general planning help needed plz!

[suledamo]

We will be staying at AoA party of 2 adults, 3 "kids" ages 18,16,14. Arrive at 9:30 am on May 23 leaving at 7 am sunday May 31. I have the Anna/Elsa FP booked for that last Saturday at 3:40 and 7DMT at 10:25-11:25 that same day. But DD wanted to do BOG for dinner and I could only get that on Monday, Memorial day. For that day I have a night 7DMT fp and some other morning FP's for Peter Pan and BTMR, but could change those to evening FP still at this point. The other activities on our "to do" list are mini golf, Typhoon Lagoon, DTD and of course at least a day at each of the other 3 parks. We have 6 day passes without Hopper option. I have no clue how to go about picking what days to do what as the crowd calendars are conflicting...except that it will be crazy crowded at MK on memorial day, lol. How do most people go about choosing what day for which park and if it should be an early park day or a late night one? I am usually a commando type park person, but have promised by DH that this trip would be a bit more relaxing with down time at the pool etc. maybe some half days at the parks Any suggestions on how to approach the planning of the other 3 parks and other activities is greatly appreciated...I'm starting to lose my mind!! Would welcome any dining suggestions as well. I know this is a lot to ask, but thought some Disney vets would have some useful suggestions. thanks for the help!!

 

[IndianaRRT]

Well, it looks like you have 2 days at MK, so with non-park hoppers, that leaves 4 days. Your "kids" are very close in age to mine, so I will say please don't stress too much. The ages of your group provide you with much more flexibility than you would have with smaller kids.

If I were in your shoes, I would have my 2 MK days.

For the other 4 days, I would do a pre-park open ADR at Tusker House at AK on one of those, then go straight to the Safari. While at AK, I would get in a ride at Expedition Everest and Dinosaur. Get your photo made in front of that beautiful tree, and if there's time, check out It's Tough to be a Bug and Festival of the Lion King. In all honesty, that's really just a 1/2 day. Use the other half for DD or return to your resort for some swimming. Then get an ADR at Trails End and watch Wishes from the Fort Wilderness beach.

On another day, enjoy Epcot! It's my favorite park, and I could spend A LOT of time there. Try your best to get FP+ for Soarin and Test Track. Enjoy the World Showcase. Then get an ADR at one of the awesome restaurants ( I love San Angel Inn in Mexico!) or take the short boat ride over to the Boardwalk area and eat at Beaches and Cream (Beach Club, you'll need an ADR). My crew loved, loved Beaches and Cream. Then head back over to the World Showcase for Illuminations!

Sleep in the next morning for sure, then head to HS. Get some afternoon FP+ for Toy Story Midway Mania, Star Tours, Tower of Terror, and/or Rock n Roller Coaster (Whatever you're able to snag). Have dinner at SciFi Dine-In Theater, then later, enjoy Fantasmic!

That still leaves a day on your tickets, but you'd hit all the parks at least once. And if you can, try to get in a dinner at Ohana. Such a fun and yummy experience. But most of all, relax and enjoy! Have a great trip!

 

[AllieBoo]

Since you have teenagers, I'm guessing they may not want to do rope drop everyday, so I would probably avoid parks with early EMH when planning my days. My family and I love late nights at MK, so we always try to do an evening EMH and stay as late as we can, then sleep in the next morning and maybe head to a waterpark, or do a half day at AK. I would definitely avoid MK on Memorial Day, as we have been that day before and found it to be very crowded.

 

[suledamo]

Thank you for your help! I like both of your suggestions! I am sure once I get my head around this planning part it will be a great vacation! It seems with the addition of FP+ the planning has become much more intense, but I think once we are in the park it will make the day much more relaxed as well. First trip using the FP+ so I can't wait to see how it goes. So excited...just a few more weeks now, yay!!! Thanks again.