Considering a change

[EclecticWAHM]

I need some advice. It's our first trip to the World - first family vacation ever! We arrive 7/21. Of course with months to go and planning done there's nothing to do but second-guess what I've planned. So I'm wondering about our first night in Disney.

I get to BWI in the morning and Dh and the kids will arrive at the resort around 3pm. Currently I have dinner ressies at Cape May Cafe then we are planning to go over to MK for the evening to start things off. I'm now wondering if it would be a better idea to have dinner in the park, whether it be a quick service or table service (we have DxDP), or maybe try to get a ressie at Chef Mickeys for early dinner then take the monorail into MK. WWYD? Do we rush off to MK right away after getting settled in the room, or take a little time exploring the Boardwalk and early dinner at Cape May as planned or do something like Chef Mickey???

 

[MinnieLovesMickey]

Stick with your plan. MK should be open late enough that you don't have to rush. This way, everyone gets a chance to relax and explore. Besides, the food at Cape May is probably better than at MK.

P.S. Don't worry, I also have way too much time on my hands. I'm always looking at different restaurants and resorts. I'm never happy until I get down there (even then I'm still debating on changing restaurants).

 

[EclecticWAHM]

Stick with your plan. MK should be open late enough that you don't have to rush. This way, everyone gets a chance to relax and explore. Besides, the food at Cape May is probably better than at MK.

P.S. Don't worry, I also have way too much time on my hands. I'm always looking at different restaurants and resorts. I'm never happy until I get down there (even then I'm still debating on changing restaurants).

Thanks for the advice. I think I have a pretty darn good plan considering I'm a total newb at this, but of course I have to keep tweaking and worrying and second-guessing! There wasn't another restaurant I was dying to try at MK - I'm just thinking more park time...but we have lots of time at MK on our planned day there (with EMH till 2am - thank goodness our kids are older!)

 

[Canyon girl]

Honestly, I would spend some time investigating your resort, eat at Chef Mickey, and then check out the other monorail resorts. I would wait and hit MK the next morning. We always start out with a character meal and some down time before hitting the parks the first morning. Of course, we don't go during the summer time, so it may be better to get some hours in that night. Personally, I like to start MK with an early morning look at the castle!

 

[EclecticWAHM]

Honestly, I would spend some time investigating your resort, eat at Chef Mickey, and then check out the other monorail resorts. I would wait and hit MK the next morning. We always start out with a character meal and some down time before hitting the parks the first morning. Of course, we don't go during the summer time, so it may be better to get some hours in that night. Personally, I like to start MK with an early morning look at the castle!

We definitely want to visit MK that evening if for nothing else than to see the parade and fireworks. Our MK day is a couple days later. Our first morning we're having early breakfast and heading straight for EMH at Blizzard Beach

I'm tempted on Chef Mickey though on the way to MK just because it sounds fun. Our kids are older, so the character meals aren't that important to them, but it sounds fun to ME!

 

[jdisnut]

How exciting to be planning your first trip! Try not to doubt your planning. It sounds like you have things under control, so there's no reason now to worry. You're going to have a magical vacation.

I suggest keeping the plan you have. No need to rush. Travel days are stressful enough. You probably won't want to bolt over to a park immediately after arriving. Have a leisurely dinner at Cape May Cafe, then decide how to proceed. You will be tired enough by the end of the trip. No need to tucker yourself out at the beginning!

 

[EclecticWAHM]

How exciting to be planning your first trip! Try not to doubt your planning. It sounds like you have things under control, so there's no reason now to worry. You're going to have a magical vacation.

I suggest keeping the plan you have. No need to rush. Travel days are stressful enough. You probably won't want to bolt over to a park immediately after arriving. Have a leisurely dinner at Cape May Cafe, then decide how to proceed. You will be tired enough by the end of the trip. No need to tucker yourself out at the beginning!

Good point! It's going to be quite a day for the kids. It will be their first plane ride ever. I wish I could be with them for that, but I'll already be in Orlando. And I'm CERTAIN we will be simply exhausted when it's all over. We're doing a LOT in six days!

Just talked to DH too and he's still loving the clam bake at Cape May idea.

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

I'm always looking at different restaurants and resorts. I'm never happy until I get down there (even then I'm still debating on changing restaurants).

Haha! That sounds like me...I just got all the ADRs that I wanted this morning and I'm already second guessing myself!!

To the OP: I'd stick with your current plan too!!

Have fun!

 

[Leota]

I'd stick with your current plan. Trust me, Chef Mickey's is not that hot. It's great for taking little kids to who want to see characters. But the food is pretty bad & it's extremely chaotic.

Just remember one thing - don't go so commando that you miss out on the little stuff that makes a trip Magical. Our first few trips were before we were online, so we had some guidebooks for general info, but not much (1993) Those trips were awesome because we just wandered around doing whatever we wanted when we wanted. Very relaxing & lots of Magic. I think the info here is great, but sometimes I think we can get carried away with it & think we need to do it all.

 

[srdipert]

Being that it is your first trip I think I would either try to get a TS adr at MK or do a QS meal at MK. If your kids are like mine they are going to be way to excited to eat and they are going to want to get to MK asap.

You could get into the park look around a bit maybe ride a few rides and pull a fast pass somewhere and have dinner and go back to riding. Crystal Palace might be a nice place for dinner.

 

[Brook1099]

Love the CapeMay Clambake, I would stick to your plans they are wonderful.

 

[Twitterpated!]

I think your plan is perfect. Don't change a thing.

I made the mistake of doing Chef Mickey's dinner on the first night of my first WDW family trip and then doing late night MK. I found the food to be subpar and the atmosphere too crowded and crazy. We were not able to recharge properly before embarking on our MK evening.

I would love to hear what the rest of your plans are. It sounds like you have put a lot of thought into your trip! I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[Donop26]

I would stick to your original plan. This is a problem with the 180 + 10 ressies, we make all our reservations and plan everything out six months in advance, and then have six months to second guess and try to change our original plan. I'm in the same boat over here.

With older kids especially, I would not reccommend Chef Mickey's. Food really is not good, the place is really not that clean. The real reason to eat there are the characters, and with older kids, I don't think that is a big issue. Plus, you can wait a long time to get your table even with an ADR.

But really, no matter what you decide, you will have a magical vacation

 

[DLo]

I think you have a good plan (but believe me I understand the second guessing). If there is any kind of delay , you won't feel rushed to get to MK. I have only been to cape may for b'fast but like the atmosphere and character interaction. I would rather be able to take my time than feel rushed especially on your first day after traveling.

 

[stacy6552]

Keep your PS. What if the family is delayed or something? You'll have it if you need it. But then just roll with it. MK has the best counter service on property. If you feel like ditching Cape May and going to MK, then do it. No muss no fuss.

 

[wolf29]

For myself & my kids, we'd be too anxious to get started @ MK to go to Cape May for dinner (GREAT choice for meal however). We usually check into Pop, then get right to MK. I do try and make sure the kids have a good night sleep the night before & a little snooze on the way. We get to a few attractions and usually have dinner @ CP or CM. We leave MK after Wishes and I get everything unpacked while the kids have a bath and get to sleep. If your kids can be patient, your plan is great, it just wouldn't work for us.

 

[EclecticWAHM]

I think your plan is perfect. Don't change a thing.

I made the mistake of doing Chef Mickey's dinner on the first night of my first WDW family trip and then doing late night MK. I found the food to be subpar and the atmosphere too crowded and crazy. We were not able to recharge properly before embarking on our MK evening.

I would love to hear what the rest of your plans are. It sounds like you have put a lot of thought into your trip! I hope you have a wonderful trip!

Thanks I think it's a pretty good plan! I have to say it's been SO much fun for me to do this planning. Since it's our first family vacation I wanted to make sure we got to do a little bit of everything, knowing that in 6 days there's no way we can do *everything*.

I did a PTR if you want to see the whole kit and caboodle: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2426879

 

[EclecticWAHM]

Keep your PS. What if the family is delayed or something? You'll have it if you need it. But then just roll with it. MK has the best counter service on property. If you feel like ditching Cape May and going to MK, then do it. No muss no fuss.

Ohhhh - that's a good point. I didn't even think of them having a flight delay or anything! Thanks

 

[EclecticWAHM]

For myself & my kids, we'd be too anxious to get started @ MK to go to Cape May for dinner (GREAT choice for meal however). We usually check into Pop, then get right to MK. I do try and make sure the kids have a good night sleep the night before & a little snooze on the way. We get to a few attractions and usually have dinner @ CP or CM. We leave MK after Wishes and I get everything unpacked while the kids have a bath and get to sleep. If your kids can be patient, your plan is great, it just wouldn't work for us.

The kids can definitely be patient - they're good about that. It's a nice part, I think, about going with older kids (DD 14 and DS who turns 13 the day after we arrive). I'm excited about going into MK that first night, just for a taste of what's to come. I'm just bouncing off the walls about this trip!!

 

[PiperGirlInWondrland]

I think your plan is perfect! I'd stick with your plan!