another critique my plan thread...

[brandylouwho]

So, I have been to Disney a few times before, but we always lean toward the comando style of touring--as much as we promise ourselves that we aren't gonna do it that way! This year we made the trip longer ( 10 nights versus 6 or 7) to try to build in some relaxation time. Being the overplanner that I am, I am still charting things out day by day in my spreadsheet and I think my DH is getting irritated with me.

Last year we had more downtime than usual, but it was unplanned. We had a 4 mo old, DH got a nasty case of tonsilitis and we had my MIL along w/an ECV. It forced us to go slower. I missed some of my "must sees" I tried not to pout about it, we still had a lot of fun, but it was not the ideal trip.

What do the rest of you think of my plan for this year? It will be me, DH , DD (turning 5 while we are there) and DD 18mos. I purposely tried to build in downtime at the resort (AKV) every day. I figure if we want to stay at a park longer we can, but if we are getting tired we can go back and swim or watch animals or the 5 year old can participate in some activites at the resort. Also, I purposely went for less park time the closer we get to Christmas.

Travel dates Dec 14-24th

day 1:
check in--assuming room won't be ready, head to AK and try to catch Lion King and/or Pocahontas shows. Head back to AKV by 5 pm or so.

day 2[
try to get an early BBB appointment at the MK. One of the special birthday treats for our eldest
do tomorrowland and frontierland this morning (not everything, but many attractions)
head back to AKV for midday break
go to DHS by 6 pm or so. See the Osborne lights. Maybe try for Fantasmic (depends on how the kids are feeling)

day 3
sleep in (ha!-as if. we get up at 5 am daily)
hang out around AKV, swim, etc.
early afternoon head over to Epcot, check out the world showcase, maybe check out the decorations at BWV and stick around for illuminations

day 4
The big birthday day--so it is all about DD5 today.
get to MK for rope drop and do everything we can in Fantasyland and Toontown
get back to AKV for an afternoon break
dinner at 1900 Park Fare around 5:30 or so
Back to AKV

day 5
Get to AK for rope drop and do what we can in Asia and Dinoland
head back to AKV mid afternoon

day 6
get earliest possible CP ADR
spend morning in MK: adventureland & fantasyland again
head back to AKV late afternoon

day 7
get to AK for rope drop: Africa & Affection Section
go back to AKV for afternoon

day 8
get to DHS for rope drop, stay at least until parade is done
back to AKV fo rlate afternoon & eve

day 9
Pirate Adventure at GF for DD5 (another birthday treat)
meanwhile, Dad, baby & I explore Christmas decorations at monorail resorts
stop by MK and just try to see the parade (should be holiday parade by then)
possibly try a carriage ride at Ft Wilderness tonight--very tenative thought


day 10
rope drop at Epcot--future world all morning
AKV for the afternoon incl "last" dinner at Boma

day 11
travel back home to spend a chilly Christmas w/ family in Wisconsin

One thing I forgot to mention--DH & I don't need to do all the "big kid" attractions, sometimes we baby swap, sometimes we just skip an attraction. We have been here before, we know we'll be back, so we are OK with missing a few rides this year. DD5 is pretty short, so it is still up in the air as to what she will be able to ride this year or not.

I guess I just want another point of view or two to consider. I mentioned maybe scheduling a photo session at the GF or Poly and DH wondered if we aren't over scheduled already.

 

[Elmo888]

I think that I would have at least 2 sleep in days in an 11 day vacation. With a 5 yo and 18 month old, I think that you will need it. It isn't so much the sleeping in that you need (as you said, some small kids just get up early!) but the rest from the busy schedule. You will probably find that you need it, too! I found that the daily afternoon naps didn't stop us from needing some time off (we slept in, swam, lunched at the resort, and just went to the parks after nap time).

 

[gatorfreud]

I think that looks good. I always feel that we never plan enough down time either, even though I try to! You should be all set with that plan. Enjoy it!

I'm hoping to be there for a few of your same days if I can talk DH into it....

 

[brandylouwho]

I think that I would have at least 2 sleep in days in an 11 day vacation. With a 5 yo and 18 month old, I think that you will need it. It isn't so much the sleeping in that you need (as you said, some small kids just get up early!) but the rest from the busy schedule. You will probably find that you need it, too! I found that the daily afternoon naps didn't stop us from needing some time off (we slept in, swam, lunched at the resort, and just went to the parks after nap time).

Good point, maybe I won't change the spreadsheet, but know in the back of my mind that if we need to...we could flip flop the am and pm plans on one of those days in the middle of the trip (when no ADRs or appointments would be affected).

Thanks!