First-timer needs itinerary advice!!

[AMonir]

Hi everyone! So I'm planning my first trip to Disney NEXT MONTH, WOOHOO!! Anyway, I wanted to run my itinerary by you veteran DIS-ers and see if you approve or have any suggestions or itinerary critiques? Thank you soo much!!

Some general info: My party is 2 young adults, and we're staying at Coronado Springs. We love character meals, as you will see from my meal reservations! We're avoiding all thrill rides, because I'm terrified of 'em. The "scariest" ride we're planning on is Test Track. So no waiting in lines for Tower of Terror, Splash Mountain, etc. for us!

FRIDAY, JUNE 16
--Scheduled to arrive at Orlando Airport at 6:10 PM.
--My birthday dinner at Fulton's Crab House in Downtown Disney, with shopping at World of Disney and Disney Tails before or after dinner.

SATURDAY, JUNE 17
--Arrive at Magic Kingdom 30 min before park opening.
--Lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table at 2:05 PM.
--Go back to the hotel after lunch for a swim and rest, and plan to be back at the park at 6:15 PM. If we're not tired and want to stay at the park, we'll spend the afternoon shopping, exploring the park and repeating our fave attractions.
--Dinner at 7 PM at Liberty Tree Tavern.
--After dinner, watch SpectroMagic from Liberty Square and then leave the park immediately after the parade.

SUNDAY, JUNE 18
--Arrive at Animal Kingdom 30 min before park opening.
--Lunch at Rainforest Cafe at 11:40 AM.
--In the afternoon, go back to the hotel for a swim and some rest and relaxation.
--Dinner and watch the Wishes fireworks at 9:10 PM at California Grill.

MONDAY, JUNE 19
--Arrive at Epcot 30 min before park opening.
--Lunch at Teppanyaki at noon.
--Dinner at Alfredo's at 6 PM.
--Watch IllumiNations from Italy.

(We don't have time for a midafternoon hotel break today, since the park is so huge and there's so much for us to see and do here. Is that going to be ok??)

TUESDAY, JUNE 20
--Arrive at MGM 30 min before park opening.
--Lunch at 50's Prime Time at noon.
--Go back to the hotel after lunch for a swim and rest, and plan to be back at the park at 5:30 PM. If we're not tired and want to stay at the park, we'll spend the afternoon shopping, exploring the park and repeating our fave rides.
--Dinner at 6:30 at Hollywood & Vine (Fantasmic! package).
--Leave the park after Fantasmic!

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21
--Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare at 9 AM.
--Take the Monorail to Magic Kingdom and spend the morning and afternoon there. We don't need to leave the park until around 4:30, so we'll have a good chunk of time.
--Flight home at 7:20 PM.

What do you think?? I'd love your opinions and advice!! Thank you soo much!!

 

[Katems]

It sounds pretty good. I can tell you've done a lot of research. Do you have park hopper tickets?? I notice you're not doing any two parks in one day. AK won't take too long, and you could hit another park before your dinner reservation. MGM doesn't take that long, either, and especially since you guys cut out the long lines for thrill rides.... So, if you have park hopper option, you might want to consider hopping to another park for the evenings of AK and the Studios. And you'll be fine at Epcot since you're not with children. It will be hot, so be sure and find a cool place to just rest and chill out during the afternoon. Enjoy! )

 

[Katems]

Oops, I forgot you have Fantasmic the night of the studios. In that case you might want to hit a different park in the late morning (provided it's not a mob scene) and then come back to the Studios. Really though, what you have is fine. )

 

[mrzrich]

Only thing I see is that you might not be hungry for LTT after a 2:05 lunch at CRT.

 

[Dustmouse]

Your lunch ADR for CRT is late. Is that all that was available? You may not be very hungry for LTT at 7pm.

 

[jimmiej]

Just an opinion, but my wife & I both think Test Track is more "scary" than Splash Mountain. SM is Disney at it's best; I'd hate for you to miss it. BTW, my wife is not into thrill rides either. Plus, in case you haven't heard, Mission:Space is going to have an optional version sans the spinning this summer. http://www.allearsnet.com/news/hnews.htm#0502

Leaving the MK immediately after the parade AND from Liberty Square is going to be a madhouse!

I would say a full day at Epcot with no break (in June) will be taxing at best. Plus, not seeing everything gives you a good excuse to come back!

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Rella Bella]

Great job for a first timer!! You'll have some wonderful days!
Here are my thoughts

The "scariest" ride we're planning on is Test Track.

When you do test track, either get a fast-pass or use the single rider line. The single rider will save you tons of time... and you may even end up in the same car just different rows.

FRIDAY--My birthday dinner at Fulton's Crab House in Downtown Disney, with shopping at World of Disney and Disney Tails before or after dinner.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Dont' forget to pick up your birthday button at Guest Relations!! Perfect first day!! I love shopping and I love Fulton's you will too!!

SATURDAY, Dinner at LTT --After dinner, watch SpectroMagic from Liberty Square and then leave the park immediately after the parade.

Why are you leaving before Wishes??? I looks like you only plan to watch it once from outside the park?? We try to see it every chance we get and the effect from inside with the music will be completely different that from inside CG. Also... if you watch the parade from Liberty Square you'll have a pretty hard time getting out while everyone is crowding in front of the castle for Wishes. My advice... plan to stay!! Or if you're set on leaving watch the parade from near the entrance.

SUNDAY Sounds wonderful!

MONDAY(We don't have time for a midafternoon hotel break today, since the park is so huge and there's so much for us to see and do here. Is that going to be ok??)

Perfectly awesome! You can get out of the heat at Epcot by going inside... a lot of Future World is inside... depending on the weather, you might want to do World Showcase early & late and do air conditioned Future world during the hot mid-day.

TUESDAY, --Arrive at MGM 30 min before park opening.

You sure like getting up early!! Are you really an early riser?? If not you might want to rethink doing every morning early... this is a vacation! I know you said you're young but... well... maybe I don't remember being THAT young. We tried the 'early, then rest' theory on our first trip and all we got was tired and grumpy! When we started sleeping in and staying out late we had a much better time... but I know that wouldn't fit everyone.
The rest of your Tuesday looks great.

WEDNESDAY, --Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare at 9 AM.
--Take the Monorail to Magic Kingdom and spend the morning and afternoon there. We don't need to leave the park until around 4:30, so we'll have a good chunk of time.
--Flight home at 7:20 PM.

A perfect end to a wonderful trip!!

Hope you have a magical time!

 

[my2boys1821]

Hey, Great job on the planning! We may just bump into each other. I am going to be there from June 17-24 and we have the same parks on our agenda every day you are there. Pretty Cool!

Here's wishing us all a wonderful trip!!!!!

 

[Quinn222]

I would adjust plans so that you are never leaving immediately after a parade of fireworks. It's a zoon then. Just find a place to sit and replax for 20 or 30 minutes and then leave. It won't take you any longer to leave but it will be a lot easier and less scary then in the mad rush. On the 17th I think even if you aren't tired, take the break. Go back for dinner and stay through Wishes. Then relax for a bit after and leave when the crowds have cleared out a bit.

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

What a great job on planning, you have certainly done your research have a great time.

If possible, Illuminations would really be special if you could hook up with someone that has the "speciality cruise" booked already (since this is your first trip) and share in the cost. This is a special way of seeing this spectacular display of fireworks .

I also agree with another post, Test Track is by far a rough ride than splash mountain, splash is a relaxing ride until the drop at the end.

Don't miss the shows for the lines, its all apart of the Magic.

 

[AMonir]

Thank you SOO much for the advice, you guys!! I appreciate it so much. I did try and get earlier ressies for CRT, but that's all that was available and we REALLY want to dine at the castle with the princesses, hehe. I think if anything we'll just have a snack or dessert at LTT, if we're not hungry enough for a full meal. And I think we will watch Wishes from both Magic Kingdom and CG. Thanks for the suggestion on staying in the parks 20-30 min after the fireworks, that sounds like a good plan and may be the best time for us to do our shopping! And I'm now planning for us to arrive at AK and MGM exactly at opening, instead of 30 min before. That way we're not getting up too early every day.

Thanks again, and please let me know if you have any other suggestions! I love all your ideas!

 

[mrzrich]

Thank you SOO much for the advice, you guys!! I appreciate it so much. I did try and get earlier ressies for CRT, but that's all that was available and we REALLY want to dine at the castle with the princesses, hehe. I think if anything we'll just have a snack or dessert at LTT, if we're not hungry enough for a full meal. !

At another restaurant that would be a great idea, but LTT is a set meal at dinner time, It is a full thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings. Thats why I was concerned about your hunger level. There are no appetizers and deserts to choose from at dinner time, You get the set menu: salad and rolls, greenbeans, mashed potatoes, stuffing, mac&cheese, turkey, ham, flank steak and gravy. For desert you get cobbler ala mode

If your set on a @2:05 CRT I would canel LTT and plan to do CS that night when ever you start to get hungry.