Can I see your itinerary?? PLEASE I BEG!!

[mudnuri]

I am so lost in planning our first ever Disney trip with our 2 DDs...I have read and read probably too much and now I'm so lost it isn't funny.

What I can't find out is when different things happen at different areas in each park. We will only be doing Disney parks- no Universal etc... we will be staying off-site, Arriving Sunday leaving Saturday...I plan to purchase 4 day park hoppers- however if I can even begin to build a itinerary I may go with 5 day.

I dont know ANYTHING about disney, though I will be picking up a book on the subject at some poiont. We will be going in April, so I have some time....I'm just trying to give myself some sort of idea as to what will be happening when....even if its just what park- and what area etc... My dd's are 6 and 7, and are not tall enough for all the rides- I believe they will be about 50" when we travel, they are the same height now, at 48" so they wont be more than 50...

They've never been on many rides- 6 Flags this summer- both were under 48 so they could only do the "baby rides"....I dont anticipate them wanting to ride ride ride...they are very excited about meeting the characters and trading piins....

Please feel free togive me anything you've got!!!!

thanks in advance

Brandy

 

[Tank]

Step back, take a deep breath, now relax, you have plenty of time.The only thing you have to even consider planning for this early will be some PS for the popular meals like CRT. Since those are 90 days out you still have 2 months to decide where you want to eat. Since you do have time I suggest going to your local librairy and getting some books on Disney, I like The Unofficial guide and Birnbaums. They also have books for your kids to read, Disney for kids by kids. Get as many as you can, if you find one you like buy the most recent edition.
Disney rides are not like rides anywhere else, nothing like six flags, I think they will want to ride everything. This won't be a problem because nothing in the four main parks have any rides with a height restriction over 48". Only the tall slide at BB has a 54".

 

[Big V]

I would also suggest to read the Trip Reports forum as they are fun to read and you learn how other people do it!

 

[ChiTownZee]

I just wanted to say that if both DD's are 48 inches you're good to go at disney! My dd finally reached that and was able to do their big coaster, Rockin' Roller Coaster, and she's been waiting years to be tall enough. At 48 I don't think there's anything they can't ride, maybe at AK? Does anyone know about AK restrictions? We haven't been there in years.
Also, check out wdwig.com They have LOTS of info there!

 

[Local_Girl]

Hi mudnuri...and welcome to the DIS!

How exciting to be planning your first trip with your 2 DDs! There really is a lot of info here on the boards...it's easy to get overwhelmed by all of it. I agree with Tank--since you're starting early to plan, you can relax a bit and take things slowly.

You don't mention what part of April you'll be there. If you are going either week around Easter, be prepared for big crowds. The other weeks should be less crowded. We also stay off-site when we go to WDW and I have found a good rule to follow is the "day-after" rule...go to a park (MK, MGM, etc) on the day after its early entry day and you'll generally find lower crowds.

Definitely pick up a good WDW guide (many here like the Unofficial guide) because they offer descriptions and tested touring plans. If you want to go to all 4 parks, I would recommend the 5-day hoppers so you can see each park at least one full day and have an extra day to go back to a favorite park, or catch something you missed. We like to take advantage of the hopping feature, especially on an AK day (since AK closes early), by hopping over to Epcot for the evening. You will probably be able to do MGM and AK in a full day (each), but MK and Epcot are huge parks with lots of attractions and you'll probably need more than one day in both.

Before you reach 90 days prior to your departure, decide on what restaurants you want to do and be ready to make your PSs as soon as you can...especially if you are going around Easter!

Sorry this got so long...and I didn't even post our itinerary for Dec.! Actually, I keep changing it... Anyway, good luck and happy planning. You know where to come with any questions!!

 

[2MuchOhana]

Brandy,

I am by no means a real expert; but I will be happy to help you with your itinerary. I am currently in the process of making one for our December trip. When I actually have something completed I will be happy to share it with you. We are doing the Animal Kingdom on the first full day we are there. This is the only park we haven't been to yet. I have been getting a lot of great advise from everyone. Now all I have to do is organize it all better to make a really good plan.

Since you are not going until April we have some time to work with it.

Welcome to the Dis Boards. Will help anyway that I can.

 

[DisneyMomof2boys]

but here's my itenerary for December, keeping in mind it is always subject to change . I have 2 DS's 11 and 13, then it'll be my mom 54, and me 35.

Saturday 12/13/03
Arriving at AKL around 11:30 am
Eat lunch at Myra
Check out resort, swim maybe
Go to WL and see resort around 4pm (take bus to MK, then boat to WL)
Dinner at HDDR 7:15 arrive 30 min. early

Sunday 12/14
Epcot Day/MK day
Bkfst Ohanas 8:40 (Polynesian Resort)(take bus to MK, then take Monorail to Poly.)
Go to Epcot
Maybe go to Downtown Disney
Lunch open
Dinner at Chrystal Palace in MK at 5:35pm
Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party @ MK 7pm

Monday 12/15
AK day
Bkfst. Rainforest Cafe 9:00
Go to AK
Maybe time to visit another park or swim at resort
Dinner at Boma's (AKL) 7:00

Tuesday 12/16
MGM day
Bkfst ??
Go to MGM
Lunch at 50' Prime Time 12:00 (probably just have a dessert)
Dinner Hollywood and Vine 5:00
Fantasmic 7:00

Wednesday 12/17
Bkfst at Bomas 7:45
Downtown Disney - shop maybe
Disney Quest (opens at 11:00), eat a late lunch there and be back at the resort by 3:45.
Leave WDW @ 4:15

Of course this doesn't include my "other" list of must do's as far a attractions! I'd be happy to email that list to you as well, just let me know. Above all relax and enjoy! Also, NOTHING has to be set in stone!

 

[mudnuri]

I did read numerous trip reports, however I'm looking for a time line type....now NO I do not mean EVERY minute....

I plan to do the parks on the morning's after the EE...Being we have a vehicle we are not at the mercy of the hotels transportation etc....

While I always have a planned vacation, they are very laid back...I am studying the maps of DW that I have, to figure out where we would be at what time of day...planning for later lunches, and dinners off-site, or an early dinner and then a return for a "late night"

How do I find out what time things go on, like the parades, fireworks etc...I cant find times..

Disneymomof2boys- PLEASE send me the info! Is my email available to you on here??


Are your restaurant listings on yours already reserved for PS etc.. or is that just where you plan to eat?....

Thanks again
Brandy

 

[2MuchOhana]

Brandy,

When it gets a little closer to your trip you will be able to find out the hours of operation for the dates you will be there including times of the fireworks and parades. Please note that they can change; but in most cases it is pretty accurate. Just go to http://www.disneyworld.com

I will look for website someone gave me to let you know approximately what time the shows are. They do update those, as well, so again you can check back a little closer to your departure for more accurate information.

If your children love the Characters Autograph Books are a Must Have! You could make your own or purchase it at WDW. I also recommend getting a PassPort for Kidcot at Epcot's World Showcase. It's a great way for the kids to learn about the different Countries.

I highly recommend a 5 Day Hopper Pass if you can. There are a total of four parks. A four day pass would allow you a day at each; but you may wish to spend more time at one of them.

I will PM you soon!

 

[TammyC]

I'm guessing that April hours won't be posted until around Feb 1st. Here is a link that shows April 2003 hours and you can figure that next year will be similar.

http://www.intercot.com/infocentral/calendar/historicalhours2003.asp

Yes, it is hard to make a dining PS when you don't even know park hours, but call anyway at 90 days prior. They will have available dining hours set up in their computer. You may also be able to change PS times later to work around park hours.

Try to check out the theme park section of this website for information about rides, as well as disney.com. You can get an idea of how much time you will want to spend at each park. Remember to check out the water parks also.

Good luck.

Tammy

 

[2MuchOhana]

Okay, here is the site that will be able to help you with the show times. Thank-you to fellow DIS member georgina!

http://pages.prodigy.net/stevesoares/

Check a week or two before you leave. The information should be updated with close to if not accurate show times. Of course, the unexpected could happen; but it will give you a pretty good idea as to what you can expect.

 

[DisneyMomof2boys]

I sent you a private message.

 

[wrwrwrwreee1971]

www.passporter.com is a way to order a passporter book that has helped me immensely. Its more like a kit than a book. It is great.

 

[Cindymere]

Here's my itenary:


Monday, November 17th: (Magic Kingdom)

*Park at Epcot
*Go to Magic Kingdom
*at 4:00 or so, take Ferry or monorail to Grand Floridian Hotel
*Have Dinner with the Princesses at 1900 Park Fair at the Grand Floridian at 4:45 (buffet)
*Take monorail to TTC; get on Epcot monorail
*stay at Epcot till 9 p.m.


Tuesday, November 18th: (Epcot)

*Park at MGM studios
*Take bus to Epcot
*Breakfast with princesses at Norwegian Castle at 10:30.
*spend rest of day at Epcot OR go to MGM around 2:00
*by 5:30 be at MGM and go straight to "Fantasmic!"
*Go back to hotel after Fantasmic is over

Wednesday, November 19th: (MGM)

*Park at Epcot
*Take bus to MGM <<<LOTS of kid shows at MGM>>
*Dinner at Chef Mickey at 5:30 (Contemporary Hotel); take bus from MGM to Contemporary
*Take monorail from Contemporary to Epcot
*Stay at Epcot till 9 p.m. Watch fireworks show at Epcot

Thursday, November 20th: (animal kingdom/Magic Kingdom)

*Park at magic kingdom
*Take bus to Animal kingdom
*spend minimal time at A.K. (like 2 hours)
*take bus to magic kingdom
*spend rest of day at magic kingdom (closes at 7 p.m.)

 

[mickeysaver]

This is our itinerary for our vacation in December. We are two adults with no kids.....your basic DINKs. This plan has us using 5 day PHP's and 2 tickets each for MVMCP's. I think we have a great plan, but only time will tell. Mickey

We arrive in rural Florida on Thursday the 11th.
We will stay with family for 3 nights.

Saturday 13th
Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian @ 4:30 pm.
This is a special treat for my mother outlaw.

December 14th Sunday
Check into Pop Century!!!
Dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern 5:00 pm
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

December 15th Monday
Sleep Late
Epcot
Early lunch at the Electric Umbrella
Try to ride M:S/TT/SE
See the Santas and Storytellers around the World Showcase
Dinner at Rose & Crown at 7:30 pm
See Illuminations!

December 16th Tuesday
Animal Kingdom
Lunch at Flame Tree/Tusker House/Pizzafari (?)
Do all the Shows & Dinos Area
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade
Dinner at Rainforest Cafe
Hop to Downtown Disney
Check out PI

December 17th Wednesday
Disney Studios/MGM
Early lunch at 50's Prime Time Cafe
WolfGang Puck Express for Dinner
DTD AMC Theater Lord of the Rings: Return of the King

December 18th Thursday
Animal Kingdom leave at 3:00 pm
Lunch Pizzafari/Tusker House/Flame Tree (?)
Hop to Epcot
Dinner at Le Cellier 4:50 pm
Candlelight Processional Show at 8:15 pm

December 19th Friday
Sleep Late
DTD Shopping
Rainforest Cafe for Lunch
Dinner at Chef Mickey's 5:00 pm
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

December 20th Saturday
Sleep Late
Epcot until 6:00 pm
Lunch at Italy/China/Canada/UK (?)
Dinner Sunshine Season Food Fair
Hop Monorail to Contemporary
Magic Kingdom Fireworks Cruise

December 21st Sunday
Drive Home.

December 22nd Monday
A day to recover before the real world totally reinvades our lives.

 

[beattyfamily]

Oh I love advising first timers!!

Buy a planning book
Decide what is most important to you...rides, parades, shows etc...decide on character meals or regular meals etc...read up.

Then print out a calendar for the month you are going and start plugging stuff in.

Once you do make a plan enjoy and don't worry at all if it falls by the waistside!! It should always be flexible.

Don't try to see everything, it's just not possible. Relax and go with the flow. Don't be too comando!

I always make a plan and then follow about half of it.

I do usually stick to the basic of which park on which day and most of the meals unless I run out of time on a given day or we want to sleep late, I then just cancel the PS.

Use Fastpass for the popular rides you want to experience. That will help you a lot!

Characters meals are WONDERFUL if you want to see characters but not wait in long lines. You get some one-on-one time without a line!

We're going the first week of December and our DD's are 4 and 7.

Here's our basic (flexible) plan:

Arrive Saturday (Nov 29) night...stay at the Hyatt at the airport

Sunday: Pick up rental, check in to BWV
head to MK ASAP!! Hopefully by 10:00a or 10:30a??
Hit the must do rides and then head to Contemporary in the afternoon to rent a boat and then Chef Mickey's for dinner.
Grocery shop

Monday: MGM day; stay to the end and see Fantasmic! with the dinner package eating at H&V.
First thing: RnR, ToT, Ariel show, Belle show, Muppet 3-D, parade...

Tuesday: Epcot Day (or AK; flexible)
First thing: Mission Space!!! Then Test Track, Spaceship Earth, 3-D movie and walk around the world and shop and catch the Santas...That night eat at CP at MK at 5:15p before MVMCP.

Wednesday: AK day (or Epcot)
Breakfast with the Princesses at Epcot (only day I could get it)
To do: Safari, Lion King Show, Primevil Whirl, catch the parade at 4:00p.

Thursday: MK day (EE day)
Whatever we missed in MK the other day.
Head to MGM for dinner at Prime Time at 4:00p but we may not make it if we're having fun at MK!!

Friday: Head to Universal till Sunday, Dec 7.

Oh and on Wed or Thurs we may try to catch Candlelight Processional at Epcot but I'm going to put it in the 'plan' and we'll head to Downtown Disney one of those nights for souvenirs.

Hope this helps you!

 

[castlegazer]

I am going to try and post a picture of the WDW scheduler that I developed for myself. I find that if you develop a spreadsheet or, in my case a table, that lays out each day and where you want to go that day this allows you to see how much time you will have for everything - pending line impediments. I laid out what we would do for breakfast, lunch and dinner to give me a visual for making PS times - this is essential! You get very confused with PS's with a lengthy trip like yours and this is a way to keep everything straight. I used graphics to represent that different areas of the parks and the parks we would be visiting on the specific day. By setting out what you want to do for meals, you can then plan what part o fthe park to be in during a certain time. You can also look at all your new guide info and find what rides you really want to do and then have those listed so you don't forget - I always, always forget to do the carousel - I know, I know, its pretty hard to miss - but for some reason I always forget to do it. I also kept all our important confirmation numbers in it to keep those handy too.

Ok, I have no idea how to post that picture because its not a web page, but just set up a scheduler for yourself - it is invaluable to this and really see what you are getting yourself into each day.

RELAX, have fun dreaming about your trip - for me that's second only to being at WDW - and above all take some time to smell the roses - there are so many out of the way places in all the parks that are just worth exploring - this way you aren't always rushing from one ride to the next. I find that no matter how much planning you do, once you get to the parks it just sort of happens and you see the things you want to see and sometimes you don't get to it all, but you never, never don't have a great time while exploring - and by all means EXPLORE EVERYTHING.

 

[twotoohappy]

I love planning!!!! Going with my dd8, mom, db and wife with their dd3 and twins 6 months..... oh boy...

arrive Friday,, Check into Contemporary.... Chef Mickey's for dinner
Sat.... CRT for breakfast, day at Magic Kingdom, watch the parade at 4, dinner
at 4:30 with pooh at Crystal Palace, spectro magic and wishes
Sun.... Downtown Disney Shopping, dinner at Boma's -going an hour early to
see the animals
Mon.... Discovery Cove to swim with the dolphins and then Illuminations Cruise
Tues.... Animal Kingdom,,,,Rainforest Cafe lunch.....O'hana's for dinner (after
watching wishes from the Poly beach
Wed.... 8:05 breakfast at Crystal Palace(so we can get a pic. of the family with
nobody in the background...... goof around magic kingdom
Thurs....Epcot....Icecream social, Candlelight Processional at 5pm and dinner at
the Rose and Crown and hopefully get a patio seat for illuminations
Fri.... Breakfast at Kona's, dd to Grand Adventures in Cooking, relax at the pool
LTT for dinner before MVMCP
Sat.....Chef Mickey's for breakfast before we go home..........

Most important....relax, don't race, and enjoy!