** 30 Days and Counting Down - Mixie's 3 Go To Disney **

[Mixie]

I'm making this thread because I'm starting to have a small stack of little papers on my desk that I just *know* I will lose something important so I'm going to post my info here. Feel free to comment or whatever on my plans.

Basic info: Hubby, myself and DD (11) flying down on the 4th - plane lands at 1:30 - expect to be checked in at ASMu by 3 pm.

4th - Hit Epcot for the world showcase. Will be open until 9 pm. ADRs already made for 6pm at Marrakesh - we adults will like the food and the kids menu looks managable for DD. Plus, belly dancers! That should be fun. Stay for the fireworks and head back to hotel. No alternate plans for this day.

5th - Tentative plan: Hollywood Studios (9am to 8:30pm). Have not been to this park since it was MGM (since before DD was born)! All day here with no other plans (no ADRs). Alternate plans: Second day at Epcot (9-9) or AK (9-6).

6th - Tentative plan: Animal Kingdom (EMH 8am - open until 7pm). DD and I have been here, hubby has not. I know this can be done well within a day, leaving the evening free for DTD or relaxing at the hotel pool. DD loves to swim. Alternate plan: Second day at Epcot (9-9).

7th - Magic Kingdom (EMH 8am - open until 11 pm). I know this park will be super busy. I also know DD is too old for 1/2 the park already. Last time we went we did early EMH and had 3 major rides done before the regular park opening (haunted mansion, splash mountain and priates). Other plans for this day are La Nouba tickets at 6pm (already purchased - set in stone here) with dinner reservations at T-rex at 8pm. Alternate plan: Animal Kingdom (9-6).

8th - Epcot (9am with EMH till midnight). I know this will be busy due to EMH but I figure if we are there all day we can still hit everything and have our last full day at the parks be a big one. Alternate plans: uncertain.


9th - our flight is late in the day (8 pm) so we will have until about 4 pm to do something before we have to hit Magical Express and head to the airport. I was thinking Blizzard Beach, weather permitting. This may also be a day where our inlaws (who live about 2 hours away) may come and spend time with us (they are not much for amusement parks since they are near 70 but would sit at the water park with us and visit and light swimming. I chose Blizzard Beach because DD is not a strong swimmer so TL isn't going to be best for her.

 

[Mixie]

For reference:

April 5th(Tuesday):

MK - 9 am - 10pm
HS - 9 am - 8:30 pm
EP - 8 am EMH - 9 pm
AK - 9 am - 6 pm

April 6th(Wednesday):

MK - 9 am - 10pm
HS - 9 am - 7 pm
EP - 9 am - 9 pm
AK - 8 am EMH - 7 pm

April 7th(Thursday):

MK - 8 am EMH - 11pm
HS - 9 am - 8:30 pm
EP - 9 am - 9 pm
AK - 9 am - 6 pm

April 8th(Friday):

MK - 9 am - 11pm
HS - 9 am - 7 pm
EP - 9 am - 12 pm EMH
AK - 9 am - 7 pm

April 9th (only if weather is too cold for Blizzard Beach)

MK - 9 am - 11pm
HS - 8 am EMH - 7 pm
EP - 9 am - 9 pm
AK - 9 am - 7 pm

 

[kristieboyd]

I'm going to check back in on your plan! We're going 4/2-4/8 and I have no idea where to begin, planning wise!

 

[Mixie]

I started by making a list of all the things we would like to do - Downtown Disney, La Nouba, a water park for the first time ever for DD! - were up on the list for sure.

I know from past trips that the Magic Kingdom is less interesting now since DD is nearly 12. I also know that the Animal Kingdom can be done in a day while Epcot takes 2 for sure.

I also know we don't want to be running like mad each and every day. It can be tiring, although this time of year the heat will be managable (went in July last time - phew!).

Then I did research on park times, EMH hours (if you are staying on property) and worked out a plan - still in the works as you can see. We are not interested in Park Hopping but for some people they love to do that.

I also know we won't be leaving property at all. Some day we may make it over to Universal ... but it doesn't hold the appeal for me like Disney.

 

[Mixie]

Considering going to Disney Quest after the Animal Kingdom on the 6th. I'm just sure we will not be at AK until 7 pm - there just isn't that much to do. So maybe DTD for dinner and then DQ for the child for the evening? We have never been there so I don't know if it'll be worth it.

 

[Mixie]

Ok - after some research we'll skip Disney Quest. Somehow I had the idea there was laser tag involved - not just a bunch of video games.

One of the things that bugs me about both hubby and DD is they love their video games. They each own tons of them. Me, not at all interested. The idea of encouraging them to play video games while on vacation just slaps me in the face of what a vacation is about. I could have coped with laser tag - not fond of that either - but just games? During spring break? Pass...

 

[Mixie]

Alright - time to start thinking about Fastpasses. I know there is no way to get FPs for all attractions that have FPs so I'm going to have to choose wisely.

Let's start with a list by park.

Magic Kingdom:

• Big Thunder Mountain
• Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
• Jungle Cruise
• Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Mickey's Philharmagic
• Peter Pan's Flight
• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain
• Stitch's Great Escape

Epcot:

• Living with the Land
• Soarin'
• Honey I Shrunk the Audience
• Mission: Space
• Test Track
• Maelstrom

Hollywood Studios

• Indiana Jones
• Rock n Roller Coaster
• Toy Story
• Tower of Terror

Animal Kingdom

• Dinosaur
• Everest
• It's Tough to be a Bug
• Kali River Rapids
• Kilimanjaro Safari

 

[Mixie]

Let's start with the Magic Kingdom list:

• Big Thunder Mountain
• Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
• Jungle Cruise
• Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Mickey's Philharmagic
• Peter Pan's Flight
• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain
• Stitch's Great Escape

Now, jungle cruise, Pooh, Peter Pan are right out. DD is almost 12 and these will have little appeal to her.

Last time we were there she wasn't interested in Philharmagic, doubt it'll change this time around.

Space Mountain was closed when we were there before, so that should be top of the list. She's never been and it's been since before she was born that I last went.

Morning EMH attractions that we would be interested in that are open:

• Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
• Space Mountain
• Stitch's Great Escape!
• Tomorrowland Speedway

Now, we'll have morning EMH to do Buzz, Space Mountain or Stitch. I'm thinking Space Mountain would be a great way to start the day grabbing either a FP for Stitch or Buzz along the way. Do Tomorrowland and then move on over to Frontierland and grab the next FP for Big Thunder or Splash.

So, to sum up:

EMH Space Mountain, FP Stitch or Buzz. Once Space is done, do Stitch or Buzz (whichever we dont have the FP for), the speedway, Monsters Inc and our FP attraction.

After that, cross the park to Frontierland and get FP for Big Thunder or Splash. Hit the Haunted Mansion and Pirates while on that side of the park. Do whichever attraction we don't have the FP for and then do the one we do have the FP for.

Those will be our major *must do's* accomplished.

I think I read that the tiki room is closed?? If no, that should be added to the must do list. Toontown will be closed so nothing there at all.

 

[Mixie]

Now let's look at Epcot.

• Living with the Land
• Soarin'
• Honey I Shrunk the Audience
• Mission: Space
• Test Track
• Maelstrom

Not that interested in Living with the Land. We did that last time, DD was bored. Maelstrom might be something we could try to do the night we are doing the World Showcase, but I'm not going all the way up there on our other day at Epcot just to do that. It is fun but there are way more fun items.

We will be doing night time EMH so the attractions that are open late that we would be interested in are:

Journey Into Imagination With Figment
Living with the Land
Maelstrom
Mission: SPACE
Soarin'
Spaceship Earth
Test Track

Top of the list are both Soarin and Test Track. Loved them both last time but DH was not with us and has done neither of them. I know FPs for them are hot ticket items and we would be lucky to get FPs for both of them. It's not just bad luck that they are on opposite sides of the park, either, darn you Disney planners.

At Epcot we'll want to do:

Spaceship Earth - EMH
Mission: Space - FP and EMH
Test Track - FP and EMH
The Seas with Nemo
Turtle Talk
Soarin - FP and EMH
Journey Into Imagination - EMH

Not yet sure what to do. EMH hours are from 9 pm to midnight. DD is a great kid, but midnight will just be too late for her. I figure we could make it to 10:30 before she really can't do anymore, so the late EMH hours aren't as late as they could be.

 

[Mixie]

Hollywood Studios - I have not been here in over 12 years so my information on this area is really thin. I'm sure a lot has changed and could use input on stratagies for this park. We'll be there from 9 am to 8:30 pm, no EMH hours.

Fastpass attractions:

• Indiana Jones
• Rock n Roller Coaster
• Toy Story
• Tower of Terror

It sucks that Star Tours is closed and we won't be there for the Star Wars weekends, but oh well.

All these FP items are on our must do list of things to do. Added to that are:

• The Great Movie Ride
• Muppet Vision 3D
• Light, Motors, Action
• Beauty and the Beast

I think that can easily be done within 11.5 hours with time to spare.

I could use plenty of advice on which FP to get first (I'm thinking RnR then ToT) but I don't know.

Also, best places to eat for lunch and dinner advice would be welcome.

 

[Mixie]

Lastly, the Animal Kingdom. Open early for EMH at 8 and until 7 pm, we should get a lot done and have time to spare. Primeval Whirl is closed while we are there.

Fastpass:

• Dinosaur
• Everest
• It's Tough to be a Bug
• Kali River Rapids
• Kilimanjaro Safari

We will skip the Kali River Rapids because I know we'll get wet or soaked and we won't want to do that or be wearing bathing suits the whole time just for that ride.

Last time we went and had EMH in the morning we got the Safari done right away with no FP and I'm thinking we'll try that again this time.

Attractions open we're interested in during early EMH are:

Animal Kingdom:

• Dinosaur
• Expedition Everest
• It's Tough to be a Bug!
• Kilimanjaro Safaris

Other must do items:

Finding Nemo - we saw Lion King last time but didn't get to see this one.
Flights of Wonder - that was fun last time - a good chance to sit, too

So my thought was head for the Safari first thing with, grabbing a Bug FP along the way. But beyond that, I'm not sure - it's hard to balance rides with a zoo. DH has never been here and would probably like to see much of the park but I would hate to miss out on some of the bigger attractions because of long lines. DD is not much for waiting 90 minutes for anything.

 

[Mixie]

Other general important information:

Discussed with DD the character meet-n-greet stuff and she says she's not interested in that or in autographs, so we won't be going to any of the meet-n-greet areas. Having said that, I know she's more of a little kid inside than she lets on and if we run across characters she'll be happy to take photos and such. We just won't be looking for it.

This also includes character meals. No interest in that.

I've decided not to do Disney Dining plan. To be honest, I've read thru info on it and I'm still confused about it and I really have no idea if it would be cheaper or more expensive to be on the plan.

We're not going to add the water park n more to our tickets. The last day when we go to blizzard beach we'll just pay the admission price for the day. Since we are not the park hopping types, and I've got the plans set so that we won't have much extra time but to see the 4 major parks, it doesn't seem worth the extra $$. The one night I think we'll have 'free' time - the 6th when we'll be at AK, we'll be done by 7 and I think we'll just go swim at the hotel and have an early night.

 

[Mixie]

Time to look at alternatives. The votes are split, from what I have read, about using EMH hours. EMH parks are busy - EMH parks are avoided so they are not busy. Can be quite confusing.

So my last plan involves using 3 of 4 EMH days. This plan involves avoiding EMH days.


4th - this will stay the same. Getting to the parks sometime after 3 pm - going to Epcot for the world showcase, having dinner and seeing the fireworks.


5th - going to Hollywood Studios and avoiding Epcot EMH(early). HS is open from 9 - 8:30. EP is open from 8-9.


6th - going to Epcot and avoiding AK EMH (early). EP is open from 9-9. AK is open from 8-7.


7th - going to AK and avoiding MK EMH (early). AK is open from 9-6. MK is open from 9-11.


8th - going to MK and avoiding EP EMH (late). MK is open from 9-11. EP is open from 9-12.

 

[Mixie]

I'm beginning to think this may be the better plan. The hours are close to the same but avoids the EMH crowds. Then again, I know that those early EMH hours you can get alot done. On the other side, that means being there at 8 am and we are not really morning people.

HS - 11.5 hours
EP - 12 hours
AK - 8 hours - we would have to leave by 5 to get to DTD for the show
MK - 13 hours

Or we could swap the last two. Do MK for EMH on the 7th and do AK on the 8th.

So confusing!!! Would love some input!

 

[Mixie]

Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom? That is the question.

Which one will take longer? Which one has more to do?

Hubby has never been to the AK so I'm thinking we'll spend much more time there than at the MK. Years ago he used to work at the MK so he knows it well. Much of the little kid rides will not appeal to us anyway so we can be done with the MK much faster.

So hard to choose!

MK on the 7th and AK on the 8th? Get there for EMH at the MK and we can probably be done by 4.

AK is open until 7 on the 8th and everyone will be at Epcot for EMH or MK for the late night.

HS - new to DD
EP - everyone has been once before
MK - everyone had been twice before
AK - new to DH

Yeah, that might work. With BB for the day we leave which is new to all of us.

I'm thinking this might be a good plan.

4th - Epcot for WS - dinner reservations at Marrakesh (6:00)
5th - HS
6th - EP for the rest of the park
7th - EMH MK - La Nuiba (6:00) followed by dinner reservations at TRex (8:00)
8th - AK
9th - BB

 

[Mixie]

Picked up my park tickets today at the Disney Store. Felt lucky because the CM said that the prices were going up tomorrow! I didn't know that! Guess I saved some money. Not sure how much they are going up.


** turns out they were wrong - prices didn't increase, not that it would have changed my mind or anything **

 

[Mixie]

Just to put it in writing:

Airfare for 3: $910.20
ASMU for 5 nights: $836.20
5 Day MYW Base Tixs: $757.23
La Nouba Tixs for 3: $348.27

Total so far: $2851.90

*gulp*

And that's without any food! Or stuff! Oh my...

 

[Mixie]

Ok - past the shock of what has been spent so far - hey, you only have a 20th anniversary once, right?

So, speaking of anniversary, time to try to plan something for that. Right now I'm on page 15 of the great cake thread

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2413710&highlight=cake&page=15

and my idea of having a cake is slowly swindling the more I read. There are only certain restaurants that do this or you can order and pick up a cake from the Boardwalk Bakery.

*sigh*

I realize that they can't provide this service everywhere you go on Disney property and if you really want it you can make it happen.

Not sure I really want it that much.

Going back to read more pages...

 

[Mixie]

Found a good map of the Boardwalk area:

http://allears.net/acc/boardwalkmap.jpg

Looks like the bakery is on the Epcot side - read that it was a short walk from the international gate. Also finally found they are open until 11 pm so it would be possible to get a cake that first night we are there and have a cake all week long to nibble on.

Looking better!

 

[Mixie]

Gads - somewhere in all this people were suggesting that the park hours might be changing/updated. You know, that would really throw me for a loop!

Additional info:

4th - Epcot Illuminations at 9:00
5th - Block Party Bash Parade 3:00 - Fantasmic! 8:30 (HS)
6th - Epcot Illuminations at 9:00
7th - Wishes Fireworks 10:00 (MK)
8th - Mickey's Jungle Parade 3:45

http://www.disneytravelagents.com/S.../pdf/ParkHours/WDW_Operating_Calendar_Apr.pdf