Anyone have an itinerary for a first timer to Orlando?

[livifc999]

My wife and I and two kids aged 12 and 9 are going to Orlando for the first time in October.

Does anyone have an itinerary I could follow, at least as a basic guide. I want to visit every park at least once. I have got 14 day 4 park ticket and a 10 day WDW ticket.

I'm not renting a car but relying on the I Trolley and shuttles and I'm staying at Parc Corniche near Seaworld.

I would really appreciate some advice and tips.

Thanks
Graeme

PS This is a fantastic site and I have already got some brilliant info from it.

 

[disneyholic family]

i suggest you get hold of some WDW guides (if you don't already have some)....
i can't remember if simon's book has itineraries or not....
i do remember that the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World certainly does have itineraries of various lengths (and for various ages)...

i wouldn't necessarily follow them, but it will give you an idea..
in fact, my family's favorite itineraries are almost exactly opposite of what is suggested in the unofficial guide, but it still gives you an idea...

also, you might want to ask this same question on the parks board here.....people will probably direct you to some online site with itineraries...

the most important advice is to be at the parks EARLY....

 

[gilld]

I agree with Beth re getting a good guide and also about getting to the parks early. One thing I would say though, don't feel that once you've made a plan you have to stick to it rigidly. Yo are on holiday and although you'll be exhausted when you get back, if you go with the flow, you'll have had a great time.

Gill

 

[UKDEB]

My advice would be to make a list of every place you want to visit, including water parks, shopping malls, etc., and also make a note of the Extra Magic Hours for Disney parks. These are days when Disney allows its resort guests to enter the parks an hour before the general public. They get very busy and so you need to avoid them. They are:

MK - Sun, Thu
Epcot - Wed
MGM Studios - Tue, Sat
AK - Mon, Fri

Next take a piece of paper and write down your dates. Put in your Disney parks first and then fit in everything else around it. I like to spread them out rather than doing all Disney, then all Universal, for example. As much as possible it makes sense to do a park followed by a more relaxing day such as a water park or shopping. You might like to leave one day at the end of the trip free to revisit your favourite park.

Once you've got your basic itinerary in place, make lists of all the attractions you want to experience at each park.

I completely agree with Gill about going with the flow. Take time to soak up and enjoy every minute - it'll be over before you know it.

 

[kevin harrison]

The best advice I could give is IMHO, if you can rent a car - do so, you buy yourself so much extra time.

Some of the buses back from Disney take ages back to I Drive, they have numerous stops, and after a long hot day it's the last thing you need. I did it once and never again.

And if you want to get to the parks early, it obviously easier with a car.

 

[allie5]

Yes, I agree 100% with Kevin....if you can rent a car DO IT. It will make life MUCH easier. You can be at the parks at opening and knock out a lot of big rides before the crowds arrive around 10-11am. You will need stamina to stay at a park all day from opening to closing fireworks. Without a car, its impossible to return to an offsite hotel during the day. This makes for very long, tiring days and by day 6 you will be burnt out!

Try to arrange quieter days in between busy days, so if you plan a full day at Magic Kingdom, then make the next day a water park or shopping day. Be flexible with your plans...by all means have an idea of what you want to do each day, but dont worry if you stray from it...the idea is to have fun!! I usually have "back up" plans in case no one fancies whats on offer that day!

Bear in mind, for the first few days you will be up very early, so try to plan early starts at the big parks then. Save the later attractions like Fantasmic, Illuminations and Spectromagic until later in your holiday when you are adjusted to the time more.

Its difficult to plan an itinerary for someone you dont know, as everyone has different priorities...if you are Coaster fans then you will not want much time at Magic Kingdom, but may want a couple of days at Islands Of Adventure. If you are animal lovers, then you may want 2 days at Sea World. If this isnt appealing to you, then only one may suffice. You need to sit down with your family and decide which parks you think will need more days (this may change when you arrive of course!).

Also, face up to the fact that you wont be able to do everything in one trip!!! Make your list of "must dos" and then "would like to do". That way you wont miss out on the attractions that appeal to you the most by being diverted by things that are of less interest.

Keep at least 2 days "free" in your itinerary so you can return to a park that you enjoyed the most or didnt get to see all of.

Happy planning!
Allie

 

[LorraineH]

Hi Graeme,

You leave just 2 days before us, we are also first timers and non drivers staying on I-Drive.

If you know for sure you really cant rent a car (as we cant - my fiance doesnt drive - and I am certainly not giving it a go!) then have a look at www.golynx.com. Their bus (Lynx 50) goes from Seaworld direct to the transport centre at WDW.

They have this really good online planner going, and to be honest Ive been on this site now practically every evening sorting out ALL my routes. I know some mornings we will have to be up extra early, but like you my kids are older (11 and 8) so we dont have babies/toddlers to watch out for.

There will be the odd time we need taxis (like after MNSSHP - are you going??!!) but the majority of time we can use the bus service.

With regards to an itinenary - have you not booked any PS's - we booked our "90 day" ones last month - so definite days at the parks had already been sorted.

I would show you my itinerary - but it wouldnt work for you, (a) as we're getting married out there!! and (b) we have got 14 day Flex, and 5 day WDW (not 10 days) plus Gatorland and a balloon flight thrown in!


Planning your itinerary is the best fun!!! I must have done mine 6 or 7 times before agreeing to stick to it!!!


Lorraine

 

[kevin harrison]

Originally posted by LorraineH
Hi Graeme,

If you know for sure you really cant rent a car (as we cant - my fiance doesnt drive - and I am certainly not giving it a go!)

Lorraine, you can drive there, it's easier than here. No roundabouts, wider roads, more considerate drivers, people don't drive like maniacs.

I'll repeat myself again, if you think that you can leave early day after day, stand in line, walk miles, stay in that heat and never head back for a rest in the pool in the afternoon you are going to be wiped out in a week.

You are getting married too? Seriously get yourself a car, will maybe save you an hour or 2 every day.

Congratulations.

 

[Donna T]

Hi Graeme

we just got back last week and it was our first time and like you we weren't driving and stayed on I-Drive. Signtalker from these boards did me the most brilliant itinerary which we stuck to and we managed to do all the Disney Parks, 3 days at Universal Studios and Universal IoA, Seaworld, Discovery Cove, Kennedy Space Centre, airboat ride, couple of days shopping and Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. We had a week at the beach afterwards to recover! If you like I can let you have a copy of that itinerary and you can adapt it to suit your needs (it took account of busy days and early opening hours as well).

Regards,

Donna

 

[LorraineH]

Lorraine, you can drive there, it's easier than here. No roundabouts, wider roads, more considerate drivers, people don't drive like maniacs.

No Kevin - I really CANT drive over there! I drive a very small manual Micra!! My sister lent me here automatic Mondeo to have a practice with, and I really couldnt do it!! LOL Ive been driving for 18 years!!! But Im not very good!!!

I have got Simon's book, and read thoroughly his chapter on Driving, and I panicked after reading bits on switching air con on/off, driving on the other side, something about being allowed to turn at traffic lights when they are red??!!!! Sorry - I swear you would not want to be behind me on I-Drive!!!

I'll stick with the Lynx bus schedules Ive memorised!!!


Lorraine

 

[livifc999]

Thanks to everyone who took the trouble to give me some advice. I've taken it all onboard. I will write out my list and see how much I can fit in. Thanks again

Graeme

 

[k-herm]

Lorrainne,

Don't drive if you don't want to..Our first trip to Orlando was our honeyoon (booked with Kuoni) and we had transfers included and used the trolley service also.

We didn't find it a problem at all, although we are going back next year and have booked a hire car to save time and give us more flexibility(and we will have 3 kids with us this time).

I have been a little worried about driving in Orlando but the many posts here have convinced me not to worry - It's just going to be part of the adventure for us.

But I can fully understand your reasons for not wanting to drive.

Your holiday could well be more relaxed without a car because you might not try and squeeze in tooooooo much in a day ........just 'go with the flow' of the trolleys and taxis. Sure, you will probably not see and do as much, but it could be all the better for it

Horses for courses and all that, but if you are going to worry all the time before you get there, then don't bother with the car - you *should* be looking forward to it after all!

k-herm

 

[livifc999]

How does this sound?

Friday Arrive early evening
Saturday Seaworld
Sunday Universal Studios
Monday Islands Of Adventure
Tuesday Magic Kingdom
Wednesday Blizzard Beach
Thursday Animal Kingdom
Friday MGM
Saturday Epcot
Sunday Typhoon Lagoon
Monday Islands Of Adventure
Tuesday Universal Studios
Wednesday Magic Kingdom
Thursday MGM
Friday ? Evening flight home

If anybody sees any "schoolboy errors" let me know

Thanks for the help

Graeme

 

[debkorb1]

Weclome to the Boards!

I would say that this school boy better be pretty energetic! In all truth, I don't think you'll be able to sustain that pace. I think you need to build in more restdays - the water parks are kind of rest days, but if you want to get on the slides without mammoth queues you have to get there early (especially on weekends).

I would say one day in MGM ought to be plenty and three days in the Universal parks (possibly two at that time of year) - that will give you two or three extra free days where you should chill by the pool in your hotel or sleep!

I was also agree with others here that a car is a good idea - for us it was essential. My boyfriend says the driving is FAR easier than the UK - less traffic (which moves more slowly) and no roundabouts. For a Disney trip you need 100% flexibility and I think a car provides this.

Have a great time!!!!

 

[Miffy2003]

Hi Graeme,

I definitely agree - you will be shattered with 4 park days in a row right at the start.

Do try and put some rest days in to break it up a bit or you will be exhausted. It is the most brilliant fun in the world going to the parks but it is exhausting (especially the first few days when you will be getting over jetlag.)

You might find with some of the parks you have 2 days programmed in for that you want to swap them for another park anyway. For example, if you love MGM you will want to revisit for a second day but if not you may re-visit one of your others instead? But you won't know till you get there which park is best for you and your family.

Have a great time

Cheers

Karen

 

[LorraineH]

Graeme, just another point Ive noticed from your itinerary is that you arrive on the Friday, and have got your first Monday as Island of Adventure - I know that this Monday is Columbus Day, which is a bank holiday, and you may well find that the parks are over-busy this day.

You might want to rethink this day, even though you have "booked" a 2nd day at IOA later during your holiday.

We arrive on the Sunday after you. We have planned our first day (Columbus Day) at Seaworld, as this looks a far easier park to negotiate on our arrival!


Happy Planning!!

Lorraine

 

[JohnnySharp]

Graeme, like most regular visitors to Orlando I consider myself pretty much clued up on touring the theme parks.

Your schedule shown in your recent posts does not allow for any rest days, although I am sure you will not be staying at each park all day long (or will you?).

I would say your 'schoolboy error' is that you are trying to do too much - you will need days where you can relax, maybe do a bit of shopping etc, it just seems like theme park overload to me.

Most people including ourselves have a basic plan of what we are going to do, and planning is part of the fun - as you will see from these boards - we tend to have our first 2 or 3 days planned out and the rest of the time we just see how we go, if we did make a full plan we would only change it along the way.

It is easier the more times you visit as you can pick and choose which attractions you prefer etc - it's very rare that we do not bring some of our tickets back home with us to use on another visit.

Having said all that, we all have different ideas on how to approach things, we have a seven year old boy who is Autistic so although we love the parks, particularly Universal Studios, it can be hard work at times touring them plus we like to relax as much as we can also. Our son loves playing in water, hence we always rent a private villa these days which also gives us time to relax more - something that we do not get chance to do at home.

My advice would be to have some days free for other things, if you need to see ALL the parks, you could use your park hoppers and see more than one on the same day.

 

[livifc999]

Thanks for all the replies, after some thought, here is the new plan arriving 8th October

Friday Arrive early evening
Saturday Islands Of Adventure
Sunday Universal Studios
Monday Seaworld
Tuesday Blizzard Beach
Wednesday Magic Kingdom
Thursday Rest day
Friday MGM
Saturday Animal Kingdom
Sunday Typhoon Lagoon
Monday Islands Of Adventure
Tuesday Universal Studios
Wednesday Magic Kingdom
Thursday MGM
Friday Epcot til 2pm Evening flight home

If things get tough then I will drop down to half days. I realise I'm probably trying to do too much but its only a plan.

 

[LorraineH]

We will see you in Seaworld then Graeme on Monday 11th!!!!


Have fun!!


Lorraine

 

[rocketralph]

See if you can get a rental car or check if they have a bus to go to Bush Gardens in Tampa.