Help with itinerary!

[mhingher]

I have been to WDW many times, and I've never had this dilemma! DH and I are going with my parents 5/13-5/20. We are usually doing a lot of running around, and this time we want to take some time to enjoy the resort (OKW). We also want to spend a day at Universal/IOA, and a water park. I also like to take advantage of the evening EMHs, and we all decided to do a Keys to the Kingdom Tour (Not sure where to squeeze this in?) Here is what I have:

5/13 - Arrive @ Orlando Int'l Airport @ 5:30pm. Catch the Magical Express to OKW, and hop a bus to EPCOT. Stay for Illuminations.

5/14 - MGM. Lunch at Sci Fi Diner @ 12:30. Enjoy some time @ OKW. Bust to MK around dinner time and stay for EMH.

5/15 - AK (just for a few hours-- we don't need to spend too much time here). Lunch @ Flame Tree BBQ. Head to DD for some shopping, or back to OKW in the afternoon. MGM towards dinnertime. Stay for stunt show and Fantasmic, EMH.

5/16 - Universal/IOA

5/17 - Keys to the Kingdom @ 9am. Blizzard Beach afterwards. Jellyrolls at night. (Does this sound possible?)

5/18 - DH & Dad are going to play golf. My mom and I are doing "Mother's Day" - Breakfast @ DD, spa treatment @ GF. All meeting for lunch @ GF Cafe @ 1pm. After lunch- spend time @ OKW or MK. Pleasure Island at night.

5/19 - Chef Mickey's @ 9:30am. Monorail to EPCOT. Dinner @ 6pm, California Grill (Contemporary). Watch Wishes from there... maybe go back to Pleasure Island.

5/20 - Check out @ OKW, Bus to MGM for Star Wars Weekend. Back to OKW for Magical Express by 3:30/4pm. Flight leaves Orlando @ 6:25pm.

Any suggestions??

TIA!

--Melissa

 

[DeterminedOne]

Are you sure you want to go to Universal the day before you do the KTTK tour? I've never had the desire to venture outside Disney while staying onsite so that part is a little foreign to me.

I think your plan to do KTTK then a water park and Boardwalk in the evening is doable. Keep in mind KTTK is a five hour tour so you'll be headed to the waterparks late in the afternoon.

You will more than likely be impressed with the tour so I would plan at least one more MK day after you've done KTTK.

Regarding your time at AK - Do you plan to ride Expedition Everest? That might keep you in the park a little longer than what you plan.

 

[mhingher]

Thanks for the input-- actually DH is "sick" of WDW (if that's possible...) and I convinced him to go on this trip by telling him we'll spend a day at Universal and IOA. We did this during our trip in March and he had a blast. I had a good time also. As for AK, we really just like Dinosaur, The Lion King Show and the Safari. And we would also like to get on EE! I'm not sure if my parents will go on it though! I figure if we get there first thing in the AM we should be able to get those things in and have lunch by 1 or 2pm. I'm also thinking we'll end up back at MK after lunch at GF on Thursday.

Thanks again

Melissa

 

[grumpymakesmehappy]

Are you sure you want to go to Universal the day before you do the KTTK tour? I've never had the desire to venture outside Disney while staying onsite so that part is a little foreign to me.

Although we are Disney maniacs, we also like to go to Universal/IOA. We usually visit those two parks in the middle of our trip. WE start with Disney and end with Disney. It's never ruined our Disney experience.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Absolutely you should go to Universal. We love it there.

Have you ever taken a WDW tour? I took two - Hidden Treasures of World Showcase (stunk) and Wild by Design (pretty good). I just think that if I were trying to squeeze stuff in, the first thing to go would be the tour.

...but that's just me. Have a great trip!

 

[Ginamarie]

5/13 - Arrive @ Orlando Int'l Airport @ 5:30pm. Catch the Magical Express to OKW, and hop a bus to EPCOT. Stay for Illuminations.

5/14 - MGM. Lunch at Sci Fi Diner @ 12:30. Enjoy some time @ OKW. Bust to MK around dinner time and stay for EMH.

5/15 - AK (just for a few hours-- we don't need to spend too much time here). Lunch @ Flame Tree BBQ. Head to DD for some shopping, or back to OKW in the afternoon. MGM towards dinnertime. Stay for stunt show and Fantasmic, EMH.

5/16 - Universal/IOA

5/17 - Keys to the Kingdom @ 9am. Blizzard Beach afterwards. Jellyrolls at night. (Does this sound possible?)

5/18 - DH & Dad are going to play golf. My mom and I are doing "Mother's Day" - Breakfast @ DD, spa treatment @ GF. All meeting for lunch @ GF Cafe @ 1pm. After lunch- spend time @ OKW or MK. Pleasure Island at night.

5/19 - Chef Mickey's @ 9:30am. Monorail to EPCOT. Dinner @ 6pm, California Grill (Contemporary). Watch Wishes from there... maybe go back to Pleasure Island.

5/20 - Check out @ OKW, Bus to MGM for Star Wars Weekend. Back to OKW for Magical Express by 3:30/4pm. Flight leaves Orlando @ 6:25pm.

1. Are you annual pass holders? Otherwise it sounds like you're going to be spending a lot of money on park hoppers to spend a couple of hours in each park. (1 day for 5-13 for a couple of hours in the park, 1 for 5-14 -2 half day visits-, 1 for 5-15 -2 half day visits-, 1 for Keys to Kingdom tour, maybe one for 5-18, 1 for 5-19 and 1 for 5-20). So you'd be buying a 5-6 day park hopper?? Plus you're looking at spending for Blizzard Beach admission for just a couple of hours (the Keys to the Kingdom Tour is long!).

2. Keep in mind, it will cost about $40-$45 each way for a taxi to Universal. Also, trying to do Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in one day will be tight. I think the one day ticket for both parks is about $99, which is the same as buying 5 days in both parks (they've been running a deal where you buy two days and get three free for that price).

For me, I just think that you're trying to squeeze too many things into a small time period, which may be a waste of time/money.

 

[mhingher]

1. Are you annual pass holders? Otherwise it sounds like you're going to be spending a lot of money on park hoppers to spend a couple of hours in each park. (1 day for 5-13 for a couple of hours in the park, 1 for 5-14 -2 half day visits-, 1 for 5-15 -2 half day visits-, 1 for Keys to Kingdom tour, maybe one for 5-18, 1 for 5-19 and 1 for 5-20). So you'd be buying a 5-6 day park hopper?? Plus you're looking at spending for Blizzard Beach admission for just a couple of hours (the Keys to the Kingdom Tour is long!).

My parents are AP holders, DH and I have 7 day park hoppers. Originally I wouldn't "waste" a day's admission on a short time, but the 7 day park hopper was only like $3 more than the 5 day. So we have that covered. And when I say we'll spend the am in a park and then go back to OKW, that isn't set in stone. We could always end up spending more time at the park. As for the admission to the Water Park-- we have extra options from our last trip, as do my parents, which will cover the water park and visits to PI.

2. Keep in mind, it will cost about $40-$45 each way for a taxi to Universal. Also, trying to do Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in one day will be tight. I think the one day ticket for both parks is about $99, which is the same as buying 5 days in both parks (they've been running a deal where you buy two days and get three free for that price).

My parents don't like to rely on WDW transportation, so they rent a car. They want to come to Universal/IOA also so we'll all go together. As fo doing both parks in one day-- We did this in March and had no problems with it. There's a lot more for us in IOA, so we don't spend too much time in Universal. I think it was about $85 to get the 1 day/2 park pass.

For me, I just think that you're trying to squeeze too many things into a small time period, which may be a waste of time/money.[/QUOTE]

I appreciate your input.

 

[Travelbug12]

Sounds great. I'll get in on the Universal controversy. Yes I like disney, but a lot can be said for universal. Also, last year I went to several off park places but found that the best hotels for the price were right at disney so I stayed no matter where I went. Anyway, after a week of smiling faces and ever so perfect manacured lawn, universal is downright inviting. The attractions are totally different and cannot compare to disney. I'm not saying better just different. Nothing can compare to disney's creativity, but I'm a flume fanatic, and there are plenty at IOA. I will tell you this. I've done it but its almost impossible to do in one day not because of the scope of it but because the crowds get so rediculous. Do some research, and decide what is most important and do it first thing in the morning. SInce i'm a flume fanatic we went on all of them at 8:00 am looking a little foolish, but happy when at noon the lines were over 90 minutes long. Remember, you don't have to do it all so make a good plan and just do what you can. Just a note, I'm not sure if you've been there before, but if you happen to go on any flumes, you'll get drenched!! and need a change of clothes or something that will drip dry very well.

 

[mhingher]

I completely agree! I couldn't be a bigger WDW freak, and we had a blast at Universal/IOA in March. And we did do both parks in one day, with time for a Cheeseburger in Paradise at Margaritaville on Citywalk! We spent most of our time at IOA.

I think we'll just play it by ear re: the tour, water park & jelly rolls in one day. I definitely don't want to skip the tour b/c we've never done it before. We'll see. I may go crazy with planning, but nothing is ever set in stone!

Thanks for all of your input

Melissa