Can someone help plan my park itinerary?

[threeboysmom]

I am driving myself crazy trying to plan out my park days. I've done three totally different itineraries already and am not pleased with any of them. First of all, I can't decide whether to utilize the EMH or not. I *think* I'd rather not as I've heard that those parks can be a ZOO.

Anyways, it'll be myself and 2 sons (ages 13 and 8). Our favorite parks are MGM and Epcot. We'd like to see all evening fireworks/shows. We'll be there for 5 days/4 nights and have 5-day park hoppers.

Thursday, September 15 (Epcot is open late tonight so I'm guessing we should avoid that park?)
Flight lands at 10:30
Check in around noon ?
Which park for afternoon/evening

Friday, September 16 (MK open early so should avoid...)
Park/s??

Saturday, September 17 (AK open early)
???

Sunday, September 18 (MGM open late - maybe try???)
We'll sleep in this day/hang out by pool & have lunch
Hit ?? park in the afternoon & evening?

Monday, September 19 (Epcot open early)
Flight doesn't leave until 7:50 p.m. so we can go to a park this day too. Should head back to resort around 3:00ish since we're using ME.

Help!!!!

 

[Pop Daddy]

I like to just realx and do what I feel like doing at that moment

 

[Joan S.]

Hi, I would start with Epcot or MGM on your first day(afternoon/evening)It is best to plan which rides/attractions you want to get on especially when entering a park in the middle of the day.If there are attractions you will like to do that will be open in this park, the late opening is a great time to do them.However if you feel this may be too late for your boys after traveling, go with MGM. Again have ready just what you want to get on and stay for Fantasmic if it is being shown that night. A great way to do Fantasmic with limited time is to book the dinner package,we have done HWV twice and really enjoyed it!You will have seats waiting for yoy and will not need to get in line really early. Also with the time of year you are going I think EMH may be a GOOD idea! And if the park gets too crowded, this will not happen till maybe 11am, hop over to another park or take a break and swim/nap at your hotel. You can cover alot of rides especially in FL if you are there when the park opens! So I think Friday would be a GREAT MK day! Because in general weekends are busiest in the MK.Saturday again seems like a GREAT day to do AK.And that leaves you Sunday and Monday-Sunday would be MGM (if you did Epcot Friday) and Monday would be back to Epcot.On Monday I would do rides/attractions in am and then hit the countries before you have to leave for the airport! Also don't forget to make some PS and/or have places to dine that you know will have something for everyone! Hope this helps a little! Any ??'s-just ASK!! Joan

 

[threeboysmom]

Pop Daddy - I need to know what parks I'm going to be in which days in order to pick my sit-down restaurants. My time to make ps's is coming up next week.

Joan - Thanks for your help! So based on your comments, my days would be like this?

Thursday - MGM/Fantasmic
Friday - MK/Wishes
Saturday - Animal Kingdom
Sunday - sleep in/pool/Epcot/Illuminations
Monday - revisit MGM or Epcot

So, would you suggest dropping my park hopper feature and saving the extra $115? Can I even drop that feature since my package is already booked?

Any other ideas?

 

[jordanyosh]

Kimberly,

Joan has some good advice for you. Your new itinerary seems pretty good. I would keep the park hopper feature. On Saturday, with only AK scheduled, even with some down time, you will have the opportunity to head back to Epcot for some night time fun. On your last day, you can do a few attractions at MGM then hop over to Epcot for a last flight on Soarin' or Test Track.

September is a great time to go. I don't think you will be affected too much by EMH, but follow Joan's advice if the EMH parks do get crowded. Keep a close eye weather as you remember last year's hurricane bonanza.

 

[skipperkim]

I'm currently in the same boat. I'm trying to decide if avoiding the parks with EMH mornings are a good idea. According to

www.touringplan.com

that's what you are suppose to do. (FYI: It's based off of info from people here, go figure.) I've always done EMH mornings and been able to finish everything I've wanted to do by 11:30 am. Has anyone use the above mentioned website and if so did it work better than EMH mornings? (Can you tell I have only 1 vacation with EMH night and didn't use it?)