Another itinerary challenge for you trip planning gurus ...

[bajanswife]

When: Oct 12 - 17
Cast: 4 women in mid-30s, staying way up north at a friend; 1 of us loves thrill rides, 2 are neutral, one doesn't; 1 of us has been many times, 2 of us only once, and 1 never. We are not interested in water parks, but we might like to party at PI and maybe see Cirque on a non-park day??

We have 2 days alloted to Disney parks (hoping to get a 2-day park hopper from a convention, if we can swing it??) - otherwise we might get a 3-day hopper and spend almost 3 days at the parks. We want to do Seaworld as well, and maybe Universal, and we must do some shopping and general sightseeing too. We only have 4 full days and one evening - arrive Tues p.m., have Weds - Sat, leave early Sun.

What would you plan for when? I thought Weds & Thurs would be good Disney days, and Seaworld could be done on a Saturday. CG to see Wishes might have to suffice - we don't want to be at MK on Sat! If we do get the 2-day passes, we had thought about not doing MK in those 2 days (to max time in other parks), but paying for the MK Halloween party so we could do a few highlights and just wander around for the atmosphere - I think we'd be satisfied with that. That way we could see Illuminations and Fantasmic.

Thoughts? Advice? I know it's cramming way too much in a short period of time, but we're only passing through this time and cannot stay longer.

Please give us a 2-day itinerary and a 3-day one (although the 3-day is easier to plan

 

[kilee]

I would say Epcot should be a must for your group. Sounds like the perfect place for everyone! It has some thrill and some culture!!! DS likes Epcot-- but not as much as the other parks. On our fall '03 trip my family was w/ us. DS spent the day w/ my parents. DH and I got to expierence Epcot as adults alone for the day. It was a whole different place. We were able to take the time to really look and just soak up the atmosphere. I grew a new appreciation for the park.
Now, MK to me is a must do each trip. We usually only do 3 parks a trip, knowing we're gonna be back in a few months. However, MK is always in there. I think this park would be great for thrill seekers and non-thrill seekers alike. I mean you don't have to be a "ride" person to appreciate things like HM, POTC, and Jungle Cruise. Mickey's Philharmagic is incredible too.

So if you only have 2 days I'd pick these 2 parks. Personally I would skip Universal and go for a 3rd day at Disney. Universal is really nice. We go every 3rd trip or so. It's just that if your time is as limited as your's I'd skip it until next time.

 

[vicnmickey]

I would opt for the 3 day if you can. All four of you ladies could sit down and plan the highlights together. From the most important things to see, down to the I don't care. The parks will probably close early in October, so this will leave the evenings for PI and Cique De Sol. I wouldn't miss MK, because there is so much for all to do there. The thrill seekers could ride Space Mountain and Splash Mountain while the other two took in a show. Spectromagic and Wishes is a don't miss so plan a night for these spectacular shows. If you had to choose, I would choose Fantasmic over Illuminations, just my opinion. I can't go to WDW without seeing Fantasmic.
So I would do something like
1st Day- MK whole day
2nd Day 1/2 day AK and 1/2 Day MGM with Fantasmic at the end(this would give the thrill seeker a chance to catch RNR and TOT
3rd Day Epcot You could plan a nice dinner in one of the worlds and then finishing the night out with Illuminations.
Have a great trip!!!!!