Arrival day scenerios

[jm106]

We land at MCO at 10:30 am. We have 5 day no hopper pass, we will be there 7 days flying home on day 7 at 4:50 pm,
I planned to head to MK arrival day then have a down day mid week and do CM in am and DTD in pm and enjoy pool. We planned Ohana on arrival day at 5:10 because my second MK day there wasnt room. As much as I want to do Ohana, its limting us on arrival day to take the time away from park.

So I wonder, should I skip ohana since we will be getting into park after lunch with check in and just stay in MK-
Or should I skip MK/parks at all that day and use pool and go to DTD (and skip Ohana) so its a low paced day then go to MK the day I would have had for day of rest and just keep it to a shorter day? We didnt have a day or rest last trip but it rained all week so we had many late starts and days of early return to resort.
(note- I have late arrivals, early eveings for kids and rest built into trip)

 

[hookedonears]

Skip Ohana.

 

[heatherandnick]

I think I would extend my passes to cover all 7 days...it's not that much more. If you really want to go to Ohana, then you can still visit MK on the first day and go back on another day...

 

[Due-North]

Always tough to have so much to do, and so little time. I'd also vote to skip Ohana in order to take advantage of getting to MK, but as someone pointed out, if you can extend your tickets, it doesn't add that much to the ticket price.

While the dining is always excellent at Disney, sometimes the logistics of getting to the restaurant eats into your time in the parks to the point where it becomes counter-productive.

Have fun!

 

[jm106]

Thanks, I think skipping ohana is the most sensible. Its not a matter of adding park days, I dont want another park day becuase I want to keep some down time. I just dont want to feel like I over did it on my park days.

 

[luv2plan]

I understand wanting to have a down day midweek, but having the option of going to the parks, even for just a few hours, will be worth the extra $$. You may want to see a parade or fireworks show in the evening, especially if there is rain on your regular park day. Options are always good.

Also, you can go to a park your arrival day and not feel like you are "wasting" one of your park day tickets. And you won't feel like being in a hurry to get to the park. You can relax and unpack then just head out when you are ready.

Happy planning!!

 

[Agri]

If you do a lot of shopping at DtD, I would save it for later in your week. We like to do DtD after a few days in the parks so we've seen a lot of the merchandise already and had some time to think about it.

I, too, would add another park day to your ticket. We have annual passes and schedule in time to rest, but we find that we don't actually need a whole day to recover mid-week. Its really nice to be able to pop into a park for dinner and fireworks - much more enjoyable than watching them after you've been spending all day in the park.

 

[nvsnot]

I understand wanting a "down day", but adding an additional day, $5 bucks if you have a 4 day pass or more, will definitely give you a lot more options and more "down time" because you'll be able to pace yourselves more.

 

[Cinderella's slipper]

We faced your dilemma in the past and we learned over the years that once you get beyond purchasing a Magic your Way 4 day basic ticket, the cost becomes much less expensive to add additional days. These additional days allow us the option of enjoying what ever park we choose at a very relaxed pace.

Happy Vacation Planning whatever solution you choose.

 

[jm106]

Thanks, I am considering what every one said. Its not the additional few dollars, its not seeing it would be used.
Here is my schedule, so trying to see where I would put the time into park- feel free to assess the plans as I am open to changes. My kids will be 5 and just shy of 3.
Day1 MK
2 EP
3 DHS
4 monorail ride, CM 10:10 am
back to CBR pool, lunch, rent bikes at resort, nap
DTD, lego store, walk around(dont care about shopping much) and maybe an evening swim
5 AK
6 MK
7 breakfast, pool, check out, lunch(in no particular order.) Assuming we need to keep fairly close to get Magic Express to MCO.

 

[LeesyUD]

I also suggest extending the ticket days. I understand that you want down time, however, extending the days for what is just a few more dollars, will give you the flexible to split up your down time if you want or need to.

Also it is nice to just have the option to go to a park on a non park day, just for dinner one evening or for fireworks.

Finally, if you are not leaving until the afternoon your last day, you could go to the parks on your last day for a bit, if there is something your missed or wanted to do again before you leave.

As far as Ohana I think the first day is not the best day since it will interrupt your park time. However, why not keep checking for reservation for your other MK day since you will have more time that day? There is no guarantee it will be available but it doesn't hurt to check back every once in a while.

 

[jm106]

I have been checking back for the second MK day

 

[Snappy in OK]

I like the idea of having a downtime day, but I think having it later in the trip would be a better option. We have 2 younger kids as well, and having a break from the parks later in the trip gives them a day to take it easy & hang out. My kids do better after having that break from the parks & just hang out.

Good luck!

 

[pepe of ohio]

We never let food run our vacation....we don't do ADR's and dining plans...we don't want to be tied to clocks. We always have a down day....there's more to WDW than just the parks and a vacation is supposed to be relaxing....we break every day from the parks around 12-1 when the day gets too hot or crowds become huge.....just because we like too...we have a pool picnic, few drinks and cool off away from the banter of the parks.

Our down day usually consist of breakfast at Trails End (best buffet on property) alittle pool time, maybe some resort shopping...lunch at the pool and that evening, either we go back to FW, Crocketts Tavern for beer and pizza or we head to POFQ, food court for meatball sandwiches, Scat Cat Club entertainment and drinks then boat to DTD for shopping and a movie then bus back to the resort.

 

[luv2plan]

I think your schedule looks GREAT! I wouldn't try to go to the parks on the final day, everyone will be tired, especially with kids that little. Just relax, swim, finish packing & have lunch.

I'm pretty sure you can "upgrade" your tickets with the extra day anytime after you arrive, so if weather is bad in the beginning of the week, then it will still be an option to add the day.

You will have a great vacation!! Happy planning!

 

[nkereina]

I see that you're coming from NJ and arriving in Orlando at 10:30am, which means your flight out of NJ is probably pretty early that morning. You may be really tired out by the end of that first day, and having the extra day later in the week will allow you to go back, even if it's on the evening or morning of your off day or your last day. Also, someone else mentioned in case it rains which is a good idea because rain could shut some attractions down. I don't go without hoppers but if I did, I would want the max number of tickets I could get to have max. options. I fly from NY and get there early too and on that first day, I get burned out earlier than usual.

 

[chitown_disneylovers]

Skip Ohana.

 

[jm106]

Thanks everyone- I know the right thing is to Skip Ohana, I knew it when I booked. PP mentioned not letting dinner rule my trip and I know that is the best advice. I canceled Ohana, Ill get there one day,lol.
It actually made me decide to book SA inn, in EP which I was debating. I dont book TS each night, I like to have it more relaxed and feel like getting to Ohana that day would lose that for me. Yes we are flying out at 8 am so a few hrs in MK is probably all they will be able to handle.
As for adding days, I am thinking it over. Thank you for your wisdom.

 

[pooh2007]

On our arrival day we arrive at MCO at 1:30 p.m. take Magic Express to AKL (Kidani Village) we pick up our Rental Car at 4:00 p.m. at Shades of Green we have dining reservations at Rainforest Cafe at Downtown Disney at 6:30 p.m. and then doing La Nouba at 9:00 p.m. There are times we just take it easy our first night and relax getting prepared for our first full day at the parks. Just take it as it comes and do as you feel. This is your vacation enjoy it. We have been many times and I am a planner so this is what I do but you all just need to do what makes you happy...