Help Me! I'm in Full Panic Mode

[perturbatrix]

We arrive at Disney on Mon. Sept. 22. We are staying at GF and go the DxDP. We went way overboard on this trip as we haven't had a vacation in 5 years and probably won't for another 5. Now I've hit full panic mode and need some advice/suggestions as to what is realistic vs. what I planned. I've searched the boards but am getting overwhelmed!

First, my neighbors went last year and hated the parks (but loved the cruise). They had the DxDP and said that all food stands except snacks were closed for hours on end as shifts changed over from lunch to dinner etc. They said they couldn't get a meal anywhere. I find this hard to believe and also have ADRs for all of our meals -- but with 4yo twins traveling with us I want to know if I should pack some snacks just in case.

Second, I am really worried about hurricanes. I wanted to go to WDW in November and DH got online and realized it was cheaper in Sept. and made me book it. I never considered hurricanes when we booked back in May.

Third, do you think my plans are doable with 4yo twins? Here's my rough itinerary:

Monday -- arrive GF approx. 3pm. Dinner at Narcoosees at 8pm

Tuesday -- Epcot: Princess lunch at Norway at 1150am, rides and attractions throughout the day, dinner at Rose and Crown at 8pm

Wednesday -- MK: Breakfast at 8am at Crystal Palace; lunch at CRT at 220pm; Dinner at 930pm at Flying Fish on the Boardwalk. We want to see the Wishes show before we head out for late dinner. Will we have enough time to make it to dinner? Is this too long of a day? Is this too much food for one day?

Thursday -- AK morning and HS afternoon/evening. Breakfast at 9am at Tusker House. Dinner at 430 at Hollywood Brown Derby. We are seeing Fantasmic at 8pm.

Friday -- MK again: Lunch at 1130am at Tony's Town Square; Dinner at 755 at Chef Mickey's.

Saturday -- breakfast at 11am at GF with Mary Poppins.

We depart via Southwest at 345pm on Saturday. What time should we leave Disney property?

Obviously, I am trying to pack the world into 4 days. Someone give me a reality check and let me know what you would change or keep. Thanks!!

 

[hill6]

Sounds like your neighbors were trying to eat in big name restaurants that only serve dinner. Two years ago at Animal Kingdom we had one place close for about 30 minutes to do the switchover but they opened right ontime to serve lunch according to the signs posted on their door for when lunch was served.

I don't think they really close completely between lunch and dinner although you may not have as many lines open or staff available.


As far as leaving on Saturday that would depend on if you have a car or are using ME. ME is a recommended three hours in advance. The airport is a good half hour plus away plus if you are returning a car I think about three hours is a good timeframe also. I have experienced extremely long security lines at MCO.

Your food plans sound great. I can't answer your question about the Wishes show. I can tell you however that your best way to get between the hotel and the Boardwalk is the monorail over to Magic Kingdom and then the bus from there. Is wishes available any other night for you to see?

 

[zoie101]

It can be a bit overwhelming
but step back relax
you will have a magical trip
(even if all your plans are not filled)
a vacation at disney is better than no vacation at all!
by the way your plans look doable!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

We arrive at Disney on Mon. Sept. 22. We are staying at GF and go the DxDP. We went way overboard on this trip as we haven't had a vacation in 5 years and probably won't for another 5. Now I've hit full panic mode and need some advice/suggestions as to what is realistic vs. what I planned. I've searched the boards but am getting overwhelmed!

First, my neighbors went last year and hated the parks (but loved the cruise). They had the DxDP and said that all food stands except snacks were closed for hours on end as shifts changed over from lunch to dinner etc. They said they couldn't get a meal anywhere. I find this hard to believe and also have ADRs for all of our meals -- but with 4yo twins traveling with us I want to know if I should pack some snacks just in case.

Second, I am really worried about hurricanes. I wanted to go to WDW in November and DH got online and realized it was cheaper in Sept. and made me book it. I never considered hurricanes when we booked back in May.

Third, do you think my plans are doable with 4yo twins? Here's my rough itinerary:

Monday -- arrive GF approx. 3pm. Dinner at Narcoosees at 8pm

Tuesday -- Epcot: Princess lunch at Norway at 1150am, rides and attractions throughout the day, dinner at Rose and Crown at 8pm

Wednesday -- MK: Breakfast at 8am at Crystal Palace; lunch at CRT at 220pm; Dinner at 930pm at Flying Fish on the Boardwalk. We want to see the Wishes show before we head out for late dinner. Will we have enough time to make it to dinner? Is this too long of a day? Is this too much food for one day?

Thursday -- AK morning and HS afternoon/evening. Breakfast at 9am at Tusker House. Dinner at 430 at Hollywood Brown Derby. We are seeing Fantasmic at 8pm.

Friday -- MK again: Lunch at 1130am at Tony's Town Square; Dinner at 755 at Chef Mickey's.

Saturday -- breakfast at 11am at GF with Mary Poppins.

We depart via Southwest at 345pm on Saturday. What time should we leave Disney property?

Obviously, I am trying to pack the world into 4 days. Someone give me a reality check and let me know what you would change or keep. Thanks!!

I think you need to be prepared to cut out a meal on Wednesday. You may not have to but I know my kids at 4 years old wouldn't want to be sitting down for so long. It will definitely be a long day for you so you may want to take a break at some point for a nap. Wishes is at 8pm next week so you'd probably be able to see it but you'll be cutting it really close to get to the Flying Fish by ADR time if everyone bolts for the buses after Wishes. Maybe see Wishes from closer to the exit so you can be one of the first folks out of the park once Wishes is done. Check the Transportation Board for the fastest way to get to the Flying Fish from MK. I know someone there will know it!

Thurday - I just wanted to give you a heads up that AK always seems hot and steamy to my family which tires my family out quicker. Also arriving at DHS in the afternoon will mean a long wait for TSM (Toy Story Mania) if your group wanted to ride that. I've seen on the boards that Fast Passes are usually gone by 11:30am. Lots of folks do both of these parks in one day so I'd bet you could do it too.

Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday look good.

I think your neighbors are exaggerating the length of time the restaurants were closed for change over. Also, I've never had an issue with finding snacks anywhere in WDW. The carts are all over the place and the stores also sell snacks so you don't need to worry about that.

No need to worry about hurricanes. WDW is a safe place to be. Just make sure you've got Ponchos handy.

I'd leave 3 hours for getting to the airport and through security. That's what Disney recommends. I've never flown though - we always drive from Georgia.

As you are on vacation, don't forgot to have fun! Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in the rush and everything you are trying to do. The best laid plans don't always work the way you want (hardly ever in my case ). Just be prepared to go with the flow, relax, cancel what you need to and enjoy seeing WDW with the twins!

 

[*MyGirlLovesMulan*]

I say go for it!

That sounds perfectly acheivable to me! Only problem we had with Brown Derby is that we didnt feel it was very child-friendly at all! Both menu-wise and you know that feeling when other diners wish there were no kids there??? I hate that, therefore I wouldn't go back (but thats just my opinion! and I loved Lunch at Akershus and most people don't, soo...horses for courses)

Just go for it, if you haven't had a holiday for 5 years you well deserve it!

Hope you have a great time!