Down to the Details

[may12th]

This will be my first trip to WDW since 1993, our first trip as a family, and my first trip to plan. We are going December 10-16 and will be celebrating my daughter's 5th birthday (41 incehs). I also have a son (38 inches) who will be almost 3. I have researched this trip for about a year, but still need help with the details. Here's my plan, what details and must do's should I be aware of. Any suggestions? We do have DDP and park hoppers. My husband is the anti-commando and it is important that he has a great time so he will be excited about returning. Thanks!!


We are driving and will be getting there around 2:00 on Dec. 10th and checking in at CSR

Saturday Dec. 10
Epcot in the afternoon
supper ?cs in park

Sunday Dec. 11
AK
Tusker's House 8:30
Lunch ? in the park
Leave around 3:00 for rest?
O'hana 6:50

Monday Dec. 12
HS
Lunch ?cs in the park
Sci-Fi 5:45

Tuesday Dec. 13
Akershus 11:00 (breakfast for lunch)
finish up anything in Epcot
rest in the afternoon
MVMCP dinner ?cs at the park (before 7:00)

Wednesday Dec. 14th
MK
lunch ?cs in park
5:00 1900 Park Fare for birthday party
special cake or at least a slipper

Thursday Dec. 15th
I planned this as be a day to hit whatever we missed.
I have a 6:10 Crystal Palace ADR but I am just not excited about it. We aren't Pooh fans, I just didn't really have anywhere else I wanted to eat and not knowing where we would be makes it hard.

Friday Dec. 16th
We have a 10 hour drive so we will be leaving early that morning and will not be going to any parks.


Ok, feedback please!!!

 

[grimley1968]

I guess my only recommendation is to cancel some of those dining plans. If you really wish to not be a commando, having to leave early out of parks and generally planning your trip around dining isn't going to relax anything. To the contrary, it can lead to a lot of frustration at not being able to stick around a park long enough to utilize fastpass effectively, or to walk around simply admiring things, etc.

We've gone with the DDP sometimes ("free" and paid) and have gone more often just charging food to the room. We much prefer the latter. We normally don't feel like eating a table service meal every single day, and often the stuff you can get at counter service places is tasty enough, yet allows the day not to get stopped in its tracks.

An option to get more out of the dining plan is to not eat a TS meal daily, and maybe use 2 of those credits for Hoop De Doo or something else that requires 2 TS credits. That way only every other day has a big TS meal to plan for, yet you're getting a lot of value for the credits. Even when we pay out of pocket for our food, we do this. We "make our own" table service in some of the better CS places, and then find a nice place to eat it (for example: getting CS fish & chips from the UK take out place in EPCOT and sitting in the little UK park to eat it while watching the British band there).

Another thought: looks like you have multiple character meals. I'd reduce this to one. I find the food at most of these meals to be abysmal, and the character interaction to be kind of awkward. We did it once per trip because our girls (in the past) begged for it. Thankfully they don't anymore.

Finally, you mentioned you have the park hopping feature, yet I only see 1 park per day in your itinerary. If that doesn't change, I'd try to get the park hopping feature refunded, as that's a lot of money. MVMCP is a separate, ticketed event that requires tickets whether you have PH on your tickets or not.

 

[NOLAmom]

I'm by no means an expert...planning my 2nd trip for late jan. with a almost 3 yr old and 4 yr old boy. However, something that jumps out at me is that you aren't hitting MK until the evening of Day 4. Does your 5 yr old know about the castle and MK? If so, not sure if you can delay her for that long? Just something to keep in mind. Also, kids that age may prefer the MK best so you may want to plan 2 full days there.

AK day- we did AK in May. We were there 900 am till about 2 and it was perfect. Didn't see everything but it was fine. Everybody's favorite thing was the Lion King Show. We also loved sitting outside at Flame Tree Bbq watching Everest and the food was really good for CS. Since you have early bkfast at Tusker (could you move that up to 805 to get out for rope drop?), just head straight to the Safari (right near Tusker) after bkfast or get someone to run and get Safari FP at 9 am while you finish breakfast. The animal trails are nice but they did take alot more time than we originally planned for.

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

I'm the commando in our family. We make an ADR for every night of our stay and for us it does not feel rushed (for us). Maybe it's because I plan things 11 months out .

 

[may12th]

Thank you!!

Grim - Good thoughts. I am already wanting to get rid of the Crystal Palace. At least at the other character meals my children will at least know the characters. I think I would not have a problem with getting rid of Akershus either. I already have our ADR for the last breakfast option because I don't think my picky eater husband would like any of the other meals. I've looked over the the dinner shows and the only one I think we would like is the backyard bbq and it doesn't seem to be an option for December. Any suggestions for signature meals or any other idea?

NOLA - Who Dat! I'm a MS gulf coast girl. Anyway. Do you have any other suggestions for other parks. I see you have children close to the ages of mine so tell me what they really liked where! Especially tell me where they liked to eat! I read that MK should be last because the little ones will just want to go back to the MK the rest of the trip. That is why we have the hopper, just in case we want to change things up once we get there.

Buzz- I would be commando crazy if it were up to me. I am trying to find the perfect balance! That is good to know. I tried to plan most of our ADR's either when we are just planning to get to the parks either for the day or after nap or just when we are planning on leaving for the day.


Keep the suggestions coming! I guess now that I'm right at 70 days out, it is time to completely rethink everything I've taken a year to decide was what I wanted to do.

 

[may12th]

Another question.

I have read that the MK fireworks can be viewed from Poly. I'm assuming that the 9: 30 Holiday Wishes will be able to be viewed from the Poly as well. Is it ridiculous to consider staying around to watch them after our 6:50 O'hana reservation? We will probably drive our car to Poly from CSR that night.

 

[grimley1968]

Another question.

I have read that the MK fireworks can be viewed from Poly. I'm assuming that the 9: 30 Holiday Wishes will be able to be viewed from the Poly as well. Is it ridiculous to consider staying around to watch them after our 6:50 O'hana reservation? We will probably drive our car to Poly from CSR that night.

Not at all. A lot of people do this after an ADR at the Poly. Enjoy.

You asked earlier about signature dining. I can't remember offhand what is now considered "signature dining" as far as meals without a show involved. If you're interested in a dinner show, 2 that come to my mind are Hoop De Doo Revue at Fort Wilderness (corny wild west show) and the Luau at the Poly. I personally prefer Hoop De Doo, but that's me. Lots of people like the Luau. Both offer plenty of food.

 

[KatieCollette]

I say do a dinner show like a PP suggested. Get rid of the CP ressie and make one of your other ones (sci fi?) into a show ressie. preferably Hoo De Doo

Also, I suggest getting a late ADR at rose and crown on your first night and ask to be seated outside. Get it late enough that you can watch Illuminations while you eat

Also, get rid of your park hoppers. I don't think you need them with such young kids. Two parks in a day may just be to much. Use that money for your MVMCP instead! Which you don't need PH for. Also, try and get a ADR at Liberty Tree Tavern a little bit after 4, which is the earliest you can get it the park.

 

[hollygolitely93]

Congrats on your trip! We are going the exact same week...but we don't have a single park day in common! LOL! I have a DS5 and DD1. We also went when DS turned 3.

Thoughts...

1. Don't kill Akershus if your daughter is into princesses. I hear it is a highlight for most.

2. We finished AK by 2pm last time. flame tree BBQ is perfect for lunch. Birds everywhere that will delight your children, plenty of seating. Only thought is I hear great things about the jingle jammin parade they do at 3pm...we are going to try and nap at park and see the parade.

3. Between Ohana and fireworks consider hopping on monorail and exploring the holiday decorations at grand Floridian (they will have a huge gingerbread house), contemporary (my son loved seeing the monorail go through the hotel).

4. Plan at least two days for MK...it has the most rides for your age range. I think if you plan on it for Thursday you are good. I am fine with waiting on MK to end. We do it on day two...but either way! At MK we found all the CS restaurants around same grade...so go on location...pinnochio in fantasy land, cosmic ray in tommorow land, pecks bill frontier land.

5. I think you have right amount of ressies personally. But our kids do well at restaurants so it is a break for all of us! You may want to sub a character dinner on Thursday at contemporary with Mickey versus crystal palace if kids are not terribly into pooh. I think you will be at MK Thursday and contemp is easy monorail away.

6. For CS at DHS we liked pizza planet mostly for the toy story link...it is an arcade. We are trying backlot this time not so much for food as we hear burgers are fine there but the location works for where we think we will be based on show times. I know starring rolls is popular too but hear sitting isn't great there.

7. For CS epcot we found sunshine seasons ( the land) had a big seating area, was located well, and had some variety. There is a new Mexican CS too that could be good with kids.

Good luck! Hope weather is great for us both! BTW...we are renting from Orlando Stroller a double...and hear good things! In case you haven't got that piece planned out!

 

[Traveliz]

This will be my first trip to WDW since 1993, our first trip as a family, and my first trip to plan. We are going December 10-16 and will be celebrating my daughter's 5th birthday (41 incehs). I also have a son (38 inches) who will be almost 3. I have researched this trip for about a year, but still need help with the details. Here's my plan, what details and must do's should I be aware of. Any suggestions? We do have DDP and park hoppers. My husband is the anti-commando and it is important that he has a great time so he will be excited about returning. Thanks!!


We are driving and will be getting there around 2:00 on Dec. 10th and checking in at CSR

Saturday Dec. 10
Epcot in the afternoon
supper ?cs in parkSunday Dec. 11
AK
Tusker's House 8:30
Lunch ? in the park
Leave around 3:00 for rest?
O'hana 6:50

Monday Dec. 12
HS
Lunch ?cs in the park
Sci-Fi 5:45

Tuesday Dec. 13
Akershus 11:00 (breakfast for lunch)
finish up anything in Epcot
rest in the afternoon
MVMCP dinner ?cs at the park (before 7:00)

Wednesday Dec. 14th
MK
lunch ?cs in park
5:00 1900 Park Fare for birthday party
special cake or at least a slipper

Thursday Dec. 15th
I planned this as be a day to hit whatever we missed.
I have a 6:10 Crystal Palace ADR but I am just not excited about it. We aren't Pooh fans, I just didn't really have anywhere else I wanted to eat and not knowing where we would be makes it hard.

Friday Dec. 16th
We have a 10 hour drive so we will be leaving early that morning and will not be going to any parks.


Ok, feedback please!!!

Ok - I haven't dissected this day by day yet but want to offer an opinion on starting here. First I love much of what Epcot has to offer. That said, with two little ones and a husband you want to impress I would not start here. By the afternoon the FPs for the "big" rides are gone and there is fun stuff for little ones here but not a WOW factor in my mind.

When I come in during the afternoon, I like to do things that are only available in the afternoon/evening so I can get them done yet not feel I am missing out on anything else.

I would either go to HS and do the Lights, Motors, Actions (I took my three adult brothers there on the first day of a trip and they were amazed by the show), then you have the parade for the kids, also Osborn Lights which is awe inspiring as well. You can fill in with Playhouse Disney, Little Mermaid, Muppets. Eat at Planet Pizza...not my favorite but not bad and its fun for dad and the kids to get to play a few games.

My other option for afternoon is go right to MK for the afternoon parade and the "easy" things there, the train, the people mover, laugh floor, etc. Eat wherever and catch the Castle Lighting Ceremony. My brothers were also amazed by the technology there. Finish the night with the light parade and fireworks.

I did read the one comment about not doing MK until day 4 and I think that is a mistake too.

Liz

 

[serene56]

Tuesday Dec. 13
Akershus 11:00 (breakfast for lunch)
finish up anything in Epcot
rest in the afternoon
MVMCP dinner ?cs at the park (before 7:00)
!!

are you doing the Christmas party here? you can enter the park at 4pm. I would make it a resort day- early nap for the kids-- its midweek so they may be ready for one by this day. Avoids meltdowns in the evening- especially if it costs so much.

I would not do the Epcot and the party with kids as young as yours.

 

[poison ivy]

wow! You haven't been in years! So great to be taking your family!

I've read your concerns and made comments by day

Saturday Dec. 10
Epcot in the afternoon -
supper ?cs in park

I like this plan. Very open and relaxing way to begin. With a 2pm check-in, your room may be ready so you'll head right there. I'm guessing you're arrival at Epcot to be around 3:30-4pm

head to the living seas
Ride nemo
Do Turtle Talk with Crush
Explore

Then consider Sunshine Seasons in the Land pavillion next to Living Seas for dinner.

Sunday Dec. 11
AK
Tusker's House 8:30
Lunch ? in the park
Leave around 3:00 for rest?
O'hana 6:50

Sounds like a great day! You may not stay much past lunch so be prepared for an earlier exit. no real changes here. Plan a lunch spot in proximity to your touring. Flame Tree bbq or Pizzarari are the two CS which come to mind.

Monday Dec. 12
HS
Lunch ?cs in the park.
Sci-Fi 5:45

No idea about cs here. The day sounds good for HS. You will love the osborne lights after dinner.

Tuesday Dec. 13
Akershus 11:00 (breakfast for lunch)
finish up anything in Epcot
rest in the afternoon
MVMCP dinner ?cs at the park (before 7:00)

This really depends on the mood of your family that morning. It's a long trek to Akershus from the entrance of Epcot. Also, you'd have to leave the park very soon afterwards to allow time to rest up and head out for the MK party around 3:00. (They will let guests in as early as 4pm with your special ticket)

I'd consider a non-park morning and try boma for breakfast at the AKL - which is beautiful at Christmastime

Wednesday Dec. 14th
MK
lunch ?cs in park
5:00 1900 Park Fare for birthday party
special cake or at least a slipper

Sounds great!! Take your time. The grand floridian is a must see at Christmas with a fullsize gingerbread house.
Lunch at Pecos Bills or Casey's hot dog stand might be good.

Thursday Dec. 15th
I planned this as be a day to hit whatever we missed.
I have a 6:10 Crystal Palace ADR but I am just not excited about it. We aren't Pooh fans, I just didn't really have anywhere else I wanted to eat and not knowing where we would be makes it hard.

My guess is you'll be at MK for part of the day. We love LTT or The Plaza. both serve lunch and dinner. It should be an early morning for you to get started which means you will most likely park hop. I'd start at the park you wanted to revisit and end at the MK. Park hours will make all the difference here.

 

[may12th]

This discussion really is helping me greatly and my husband thanks y'all for doing it so he doesn't have to. If nothing else, it is helping remember why I chose things that I did and helps me to really think about whether it is the best.

Ok... Chrystal Palace is gone! I was not excited about it anyway, so I feel better about not doing it. That leaves me with an extra TS credit so I'm trying to figure out where to use it. It is hard to figure out where because my husband is such a picky eater. Would it be better to use it our first night there and then leave the last day totally open. I assume we will be at MK that day since we really on have one full day at MK and the party. I think I like the idea of doing a dinner show but I'm just having trouble finding one that fits my family.


Right now I am planning to do MVMCP on Tuesday. The plan for the day is to be laid back. I have not bought the tickets yet. My plan was to wait until we get down and get them earlier that week once we have a better idea what the weather is going to do. If it is going to be record cold weather, we will pass on the party. If the tickets sell out then by reports we would not want to go anyway. Akershus is all we have planned to do that day so we can change things up if we need to. If we don't go to the party then we will sleep in and get to Epcot when we fill like it just making sure we are there for our 11 ADR and then hop over to the MK for the rest of the day. If we do go to the party then we will get to Epcot a little earlier and then leave after lunch to go rest up good for the party. Hopefully we will be able to make it to the second parade so we can ride during the first. And we will have already seen Holiday wishes from POLY so we can use that time to do other things too.




Keep suggestions coming. I'm still considering dropping Akershus. Tusker's, O'hana, and 1900 (with cinderella's family) are the ADR's I am really excited about. For some reason I want to do Sci-Fi (probably because I'm an old car buff) but if I need to let it go to make other things work better I can sacrifice it.

 

[serene56]

. If we don't go to the party then we will sleep in and get to Epcot when we fill like it just making sure we are there for our 11 ADR and then hop over to the MK for the rest of the day. If we do go to the party then we will get to Epcot a little earlier and then leave after lunch to go rest up good for the party. Hopefully we will be able to make it to the second parade so we can ride during the first. And we will have already seen Holiday wishes from POLY so we can use that time to do other things too.




Keep suggestions coming. I'm still considering dropping Akershus. Tusker's, O'hana, and 1900 (with cinderella's family) are the ADR's I am really excited about. For some reason I want to do Sci-Fi (probably because I'm an old car buff) but if I need to let it go to make other things work better I can sacrifice it.

do not discount the pavillions at Epcot. We spent considerable time in there with a 5 year old because of all the neat things she could do. (like fire safety- that was a hoot watching the kids climb out the windows--lol


personally I would keep the akerhouse one and get rid of the 1900 park fare.
The reviews are not good and I did not heed their warnings. The meal was the worse we had the entire week-- and we are easy to please people. The roast was so rare that if we left it on the table I swear it woulda walked home. we ordered a cake for a special birthday-- and the waitress left it in the middle of the table while we were at the buffet.

the characters are nice-- but the sisters you can see around the castle

 

[may12th]

Wow... 1900 was one of the few ones that I wasn't worried about my picky husband eating at.

 

[JDUB]

We just returned from my DS5 birthday! What a treat for your DD!! One of our must do's which might be hard to find now is the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique before one of your character meals. You can try MK Castle or in Downtown Disney locations.
Also, you will have to get some favorite snakcs that my little ones loved: Dole Whip at MK Aloha Isle, Cinn Bun at MK Main St Bakery, Butterfinger cupcake at HS Starring Rolls, Misc Caramels in Epcot Germany Karamel Kuche.
Enjoy your planning!!!

 

[kent285]

One tip...when we were there Christmas week 2007, temperatures were in the high 70's - low 80's, so you might want to be sure to plan some pool time. Everyone has suggested some great tips- have a great time!

 

[JDUB]

One tip...when we were there Christmas week 2007, temperatures were in the high 70's - low 80's, so you might want to be sure to plan some pool time. Everyone has suggested some great tips- have a great time!

It's so nice to enjoy the pools when you know the temps in NE Ohio are 50 degrees colder....lol We always plan a pool day after AK since we usually are back to the resort by 3pm.

 

[elittleton]

I will be there the same week with my DD5 at OKW. Most of our ADR are for breakfast.

Sat Dec 10th
Epcot in the afternoon after arriving

Sun Dec 11th
Holleywood with ADR at Holleywood and Vines
Nap
MVMCP

Mon Dec 12th
No Park since we have a late night the night before
BBB in the afternoon
1700 Park (my DD asked for a meal with a prince)

Tues Dec 13
MK
Breakfast at the castle before the park opens

Wed Dec 14
AK
Tusker House before the park opens

Thru Dec 15
MK
Chef Mickey
The Crystal Palace for middle of the afternoon (Pooh is important to my daughter)

Fri Dec 16
AK (2 days at AK are important to my daughter since she loves animals)
ADR at the Swan for supper since we will leave AK in the middle of the afternoon

Sat Dec 17
I'll let her decide if we do another park before our afternoon flight home

 

[may12th]

I am so hoping the weather works with us and we are able to get into the pool at least once! The pool at CSR is part of why we chose it. I wanted a mod resort and my husband wanted a queen size bed, so it all worked out. We do have a pool at our house, but it will be such a treat to be able to get it a pool in December!


eli-- I'm jealous of your longer stay. I wish we could stay longer but it just won't work. Next time we will probably have to go in the summer because our daughter will be in school so maybe we can pull off a longer trip! Have fun! I hope we all have great weather!!! Stay away cold!! I understand why you are keeping Chrystal Palace. If there was a Rapunzel dinner we would have to go to it... maybe twice!