First time to Disney World this December!

[snogger]

And my first post here.

We are booked(through themagicforless) for December 9th through the 14th at Wilderness Lodge resort.

Daughters 8th Birthday is December 11th and we have some great plans for her so far.

Thanks to the persistent work of our travel agent from themagicforless, we got Cinderella’s Royal Table for breakfast at 8:30am

That evening at 4:30pm we have dinner reservations at Liberty Tree Tavern. We also purchased tickets for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party that night.

Needless to say it shall be a VERY busy day for her. Our plan right now is to head back to Wilderness Lodge Resort around Noon or so and come back to MK around 3pm.

That day will be Day one of the two days we have planned for MK so trying to figure out how much we can see after Fantasyland till we head back to the Hotel around Noon.

We are figuring on about 1 hour in the Castle for Breakfast so should be ready to hit Fantasyland by 9:30am(Park opens at 9am that day).
The questions I have are:
How much time should we plan for Fantasyland.
Where would you recommend we go after Fantasyland.

Wife is NOT a big thrill rider and daughter is just starting to get use to rides so, short of me taking on some of the more thrilling rides alone(Space Mountian for one), we are only looking at the smaller rides.

Here is what I was thinking looking over the map.
After breakfast, hit Fantasyland. Dumbo right away and then the rest. Then probably hit the Haunted Mansion. Walk our way around Mickey's Toontown fair and, if time permits wander down to Tomorrowland and see as much as we can before grabbing a train ride from Toontown back to the gate and grabbing a ferry back to WL.

Is that too much to think we can get through in about 3 hours? Would you suggest a different route that first day?
Remember, we will be returning on Weds. the 13th to see whatever we don't see on the 11th.

So much to do, so little time.
Kinda a long post for my first one, hope I don't overwhelm you all.
Thanks in Advance,
Snogger

 

[tinkersmama]

I would plan on breakfast being over an hour long. Just because you have ADRs does not mean you will be sat at that time. Just an FYI. Sounds like you are starting to have a great plan. I would certainly do Dumbo first thing, as that is a slow loading ride and gets pretty backed up later in the day. Which parks have EMH that day?

 

[disney queen]

welcome! one ride not to miss is the pirates of the carribean. it is in the dark, but not scary. also, jungle cruise is a disney classic. buzz lightyear in tomorrowland is a lot of fun~everyone would enjoy that!! one other evening activty i would suggest is the candlelight processional at epcot/world showcase. you can "do" a dinner package that gives you prefered seating for the performance. it is wonderful. the lodge is wonderful and a great choice for december. try to get to the Grand Floridian to see their gingerbread house. fabulous!! any questions just ask!

 

[snogger]

I would plan on breakfast being over an hour long. Just because you have ADRs does not mean you will be sat at that time. Just an FYI. Sounds like you are starting to have a great plan. I would certainly do Dumbo first thing, as that is a slow loading ride and gets pretty backed up later in the day. Which parks have EMH that day?

Yea, I've read that. I'm hoping that since we have reservations before the park even opens, that the delay shouldn't be too long after the 8:30am "reservation".
Anser to your other question..
EMH Morning: Animal Kingdom

Thanks,
Snogger

 

[snogger]

welcome! one ride not to miss is the pirates of the carribean. it is in the dark, but not scary. also, jungle cruise is a disney classic. buzz lightyear in tomorrowland is a lot of fun~everyone would enjoy that!! one other evening activty i would suggest is the candlelight processional at epcot/world showcase. you can "do" a dinner package that gives you prefered seating for the performance. it is wonderful. the lodge is wonderful and a great choice for december. try to get to the Grand Floridian to see their gingerbread house. fabulous!! any questions just ask!

OH, we do plan on going on the Jungle Cruise, Pirates and a lot of the others.
Things like Space Moutain, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad are probably out of the question for those two.
I hope to get on them alone at some point.

But this trip is for my daughter so what she wants she basically will get... With in reason of course.

We are hitting Epcot the day we arrive. We at first didn't plan on going there at all, but figured getting there later in the day and spending the evening at Epocot with Illuminations will be a good way to start the trip off.

 

[lovealldisney]

Ohhhh! Don't forget Peter Pan's Flight! That is a classic to! And welcome fellow Wisconsinite!! You will find alot of good advise on these boards!! Have fun planning!!! And I hope your DD has a very What a fun way to celebrate!!!

 

[ccgegg]

Things like Space Moutain, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad are probably out of the question for those two.
I hope to get on them alone at some point.

Suggestion: If you're at MK on a MVMCP day, you can hit Splash Mtn and BTMRR during the MK's afternoon parade with virtually no wait. No Fastpass needed.

Welcome to the DISboards and you picked an amazing time to visit WDW. It's our absolute favorite time to go.

 

[hockeybabe]

If they decide to try a coaster, the best (easiest) would be Big Thunder Railroad. Splash is a great ride, but the drop will probably be intense for them.

Make sure you try Soarin in Epcot, it is a "safe" but exciting ride. I would try Test Track, the end part is fast, but no hills or drops.

Kali River Rapids in AK is a good one for your group, too. Beware, Dinosaur is pretty intense.

So long as motion sickness isn't an issue, Star Tours in MGM is fun (and cute), not scary. The Great Movie Ride is slow moving, but there are a couple of shooting scenes from movies, not major, IMO, but there is that noise consideration. The Backlot tour is tame.

Enjoy your trip! You'll love WL, a great first WDW trip choice

 

[phisigprincess]

Oh my gosh!!!! Say hi to me at Cinderella's!!!! I'll be the other birthday girl there on the 11th!! We have 9:00 ressies, but maybe your family will still be there. Us December 11th girls are pretty cool. Just wanted to say hi and stop by if you see us and you're still there.

 

[Madi100]

My older DD is not much of a dare devil. She always loves a ride after she gets on, but getting her to go on them is pretty tough. Younger DD is the opposite. She is not afraid to try anything, and she usually bites off more than she can chew. At age four, both of my girls were riding Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. They also both rode Space Mountain, only at different ages. Of those rides, they loved them all. If you can get them to do Splash Mountain, it is an awesome ride. The ride itself is about 15 minutes long. It is something not to miss. The only "intense" part is when you have that big drop, and that is something you can see from the outside.

I would say that if your daughter is just getting to the point of trying more intense rides, the ones at Magic Kingdom are good ones to start with. If she does get brave enough to try Space Mountain, just be reminded that you don't sit next to each other. You sit single file. The more intense rides are at MGM Disney Studios. Rock N Roller Coaster is definitely intense, as is Tower of Terror.

I would hit all of the rides in Fantasyland. The only one that I would perhaps skip is the Snow White Ride. I just don't get that one. Not too magical. Definitely don't miss Mickey's Philharmagic. It is a nice sitdown 3-D show. Disney Magic. We saw it three times the last time we were there. My all time favorite.

Have fun!

 

[tink2]

We'll be there the same day! We have CRT at 8:05- see you there. Your adr shouldn't be a problem- you are there before the park opens and should be in the first 'seating' of the restaurant. In other words- they seat people 5-10 minutes apart- starting at the first 8:05 or 8:00 reservation. The restaurant shouldn't be 'full' when you are there- you should be the first one eating at your table- hence, you shouldn't have to 'wait'. Get to the podium early. The last time we were there at 2004, we had an 8:15 adr. Once we got to the podium, it was a madhouse. Everyone that had a 'first seating' was there and was seated as they arrived. What a magical way to spend a birthday!
As far as thrill rides- if she is thinking of trying a roller coaster, Big Thunder Mountain is a great start. DD was 5 our last trip and that was her first big coaster. She rode it at least 20 times! This upcoming trip she is wanting to try all the others- she is 'finally' tall enough as she puts it! DS5 will be trying BTM for the first time this year. It is a great starter coaster.
We were at WDW the first week in Dec in 2004 and the lines were terrific! We had breakfast at CRT at 8:15- probably seated at 8:05- and got done just in time for rope drop of fantasyland- so we were at the front of the rope drop once we left the castle. We finished fantasyland in about 30 minutes- walked on to everything!!! I mean every ride in fantasyland. So, we went on a few twice and watched Philarmagic. Don't forget to ride the Magic Carpets of Aladdin in Adventureland I believe- that is a must for DD7-she loves Jasmine. Ask a cm- Jasmine is usually around throughout the day around that ride for pictures.
Have a great time and see you at crt!

 

[disneynewbee]

I think your plans sound just fine. Definately take your dd on buzz, we all loved that ride. I think you can get done what you have planned in 3 hours. We couldn't because we have little ones in strollers but with just an 8yo you should be fine. Have a blast. I hope your dd has a magical birthday. We will be leaving as you are getting there.

 

[Doc CW]

It sounds like a good plan but, I would budget for longer than an hour because your DD will probably want to take in all the sites besides its her bday so i would budget for 2 hours. As long as your riding plan is concerned I think its a good idea and I would stick to it.

 

[Madi100]

We'll be there the same day! We have CRT at 8:05- see you there. Your adr shouldn't be a problem- you are there before the park opens and should be in the first 'seating' of the restaurant. In other words- they seat people 5-10 minutes apart- starting at the first 8:05 or 8:00 reservation. The restaurant shouldn't be 'full' when you are there- you should be the first one eating at your table- hence, you shouldn't have to 'wait'. Get to the podium early. The last time we were there at 2004, we had an 8:15 adr. Once we got to the podium, it was a madhouse. Everyone that had a 'first seating' was there and was seated as they arrived. What a magical way to spend a birthday!
As far as thrill rides- if she is thinking of trying a roller coaster, Big Thunder Mountain is a great start. DD was 5 our last trip and that was her first big coaster. She rode it at least 20 times! This upcoming trip she is wanting to try all the others- she is 'finally' tall enough as she puts it! DS5 will be trying BTM for the first time this year. It is a great starter coaster.
We were at WDW the first week in Dec in 2004 and the lines were terrific! We had breakfast at CRT at 8:15- probably seated at 8:05- and got done just in time for rope drop of fantasyland- so we were at the front of the rope drop once we left the castle. We finished fantasyland in about 30 minutes- walked on to everything!!! I mean every ride in fantasyland. So, we went on a few twice and watched Philarmagic. Don't forget to ride the Magic Carpets of Aladdin in Adventureland I believe- that is a must for DD7-she loves Jasmine. Ask a cm- Jasmine is usually around throughout the day around that ride for pictures.
Have a great time and see you at crt!

Also, be sure to get in early. When we went in 2004, I asked a security guard where the entrance was for early entry for our breakfast. He said we didn't get in early. So, we stood in the rain for 30 minutes. Now we know that there IS an entrance, and it is off to the left. Be sure to find it, even if you are told it doesn't exist. It does!

 

[dalton30720]

Since you are going to be visiting in December, I highly recommend the Candlelight Processional at Epcot. You can book a dinner package to get good seats. Very festive!