Help....unsure how to plan our trip

[Helen2485]

hi, we are a family of 8 going to wdw in August. We are trying to plan our trip but don't sure what's best... Also the time the park closes it then tells me the fireworks show is after that time is that correct. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated! Xx

 

[clambert1273]

hi, we are a family of 8 going to wdw in August. We are trying to plan our trip but don't sure what's best... Also the time the park closes it then tells me the fireworks show is after that time is that correct. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated! Xx

Best advice I can give you is to scour these boards like there is no tomorrow Without the information here our first trip on Feb 28th would have been very sad. There are so many details that goes into planning (you should see my spreadsheets)... I priced out so many different resorts, packages with dining, without dining etc...

For August, I would recommend doing a google search for magical labor day exclusive and getting a quote from the travel agency as well

 

[Alesia]

Also the time the park closes it then tells me the fireworks show is after that time is that correct.

Yes.

Also, don't be surprised if they extend park hours.

 

[Helen2485]

clambert1273 could you show me an example of your sheets please so I know where to start x

 

[msb578]

hi, we are a family of 8 going to wdw in August. We are trying to plan our trip but don't sure what's best... Also the time the park closes it then tells me the fireworks show is after that time is that correct. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated! Xx

Do you know where you want to stay?

 

[clambert1273]

clambert1273 could you show me an example of your sheets please so I know where to start x

I can after I get home from work.... of course it may shock you lol It depends on the type of planner you are - some of us here get very in depth (I am one of those) and others like to "Wing it" .. I make a plan but of course, anything can happen and you have to be willing to just use it as a guideline and not "strict" .. It comes in handy when selecting fastpasses

My sheets look somewhat similar to this thread: http://disboards.com/threads/the-extent-of-your-day-hour-minute-planning.3391252/

My current park one looks like this - not sure if it is showing up...

 

[clambert1273]

Do you know where you want to stay?

This is your first step... decide what dates and where... with 8 you are going to have to get 2 rooms just about everywhere.

And nothing is set in stone even after paying... My dates have changed, my resort and the people going LOL

 

[Dawnlight]

Best advice I can give you is to scour these boards like there is no tomorrow Without the information here our first trip on Feb 28th would have been very sad. There are so many details that goes into planning (you should see my spreadsheets)... I priced out so many different resorts, packages with dining, without dining etc...

Yes, this. You must, absolutely must devote time- and a good chunk at that- to planning to make the trip successful. I'm not saying this to scare you, but to prepare you. We're a large family, too, and went this past Christmas time with my mother. The trip was AMAZING in so many ways, and wouldn't have been nearly as successful had I not had this message board and other online resources. There was a group we overheard while waiting for the train at Magic Kingdom. One in the party was complaining about being there for hours and not having ridden a single ride- without proper planning, this can happen.

1) Get a notebook or online journal devoted to your trip
2) Note dates of when you'll need to make reservations (if dining at the parks/resorts) and be prepared to do it the first day you can
3) Make notes of date that you can book fast passes for rides; get up a little before midnight on your reservation day to get fast passes.
4) Start rating attractions to suit your party's needs (note things like height restrictions)

Lots more, but that's a start.

 

[clambert1273]

Yes, this. You must, absolutely must devote time- and a good chunk at that- to planning to make the trip successful. I'm not saying this to scare you, but to prepare you. We're a large family, too, and went this past Christmas time with my mother. The trip was AMAZING in so many ways, and wouldn't have been nearly as successful had I not had this message board and other online resources. There was a group we overheard while waiting for the train at Magic Kingdom. One in the party was complaining about being there for hours and not having ridden a single ride- without proper planning, this can happen.

1) Get a notebook or online journal devoted to your trip
2) Note dates of when you'll need to make reservations (if dining at the parks/resorts) and be prepared to do it the first day you can
3) Make notes of date that you can book fast passes for rides; get up a little before midnight on your reservation day to get fast passes.
4) Start rating attractions to suit your party's needs (note things like height restrictions)

Lots more, but that's a start.

I have a binder ... a big one and I carry it with me to the resort.. page protectors, tabs and all... did I mention I was really anal about planning

 

[MandiC]

Another mom with a binder but I have several binders for household/homeschool/cleaning planning so that is my norm LOL
I don't plan to the minute or anything but I do have a rough idea of what our days will look like. I plan about when we will eat, except for our table service meals those are exact reservations obviously, but for quick meals I even researched which places I was interested in trying and wrote them down on the plan so we would have 2 options in each part of the park I planned on being in at that time. Just made everything flow easier.
I too ran into a family (on the boat from POR to DTD) who didn't plan. They booked the trip two weeks before they went and was so shocked that she couldn't get meal reservations. She asked about the pins/lanyards my kids were wearing, ect. It's a process, let the planning be part of the fun, not a stress. I swear I spent 4 months, every spare minute, planning our trip, I probably went a little overboard but there is just *so* much.

 

[clambert1273]

Another mom with a binder but I have several binders for household/homeschool/cleaning planning so that is my norm LOL
I don't plan to the minute or anything but I do have a rough idea of what our days will look like. I plan about when we will eat, except for our table service meals those are exact reservations obviously, but for quick meals I even researched which places I was interested in trying and wrote them down on the plan so we would have 2 options in each part of the park I planned on being in at that time. Just made everything flow easier.
I too ran into a family (on the boat from POR to DTD) who didn't plan. They booked the trip two weeks before they went and was so shocked that she couldn't get meal reservations. She asked about the pins/lanyards my kids were wearing, ect. It's a process, let the planning be part of the fun, not a stress. I swear I spent 4 months, every spare minute, planning our trip, I probably went a little overboard but there is just *so* much.

The one we took Feb 28 - I started in October and didn't "relax" with it until beginning of February - when I could breathe and say "ok, I have done all I can do.. now just wait" ... and that was the hard part

I just can't ever imagine NOT planning with any vacation... it just isn't in me.. even our cruises - I plan every excursion, event or what we want to do daily... yup.. I am THAT lady

 

[lizard1]

I have traveled with a party of 8 to WDW several times. I don't have a binder, but I have researched quite a bit! Secondly, I would figure out where you can afford/want to stay. You need at least a 2 bedroom or 2 separate rooms if you are staying onsite. Since you are looking to go THIS August, and dining reservations have already opened, I would start figuring out where you want to eat (if you want TS restaurants) and try to get the harder to get reservations RIGHT NOW, since it is more difficult to find a table for a party of 8 than it is 4 (though if you call, you can book for 2 parties of 4 at the same time if necessary, but there would be no guarantee that you would be seated together).

 

[Helen2485]

Thank you everyone, we have booked flights and accommodation staying at the floridays. How many rest days would you say we need for a 17 day vacation

 

[Susie Cortez]

I think rest days depends on the age of the travelers and how hard you hit the parks. We rented a townhouse in Kissimmee for the month of Oct and probably only had 4 rest days (no parks). I have a three year old and a 19 month old. We would usually do easy days - only did the rope drop maybe 4 times. We would let the kids nap in their strollers. We weren't too concerned about which rides we did. We're going again at the end of April for 7 days and are planning one rest day - and by rest day, I mean we're going to the water park during the day, then having dinner at EPCOT and watching illuminations.

If you're doing full days at the park, I think every three or four days it's nice to have an easy day.

 

[clambert1273]

I do 2 days parks, one day off because we are open to close and by third day I need to just sleep lol

 

[MandiC]

I agree, rest days would depend on the ages involved. We did 6 back to back park days no problem, 3 of which were open to close. With 17 days, you could easily fit some in, or you could just do some half days at the parks