Any itinerary critics out there?

[jcemom]

I have changed this SO MANY times my family is threatening to throw me from the plane if I change it again...Wonder if a parachute counts as a carry-on bag?

Here's what I've got...tell me what I should/shouldn't change and why! I know...I'm a glutton for punishment, but I can't help myself. I'm a plan-a-holic and I freely admit it!

We (me, DH, DS 10, DS 9, DD 1 1/2) fly out of Pittsburgh Tues, Feb 3rd at noon, arriving in Orlando at 2:15. DH and I have been to MK and Epcot a couple of times, this is a first trip for the kids, and our first time for AK and the Studios.

Tues - check into AKL, explore the resort, dinner, mini golf
Wed - MK all day, dinner at Crystal Palace, Wishes
Thurs - Studios all day, dinner (where?), Fantasmic
Fri - sleep in, maybe Downtown Disney, whatever we feel like doing
Sat - AK all day, hopping to MK for Spectro
Sun - sleep in, late breakfast at Donald's, Epcot for the afternoon (not staying late)
Mon - Epcot in the am, afternoon break, back to Epcot for the evening and Illuminations
Tues - sleep in, late breakfast at Boma, Disney Quest, Cirque du Soliel
Wed - MK, lunch at Cinderella's, then whatever we missed or want to do again in the pm
Thu - our flight leaves at 5:00 pm, no real plans for the day, we'll see what we feel like doing depending on how tired we are (or how depressed at having to come back to the "ice box" we're living in up north...lol)

What should stay? What should go? What would you change?

 

[cdpa4d]

I think it looks great. Glad you are taking a few days off from parks. You will need breaks with a 1 1/2 year old. You may even need to take Afternoon breaks so she can take a nap back at the hotel. I highly recommend that. Disney can be overwhelming for young ones.
Have a great trip!!
ADP

 

[SYDNCLAIRESMOM]

Sounds perfect!!! Youre a lady after my own heart--sleep in where ever possible! Makes for less grouchy roommates.

My suggestion for dinner at MGM is to wait till you get there and make a PS where ever stikes your fancy. Ive been to Sci fi (bad food GREAT atmosphere) 50s Prime Time (great everything) and pizza planet (I thought the pizza was really good, but I think I was really hungry at the time 'cuz I dont like pizza)

Youre doing EPCOT right definitely divide it into 2 days. 1 for FW and 1 for WSC. 1 for MGM and 1 for AK and 1.5-2 for MK and leaving the other days somewhat open for suggestions from the rest of your party (yeah I guess they should have some say ) exactly what I would do.

You have plenty of time to hit everything and if you miss a couple things then go again next year!!

Have fun planning and makes as many versions of your itinerary as you like. Its part of the fun!!

 

[jcemom]

Wow! Thanks for the quick replies!
cdpa4d -- I am hoping DD will nap in her stroller, but am definitely open to taking her back to the hotel if needed. That was one of the reasons we chose to stay on site. Either DH or I can go back with her, and the other stay with the boys if we need to!

SYDNCLAIRESMOM -- I was thinking of Pizza Planet for lunch as everyone except me loves pizza (even DD) , I think I would LOVE Prime Time for dinner, but DH and one DS are really shy and I don't know if they would feel uncomfortable or not with the teasing. Maybe Sci Fi would be good as DH and the boys are always watching the Sci Fi channel! I hate to pay a lot for bad food, though as long as it's edible the atmosphere may make up for it. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[perpetualplanner]

I've heard that Sci-fi is much better for lunch if you stick with the simple stuff (burgers and such). We're trying it out this trip and we'll be there the same time as you but at the Boardwalk.

 

[XStAnt]

I think your itinerary is great. Not too hectic, plenty of down time, a chance to go back and do things you missed.

One question: what kind of tickets do you have? I don't think UPH make sense for you, so I hope you have PHPs.

Two suggestions (but I'm not suggesting you definitely do this): On Friday, your first non-park day, you may want to give some thought to hitting a water park for a couple of hours. 9 and 10 year old boys would probably love it and may go a little stir crazy just hanging out at the resort all day. Somehow I don't think shopping for 4 hours at DTD will be their thing . I wouldn't wake up early to do this and I'd only stay a couple of hours since this is supposed to be a rest day so they don't tire out later on. Perhaps you can play it by ear.

The other suggestion would also be for Friday. Perhaps you can do the luau or Hoop Dee Doo Revue that evening. With nothing else planned that day it will give everyone something to look forward to (plus, you have to eat anyway). These are just some thoughts if the family is getting bored that day.

Finally, one piece of advice: Since it is the first trip for your kids make sure they understand that you will not be able to do everything at Disney on this trip. There is just too much to do. Some kids get disappointed when there is something they can't do. If everyone understands that this may happen then people have realistic expectations and no one is too disappointed. For example, you kids may learn there are pony rides at Fort Wilderness. If you don't have time to do this they may be a little disappointed. If they understand from the beginning you may not get to everything and that there will be other trips, it shouldn't be too bad to deal with.

Good luck and enjoy your trip.

 

[jcemom]

Thanks XStAnt! I think the water park on Friday would be a good idea if it's warm enough. Coming from the deep-freeze we've been in almost anything would be warm enough though...lol. My boys LOVE water slides and such.

I did consider Hoop De Doo but I was a little concerned that DD would not be able to sit still for so long. ???

As far as doing everything...I'm the one who need to keep that in mind! LOL Believe it or not, the boys aren't very excited about going! I think they just don't comprehend HOW MUCH there is to see and do. At least they should be pleasantly surprised...LOL

Edited to add: We have 7 day PHP's, by the way.

 

[shortbun]

Looks great! I recommend Sci-Fri at MGM, Pizza Planet is
OK but we always get hungup in the arcade. I've carefully
avoided it the last two trips. lol. Be sure to use FP for the
action rides with your DSs. Little ones hate to wait in lines,
maybe one grownup can take the stroller and go for another
FP while the 2nd grownup is doing TOT or Space Mtn, etc.
Get the action rides in early so DS's won't worry about them
and then you can get down to the other good stuff. Very few
things a 1.5yo can or will want to do -go for Dumbo fast!
We used FP like crazy our last trip. The three of us finished
parks over Christmas week easily by 3pm and relaxed with
parades and people watching for another couple of hours.
I admit, it was commando for those first few hours but we didn't
want to get closed out of anything. It was touch and go with
Mission Space and Test Track. In EPCOT, DS and DH ran to Mission Space and waited 45 mins while I went directly to Test Track, got FPS and shopped to my hearts content at the big shop
nearby. When DH decided he wanted one more ride on MS after
we rode Test Track-FP was gone and the wait was nearly 2 hours.
We loved Quest! but I think it's gonna be loud and dark for your
little one - one of you may need to go sit on the bank of the lake
with the stroller for a long rest. The promenade is great for people watching. I'm sure by now your whole family has learned
to accomodate the baby...what treasures they are. Have fun!

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by shortbun

We loved Quest! but I think it's gonna be loud and dark for your
little one - one of you may need to go sit on the bank of the lake
with the stroller for a long rest. The promenade is great for people watching. I'm sure by now your whole family has learned
to accomodate the baby...what treasures they are. Have fun!

We will also have a rental car, so one of us could leave with baby and meet back up later if needed. I guess we'll have to play that one by ear. I'd like to get a little shopping in also, maybe DD and I can do that while DH plays with the boys. I'm sure between Disney Quest, shopping with me and Cirque that it's not going to be baby's favorite day of the trip...LOL She's a fairly easy going baby, though, but I know we will need to allow for the possibility of a protest!

Thank you all SO much for the suggestions. Keep 'em coming!