3 Generations Itinerary

[amym2]

I posted this on a different board but didn't get any response...

We are seasoned visitors but haven't done the parks for 3 years, and this time it will be me, DH, DS12, DD10, and my parents (dad has lots of stamina, mom not so much). My sister and BIL will join us for the 2nd half of our trip. We're all staying at AKV in October. How does this look?

Wed- fly in mid-day, relax at AKV, possible dinner at Boma? (thinking about just winging this to avoid any fee if we don't make it)

Thu- EP with lunch at San Angel Inn, dinner at F&W

Fri- MK with dinner at Kona Cafe (would prefer lunch based on menu, but MK closes at 7pm for party so hate to leave)

Sat- AK with breakfast/lunch at Tusker House, evening my sister and BIL arrive so maybe cook

Sun- DHS in morning, MK in evening if I can get a BOG reservation for 8 before the park closes at 7pm for MNSSHP (PLEASE!)

Mon- EP with lunch at Via Napoli and dinner, at F&W (enough to interest us for two nights?)

Tue- AK in morning (we can always switch this once we see how our week has gone), AKV in afternoon with dinner at Sanaa (or BOG if I can't get it on Sun)

Wed- breakfast at Boma then fly home

Some of us will need breaks, some of us will not. Most likely, my mom and I will return to the resort some afternoons. We've done the parks enough that we know what we can't miss and won't expect to do it all. We haven't used FP+ before, so I''ll need to figure out who wants to do what rides. I may just book everyone on the same rides because it seems like a nightmare to plan FP+ for 8 people otherwise. 7 nights seemed like long enough (DH says it is) but when I really start planning, I want more time!

 

[jezebel73]

Just as couple of thoughts:

I definitely think you can get two days out of F&W, especially with a meal earlier in the day.

I think one day at AK will likely be enough and you'd be better doing the second day there at MK instead.

I like your food choices - good on the surface plus I'd say really good for a larger group.

 

[amym2]

Just as couple of thoughts:

I definitely think you can get two days out of F&W, especially with a meal earlier in the day.

I think one day at AK will likely be enough and you'd be better doing the second day there at MK instead.

I like your food choices - good on the surface plus I'd say really good for a larger group.

Thanks for the feedback! Glad to hear F&W will have enough for us for two days. DS12 is really into trying new foods, so I think he'll enjoy sampling but not filling up too much.

Yes, I agree about AK. I was only going to do it on our last day since BIL has never been there, but my dad loves AK and really wants to spend more time there. We'll probably just end up hitting a few highlights and then relaxing at the resort by early afternoon. My sister and BIL have been to MK recently (well last Dec for MVMCP) so they aren't as interested in MK. But we're ok with splitting up if we need to, so we'll keep that in mind.

Good point about the large group. We've done Boma and love it and I know it's easy to seat larger groups there (but is a walkup for 6 possible?). We also did Via Napoli years ago with all 8 of us. Sanaa, BOG, Tusker House, Kona, and San Angel are new for us and I'm excited to try them.

 

[Happyjen27]

I think if nobody logged on and is tearing it up, you must have done a stellar job!!

My first trip was a 3 generation (my kids, us, FIL/MIL) with BIL/SIL thrown in. We shared one ADR a day, and toured about 4 hours together, then split off. It was a great balance of downtime for those who needed it (me!) and active time for those who didn't (FIL) as well as time together as a family and separate for sanity.

Looks like a great plan. The only thing I would change is maybe instead of that second AK day for the kids, make it more of a "favorites day" for everyone, and everyone gets to do their favorite thing (for BIL and your dad that might be AK) but you and the kids might prefer something else. Then all meet up at BOG for dinner.

 

[amym2]

I think if nobody logged on and is tearing it up, you must have done a stellar job!!

My first trip was a 3 generation (my kids, us, FIL/MIL) with BIL/SIL thrown in. We shared one ADR a day, and toured about 4 hours together, then split off. It was a great balance of downtime for those who needed it (me!) and active time for those who didn't (FIL) as well as time together as a family and separate for sanity.

Looks like a great plan. The only thing I would change is maybe instead of that second AK day for the kids, make it more of a "favorites day" for everyone, and everyone gets to do their favorite thing (for BIL and your dad that might be AK) but you and the kids might prefer something else. Then all meet up at BOG for dinner.

Lol... true!

We've done WDW trips with all of us before but we were offsite in a rental house and the kids were little, so they needed more down time and everyone was happy to go at the kids' pace. Now that they are 12 and 10, I don't think the rest of us could keep up with them! Good thing is staying at AKV, my mom will be happy to stay behind and read a book and join us for meals if she doesn't feel up to a faster pace. She has been really sick on our last couple of trips, so I'm hoping she'll be healthy and able to do more.

We're spread all across the country and we don't see my sister and BIL very often, so they will want to spend time with the kids (and the kids with them). I love the idea of a "favorites day," but I think we'll all want to be together that last day since I don't know when we will be again. But we'll see how it goes!

Anyone have any advice on using FP+ with extended family? Most of us will ride anything, but my mom and BIL are more limited in what they can ride. Should I just do the same FP+ for everyone anyway? Is it better to do it for the rides in the morning thinking those are more likely the times we'll all be together, or should I do FP+ more for the afternoon when lines will be longer knowing some people's FP+ might be wasted? We were pros at collecting FP- and using them later in the day when that was allowed, so this is a whole new experience for us.

 

[Happyjen27]

I'm NO expert at FP+, I used them with my trip in December, but we also had access to FP- at the time.

I would say maybe start booking them around 11AM to use at 11:45, then one at noon and maybe 1. Then, everyone can break or continue. I think by the time you go, maybe they will have rolled out the neew program where you can book additional FP+ once the 3 pre-booked FP+ are used, and so people staying in the parks might be able to book additional FP+.

I can't imagine planning different FP+ for everyone and meeting up again somewhere, better to book for all and those who wish to sit out can do so and wait for you. With only 3 FP+, you'll have plenty of rides to wait all together in line.