1st Trip Nov-Dec 2014! Help!

[tbhh1234]

Hi! We are booked for our very 1st Disney trip Nov 29-Dec 6! It will be me, my husband, our daughter age 8 & our son age 4. This will be the first time for all of us . We are so excited...but I have found out that it takes quite the planning! Lol. Here are the plans for now...we can book ADR's Monday morning so I appreciate any input.

We'll be flying & are scheduled to arrive in Orlando at 10:30AM. As of now, we are booked at AoA, but I would really love to splurge & get the WL for Christmas. Any thoughts?

Day 1-Afternoon at Epcot
ADR-Dinner @ Whispering Canyon

Day 2-Magic Kingdom
ADR-Dinner @ 1900 Park Fare

Day 3-Animal Kingdom
ADR-Dinner @ Boma

Day 4-Hollywood Studios
ADR-Lunch @ Sci Fi
(We really want to see Fantasmic. Is it better to do a dinner package or just FP it? If we don't do those things, how early do you need to go to make sure you get a seat?)

Day 5-Free day/I would like to do some resort hopping to see the different Christmas decor. Or, we could re-visit a park or go to DTD. Suggestions?
ADR-Dinner @ 'Ohana
2nd choice-Hoop Dee Doo Revue
3rd choice-Raglan Road
(Oh my! I'm having the hardest time choosing!! Help! Lol.)

Day 6-Epcot
ADR-We want to do a Candlelight Processional Dinner Package. When are these available to reserve & which do you suggest?

Day 7-Magic Kingdom
We are planning to attend MVMCP. Is this worth the price?
ADR-Be Our Guest (fingers crossed)

Day 8-Leave at 2:45PM
I really wanted to fit in Chef Mickey's breakfast for the kids. Should I do it here or is there a better spot?

We are very excited! All suggestions are welcome!

 

[jenineh]

We did the Fantasmic dinner package. The seating was in the center of the theater. It was awesome.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

Day 1-Afternoon at Epcot
ADR-Dinner @ Whispering Canyon Our favorite restaurants are in EPCOT - I would eat in EPCOT unless you are not staying all day. Whispering Canyon is far from EPCOT. I believe you will need all day plus another.

Day 2-Magic Kingdom
ADR-Dinner @ 1900 Park Fare We love this restaurant.

Day 3-Animal Kingdom
ADR-Dinner @ Boma

Day 4-Hollywood Studios
ADR-Lunch @ Sci Fi This is one of our favorites. We go every trip. We never do the Fantasmic dinner package and always got it. It is a huge outdoor theater. We also go during Presidents week - so it is crowded and never have a problem getting in. We have gone 1 1/2 hrs before, 1 hour before and 30 minutes before and always got in.
(We really want to see Fantasmic. Is it better to do a dinner package or just FP it? If we don't do those things, how early do you need to go to make sure you get a seat?)

Day 5-Free day/I would like to do some resort hopping to see the different Christmas decor. Or, we could re-visit a park or go to DTD. Suggestions?
ADR-Dinner @ 'Ohana Love Ohana - go every trip.
2nd choice-Hoop Dee Doo Revue This is also a great show. We have gone twice. Very entertaining. Our kids love the food.
3rd choice-Raglan Road
(Oh my! I'm having the hardest time choosing!! Help! Lol.)

Day 6-Epcot
ADR-We want to do a Candlelight Processional Dinner Package. When are these available to reserve & which do you suggest? Never done it.

Day 7-Magic Kingdom
We are planning to attend MVMCP. Is this worth the price? Never done this.
ADR-Be Our Guest (fingers crossed) We like this for lunch better than dinner.

Day 8-Leave at 2:45PM
I really wanted to fit in Chef Mickey's breakfast for the kids. Should I do it here or is there a better spot?

We are very excited! All suggestions are welcome!

We would do exactly what you are doing MK-2 days, EPCOT-2 days, AK-1 day (actually we only do this 1/2 day now) and HS-1 day.

Ask any other questions. Enjoy your vacation.

 

[jmskinner]

I love hearing about first trips.

I agree with DisneyFansInNYC about WCC being a long way from Epcot, but if you feel a couple of hours in the park and then a nice dinner is best for your family, totally do it. Plus, you can check out the Christmas decorations while there.

We have never done the Fantasmic! dinner package and were always happy with our seats. We have gotten there one hour before, but have also just joined the crowd walking in and gotten a seat.

We love Raglan Road, but I would suggest Ohana. Explore another resort while there and if you plan it, you can watch Wishes! from the beach. Downtown Disney can get very busy at night, highly recommend you try to go there early.

Have never done MVMCP, hope to one day.

I think Chef Mickey's would be great any day of your trip. On your last day, do you want to take a long time to eat or do you want to squeeze in a little more park time?

Hope you have a magical trip and remember, you can't do it all so relax and enjoy yourselves!

 

[MonsterWDWmom]

Your plans sound awesome! I would definitely do Chef Mickey it is a great restaurant and I like how you have it on your last day. We usually go there on our last day it is a nice way to see the Fab 5 before you leave without having to go to the park!

 

[tbhh1234]

Thanks! Over the last couple of days I've managed to change some things. Does that ever happen to anyone? Lol. Here we go again:

Day 1-11/29
Epcot
ADR - Dinner @ San Angel Inn

Day 2-11/30
Magic Kingdom
ADR - Dinner @ 1900 Park Fare

Day 3-12/1
Hollywood Studios
ADR - Lunch @ Sci Fi
Fantasmic/Osborne Lights

Day 4-12/2
Animal Kingdom
ADR - Dinner @ Boma

Day 5-12/3
FREE
ADR - Dinner @ 'Ohana

Day 6-12/4
Epcot
ADR - Lunch @ Biergarten with Candlelight Processional

Day 7-12/5
Magic Kingdom
ADR - Breakfast @ Whispering Canyon
Lunch @ Be Our Guest
MVMCP

Day 8-12/6
ADR - Breakfast @ Chef Mickey's
Flight leaves @ 2:45pm

Ok...How does this look? 1st Trip Planning is stressing me out!! Lol!

Question...
We definitely want to book the Pirates & Pals Fireworks Cruise. What night do you suggest? I think they only do them Fri-Mon. Our trip is Sat-Sat. Thanks!!

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

Great changes. We changed our reservations several times before we get there. We really enjoy Biergarten. Haven't been to San Angel Inn in a while but it has a great atmosphere. We love Mexico. Go there several times on our trips. We love the boat ride. Also love shopping in there - the prices are great.

We are doing the Pirates and Pals Cruise for the first time when we go this summer. I would go when you are at the MK - you can take the monorail to CR - it will be much easier.

I am sure you will have a great trip. Enjoy the planning.

 

[tbhh1234]

Great changes. We changed our reservations several times before we get there. We really enjoy Biergarten. Haven't been to San Angel Inn in a while but it has a great atmosphere. We love Mexico. Go there several times on our trips. We love the boat ride. Also love shopping in there - the prices are great. We are doing the Pirates and Pals Cruise for the first time when we go this summer. I would go when you are at the MK - you can take the monorail to CR - it will be much easier. I am sure you will have a great trip. Enjoy the planning.

Thank you! I finally feel like I'm getting some organization. We probably will do the pirates cruise on our MK day...but it is a MVMCP day too so that means we will be seeing the holiday Wishes twice. I wondered if it would make more sense to do it on a night they had the regular wishes?

Have a great trip! I would love to know what you think about the cruise!!