Can you stand to critique yet ANOTHER itinerary? Please?

[jcemom]

Cast: DH, me, DS 10, DS 9, DD 1 1/2
Arriving via plane on Tues, Feb 3...

Tues 2/3 - Check in at AKL around 3:00, explore the resort, dinner at Hooters (don't even ask! ), grocery shopping
Wed 2/4 - Magic Kingdom bright and early, Fantasyland, Frontierland/Adventureland, Parade, 4:30 PS at Crystal Palace, Wishes at 7:00
Thu 2/5 - Epcot bright and early, afternoon break probably around 1:00-4:00, 7:30 PS at Rose & Crown, Illuminations 9:00
Fri 2/6 - no specific plans, maybe some sightseeing, or Blizzard Beach for a couple of hours if it's warm enough
Sat 2/7 - 8:00 PS at Donalds, Animal Kingdom staying for the Parade, maybe Downtown Disney Marketplace in the evening
Sun 2/8 - no specific plans, maybe mini golf
Mon 2/9 - MGM Studios bright and early, 4:30 PS at Holly & Vine with the Fantasmic Package, Fantasmic 7:00
Tue 2/10 - 10:30 PS at Boma, Disney Quest, Cirque du Soliel 6:00
Wed 2/11 - Magic Kingdom bright and early, Tomorrowland, Toontown and whatever we missed or want to do again from our first MK day, 4:30 PS at Cinderella's, Wishes 7:00
Thu 2/12 - no specific AM plans, 11:15 PS at Chef Mickey's, 5:00 flight back home (insert tears here)

I've still got plenty of time to change things, AGAIN...LOL So, what needs changing? I know I've got some full days, but I figured that we have "rest" days in the middle, and hours are short... I guess we'll see if we hold up. What do YOU think? (I'm a "planaholic" who is trying very hard to be flexible. LOL)

 

[mplsmom1]

looks great. I like Chef Mickeys - it's a lot of fun if you haven't been. Break days look nice too with the ages of your kids. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[blanq]

How could I not respond...you asked so nice and all! I think your plans look great! You have got a good mix of things to do, and some down time from the parks ( the more we go to WDW, the more we enjoy those non-park days!) Have you been to Cirque before? It is so awsome, and I hope you enjoy it as much as our family did! Also, AKL is great, and is one of our favorite resorts. I am glad you are trying Boma! If you have some time, you might want to consider trying it for dinner too. I really want to make comments about Hooters, but I'll keep my trap shut since you didn't want us to ask!!!

 

[jcemom]

This is our first trip as a family. DH and I have been before MANY years ago (MK and Epcot) and never stayed on site.

I like Chef Mickeys - it's a lot of fun if you haven't been.

I was hoping this would be a fun way to end the trip.

Have you been to Cirque before? It is so awsome, and I hope you enjoy it as much as our family did!

Nope, we've never seen a Cirque and can't wait! I'm getting the feeling this may be one of the highlights of the trip (maybe even better than Hooter's...LOL ) I can't wait to see it!

Also, AKL is great, and is one of our favorite resorts. I am glad you are trying Boma! If you have some time, you might want to consider trying it for dinner too.

I wanted so badly to stay at AKL and was lucky enough to get a good rate. I am much more excited about it than the kids, but I'm sure once they SEE it... Boma has gotten such great reviews and is so convenient that I had to try it. I'm sure we'll squeeze a dinner in there somewhere!

I really want to make comments about Hooters, but I'll keep my trap shut since you didn't want us to ask!!!

...don't want everyone to think I'm a BAD parent...LOL

 

[apulk]

First off -- this looks like a great plan and I'm sure you will have a terrific time. It should be especially fun for all of you with the 1 1/2 year old -- the big ones will love helping her have fun. My crew includes DW, DD (13), DS (11), DD (6) and DD (5) and we've made WDW a vacation stop from use at least every 18 months since we got married in 1987 -- some years when we lived in Charlotte -- 2 times per year. We're going 2/7 -- 2/12 then doing the Disney Cruise.

These are the Extra Magic Hour days -- we've found that using them for the Magic Kingdom and the Studios have really helped -- although that means an early wake-up. You can almost get Fantasyland done by regular park opening then head to Splash Mt. or Space Mt. and do those areas (grab a fast pass on the other close attraction before going in -- get one for the little one too and do the child swap -- the 10 & 9 year olds can ride twice with one parent -- I might need to explain that a bit more -- pm if you want more info). Anyway.....

Sunday - Magic Kingdom
Monday - Animal Kingdom
Tuesday - Disney-MGM Studios
Wednesday - Epcot
Thursday - Magic Kingdom
Friday - Animal Kingdom
Saturday - Disney-MGM Studios



Tues 2/3 - Check in at AKL around 3:00, explore the resort, dinner at Hooters (don't even ask! ), grocery shopping
**** OK, won't ask -- but having dinner at Boma or Jiko or hanging out at the Boardwalk, etc. is a great way to have a FREE night of Disney Magic

Wed 2/4 - Magic Kingdom bright and early, Fantasyland, Frontierland/Adventureland, Parade, 4:30 PS at Crystal Palace, Wishes at 7:00
**** Early open at Epcot (which I wouldn't do in off season)

Thu 2/5 - Epcot bright and early, afternoon break probably around 1:00-4:00, 7:30 PS at Rose & Crown, Illuminations 9:00
***** Keep that 7:30 seating -- but this is Early Open for MK -- we've found that helps to do at least one day just to make sure the little ones have their fun. When we go in Feb -- we're doing MK early open then heading to Epcot after dinner and doing Rose and Crown at 7:30 too.

Fri 2/6 - no specific plans, maybe some sightseeing, or Blizzard Beach for a couple of hours if it's warm enough
**** If warm enough, Blizzard Beach is great fun

Sat 2/7 - 8:00 PS at Donalds, Animal Kingdom staying for the Parade, maybe Downtown Disney Marketplace in the evening
**** Love Donald's -- we've done 7:45/8am too -- found that doing 9:50am (about last seating) let us do a bunch of rides from 8am -- 9:40 and was a great break before the rest of the day -- never stayed longer than 3:30 at AK. If you haven't spent an evening at the Boardwalk you should try. Dinner at Spoodles or even ESPN then renting a Surry is another of our kids' favorites.

Sun 2/8 - no specific plans, maybe mini golf

Mon 2/9 - MGM Studios bright and early, 4:30 PS at Holly & Vine with the Fantasmic Package, Fantasmic 7:00
***** I'm hoping to go I think this same night -- we're not going to do the Fantasmic this time -- too much extra money (used to be cheaper) and I think we should be ok 30 mins ahead of time.

Tue 2/10 - 10:30 PS at Boma, Disney Quest, Cirque du Soliel 6:00

Wed 2/11 - Magic Kingdom bright and early, Tomorrowland, Toontown and whatever we missed or want to do again from our first MK day, 4:30 PS at Cinderella's, Wishes 7:00

Thu 2/12 - no specific AM plans, 11:15 PS at Chef Mickey's, 5:00 flight back home (insert tears here)

I've still got plenty of time to change things, AGAIN...LOL So, what needs changing? I know I've got some full days, but I figured that we have "rest" days in the middle, and hours are short... I guess we'll see if we hold up. What do YOU think? (I'm a "planaholic" who is trying very hard to be flexible. LOL)

I'm a planaholic too -- have usually had my Palm or an Outlook printout with me -- One year I put a event on each day and called it "Planned Spontaneity." Should be fun -- we'll probaby run into each other. Just thought of it -- if available -- we could share a Pontoon boat for a Illuminations Fireworks cruise -- there is another board for this. We did this about 6 years ago with my cousin and his family -- 11 of us -- it was pretty fun.

Have fun.

 

[jcemom]

apulk -- thanks for the terrific suggestions/advice!
* Magic Kingdom's extra magic hour sounds like something I really should consider, though everyone is already complaining that I am making them get up too early while on vacation!
* I am keeping the Boardwalk in mind also, I think my boys would like it and I think I might like to try the Yacht Club for our next trip and could check the area out to see what I think.
* I have been undecided on the Fantasmic Package -- opinions I've read on whether or not it's needed at that time of year have been mixed, I just thought that we may want to eat at H&V anyway...???
* I was planning to try for an Illuminations cruise at 90 days out, then changed my mind. I wasn't sure how the baby would do...and our kiddos are used to early bedtimes so it would need to be on a day where we could sleep in a bit the next morning...having said that, I would LOVE to do one...LOL

PM on the way!

 

[XStAnt]

JCEMOM,

I think your itinerary looks good. I agree you may want to give some consideration to EMH, but only if you'll take advantage of it. If your kids won't get up early and you won't get to the park by 8:00 am it isn't worth going to the EMH park that day. Plus, I don't think using EMH is "necessary" at that time of year since crowds will be low.

Use FP for the big attractions. Make sure you read up on how to get the most out of FP.

I don't think you'll need a Fantasmic package at that time, but definitely get to Fantasmic 30-45 minutes before the show.

On one of your off days I'd recommend doing the luau at Poly and/or the Hoop De Doo Review at FW. Before that ride the resort monorail and check out the MK resorts.

Now for two bitsof practical advise:

1) Make sure your kids (and you) understand that you will NOT be able to do everything at Disney. Even with low crowds there is just too much to see/do in one visit. It may take you longer to get through one of the parks, someone may need a break during the day, rides may be closed, etc. As long as everyone understands that you won't be able to do everyting then no one will be too disappointed that they missed something. And, it gives you a reason to go back.

2) Have your children make a list of attractions at each park that are must dos, a list that are okay to miss if you don't have time, and a list they'd like to do but the world won't end if they miss it. (Why drag them onto Tom Sawyer's Island if they's rather go on BTMRR?) It will help you plan what rides to do and also help deal with issues if they can't get on something.


Finally, what kind of tickets do you have? If you're getting an UPH you may be paying for more than you need; however, it will allow you to hop into a park for 1 or 2 rides on your day off. Could be handy if the kids get bored on an off day and what to ride SM again or ride something you missed.

If you get a PHP, I'd get at least a 6 day PHP. You have 5 park days planned but a 6th day will let you go on your last day or on one of your off days. Plus, they never expire.

Have fun.

 

[jcemom]

Make sure your kids (and you) understand that you will NOT be able to do everything at Disney.

I think I'm the one struggling with this...LOL I am by nature a "do it all" type of person. DH complains because I am always tacking days onto the beginning and end of vacations to squeeze in something we will be "passing by" on the way to and from...LOL

And, it gives you a reason to go back.

Yep, I'm already planning the next trip, though it will be a long way off. We already have plans for vacation in 2005, so Disney will have to wait until 2006!

Have your children make a list of attractions at each park that are must dos, a list that are okay to miss if you don't have time, and a list they'd like to do but the world won't end if they miss it.

This is a great idea! I will definitely do this!

We have 7 day PHP's. I'm pretty sure we will not use all the days and will save whatever is left for the next trip. I know we will not be able to use all the pluses, but our next trip will be in June and we can use them then for sure!

Thank you!

 

[cristen]

I have a question about early entry.

"You can almost get Fantasyland done by regular park opening"

I thought there were only like 8 rides open during EE. I thought I saw a list that said only Snow White was open that early. So I am wondering, what's the point in EE? I was planning on doing ALOT in those first cople of hours. (I have never been, as you have probably guessed) Can someone please tell me exactly how it works, and if it is worth it. I was planning my whole vacation around the EE days for the parks.

 

[jcemom]

ATTRACTIONS OPEN DURING EXTRA MAGIC HOUR

Magic Kingdom:

Astro Orbiter
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Cinderella's Golden Carrousel
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
"it's a small world"
Mad Tea Party
Main Street Vehicles
Peter Pan's Flight
Snow White's Scary Adventures
Space Mountain
Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Tomorrowland Indy Speedway
Tomorrowland Transit Authority

Epcot:

Spaceship Earth
Test Track
Universe of Energy
Mission: SPACE

Disney-MGM Studios:

Jim Henson's Muppet*Vision 3-D
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Star Tours
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Disney's Animal Kingdom:

Discovery Island Trails
It's Tough to be a Bug!
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
The Tree of Life

This is what I found, I hope it helps!

 

[cristen]

THANK YOU Jcemom!! That was fast!