Comments on 8/24-8/31/03 itin?

[TZMOM]

Well, going w/the FTP 8/24 to 8/31 w/my 13 y.o. DS staying at ASMu. Here's the itin so far - does anyone have any comments? As always, I appreciate any help I can get.

Sunday - arrive at 9:30 - 10:00 a.m. check-in, bus to MK, Monorail to Poly for Tonga Toast, Check out WL & rent watermice. Back to hotel (hopefully room will be ready), unpack, rest, then to DQ for the night. What's the easiest way to get to WL from Poly? Monorail back to TTC then to MK then boat to WL? I wanted to take some boat rides this time - didn't do that last year.

Monday - get to MK as early as a 13 y.o. can - PS at Chef Mickey's at 10:45; Maybe tandem parasailing. Back to hotel for swimming. Back to MK for night for fireworks.

Tuesday - I think we might go to SeaWorld using LYNX. If we feel like it when we get back - hit Epcot (my son's favorite park.)

Wednesday - Epcot EE, 1:15 PS Teppanyaki, take boat to MGM or walk around Boardwalk area?

Thursday - TL in a.m./early p.m. Back to hotel. Cirque de Soleil night at DD 6:00 show.

Friday - AK - PS at Rainforest 2:00 p.m. Back to hotel. Epcot later.

Saturday - MGM to see shows, WWTBM, Raiders, etc. I want to go on RNR & am trying to talk my son into it. 1:30 PS PTC, back to hotel swim/rest. MK for Spectro & FITS.

Sunday - Undecided park - maybe MK - back to hotel at 2:30 or 3:00 p.m. (I think) as our flight leaves at 6:15 p.m.

Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks again Jane

 

[XStAnt]

Your plan certainly hits most highlights. Make sure you do Illuminations at Epcot and Fantasmic at MGM. I didn't see those items specifically noted on your itinerary.

On Sun, I think you should hit a park your first day. Your 13 y/o will probably be itching to go to a park right away. You certainly arrive early enough to get some good park time in that day, and with FTP you've paid for the day. You can do the watermice at WL and/or DQ another day.

On Monday I'm a little confused about the timing of your PS at Chef Mickey's. If you plan to get to MK before breakfast you would probably have to start leaving the park shprtly after 10:00 am to get to CR by 10:45 (I estimate it would take 15 minutes to walk from entrance to MK to restaurant at CR). If you get to MK at 9:00 am you will not have much time for anything. Try making an earlier PS (9:00am?) and then go to MK after breakfast.

Although I don't have kids myself, I suspect a 13 y/o will need fewer afternoon breaks and can stay up a little later. They seem to have so much energy. I'm not saying you should eliminate the pm breaks, I'm just not sure you need it every day. Perhaps you can play it by ear and so how tired he (and you ) are during the day.

You might want to consider doing DQ after the Cirque show. The show will end at 7:30 and you will already be at DD. If you eat dinner before Cirque you would have a few hours to spend at DQ. Of course, you know your DS best and would know how late he could go, etc. I only offer this as a suggestion for making your schedule more efficient, with less travel back and forth around the world.

By the way, definitely convince your DS to do RNRC. Let him know it is very smooth and you don't even realize you went upside down until after the loop. It's great. Try TOT as well.

Have fun.

 

[TZMOM]

Thank you very much for your well thought out comments. We live in Mt. Laurel also - small world - huh?

 

[XStAnt]

It is a small world. I was wondering when I'd run into someone on these boards from nearby.

Last year, DW and I were in Disney and ran into friends of ours. It's very strange seeing someone you know 800 miles from home.

 

[splashfamily]

We have been to WDW the last week of August the past 3 years. Your intineray looks good. You'll need those afternoon breaks to cool down. I can not express enough how hot it is. Get to the parks early and drink plenty of water. My DD 11 got dehyrated last summer.

One thing we love to do at night is to eat around the world in Epcot. We do not make any PS that evening. We start at one country for appetizers continue on to another country for dinner and usually end up in France for dessert. It's fun and everyone gets what they want.
Have a great trip.

 

[Cindy B]

Hi from Cherry Hill! (we're sort of neighbors!)


Yes, I would use that first day, and instead of watermice.. go to a park, it has already been paid for!

As for RnR its fun.. my son at four years old went on it.. and LOVED it! (he is tall for his age!).. My five year old is going on it this year... and is going to love it...

Really its a very fun, very teen ride, so he should appreciate it.


I don't see many rides.. more eating, Boardwalk and other stuff. My kids are a little younger, but they want to do rides, and not sit down dinners/ or shopping. (Especially my son!)

Seaworld is a lot of fun, and I highly recommend it. My kids and husband love Seaworld. Its very peaceful, but the rides are fun as well. Journey to Altantis is my kids personal favorite! There was a second day free option available at SW, you may want to jump down to the SW forum to find more particulars.


My kids are younger, and they don't do naps at all. That is also something to think about.. when they go, they go go go!

Good luck!

 

[cleo]

I would definitely keep DisneyQuest in the morning. It will be packed in the evening.

 

[All Aboard]

Oddly, the official site now has no Spectro on the night of the 30th (despite MK closing at 10pm). If this holds true, this would be the first time within my memory that there was no night parade on the Saturday of Labor Day Weekend at MK. Perhaps it's a glitch. It was listed last week, now gone.