Help Me Strategize Please!!!

[tbhh1234]

We have been twice in 2 years, so I know how to plan for my family of 4. However, this will be our first time traveling with another family. My sister, her husband, my 2 nephews(14 & 17) & my niece(10). This will be their first trip. We arrive on a Sat at 4pm & leave the next Sat at 5pm(flight leaves at 8pm). Please tell me how you would plan park days for a first time family?? Would you go to a park on arrival day & take a day off in the middle? Right now they don't have hoppers & are staying at Caribbean Beach. I'm not a fan of Disney Springs...so I don't care if we add that or not. But, like everything with this trip, I'm realizing it's not about me. Lol. She has asked me to plan everything for the most part, the only request they had was at least one character meal. Please help!!! How would YOU plan Days? I'm just looking for inspiration. Thanks!!

 

[gap2368]

well if the kids are close to the same age as your kids plan like you would for your family see if there is anything they must do ( you know one of them) and see if you can fit it in. I would not over do things let them have time to just be I would do a park a day 3 FP at each park and maybe 2 or 3 ADR. and know ( as I think you know) you can not and will not do it all. I would not plan an off day but some afternoon breaks to swim or maybe a sleep in day or an early evening. but if you do not have a lot planed you can change things easer.

 

[tbhh1234]

well if the kids are close to the same age as your kids plan like you would for your family see if there is anything they must do ( you know one of them) and see if you can fit it in. I would not over do things let them have time to just be I would do a park a day 3 FP at each park and maybe 2 or 3 ADR. and know ( as I think you know) you can not and will not do it all. I would not plan an off day but some afternoon breaks to swim or maybe a sleep in day or an early evening. but if you do not have a lot planed you can change things easer.

They have the dining plan, so I feel like I need to have an ADR for each day. Their only request was one character meal for the 10 yr old. I truly believe they won't be back...or at least not anytime soon & I think I'm struggling with not fitting it all in, even though I know it's impossible. It's totally stressing me out...and I know it is not my job to create the perfect trip for them. Lol. I just feel all this pressure!

 

[gemax]

I would find out what characters they really want to see. If you are interested in going to Animal Kingdom, the Tusker House has a great character lunch with Donald, Daisy, Goofy, & Mickey with great table interactions. Plus the buffet was great and it is a nice place to cool down on a hot day.

 

[gap2368]

They have the dining plan, so I feel like I need to have an ADR for each day. Their only request was one character meal for the 10 yr old. I truly believe they won't be back...or at least not anytime soon & I think I'm struggling with not fitting it all in, even though I know it's impossible. It's totally stressing me out...and I know it is not my job to create the perfect trip for them. Lol. I just feel all this pressure!

I go about once a month for between 1-7 days and I can tell you there is no perfect trip I would let them know you will help them but will not be responsible for planing the whole thing

 

[glassslippergirl]

So you will be there for at least part of 8 days. How many days do they have park tickets for? That makes a big difference in how you plan.

I don't think this has to be stressful to plan just because you do have the luxury of time. Not a lot of first timers have a whole week.

Without much guidance from them, my priority would be scheduling at least one day in each park. Then, depending on how many days worth of tickets they and you have bought, add days at MK and Epcot or AK. DHS really doesn't need a second day for anyone these days, in my honest opinion. I would just choose days based on EMH or a crowd calendar (whichever you decide). I think PH would just make planning more difficult for you at this point.

Not sure how old your kids are, but their kids are old enough that I wouldn't plan a whole resort day. If they are willing to pay for tickets for each day, go to a park each day. Everyone is old enough that they can speak up if they are tired and want a rest. Let it be known that the plan is flexible. There are 4 adults total, and someone can stay behind with those wishing to sleep late one day, or some can go back for an afternoon break while others stay.

I would not go to a park on arrival day. You get in late, and that could be later if there are any delays. If you don't want to go to Disney Springs, think about the Boardwalk. Maybe burn through two dining credits at HDDR (it's great family fun), or take a fireworks cruise. Be ready to tackle a park at RD the next day.

Once you have a plan for which park on which day, maybe try to get them in to planning by giving them some choices-- like, on our MK day, we can go to character dining at Crystal Palace or Chef Mickey's. Also, get their input about FPs. Do you live close enough to each other that you could invite them over for some dinner and planning? They are likely overwhelmed by all the choices, but if you narrow it down to a few choices, they might be more interested. I wouldn't give them choices for everything--that would be a logistical nightmare for you. As head planner, definitely make some decisions unilaterally based on what you or your family wants, but something like, "We will try Sunshine Seasons for lunch, but would you rather have dinner in Morocco or Germany? I'll try to get a reservation for the one you prefer." Or "Would you rather we try for a Frozen or Soarin, or Test Track FP for our tier one at Epcot?"

 

[ChasingLeslie]

I wouldn't plan anything for arrival day, but make MK their first park!

Have you talked to them about their vacation style...? Are they willing to rope drop in the morning or do they want to sleep in? Are they night owls and want to see fireworks? Do they like thrill rides and are they interested in meeting characters in the parks?

I think you need to know those kinds of things before trying to help them day-plan and do FPs.

 

[tbhh1234]

Thanks for the input everyone! This is basically what I've been doing, but I guess I stress about all the unknowns. I really overbooked our first family trip & we were all having meltdowns. I know everyone is older this trip, so it should be ok. They have 7 day base tickets. So they can go to a park each day if we skip arrival day. We are actually staying 3 extra nights & have 9 day hoppers. I'm not concerned about us, we will do whatever we may have missed in our extra time. I just want to make sure they get the most out of their first trip. So far I have it laid out like this:
Arrival -Dinner at Disney Springs or Monorail Resort Tour
Day 1 - MK
Day 2 - Epcot
Day 3 - HS
Day 4 - AK
Day 5 - MK
Day 6 - Epcot
Day 7 - Departure day for them, they can choose where they want to go back to.
Of course this is all flexible. And I want us all to be able to take breaks if we need to. Our family doesn't love early mornings, but when parks close at 7 & 8 in Feb, there isn't much choice. We'all see how it goes!

 

[cmarsh31]

February - this year? I'm doing a similar trip with my ILs, their first time (SIL & BIL both went as kids, but 20+ years ago, their boys have never gone). I did a similar plan - two MK days, two Epcot days, one AK, one HS. I was working around President's weekend, though, so we're doing some hopping to hit the new Arts Festival before it ends at Epcot and then once they leave, we're doing SWaGS at HS.

 

[DisneyFleet]

Since MK is our favourite Park, I like to go back every other day or every third day, just a suggestion though.

 

[tbhh1234]

February - this year? I'm doing a similar trip with my ILs, their first time (SIL & BIL both went as kids, but 20+ years ago, their boys have never gone). I did a similar plan - two MK days, two Epcot days, one AK, one HS. I was working around President's weekend, though, so we're doing some hopping to hit the new Arts Festival before it ends at Epcot and then once they leave, we're doing SWaGS at HS.

Yes! Glad I'm not the only one. Lol! We arrive on Feb 11. We added that day later & we both will be staying at POR. Then, they check in CB & we go to Boardwalk. We rented points at BWV before we knew for sure they were coming, so that's why we're at different places. We love the Epcot area & that's why we have hoppers. I can't be that close & not be able to walk in if I want! They figured with it being their first time, one park per day would be enough for them. I think it's good in a way...if we need a break from each other we can get it. But, it's making it a little more difficult for me to plan. Hope y'all have a great trip!

 

[tbhh1234]

Since MK is our favourite Park, I like to go back every other day or every third day, just a suggestion though.

DH & I are a little different, we don't love MK the most. I know...we are crazy. We probably like it the least. I'm not really sure why, but we just feel like the other parks are more laid back. Of course it has the most to do, so we have to plan adequate time there, but definitely not our fave. We know that about us...but we have no idea how another family will feel. Seeing as they've never been, they can't tell me either. All the unknowns! Aaahh! Lol!

 

[cmarsh31]

Have you booked FPs yet? That will probably dictate most of your schedule.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Thanks for the input everyone! This is basically what I've been doing, but I guess I stress about all the unknowns. I really overbooked our first family trip & we were all having meltdowns. I know everyone is older this trip, so it should be ok. They have 7 day base tickets. So they can go to a park each day if we skip arrival day. We are actually staying 3 extra nights & have 9 day hoppers. I'm not concerned about us, we will do whatever we may have missed in our extra time. I just want to make sure they get the most out of their first trip. So far I have it laid out like this:
Arrival -Dinner at Disney Springs or Monorail Resort Tour
Day 1 - MK
Day 2 - Epcot
Day 3 - HS
Day 4 - AK
Day 5 - MK
Day 6 - Epcot
Day 7 - Departure day for them, they can choose where they want to go back to.
Of course this is all flexible. And I want us all to be able to take breaks if we need to. Our family doesn't love early mornings, but when parks close at 7 & 8 in Feb, there isn't much choice. We'all see how it goes!

Since you don't like early mornings and you are staying onsite, I'd actually plan to hit late EMHs if I could...I'd plan...
Day 1 (Sun) - MK
Day 2 (Mon) - AK (if you want morning EMH) / other park if you don't (MK or EPCOT)
Day 3 (Tues) - EPCOT with evening EMH
Day 4 (Wed) - Down Morning (Maybe Hotel Character Brunch desired here) / MK with evening EMH
Day 5 (Thurs) - MK or EPCOT
Day 6 (Fri) - HS with evening EMH
Day 7 (Sat) - whatever they like

 

[loves to dive]

I actually would go the opposite direction and not plan much. Get their input on the 3 rides in each park they think they want to ride and whether they are early morning or late afternoon people and book their 3 FPs. You can book their ADRs around the FPs since they won't have hoppers, again get their input on the type of food they like, maybe even show them some menus. After that I'd let them go with the flow. WDW can be very overwhelming for the first time visitor and over planning is just going to set someone up for disappointment. There is no way to see and do everything in one trip, heck I've been going for over 30 years and have at least that many trips under my belt, have even been going twice a year for the last 3 or 4 years and still haven't seen and done everything. If you don't over schedule, then those break times will take care of themselves. Also, try not to over plan time together, make sure both families have time to themselves, there is such a thing as too much togetherness.

 

[tbhh1234]

Have you booked FPs yet? That will probably dictate most of your schedule.

Yes they are booked, as well as dining. I'm just second guessing everything.lol

 

[tbhh1234]

Since you don't like early mornings and you are staying onsite, I'd actually plan to hit late EMHs if I could...I'd plan...
Day 1 (Sun) - MK
Day 2 (Mon) - AK (if you want morning EMH) / other park if you don't (MK or EPCOT)
Day 3 (Tues) - EPCOT with evening EMH
Day 4 (Wed) - Down Morning (Maybe Hotel Character Brunch desired here) / MK with evening EMH
Day 5 (Thurs) - MK or EPCOT
Day 6 (Fri) - HS with evening EMH
Day 7 (Sat) - whatever they like

Thank you! This is actually a good idea that I never really thought about. I've always avoided EMH. I will look into this!

 

[tbhh1234]

I actually would go the opposite direction and not plan much. Get their input on the 3 rides in each park they think they want to ride and whether they are early morning or late afternoon people and book their 3 FPs. You can book their ADRs around the FPs since they won't have hoppers, again get their input on the type of food they like, maybe even show them some menus. After that I'd let them go with the flow. WDW can be very overwhelming for the first time visitor and over planning is just going to set someone up for disappointment. There is no way to see and do everything in one trip, heck I've been going for over 30 years and have at least that many trips under my belt, have even been going twice a year for the last 3 or 4 years and still haven't seen and done everything. If you don't over schedule, then those break times will take care of themselves. Also, try not to over plan time together, make sure both families have time to themselves, there is such a thing as too much togetherness.

Thank you! You are so right. My sister is saying let's just go hard everyday, but she hasn't done Disney & I know she doesn't realize how draining it can be.

And I have left more than one family vacation with a very strong dislike of my inlaws. Lol. I really don't want that to be the case at the end of this one. I will try to find a way to plan in some 'away' time. Haha.

 

[glassslippergirl]

Thank you! You are so right. My sister is saying let's just go hard everyday, but she hasn't done Disney & I know she doesn't realize how draining it can be.

And I have left more than one family vacation with a very strong dislike of my inlaws. Lol. I really don't want that to be the case at the end of this one. I will try to find a way to plan in some 'away' time. Haha.

The fact that you have PH and they don't gives you an opportunity for apart-time. After FOs are done on some days, your family can go back to the resort and rest, then head to another park in the evening. It's all in how you spin it-- like, you're saving them from something they wouldn't enjoy. Good luck.