Family Trip Plan - Suggestions?

[DisPlay]

We are a party of 11 staying in a 2BR and Studio in OKW July 25-31

Our party consists of the following (Hope I can get all the abbreviations!):

Me - 50
DW - 54
DS - 25
DS - 22
DD - 20
DD - almost 18
Male Friend of DD - 16

DB (Disney Brother) - 48
DSIL - 41
DNephew - 12
DNiece - 9

My immediate family have been doing WDW since before Epcot so we know alot about the parks and options etc...

But my Brother and his family have never been.

I've got a little plan going and will utilize the touring suggestions of the Unofficial Guide. We will be using Disney Transportation

What do you think of this plan?

Monday - AK -- MGM -- Dinner Fantasmic PS
Tuesday - Typhoon Lagoon
Wednesday - Early AM Epcot arrival through Illuminations
Thursday - Morning Sleep / Hotel -- Afternoon MK -- BOMA Meal -- Then back to MK for parades and fireworks and whatever else we can get in - Monorail etc
Friday - MK All Day

What do you think? Any suggestions? Additons? Subtractions? Too aggressive?

I'll try to make sure we hit the headliners... My brother has already agreed that I would be the tour guide!

-dave

 

[Amirah95]

Wow! That is even a challenge for me (a Commando) and for a group large as yours I think it's a little too aggressive, but it can be done. Well let's see, I have more questions than suggestions:

--why not take a full day off on Thursday and just do MK all day Friday?
--AK and MGM on the same day?
--Is everyone in the party up for the park hopping and the continuous tours/walking/transporting?


I think that you should allow a day for relaxation to enjoy your resort and to take a load off (you are going to be doing a lot). Also, with a large party like yours will you get full cooperation? What are you looking to do at the parks (rides or sightseeing)? Here's my draft:

Monday - MGM, Dinner Fantasmic PS
Tuesday - Typhoon Lagoon and perhaps a priority seating here
Wednesday - AK in the morning, then Epcot arrival through Illuminations
Thursday - Full day of sleep then BOMA Meal --MK for parades and fireworks and whatever else we can get in - Monorail etc
Friday - MK All Day

 

[DisPlay]

Funny... I asked my 25 year old Disney Veteran Son that if we had to knock off one Park, which one should it be... and he said AK

Like you said, I was thinking that maybe it is a bit too aggressive

I think we will need a good full day at EPCOT... my nephew is a real science and geography "nerd"

Thanks for the input... I'm still trying to put it together

 

[lentesta]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for reading the Unofficial Guide. If I can make a suggestion, I'd say that heading to the MK late on Thursday isn't generally recommended if you're going there to experiece the attractions. As Thursday is the MK's EMH, it'll be more crowded than usual, and the late start will mean the park will be packed when you get there.

One straightforward way to get around this might be to switch your Wednesday and Thursday plans. Because Epcot is big and its attractions are generally engineered to hold a high number of guests, EMH has less of an impact on Epcot than the MK.

Of course, if seeing attractions isn't your primary goal on Thursday, or you're going to see shows such as Hall of Presidents, Carousel of Progress, Tiki Room, etc., then you should be fine.

All day Friday in the MK is a great idea.

Let me know if none of this makes sense - I've not had all of my morning coffee yet.

Thanks again for reading the Guide.

Sincerely,

Len Testa

 

[JrsyDebs]

I agree with lentesta about switching your Wednesday and Thursday plans because of EMH.

Also, just thinking about your bro and his family being first-timers:
IMHO, shouldn't they set foot into MK before their 4th day there?
I know the kids are not really little, but that first walk into the MK and walking toward the castle is just the most exciting feeling, even for adults. I was 28 the first time I ever went to Disney World and that moment defines the Disney magic for me; don't put it off that long!! (BTW, I have not read Unofficial Guide yet, so you can call me knowledge-challenged, but this is just my gut/heart-feeling.)

 

[Amirah95]

Ok...I went through my plans from last year and we did do Epcot on a Thursday and that was something I forgot about. I agree, switch Wednesday with Thursday.

 

[DisPlay]

Thanks for the input on this...

JrsyDebs - The reason I'm thinking of waiting till later in the week for MK is to "save the best for last"... but maybe the switch of Wednesday and Thursday will have the effect of doing both your suggestion (castle, etc) and the best for last!

BTW, I too remember my first time seeing the castle from aboard the ferry with my 4 year old who is now 25 and loves WDW. I'm not sure who was more excited... him or me... even for this trip (with his uncle and young cousins) I approached him as to whether he would like to go on the Disney Cruise rather than a WDW trip... And he opted for the WDW trip... Me and my DW? CRUISE Definitely!

Len, I thought about the EMH on Thursday and its impact upon the crowds at MK. My idea was not to concentrate on the headliners, but rather Spectro and Wishes, and maybe getting into one or two attractions.

After thinking about it, maybe the switcihing of Wednesday and Thursday is a good idea. but then we will have an early day on Friday...

My idea was to have Park day - "rest"day - Park day - "rest" day - Park day over the 5 days. I spoke to my brother today and he was balking about spending the money on tickets and not using them... My idea is to give them a "taste" of the highlights and some rest, but I'm not sure that is possible in 5 days.

Your thoughts?

(BTW... I'm really enjoying the Unofficial Guide... searched in Waldens [only Bookstore in our area], Sams Club, Wal-Mart, and eventually found it in Target)

 

[DisPlay]

Len

Just thought about this....

Do you think a Touring Plan would work with a group of 11 as per above? Or would it be too "commando"?

 

[lentesta]

Hey Dave,

I didn't know Target carried the Guide. First Mossimo clothing, now us. They're going upscale, no doubt about it.

We've had groups of fifteen use the plans successfully, but it does take some coordination. If you can't follow the plans exactly, follow the order of the lands, especially in the MK. If you could get through the first four or five attractions together, though, you'll should be on your way to a relaxing tour.

If you're just headed to Spectro and Wishes on Wednesday, and not trying to ride anything special, I think you'll be fine with the original schedule. And the morning break might be more important to everyone's well-being than the incremental waits at the MK. You can always wait until Tuesday night to see how everyone's holding up before deciding, no?

Thanks again for reading the Guide.

Len

 

[DisPlay]

Thanks for the advice. Len! You're great. But then, your mother probably always told you that!

I think I will change the Wednesday and Thursday around. And try using/modifying the tour plans in the UG.

It's going to be a great time! Yippee!

 

[BevS97]

as much as I love Boma, I can't see travelling from MK to AKL for dinner and then back to MK for the evening - it seems a lot of hassle in the middle of your day at MK.

And for me, those kids (the 9 and 12 year old) need to see the castle on day 1 - you aren't at WDW till you are at MK.

I would do parts of 2 days at MK - you can combine with Epcot, so you do MK in the morning and Epcot in the afternoon and Evening.

I know you said you wanted Park day, rest day but you are only there 5 days - I would want to make the most of every day - Have a rest morning perhaps, but I wouldn't waste an entire day - there is too much to do to spend a day by the pool.

Just my thoughts, hope you have a great trip

Bev

 

[Kendra17]

Len, I LOVE the Unofficial Guide. . .it's so well-written, informative, and slyly funny! And, I bought 3 others. . .yours is, by far, the best!

Okay, what do you think about this? I have 4 days to spend in WDW, 2 days in Universal, and tickets to the MNNSHP and Disneyquest. Would you do 1 day in MK (and the halloween party, too), 1 day in each other park, or do one day in MK, 2 days in Epcot, and what about the last day? On my last trip, I decided not to go to MGM, because I wasn't impressed with it the trip before, but now your guide made it seem like so much fun! So, should I jsut forget AK? Split them? go to AK in the morning, epcot at night?

I really am having a hard time deciding what to do! My husband's never been there and has never WANTED to go. . .this is my opportunity to convert him!

I'm thinking he'll like the change of pace of AK, and I had a nice time there the 2 times I went (better time the first time, though).

Anyone with ideas?

 

[DisPlay]

Thanks for your replies and help everyone!

Leaving tomorrow! Hooray!