Disney World Vacation Schedule-Please Help!!!

[enchantressj]

Hey guys,

I just joined this forum & I've already learned a lot about Disney World that I didn't know. I'm planning my first real trip to Disney World and I need help from the experts (excited!!). I went when I was little but didn't get to ride anything, but that's a story in itself. Anyways, here's the schedule I've made for a trip to Disney World from Friday, May 14, 2004-Saturday, May 22 2004. Here's the schedule:

Friday: Drive There/Downtown Disney
Saturday: Animal Kingdom
Sunday: Disney/MGM Studios
Monday: Magic Kingdom
Tuesday: Epcot
Wednesday: Universal Studios
Thursday: Islands Of Adventure
Friday: Blizzard Beach/Downtown Disney
Saturday: Drive Back

Okay, I also need to fit in a round of mini golf, the Cirque du Soleil show, Fantasmic, & parasailing. I've seen in some posts that you guys suggest leaving Universal for another trip, but the people I'm going with won't go for that. It's gonna be me & 3 other adults. We won't be staying at a Disney Resort because we're all college students and can't afford it, but we will be staying close. I would appreciate any advice about scheduling or any other tips you guys might have. Also, we're needing advice on good restaurants to have dinner at and we're debating the backstage tour. Thanks for reading!!!

 

[dmslush]

Have you checked into getting an All Stars room on site? Betweent the 4 of you, it wouldn't be that much $$ each. With that, you would be able to do early entry, not have to pay for parking, and use the onsite transportation. For instance, if they want to go to universal and you want to go back to Magic Kingdom, you could use the busses and let them take the car.

Fantasmic you could do on your MGM day. Just finish up your day in the park with it. When we were there in 2001, we bought some burgers/fries and drinks and went over a little early and ate while we waited on it to start.

Cirque could be done on your last night in down town disney. That would be a good way to cap off your trip.

Sorry, I don't know anything about the golf or the parasailing.

 

[DisneyDude10171]

Friday: Drive There/Downtown Disney
Saturday: Animal Kingdom
Sunday: Disney/MGM Studios
Monday: Magic Kingdom
Tuesday: Epcot
Wednesday: Universal Studios
Thursday: Islands Of Adventure
Friday: Blizzard Beach/Downtown Disney
Saturday: Drive Back

Okay, some people may find it difficult to do everything in a disney park in just one day, so if you must devote a single day to each, I would get there as early as possible and stay as late as possile. For FANTASMIC, I would schedule it at the end of the day at Dis/MGM on Su, assuming it is performing that evening... if it is not, consider rescheduling that park to another day. For CIRQUE and MINI-GOLFING, I would combine those with the two times you reserved for Downtown Disney. I would suggest golfing at night, as it can get quite hot during the day. So maybe Cirque on the first F and golfing on the second?

Now, parasailing might be tricky... it will be quite time consuming and is located near the MK... I wouldn't cut out any of your MK time to do it, as there is so much there to do in the first place. Maybe do it the second Sa morning? Aside from that it looks good!

Have fun, you will arrive the day after my birthday and good luck with the imagineering

 

[XStAnt]

It sounds like you'll have a great time. Just a few suggestions:

Don't assume you can't afford a Disney Resort. Keep an eye on this site and www.mousesavers.com for info on discounts. Make a reservation off site for now and if an affordable discount comes up you can book it. As another said, this lets you take advantage of early entry, etc.

I don't think 4 college students need an off day. You may be exhausted after your trip, but you can always sleep in class . But you may want to put your BB/DTD day in the middle of your vacation. If someone is tired they only need to spend a few hours at BB and can then go back and rest before going to DTD that evening.

If you are not staying onsite keep an eye on the early entry schedule. Do not go to a park that has early entry that day as the crowds will be larger.

Fantasmic is at MGM at closing time so, as others said, do it that night. Don't forget Illuminations at Epcot (also at closing time) and Wishes at MK. Wishes may not show every night so check the schdule before you go. Arrange your MK day to coincide with when wishes is showing.

Mini golf can be done on your BB/DTD day. Go to BB in the am, stay a few hours and play mini golf in the pm. Go to DTD at night. Also, do Cirque on your DTD night. Go for the early show, grab some quick dinner at DTD after that, and hit PI that night. Or, you can go to Cirque on your AK day since AK closes around 5 pm.

I wouldn't cut out US/IOA. For college students these parks are great and you have plenty of energy to keep going and going and going at that age. If you need to cut something out I'd recommend the parasailing. While this is fun, if you haven't been to Disney snce you were a kid there are more "important" things to do. You can go parasailing elsewhere, you can't ride Mission: Space anywhere else. Spend your time in the parks or doing things that can only be done at Disney.

As for restaurants, definitely eat at an Epcot restaurant on your Epcot day. On your AK day you can either go back to Epcot for another restaurant or try Boma at AKL (many people have said god things about this restaurant and AKL is near AK). Most of Disney's restaurants are pretty good. Check out www.wdwig.com for some menus. But I wouldn't waste valuable park time traveling all around Disney World property to get to a PS. Eat at a restaurant in the park you are in that day or at a resort nearby (i.e. 'Ohana at the Poly on your MK day).

Now for some general advice I give everyone: 1) Don't expect to do everything. Disney is too large and you'll miss half the fun if you try to keep to a strict schedule, etc. Relax and have fun. 2) Use Fast Pass. Make sure you understand how to maximize it's use by getting a second FP before using your first FP, etc.

Sorry this is so long and I hope this advise helps a little. Have Fun.