1st time help PLEASE-need critiqued

[Sadeesmom]

I've never been to Disney and never posted on here, so please tell me if I'm doing this all wrong...

Taking my 10 yo daughter by myself to WDW in October. I know we can't do everything, but will you please tell me if we're missing anything big or if anything is too much/too busy? Thank you!

Sunday-arrive at POP around 1:00-head to Epcot for Future World - including Coral Reef at 6:00 & FP Soaring afterwards (7:30?)
Monday-CRT at 7:55 and BOG at 2:20. Haven't decided FP yet, but thinking we could head to 7D after the PPO breakfast and the wait shouldn't be too bad...
Tuesday-breakfast at Cape May & then over to SeaWorld and then the outlet stores for souvenir for family stuck behind in Illinois.
Wednesday-Breakfast at Chef Mickey then head to Epcot for WS (FP for FEA & snack there for lunch too) then head to Disney Springs for Design a Tee, dinner at Wolfgang Puck Express, etc..
Thursday-RD TSM at HS then Great Movie Ride then the Mermaid show then lunch at 11:15 at 50's followed by Tot & RnR (not interested in Muppets or Star Wars) & probably done by 2:30-3:00 so back to POP before MNSSHP.
Friday-AK-RD Dinosaur, FP later for Kilimanjaro, EE, & Lion King) Late lunch at Tusker (NOT BBQ fans, so no Flame Tree for us)
Saturday-breakfast at 1900 PF & head home

 

[EvilQueen2018]

You have just a half day at MK? At 10 that was my son's favorite park. With around 3-4 hours tied up in dining, you may not find that you have time for really enjoying the park.

 

[glvsav37]

relax...you are not doing anything wrong. 1st rule is exactly what you said...you cant...and won't do everything.

(what follows is just my opinion, take it for what it is...you will have a magical time with or without it)
my only critique, I dont see much MK time here. With a 10 year old girl (and I dont know her, so this may not be her) MK has the most young girlish/princess-type stuff out of all of the parks. Again, may not be her style. But it is also the biggest park (ride for ride) and the most classic. As you said, you have never been, so there is a certain amount of magic to be had there for a 1st timmer.

IMO< I would love to see you do MK on the 1st day...that walk down main st is something that needs to be experienced. Doing that before anything else helps kick off the rest of the trip IMO. I know about the Soarin FP, but Epcot is a pretty small park with attractions, so having a little wait there is not a deal breaker.

There is also a decent amount of travel time here b/c you are bouncing from places like Epcot to Dis Springs. There is no bus from Epcot to DS, so you would need to walk over to Boardwalk or Beach club (though the back entrance in world showcase) and take the bus there (unless you have a car). If it was me, I'd maximize my park time vs a trip to DisSprings for a tee-shirt and meal. There are plenty of great food right there in Epcot.


overall...enjoy your trip with your daughter. Don't stress, there is nothing you can do wrong, only things to note and add it 'to-do's' for future trips. Disney will be there and welcome you for when you come back

 

[chloelovesdisney]

You can enter MK at 3:45p-4p before MNSSHP so you can get on a few rides before the party events start. You can even book FP+ with the party ticket during those hours. It's a long day but I wouldn't plan on heading all the way back to POP that late in the day.

I'd book a FP+ for SDMT even if you plan to ride it right at rope drop after breakfast. It's a fast (short) ride and my son likes to ride it more than once. Just about any other ride you can book a same day FP+, if she doesn't want to ride it again you can easily modify for a different attraction.

Also, I wouldn't want to ride ToT and RnR right after lunch. I'd swap the Great Movie ride and Mermaid show for right after lunch.

 

[amycakes]

I would try to plan for more time in the MK. Not sure if you have hoppers but maybe on Wednesday morning after your breakfast at CM go back to MK then go to Epcot. I would not go to Disney Springs as you already have your souvenirs from your shopping trip on Tuesday. But that's just me

We really enjoy lunch at Tusker House

You're going to have so much fun no matter which way you slice it... have a great trip!

 

[Sadeesmom]

You have just a half day at MK? At 10 that was my son's favorite park. With around 3-4 hours tied up in dining, you may not find that you have time for really enjoying the park.

We'll have all day Monday plus the party Thursday night.... you think I should add a ticket for Saturday? We don't really have a strict time table (driving and just have to be in Nashville by lunch Sunday) and to go from 5 to 6 day tickets isn't a big price difference.

my only critique, I dont see much MK time here. With a 10 year old girl (and I dont know her, so this may not be her) MK has the most young girlish/princess-type stuff out of all of the parks. Again, may not be her style

She's not a huge princess fan-she want to do the breakfast there, but specifically told me she doesn't want to wait in line for any...

Since she is most excited about WS out of the whole trip, I thought about skipping Disney Springs completely, but she really wants to do the balloon (Characters in Flight?) too if the weather is cooperating.

Also, I wouldn't want to ride ToT and RnR right after lunch. I'd swap the Great Movie ride and Mermaid show for right after lunch

Ugh... I hadn't really thought that one out too much-originally she wanted Sci-Fi, so location-wise, that made seen-she only switched lunch request last week & luckily I found an ADR only 5 minute off from our original plan...

Thanks all!

 

[FortForever]

Personally, with a 10 year old, I would eliminate shopping at the outlets and Downtown Disney /Disney Springs.

MK is the star of the show and I would dedicate more time to that park. I wouldn't even go to Seaworld, but that's just my personal taste. Nothing takes away from my Disney time.

Regardless, have a great time!

 

[EvilQueen2018]

Keep in mind, you will plan the best vacation because all we can offer is what we think you two might like. Only you know you and your daughter.

I haven't been there in years, I had to look to see what happened to Fantasy Land because it wasn't where I left it, but I have planned 2 of our 4 days in our stay to be in MK and my kids will be 5, 14, 16, and 22. On top of all the rides and shows, there is the sorcerer's quest and the private scavenger hunt to do, for starters.

HS isn't big for us and I could skip majority of AK (sorry everyone) so I will do them both in a day and then a day at EPCOT, though that might not take a whole day either, allowing for more time at AK if needed.

We are getting hoppers in case one park takes more or less time than planned.

 

[mrzrich]

Is there a reason you aren't riding Kali River Rapids at AK? I recommend a Fp for that over Lion King. Fp for Lion King doesn't really matter. The theater is small and in the round. You should have no trouble getting a good seat

 

[chloelovesdisney]

You can just play be ear also. If you are enjoying the World Showcase you can always decide to skip Disney Springs. If it's boring and you're over it move on. The last three times we've been there the balloon was grounded for wind or who knows what, so I wouldn't make a special trip just for that. Last trip we decided to add a day to our tickets before we exited the park on what was supposed to be our final park day.

 

[lizard1]

Keep in mind, you will plan the best vacation because all we can offer is what we think you two might like. Only you know you and your daughter.

I haven't been there in years, I had to look to see what happened to Fantasy Land because it wasn't where I left it, but I have planned 2 of our 4 days in our stay to be in MK and my kids will be 5, 14, 16, and 22. On top of all the rides and shows, there is the sorcerer's quest and the private scavenger hunt to do, for starters.

HS isn't big for us and I could skip majority of AK (sorry everyone) so I will do them both in a day and then a day at EPCOT, though that might not take a whole day either, allowing for more time at AK if needed.

We are getting hoppers in case one park takes more or less time than planned.

I wouldn't add the hoppers before you go if you aren't sure you are going to hop. I would add them there if you find it necessary, unless you already have plans in multiple parks during the course of one day. Could save you a bit of money if you don't end up needing them.

 

[SplashMo]

I would stay the extra Saturday..

My thoughts. There is another way to go... check out the touring plans on easywdw.com

Sunday-arrive at POP around 1:00-head to Epcot for Future World - including Coral Reef at 6:00 & FP Soaring afterwards (7:30?)

Another option: Arrive with FP+ for SOARIN 2-3 hours later then you expect to arrive.... Walk WS and ride SOARIN. Perhaps watch Illuminations. Eat Fish and Chips in England with no reservation necessary.

Monday-CRT at 7:55 and BOG at 2:20. Haven't decided FP yet, but thinking we could head to 7D after the PPO breakfast and the wait shouldn't be too bad...

use easywdw.com for touring plan this day. Spend a lot of time in the parks. Perhaps (and only perhaps) consider dropping BOG and eating somewhere else with a better reservation time.

Tuesday-breakfast at Cape May & then over to SeaWorld and then the outlet stores for souvenir for family stuck behind in Illinois.

Consider Breakfast at Chef Mickeys. For sure get the Unofficial Guide to Sea World and consider packing a lunch as food service can be very slow at Sea World (not sure they will let you in with food) I just know food service was slow. Get the souvenirs after SeaWorld. Head back to the hotel for the pool...

Wednesday-Breakfast at Chef Mickey then head to Epcot for WS (FP for FEA & snack there for lunch too) then head to Disney Springs for Design a Tee, dinner at Wolfgang Puck Express, etc..

Consider skiping the sit down breakfast. Rope Drop Epcot with FP+ for SOARIN. Ride TT first then use FP+ SOARIN. Explore WS again. Here is where I would skip disney springs. Maybe head over to AK for the evening. Arrive by 3PM and ride all of the rides and see the evening shows.

Thursday-RD TSM at HS then Great Movie Ride then the Mermaid show then lunch at 11:15 at 50's followed by Tot & RnR (not interested in Muppets or Star Wars) & probably done by 2:30-3:00 so back to POP before MNSSHP.

Get FP+ for TSM for second ride... use easywdw touring plans

Friday-AK-RD Dinosaur, FP later for Kilimanjaro, EE, & Lion King) Late lunch at Tusker (NOT BBQ fans, so no Flame Tree for us)

OPTION: Here is where I would RD MK again. Then head back to AK before 3PM for a repeat of the earlier AK day.

Saturday-breakfast at 1900 PF & head home

OPTION: Stay and Rope Drop MK use easywdw for touring plans.

 

[SplashMo]

You might consider skipping Dinosaur... I do like the gift shop there though...

 

[Terra Nova guy]

OP, you have some great advice already. One thing I would advise against is doing both Cape May and Chef Mickey's character breakfasts. You are getting essentially the same characters at both. I would choose one and would suggest @SplashMo 's idea to skip the sit down breakfast on Wednesday and rope drop Epcot.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I've never been to Disney and never posted on here, so please tell me if I'm doing this all wrong...

Taking my 10 yo daughter by myself to WDW in October. I know we can't do everything, but will you please tell me if we're missing anything big or if anything is too much/too busy? Thank you!

Sunday-arrive at POP around 1:00-head to Epcot for Future World - including Coral Reef at 6:00 & FP Soaring afterwards (7:30?)
Monday-CRT at 7:55 and BOG at 2:20. Haven't decided FP yet, but thinking we could head to 7D after the PPO breakfast and the wait shouldn't be too bad...
Tuesday-breakfast at Cape May & then over to SeaWorld and then the outlet stores for souvenir for family stuck behind in Illinois.
Wednesday-Breakfast at Chef Mickey then head to Epcot for WS (FP for FEA & snack there for lunch too) then head to Disney Springs for Design a Tee, dinner at Wolfgang Puck Express, etc..
Thursday-RD TSM at HS then Great Movie Ride then the Mermaid show then lunch at 11:15 at 50's followed by Tot & RnR (not interested in Muppets or Star Wars) & probably done by 2:30-3:00 so back to POP before MNSSHP.
Friday-AK-RD Dinosaur, FP later for Kilimanjaro, EE, & Lion King) Late lunch at Tusker (NOT BBQ fans, so no Flame Tree for us)
Saturday-breakfast at 1900 PF & head home

My advice would be to cut down on the driving and consolidate your touring so you can actually see and experience more!

Sunday - I like your plan!
Monday - Sounds good!
Tuesday - You have a lot of character meals with the same characters. Since you are doing Tusker House later in the week, I would cancel Cape May. And unless your daughter REALLY wants to go to Seaworld, I would skip this, too. Add another WDW park day! If you do decide to keep SeaWorld, I would still cancel Cape May and just eat at SeaWorld. Driving from POP to BC and then to SeaWorld is a time-kill.
Wednesday - Ditch Chef Mickey's for the reason above. If you really want a character breakfast this morning, go to Garden Grill so you are already in EP for your WS touring. I would not go to DS. EP WS at night is magical and I would stay for Illuminations.
Thursday - This looks fine! Other suggestion is doing DHS on Tuesday (if you skip SeaWorld) and just do MK all day plus MNSSHP. It will really cut down on travel time.
Friday - Sounds good
Saturday - Sounds good!

 

[Aliceacc]

In addition to what's already been posted:

The two sections of Epcot are just different parts of the same park. I think I would combine the two Epcot days into one long visit, freeing up more time for the Magic Kingdom. Your 10 year old will want that time! And instead of starting at Chef MIckeys, why not plan breakfast at Cape May in the Beach Club instead? It's many of the same characters as Chef Mickey's, but a 5 minute walk to Epcot instead of the longer monorail combo from the Contemporary.

Personally, I would skip SeaWorld in favor of more Disney time, but that's just me.

Likewise, it doesn't sound as though there's much in DHS to interest you-- why not skip it entirely and free up more time for the MK?

 

[kamik86]

Number one rule no matter what other advice you take from this thread.

Everyone likes to vacation differently. If you get there and realize your not having fun (which is not the same as thinking you should be having fun) if you stressed and tired etc. Stop take a breath and re-evaluate. If that means you spend less time in the parks and spend a day by the pool so be it. If that means you cancel some of your dinner plans becuase you realize you rather have that time to play and just grab quick food thats good too.

The biggest trick those that have gone many times learn isn't something that can be taught to a newbie... its learning how WE like to vacation. Once you know how you want to vacation your trips will be much easier to plan

 

[GaryDis]

Last I checked, Dinosaur is closing next week for refurbishment and is scheduled to reopen mid October. You didn't say exactly when in October, so check the dates and factor in the possibility of the reopening being delayed.

 

[mrzrich]

OP, you have some great advice already. One thing I would advise against is doing both Cape May and Chef Mickey's character breakfasts. You are getting essentially the same characters at both. I would choose one and would suggest @SplashMo 's idea to skip the sit down breakfast on Wednesday and rope drop Epcot.

Or go to Garden Grille in Epcot. Which is also the same characters, but it is not a buffet, it is all you can eat, served family style and the food is fresh and yummy.

In addition to what's already been posted:

The two sections of Epcot are just different parts of the same park. I think I would combine the two Epcot days into one long visit, freeing up more time for the Magic Kingdom. Your 10 year old will want that time! And instead of starting at Chef MIckeys, why not plan breakfast at Cape May in the Beach Club instead? It's many of the same characters as Chef Mickey's, but a 5 minute walk to Epcot instead of the longer monorail combo from the Contemporary.

Or forget about the 5 minute walk and have breakfast at Garden Grill INSIDE Epcot, steps away from Soarin'

 

[Aliceacc]

^^ I have to laugh. My diabetic husband would end up back in the ER if he had that first entrée.

It sounds great for many families... but I still say Cape May for the choice of characters.