Can someone help me figure out my planning?!

[DisneyMommy403]

Alooooha Everyone!

I'm planning a trip for my family to the parks in November and I've got a few questions, that only the park experts on this forum can answer.

The basics:
Going on this trip will be: Myself (27), DH (35), DD(5), DD(4), DS(1) & DMIL (like I'd really tell her age on a forum, ya right, she'd kill me), DSIL(24) & DSIL (18)

Dates in the park: Nov 8-11 (4 days)

The 8th is a Thursday. I intend on using our Magic Morning passes, clearing out Fantasyland, maybe a little of Tomorrowland and then Breakfast with Minnie & Friends...

1st question: What time should I make the reservation?

We're not going to park hop on Thursday, just stick to DL. Since there won't be any big night time show, I assume that day we'll be seeing the parade, and the mini shows; and eating at BB at 7:30.

Second day is a Friday. We have Mickey's Toontown passes, and I'm considering changing my original plans and using them on Friday. I originally had planned for the girls to go to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in the morning, hold meet and greets with Merida and Rapunzel and then hop over to DCA for lunch at Ariel's Grotto and spend the rest of the day at DCA, with dinner at Carthay Circle and see WOC.

2nd question: Should I use the Toontown passes on Friday, even though we'll be spending our day at DCA?

3.) What time should I make a lunch reservation if the two girls will be at BBB?

4.) Should I do the WOC dining at CCR or just do a picnic (for the fast passes, instead of rushing to the other park first thing in the morning)

5.) How I can I best utilize this Friday? Should I completely change my palns around and send a runner in the morning to get RSR & WOC FPs while the girls get their makeover at BBB? Or should I move DCA play day to be an all day Saturday event, and use Friday for Toontown and Fireworks? HELP!!!

Third day is a Saturday, and I was planning on starting at DCA to play in Carsland if we didn't have the opportunity on Friday, and then hopping to DL for fireworks.

Sunday, I planned on catching Fantasmic and using to the to see and eat all that we hadn't experienced.

All four days, I plan to go back to the hotel around 2pm - 4pm for nap breaks for the kids and to rest our feet.

**ANY suggestions on best viewing for our small children and the night shows would be great. I was going to splurge on all the reserved viewing, and the dessert boxes, but my DH said "Honey, we're not the Rockefellers." and he'd rather just wait with impatient children then spend more money on shows that we're going to see anyways!

ANY suggestions and help are greatly appreciated!

 

[belle'ssister]

I'll address the BBB question. Your little ones are great ages for this. I took my five year old DGD
two weeks ago. She was wearing her Cinderella dress when we went to the park at 8:00am. She had a 9::10 appt. it took 30 to 40 minutes. We did the middle package that in included hair, makeup and nail polish. they can do both girls at the same time. She LOVED it. They were very sweet with her. There is a photographer throughout the makeover.

If you are shopping for a dress it takes quite a bit longer. All day long cast members would address her as princess Cinderella. She was beaming.

 

[scoker]

In response to question #1

We did the Minnie and Friends breakfast after doing MM in DL. I made the reservation for 30 minutes after regular park opening. It worked great. If I was going to be there on a day when the park opened early I would push the breakfast even later if I could. I think the day we did it the park opened at 9.

Hope all your plans come together great.

 

[DisneyMommy403]

I'll address the BBB question. Your little ones are great ages for this. I took my five year old DGD
two weeks ago. She was wearing her Cinderella dress when we went to the park at 8:00am. She had a 9::10 appt. it took 30 to 40 minutes. We did the middle package that in included hair, makeup and nail polish. they can do both girls at the same time. She LOVED it. They were very sweet with her. There is a photographer throughout the makeover.

If you are shopping for a dress it takes quite a bit longer. All day long cast members would address her as princess Cinderella. She was beaming.

Oh how very sweet! I was considering doing the new Courtyard package, but I've been back and forth. It will be cold I'm assuming, so I know the girls won't want to be in their dresses (as is they have Rapunzel, Merida, and Ariel dresses) so I thought with the Courtyard package it gives you a T-shirt and tutu, and I can throw a long sleeve underneath the T shirt, and leggings under the tutu. I think my girls will be stoked either way, but I think my Mommyness would rather them be in dresses... haha

In response to question #1

We did the Minnie and Friends breakfast after doing MM in DL. I made the reservation for 30 minutes after regular park opening. It worked great. If I was going to be there on a day when the park opened early I would push the breakfast even later if I could. I think the day we did it the park opened at 9.

Hope all your plans come together great.

That's a great suggestion! I still don't know the park hours, but either way I'll take that advice. Thank You!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Regarding question #4: only do the CCR dining if you really want to eat there. It is not necessary to eat there just to get a WOC FP and it does not guarantee you a great view any more than any other color FP. Same with the picnics, only get them if you really want to have them. Since only one person is needed to be your WOC FP runner (after everyone enters either DL or DCA the first time of the day to activate the tickets), getting FPs should be quick and easy. Just give all the activated tickets to the runner while you and the others do something else (eat, ride a ride, look at an attraction, listen to a band, etc.), then meet up again. The free FPs can give you a great view if you are prepared ahead, just the same as with the CCR and picnic FPs.