Comments on itinerary, advise and Suggests on our 1st WDW trip with DD's 5 & 7

[Quadman]

Of so technicalliy not my 1st trip.....I was at WDW for about 6 hrs when I was 17 with some firiends of mine.

So now....8 days and 7 nights from Aug 11-17, at AKL,with my wife and celebrating both my DD's (ages now 4&6) while at Disney.

This borad has been TOO valuable......EVERYTHING sounds soooo good, and soo much fun. I know I am more excited than anyone else in the family...partially because they don't know just how much fun there could be....

But now I fear I've planned too much, I'm hoping that some of you could take a moment to look at http://www.lizem.com/html/disney.html and let me know if you think Im going to be looking for too much of the little ones, and where are unplanned park time "The Question marks" would be best spent considering the possible heat and crowds.


Thanks for looking.....

Less than 6 weeks left.........

 

[wdw4us2]

At least you're organized!

One thing you should keep in mind - Florida in August is brutal as far as the weather is concerned. Your kids will tire out faster than at home, be sure to keep well hydrated. We live in Florida and have a hard time dealing with the heat at WDW at times.

As far as the story telling at AKL, your kids will probably have enough after one or two times - ours did. This time might be better spent resting up for the next day's activities - just a thought.

Remember the golden rule when travelling with little ones in the parks - don't walk when you can ride! In other words, if Mickey's ToonTown is your first planned stop in MK, take the train there or take a Main Street Vehicle to the hub in front of the Castle. It may not seem like much, but those rests add up with the kids. Same thing at Epcot - if you're going to World Showcase, take one of the Friendship boats instead of walking out there. It's quite a ways from Future World to WS.

You'll really enjoy AKL - it's very kid-friendly. Have a great trip!

 

[XStAnt]

IMO, you're a little over ambitious. You have a lot of breakfasts and dinners planned. That may be difficult with your kids who won't understand why they have to leave a park to go to dinner. Also, you often have a meal in one park but your activities are in another. For example, on 8/12 you have the Princess Breakfast in Epcot but then go to MK he rest of the morning. Why not stay in Epcot. That way you don't waste time traveling.

You have plenty of MK time but not enough of the other parks. You have nothing planned for AK, and certainly not enough for MGM.

My suggestion, FWIW, is to do MGM on your check-in day. On 8/12 do Epcot in the am after the Princess Breakfast. 8/15 is AK early entry. Since it looks like your kids will be in bed early the night before (while you go to Cirque) why not do early entry for AK, and do Typhoon Lagoon in the pm.

What to do on "Mom's Day" with you and the girls is an interesting dilema. Your girls will probably want to do a park, and you probably will not have gotten too much done at MGM and Epcot. Is there a park your wife wouldn't mind missing?

While I hate to sound negative, I would try to squeeze in more park time and fewer character meals. They are absolutely great, but if it's your first time in Disney you should spend the bulk of your time in the parks.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[susy]

I had a really hard time following your plan on paper. It makes me wonder how it will go in "real life"! It sounds like a little too much. you need to simplify it. Breaks are a must. I live in FL and today went on a field trip with my DS to Miami Seaquarium. OMG!! I thought we were going to die of heatstroke! I suggest doing the Early Entry every day if you are early risers anyway, take a pool /nap break after lunch and then go back to the parks around 5ish. do a non-EE park at night.

 

[jordanyosh]

Great spreadsheet. Nicely planned and organized. You are right in coming to WDW websites and asking questions; it will save you alot of headaches. Just as a reminder that most ,if not all, the posters here are WDW fans. Although for the most part we remain fair, we also tend to hype the Disney experience. That sometimes leads to unrealistic expectations by some folks who visit WDW. Disney is fantastic, but even they may(or may not) make an error here and there. Don't let that taint your view of a great organization.....Okay enough pontificating......

I agree with the other posters in saying that you may be overextending yourself a little. Especially when you park hop. Not that it can't be done, but with 2 small children park-hopping Monday 3 times might be tiring....I also suggest that if you are going to World Showcase for Princess breakfast, you stay in Epcot for the rest of the morning. You have both waterparks down. I would maybe opt for one, but not both. It will free up more time for the theme parks as someone else pointed out.

On Wed. you could do MK in the am since you will be at the Crystal Palace for breakfast. Oops, back to tuesday, if you didn't do a waterpark that am, you could do MK in the am as well. then that afternoon, you may have a little more downtime to get ready for the HDDR at 5. Back to Sunday, you have some time in the afternoon to explore a park. Why not visit AK since you are there and going to be eating at the Rainforest Cafe anyway.

On Thursday, you have TL then what looks like alone time with each of your daughters, then back to the hotel, then to the Poly for dinner at Ohana, then the MK,. then the fireworks cruise. Lots of going back and forth. YOU ARE AWESOME PARENTS for doing special things for each of your DDs. TL is fine in the Am, but then I would go back to the hotel and rest. Sun and waterpark fun=tired folks. Then do your DD time and just meet up at the Poly for dinner. IF you have time, you may have some time for a short visit to MK before your fireworks cruise. After dinner, you may just want to let the DDs run around the Poly grounds as you parents check out the resort for your next WDW trip.

Well i will stop now and let others continue....hope this helps

 

[michygoomy]

Your itinery is pretty cool! What did you publish it with?

I agree with some of the other comments--less structured meals, less hopping around. Early mornings evenings at the parks and afternoon breaks. Your kids would probably enjoy Animal Kingdom very much, try to get a little more of it in.
Maybe run over there when you first check in? That's what we plan to our afternoon arrival.

How about some time at Downtown Disney? I bet your kids could spend an hour just in the Lego store, we did.

I'm also going in August for the same amount of time. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Quadman]

Thanks for all the comments, seems like I should have added a few commenst of my own as some of the basis for some of my thinking.

The schedule although looking structured in stone....ain't. I just felt that after reading all the info on this board about PS's and finding out that I cound NOT have breakfast at the castle or a birthday Illuminations cruise, I best set things up with WDW in stone, with the intention of 'chisiling' away at it, and dropping things off as 'we' decided, as opposed to being disappointed many more times. I will cancel what we decide not to keep as the week goes on. Best to spend the cancellation fee for not eating than feeling tired, run ragged, and paying the full amount.

Also we are still planning on adding the silver wish package, and I was trying to get the 'most for my money', but it may just not be worth it. We will have 56 wishes to use, and franklyI dont think it makes sense to use the bulk of them on "Specially Created Disney Merchandise", I know we will be buying our share, but buying them with wishes just don't make good dollar sense to me, am I wrong? So in the end is the wish package worth it with Kids this age?

The 'purple' time represents just 'fun time', the bulk of this 'fun time' no park has yet been decided, and thanks for the tips on trying to stay in a park once you're there.

My youngest is a pretty young 4 (even though shes a few weeks shy of 5....:>) and most days we will try to end with her and her mother (or possibly all of us) heading back earlier than planned, the 'plan' kinda accomodates that (Liz is the younger).

My DD6 turns 7 on the 12, and desprately wanted to see the princesses for breakfast at the castle, but this was kinda last minute (less than 60 days anyway) so that was out of the question, but the breakfast at Epcot was the alternative. The problem I have is that DD's (one being a B-Day girl that day) want to see the castle and the MK as their first 'park experience', NOT EPCOT!!

So...... A park Hoppin we will go......at least for that event (is this goofy?), but I am with you all...................

Less PS's huh.....OK, Im with ya, but then Ive got three questions....

What should we (or should we not at all) spend our as of yet unpurchased wishes on, if not mostly down meals?

When 'cutting out' character meals and events like the Hoop-Dee-Do review.....what would you all cut......what is most 'memorable' for two little girls on their first trip?

Would renting a car and driving ourselves provide more flexability and more 'down time' with kids this age. Taking a shuttle from the airport to the resort and back would be more comfirtable on the dep and arrival days, but so what.... if I can make the week easier.

Thanks fer listening again.....

By The Way.......Anyone interested in sharing the MK Fireworks cruise we've got? Free cake!!!!

 

[Quadman]

And opps.....I almost forgot, someone asked how I published the itinerary... I just used excel and selected save as "Web Page" then uploaded the page to my websote.

Hope that helps.....

 

[michygoomy]

Thanks for the Excel tip! I just published my 10-page worksheet as a web page and it looks really cool. Don't have anywhere to load it, but it looks neat!

As for the suggestion about the two water parks--I have both on my itinerary, including on our first two full days. I even have us going back to both if we want too. We've skipped them every other time, and I hear they are a blast and we can spend hours and hours even in our local water park. With 7 days of WDW, I figure, why not?

We also plan to go to Pleasure Island our first night. Haven't been there since our honeymoon. I think the kids will enjoy it (DS10 and DD7).

 

[Quadman]

michygoomy

Dont know if your comfortable with this but if you'd like me to put it up at my page under your name I'd be happy to.

Just email it to me at quadman_rm@hotmail.com

quadman_rm@hotmail.com

Take care......

 

[XStAnt]

What should we (or should we not at all) spend our as of yet unpurchased wishes on, if not mostly down meals?

I never felt the silver add on package with the magical wishes was worth it. I never feel like I'll eat enough big/expensive meals to justify the price. Others feel they do and some like the convenience of not having to worry about money, etc. on their vacation.

However, I believe you can use your wishes for Cirque, as well as some other shows.

When 'cutting out' character meals and events like the Hoop-Dee-Do review.....what would you all cut......what is most 'memorable' for two little girls on their first trip?

Between HDD and the Luau it's a tough call. I've never done HDD but everyone I've talked to has loved it (including some skeptical, hate everything Disney Dads I know). The luau is a blast.

I think I would have only two character breakfasts--the Princess breakfast your first morning and Chef Mickey's your last morning. The other mornings I would just have a quick breakfast at AKL unless you were up early or had extra time.

You may also want to skip one of the dinners if your having fun in a park. You have the right idea: better to make the PS and pay a cancellation fee if your exhausted.

Would renting a car and driving ourselves provide more flexability and more 'down time' with kids this age. Taking a shuttle from the airport to the resort and back would be more comfirtable on the dep and arrival days, but so what.... if I can make the week easier.

Renting a car probably won't save you much time, except for going to DTD. By the time you leave one park, grab a tram to your car, drive to the next park, park the car, and take a tram to the gate you would already be inside if you used Disney transportation.

I think your going to be fine. You have the right idea to make your kids the priority and to remain flexible. Just keep in mind you won't be able to see all of Disney in one trip. That just gives your family a reason to go back.

 

[drogerstn]

Tuesdays are known to be busy days for the MK in the summer.

Best Days to Visit WDW Theme Parks--TouringPlans.com

There are several good attractions for kids in EPCOT.

You are throwing away prime park time by eating breakfast at 8:05am in Crystal Palace on an EE day.

 

[jordanyosh]

To answer some more of your questions:

To rent or not to rent---the saga continues. Since you are not going off site, you may not need a car. One thing you must realize is the Disney Transportation is not an express service. It is provided so you don't have to drive, not to get you from one place to another quickly. Just something to keep in mind. If you are the type who wants to get from point A to point B quickly, you may not(or may) be satisfied with Disney Transportation. Also the
Disney system is convenient, but not when trying to go from resort to resort. So that's another thing to consider

We did a plan once similiar to wishes. Use them on meals like you are doing. Maybe just try and coordinate locations of meals with where you will be that day. For instance, on one day you have
Chef Mickey's for Breakfast, day with your DDs and Luau for dinner and then over to EPCOT. Instead of the Luau, maybe a dinner at one of the World Showcase restaurants......Chef M's for breakfast, MK with your girls an early dinner at MK then head over EPCOT....several workable scenarios that won't have you running around just to make your PS.

 

[Quadman]

Originally posted by drogerstn
Tuesdays are known to be busy days for the MK in the summer.

Best Days to Visit WDW Theme Parks--TouringPlans.com

There are several good attractions for kids in EPCOT.

You are throwing away prime park time by eating breakfast at 8:05am in Crystal Palace on an EE day.

There ya go drogerstn, thats the kind of advise we need.....>Thanks....

Anyone else.... <---- Love these little guys....:>

 

[Quadman]

Originally posted by jordanyosh
To answer some more of your questions:

To rent or not to rent---the saga continues. Since you are not going off site, you may not need a car. One thing you must realize is the Disney Transportation is not an express service. It is provided so you don't have to drive, not to get you from one place to another quickly. Just something to keep in mind. If you are the type who wants to get from point A to point B quickly, you may not(or may) be satisfied with Disney Transportation. Also the
Disney system is convenient, but not when trying to go from resort to resort. So that's another thing to consider

Ya know.....it's really not the same saga.....It's just a little bit of wondering out loud which would be easier for tired kids. I mean I could see that taking Disney Transport to an event or to the parks would be a blast!! But I just wonder if trying to leave the Contemporary after the MK Fireworks cruise would be easier by car. I mean renting a car does not mean we are dedicated to driving it, just using it when it makes it easier. Im just wondering if there are instances where it is easier.

I could drive the car to the Contemporary (or other locations for post fun pick up) during the kids downtime in the afternoon, take disney transport for our evening out, do the cruise, get in the car and drive back to AKL. Is this just nutts or does it make some sense. I wonder if it will make the kids late night travel time more tolerable.

 

[FloridaCat]

If you have not done so, go to the Disney main page and download the park maps. PDF version. You need to factor in crowd time and travel time. Plus the two DS are going to need a nap at some point. It is not a matter of jumping on a bus for a five minute ride. Disney is bigger then a lot of counties.

It has been my experience to plan what is the most important to do and if there is time left to do something else. It is like a bonus. If you plan to do and see everthing at WDW, you are going to go home dissappointed.
,I live here and it in most cases you can't do a park in one day during the summer. Then to spend time in bus lines and rides decreases it even more.

The only time we hop parks if we want to see a special attraction like fireworks at MK after being in Epcot all day.

PS's are a handicap and we only make them for one or two places that we want to try or like. Otherwise your going to spend the day looking at your watch and be 5 minuets late and it is gone. A locals opinion is the food is not that great. There are better places outside the park at more reasonable cost..
Our plan has always been a light breakfast, snack during the day and have a sit down dinner in the eveining. CP at MK is a good one for the little guys.
The best advice you are being given by the majority is to go to one park and stay there. We have a four day pass and staying at WL. We will do one park a day and return to the lodge, plus one day is resort day where we catch our breath and enjoy the resort.

 

[Quadman]

Thanks FloridaCat..... Im beginning to heed the common advice

 

[jordanyosh]

Disney Transportation will be toughest when you leave a park as it is closing. You may have extended waits to get back to your resort.

Also you are correct when you say the convenience factor and late night kid convenience of having a car. You are thinking of your kids and their needs late at night when they're tired. So no you are not crazy and it does make sense. You are just being a considerate parent....

We always rent a car and this year with 13 people going, we have 2 vans......you may do better with a car. Better safe than sorry.

Good luck with your continued planning....

 

[mouseketeerwannabe]

Quadman,
We took our daughter to WDW for the first time when she was 5. It is a wonderful age because at 5 the characters are absolutely, positively, REAL. I haven't seen anyone else mention that you should consider renting a stroller for your 5 year old and get a double one if the 7 year old is small enough to still fit. Over on the Family board this subject is discussed frequently and almost everyone agrees that strollers save the day. We rented one at
ALL the parks when our daughter was 5. We could move faster that way and she didn't get tired and cranky. She is 13 now and we've been to WDW 9 times with her. I just asked her what she remembered liking the most at 5. She said she still remembers that she LOVED the princesses. And she loved the special breakfasts with the characters. She also couldn't get enough of the resort pool and Fantasy Land. It looks like the only really cool thing you're missing is eating in the castle. It might be possible to snag PS for lunch or dinner there. Your daughter will love the Storybook Princess breakfast. That's where my daughter ate breakfast on her 13th birthday!

Have fun. I'm very impressed with your spreadsheet. I have one question. How do you get VIP seating for Illuminations. Does it come with a package?

 

[Quadman]

mouseketeerwannabe

Thanks for your comments. I am thinking seriously about the stroller(s), in fact I've been working on DS7, preparing her for the sheer size and heat, we've been going for walks in the evening (a new 'get ready' event for us) and she has already agreed to doin the stroller thing.

I was actually thinking about buying two cheap umbrella strollers, travelling down with them, using them, and then just leaving them at the resort (abandonment!!!) but then I was reading on another board (yes, there are others, but they are a mere distraction compared to this board....LOL) that you could go to lost and found and buy 'cheap quality' umbrella strollers for about 10 bucks (IS THIS TRUE?? Has any one else heard about this, is it worthwhile to do??), apparently left behind from people like me who came up with the first part of the idea. The cost of renting a double is prety high, what is it, $15.00 per day?? times seven days (ok, so we may not NEED one every day for the kids, but as a pull along baggabe carrier it would be nice too!)

Oh and to answer your question about the VIP plans, they come as a NON wish extra with the silver wish package..... makes the plan that much more difficult to decide on. I dont think the plans are really meant to stand up to financial scrutiny. I told my wife that if we didnt do the wish package we could probably save $ 1000.00 or so, but we are not going to go on a vacation for the kids to save money now are we......:>