few hours then go back in the evening. It keeps us rested enough that we don't have to take a full day off for rest. Also, you didn't ask about this but in my opinion the Hoop De Doo Review (dinner show) is a must do for a first time trip to Disney. We actually do it every time because we love it so much. But it definitely adds to the Disney magic

MataHari22 · May 4, 2015

ayuhas said:
thanks for tips. The 2 Saturdays we may not park hop to MK, maybe DHS. Whatever the kids want to do. I am worried about the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot. Is going on Saturday going to be crazy?

I went to Epcot on a Saturday, last year, on 10/25/14, and I have to say, I thought it was crowded. It was bad enough that I would not like to repeat that experience. It was the first time I have ever seen a lot of drunk people, especially at night, and it was just packed, especially World Showcase. If you decide to do a Saturday, I would prepare for it to be busy.

brownhaired_girl · May 7, 2015

pangyal said:
Personally, I would avoid MK on Saturdays like the plague, as the crowds include locals (not saying at all that locals are bad, just that they add to the overall numbers)

I made the mistake of going to MK on a Saturday. Won't likely happen again unless it is EMH and then leave.

tink9702 · May 8, 2015

Is Epcot better on Sundays during F&W?

First Timer, suggestions or thoughts on schedule

ayuhas

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Alesia

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ayuhas

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dprincessmom

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ayuhas

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peg110

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