Critique our plans, please?--WDW Anniversary Trip (and my first time!)

[Araminta18]

Hello everyone!
My husband and I are heading to DisneyWorld to celebrate our 2nd anniversary! It's my first time ever at DisneyWorld (though I've been to DL a few times when I was little), and my husband's second time, though he was 3 when he went so he doesn't remember anything. This trip was kind of spur of the moment so I wasn't able to book 180+10 for ADRs or anything like that. However, I have booked our FP+ and made a few dining reservations, and was hoping to get some input from all you experienced WDW fans.

Notes:

• We bought 3 day park hopper tickets, so since we only have 2 and a half days in the park, we decided not to go to AK
• We planned our park days around when we were able to get the ADRs
• We're not super interested in the parades or fireworks or anything, so I haven't planned on catching any of those--if we see them we see them, but it's really not a priority
• We have the DDP, so 3 TS credits and 3 QS credits to use apiece. Any eating recommendations and/or must-eat snacks (definitely going to try the Dole Whip!) would be great.

April 7th (Arrival Day/Hollywood Studios):

• Arrive at POFQ around 3ish. Take the bus to Hollywood Studios
• 5pm to 6pm-FP+ Star Tours
• 6:35 to 7:35 FP+ Toy Story Midway Mania
• Great Movie Ride
• 7:35 to 8:35 FP+ Tower of Terror
• Rock n Roller Coaster
• somewhere in between arriving and park close at 9:30, we plan to grab a QS dinner, or splurge on a TS dinner--any recommendations?
• 9:30--Hollywood Studios close; we were thinking of heading over to the Magic Kingdom (which closes at 11) and just soaking in ambience/whathaveyou. Too much?
• back to POFQ

April 8th (Magic Kingdom--EMH 8 to 9am; park closes at Midnight):

• 6:30 am--leave POFQ to make it for rope drop (too early?)
• 8am--Rope Drop
• 9am to 10am--FP+ The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• 10:25 to 11:25--FP+ Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
• Somewhere between 8am and 11:30 am: Barnstormer and Dumbo
• 11:45 am to 12:45 pm--FP+ Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
• Between 11:45 and 2:35--Peoplemover, Tomorrowland Speedway
• 2:35 pm--CRT ADR
• It's a Small World; Haunted Mansion
• Splash Mountain
• Pirates of the Carribbean; Jungle Cruise; Aladdin, Swiss Family Treehouse
• 9:05 pm--Crystal Palace ADR
• Rides that are nice at night--7DMT, any other recommendations for good night rides?
• Head back to POFQ after park close

April 9th (Magic Kingdom in the am/Epcot in the afternoon--MK opens at 9; Epcot closes at 9 pm):

• 6:30 am--leave POFQ to make pre-park ADR (I'm hoping we get let in around 7:45 and can take pics on Main Street, etc)
• 8:30 am--BOG pre-park open ADR (If they give MK EMH from 8 to 9am, we'll drop this reservation) (I'm hoping that we can get in slightly earlier to BOG, maybe 8:15? is this possible?)
• 8:45 am--7DMT before the park opens, since I wasn't able to score a FP+ for it
• 9:15 to 10:15 am--FP+ Peter Pan's Flight
• 11:05 am to 12:05--FP+ Space Mountain
• 12:05 pm--BOG lunch ADR (we'll probably drop this one if we get the pre-park ADR at BOG; I'm keeping it just in case they announce MK EMH. Any QS lunch recommendations in the MK? Doesn't need to be Fantasyland)
• 1:05 pm to 2:05 pm--FP+ BTMRR
• 3pm(ish)--Arrive at Epcot
• Spaceship Earth
• Test Track
• Journey Into Imagination with Figment--Is this a Figment Meet & Greet? Or is there a Figment Meet & Greet somewhere else? This is really the only character Meet & Greet we want to do (outside the restaurant ones).
• Walk around the World Showcase
• Dinner somewhere--any good recommendations?
• After Epcot close at 9 (or whenever we decide we're done walking around the World Showcase), We may head back to MK if we've missed any rides, or for more shopping/just enjoying the MK.
• Back to POFQ

April 10th (Departure Day):

• Sleep in!
• Check out the pool
• Check out at 11 (or later, if possible)
• Disney Springs
• DME back to airport at 2pm

 

[mesaboy2]

No M&G with Figment, sorry. JII is a slow-moving ride.

 

[SFMommy]

On your April 8th day...I would do Under the Sea and Winnie the Pooh during EMH and change those two FP+ to Splash and something else (Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, or Pirates). Unless you plan to try for 4th FP+ after Buzz?

 

[Mainemama]

If you want an ADR in HS, your choices are limited. Prime Time is fun, and will give you a Disney experience. Sci-Fi is also a unique experience, but the food isn't as good. I haven't tried the other restaurants. QS is also not that great in HS. You could consider eating at your resort before you go, and then snacking. I think hitting MK is unrealistic IF you are going to rope drop the next morning. I say stay as late as you want at HS, then check out the resort pool, or take the boat over to the boardwalk for a drink and a stroll.
Other great night rides in MK: Splash Mountain (and usually low waits), Dumbo, and ride that gets you up in the air a bit.
I would skip QS in MK and either stop for lunch at Captain Cooks at the Poly, or even better, wait to eat lunch in Epcot. Plenty of great QS options there. Favorite dinner spots: Sunshine Seasons (quick service), San Angel Inn, Tokyo Dining. There are so many great options!
Figment is NOT a meet and greet. It is a sort of bizarre ride. Enjoyable, quirky, but not top level!
Epcot is my favorite park. I would be prepared to wish you had more time there. MK is wonderful, of course, but for a first time in Epcot, you will not see the whole park in a half day.

 

[mesaboy2]

Nothing wrong with your FPs, but you may want to read up on some strategies and possible other suggestions. Links in my signature below.

 

[Araminta18]

No M&G with Figment, sorry. JII is a slow-moving ride.

Aw bummer. My husband was gonna try and recreate a photo of him crying at the Figment meet & greet when he was three. Oh well And thanks for the pointers to the FP+ FAQs!

On your April 8th day...I would do Under the Sea and Winnie the Pooh during EMH and change those two FP+ to Splash and something else (Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, or Pirates). Unless you plan to try for 4th FP+ after Buzz?

Oh, that's a good idea. We are planning on getting a 4th FP+ after Buzz, but figured we'd decide which fast pass when we saw what the availabilities were at the kiosk. I might keep these two fast passes just in case we are slow with the EMH and are walking around Main Street and just enjoying being there--could I switch those two FP+ on the app if we end up riding both during EMH?

If you want an ADR in HS, your choices are limited. Prime Time is fun, and will give you a Disney experience. Sci-Fi is also a unique experience, but the food isn't as good. I haven't tried the other restaurants. QS is also not that great in HS. You could consider eating at your resort before you go, and then snacking. I think hitting MK is unrealistic IF you are going to rope drop the next morning. I say stay as late as you want at HS, then check out the resort pool, or take the boat over to the boardwalk for a drink and a stroll.
Other great night rides in MK: Splash Mountain (and usually low waits), Dumbo, and ride that gets you up in the air a bit.
I would skip QS in MK and either stop for lunch at Captain Cooks at the Poly, or even better, wait to eat lunch in Epcot. Plenty of great QS options there. Favorite dinner spots: Sunshine Seasons (quick service), San Angel Inn, Tokyo Dining. There are so many great options!
Figment is NOT a meet and greet. It is a sort of bizarre ride. Enjoyable, quirky, but not top level!
Epcot is my favorite park. I would be prepared to wish you had more time there. MK is wonderful, of course, but for a first time in Epcot, you will not see the whole park in a half day.

Thanks for the recommendations! I really appreciate it all. Eating lunch at Epcot sounds like a good idea--all the posts I've been reading sounds like Epcot has the best food in all the parks! We booked our TS meals at the MK more for the experience than the food.

 

[Araminta18]

One more question--I kind of wanted to pick up some SOTMK cards as a souvenir. Is the only place to pick these up at the Firehouse? and can you even get cards each day without playing the game?

 

[mesaboy2]

One more question--I kind of wanted to pick up some SOTMK cards as a souvenir. Is the only place to pick these up at the Firehouse? and can you even get cards each day without playing the game?

There has been a second location for SOTMK cards behind the Christmas shop on Liberty Square, but I'm not sure if that's running anymore. It was mentioned in a recent post that it might be a victim of cutbacks.

I believe you have to play the game at at least one kiosk each day to be eligible for more cards on another day.

 

[SplashMo]

I would stick with the theme of using every available minute in the parks. It is not too much. On April 7th I would grab TS at 50's Prime Time Café. Check it out on the map before you go as it can be difficult to find.

I would check out easywdw.com for touring plans for each day. I think you will find a better plan for MK for April 8th and 9th. If you want to really geek out you can fine tune your plans on touringplans.com. However this can take a few days for a custom plan. They also have pre-made plans. The fourth day you could hit AK from 9AM-NOON and then head back to the hotel. We end our trips this way.

 

[Araminta18]

I would check out easywdw.com for touring plans for each day. I think you will find a better plan for MK for April 8th and 9th. If you want to really geek out you can fine tune your plans on touringplans.com. However this can take a few days for a custom plan. They also have pre-made plans. The fourth day you could hit AK from 9AM-NOON and then head back to the hotel. We end our trips this way.

Is paying for the subscription to touringplans worth it? Their lines app alone seems like it could be really useful, if it actually works/delivers as promised.

 

[kayteekt]

Hello everyone!
My husband and I are heading to DisneyWorld to celebrate our 2nd anniversary! It's my first time ever at DisneyWorld (though I've been to DL a few times when I was little), and my husband's second time, though he was 3 when he went so he doesn't remember anything. This trip was kind of spur of the moment so I wasn't able to book 180+10 for ADRs or anything like that. However, I have booked our FP+ and made a few dining reservations, and was hoping to get some input from all you experienced WDW fans.

Notes:

• We bought 3 day park hopper tickets, so since we only have 2 and a half days in the park, we decided not to go to AK
• We planned our park days around when we were able to get the ADRs
• We're not super interested in the parades or fireworks or anything, so I haven't planned on catching any of those--if we see them we see them, but it's really not a priority
• We have the DDP, so 3 TS credits and 3 QS credits to use apiece. Any eating recommendations and/or must-eat snacks (definitely going to try the Dole Whip!) would be great.

April 7th (Arrival Day/Hollywood Studios):

• Arrive at POFQ around 3ish. Take the bus to Hollywood Studios
• 5pm to 6pm-FP+ Star Tours
• 6:35 to 7:35 FP+ Toy Story Midway Mania
• Great Movie Ride
• 7:35 to 8:35 FP+ Tower of Terror
• Rock n Roller Coaster
• somewhere in between arriving and park close at 9:30, we plan to grab a QS dinner, or splurge on a TS dinner--any recommendations?
• 9:30--Hollywood Studios close; we were thinking of heading over to the Magic Kingdom (which closes at 11) and just soaking in ambience/whathaveyou. Too much?
• back to POFQ

April 8th (Magic Kingdom--EMH 8 to 9am; park closes at Midnight):

• 6:30 am--leave POFQ to make it for rope drop (too early?)
• 8am--Rope Drop
• 9am to 10am--FP+ The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• 10:25 to 11:25--FP+ Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
• Somewhere between 8am and 11:30 am: Barnstormer and Dumbo
• 11:45 am to 12:45 pm--FP+ Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
• Between 11:45 and 2:35--Peoplemover, Tomorrowland Speedway
• 2:35 pm--CRT ADR
• It's a Small World; Haunted Mansion
• Splash Mountain
• Pirates of the Carribbean; Jungle Cruise; Aladdin, Swiss Family Treehouse
• 9:05 pm--Crystal Palace ADR
• Rides that are nice at night--7DMT, any other recommendations for good night rides?
• Head back to POFQ after park close

April 9th (Magic Kingdom in the am/Epcot in the afternoon--MK opens at 9; Epcot closes at 9 pm):

• 6:30 am--leave POFQ to make pre-park ADR (I'm hoping we get let in around 7:45 and can take pics on Main Street, etc)
• 8:30 am--BOG pre-park open ADR (If they give MK EMH from 8 to 9am, we'll drop this reservation) (I'm hoping that we can get in slightly earlier to BOG, maybe 8:15? is this possible?)
• 8:45 am--7DMT before the park opens, since I wasn't able to score a FP+ for it
• 9:15 to 10:15 am--FP+ Peter Pan's Flight
• 11:05 am to 12:05--FP+ Space Mountain
• 12:05 pm--BOG lunch ADR (we'll probably drop this one if we get the pre-park ADR at BOG; I'm keeping it just in case they announce MK EMH. Any QS lunch recommendations in the MK? Doesn't need to be Fantasyland)
• 1:05 pm to 2:05 pm--FP+ BTMRR
• 3pm(ish)--Arrive at Epcot
• Spaceship Earth
• Test Track
• Journey Into Imagination with Figment--Is this a Figment Meet & Greet? Or is there a Figment Meet & Greet somewhere else? This is really the only character Meet & Greet we want to do (outside the restaurant ones).
• Walk around the World Showcase
• Dinner somewhere--any good recommendations?
• After Epcot close at 9 (or whenever we decide we're done walking around the World Showcase), We may head back to MK if we've missed any rides, or for more shopping/just enjoying the MK.
• Back to POFQ

April 10th (Departure Day):

• Sleep in!
• Check out the pool
• Check out at 11 (or later, if possible)
• Disney Springs
• DME back to airport at 2pm

We did our first adults only trip this past fall. We so enjoyed!!

A few suggestions on food, that's always the most important to my hubby HS...Brown Derby all the way! Esp if you're on deluxe dining and have 3 credits a day.
For MK, personally we wouldn't pick Crystal Palace for just us...but of course that's up to yall. I would suggest something on the monorail. Epcot anything around world showcase, but def do a dinner there, our faves the chefs de france, le cellier, biergarten, either mex restaurant.
Enjoy!!

 

[Araminta18]

There has been a second location for SOTMK cards behind the Christmas shop on Liberty Square, but I'm not sure if that's running anymore. It was mentioned in a recent post that it might be a victim of cutbacks.

I believe you have to play the game at at least one kiosk each day to be eligible for more cards on another day.

Thanks! I'll have to factor in time to play the game a bit--the cards look like a really neat souvenir.

We did our first adults only trip this past fall. We so enjoyed!!

A few suggestions on food, that's always the most important to my hubby HS...Brown Derby all the way! Esp if you're on deluxe dining and have 3 credits a day.
For MK, personally we wouldn't pick Crystal Palace for just us...but of course that's up to yall. I would suggest something on the monorail. Epcot anything around world showcase, but def do a dinner there, our faves the chefs de france, le cellier, biergarten, either mex restaurant.
Enjoy!!

Just made a reservation at the Brown Derby! We picked Crystal Palace more 'cause it looked like it'd be a neat place to eat, inside the glass and everything. The reviews for dinner seem to be mixed, but it seemed like the experience itself might be worth it?

 

[scrapquitler]

You asked about which rides are fun to ride at night in the MK. We love Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at night, and I think that 7 Dwarfs is a much better ride at night than during the day. Oh, and we like the view of Tomorrowland at night from the TTA.

And you asked about QS in MK....our two favorites are Cosmic Rays, not for the food, but because we enjoy watching the show while we eat. And we like Columbia Harbor House, and we always go upstairs to sit, it's fairly quiet and relaxed.

 

[danceteachermom]

Busy but good detailed plans. You are smart to have plans and not just wander like many first time visitors do.

I second Big Thunder at night as a good option.

If you do not want character meet and greets at Crystal Palace, I would not go there for dinner. Take the monorail to the Polynesian instead and try Kona. I also like Columbia Harbor House for a QS option at MK.

Your days seem jam packed and really long. Just stay open to responding to how you are feeling and taking a break if needed.

Expect a very long line at Test Track with Soarin down.

Have a great time!

 

[ArielSRL]

Another vote for Columbia Harbor House!

 

[SplashMo]

Is paying for the subscription to touringplans worth it? Their lines app alone seems like it could be really useful, if it actually works/delivers as promised.

It is worth it. I think it is free or reduced cost if you get the book the Unofficial Guide to WDW. I think the touring plans are still free... However it is really nice on the MK days to fine tune them with their app. However it does have some time investment.

 

[Araminta18]

You asked about which rides are fun to ride at night in the MK. We love Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at night, and I think that 7 Dwarfs is a much better ride at night than during the day. Oh, and we like the view of Tomorrowland at night from the TTA.

And you asked about QS in MK....our two favorites are Cosmic Rays, not for the food, but because we enjoy watching the show while we eat. And we like Columbia Harbor House, and we always go upstairs to sit, it's fairly quiet and relaxed.

Thank you! I'll add BTMRR to our possible night time plans. And thanks for the restaurant recommendations!

Busy but good detailed plans. You are smart to have plans and not just wander like many first time visitors do.

I second Big Thunder at night as a good option.

If you do not want character meet and greets at Crystal Palace, I would not go there for dinner. Take the monorail to the Polynesian instead and try Kona. I also like Columbia Harbor House for a QS option at MK.

Your days seem jam packed and really long. Just stay open to responding to how you are feeling and taking a break if needed.

Expect a very long line at Test Track with Soarin down.

Have a great time!

Sounds like Columbia House is definitely a place to try!

Yea, the days are super packed, but we're totally ok if we don't accomplish everything--we just don't want to be wasting time standing around trying to figure out where to go or what to do. Rather have a plan we don't follow than not have a plan and waste time when we were ready to be knocking rides out.

And thanks for the other tips--I'll have to see about getting a fast pass for Test Track.

Another vote for Columbia Harbor House!

Thanks!

It is worth it. I think it is free or reduced cost if you get the book the Unofficial Guide to WDW. I think the touring plans are still free... However it is really nice on the MK days to fine tune them with their app. However it does have some time investment.

Thank you! I was just on the site and saw they had a satisfaction guarantee, so I think I'll try it!

 

[Karin1984]

On the 7th, if you go to MK till 11, you will probably be back at the resort around midnight, leaving then around 6:30 the next day sounds too short for the day you have planned next. Same for the following night. It would be too much for me.

I would also agree to looking into your FP on the 8th. For 2 adults, there must be something better out there. You have many kiddie rides in the morning exactly like most families with young children will tour. Check indeed easywdw.com and touringplans.com for a touring plan.

Other question, on the 8th. Where will you have breakfast? If it's at the hotel and you leave at 6:30am, it is extremely long till your lunch at 2:35pm.

For the 9th, I wouldnt park hop back and forth. You have plenty MK time scheduled.

 

[pa. dad]

epcot may take longer than you think- it's big. Mission space, soarin if its open, living with the land and the seas are all very worthwhile in future world also. I don't think epcot can be done in half a day.
I love the mk too but I think there may be more unique attractions at epcot than some of the lesser MK offerings and I would like to spend an equal amount of time at each park.

 

[kayteekt]

Thanks! I'll have to factor in time to play the game a bit--the cards look like a really neat souvenir.



Just made a reservation at the Brown Derby! We picked Crystal Palace more 'cause it looked like it'd be a neat place to eat, inside the glass and everything. The reviews for dinner seem to be mixed, but it seemed like the experience itself might be worth it?

When we eat there we do breakfast or lunch, would not waste a dinner on it. Our reason to go in first place is to take kids for characters, so depends if it's important to you.

Does sound like some long days, but your 2 adults for a quick trip. So, why not...if that's what you want to do. Plus, we like to use our TS meals as breaks. Gets you off your feet for an hour or two and you can relax in the AC.