GAH!!! I need major itinerary help :(

[McGreezy]

Okay this is our first trip ever, and I'm having a mini meltdown trying to figure out how to make all these moving parts work.

A. Grandparents who we havent seen in 5 years will be driving in from Naples to spend 1-2 nights at the Villa with us. THey may or may not hit the parks with us, but they understand we may have long days at the parks. Ideally I'd like to spend as much time as possible with them, but we just have so little time...maybe condensing the days??

B. Want to squeeze in MNSSHP

C. Only have 4 Days of tickets

Our current itinerary including ADR's is:

Sunday 10/25: Arrive MCO 10:10 am -- Lunch at T-Rex 1pm -- Hang out at our Villa, DTD, etc for the remainder of the day.

Monday 10/26: Epcot all day -- Coral Reef for dinner at 7:10pm

Tuesday 10/27: Universal Studios Day

Wednesday 10/28: Hollywood Studios -- Boatwrights for dinner at 7:30pm

Thursday 10/29: Animal Kingdom -- Boma for dinner at 5:10pm

Friday 10/30: Magic Kingdom -- BOG for lunch at 1:05pm -- EP and Wishes in the evening

Saturday 10/31: Depart MCO 12 noon.

Now, knowing that this is our first ever trip, and we aren't buying park hoppers, how would you seasoned vets set up this day so we aren't nuts??? It's October, could we maybe combine the AK and HS days to give us one free day off?? HALP!!

 

[taythecray]

I am definitely no expert and I know others will chime in with more ideas this is just what I thought looking at your plans.
If it's your first trip I wouldn't try doing AK and HS in one day. Most people say it's a half day park but there is a lot to do at both (unless you don't want to see all the shows at HS then that could free up some time)
Is Universal a must do? I would say that's your best bet for a free day since Disney will keep you busy enough.
I would hit MNSSHP on your AK day (if that's not a party day then maybe switch?) Since AK closes earlier and you can get into the party without using an extra ticket that would give you some extra MK time (never a bad thing)
Feel free to add more experts! First trips are always exciting and crazy

 

[McGreezy]

I am definitely no expert and I know others will chime in with more ideas this is just what I thought looking at your plans.
If it's your first trip I wouldn't try doing AK and HS in one day. Most people say it's a half day park but there is a lot to do at both (unless you don't want to see all the shows at HS then that could free up some time)
Is Universal a must do? I would say that's your best bet for a free day since Disney will keep you busy enough.
I would hit MNSSHP on your AK day (if that's not a party day then maybe switch?) Since AK closes earlier and you can get into the party without using an extra ticket that would give you some extra MK time (never a bad thing)
Feel free to add more experts! First trips are always exciting and crazy

Thanks for replying! US is definitely a must-do. I have older kids and a hubby who would slaughter me if I took it away. I was considering either doing MNSSHP on either the SUnday we arrive (but am worried about all that running around and exhaustion setting in), or Thursday our AK day. But I didn't know if trying to do both HS and AK on one day might give us more Grampie and Grammie time. But again, I don't want to rush too much!! UGH! That's it, I just need a longer vacation!

 

[McGreezy]

If it's your first trip I wouldn't try doing AK and HS in one day. Most people say it's a half day park but there is a lot to do at both (unless you don't want to see all the shows at HS then that could free up some time)

Oh, also, the only show we are interested in is Indiana Jones soo...maybe that wouldn't take up much time??

 

[taythecray]

Thanks for replying! US is definitely a must-do. I have older kids and a hubby who would slaughter me if I took it away. I was considering either doing MNSSHP on either the SUnday we arrive (but am worried about all that running around and exhaustion setting in), or Thursday our AK day. But I didn't know if trying to do both HS and AK on one day might give us more Grampie and Grammie time. But again, I don't want to rush too much!! UGH! That's it, I just need a longer vacation!

Haha longer trips are always good You would need to buy the hopper if you wanted to do AK and HS in one day though and since the hopper is one price regardless on if you use it one day or every day....it can be costly. How old is everyone? You could always take midday breaks to go back and hang out at your resort then head back for dinners/nighttime entertainment

 

[taythecray]

Oh, also, the only show we are interested in is Indiana Jones soo...maybe that wouldn't take up much time??

If that's the only show then aside from the couple big rides (Rock n Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Toy Story Mania) you could knock that out in a couple hours.

 

[soniam]

I think you could combine DHS and AK. If you really want to do Toy Story Mania, then use your FP at DHS, unless you are really, really going to hit rope drop, like arriving 30+ min before park open. If you limit the shows to 1 or 2, you could do it.

We can usually knock out DHS and AK in a half a day each. However, we have been before and don't repeat many shows.

 

[bear_mom]

Since your HS and AK days are back to back, I would use those days to visit with the grandparents. Get up, go to the park, knock out what you want, and then you will have time to visit.

You could have them join you for dinner, and spend some time enjoying the resort (AKL) and DTD (take a boat from Port Orleans).

 

[amg35]

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I think you could combine DHS and AK. If you really want to do Toy Story Mania, then use your FP at DHS, unless you are really, really going to hit rope drop, like arriving 30+ min before park open. If you limit the shows to 1 or 2, you could do it.

We can usually knock out DHS and AK in a half a day each. However, we have been before and don't repeat many shows.

They aren't buying hoppers, they can only do one park a day.

OP - maybe on your DHS day - get rid of the Boatwrights reservation and spend late afternoon at villa with grandparents. Or still leave HS by 2 or 3, spend afternoon with grandparents, keep reservation and you all go to dinner? (with grandparents)

 

[threeboysmom]

Hmmm, since the grandparents may not come to the parks with you, but yet staying overnight with you, that makes things really tight.

Since Sunday is your only non-park day, that day seems the most logical choice to have them join you for lunch and then you can spend a leisurely afternoon/evening with them. Maybe move HS to Monday instead (no idea of EMH or anything...) and go to park in early afternoon so that you could have the morning with grandparents as well. Do Epcot on Wed. instead. Your 2 ADR's (Boatwrights & Coral Reef) should be easy enough to switch.

Unless of course they change their mind and decide to hit the park with you on Monday - Epcot would be the most relaxing park for them in my opinion.

 

[DisMommyTX]

I wouldn't combine days. I would plan on half days at some parks giving you more time with grandparents or just relax and recover. You said your kids are older--what are you going to 'do' with grandparents? Our visits usually work better having meals together and visiting for a couple hours here and there, maybe hang out by the pool. A whole day of grandparent time doesn't usually work well for anyone unless you have something planned.

One day at MK is not enough. You might want to drop one of the other parks and do two MK days. MNSSHP is on the 25th (your arrival day), 27 and 29. Stacking it after AK on the 29th or on arrival day would both work well in your schedule.

I would either:

1) Invite grandparents for your arrival day and take them with you to EPCOT on the 26th. Then do the MNSSHP on the 29th.

OR

2) Do MNSSHP on the arrival day. Invite grandparents to visit on the 28th-29th if they don't want to go to the parks.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

MNSSHP on arrival day or after AK or DHS. Just do a half day at one of the parks, back to villa to relax and then head out for MNSSHP.

 

[McGreezy]

Hmmm, since the grandparents may not come to the parks with you, but yet staying overnight with you, that makes things really tight.

Since Sunday is your only non-park day, that day seems the most logical choice to have them join you for lunch and then you can spend a leisurely afternoon/evening with them. Maybe move HS to Monday instead (no idea of EMH or anything...) and go to park in early afternoon so that you could have the morning with grandparents as well. Do Epcot on Wed. instead. Your 2 ADR's (Boatwrights & Coral Reef) should be easy enough to switch.

Unless of course they change their mind and decide to hit the park with you on Monday - Epcot would be the most relaxing park for them in my opinion.

This is a fantastic switch, thank you! I'm going to speak with her tonight and see if she would want to do Epcot. They're in their 80's so I'm not sure they'll be up to it, but I don't want to assume.

 

[McGreezy]

I didn't know I couldn't do two parks in one day without a park hopper! I thought I could use both my tickets for that day. Whoops!! Thanks guys! These were some amazing tips/suggestions. I might Just do what threeboysmom suggested and do our grampie visit on arrival day and switch our HS day to Monday (no need for EMH as I'm not an on-site guest) and spend half that day with them as well, and move Epcot to Wednesday. This place is so amazingly helpful!!

 

[Crystal824]

I'd ditch Boatwrights since you aren't staying at POR. I think Boatwrights is a decent meal, but it isn't worth the trip over to POR. That will take quite a bit of time unless you have a car. Even if you have a car, it is going to take some time to get there. I'd make an ADR at someplace more convenient. Your hotel or a park.

 

[McGreezy]

I'd ditch Boatwrights since you aren't staying at POR. I think Boatwrights is a decent meal, but it isn't worth the trip over to POR. That will take quite a bit of time unless you have a car. Even if you have a car, it is going to take some time to get there. I'd make an ADR at someplace more convenient. Your hotel or a park.

I hear you, I'm dying for the shrimp and grits though!!! I wonder where else I can get it??

 

[mommycrawford]

There are tons of things to enjoy outside of the parks! When my mother comes with us ( on days when she doesn't hit the parks) we meet her for lunch or dinner at a resort near the park we are going to.

on a DHS day, we might meet on the boardwalk for dinner. After we enjoy performers or exploring the shops.
MK day, meet at the Polynesian for a snack, and watch the fireworks from the beach together.
Epcot day, exit through the International gateway and munch at the Boardwalk or Yacht & Beach Club: meeting in the Beach Club Lobby or on the Beach itself, or dine near the resort.
AK day, eat at Rainforest Café, or even better, at the Animal Kingdom Lodge where they have savannahs to watch animals on, and storytelling, and gorgeous artwork.

Lots of stuff to do outside the parks, and lots of good ideas on Mousesavers site under freebies.

 

[DisneyCAL]

Since your HS and AK days are back to back, I would use those days to visit with the grandparents. Get up, go to the park, knock out what you want, and then you will have time to visit.

You could have them join you for dinner, and spend some time enjoying the resort (AKL) and DTD (take a boat from Port Orleans).

I agree with this suggestion. These two nights are not at the parks; therefore, grandparents wouldn't need park tickets to visit with you.
And in actuality I don't think your first day will have all that much running around in comparison to your other days so MNSSH might work well that night, then you could start your trip with MK and end it with MK!

 

[CAS239]

Oh, also, the only show we are interested in is Indiana Jones soo...maybe that wouldn't take up much time??

You have older kids and a husband...so please do Lights Motors Action. That's a must!

 

[Rosebud123]

I would keep it simple since you don't have much time. I would not go to MNSSHP. It's a late night, and you'll have to sleep in the next day.