Critique me please... I'm begging!

[shocky5]

Subject to change per release of May and June hours... but here's what I'm planning so far - based off of UG as of now:

Day 1:
check in around 2:30 at Poly
*kids will want to swim
*Head to Epcot
*Teppan Edo's
*Hoping to score an Illuminations cruise for our first night

Day 2:
Back to Epcot
*Eat breakfast at resort - either Kona's or quick service
*Le Cellier - lunch
*Coral Reef - dinner - never been, kids will love the fish

Day 3:
Disney Studios - braving Star Wars Weekend
*Breakfast at resort - Kona's or quick service
*50's Prime Time - lunch
*Sci Fi Diner - dinner - my kids love this place

Day 4:
Animal Kingdom
*Tusker House - breakfast w/ Donald
*quick service - lunch
*O'hana's - dinner and down time at resort in the evening

Day 5:
Blizzard Beach - how long do you think we will stay????
*Breakfast at resort before Blizzard Beach
*quick services the remainder of the day
*Leaving the evening OPEN

Day 6:
Magic Kingdom
*Breakfast at CRT - surprise for DD
*quick services remainder of day - don't want to be tied to any ADR's

Day 7:
Magic Kingdom again
*Breakfast at Crystal Palace
*quick service for lunch
*Chef Mickey's - dinner

Day 8:
Do not have to leave for airport until 3:30! Have no idea what to do on this day! Help?

 

[summermac]

No downtown Disney, at all?

When is your trip? I'm going in June too!

 

[summermac]

Oops, me again. I'd think you'd be done with BB by about 2:00. If nothing else, the crowds will probably be outrageous in June in the middle of the day. Maybe back to the hotel and then downtown Disney that evening?

 

[shocky5]

Summermac - We are going May 28 - June 4. We really enjoy DTD so that would be great if we could include that on the same day we go to Blizzard Beach... if for nothing else than to shop and go to Goofy's Candy!

We have not done the water parks before and that was the ONLY request by DH and I know we will love it - my kids are 'fish' in their own right.

Thank you for your input!

 

[septbaby]

I don't think you'll be able to enjoy both your meals at LeCellier and Coral Reef. I don't think there is enough time to let one fully digest before you eat the next. I'd use that second credit after Blizzard Beach. Beaches and Cream or ESPN club in the Beach Club/Boardwalk area don't take ADRs so you can just show up to eat.

You can eat light enough at PTC/Sci Fi that having those two won't be an issue.

I think taking the kids to Lego at DTD would be cool, but don't think you are really missing out if you skip DTD this trip. Even if you are a big shopper, Disney has plenty of places at the resorts and parks to take your money. Note this said by a non shopper.

By the way there are CS places at BB so you can have a good lunch there. Also there are legendary donuts served there so maybe arrive early and have those for breakfast.

 

[RIPaula]

Noticed you don't have midday down time built into your schedule. Don't know how old your kids are, but my fam always liked a midday swim and rest during hot summer months.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Day 2,3 & 4 you have alot of food going on. We did that on the Deluxe Dinng Plan. I know it's 3 meals a day but it's a lot in my opinion. Make sure the time's of them is spread out.

 

[shocky5]

Thank you for all of the input! It's greatly appreciated! I am reconsidering Coral Reef - so thoughts on that? My kids are 11, 8, and 6 (or will be at trip time - we are in our run of b-days right now, actually). We didn't do much rest time on our first trip 2 years ago and the kids did pretty good - couple of times had one asleep at lunch so we just let them sleep - made for some good pictures!

We are on the Deluxe Dining Plan so I wanted to try to get our money's worth out of that plan and DH likes to eat!

I do think I'm going to try to incorporate Beaches & Cream on the Blizzard Beach Day and hang out at the boardwalk that evening per a pp's suggestion - thoughts on when a good time is to go to Beaches and Cream?

 

[septbaby]

Your kids will really like the full wall aquarium at Coral Reef. A fun meal that is not too babyish for the 11yo. You and your DH will enjoy being served vs buffet too. We had CR for Lunch, we ate everything that was put in front of us including two baskets for bread (there were only 3 of us, yikes). The food was really good. At the time it was the hardest ADR to get as well.

Not sure if you can juggle, but that is one I'd keep for the kids and you'll enjoy the meall too. I guess if you could do CR and LeCellier at say 11ish and 8ish (order not important) you could indeed enjoy both on the same day. Just eat a snack like bfast before leaving the room rather than a full meal.

Finally, I don't see that you've booked a Signature meal (2TS). I can highly recommend Narcoossee's. Our 6yo and lots of other kids were very comfy there as well. We found the food to be plentiful, delicious and the service the best we had at WDW. We didn't have bad servers, but Chevy really did distinguish himself.

I didn't see your note about Day 8 and not leaving until 3:30. If you have a park ticket that would be a good day to eat at Coral Reef. Its also a good day to go to Downtown Disney. I think leaving it open for do overs is a good idea as well. Rain, tummy aches and the like might mean that you want to go back to something you've missed. If you don't have a ticket to cover this day think about adding it. It is usually like $5 to extend for another day. We did this and it gave us time to double back to DHS as we missed characters the night before (characters seem to be gone from there by 6pm).

There are also the Pirate cruises from CBR or GF for the kids. They leave around 9:30am, include a lunch and cost around $30 each.

 

[homerjay316]

I am a Star Wars fan and extended my 2008 trip by one day so I could catch the first day of the first Star Wars Weekend before leaving. I'm glad I did it, but just wanted to offer a few thoughts;

1. If you get to the park early, they have Storm Troopers "guarding" the entrance. They do some comical things and its worth seeing. I don't know if this replaces the normal "rope drop" or if they still do that, too.

2. The park will be full of Star Wars fans doing Star Wars things. You can find info on the different Star Wars activities (including what celebrities from the films and characters will be available to meet) online or get a pamphlet at your resort. There will be lines. Even non-Star Wars activities will have increased crowds.

3. They set up a special gift shop in back for Star Wars merchandise. Its HUGE!!! A lot of what they sell is limited edition Star Wars collectibles, which means big lines!!! I waited in line over an hour, gave up, and jumped out (this was just to get in. There was another line to actually shop). About 3 pm, we were able to walk right in. All the shirts and toys are still there. I was even able to still get the limited edition pins. If you plan to hit this shop, get there first thing, or wait until later after the collectors have already funneled thru.

May The Force be with you.

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

id swap sci fi & 50s prime time... lunch at sci fi has burgers & theyre great. 50s PT is more dinner food to me

 

[Dustmouse]

id swap sci fi & 50s prime time... lunch at sci fi has burgers & theyre great. 50s PT is more dinner food to me

I was about to make the same suggestion for the same reason. Unless you prefer your "big" meal in the middle of the day, I would flip flop.

 

[shocky5]

Thank you thank you thank you! Love all of the suggestions! Finally feel a little more at ease with questions and timing of meals, etc. I knew this place would have the answers I needed!