another first timer trying to figure out park itinerary

[nfowife]

Hi! I haven't been on these boards in a very long time, since our amazing Disney cruise in 2010. Well, we have now decided to bring the family to Disney in November and I need to figure out what parks I'm doing when so I can reserve fastpasses and figure out dining. I know it's kind of late in the game but we have only recently decided to go so we are going to just do the best we can.
We are staying at the Dolphin (can switch to Swan? We are using SPG points for hotel because my husband has a lot of them from work travel).

Kids are 5, 9, 11 and this is their first time at Disney World (not ours, my husband and I grew up in FL and went frequently as kids, but have not been since the year 2000 celebration!).
Kids do not care about characters, not planning on any character meals.
Kids are not roller coaster fiends, though my oldest 2 will likely go on Space Mountain with DH (I won't).

Dates are November 16-19 at the parks, and we have 4 day park hopper passes. We do not plan to attend the Mickey Christmas event the night of the 18th.

Here's what I have planned so far.... I am open to any/all suggestions! Trying to use crowd calendars to take advantage of low crowd times at each place. I assume we will spend the most time at MK and then Epcot, fitting in AK and HS as well. I need help figuring out this puzzle!

16th- AK early opening, head to HS later in day and fantsamic show
17th-MK until closing for Xmas party, head to Epcot after MK closes and for Illuminations
18th- Should I do another Epcot/MK day here?
19th- the most crowded day/last day of our trip. What should I do here? Go back to AK or HS? I see wishes is at MK at 10 in the evening. But it looks to be a super crowded day because it's a weekend and the start of Thanksgiving week??

I don't have any dining reservations and I will work on that once I have my park plan and fastpasses reserved. Dining is not a priority for my family and I might try and get into Hoop De Doo on the 17th at the 45 day mark if there is a cancellation but honestly we will be fine with counter service and random snacks here and there- I want to be sure we minimize lines and do rides and see the fun stuff more than eating amazing meals.

Also we are staying at the Dolphin right now, but I can switch to the Swan. Using SPG points and doing 2 adjoining rooms. Preferences? We can get free breakfast at the hotel each day, and I read there is a character fun breakfast at the Swan which can be counted in the free breakfast. I won't go out of my way for this but if the Swan is a better choice, the breakfast could be fun the last morning when we aren't in a rush to get to the parks (the 20th, day we leave).

Thanks for your insight!

 

[nfowife]

Anyone?

 

[Calee]

Well, we are here right now and what I have learned is that what I thought my kids would love or not love has been all wrong, lol. Everyone's favorite park has been epcot (they are 4.5, 6.5 and 8.5) so we would definitely need more than a couple hours after mk closed for that. So yes I would do epcot on the 18th.
And I thought my kids would have no interest in characters and I was totally wrong. Once we got here and they saw them they were all about it especially my youngest. Though my oldest has been into some. They don't go wild for every character, but there are some they have loved and I was shocked.

 

[Calee]

As far as dining I like your plan. We have free dining right now and I haven't liked being stuck in reservations and non of the table meals we have done ha e blown me away. None have been bad, but none have made me want to return either.

 

[cassie58]

I would definitely plan another day in MK, as it has the most attractions. Our kids love HM, Philharmagic, and Splash Mtn . The Jungle Cruise will also become the Jingle Cruise, with Christmas decor and jokes, which is cute. I would also want to spend a day in HS, to do TSMM, Muppets, Indiana Jones/Beauty & Beast, and any others you would like. Also, if any of your kids are Star Wars fans, there is Star Tours ride, the new Launch Bay with memorabilia and meets, a stage show, and Jedi training they can sign up for (need to do early as well). TSMM would be one to get a FP for or go at RD.

At MK the projection show on the castle is really cool to see on a non-party nt., and the castle lit up with the icicle lights is amazing! And we love Wishes as well, so spending another day/evening there would be good. Also, Christmas decor will be up to enjoy, and you might want to hop the monorail to GF to see the giant gingerbread house they build in the lobby, and other hotels start to decorate as well, like Wilderness and AK lodges which are beautiful, in case you will travel there to eat.

At Epcot we enjoy Soarin and Test Track if you can get FP or go early on your second day before heading to MK later. Of course it all depends on what your kids are into, and what they end up wanting to do again! I know you mentioned it being busy, but we have been that weekend before previously as the beginning of our week for Tday, and it is not that busy compared to later that week, so I don't think it will be too bad, although MK is always busier on Sat. and a non-party nt. But I wouldn't worry about it, just plan to scout out a seat for projection show/Wishes a little easier!

 

[Pesky]

I can't comment on Dolphin versus Swan so no help there. Re your plan, that looks great. I would probably plan to add in some extra MK time on the 18th at least if your kids like the other attractions. Honestly, it will depend on what you think the kids will like (or what they say they will want) and just going from there. Have fun!

 

[pwrflpills]

Here's what I prefer to do for a different perspective. I know we're in an age of apps and forums and Fast Passes and the planning can be hard to resist. I've got two really little ones (2 and 4) and my plan is to have no plan outside of FP's for rides I know we're going to do anyway. I'm pretty sure we'll see characters around the park, so I don't worry about that. And maybe just be aware of a couple show times in case that works for us at that time. Personally I've never been a big show person, so again that's just me. I also prefer to not make dining reservations so we don't have to skip or cut short something we discovered we like to trek to a meal at some predetermined time. Granted, I would plan to be in the vicinity, but I hope you get what I mean. Just eating a meal in Disney World is pretty special in itself, especially to a kid. To me this is my vacation too and I don't want to be worrying about a schedule and filling the day with expectations. That's how my family and I have always done the parks and it's made a for a relaxing time, every time. Have a great trip! (We'll be there on the 19th!)

 

[mjkacmom]

When we stayed at the beach club (same area as the swalphin) we would rope drop, come back to the resort for a swim, and spend most nights at DHS or Epcot, because they were easy walks. With the new fast pass, you could make some for after dinner.