Am I crazy?

[fuzzlekins]

YIKES! And what is your touring style on these long days? Are you taking it slow with a lot of breaks or going non-stop?

Hmm, I'd guess I'd call it somewhat leisurely. Except for the times when we have reservations, I don't micro-manage what we do when in the parks. We're not speed walking from one thing to the next all day. We'll take our time and try to see the little things we've missed before (esp. in World Showcase) since we've got a good amt of time and it's not our first trip. We won't be rushing through meals or anything. Plus we'll be there during a low crowd period, which takes a lot of the stress out of it IMO. If it were crowded and we were spending most of our time in lines, I don't think we could do it.

The full itinerary (prior to reading everyone's responses) was:
Fri: 10 or 11ish - 6pm SeaWorld
Check into AoA & have dinner @ Landscapes of Flavor
Tour resort
Sat: Breakfast in room
Try to get to HS at 8 for extra magic hr
12:15 lunch @ 50's Prime Time
Pixar Pals parade
Park closes at 7, then head to FW for Hoop Dee Doo Revue @ 8:30
Sun: Breakfast @ Artist's Palette & check out resort
2nd day @ SeaWorld until 6pm
Head to MK (open til 10 w/ extra hrs)
Ctr svc dinner
Wishes
Mon: Breakfast in room
Epcot (about 9ish-9)
12:15 lunch @ Akershus
Ctr svc dinner
Illuminations (our fave!)
Tue: Early breakfast @ Capt. Cook's (heard great things about Tonga Toast)
MK @ 9am
Bibbiddi Bobbidi Boutique @ 9:25am
Lunch @ Be Our Guest
Leave @ 6:45 to go to Polynesian
7:05 dinner at Ohana & check out resort
Wed: Breakfast @ Landscapes of Flavor
Universal IOA 9-6
Dinner @ Contempo Cafe
Free time to relax or go to Boardwalk or DD
Thu: Breakfast in room
Epcot (9ish-9)
11:45 Lunch @ Coral Reef
Dinner @ Restaurant Marrakesh
Illuminations
Fri: 8:15 Breakfast @ 1900 Park Fare
MK (open til 9)
Lunch @ Sleepy Hollow (heard good things about the waffle sandwiches)
4:30 Dinner @ Be Our Guest
Wishes or Pirates & Pals Fireworks Cruise
Sat: Breakfast @ The Mara & check out resort
AK (9-5)
5:45 Dinner @ 1900 Park Fare
Then the big drive home that we'll split b/w Sat & Sun. And when we get home ...

Wondering if it would be better to shorten the 1st day @ SW even more and still do the 2nd day or try to squeeze everything into a shortened day @ SW and drop the 2nd day there altogether. Hmm. So I guess it's off to do more tweaking.

 

[chartle]

I was thinking AoA (where we're planning to stay), Saratoga Springs, Polynesian, Contemporary (dinner after SW), and Animal Kingdom Lodge. We've never set foot in any Disney resort previously so I'm trying to squeeze in some quick resort tours this time since I've heard they're all spectacular to see.

If you are already at the MK its easy to leave and tour the Poly and the Contemporary.

But leaving a park and driving or taking the bus is going to take away an extra 1 or so of time and that doesn't include eating.

I would do a breakfast at AKL and then off to AK but I wouldn't make a special trip to SSR just to eat a CS meal again unless you maybe want to stay there sometime.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

You will not have fun with that schedule. Your 5 year old will be exhausted and cranky. You will be sore and tired.

I couldn't even keep that schedule on my solo trips. It would be too much.

I would cut back and relax. You can't see and do it all in one trip.

I would cut out some of the counter service breakfasts at other restaurants. I'd keep AKL because that resort is fabulous and maybe keep the Contemporary if your DD likes to play video games because their game room is great according to my kids and it's cool to walk out on the 4th floor concourse and see Cinderella Castle.

Seaworld only took the kids and I one day and we only missed one show. And that was because a really, really bad storm came in and everyone was told to take cover immediately and the show was cancelled. Don't forget to feed the dolphins. That is fun.

On your Disney days, I'd plan on some time back at the room in the middle of the day to get off your feet and relax.
When my kids were that age, we usually bought them one cool toy each during the start of the trip and they loved to go back to the room and play with them because they weren't taking naps at that age but they still got down time and so did I.

 

[fuzzlekins]

If you are already at the MK its easy to leave and tour the Poly and the Contemporary.

But leaving a park and driving or taking the bus is going to take away an extra 1 or so of time and that doesn't include eating.

I would do a breakfast at AKL and then off to AK but I wouldn't make a special trip to SSR just to eat a CS meal again unless you maybe want to stay there sometime.

Point taken and itinerary adjusted! I've definitely changed that morning to Landscapes of Flavor.

 

[fuzzlekins]

You will not have fun with that schedule. Your 5 year old will be exhausted and cranky. You will be sore and tired.

I couldn't even keep that schedule on my solo trips. It would be too much.

I would cut back and relax. You can't see and do it all in one trip.

I would cut out some of the counter service breakfasts at other restaurants. I'd keep AKL because that resort is fabulous and maybe keep the Contemporary if your DD likes to play video games because their game room is great according to my kids and it's cool to walk out on the 4th floor concourse and see Cinderella Castle.

Seaworld only took the kids and I one day and we only missed one show. And that was because a really, really bad storm came in and everyone was told to take cover immediately and the show was cancelled. Don't forget to feed the dolphins. That is fun.

On your Disney days, I'd plan on some time back at the room in the middle of the day to get off your feet and relax.
When my kids were that age, we usually bought them one cool toy each during the start of the trip and they loved to go back to the room and play with them because they weren't taking naps at that age but they still got down time and so did I.

I'm just afraid my "down time" will consist of my DD whining about when are we going back to the park. Hubby would definitely enjoy some down time, but I'm not sure my DD and I would do as well with sitting around in the middle of the day. Of course, our days at home are typically hectic so it's kind of hard to get out of that almost constantly busy routine. For me, sitting around would be kind of stressful b/c I'd feel like I was wasting time. It's a disease, I know. (Don't get me wrong, neither of have ADHD and when we do chill at home, we really chill, but we tend to enjoy active vacations.)

 

[chartle]

Point taken and itinerary adjusted! I've definitely changed that morning to Landscapes of Flavor.

We had two days each for MK and Epcot. Or the second day for each park we left the park and ate CS lunch at Captain Cooks for MK and Beaches and Cream for Epcot.

It was nice to get out of the crowds and see some of the other resorts and was our only break from the parks.

We did pretty much RD to closing except for leaving Epcot early the second day but my sons (adults) and I did go to DTD.

 

[fuzzlekins]

I should also say that I'm not a total vacation nazi. If we do feel tired, we'll adjust accordingly - this was just the "plan." But based on past experience, I just don't see us sitting around mid-day. The more likely scenario is we won't get to the parks exactly when they open (in fact, I'm not sure we've ever truly pulled that off).

 

[fuzzlekins]

We had two days each for MK and Epcot. Or the second day for each park we left the park and ate CS lunch at Captain Cooks for MK and Beaches and Cream for Epcot.

It was nice to get out of the crowds and see some of the other resorts and was our only break from the parks.

We did pretty much RD to closing except for leaving Epcot early the second day but my sons (adults) and I did go to DTD.

A fellow go-til-you-drop nut like me!! What was good at Beaches and Cream? What type of transportation did you use to get to B&C?

 

[JimmyV]

I'm just afraid my "down time" will consist of my DD whining about when are we going back to the park.

Not a chance. Remember that WDW is the "Vacation Kingdom". It isn't all about the Parks. You can, (and need to) find other wonderful diversions that do not involve the hustle and bustle of the Parks. "Down time" does not have to be "sit around the room doing nothing" time. Go to one of the lakes and rent a Water Mouse (or whatever they call them this year), or a pontoon boat. Cruise the lake for an hour. That is certainly not "doing nothing". But it is "down time" in the Disney sense. Or go to DTD and see a movie. Find things that do not involve stressful rushes from here-to-there-and-back, yet are entertaining. Give your daughter a BBB makeover. I could go on for pages.

Trust me. I learned the hard way. I grew up in a family of four boys who could run the parks ragged and frequently did. After I got married, our first trip with our DD involved the typical "do everything" approach, and my wife, (a Disney novice), gave me a pretty good lecture about how, in the future, we would NEVER do parks four days in a row ever again. One out of every four days HAS to be an "off" day. But trust me. We don't sit around the hotel room whining about not being in a Park. Maybe it's a 10:00 tee time. Or a boat rental. Or a nice lunch at a resort followed by a water side cocktail. It's all good. Plus, at 5 years old, your daughter is going to find wonder and magic in everything. Not just the Parks.

 

[keaster]

Not a chance. Remember that WDW is the "Vacation Kingdom". It isn't all about the Parks. You can, (and need to) find other wonderful diversions that do not involve the hustle and bustle of the Parks. "Down time" does not have to be "sit around the room doing nothing" time. Go to one of the lakes and rent a Water Mouse (or whatever they call them this year), or a pontoon boat. Cruise the lake for an hour. That is certainly not "doing nothing". But it is "down time" in the Disney sense. Or go to DTD and see a movie. Find things that do not involve stressful rushes from here-to-there-and-back, yet are entertaining. Give your daughter a BBB makeover. I could go on for pages.

Trust me. I learned the hard way. I grew up in a family of four boys who could run the parks ragged and frequently did. After I got married, our first trip with our DD involved the typical "do everything" approach, and my wife, (a Disney novice), gave me a pretty good lecture about how, in the future, we would NEVER do parks four days in a row ever again. One out of every four days HAS to be an "off" day. But trust me. We don't sit around the hotel room whining about not being in a Park. Maybe it's a 10:00 tee time. Or a boat rental. Or a nice lunch at a resort followed by a water side cocktail. It's all good. Plus, at 5 years old, your daughter is going to find wonder and magic in everything. Not just the Parks.

I agree! When we go, we will do a day or two of mini-golf and endless amount of time at the pool!

I have yet to meet a kid that would want to go park commando all day. It starts out all gung-ho, but about half way through there is the inevitable "Can we go to the pool now?"

 

[KimK2006]

If you hate to miss day 2 of Sea World because the second day is free, would you consider skipping Sea World completely? I think you are trying to fit too many things in. You and your daughter will be exhausted! (We haven't been to Sea World since my kids were little, but they weren't into it when we went. There weren't that many things they could ride because they were too short. They weren't into the shows. They kept asking to leave and go to a Disney park. Things might have changed since then....)

When we go for a week, we usually plan an off day ever 3 days or so. We sleep in, swim (yes, it might be too cold, but pools are heated from what I understand), go to DTD, go to CR, water park, etc. We find plenty of "Disney" things to do, but are relaxing at the same time.

Consider coming back to your resort to chill out for a couple of hours each day. This advice was in UG when we first started going 15 years ago. We didn't follow it the first few days, and it was terrible. Since then, my kids are 17 and 13 and we still come back. A couple of hours at the pool or just watching TV in the room make the whole family MUCH happier!

Have a great trip! Try not to try to fit everything in at the expense of an enjoyable trip. You can always come back!!

 

[chartle]

A fellow go-til-you-drop nut like me!! What was good at Beaches and Cream? What type of transportation did you use to get to B&C?

Its mostly burghers and ice cream. You need to look up beaches and cream kitchen sink for you self.

But its in the boardwalk between DHS and Epcot just outside the International Gateway. You can walk or take a boat.

 

[mm1971]

I think that is a lot. Vacation is supposed to be relaxing. If you go non stop for 8 1/2 days, how will you feel when you get back(assume you will reconcile the extra day somehow)? I do agree Sea World can easily be done in 1 day without rushing from what I remember. I would at least take a couple half days to relax by the pool, take a swim and maybe go to downtown for a nice dinner and down time. Have a great vacation and good luck!

 

[chartle]

A fellow go-til-you-drop nut like me!! What was good at Beaches and Cream? What type of transportation did you use to get to B&C?

Also don't listen to those "you have to take break people". You can take a break when you are dead.

 

[ZoZo]

I'm all for tour until you drop but this is the only "odd" part of your plan (eating CS breakfasts at five different resorts).

Not sure where you are staying and what 5 resorts you plan to visit and how you plan to get there? Going to a resort thats not within walking distance, or on the monorail line for MK, of a park or your resort is going to take a lot of time.

Now if you are somehow touring the resorts thats another issue, but I wouldn't go too far out of the way to eat CS at a resort.

OP, that's exactly what I thought when I read your original post. Why would someone go to five different resorts just for a CS meal? This will take so much time, plus you'll have to get up even earlier than needed to accomplish this. I'm definitely a "eat breakfast in the room to save both time and money" kinda gal. So this makes no sense to me at all. I'd drop that from your plan.

And as others have said, you might want to slow your pace a little. I'm also a "pack as much into your day as possible" type of person at WDW, but you won't be doing anyone any favors if you run everyone ragged.

And, as suggested by other posters, you might want to drop one of your Seaworld days. Just because the second day is free doesn't make it necessary to do it! I went to Seaworld in California last year, and it was definitely a one-day park for me. I can't imagine what I'd do on the second day!

 

[KimK2006]

OP, that's exactly what I thought when I read your original post. Why would someone go to five different resorts just for a CS meal? This will take so much time, plus you'll have to get up even earlier than needed to accomplish this. I'm definitely a "eat breakfast in the room to save both time and money" kinda gal. So this makes no sense to me at all. I'd drop that from your plan.

I missed that part of the OP's plan. The food courts are all basically the same and NOT worth missing park time or sleep for! I would definitely skip this one. My DS will go for a Mickey Waffle once or twice a trip. Other than that, we eat in the room to get a little extra sleep/get to parks by RD.

 

[POOHsie]

There's a couple things I would change with your itinerary. First, cancel the second visit to SW. You say it's free, so there's no $$ loss. I gather that you are driving in, and it's travel over a 2-day period. Here's my suggestions:

Friday, (arrival day), I would skip SW. I would tour the resort, lunch at LoF, relax at pool, then plan TS or CS dinner at a non-park restaurant (Artist Palette-SSR, Mara-AKL, WCC-WL).

Sunday, I would skip breakfast at SSR. I would do easy breakfast at AoA, then direct to SW.

Tuesday, I would skip breakfast at Captain Cook's. Keep it simple in prep for BBB at 9:25. Plus, you will be visiting Poly that evening; don't need to go to Poly twice in one day. IMO, Tonga Toast is supremely better at Kona TS breakfast. Other Kona bkfst items are good, too.

Saturday, (departure day) you begin your 2-day drive home. You have scheduled CS at AKL, tour AKL, go to AK, then dinner at GF at 5:45 pm, then drive 'til you stop at an overnight hotel. Frankly, if this was a driving day for me, I wouldn't want to start out at 8pm at night, after a full day of activities. Whoever is driving might become very fatigued. I would cancel the dinner and start driving much earlier. Your arrival day would be a good day to move this dinner to. However, do you really want to do the same restaurant twice? On AK day you could go to Tusker House. wdwinfo.com says after Dec. 4th, Tusker House will offer Character Lunch in addition to Character Breakfast. http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?restaurant.id=267#.UD-8ZkQvh6A

 

[kohlby]

Pre-kids, we were rope drop to closing - even on New Year's Eve. We very much were go-go-go sorts. Kids did slow us down - but not completely. We are still there at rope drop every single day. We stay in the parks until one of the kids act like it's time to leave. Then we leave. We know that we can't make them nap - it won't happen. But we can get them into bed at a reasonable time. I never had kids who would nap in a stroller, so that was out - even as toddlers.

Our last trip had three kids, ages 2.5, 5, and 8. We did 7 park days and 1 off day. The 7 park days were 6 Disney and one IOA. Our trip before had 7 park days - at 7 different parks with kids ages 11 months, 3.5, and 6 and one off day in the middle. Both trips went great! We were able to do commando-style touring in the mornings and then slowed down the pace. I did find that I had to tweak somethings during the trip. Like I had 5 park days in a row on the last trip due to the crowd calendar. Then two days were unusually warm for November and there was no way we were going to make it - so I had our off-day be after 4 days and it went quite well. It's good to have a plan, but it's also good to know how to change it. I even wrote out plan B and plan C in case I had to change things around due to the kids energy levels.

 

[fuzzlekins]

So many great comments and advice! Rather than quoting all of these, I'll do responses in aggregate for the last several comments.

Plan B & C - I LOVE it! That sounds so me. My husband laughs b/c our whole trip (and every trip we take) is on a spreadsheet. I spreadsheet everything ... but then I worked in Excel non-stop for years, so it's just natural for me.

I was having reservations about our departure day. I did try to book Tusker House for lunch that day, but it was completely booked. I did think it would be a cool way for our DD to go out though - with Cinderella etc. I may take that advice to move that dinner though.

Would love to do Kona for breakfast but I'm out of TS credits, can't think of anything to sacrifice to add it, and am trying to limit add'l OOP dining expenditures. Hence the Capt. Cook's b-fast instead.

As for SW - none of us have ever been, so the hubby and DD are insisting we go. My DD LOVES shows (very unlike me as a kid - I was all about rides), so I think she'll enjoy that aspect of SW. Having never been, I had no idea you could do with such a short visit. When you guys say "1 day," how many hrs are we talking? I know they're open a lot later at other times of the yr. We'd have 9-6 (or less if we do our 1 day upon arrival).

Regarding lake activities ... Interested in this idea. How does one go about booking that stuff? What does it cost and does it have to be done well in advance? And what is a Water Mouse? Where do you all play mini golf and what do you recommend?

My primary for scheduling some CS breakfasts at different resorts was an excuse to check out some other resorts more than being about the food. I'm actually not a big fan of breaking up the day so that's why I'd rather do something off-site before getting to the park or after leaving it, but not a fan of tramming back to the car, leaving, and then coming back. I think I'd rather do some time off rather than leave any park mid-day and come back.

Thanks again for all the wonderful comments!

 

[clickmichelle]

Wed
Universal IOA 9-6
Dinner @ Contempo Cafe

Sat
AK (9-5)
5:45 Dinner @ 1900 Park Fare

These two days I'd be really concerned about the amount of extra driving, just to get to a not-terribly-special restaurant.

If you're not on DDP (I don't remember seeing that you were), on Wednesday, I'd look for an appealing restaurant in IoA, CityWalk, or even DD area, for the sheer convenience of not having to drive all the way back to the MK resort area to have a CS supper, then drive back across property to DD, Boardwalk, or your hotel.

Same for Saturday... that's a LONG drive from AK back to the GF. Then you have to do it over again right after you eat, in order to get off property and start heading home. Again, I'd look at something in or around AK, or even something along Buena Vista Drive or DD.

About the last thing I want to do after being in the parks all day is unnecessary driving. You may feel differently; in that case, feel free to ignore me.