Am I Being Too Ambitious?

[glocon]

I think it’s great to have time to enjoy your resorts. For some, the resort is as big a part of the vacation the parks are. And the resorts aren’t cheap so taking the time to enjoy and explore them is a great idea. Even if the resorts may not be over the top Disney themed, they are still themed well and fun to be in and explore. It’s just that Epcot day that’s a bit off, late arrival and early leaving doesn’t give you much time for doing park things...

 

[HeiHei2018]

Wednesday, Epcot:
Late morning start at Epcot. Leave after lunch for nap at the resort, Fort Wilderness. Return late evening for fireworks.

Thursday, Resort Day:
We are staying at Fort Wilderness during this portion of our trip and will be exploring the resort via golf cart and enjoying the pool.

Have you considered swapping your Wednesday and Thursday plans? With the late night Tuesday, it seems like it would be more relaxing to take the day Wednesday to explore (and pack for the resort switch if I am reading correctly). Then you could do a full morning in Epcot, with a resort nap, and then a pleasant evening at Epcot.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Thank you! I do worry about “missing out,” but I’m trying to balance this with overdoing it. This is only our second theme park visit as a family, with the first being Dollywood. Just trying to keep it relaxed. We have three very specific things planned in Epcot, and the rest will be icing on the cake if we get to see/do.

you may have meet us at Dollywood. we spend more time there Disney even though we live in Pa. getting back for naps does not even compare. if by chance you were at Dollywood the Saturday after Christmas that would give you an idea of that you are getting into. and yes I was there that day. daughter who had driven in that morning planned to meet us with her boys but when they were parking at Splash Country at noon they decided not to stop. it was that full and they only had 3 park days with 4 boys who love to ride the rides over and over. I had planned to see 3 shows that day and ride the train and I got all done. the line for the tram to parking lot that night was 2 hours long at end of night which was where I also most had to get a manger/call the dog kennel as cast member was only going to let me get in tram line and I had to get my dog out of kennel. I wasnt even going to ride the tram to my car. I tell you this story to let you know that even with plans at even a smaller park things do not go as planned. depending on the 3 things planned at EPCOT and not being at one of EPCOT resorts where you can walk you might not get even that done with your schedule esp if you are doing some in Future World and something at far end of World Show Case then having to get to buses or car. from far side of park it will take you 10 to 15 minutes to the front of park gate the getting to your bus stop or your car. then waiting for either the tram or bus and now the trip to your resort. remember that your stroller will have to be folded on both the tram or bus. if using the monorail yes you can roll on but you are going to have to change at the TTC to the resort monorail

 

[DisneyDoesMyHair]

I think it sounds great as well! I love the reatbdays you have planned. However you said your kids are 4 and 11 right? They may not NEED a mid day break everyday. I know my 4 year old refuses to nap while at Disney. Even going back to the hotel she is very aware she is missing out and won’t do it. So we just push through and she either crashes during fireworks or sleeps very well at night. She knows if she starts whining or complaining it’s over and back to the hotel we go!

Of course you know your kid best. I was terrified the first time we “pushed though” and stayed at the park but honestly she did great! You may want to consider this especially on Epcot day where you are arriving late anyways.

Sounds like you have an awesome trip planned with so many memories in the making! Have a good time!

Thank you! We are so excited about our first trip! You may be right, the kiddos may decide they can push through. I figured it’s easier to plan ahead for four or more hours outside of the park each day, than to try to scar back our plans on the fly. I figure if we get to do more, then that will be a nice surprise.

 

[DisneyDoesMyHair]

Have you considered swapping your Wednesday and Thursday plans? With the late night Tuesday, it seems like it would be more relaxing to take the day Wednesday to explore (and pack for the resort switch if I am reading correctly). Then you could do a full morning in Epcot, with a resort nap, and then a pleasant evening at Epcot.

This is definitely doable. We don’t have plans for Thursday. We were just going to explore Fort Wilderness with the golf cart, and spend some time at the pool.

 

[DisneyDoesMyHair]

you may have meet us at Dollywood. we spend more time there Disney even though we live in Pa. getting back for naps does not even compare. if by chance you were at Dollywood the Saturday after Christmas that would give you an idea of that you are getting into. and yes I was there that day. daughter who had driven in that morning planned to meet us with her boys but when they were parking at Splash Country at noon they decided not to stop. it was that full and they only had 3 park days with 4 boys who love to ride the rides over and over. I had planned to see 3 shows that day and ride the train and I got all done. the line for the tram to parking lot that night was 2 hours long at end of night which was where I also most had to get a manger/call the dog kennel as cast member was only going to let me get in tram line and I had to get my dog out of kennel. I wasnt even going to ride the tram to my car. I tell you this story to let you know that even with plans at even a smaller park things do not go as planned. depending on the 3 things planned at EPCOT and not being at one of EPCOT resorts where you can walk you might not get even that done with your schedule esp if you are doing some in Future World and something at far end of World Show Case then having to get to buses or car. from far side of park it will take you 10 to 15 minutes to the front of park gate the getting to your bus stop or your car. then waiting for either the tram or bus and now the trip to your resort. remember that your stroller will have to be folded on both the tram or bus. if using the monorail yes you can roll on but you are going to have to change at the TTC to the resort monorail

Unfortunately, I have never been able to experience Dollywood at Christmas. We have been in winter, late Spring, and in the Fall. In all of those times, we were able to avoid crowds, except our one trip in the Fall. A hurricane hit in the Gulf and tons of evacuees descended on the area...the lines were over an hour wait for all of the rides. It was like I have never seen at Dollywood. Controlled chaos. We cut our day short and spent the rest of our day at the cabin...after two hours in stand-still traffic! It was quite the adventure with a toddler in tow. I definitely understand my plans may not go as...planned. Just hoping by at least having an outline I can better maneuver the craziness.

 

[DisneyFamily!]

No, ummm, its sounds way too unambitious! You need more park time!

 

[DisneyDoesMyHair]

I think it’s great to have time to enjoy your resorts. For some, the resort is as big a part of the vacation the parks are. And the resorts aren’t cheap so taking the time to enjoy and explore them is a great idea. Even if the resorts may not be over the top Disney themed, they are still themed well and fun to be in and explore. It’s just that Epcot day that’s a bit off, late arrival and early leaving doesn’t give you much time for doing park things...

Thinking of following another’s advice and bumping this day to Thursday and taking Wednesday off. This way we will be rested and ready to do a full day at Epcot on Thurs

 

[DisneyDoesMyHair]

No, ummm, its sounds way to unambitious! You need more park time!

Lol! I agree! I wish I could do rope drop to fireworks. That won’t work with my youngest. He would be super cranky!

 

[bdiddy]

The thing that jumps out at me be most is the leaving to go nap and then coming back. I remember planning this on our first trip when our kids were little based on things people had said but it was so not realistic. It takes so much time to leave and come back and most of the time the kids wouldn’t nap or would nap on the way to the resort and then be up and ready to go when we got there. It just became a huge waste of time. It’s hard not to realize what a hassle this is until you experience the coming and going from the parks for the first time. It is not quick at all to leave and come back whether you are using your own car or the buses. I think unless you were staying at one of the resorts super close to MK is the only time I would even attempt it.

We corrected pretty quick though after realizing it wasn’t going to work and just stayed in the park. My youngest would fall asleep in the stroller every day from about 1-3 and we took advantage of that time to take our older child on the rides he couldn’t go on or do something special with her or have some quiet downtime somewhere cool.

I know some people swear by leaving and coming back but it just didn’t work for us. Instead we found getting a bit of a later start and staying to close worked or else getting there at open and leaving after dinner worked. It’s hard with little ones and you have to be ready to change plans at a moments notice.

 

[glocon]

Everyone’s family is so different. Try one thing, and if it doesn’t work for your family, try something else. Try starting with your best guess and go from there.

 

[DisneyDoesMyHair]

The thing that jumps out at me be most is the leaving to go nap and then coming back. I remember planning this on our first trip when our kids were little based on things people had said but it was so not realistic. It takes so much time to leave and come back and most of the time the kids wouldn’t nap or would nap on the way to the resort and then be up and ready to go when we got there. It just became a huge waste of time. It’s hard not to realize what a hassle this is until you experience the coming and going from the parks for the first time. It is not quick at all to leave and come back whether you are using your own car or the buses. I think unless you were staying at one of the resorts super close to MK is the only time I would even attempt it.

We corrected pretty quick though after realizing it wasn’t going to work and just stayed in the park. My youngest would fall asleep in the stroller every day from about 1-3 and we took advantage of that time to take our older child on the rides he couldn’t go on or do something special with her or have some quiet downtime somewhere cool.

I know some people swear by leaving and coming back but it just didn’t work for us. Instead we found getting a bit of a later start and staying to close worked or else getting there at open and leaving after dinner worked. It’s hard with little ones and you have to be ready to change plans at a moments notice.

Thank you for sharing! How old was your youngest child when they slept in the stroller. My DS is 4 1/2, and currently takes a two hour nap daily. He is very active, and we have not used a stroller since he was 2 for any family trip.

 

[DisneyDoesMyHair]

Everyone’s family is so different. Try one thing, and if it doesn’t work for your family, try something else. Try starting with your best guess and go from there.

That is the best strategy I can think of...I love getting everyone’s input, but I know the temperament of my children well...and napping is a must-do on most days.

 

[Calee]

Not nearly enough park time. My kids were 4, 6 and 8 on our first trip and we did no naps and still didnt see everything we wanted. I did use an in park stroller for the 4 year old.

 

[MarkinNM]

Not nearly enough park time. My kids were 4, 6 and 8 on our first trip and we did no naps and still didnt see everything we wanted. I did use an in park stroller for the 4 year old.

I hear ya, on our first WDW trip the family was much younger, 3 yo in tow and we did not do afternoon breaks as it was not fair to the older ones and it just took way took long to get back and forth, we did rent a stroller and that saved the day. There is so much to do and see in each park that 1 day is just not enough and in moving to the different resorts more nonpark time used, is there a reason why so many different resorts?

 

[bdiddy]

Thank you for sharing! How old was your youngest child when they slept in the stroller. My DS is 4 1/2, and currently takes a two hour nap daily. He is very active, and we have not used a stroller since he was 2 for any family trip.

On our first two trips when he napped he was 2 and 4. We had a stroller that the back seat reclined and he would just fall asleep like clockwork. Are you planning on taking a stroller? Even if you don’t normally use one anymore you may want to consider taking one. It’s a ton of walking and very long days. Our older child who didn’t really use a stroller anymore even used it. or you can always rent one if you think you are needing one.

 

[DisneyDoesMyHair]

I hear ya, on our first WDW trip the family was much younger, 3 yo in tow and we did not do afternoon breaks as it was not fair to the older ones and it just took way took long to get back and forth, we did rent a stroller and that saved the day. There is so much to do and see in each park that 1 day is just not enough and in moving to the different resorts more nonpark time used, is there a reason why so many different resorts?

We rented DVC points to start and end a cruise. We canceled the cruise after we realized our four year old could not participate in most of the shore excursions. However, we still had the DVC rentals that were non refundable. So, I just filled in the middle portion of our trip with a trip to Disney to try to make lemonade out of lemons.

 

[DisneyDoesMyHair]

On our first two trips when he napped he was 2 and 4. We had a stroller that the back seat reclined and he would just fall asleep like clockwork. Are you planning on taking a stroller? Even if you don’t normally use one anymore you may want to consider taking one. It’s a ton of walking and very long days. Our older child who didn’t really use a stroller anymore even used it. or you can always rent one if you think you are needing one.

I was not planning on a stroller, just because my four year old has not used one since he was two. He walks in our neighborhood for long distances without a stroller, and spends a lot of time on his bike pedaling long distances with us. He is very, very active and accustomed to lots of standing/walking. Also, I hate navigating around crowds with a stroller. If he doesn’t do well the first morning, we can rent a stroller in the parks for the remainder of our trip.

 

[MarkinNM]

We rented DVC points to start and end a cruise. We canceled the cruise after we realized our four year old could not participate in most of the shore excursions. However, we still had the DVC rentals that were non refundable. So, I just filled in the middle portion of our trip with a trip to Disney to try to make lemonade out of lemons.

Wow, what a trooper, man that is a ton of planning, good luck, have fun!!

 

[bdiddy]

I was not planning on a stroller, just because my four year old has not used one since he was two. He walks in our neighborhood for long distances without a stroller, and spends a lot of time on his bike pedaling long distances with us. He is very, very active and accustomed to lots of standing/walking. Also, I hate navigating around crowds with a stroller. If he doesn’t do well the first morning, we can rent a stroller in the parks for the remainder of our trip.

Sounds like a plan! Just be prepared to rent one if needed! Although those rented ones are huge and don't help with the navigating situation. Are you driving? Maybe you could borrow a small umbrella stroller from someone and just keep it in the car if needed? We do a ton of hiking though ourselves and live next to a National Park so our kids were/are very much used to an active life style. We usually alternate our vacations between Disney and an outdoor road trip outdoor adventure- like last year we went out to Glacier NP & Yellowstone NP. But when we go to Disney, it's so much more intense. And it's even harder in the intense heat/humidity. We average between 8-12 miles a day when walking the parks. Our record is 14 miles at Disneyland/California Adventure a few years ago! So we used the stroller on our first few trips when the kids were 2 and 4 and then 3 and 5. Our next trip when they were 6 and 8 we didn't use one and they were fine. I hear you though, I hated being in those crowds in a stroller! It's not so bad at Epcot and AK but horrible at MK especially.