Help me decide on trip with 5 & 2 yr old - fly in early?

[azarine]

I can't decide on 2 options for our trip - help! All input welcome! Any other brilliant plans also welcome! I am an overplanner

Details: June 2-9, 2015, with me, DH, DD5, DS2 (nearly 3 at time of trip). Using ME/no car. First trip for kids! Coming from Mountain Time Zone and much cooler, drier climate! I want to make the most of our mornings as our kids are morning people and we will do long afternoon breaks to avoid the heat.

7 nights/6 days currently booked at VGF 1 br suite (not changeable). So excited for this!

Option 1
Would fly in to MCO at 6 pm after having been up since 4 am our time. Go directly to VGF. Next day would be our first MK day with 9 am park opening.

Option 2
Extend trip 1 day by flying in the day before our VGF reservation starts. Would also arrive at MCO at 6 pm after being up since 4 am our time. Stay at airport Hyatt (kids would love hotel in an airport!), take ME the next morning to VGF. Probably enjoy hotel most of day, then a few early evening hours at MK to start trip. Next day we could do EMH at HS at 8 am. Worried that might be too early for our kids with time change though. Then the following day we could do MK EMH at 8 am as well - this would maximize our morning hours.

Help! It's hard for me to give up that extra hour in the morning - seems like that would be awesome. I know it wouldn't work if we didn't actually get there by 7:30 am though.

Also wondering if 8 nights is too long for our kids. This is the longest trip we've taken yet.

 

[KeytotheCastle]

I'm new so I'm still trying to understand all the abbreviations.
Even so, I would pick option 2.
If you all are morning people, which I am too, it would do you good to get in a day early and take your time resting and gearing up for the MK (I know that one!) As to avoid any over tiredness for the big day.
8 days might seem long but I bet it goes by too fast!

 

[Mousemommy1]

I can't decide on 2 options for our trip - help! All input welcome! Any other brilliant plans also welcome! I am an overplanner

Details: June 2-9, 2015, with me, DH, DD5, DS2 (nearly 3 at time of trip). Using ME/no car. First trip for kids! Coming from Mountain Time Zone and much cooler, drier climate! I want to make the most of our mornings as our kids are morning people and we will do long afternoon breaks to avoid the heat.

7 nights/6 days currently booked at VGF 1 br suite (not changeable). So excited for this!

Option 1
Would fly in to MCO at 6 pm after having been up since 4 am our time. Go directly to VGF. Next day would be our first MK day with 9 am park opening.

Option 2
Extend trip 1 day by flying in the day before our VGF reservation starts. Would also arrive at MCO at 6 pm after being up since 4 am our time. Stay at airport Hyatt (kids would love hotel in an airport!), take ME the next morning to VGF. Probably enjoy hotel most of day, then a few early evening hours at MK to start trip. Next day we could do EMH at HS at 8 am. Worried that might be too early for our kids with time change though. Then the following day we could do MK EMH at 8 am as well - this would maximize our morning hours.

Help! It's hard for me to give up that extra hour in the morning - seems like that would be awesome. I know it wouldn't work if we didn't actually get there by 7:30 am though.

Also wondering if 8 nights is too long for our kids. This is the longest trip we've taken yet.

Option 2 seems more relaxing.

Our trips have all been 10 nights since our kids were 3 and 5. It's not too long for us.

 

[msmama]

I think I'd go with option 2, too. Seems more relaxing.

BUT, I want to dispel the notion that you'd have to get there by 7:30. If you want to see the opening show (if they have one that day) then yes, you would, but even if you get there by, say 8:30, you're going to beat a lot of people and still have a good chunk of good riding hours. Plus you can plan you FP's for AFTER those good riding hours and I think you'd still have a successful day.

I might consider a different park though, rather than EMH at HS for your first full day though. 1. If my kids were sleeping, I wouldn't want to wake them up (and unfortunately, it's not really a play it by ear thing anymore) on day one of vacation. 2. If your kids aren't big thrill riders (which Im guessing not due to ages and assumed height) then really the only the big ride you'll need to be there for is Toy Story and if you get a FP+ for that then you wouldn't need to be there early. Now, whether or not you want to get a late start at an EMH park (which many say is a no-no) or hit another park is something else entirely!!

 

[mm1971]

Option 2 seems like it would be a better choice. More time to relax and start off the vacation a little easier. It's a lot of work and running around. The less stress at the start the better your vacation will be.

 

[AlexisMaxMommy]

If you can do option 2, I would say go for that one because you and the kids will be a lot less stressed.

 

[tink9702]

how early are your kids up normally?

the length of your trip will not be too long if you have a suite booked.

 

[jacknsally19]

Personally, I would do option 1. I think its stressful to switch hotels so that wouldn't appeal to me.... especially with two small children. Also, I want to echo the previous comment that there is no reason to get to HS at 8 AM. There is so little at that park right now - its pretty easy to do a very short morning or evening and be done with it (especially with FP+) The other thing to consider is that the park with extra morning hours tends to be the busier park so we try to avoid the ones having extra hours. Of course YMMV
The other thing I'd say, I'm always ready to go home after a week.

Finally, I wanted to say that we stayed at GF in October w/ my 2 year old and she LOVED the pools there. The zero depth entry is completely awesome. Also, if you little one likes playing in sand, bring a small sand pail & shovel. We had some fun times playing on the beach area by the pool.

 

[azarine]

Thanks all, I really appreciate all of your thoughts. Now I'm thinking about Option 2 but skipping the EMH parks, sticking with the Most Recommended and arriving at 9 am. We could do arrival day as a down day at the GF (maybe 1900 Park Fare), then Day 1 MK and Day 2 HS (skipping EMH).

 

[GrnMtnMan]

Also wondering if 8 nights is too long for our kids. This is the longest trip we've taken yet.

Longer is better. You don't feel the pressure to 'get things done' when you have the chance to do it the next day. If the kids are cranky...it rains...any sort of deviation from a plan, more days gives you flexibility. Staying longer, you also feel comfortable keeping them a little closer to their ordinary routine. You can let them get up early/stay up late a day or two, without them getting uncontrollable. And you can do low-key resort activities...or just spend an afternoon at the pool.

 

[jeeperwy]

We also travel from the mountain time zone. I think your biggest decision is do you want to adjust to eastern time or keep your bodies on mountain time? We usually try to adjust. With getting up at 4 am, adjusting will be a little easier. After such an early start everyone (especially you) will be tired and go to sleep earlier. Then you can wake up on eastern time. I would go ahead and go the VGF. For the first day I would just try to get to a park at opening, not EMH. The next few days after that you probably will be getting up earlier and can go to EMH if you want. Also I would definitely have some days that you don't go to a park or go for a few hours after dinner. Less chance of everyone burning out.
Hope that helps!
Kari

 

[azarine]

Thanks Kari! Appreciate that. I think we're going to try to adjust to the new time zone as quickly as possible.

 

[TinaLala]

I would chose option 1 - why hang around the airport, get to Disney. Yes you're going to be tired, but from GF you can see the Wishes fireworks or some of the Water parade. Eat at 1900 park fare. Do some shopping. Enjoy your room.

Your kids are young enough that you should get there and let them enjoy the magic of getting there, which might be by 8pm, explore the room a bit, watch the WDW tv and then crash. Wake up the next morning rady to GO to the park.

I think option 2 staying at airport hotel and then getting up next day and doing more travel might make them anxious. GET TO THE PARK,

 

[azarine]

Thanks TinaLala! Good points. I went with Option 3 (haha) and booked one night at the POR before we check into the VGF. We've always wanted to see the POR anyway, and then we'll spend the day between sleeping in, exploring both resorts and getting used to the time zone and heat! Doing 1900 Park Fare that evening! We can always go to MK that day if we feel like it but I think the kids will be enchanted by both resorts

 

[hjeick]

I always vote to extend a vacation. It sounds like everyone will be refreshed after the long flight if you choose option two.