Help me plan a schedule!

[wisconsinmom]

OK, since I have everything booked I've moved on to making a schedule (I realize it will be flexible since I have little kids). I am kicking myself for only booking 5 nights, I should have booked a whole week We are staying for 5 nights which gives us 4 full days and 2 partial days. Here is what I am thinking so far

Day 1- We arrive at MCO at 11:00. Hopefully we can get to the MK by 2:00 then we have ADR at LTT for 5:45.

Day 2-Go to MK for morning EMH. ADR at Chef Mickey at 11:20. After brunch we will return to POFQ for a few hours. Return to MK late afternoon 4:00?

Day 3. AK for opening do a table service meal for lunch and return to hotel around 2 or so. ADR 5:50 1900 PF. Should we go to a park after dinner?

Day 4- Maybe Epcot and MGM but I'm not sure in what order. AT MGM I want to see the Playhouse Disney show and at Epcot I want to ride Soarin'. We will need a hotel break. We have a 6:00 ADR at Garden Grille

Day 5- No park plan yet ADR at CP at 11:50

Day 6- Our flight leaves MCO at 7:00pm. So I plan to have park time this day too.

I would appreciate any advice you could give me. I haven't been to Disney in 12 years and that was before I had kids. My kids are 1 and 4 if that helps.

 

[forr2grls]

Hi! imo i think that after a long flight the kids and you would need to rest when you arrive.About the time you get your baggage,arrive and check-in it could easily be 1 pm. I would take a nap,then go exploring!!

 

[wisconsinmom]

Good point, I am hopeful that at least our 1 year old will nap on the plane. I guess we'll have to wait and see. We are using the Magical Express so I wasn't planning to wait for our bags.

 

[wisconsinmom]

Bumping this back up Does anyone have suggestions about how much time they would do in each park? Be a pal and help out a Disney newbie

 

[Tricia1972]

Hello Wisconsinmom from Central Wisconsin!!

For your times it really depends on what days that you are going to be there.

Personally, I cannot recommend Tour Guide Mike (Click banner above) enough! He knows which parks will be busy on which days and can give you advice as to which park to go to on which day. For example your Magic Kingdom day may be a good day to go in the morning, but not in the afternoon.

He has many historical facts that will help you maximize your short time at Disney.

I myself am not TGM, nor is he paying me a penny for this endorsement, but his site is incredible! The cost is $18 for DIS'ers, but it is totally worth every penny. I really think you will get the most of your trip from using his service, especially since you are staying a relatively short time.

Have a great trip and Happy Planning!!

 

[my2boys1821]

Hello Wisconsinmom from Central Wisconsin!!

For your times it really depends on what days that you are going to be there.

Personally, I cannot recommend Tour Guide Mike (Click banner above) enough! He knows which parks will be busy on which days and can give you advice as to which park to go to on which day. For example your Magic Kingdom day may be a good day to go in the morning, but not in the afternoon.

He has many historical facts that will help you maximize your short time at Disney.

I myself am not TGM, nor is he paying me a penny for this endorsement, but his site is incredible! The cost is $18 for DIS'ers, but it is totally worth every penny. I really think you will get the most of your trip from using his service, especially since you are staying a relatively short time.

Have a great trip and Happy Planning!!

I have to agree with Tricia1972! I thought I had my itinerary all set in stone. I opted for trying TGM and I ended up changing my entire week around due to his suggestions. It's guaranteed. So if it doesn't work for you, you can get your money back.

 

[debbiepump]

Throw away the commando list and just decide what park you need/want to be in and go and enjoy yourself. Keep in mine your kids will probably get hot, tired, cranky and only want to swim in the pool at the resort. Our trips to WDW have always been alot more fun just going with the flow and riding on ride we want, BUT not going to stand in line for hours just to do this. Life's short, vacations are much, much shorter.

 

[robinsfamily]

Did you say what time of year you are going?
For me, that makes a huge difference in how I'll spend my days at Disney. Tour Guide Mike is good but so is the Unofficial Guide to Disney.
Summers are very different from winters at Disney. I'll be happy to give more input once I know.

 

[JRawkSteady]

If you just go in cold you may end up waiting on lines when you really don't want to. I don't see how figuring out what park you're going to ahead of time so you can make ADRs constitutes as commando though...maybe that's just me... Anyway, when you're going is definitely key...

 

[wisconsinmom]

I guess I left out some important details We are going to Disney August 16-21. Here are the days of the week.

Arrive-Wednesday
Day 2-Thursday
Day 3-Friday
Day 4-Saturday
Day 5-Sunday
Day 6 departure-Monday

I'll have to check out the TGM site. I did joint the Unofficial Disney Guide site.

Specifically I am wondering how much time should I plan for at Epcot, MGM and AK.

Thanks

 

[mikymouse]

Day One - I would think about skipping the parks on the first day, I had originally planned to go to EMH our arrival day but the kids were just too tired after our 5:25PM dinner reservation to do anything and I really wanted to have them up and ready for Morning EMH at MK the next day. Just something to consider. We arrived at 2:15PM and just made it to our 5:25PM ADR so you might have a better flight schedule and have more energy.

Day Two - Magic Kingdom and Chef Mickeys sounds like the perfect day to me. Try to get your family there before opening to see the extra magical greeting at the train station it was my favorite thing.

Day Three - We loved Animal Kingdom. We did the Safari, Camp Minnie & Mickey and Dinoland and done around 1PM but we could have easily stayed all day at this park.

Day Four - I would suggest a Planned down day as for my family the 3rd full day will be referred to as "Melt Down Saturday". I would suggest hanging out at the pool and then maybe going to MGM in Late PM. I would have liked to see Fantasmic but we missed it this time.

Day Five - Go to Epcot first thing in the morning. The place is huge and you will need the kids to have their first thing in the morning energy (mine woke up very early and ready to go each morning at Disney)

Day Six - Our next trip(s) will always include going the Magic Kingdom the first day and the last day. It was the best

This was our first family trip but won't be our last. We will always,always go to park opening, take an afternoon pool time/rest at the resort, and buy park hoppers so we can go to the Magic Kingdom at least part of every day. Have fun planning!

 

[robinsfamily]

You are going to have a great time. I love Disney in August - the lines are usually not too bad.
Where are you staying?
Remember you will need pool breaks during the afternoon. It really gets too hot even for me and I love heat and humidity.
I am going to be radical here but I would recommend MK on the third day of your trip is that okay as far as EMH. Why you ask? Because MK is the highlight of every little child (and big children too.) Therefore if you go to MGM or AK or Epcot first, then the kids have something to look forward to - If you go to MK first then they aren't as excited about anywhere else and what to go back to MK.
We have always done it this way and it seems to work for us. My kids are now 14,12 and 11. and this will be their fifth trip.

 

[JRawkSteady]

Epcot I always try to leave 2 days for if possible, but if I don't have the time, I always give it at least 1 full day. Same with Magic Kingdom. Not only is Future World HUGE and chocked full of things to do, but the World Showcase is huuuge as well! You'll definitely want to spend some time in the beautiful countries! I would definitely get an ADR here.

MGM you probably want a whole day for as well..there may not be a HUGE amount of rides, but there are MANY MANY MANY shows! And the rides they do have can be on the long side. Definitely stay for Fantasmic! You will not regret that

AK has the least variety of food...It also is opened the shortest amount of time. It usually closes at 5 or 6. Afterwards you can always veg out in Downtown Disney or have an early evening back at the hotel and relax by the pools.

These are my opinions at least...

 

[mikymouse]

Your plan sounds so similar to ours in March 2006 for 5 nights. We loved arriving on Wednesday the check in was quick! My kids really loved MK, so the poster above is correct you might want to hold off on MK or go for a little bit every day. My kids 4 & 6 could have ridden Dumbo and Buzz all week long!

 

[Tricia1972]

Be sure to post your final schedule for us before you go!

Lots of great suggestions here - I even took a few notes.

 

[Leah and Emily's mom]

We did this on ourf first trip and loved it. Your kids will probablly sleep on the plane so they will be ready to go to MK. I think it was a great first day to Disney and we have been 4 times . IMO- go to resort meals for breakfast or dinner but don't hop from the park - it takes time. Utlilize the restaurants at the park. Our family eats at the park so we don't spend time commuting.

Also, we also have small children- DD has been going to WDW and we do not leave the park for rest or nap.

In the past we have taken advantage of late flights to squeeze in an extra day at the park. Just know ( because I did not ) if you are using the Magical Express for transportation you have to go back to your hotel to catch the flight to the airport.


MK 2 days because it is geared toward your kiddos. MGM has an awesome parade and great rides for the whole family. Of course AK closes early so that leaves pool time in the evening or a nice resort meal.
Regardless what you plan it will be great.