Adult only trip- opinions wanted please

[mama4]

Hellloooo. I posted this on another board but was told this might be a good place to post.

Dh and I will be heading to the World on Thursday 10/25. I'd love some fellow DISsers opinions on our plans (which by no means have to be rock solid since we want this trip to be as laid back as possible) Here is what we've discussed as of now....

Day 1-Hopefully we will arrive at Epcot for opening on Thursday AM- I want to ride Soarin' and then I imagine we'll mosey around until WS opens at 11 so we can do the F&W thing. At some point we'll need to leave to check into the hotel (CSR) then we plan to spend the rest of the day/evening at Epcot.

Day 2- It depends. Did we see all we wanted to at F&W? We've been to Epcot many times so as long as we can finish F&W and Soarin' on that first day we won't need to go back. If not, we'll go to MK. Never been without the kiddos and I'd like to ride some of the things I've never been on (Splash Mntn , the new HM)and walk around enjoying the atmosphere for a bit. I know this is a party day but we don't plan to spend that whole day at the parks anyway so I don't mind leaving early.

Day 3- AK simply because I want to ride EE again and for DH to ride it for the first time. I imagine we'll have to be there early right? At opening? Last time I was there on a Saturday it was RIDICULOUSLY crowded but it was in the summer and I'm hoping it will be better this time. THis is defintely our least attended park but I like it a lot and I'd like to do some attractions my kids won't want to do (ITTBAB for instance)

So- do ya think Friday and Saturday sound ok or would you swap those two days? Do you think we'll want two days at Epcot? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Oh- some additional info: We have no ADR's except for the day we leave (Sunday-a non-park day). We decided this because we don't want to be required to be somewhere at any given time- as you are with ADRs.
Oh-well, dh is not a morning person and I probably won't be able to get a full day out of him on Friday (after Epcot ) so that's why I thought it'd be good to plan a laid back day- which leads me back to the ?- would Friday be a better MK or AK day?
Also, we can't park hop (well I can but not DH so if I feel particularly mean one day I could ditch him ), and last- we HAVE been to F&W once before (in 2004) so we won't be totally lost and we'll only hit the booths we really want to- so this is why I thought we should be able to get it done in 1 day. Thanks!

 

[marsh0013]

epcot is a good bet for your first day, fri is good for mk, and sat is good for ak (according to touring websites i belong to). i wouldn't switch. and i see that fri for mk is a little ones extra magic hour, i would very much encourage you do this, even without little ones. you can get all of fantasyland done in that one hour, it's great!

i'd say you've got a pretty good plan there, and enjoy those "big" rides that you haven't been able to with the kiddos!

 

[DeterminedOne]

With no ADR's I think you should do two days at Epcot and F&WF.

 

[JLPooh]

After reading your post I thought of a few suggestions...

At AK, you could use this time to go thru the Animal Trails in Asia and Africa as that is something that you might be interestered in but the kids might not find very interesting.

Also if you are not doing the Halloween Party at MK, the fireworks for the party go off at 9:30, when I was there last week I went to the Poly and sat on the beach and watched the fireworks. I actually stood on the sidewalk near a speaker so I could hear the music. But the fireworks are really cool from over there and something you could do at night.

Hope you have a great trip.

 

[AnninIowa]

You have the right idea to have a nice, laid-back trip! Even though you don't have ADR's, there are some walk-up places to eat at, namely Big River Grill and ESPN Club at the Boardwalk. Plus Wolfgang Puck Express at DTD is just as good as the inside part, IMO.

 

[mama4]

epcot is a good bet for your first day, fri is good for mk, and sat is good for ak (according to touring websites i belong to). i wouldn't switch. and i see that fri for mk is a little ones extra magic hour, i would very much encourage you do this, even without little ones. you can get all of fantasyland done in that one hour, it's great!

i'd say you've got a pretty good plan there, and enjoy those "big" rides that you haven't been able to with the kiddos!

Hadn't thought about little ones extra magic. Great idea!

 

[mama4]

With no ADR's I think you should do two days at Epcot and F&WF.

We may end up doing this if we decide we want more F&W fest. We really don't mind grabbing CS food though if we decide to do MK.

 

[mama4]

After reading your post I thought of a few suggestions...

At AK, you could use this time to go thru the Animal Trails in Asia and Africa as that is something that you might be interestered in but the kids might not find very interesting.

Also if you are not doing the Halloween Party at MK, the fireworks for the party go off at 9:30, when I was there last week I went to the Poly and sat on the beach and watched the fireworks. I actually stood on the sidewalk near a speaker so I could hear the music. But the fireworks are really cool from over there and something you could do at night.

Hope you have a great trip.

Great suggestions. Thanks! I'd love to watch the fireworks but not enough to go to the party so that sounds perfect.

And your right- my little ones would probably get bored with the trails so that's something dh and I could do this trip.

 

[mama4]

You have the right idea to have a nice, laid-back trip! Even though you don't have ADR's, there are some walk-up places to eat at, namely Big River Grill and ESPN Club at the Boardwalk. Plus Wolfgang Puck Express at DTD is just as good as the inside part, IMO.

Yes- we definitely want it to be laid back and I knew it would be more "rushed" if we had to run around for ADRs. I don't chance it with my kids but for dh and I, skipping a meal isn't going to hurt us IF we can't find somewhere good to eat. You had some great suggestions. Thanks!

 

[zima-cheryl]

Oh- some additional info: We have no ADR's except for the day we leave (Sunday-a non-park day). We decided this because we don't want to be required to be somewhere at any given time- as you are with ADRs.

For dining - use guest services! As a small party (2 people) DH & I have great luck. They always seem to come up w/an option, esp. if you can be flexible.

For example, last trip (in August, so it was busy - kids were not back to school yet) we were at Epcot & decided to head over to MK to finish the day. Stopped in EPCOT Guest Services around 3/3:30 & walked out w/a 5p for Crystal Palace. Another night we were headed to downtown Disney & stopped in the lobby on the way out to see what we could get - we left w/an ADR for Ragalan Road -- and just enough time to get there.

I am always amazed how they can find us a good ADR on short notice.
I know things book up fast and lots of people seem to have problems getting exactly what they want, but I've found w/just a little bit of flexibility on our part, that cast members really do work some magic finding us last minute ADR's.

 

[HardenGirl19]

Here's a secret Josh and I found out last time, if you get to the Polynesian shortly before it opens, you will be seated right away, no reservations. Usually you must make reservations three or four days in a row for this resort dinner. Have a date night at Disney. Also the Big River Grill at the Boardwalk is very very good. If the weather is right you can sit outside and eat. Always a favorite of mine. When you are done walk down to the bakery and coffee shop close to ESPN, they have the best hot chocolate I've ever had. Then you and you Disney Hubby can walk around the boardwalk and over the bridge with hot chocolate. Definately a fun evening!