Help with a planning?

[stephanie23]

OK I am getting closer to my trip now.. and I am sooo lost I have gotten spread sheets sent to me and I can not figure any of them out. This is our first trip and I have no idea how to do things. I don't know what parks we are doing for what days and I cant figure out the EMH . I am a total ditz. Someone please HELP me

 

[butterfly18237]

When are you going? That will be the first thing anyone needs to help you plan. If you need any help PM me and I will try to walk you though it.

 

[Kevenswife2]

OK I am getting closer to my trip now.. and I am sooo lost I have gotten spread sheets sent to me and I can not figure any of them out. This is our first trip and I have no idea how to do things. I don't know what parks we are doing for what days and I cant figure out the EMH . I am a total ditz. Someone please HELP me

You're not a ditz! Planning a Disney vacation can be very overwhelming! I do think some people do way too much planning. I like to plan which park I'll 'probably' be at (it's not set in stone, it might change). Which park I'll be at depends on the EMHs. We prefer to visit during the evening EMHs, so during the AM we'll go to a different park than the one offering the evening EMH. We'll use our tickets (which I always get hoppers) and go to the evening EMH park later that evening.



During your Sept 11-18 stay the EMHs are as follows:

AM / PM
11: MK, none
12: none, Epcot
13: DHS , none
14: none , MK
15: AK , DHS
16: Epcot , none
17: none , AK
18: MK , none

MK=Magic Kingdom, AK= Animal Kingdom, DHS= Disney Hollywood Studios.

Morning hours are 1 hour before the park opens to everyone. Evening hours are for 3 hours after the park closes to the public. If you are planning on staying for evening hours you must obtain a wristband. Just ask a cast member where you can get one close to the park closing time. You might be able to find them on your own. Just look for a very long line near an entrance/exit or a major attraction (like Rock n Rollercoaster) near closing time.

I hope this helps. It can be very confusing to a newbie. If you have any other questions we're all here to help.

Also, a website I've found helpful is AllEarsNet.com

 

[stephanie23]

When are you going? That will be the first thing anyone needs to help you plan. If you need any help PM me and I will try to walk you though it.

I am going 8/11-8/18.

You're not a ditz! Planning a Disney vacation can be very overwhelming! I do think some people do way too much planning. I like to plan which park I'll 'probably' be at (it's not set in stone, it might change). Which park I'll be at depends on the EMHs. We prefer to visit during the evening EMHs, so during the AM we'll go to a different park than the one offering the evening EMH. We'll use our tickets (which I always get hoppers) and go to the evening EMH park later that evening.



During your Sept 11-18 stay the EMHs are as follows:

AM / PM
11: MK, none
12: none, Epcot
13: DHS , none
14: none , MK
15: AK , DHS
16: Epcot , none
17: none , AK
18: MK , none

MK=Magic Kingdom, AK= Animal Kingdom, DHS= Disney Hollywood Studios.

Morning hours are 1 hour before the park opens to everyone. Evening hours are for 3 hours after the park closes to the public. If you are planning on staying for evening hours you must obtain a wristband. Just ask a cast member where you can get one close to the park closing time. You might be able to find them on your own. Just look for a very long line near an entrance/exit or a major attraction (like Rock n Rollercoaster) near closing time.

I hope this helps. It can be very confusing to a newbie. If you have any other questions we're all here to help.

Also, a website I've found helpful is AllEarsNet.com

Thanks alot. I have read and read and I found out soo much info. Everytime I sit down to write my list of what parks for what days I go blank. Thank you for that good advice. I am going to try again tonight and see what I come up with.

 

[butterfly18237]

Your going aug 11 through the 18th right?


AM / PM
11: DHS, AK
12: MK, Epcot
13: AK,DHS
14: MK,EPCOT
15: DHS, MK
16: AK , none
17: none , MK
18: AK , DHS

All the other information is right from Kevenswife2.

It is all confusing when you start off, just relax and dont over plan your days. You will not see everything you want in one vacation. Disney has too much to offer. If you need anything ask away, we all about be happy to help.

 

[Hootch]

very helpful, especially if you have specific questions.

WDW can be overwhelming. To me there are five basic questions:

When do I go?
Where do I stay?
Where do I go?
Where do I eat?
What do I do?

You've answered the first two. Three and four are related. Where you go is very important. The parks you visit is very much based on what your group is like. Mainly kids - MK is going to drive a lot of your time. Teens - somewhat all with DHS, DAK and MK good bets. Older groups - my age specifically - Epcot is good. (This is simplistic. The parks all have something for each age group.)

The fifth question is easier. Just do. You will not be able to everything. Please don't plan to. Read information over the next month. Plan to do a lot of things. Do them. Plan to allow some time to just relax. Do it. The Unofficial Guide is a great guide

 

[DWGal210]

Hi fellow planner!

I just wanted to post and let you know that I LOVE planning Disney trips for family and friends almost as much as I like taking them myself, so if you have specific questions and/or would like me to help you plan your trip, you can PM me and I'll help all I can!

Take care and happy planning!!

 

[srwarden1928]

I would just use the recommended park days from touringplans.com. I also use their touring plans to avoid alot of waiting in line.

Dont waste your time and money on the hoppers. Avoid the EMH parks.

Have a magical trip.

 

[Kevenswife2]

August 2008
Morning Extra Magic Hours (1 hour early)
Magic Kingdom® Park – August 12, 14
Disney's Hollywood Studios™ – August 11, 15
Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park – August 13, 16, 18
Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park – August 14
(Epcot doesn't have any during your visit)

Evening Extra Magic Hours (3 hours after close)
Magic Kingdom® Park – August 15, 17
Epcot® – August 12, 14
Disney's Hollywood Studios™ – August 13, 18
Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park – August 11
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park – August 16

Oh my gosh...I'm so sorry, I put the EMHs for Sept not Aug! I should know that 8 is Aug as my DD's birthday is 8/12...duh! Butterfly has the right schedule. Looks like you're visiting during a good time with lots of EMH to choose from.

 

[Aliceacc]

First of all, don't sweat the spreadsheets. Some people find they help with their organization. They aren't helping you, so skip them.

Can we assume you have your park tickets?? They're due to go up in price this weekend, so if you haven't gotten them, do so ASAP.

Also, are you planning any table service meals? Do you have ADRs in place?

As to what to do with those EMH, there are 2 prevailing strategies: (With kids as young as yours, we can assume that you won't be doing the evening EMH, right??)

1) If you have a parkhopper pass: some people say you should hit the AM EMH, see whatever you can until about noon. By that time the park gets so crowded, you should hit your resort for a rest, then hop back to a different, less crowded park.

2) The second big strategy is to avoid the EMH parks-- to go today to whichever park had the morning EMH YESTERDAY. The idea is that tons of on-site people were at that park yesterday and today are somewhere else.

Realistically, your kids are young. You'll want lots of time at the MK. You'll also NEED an afternoon nap/swim break each day.

-- OK, now we've got you going on the basics of where you'll go.
Start here for some basic MK info: http://www.wdwinfo.com/Just_for_kids/touringMK_kids.htm

Next, take a look at http://www.touringplans.com/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=0 for an idea of what to see when you get there. There are lots of freebies there that you can use without a subscription. Or hit the library and take a look at the companion book: The Unofficial Guide to WDW. Better yet, buy a copy and bring it along with you. (Warning; this book is huge and can be overwhelming. But the touring plan advice is good, and they'll give a description of every restaurant and counter service place.)

--Keep in mind too: stroller prices went up a few months ago-- it may very well make sense to bring a double stroller (or a pair of singles) for your kids.

 

[Disneyaddict1973]

OK I am getting closer to my trip now.. and I am sooo lost I have gotten spread sheets sent to me and I can not figure any of them out. This is our first trip and I have no idea how to do things. I don't know what parks we are doing for what days and I cant figure out the EMH . I am a total ditz. Someone please HELP me

Don't sweat this so much, remember this is your VACATION after all Yes, you want to get the most you can out of it but def. don't worry The best planning tip I can give you as a Mom who took my kids at your kid's ages is go with the flow. The kids will set the tone of what you do! The best laid plans and itineraries have bombed with my little kids. (We are def. not type A) Check the EMH, and prioritize. The kid's will def. love MK most likely. Are your kids early morningers or late nighters if you had to choose? Mine are better at night ESPECIALLY in the heat! We are going in August (for me the 22nd time) and I have no real "plan" except to beat the heat and make this comfortable for us and the kids. No matter what touring plans you try, there will be exceptions. Many of them suggest getting to a park at opening so I tried that but by 11 my kids were beat! We did the go back to the hotel and take a nap thing...HAHA DIDN"T FLY!!!! My kids wouldn't rest knowing what was on the ohter side of the lagoon! So, that night, we looked up the evening EMH for the next day and went to bed. We all woke at 10, ate breakfast and got to the parks at lunch rush! We WALKED onto the rides. The kids lasted untill well after dark and loved being there so late. All in all do what feels right, and don't panic. Your oldest KNOWS what she (?) loves, for mine it was WTP so we went on HIS ride multiple times, and fastpassed it. You will learn alot this time and will be a veteran for next year...YES, YOU WILL BE PLANNING YOUR NEXT TRIP ON THE WAY HOME Too bad we will be JUST missing you guys! We are at WL 8/19-25th HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!

 

[stephanie23]

QUOTE=Aliceacc;26628547]
Can we assume you have your park tickets??
yes we got them with the package. We have 7 day park hoppers

Also, are you planning any table service meals? Do you have ADRs in place?
we have the following ADR's
8/12 Breakfast at chef mickeys 7:05
8/13 Dinner at 1900 Park fare 4:55
8/14 Breakfast at crystal palace 8:05
8/15dinner at princess storybook in norway at 6:15
also 8/15 we have a BBB apt. at the castle at 9:30am
8/16 ohanas breakfast at 7:55

As to what to do with those EMH, there are 2 prevailing strategies: (With kids as young as yours, we can assume that you won't be doing the evening EMH, right??)right. I was planning on doing the morning EMH (per advice from other Disers)

Realistically, your kids are young. You'll want lots of time at the MK. You'll also NEED an afternoon nap/swim break each day.
I do plan on taking the afternoon break (another tip from the dis boards )

Thank for you your help everyone. I am usuing the advice and sites everyone gave me

 

[kimis]

Hi Stephanie23
I hope you are ready for a great magical trip. Yes there is some planning involved but you don't have to plan every minute of everyday. Here are a couple of things I do.
*start with a piece of paper that I list the parks on
*than I write in the days we will be at wdw like a calender (with space to
write on)
*than I go through and write the hours the parks are open
*with a different color marker i write which parks are open early or late
*We use park hoppers so that helps us go from place to place
*Than I write my ADR's on the same paper
*than I pick the first four days of parks. for some reason it almost always
like this for us....day 1 animal kingdom day 2 magic kingdom
day 3 epcot and day 4 studios. The rest of the trip we are flexiable
I also write down any special shows like La Nouba that we want to do
*after all that is down and almost final I get different color 3X5 cards
*each day is given a different color card. I write on that card where we
are going, and ADR's numbers and special shows or parades that day
* than the night before I put the one card in my fanny bag and all the info
is together and ready for me the next morning
Yes this takes time but it is worth it. Remember it takes years to get your own way of planning down.
Relax and have fun.