Have tentative itinerary. How do you plan transportation in DW? Any sites with info?

[Dutchmom23]

This is my first time to DW and I am stoked!! Disers helped me tweak itinerary yesterday. What a great site and group of people!! Since I am a "planner" I feel the transportation info is difficult to grasp without reading more about it. Would I be safe to wait until we get there and sketch this out? Here is my itinerary, but the "red" is the option I am leaning towards. Please, give me insight or wisdom of past experiences. How do I begin to get to all these places the most efficiently?

Sunday, May 1
Leave for airport, 3:30 a.m.;Flight leaves 5:45 a.m.
Arrive at MCO 10:47 a.m. take shuttle to POR
12:00 PM Rest option if room available
2:00 PM Orient/Rest/Plan
hit the pavement @Disney-MGM Studios
5:10 PM Dinner - Hollywood & Vine
8:30 PM Show - Fantasmic!
Options:
9:00 PM Return to POR
9:00 PM-11:30 PM Late Magic MGM after show optional


Monday, May 2
8:00 AM Early Magic Epcot®
11:40 AM Lunch - Akershus - Character Dining
1:00 PM Afternoon delight @Epcot or return to POR
5:00 PM Evening escapades @Epcot
9:00 PM Fireworks - IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth

Tuesday, May 3
8:00 AM Early Magic Hour Disney-MGM Studios
12:00 PM Lunch - Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater

Head out toward AK after lunch
1:00-5 p.m. Afternoon delight Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
Options:
a. 5:00 PM Evening escapades (Option) - DisneyQuest® Indoor
b. 5:00 PM Evening Escapades Option - Disney's Port Orleans
7:30 PM Operation Aloha!! - 'Ohana
9:30 PM Electric Water Pageant - Disney's Polynesian Resort

Wednesday, May 4
Magic Kingdom® Park
9:00 AM Operation Cinderella
3:00 PM Parade - Share A Dream Come True Parade
5:15 PM Dinner - Liberty Tree Tavern Character Dining
6:30-9:00PM Operation Cinderella continued
9:00 PM Fireworks - Wishes™ Nighttime Spectacular
9:00-12a PM Late Magic - OPTIONAL

Thursday, May 5
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon
10:00-2PM Operation Options=Family Quorum regarding departure
Options:
a. 2:00 PM Operation Options - DisneyQuest®
b. 2:00 PM Operation Options - POR
c. 2:00 PM Operation Options - AK since has EMH, anyways
5-8 PM Late Magic - Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
9:00 PM Parade - "SpectroMagic" Parade, Magic Kingdom® Park
9:00 PM-12 AM EMH @MK

Friday, May 6
8:00 AM Operation Family Friday Finale (Optional activities)
Options:
a. 8:00 AM Early Magic - MK
b. 8:00 AM Operation Options - POR activities
c. 10:00 AM Operation Options - DisneyQuest®
d. 2:00 PM Mears Transport to MCO. Picked up at POR

TIA for any input. Have a blessed, joy filled day!!!!!!
30 days and counting

 

[MichiganMomto4]

I'm not sure what kind of transportation information you're looking for. Disney buses/boats and monorails can get you to and from all your destinations on your intinerary.

What is the Shuttle you will be taking from MCO to POR on arrival? You mention Mears for your departure but not on arrival so I was wondering. Also, since you depart on May 6th, call and see if you can get Magical express for your return to MCO. Not sure if you can do one way since it doesn't start until May 5th but I don't see why not and you'd save the Mears $$.

I will comment on your (tues. I believe) plan of having lunch at Sci-Fi at noon and being in AK by 1. That's close to impossible unless you don't actually eat. I'd plan on arriving at AK more like 2, 2:30 IF you get seated right at noon.

What is Escapades? Is this something new or is that just a fun word you're using?

 

[Dutchmom23]

What is the Shuttle you will be taking from MCO to POR on arrival? Also, since you depart on May 6th, call and see if you can get Magical express for your return to MCO. Not sure if you can do one way since it doesn't start until May 5th but I don't see why not and you'd save the Mears $$.

I will comment on your (tues. I believe) plan of having lunch at Sci-Fi at noon and being in AK by 1. That's close to impossible unless you don't actually eat. I'd plan on arriving at AK more like 2, 2:30 IF you get seated right at noon.

What is Escapades? Is this something new or is that just a fun word you're using?

Thank you for responding.!! Yes, we are taking Mears to and from. When we booked, we were told we could not use Magical express upon departure since we did not use on arrival. I will double check, though.

I will change itinerary to 2-2:30 for AK, I was not allowing enough time.

Escapes was my "fun" way to add to our itinerary "Operation Mickey"

I am assuming I can put strategies together about what type of transportation we can use from resort, parks, etc. However, the "control" part of me, wanted to know how these worked, too. How I could get from point "A" to "B" prior to arrival most efficiently. I have not been able to find info to read about it. I know you get a pamphlet at the resort, but was getting impatient.

 

[MichiganMomto4]

When we booked, we were told we could not use Magical express upon departure since we did not use on arrival.

I wasn't sure. That's really, too bad. But like you said, check again, each CM seems to have a different answer.

I looked over your plans again and you really have no difficult transportation issues. Stand at a bus stop and wait for the bus with the Marquee that has your next destination on it. It's that easy!

Hope you have a great trip

 

[Dutchmom23]

Ilooked over your plans again and you really have no difficult transportation issues. Stand at a bus stop and wait for the bus with the Marquee that has your next destination on it. It's that easy!/QUOTE]

I am thankful things are well labeled. I am at ease now. TYVM for responding!! BTW, my dh is a MI boy from Holland, MI

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

Try the transportation wizard!

http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/asp/twiz.asp

 

[Dutchmom23]

Try the transportation wizard!

http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/asp/twiz.asp

I didnot know this existed. Thank you!!!!!!!!