Calling all itinerary experts!

[CAP Aircrew]

Okay so I haven't been to Disney since 1986! At least I'm one better than my Wife. It's been since 1985 for her!

In any event, we are heading to the "World" this June 27th through July 3rd. I know it's going to be hot and it's going to be crowded but it's the only time of year I could go. My Son and Daughter are almost 9 and 7 respectively and I want them to be able to experience the "Magic" before they get any older.

I tend to get very detail oriented when planning (occupational hazzard!) and I just want to make sure we are doing things right here! I'm sure a lot has changed since 1986!

In any event, I'm trying to figure out what parks to visit on what day. We are staying on-site (Swan) and as a result, we can take advantage of EMH. I know some "experts" say to avoid the parks with EMH but since it is going to be summer and the crowds should be high, I figure that theory does not apply in summer. Correct me if I'm wrong.

So here goes. This is what I'm planning to do. I'm open to any suggestions, corrections and advice. Since it is going to be HOT HOT HOT!, I also don't plan to spend the whole day in the parks and will more than likely take that "requisite" break back at the hotel pool and then head to a park that does not have EMH. Unless of course my kids decide to go "commando" on me, and then it's do or die in the parks!

Friday (6/27) Travel Day, No Parks and Cirque de Soleil that night
Sat (6/28) Animal Kingdom, maybe Epcot that night
Sun (6/29) Magic Kingdom / Epcot using EMH at MK
Mon (6/30) Blizzard Beach
Tue (7/1) MGM / Epcot again using EMH at MGM
* Tue evening is also an E-Ride night and if the little ones are up for it, then so am I!
Wed (7/2) MK and anything else we might have missed
(Thur) 7/3) No Parks and most likely a Character Breakfast at the Yacht and Beach Club.

So there it is. Out in the open for everyone to critique. Seriously though, I am open to any advice since it's all about the kids and I want to make it a great experience for them.

 

[AKASnowWhite]

I've never been in July, but that aside, just a few thoughts.

Know, first, that your hotel location can't be beat, IMHO.

*It has been our experience, that MK on a Sunday morning is a GOOD choice. If you are going for the early entry...GO EARLY. Then bail if it gets too crowded.

*I'm not a huge fan of water parks - a whole day at BB would be too much for me - especially knowing that the Swan/Dolphin have a very cool pool. After any water stuff is done, I'd hit MGM (take the boat from your resort) for the evening - see FANTASMIC!!!

*As for the e-night....you might be surprised at the stamina those little kids can have! Once the sun goes down, and things begin to cool off a bit.....I'd definitely go for it! They can sleep once you get home!!!

I've found that being armed with as much knowledge as possible, a list of what attractions are must-see's ,and a BASIC plan on how to *do-it-all* is VERY helpful! Then, BE FLEXIBLE! Things change, kids/crowds/weather can be unpredictable at times. so roll with it and HAVE FUN!!!!

 

[Miscrapper]

You didn't say what kind of pass you have. If you only have 4 day passes and are buying the Blizzard Beach passes separate, going to MGM that night won't work. I think the water parks are great esp at your kids ages. We went to Typhoon Lagoon on our last visit, even though we were heading to Siesta Key for rest of week and we loved it!
I would however try to plan in the big night events: Fantasmic, Spectro and Illuminations. If you are taking an aftenoon break this should be doable even with getting up early. Instead of going to Epcot 2 evenings you could do one at MGM for Fantasmic. We saw it when our dd's were 6 and 9 and we all enjoyed it. Looking at your schedule again it looks like Sunday eve would be good for Fantasmic rather than going to Epcot again.
Our dd's LOVED the characters when were there! I think your kids are at good ages. They really loved dinner at Chef Mickey's so you might want to look into that.

 

[CAP Aircrew]

Thanks for the advice Miscrapper and AKASnowWhite.

I agree, the Swan is the great location and it affords easy access to both MGM and Epcot.

I actually bought 5 day passes with two options through Paramount. They seemed to have the best prices.

Having the 5 day passes affords us the opportunity to be flexible with our first and last day in the event we decide to "hit" the parks. And having the two options affords us the opportunity to go back to Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon should the kids (or myself) feel the urge. (I'm not leaving my wife out of the equation here...She is also not a big water park person)

I do intend to get in as many Spectro, Fantasmic and Illuminations shows as possible. This was another reason I chose the Swan as it may even be possible to view Illuminations from our balcony!
Now wouldn't that be cooool!

I just wanted to be sure that visiting the parks on the above mentioned days was a decent plan. I know some people say to avoid MK on weekends if at all possible but I feel we may need to take advatage of it's EMH hour since we are going in high season.

Thanks again for the advice and keep it coming should anyone else want to chime in.

This site alone has prepared me well for the upcoming adventure!

 

[pmcnulty]

CAP Aircrew,

Your plan sounds great with the exception of including a nite to view Illuminations, Fantasmic, and Spectromagic. Call Disney or check out their website before leaving home. I just found out that MGM will have a 10:30 pm showing of Fantasmic during our visit. These few minor adjustments should make for a fun time. My kids are 7(dd) and 13(ds) and we will be visiting the week prior to your arrival. We are also staying at the Swan. I chose this location due to the proximity to Epcot and MGM AND as a gift to my DH who has never been to ESPN Zone. He can have nightly strolls from our hotel to unwind.

I purchased a 4 day hopper plus pass and my itinerary is:

(Sun) 6/15 Travel day w/late arrival to an offsite hotel (maybe DD)
(Mon) 6/16 Check-in to Swan/Typhoon Lagoon/Boardwalk
(Tue) 6/17 MK / Epcot - my daughter wants to go to MK 1st!
(Wed) 6/18 Epcot/ MK- the only nite of SpectroMag during our stay
(Thur) 6/19 MK / MGM - leaving MK after crowds begin
(Fri) 6/20 AK/ Revisit other favorite sites
(Sat) 6/21 Check-out and on to Sandestin to RELAX!!

We splurged for a Chararcter B. in 98' (Chef Mickey-Contemp). My dd would probably enjoy a Princess Character B., but I've made no plans as of date. Are you renting a stroller for your 7 yr. old? My daughter is quite tiny and may give out at MK or Epcot without one.

Have a great trip! 13 days and counting! I have so much to do!

76' (Church trip)
82' (Senior trip)
88' (Honeymoon)
93' (1st family visit, including our moms)
98' (POR) - dd's 1st visit)
03' (Swan) - Here we come!

 

[susy]

We do a lot of Epcot at night with our 5yo DS and he loves it!! I think he is more open to the slower paced attractions in the evening. I agree, though, about getting info on when Spectro is showing and the times for fantasmic and Illuminations. MGM has quite a few shows, so we don't spend much time there. You can probably get everything that your kids may want to do there out of the way in an evening or early morning and then just do fantasmic. since you are doing Mk two mornings, you may want to start at different sides each time. also, Fantasyland gets crowded early, so get that out of the way on your EMH day!

I would go a step further and plan what attractions you want to see at each park. The official website has good descriptions of each.

Here are some things I think they might enjoy:


MK- Pooh, Peter Pan, Small world, Snow white, Tea Cups, Space Mountain (you ride one behind the other. I think my son is too little. You'll have to make that call ), Buzz Lightyear, Haunted mansion, Tom Saywer, Country Bears, Treehouse, Pirates, jungle Cruise, splash Mountain, thunder Mountain, Toonetown

AK- Primeval whirl, dinosaur (very scary), Tough To be a bug, Kali River rapids, Lion King show, Safari

MGM- Rock and Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror (if they are daring), Muppet vision, Star tours, Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Honey I shrunk the kids playground

Epcot- Test Track, Spaceship earth, Food rocks, Journey Into your imagination,Honey I shrunk the audience, Maelstrom (norway)

we also try to have one sit-down meal per day. Lunch is good . It's cheaper than dinner and you don't waste precious evening park hours in a restaurant. You will definitely need a pool break and don't forget it usually rains between 2 and 4pm. we use that to nap/rest/plan for evening. have fun!

 

[Harambe]

I think you did great!!!

If you do the E-ride night on Tuesday - sleep in late Wednesday morning. Then head over to Animal Kingdom to see Mickey's Jammin' Jungle parade. You won't need MK Wednesday morning if you go to the E-ride the night before.

As far as EMH goes, our family is a firm believer in them. Get there early, you can get so much done before the parks fill up! I think those who don't get an early start to the day usually avoid the EMH park, and that makes sense.

Have a great time! Just remember, you can't do everything, so enjoy the moment! You can do other things on your next trip . . . and your next trip . . . and the next . . .

 

[mickeymom629]

But we are staying at OKW. Our itinerary is completely different than yours, except for e ticket night. I think your plan is good. The only dilema I had was whether to go to MGM on Tues. instead of e night because Fantasmic! will be showing twice and the second show is usually less crowded, but my kids (DS's 15, 13, 9) want to do enight. Epcot is having a Fiddler perform in the American Pavilion and I really want my daughter (who plays violin) to see the show. Unfortunately, his show isn't until 7/1.

We are arriving (driving from MD) on the 28th, Sat.
We are having a friend come to meet us on Monday, so we don't want to do too much without her because she hasn't been in years (and we go every year). I figure that Monday night, if it's not raining, we will go to MGM (MK stays open late and I'm hoping everyone will be there ) I have p.s. at 50's Prime Time Cafe for dinner. If it's raining and we can't see Fantasmic!, we'll go to Epcot for the afternoon and evening instead. Emh for MGM if we didn't get it all in last night, or we will all go to MK, pool and MK for eticket. Wed. a.m. at AK, we have p.s. for earliest breakfast at Restaurantosaurus and then in the evening, we'll do Epcot (I have p.s. for the icecream social to get "re-hitched", and we'll see the Fiddler show) or another park if we already did Epcot on the first evening. It's a bit rushed, but we'll do the best we can.

You might want to think of places you want to eat and make priority seating arrangements, even if you aren't 100%. I usually make one per day.

Have fun! I hope we have great weather!

 

[mickeysaver]

Well, I don't know how "gung ho" you are, but this is a pretty ambitious schedule. I would suggest that you consider slowing it down a bit. First thing I can tell you that you need to really hear is that you CAN'T do it all, so don't even try. I have been to WDW several times through my life. The best have been the vacations I have taken as an adult. The main reason.....my father rushed through every vacation I took as a child. My suggestion is similar to what you have planned. But, just don't forget to be prepared to stop and see the little details that WDW puts there to make it all a bit more magical.

Friday (6/27) Travel Day, No Parks and Cirque de Soleil (This Sounds GREAT!)
Sat (6/28) Epcot (Why, because it absorbs crowds better than any other park!) Leave in time to Do a special Dinner like the Luau or HDD
Sun (6/29) EMH at Magic Kingdom until lunch time go for a swim at the resort later hop over to Epcot for the Evening and see Illuminations!
Mon (6/30) Animal Kingdom Later Hop to MK to see SpectroMagic and Fireworks
Tue (7/1) Blizzard Beach Shopping later at DTD and maybe check out Disney Quest
Wed (7/2) MGM for the whole day. See Fantasmic!
(Thur) 7/3) No Parks and most likely a Character Breakfast at the Yacht and Beach Club.

Don't forget to smell the flowers! Mickey

 

[mickeymom629]

Mickeysaver has a good plan, however, I do think that Tuesday I would say to do the e ticket like you planned or go to MGM that night because there are two showings of Fantasmic! and you could do things during the first show and plan on seeing the later one, if the weather permits. That morning you could either do emh at MGM (if you aren't too tired) or go to another park at opening. Definitely take the afternoon to relax at the resort pool.

Definitely plan which rides and attractions you want to see most (even if it's just three rides in the a.m. and three in the p.m.) so that you can get Fast passes and figure out a game plan.

Plan your meals so that you are eating lunch around 10:30 and dinner around 4, if you can so that you are beating the crowds.

 

[DisneyLisa]

I think your itinerary looks great. Just remember it will be HOT so you may have to adjust it a bit after you get there...but I think you've done a great job choosing where to go & which days...looks very close to what I would plan. Just use it as a guideline & be sure to plan some mid-day PS and a few mid-day trips back to the resort to get a break from the heat and you should be fine. Just remember...if anyone gets tired or cranky...head back to your resort for a break. I think your kids are at a great age & should be fine. Have fun

 

[CAP Aircrew]

WOW!

Thanks for the great feedback everyone. I really appreciate it. I just printed off the park schedules and the schedules for the various shows and parades and will make changes accordingly.

Mickeysaver, Thanks for tweaking my plan a bit. I guess I was thinking of Blizzard Beach on Monday as opposed to Tuesday because Tuesday had the E-night and I was under the impression that you had to visit one of the major parks during the day in order to day advantage of e-night.

I also appreciate everyone's advice about making PS's for lunch or dinner. This was basically going to be my next step (spoken like a true anal retentive planer) once I got the "which park to visit on which day" thing figured out!

Again, many thanks

Hey pmcnulty, enjoy your stay at the Swan. Me thinks we won't be disappointed!

 

[TRAPPED-PARENT]

I didn't read through all the responses but would recommend having the last day in the park. Put your non-park day somewhere in the middle of your visit to give yourself a break -- your feet will say "thank you."

 

[mickeysaver]

Originally posted by CAP Aircrew
I guess I was thinking of Blizzard Beach on Monday as opposed to Tuesday because Tuesday had the E-night and I was under the impression that you had to visit one of the major parks during the day in order to day advantage of e-night.

See what happens when I tweak a schedule on cold medicine. lol I forgot to put in the e-nite. Geez. Well, at least you found the rest of it sort of useful. lol Mickey

 

[pmcnulty]

Hey CAP Aircrew,

I am still tweaking my itinerary for June 16 - 21, but great news!
Disney had just extended park hours in June and added more fireworks and Spectromagic parades. This helps a lot in allowing some flexibility to planning. With unpredictable weather in June, only one MK fireworks show during our visit was very disappointing.

I am SO looking forward to the Swan!

Have a great trip!

11 days and counting!