Help with Itinerary.

[k-herm]

Our holiday isn't 'till Oct '05 but I guess that it's never too early to start the planning, is it?

There are 5 of us - wife and me and 3 kids (9,13,15) and we're booked to stay at a villa in Eagle Pointe.

I've thought about a rough itinerary for our 2 weeks, taking your advice regarding not over-doing things. We certainly would rather take our time and enjoy our experience, than try to fit everything in for the sake of it.

Can you think of any mistakes we have made with this?

Oct 6.
Thu - Arrive Sanford 13:45
Fri - Magic Kingdom
Sat - Animal Kingdom
Sun - Free
Mon - IoA
Tue - Typhoon Lagoon + Dinner
Wed - Busch?
Thu - Epcot
Fri - Universal
Sat - Free
Sun - Epcot
Mon - Seaworld
Tue - Blizzard + Dinner
Wed - MGM
Thu - Leave for home.

I guess that if we go with this, a 5 day hopper plus ticket would be the correct one to go for, along with the 4 (5 if we go for Busch) FlexTicket. Or would we want to fit in Wet 'n Wild if we're doing the 2 Disney waterparks?

I might post later regarding your opinions on what dinner packages are regarded as the best amongst yourselvs,but if anyone wishes to help me now then it will be much appreciated.

Thanks in anticipation of any feedback.

 

[AndRu]

Busy schedule there mate! Try and pace yourself a bit more, there is a huge temptation to do everything, ride every ride, visit every park etc but I don't believe it's possible and my experience is that children (even the toughest ones) don't like a millitary planned and executed trip around theme parks. I've been to Epcot three times now and I still haven't been to the 'World Showcase' around the lake. I might be wrong but to me it just looks like a bunch of shops selling different (most of it made in China no doubt!) things from different countries. Never fancied the idea of wasting a couple of hours on that when there are rides to be ridden!

If this is your first trip to Orlando, I think it would be a good idea to use the first day of your holiday to 'find your feet'. Check out the location of the shops & restaurants, maybe have a jaunt up International Drive and visit the shops and malls to get a feel for the place. The previous days travel takes a lot out of people - a day to recharge and then hit the parks on the Saturday might be a better idea. Of course, this is dependent on your own understanding of our family - and only you can interpret their feelings as to what to do when!

Busch is nice but hasn't the magic (or polish imho) of Disney and for the driver it's a long day - I wouldn't want to hit another theme park the day after that journey. If you or your children have any interest in space travel then you really should look at visiting the KSC. Again, this is heavy on the driver but personally I'd walk from Orlando just to see a Saturn V again!

We use Wet 'n' Wild as a carrot with our kids. For example, both my wife and I enjoy shopping and with the current exchange rate its even better. So we'd say to the kids "be good whilst we're shopping on International Drive and then we'll goto W'n'W". But I wouldn't plan it as a day experience over another park.

Finally, make the most of the Park Hopper passes, especially for the night time stuff. Last time we used these to great effect when we did the Magic Kingdom by day and then hopped to Epcot for the night show. This also allowed my son and I to ride Mission:Space as it had been too busy on the day we had earmarked for Epcot.

Anyway, you have plenty of time to think about and plan your trip. I know its one of my favourite pastimes at work and I have a dedicated spreadsheet on the subject!

 

[k-herm]

Do you really think it's so busy?
I was assuming that the water parks are a kinda day off.

We have done KSC as a couple before and, knowing our kids, decided to leave it out this time. Busch, I think you could be right. We will probably not bother. It *is* stretching things a bit, isn't it?

And my reason for doing MK the first day was to start the magic early, if you know what I mean. And if I remember rightly, the first couple of days we will be ready to go early anyway.

I don't mean to be knocking your assistance (of which I am very grateful), I'm just giving more information than I did originally.

Thanks AndRu.

 

[gilld]

I think you will struggle with IOS, Typhoon, ?Busch, Epcot and Universal. Even if you decide not to go with Busch, I feel Epcot and Universal on consecutive days would be too much unless you plan on going late...which isn't such a good idea. Especially as you're staying off site which means you can't pop back and forth as easily.

We tend to drop in and out on a daily basis but only for a few hours, maybe early entry or an evening. Obviously you wouldn't be able to do this. Personally, and it is always a matter of personal choice, I wouldn't do two "big" park days, all day, consecutively, you'll all get that glazed look otherwise, seen so often on people who try and do too much in a short space of time.

Just one other thing, I agree MK is the one to start with, but if you only plan on going once, you should plan for a different day. You WILL NOT be able to keep going long enough to stay awake for the Parade and Wishes. You really don't want to miss those and if you force yourselves to stay, if will exhaust you for the next few days...something to think about.

Have a great time whatever you decide to do, make your plan but don't make it too rigid...sometimes it pays to go with the flow.

 

[k-herm]

Mmmmm. Good advice here too.

I was forgetting about the Parade/Fireworks. You're right, I certainly wouldn't want to leave those out. We might even do MK twice and Epcot just the once. (My memory tells me that

 

[k-herm]

Oops...

To continue.
(My memory tells me that World Showcase might not be worth a day visit anyway.)

Like you say, go with the flow. But I just wanted some opinions. Which I am glad you have provided - Thank you.

 

[KayleeUK]

(My memory tells me that World Showcase might not be worth a day visit anyway.)

We spend ages mooching around Epcot Definately make sure your days cover the parades/fireworks and rides you want to see

 

[k-herm]

Am I wrong to go to MK on our first day then?
The reason for doing that was that it seems Friday is one of the quiet days there.

Maybe I have placed too much emphasis on tying our days around the quiet/busy scheduler at the back of Simon's book? It has been the reason for most of the decisions regarding where we should be on any given day.

We really don't want to go to a park on a busy day, knowing that the next day would be much quieter....or is there that much of a difference in attendences anyway?

 

[Andy Lou & Meg]

Having recentrly returned from our first trip with DH and DD4 I can understand the need to want to try and do as many things as possible.

I agree that you should do MK as your first (and maybe your last) park (it IS disney afterall).

I would recommend Busch any day of the week. I know its a long day but its so different to what you would expect. The rides there are fantastic (in my DH opinion it puts Aerosmith and even Kracken to shame). Plus if you are planning to visit Epcot the following day you could perhaps concetrate on the showcase as it opens later in the day - 11am.

I would not say Epcot is not a 2 day park more 1.5 days.

May want to allocate another day at Universal (just doing your fav bits in both parks - the Mummy is great and kids love Sherk and Jimmy).

We were there for 3 weeks in Sept / Oct and apart from Hurricane Jeanne keeping us confined to our hotel for 1 day we pretty much had full days every day. We visited MK 4 times and MGM 3 (DH even got into the Millionaires seat)

We were pretty much like you and assumed a water park as a day off as they open later and close earlier than the parks.

Also dont forget to include some shopping time. The Premium Outlets are fantastic.

 

[k-herm]

Thanks for you input here too.

Oh, how much easier this would all be if I *knew* that we would be returning! - Disney this time, others next.

Ah well, you've given me more to think about. And the more opinions the better.

 

[vernon]

With kids of that age I think I would expect them to get more enjoyment at Busch gdns ( great coasters) and IOA for a full day than Epcot. But Epcot is worth certainly a half day visit for Test Track, Spaceship Earth and the Illuminations laser/firework show (and some excellent restaurants as well). Depending on park hours I would consider a first day at AK as this usually opens earlier than the other parks and generally most people are awake very early on their first day. AK can be covered pretty much by about 3.00 in the afternoon after an early start so it give you the option of diving over to Epcot, taking in a couple of the better rides, something to eat and if you're all up for it stay for the fireworks show. If not, you can always return on your hopper ticket just for the fireworks on another day. It is dependant on what the kids enjoy, at those ages there are many that really enjoy the "magic" of the MK and are happy to spend 2 days there, there are also many that prefer a bit more excitement, one day at MK is enough and they would prefer rides with a bit more ZOOM.

Don't forget it is likely that Seaworld (and BG) would be running second day free programs, so you can always build in an afternoon (or a couple of hours) there to ease the pain of too much shopping for the kids on your "free days". The 2nd day free for BG may be trip too far, but it's always worth bearing in mind if the kids particularly enjoy this park and you all feel you have the energy for another day in the parks.

I'm not sure the 4 (or 5) park Orlando flex ticket offers you that much value. I would check getting just 2 days at Universal ( I think they are offering 5 days for the price of 2 anyway for UK residents) and single days at SW and BG, if needed. It could be the kids enjoy IOA/US so much they would prefer to spend 4 less rushed days at those parks, mixed in with relaxing/pooltime/shopping and not worry about SW or BG at all. IMHO WnW would be a bit of a let down after the Disney waterparks.

Overall I think the itinerary is reasonably well laid out and gives you a decent amount of "downtime" as well as plenty of action.

 

[k-herm]

Wow, Mr. Vernon. Thank you for the great and detailed reply.
There is much sensible advice on the go here.