Help, please, fine tuning April/May trip...

[MemoriesintheMaking]

Hello!
We are a family of DL veterans, planning our first trip to Disney World. It's a part fun / part business trip for my husband. We are starting off by visiting family for a few days. Then, for the DW portion, we'll have a split stay, with my DH joining myself and our 2 kids (11 & 14) for a few of the days, and then he will be working other days while I take the kids to the parks.

I love planning, which is sure a good thing! We know DL like the backs of our hands but planning for DW is a whole new challenge!

I would love input on our tentative plans so far...We will have 6 day park hoppers. My goal is not to stress too much about seeing everything but instead I would like to focus on things unique to DW, and just having a fun, relaxing trip.

Monday, 4/25: We'll be driving from our family's house to check in to AKL. They are about 1.5 hours away, so I'm planning on getting there around 11 am.
Lunch: 12:15 at Sanaa (ADR)
Swim, look around resort
Disney Springs, maybe drinks/snacks at Jock Lindsay's
Dinner: 7:15 pm at Raglan Road (ADR)

Tuesday, 4/26: (all 4 of us for the day) **staying at AKL**
AK opening at 9 am
Lunch: 12:30 (light lunch/apps) Yak n Yeti (ADR)
Back to AKL for a swim/rest mid-afternoon
Dinner: 6:15 either Boma or Jiko, not sure which yet (have ADR at both, will cancel when I decide)
**Thinking of heading to MK after dinner to see Wishes, ??? (if we have the energy)

Wednesday, 4/27: (all 4 of us for the day) **staying at AKL**
HS opening at 9 am
Lunch: 1:45 Sci-Fi (ADR)
Late afternoon - head to EP, browse the World Showcase, visit drink/snack booths for light dinner, Illuminations 9 pm

Thursday, 4/28: (just the kids and I until evening) - ***moving off-site for remainder of the stay*** (DH will move luggage to new hotel)
Breakfast: 8:15 at Be Our Guest (ADR)
MK opening at 9 am
Lunch: misc counter service
Mid-late afternoon back to hotel, swim/rest
Dinner: not sure...possibly Ohana 8:15 pm, or maybe a park, or could be a resting night off (Currently have ADR at Ohana)

Friday, 4/29: (just the kids and I until evening)
EP opening at 9 am
Lunch: 12:45 Via Napoli (ADR)
Dinner: open / unplanned

Saturday, 4/30: (just the kids and I until evening)
Not sure yet, play by ear, either HS, EP, or MK ???

Sunday, 5/1: (all 4 of us again for the whole last day)
Not sure yet, play by ear, 1-2 parks...???

We fly home on Monday, 5/2. Soooo...I think I have covered most of the TS restaurants we really want to try. I'm open to any favorite suggestions I may have left out. Our last two days are undecided as far as what parks we'll want to hit for a second day. I'm trying to hit a balance of not planning too much so we can take our time but at the same time, I don't want to be left without a plan or ADR when it would really benefit us. With my planning nature, I keep repeating to myself that we will not see everything and not even to try. Just enjoy what we get to do and see.

This newbie appreciates any wisdom you have to offer!! Thanks so much! We are so excited to visit Disney World!

 

[sharonabe]

Your plan looks great!! You've done your research.

I think I would plan one of those last two mornings at EP. Your DH needs to be able to experience Test Trak, Mission Space, and Spaceship Earth.
The other one, I would let him choose or let the kids choose, but perhaps do the choosing as soon as you've experienced all four, so you can do a little pre-park FP+ holds.

Oh, and I'd keep that Ohana ADR. That's my DH's favorite and must repeat restaurants.

 

[MemoriesintheMaking]

Your plan looks great!! You've done your research.

I think I would plan one of those last two mornings at EP. Your DH needs to be able to experience Test Trak, Mission Space, and Spaceship Earth.
The other one, I would let him choose or let the kids choose, but perhaps do the choosing as soon as you've experienced all four, so you can do a little pre-park FP+ holds.

Oh, and I'd keep that Ohana ADR. That's my DH's favorite and must repeat restaurants.

Thanks for your input! I think that is a good idea to include EP on our last day with DH. He spent a short couple of hours there once on an evening conference ticket, and according to him, he saw everything there. I think he will enjoy the park more with the rest of us along and if we have more of a plan than his last minute visit offered.

Thanks, too, for the vote for Ohana. I always second guess my plans, especially when I'm planning something new. It sounds like fun, and I'd like to see the Poly. I think we will keep our ADR and try it out.

 

[a742246]

Trip looks good, only suggestion would be to, if at all possible, avoid MK over the weekend, because there's a lot on renovations going on in the other parks and MK is getting the overflow!

 

[MemoriesintheMaking]

Trip looks good, only suggestion would be to, if at all possible, avoid MK over the weekend, because there's a lot on renovations going on in the other parks and MK is getting the overflow!

Oh, I wouldn't have thought of that...thanks!! Great tip!

 

[DisneyOma]

You have no mention of FP+? What kind of attractions do you all like?

 

[MemoriesintheMaking]

You have no mention of FP+? What kind of attractions do you all like?

I was just thinking the FP situation over the other day. We will be able to do the FP's for the first 3 days at the 60 day mark since we will be onsite, but then the rest of the FP's for the trip (offsite)will be done at the 30 day mark. Do I understand that right?

Day 1: AK first part of the day, swim/rest, then MK for Wishes: I'm not sure if we should do FP's for AK and then wing it for Wishes, or just take advantage of rope drop at AK, do our rides without FP's while saving our FP's for a couple evening rides and Wishes at MK. Is using a FP for Wishes a good or bad idea?

Things we want to see at AK: the safari ride, Expedition Everest, Dinosaur, Flights of Wonder, and the trails. Too much? Too little?

Day 2: HS: We will probably focus on things we haven't seen before, like Rock n Roller Coaster, the Great Movie Ride, the Indiana stunt show...TSMM isn't a huge priority since we've done it so many times at DL. I would still like to do TOT and Star Tours. The kids are HUGE Star Wars fans, so they'd love the Star Wars character meet. The other character meets aren't a big deal to them but they would love that. Also, if the Star Wars fireworks show is still going (can't tell if it will be or not), then we will definitely fit that in on one of our later nights towards the end of the trip.

I thought maybe: FP for RnRC, ToT, and Star Tours, then trying for a 4th FP the day of for the Great Movie Ride. Or maybe a FP for the Star Wars character meet would be better?

Day 3: Don't have FP's planned yet too much...we have the 8:15 BOG breakfast, so maybe head to PP after that, then use a FP for 7DMT. What rides would you prioritize FP's for at MK?

Day 4: EP: priorities would be Test Track, the Mission Space, then...? This is about as far as I've gotten in my FP planning...I know the 60 day and 30 day marks will sneak up on me, so I should probably figure it out, huh?

 

[Travis B]

I think your plan looks fabulous. What I really like is how you've left flexibility and are not overloading on activities - I think that's really great, and kind of how I tend to plan. We visited over the same dates in 2015, and I can tell you it was a nice time to go.

I might suggest you think about doing Friday in the MK for at least part of the day. Maybe you could do the morning at MK, do a few more FP+ there, hit the FOF parade (which is not to be missed IMO), and then break and maybe head over to Epcot for the evening. Just a thought.

I love Ohana, and it's very 'Disney' to me at least. That being said, Thursday could also be a good rest night as you've noted. It might be tough to come back once you've left and transferred your things offsite. I might do MK rest Thursday night, do MK again Friday morning/all day depending on the time you feel you need there.

Again, I love the free weekend days so you can do more at AK/HS/whatever you feel like. Depending on whether some new things open in time for your visit, you might want more time in AK. I hope you have an excellent time.

 

[gap2368]

I was just thinking the FP situation over the other day. We will be able to do the FP's for the first 3 days at the 60 day mark since we will be onsite, but then the rest of the FP's for the trip (offsite)will be done at the 30 day mark. Do I understand that right?

Day 1: AK first part of the day, swim/rest, then MK for Wishes: I'm not sure if we should do FP's for AK and then wing it for Wishes, or just take advantage of rope drop at AK, do our rides without FP's while saving our FP's for a couple evening rides and Wishes at MK. Is using a FP for Wishes a good or bad idea?

Things we want to see at AK: the safari ride, Expedition Everest, Dinosaur, Flights of Wonder, and the trails. Too much? Too little?

Day 2: HS: We will probably focus on things we haven't seen before, like Rock n Roller Coaster, the Great Movie Ride, the Indiana stunt show...TSMM isn't a huge priority since we've done it so many times at DL. I would still like to do TOT and Star Tours. The kids are HUGE Star Wars fans, so they'd love the Star Wars character meet. The other character meets aren't a big deal to them but they would love that. Also, if the Star Wars fireworks show is still going (can't tell if it will be or not), then we will definitely fit that in on one of our later nights towards the end of the trip.

I thought maybe: FP for RnRC, ToT, and Star Tours, then trying for a 4th FP the day of for the Great Movie Ride. Or maybe a FP for the Star Wars character meet would be better?

Day 3: Don't have FP's planned yet too much...we have the 8:15 BOG breakfast, so maybe head to PP after that, then use a FP for 7DMT. What rides would you prioritize FP's for at MK?

Day 4: EP: priorities would be Test Track, the Mission Space, then...? This is about as far as I've gotten in my FP planning...I know the 60 day and 30 day marks will sneak up on me, so I should probably figure it out, huh?

I will be there the same time as you. it is a great time to go by the way

at EPCOT you can only chose a FP for TT or mission space so do TT

as fair as MK do your kids like meet a greets if so E and E FP if they like roller coaster space mountain peter pan is also one that has long lines

as fair as getting FP for wishes I try to do it ever time I love the area and you are not cramped in if you can not get a FP and you can not find a space on main street or you do not have time to get there I line to watch from behind the carrousel as you can almost get a 360 fire works and that is cool but if I had my chose I would choose in front on main street

 

[MemoriesintheMaking]

I think your plan looks fabulous. What I really like is how you've left flexibility and are not overloading on activities - I think that's really great, and kind of how I tend to plan. We visited over the same dates in 2015, and I can tell you it was a nice time to go.

I might suggest you think about doing Friday in the MK for at least part of the day. Maybe you could do the morning at MK, do a few more FP+ there, hit the FOF parade (which is not to be missed IMO), and then break and maybe head over to Epcot for the evening. Just a thought.

I love Ohana, and it's very 'Disney' to me at least. That being said, Thursday could also be a good rest night as you've noted. It might be tough to come back once you've left and transferred your things offsite. I might do MK rest Thursday night, do MK again Friday morning/all day depending on the time you feel you need there.

Again, I love the free weekend days so you can do more at AK/HS/whatever you feel like. Depending on whether some new things open in time for your visit, you might want more time in AK. I hope you have an excellent time.

Thanks - I'm really trying not to overload the schedule! Glad it looks good to you. And that's great to hear that you enjoyed that time of year. I will look at doing MK for at least part of Friday...that's a good thing to think about. And, yes, I really would like to go to Ohana, but since that's the first day DH is working, it may be too long of a day if we try to go back for dinner. Hmm...I'll have to think about that one. Thanks for the input - I appreciate it!

I will be there the same time as you. it is a great time to go by the way

at EPCOT you can only chose a FP for TT or mission space so do TT

as fair as MK do your kids like meet a greets if so E and E FP if they like roller coaster space mountain peter pan is also one that has long lines

as fair as getting FP for wishes I try to do it ever time I love the area and you are not cramped in if you can not get a FP and you can not find a space on main street or you do not have time to get there I line to watch from behind the carrousel as you can almost get a 360 fire works and that is cool but if I had my chose I would choose in front on main street

Thank you I will remember that about the EP FP's for TT *or* Mission Space and not both.
And thanks for the input about the Wishes FP. I've read both sides, some saying it's not worth it and too crowded, and then some saying they were happy they did the Wishes FP. It's great to have another vote for it! And also the tips on where to go if we wind up doing Wishes without the FP. I appreciate it!

I think I will try for the Wishes FP...I was looking at a WDW planning site, with recommended itineraries for the parks based on FP's or no FP's, and I think I can plan the AK day without FP's, as long as we'll be there at opening. That way I can reserve the FP's for our evening in MK. Unless anyone thinks AK FP's are super important...?

Thanks, everybody! I'm feeling more confident about the big, unknown DW!! We are getting excited...got the airfare done. Now, I'll buy the PH soon and we'll be all set!

 

[Lizzards]

We will be there the same dates and for the same reason....my husband has a conference!! Just excited to find someone going the same time! We are DL experts as well, been pass holders for years. Enjoy reading your plans as this is all new to me too. Have a magical trip!