Disney experts, check out this first-timer's itinerary! Please!

[AussieAngel]

Looking for some helpful Disney experts!!

This is our first trip to Disney, and we're very excited! It will be my BF (27) and me (25), and we've started planning our day itineraries. Because it's our first trip though, we don't want it to be too prescribed - still leaving some time for fun things we find along the way, or afternoon naps if we're exhausted!

We have Park Hopper tickets (with water parks and more), and will be there from September 5th to 11th, with free dining. For each park, we've made a list of the rides and attractions we really want to do, and the ones we wouldn't mind doing, if time allows.

So here's our itinerary so far...

* Arrive in Orlando, Tuesday 6th at 4pm - Check in to Pop, have a relax, buy Pal Mickey (hehee!), have a big look around Pop, have a bite to eat at the Pop food court, and a big sleep!

* Wednesday - MGM Studios - Lunch ADR at Sci-Fi Dine In, 12.30pm. Not sure if we'll stay all day at MGM until Fantasmic at 8.30pm, and have a CS meal somewhere in MGM, or if we'll head back to Pop for an afternoon break, then back to MGM for Fantasmic. Any suggestions?

* Thursday - Magic Kingdom - Lunch ADR at The Plaza, 12.40. Dinner ADR at Boma, 7pm. If we make it back in time, we'll watch Wishes at 10pm. Do you think we'll make it without rushing our Boma dinner?

* Friday - Kennedy Space Center day trip - Dinner ADR at Ohana, 8.45pm (Still haven't decided whether to change this ADR to the Grand Floridian Cafe!)

* Saturday - EPCOT - Lunch ADR at Le Cellier, 12.40pm. Again, we don't know if we'll stay the whole day, have dinner at a CS in Epcot, then watch IllumiNations at 9pm, or have an afternoon break back at Pop. What would you recommend?

* Sunday - Animal Kingdom - Dinner ADR at Spoodles, 7pm. Then, head to Pleasure Island for a drink (or three or four... )

* Monday - Blizzard Beach, and ??? - Dinner ADR at 50's Prime Time, 7pm. This is our day we haven't quite decided on. It's our last day. We're thinking Blizzard Beach might take the morning, but then can't decide on what to do in the afternoon. Our options are...
- Head to Typhoon Lagoon
- Head back to the park we liked the best for another play
- Head to Downtown Disney for another explore
- Back to Pop for a relax
Are there any more options you can think of? Or if not, which one would you choose?! We're happy to just wait and see what we feel like on the day, but I would love to hear some expert opinions on what to do on our last afternoon!

Any other suggestions / ideas for our itinerary? I know we'll probably get there and our planning will go out the window, but it's just so much fun to plan now! Hehee!

Thanks everybody!!

Wow, this was a long post...

 

[mikymouse]

Maybe consider doing Boma's the day you go to Animal Kingdom. It is a very short bus ride (5 minutes) from AK to AKL. The Animal Kingdom Lodge is beautiful so you might enjoy going a bit earlier for your dinner reservation to check out the lobby or get a cocktail at Victorian Falls (overlooking Bomas) and the pool bar is also very nice (just outside of Bomas). They also have many places to view the animals, we liked the little porch with rocking chairs in the back of the lobby to the left). We loved our dinner at Boma's .... ask to speak to the Chef TJ.. he is very nice and might make you a yummy surprize. Have a great trip!

 

[Chuck65]

Sounds like you have an excellent plan there Aussie My advice is to be flexible. Our favorite park is MK, so we wound up there about every night. Just seeing Tink flying out of the Castle was a great way to end the day. Most importantly.................Have Fun and congrats on your first trip

 

[RebeccaLovesDisney]

Sounds like you've got a great trip planned! You are going to WDW at a great time of year as far as crowds go. September is one of the least busy times at WDW. You're smart to allow a lot of "wiggle room" in your schedule to adjust according to how you feel. September temperatures in Orlando are still pretty hot so that may be a consideration.

One thing I would suggest as far as meal planning goes would be to plan dinners close to the park you'll be visiting that day. As the previous poster suggested, you could go to Boma at AKL following you AK day. And to ensure being able to see Wishes at MK on Thursday (definitely worth it!), you could do Ohana that day as well, a short monorail ride from the MK. Just cuts down on travel time around WDW.

I know you'll have a great time!

 

[DisneyJade]

AussieAngel... since my last trip to Disney was with a boyfriend and we are the same age as you, I thought I'd share a little "couples" input with you that might affect your itinerary.

***First of all, I would plan more time at AK!!!!! We, too, scheduled the least amount of time in that park, thinking it didn't have as many attractions, etc..
It turned out to be our favorite park with the most opportunity for relaxed, romantic "couple" time. There are lots of little nooks and crannies.. places to just wander through holding hands or benches to cuddle on while watching the monkeys play... etc. We REALLY wished we'd spent more time there... but since we saved it for the end (like you have), we had no choice but to go home.

***Secondly, remember to be FLEXIBLE!!! Unless you are both power-tourists on exactly the same page, you might want to "un-plan" parts of your days. Personally, I love a schedule.. but it turned out my boyfriend was looking for more spontenaity on our trip. It was our first anniversary and he felt we spent so much time riding, rushing, lining up and eating that we didn't really get to relax and actually celebrate by just spending quiet time together. In fact, we ended up fighting and parting ways one day -- not romantic at all.

***Lastly, my favorite tip for ALL WDW visitors... don't get married to your priority seating ressies. Our favorite meals were the ones we had spontaneously. Twice, we cancelled PS's b/c we were able to get into less crowded restaurants that hadn't even been on our list before. (but, keep the PS's just in case... it was nice to have ressies when all the restaurants WERE crowded.)... just don't feel you HAVE to stick to your meal plan. You shouldn't HAVE to do anything on your vacation.

 

[AussieAngel]

Thanks for your advice, everybody!!

Mikymouse - Thanks for your Boma suggestion! Definitely something to think about...

Chuck - What do you mean, Tink flies out of the castle? Is that during Wishes? Or was that when you had too many champagnes over dinner?

RebeccaLovesDisney - Thanks for your ideas about dining closer to the parks. When I was booking ADR's, I kind of had no idea where the resorts were, in relation to the parks. I wonder if it's too late to change them now, to still get good times?

DisneyJade - I was interested to read that you loved AK the most! We'll still have a whole day there, and we can always go back there on our last afternoon, if we love it.

Anybody else have any suggestions on what we should do for our last afternoon?

 

[Rella Bella]

* Arrive in Orlando, Tuesday 6th at 4pm - Check in to Pop, have a relax, buy Pal Mickey (hehee!), have a big look around Pop, have a bite to eat at the Pop food court, and a big sleep!

Good choice to get a good rest!

* Wednesday - MGM Studios - Lunch ADR at Sci-Fi Dine In, 12.30pm. Not sure if we'll stay all day at MGM until Fantasmic at 8.30pm, and have a CS meal somewhere in MGM, or if we'll head back to Pop for an afternoon break, then back to MGM for Fantasmic. Any suggestions?

I think I would wait and see how you feel... you just made a long trip. Better to rest a little during the day if you feel you need it, but you're young and at Disney... you might be ready to go!

* Thursday - Magic Kingdom - Lunch ADR at The Plaza, 12.40. Dinner ADR at Boma, 7pm. If we make it back in time, we'll watch Wishes at 10pm. Do you think we'll make it without rushing our Boma dinner?

I would only do one sit down meal... it takes a lot of time and one good sit down rest is usually enough.

* Friday - Kennedy Space Center day trip - Dinner ADR at Ohana, 8.45pm (Still haven't decided whether to change this ADR to the Grand Floridian Cafe!)

Either place is great! I know you can see the fireworks from Ohana... can you see them from GFC too??

* Saturday - EPCOT - Lunch ADR at Le Cellier, 12.40pm. Again, we don't know if we'll stay the whole day, have dinner at a CS in Epcot, then watch IllumiNations at 9pm, or have an afternoon break back at Pop. What would you recommend?

I would stay all day. There is so much to do and see at Epcot... you'll never get it all done in one day but since you have a sit down, you'll probably be fine until evening. Remember to wait out the crowds after Ulliminations! Hit the pub at the Rose & Crown or something to hang back until they're gone. There are few places more romantic than walking through Epcot after the crowds are gone... it's like you're the only two people on earth!

* Sunday - Animal Kingdom - Dinner ADR at Spoodles, 7pm. Then, head to Pleasure Island for a drink (or three or four...

* Monday - Blizzard Beach, and ??? - Dinner ADR at 50's Prime Time, 7pm. This is our day we haven't quite decided on. It's our last day. We're thinking Blizzard Beach might take the morning, but then can't decide on what to do in the afternoon. Our options are...
- Head to Typhoon Lagoon
- Head back to the park we liked the best for another play
- Head to Downtown Disney for another explore
- Back to Pop for a relax
Are there any more options you can think of? Or if not, which one would you choose?! We're happy to just wait and see what we feel like on the day, but I would love to hear some expert opinions on what to do on our last afternoon!

I would go to a park... be sure you've seen Wishes, Ulliminations and Fantasmic (sometimes they are rained out... not often but it does happen) I'd go back and do my favorite again. Water parks are great -- but they're everywhere... only Disney is Disney!

Any other suggestions / ideas for our itinerary? I know we'll probably get there and our planning will go out the window, but it's just so much fun to plan now! Hehee!

I agree once you arrive just relax and have a good time... sounds like a wonderful trip!

 

[Kristina]

Hi AussieAngel ,
I think your plan looks really good except I would change my dinner plans on Thursday and have dinner at Ohana's, that way you can get there easily by the Monorail from MK or even take a boat . Also makes it quick to head back to the MK after dinner for the Spectromagic parade which is right before Wishes at 9 pm. You won't want to miss Spectro, it is so pretty! We missed it the first time we went, and when we finally saw it we were kicking ourselves .

Regarding Ohana's vs. Grand Floridian Cafe I'd go with Ohana's but then it was one of our two favorite meals, the other being the Crystal Palace breakfast buffet with Winnie the Pooh
We did that one twice, once for dinner too!

Will you be arriving to the Pop direct from Australia? If so like us you will be really tired and so your arrival day plan is perfect. The Pop is so so very cool, I'm sure you will just love it! They have a great big Pop Century Faq thread over on the Resorts board that really gets you in the mood for your stay, very informative

Your last day plan sounds good too. We always have to end our trip with the Magic Kingdom so I'd say to visit your favorite park for an explore, definitely! Regarding breaks we stay 14 nights but never take any, although we are always exhausted each evening! We just can't bring ourselves to leave the parks!

 

[AussieAngel]

Rella Bella - I like your idea of hanging out at the Rose & Crown for a little while, until after the crowds have left Epcot! Are you allowed to wander around though, when the actual park is closed?

Kristina - Thanks for your advice about Spectro! I haven't actually looked into any info about the parades, cause I'm just not much of a parade person. Maybe I should look into this one though?!

We're not flying into Orlando from Australia. Our trip to Disney is in the middle of a big USA holiday adventure! We're travelling around the US for 7 weeks... I've got a thread somewhere in the community board about our trip! We'll be flying from Las Vegas to Orlando, which is still a big flight. We leave Vegas at 7am, and get to Orlando at 4pm. We lose 3 hours because of the time difference, too, so we'll be all out of whack!

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

I like your decision to stay near the Pop on your first night. We usually come in at around the same time and always have dinner at the Beach Club( we stay at the BC villas)If we feel like it we then walk into Epcot for a little while and see the fireworks. I would play it by ear. See how you feel when you arrive. We are usually tired so we never venture far the first night. If the weather is nice you may want to relax by the pool when you arrive.

I think it will be pretty quiet in Sept ( for Disney) but I would recommend that when you go the MK you should do so as soon as they open in the morning. This park seems to always be crowded and you will enjoy how many rides etc. You can do if you go early! We always feel sorry for the people arriving at 1030 or later because it is wall to wall people. Also go early when you have dinner at Boma's. This hotel is just beautiful and you should spend at least 30 minutes looking around. There are several animal stations to see too.

I noticed that you are using your Table service credits for lunches and then dinner with CS. If you can I would switch that. CS is better generally for lunch or breakfast and TS with dinner. There is more value and a better menu at dinner. Just a thought.

Are you morning people or do you like to sleep in? I am not a morning person but when I am in Disney I do get up early and go to the parks and then come back to the hotel in the afternoon and relax,swim etc and then head out to dinner and a park later. We never stay in a park all day.We have been to Disney for many years now so we don't get up early every day but we always do for the MK and AK( for AK go directly to the safari rides and either ride them or get a FP) Epcot is a large park so we feel it is OK to enter at 1030 or 11 am or later and still be OK with the crowds.

For your last day I would suggest shopping at DD or going to Epcot. I noticed that you only have one day for Epcotand you definitely need two. This is our favorite park. It is also a more relaxed park so we enjoy doing that right before we go home.

Do you have a car or are you using Disney transportation?

I love Spoodles. Don't forget that the Boardwalk had a few nice places for adults too such as the dueling piano bar and a dance hall you may want to have your first round here

Have a great time, and don't forget to spend quiet time at the pool etc.

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

By the way if you have time, ride the monorail and get off and check out the hotels there. Great fun!

 

[AussieAngel]

I noticed that you are using your Table service credits for lunches and then dinner with CS. If you can I would switch that. CS is better generally for lunch or breakfast and TS with dinner. There is more value and a better menu at dinner. Just a thought.

We tried to mix it up a bit. We've got 3 lunch ADR's, and 4 dinner ADR's. The places we're going for lunch are generally there for a reason. Like, Sci-Fi - everyone says lunch is much yummier, with burgers and shakes. And Le Cellier - I'm not a huge meat fan, and the lunch menu seemed a bit more varied for tastes! And lastly, we're going to The Plaza for lunch just because we had another ADR to use, and we thought it looked yummy - a nice light lunch in the middle of a busy day at MK.

Anyhoo, like you, we're definitely not morning people, but will try to be while we're at Disney! We plan to have early starts, and try to get a good sleep at night!

And yes, we're using Disney transportation. And maybe a taxi or two, when we can't be bothered.

Thanks heaps for your ideas, Boardwalk Tigger!

 

[Chuck65]

Hey Aussie, when we were there in 03 Tink flew out of the Castle towards Tomorrow Land. This happened right after the fireworks display. And no, I didn't see this after one too many champagne's . I am not sure whether Tink still does this, some other posters may know. I sure hope they haven't stopped this.

 

[mikymouse]

We saw Tink fly out from the castle during the Wishes Fireworks in March this year. We watched from just outside the Crystal Palace but I think we will try to get a spot on the bridge to Tomorrow Land next time.

 

[Zoemakes5]

You've gotten alot of good advice.
Yes, try your best to hit the Spectro Magic parade. This used to be called the Electrical light parade (though it's had a few changes), and a must see. It's all about lights and music and the characters.
Something we've done on that first day, depending on our mood/tiredness level is use that day to so a little wandering/shopping off site and/or spend a bit of time in DTD. I like doing this, wandering around, maybe getting a t-shirt to wear during the week, grabbing a bite to eat. No stress, no strain, come and go when you want. My experiences flying from the West coast have been that I am not tired once I get there, as I'm still on the "earlier" schedule. So at 4pm, I still felt like it was 1, at midnight I still felt like it was 9....you get the idea. I wouldn't plan a park that day, but maybe something else or a back-up in case you're not as tired as you thought you'd be.
I don't know if it makes any difference on the schedules, but I've found that I like the do the AK and EPCOT on the days that they are open the longest. So, if I had to make a recommendation, I'd suggest you check out the operating hours for the days you're going to which park. I also like to avoid the park that has Early entry that day OR, go bright and early for early entry and then leave the park close to opening time. One thing we found ourselves doing is "hopping" more than we thought that we would, to catch a fav. ride again or go to a show, or see "more" of one of the parks after the one we were in closed. And we tend to spend more "half days" at parks than full days.
Leave that last day open to do whatever you feel like doing.
Rest when you want/feel like it. The times I went with DH w/out the kids, I loved going back to the room, hanging out, spending some "intimate time" if we wanted to and dressing for dinner if we felt like it.

 

[mikymouse]

If you can get up early.. I would highly recomend getting to Magic Kingdom for the Park Opening. It is really a neat way to start your day. We were standing just outside the train station when the Fire Chief walked out on the platform to welcome everyone, the music starting playing, all the characters arrived for a welcoming show on the train and everyone did a count down to open the park. It is one of my most favorite memories from our trip!

 

[Kristina]

Wow 7 weeks, what a great time you are going to have! One more tip if that's okay? Make sure that on MK day, you get up real early and get over there 15 minutes before the place opens so you can see the opening show. It's singing and Dancing up above the Mickey head in front of the train station and I don't know, I've only seen it once myself but since I love Disney so darn much it sent chili beans all up and down my arms ! If ya know what I mean, haha! Really, it's cool and then you can have a wander all through the park with no crowds and even manage to go from Fantasyland ride to Fantasyland ride with no waits. Rarely possible otherwise!

Did you think of having lunch in the Castle? The food is only so so but it's fun with the Princesses who come by for photos. Honest we can all keep you tweeking your plans until you set foot in the place if you let us Us Disers love the planning almost as much as the trip itself!

 

[AussieAngel]

Thanks everybody, for your ideas!!! I'm continually amazed that everybody here is so nice and helpful!!

We both really want to make park opening hours each day - especially Magic Kingdom. And after your advice, mikymouse and Kristina, I'm even more determined to make opening time! "I will get up! I will get up!" That will be my morning mantra.

The day we plan to go to MK is the EMH day, so we'll definitely have an early morning then.

Kristina, we considered having lunch in the castle, but I don't think my boyfriend or myself are really "princess character" people. I think I'd be a bit embarrassed - for myself and for the actors. Hehehee. What can I say, I'm Australian!!

I do look forward to see Tink fly out of the castle though!

And we finally decided last night to change our Ohana ADR to Grand Floridian Cafe. I would have liked the setting of Ohana, but the GF Cafe's menu just suits us more. We both love fondue, and that way, we can order the Cinderella slipper for dessert and treat ourselves!! Ooh la la!!

 

[Rella Bella]

Rella Bella - I like your idea of hanging out at the Rose & Crown for a little while, until after the crowds have left Epcot! Are you allowed to wander around though, when the actual park is closed?

Well, we have always wandered very slowly in the general direction of the exit... like the long way around the lake. We've been there around 45 minutes to an hour after the bulk of the crowds have left, the cast members are busy cleaning up and don't pay much attention.

The stores in future world are open for an hour or more after Ulliminations ends... so I think you'd have at least that much time. The buses & monorail run for two hours after the park closes -- I don't think I'd try to stay longer than that!

 

[Karnak]

In general, I would rethink some of those lunch and dinner reservations. As someone said earlier, you probably need to cut down some on the travel time between parks and meal reservations.

On your day at the Studios (Wednesday), be sure to get there before opening and hit the two big rides early, before the lines get too long. (Tower of Terror and the Coaster)

The main attractions at the Studios are shows (ten of them at last count), and you would be well advised to check the starting times of the shows you would like to see, making a plan ahead of time and making ADRs based on that plan.

I have eaten at all five of the table service restaurants at the Studios, and the Sci-Fi Dine-In would be my LAST choice. The other four are acceptable, with the Brown Derby probably the best choice.

I would not advise taking a break to go back to your resort during the day because this would take up too much time.

Enjoy.