First Stab @ Trip Plan Input appreciated

[DISfirstTimer]

Hi all, I've put together my first stab at a plan for our 1st and possibly only Disney World Vacation (It was a small battle to get my husband to agree) and I'd love any and all opinions from those who have done it before. I want to have my plan together before I make my ADRs. On this trip will be my DH, DS 6, DD 4, and myself. Our vacation goals: Spend quality time together as a family, Hit up the biggest must do attractions, eat great food, and have loads of fun without completely exhausting ourselves.

TRavel Dates 2/27/2018-3/9/2108. 2 nights at POP followed by offsite at Condo in Windsor Hills. 6 Park Days

Tuesday, 2/27 Arrive at 1pm explore POP and AOA resorts

Wednesday,2/28. MK

Thurs 3/1 AK, check into Windsor Hills

Friday, 3/2 HS

SAt 3/3 OFF Day. Hoop Dee Doo for dinner

Sun 3/4 Epcot

Mon 3/5 OFF

Tues 3/6 MK

Wed 3/7 plan for MK but be willing to go to any Park we decide.

Thu 3/8 Happy 7th Bday to DS. Surprise with Legoland. Check out of WH into Legoland Resort and hit up Park

FR 3/9 Enjoy Legoland until afternoon and head to MCO for 8pm flight

 

[sharonabe]

Are you renting a car? Just wondering how you're getting around...

It looks really good to me. Keep an eye out for when park hours are released to check when the EMH are for each park. Once you're offsite, you'll want to avoid the parks with EMH since you can't use them, and they tend to be a little more crowded.

I have to say, I'd be very tempted to add a 7th day for either your arrival evening or one of your off days, but if you decide you want another day mid trip, it's the same price to add it then as it is now.

 

[DISfirstTimer]

Yes, rental car. Good to know about being able to add on during the trip. I was wondering about that.

 

[jsbowl16]

Are you planning on doing full days in the parks each day? If this is possibly your only trip, I would think about adding on two additional days of tickets for about $120 total for the four of you and you could always relax those mornings and then go and do fireworks at night. There is so much to do and see and you will not do it all in one trip but with that said, you can probably do a lot more with the two additional days for $120 which is a really good price considering you are already there. I know some people do off days, but we usually take a part of the day off if we need to recharge. I look at it as yes it is a vacation so you want some time to relax but if it is possibly your only time, then do as much as you can while you are there. You don't want to regret missing something so that you had a day to sit around the pool or relax when Disney is a few minutes away.

 

[Malestrom Troll]

I would buy your Disney park tickets before February. Mid to late February is usually when price increases go into effect.

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

I just want to offer an alternate perspective concerning the days off vs adding more park days. Every family is different and we personally prefer having several off days over the course of a trip. We are staying 12 nights and have 5 park days, 1 party night and the rest will be water park, Disney springs, and pool. Relaxing is an important part of a vacation for us and you might find that the kids are just as excited about swimming in the pool as they are touring the parks (and March is not too cold for swimming typically).

 

[Nancyg56]

I just want to offer an alternate perspective concerning the days off vs adding more park days. Every family is different and we personally prefer having several off days over the course of a trip. We are staying 12 nights and have 5 park days, 1 party night and the rest will be water park, Disney springs, and pool. Relaxing is an important part of a vacation for us and you might find that the kids are just as excited about swimming in the pool as they are touring the parks (and March is not too cold for swimming typically).

I agree that relaxing is important, we never want to leave more tired than when we arrive. We like to have more days available so we can feel comfortable about shorter hours in a park. Rather than more "off" days we usually either arrive late and relax in the morning, or get to the parks early, and then leave in the afternoon to either explore, swim or just relax.

It gets less expensive to do that the more days you have, and for us, it is cost effective in the long run.

 

[DISfirstTimer]

Our goal is to be able relax and not feel rushed. I'd like to be able to let my husband sleep in some days and my kids will love enjoying the pool for sure. I will have to entertain the thought of additional park days for more flexibility. I like that I can just add them on when we are there that way we don't get them and not use them

 

[Natiaudsmom]

OP, I just wanted to share that last year, I too, thought I was taking my first and only Disney trip. My husband did NOT want to go and unfortunately he had a miserable time. My girls (6 &8) and I had an absolute ball and we are already planning a girls only trip next year. I never thought we'd go again when I first started planning. Maybe the Disney bug will bite your hubby. If not, maybe it's just you and the kids. Have a great time!

 

[gwek]

It seems like you've got most bases covered.

First day, if you're arriving at 1 pm... I'm not sure how much there is to really explore at POP Century and Art of Animation, although if you're planning to spend some time poolside, you could make an evening of it. If not, consider visiting Downtown Disney and making reservations for one of the restaurants there (such as T-Rex).

I'm assuming you're committed to the condo for a reason, but if you have flexibility, consider that there are definite advantages to staying on-site, notably the internal transportation and the ability to book FastPasses 60 days in advance rather than 30. At the time of year you're going, that may not be a major factor, but it's always one worth considering.

Additionally, as previously noted, if you're not staying on-site, try to avoid the parks that have extra magic hours, because they'll be more crowded without an benefit for you.

Although I understand that you want to be relaxed, if this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, why not plan for every day? Don't leave Universal out!