Count Down Begins

[THE COLONEL]

OK, Seats booked with Virgin, passports renewed, overnight acom sorted, school informed of daughters absence.

We are flying on Feb 13th and returning on Feb 23rd. What seemed like a good idea when I booked last February soon lost some gloss when having purchased Simons book discovered something called Presidents Day. Big mistake in not buying the Bible first but such is life.Everybody makes mistakes which is why God puts rubbers on top of pencils.

Presidents Day falls on February 17th next year so slap bang in the middle of our holiday. I am somewhat alarmed at talk by our US colleagues of Presidents Week!!!!!

How much of a mistake have I made here? Biggest fear is that we get caught up with those who arrive pre holiday and then those who stay post holiday. My daughter is 6 and its her first time. I am fearful that an experience that may in itself by a little overpowering will be spoilt by huge crowds.

I have tenously cobbled together a plan of campaign and would appreciate any words of wisdom (based around 5 day hopper plus)

13 Feb (Thursday) Arrive, familiarsise with hotel, essential supplies , sleep.
14 Feb (Friday) Magic Kingdom (suspect I will have no choice in this) find a newsagent for valentines day card !
15 Feb (Saturday) Sea World
16 Feb (Sunday) MGM or Animal Kingdom
17 Feb (Mon) Thank you George Washington! why couldnt you be born in August. Typhoon Lagoon and shopping
18 Feb (Tuesday) Magic Kingdom again! (its a small world still echoing in my head)
19 Feb (Wednesday) Universal (no Caitlin thats definitely not a real shark, trust daddy)
20 Feb (Thursday) Epcot (with hopefully the Princess breakfast)
21 Feb (Friday) MGM or Animal Kingdom
22 Feb (Saturday) Fly back tonight so take in on wifes orders the Titanic Experience, water park and shopping

How much of the above is wishful thinking in avoiding crowd lock. I accept it will be busy but the 2 key days that make or break the whole holiday are the 2 slots for Magic Kingdom. All the rest is incidental and can be built around these days.

We have been in June previuosly but in pre daughter days so how bad in comparison will this time be.

Just read back the above and dont feel that a holiday in Orlando can have the word "bad" in it but hopefully you know what I mean!

 

[BevS97]

With a 5 day pass, that looks pretty good. I would be inclined to get a 7 day, because in my mind you can never have too many disney days especially with a 6 year old.

I agree go straight to MK - you can't do 'anything' until you have done this.

My only concerns are that your 2 MK days are both right around that holiday weekend, I think I would add one towards the end of your trip. We go to MK 5 or more times in 2 weeks, with my dd (she's 4), but not always for the whole day. It is not a bad idea to start at MK early then when it gets busy hop on the monorail over to Epcot - I find Epcot is so big that it can deal with the crowds much better than MK. Remember with those hopper passes you can skip around however you like, so if you've been to AK, and decide afterwards that you really need to do Buzz Lightyear one more time, there is nothing to stop you going back to MK for the evening.

Depending on how brave your dd is, I would consider skipping Universal - it's a cool park for teens, but there is not a lot for little one's, my dd liked Barney, but that was about it.

Bev

 

[Olaf]

Looks like a great trip. I wouldn't worry too much about the President's Day Week crowds. I mean it's going to be nothing like the Spring Break or Christmas crush. I also agree with Bev's suggestion to give Universal a pass. I've never been, but my sister-in-law took her two ds (age 7 & 5) and they were very unimpressed. We're holding off on that park until DS is a little older.

Where are you staying? I know, I'm being nosey, but I'm a Yank and it's expected of me.

 

[THE COLONEL]

Thanks Bev. Personally preferred MGM to Universal anyway. One more day at the Magic Kingdom it is then and a 7 day pass.

We are staying at the Amerihost which is another cause for slight concern as it seems to change hands regularly and has lost its Virgin flagship status after we had booked on the understanding it was a flagship.

 

[BevS97]

I think it's a good idea - the 7 day pass will give you extra flexibility and you won't feel under pressure

'this is our only day to do MK and you will enjoy it, or else' etc etc with more time you have the freedom to take your time and if you are tired you can relax and take it easy knowing you can come back later on.

I once overheard a dad saying to his kid at 8am ' right, we are in this park for 12 more hours, and I don't want to hear any more arguing' i thought, oh my - as much as I love the parks, I would hate to feel trapped there all day. (but I digress...)

I have never heard anything bad about the Amerihost - have you tried searching on the hotel board?

bev

 

[WDWfan uk]

You might be interested in this thread on the CB for further info regards President's Week:
<b>Click here</b>