Help with park plans Nov 7-13 for first-timer!

[vspenn]

Hello,
This is our first trip to DW and I need help with choosing my park dates.
We are arriving Nov 6 and leaving Nov 14. We are party of 5 - 3 adults (parents +1 grandma) and 2 kids (8 and 4 yo). We have 5 day park hopper+ ticket
Here's what I have so far:
Nov 6 - arrive and Disney Springs
Nov 7 - MK
Nov 8 - Animal Kingdom
Nov 9 - Epcot
Nov 10 - we are changing hotels. rest day, maybe typhoon lagoon (1 adult takes two kids, the other two are packing and moving hotels)
Nov 11 - HS
Nov 12 - rest day
Nov 13 - MK
Nov 14 - fly out
Questions - doing 3 park days in a row at the start - too aggressive? I would love to do a rest day on Nov 9th, but next day we are moving hotels, so two rest days in a row seems too much.
Nov 11 - Veteran's day. A little worried about it. We can do MK that day. It will be day of Xmas party, so might be lower crowds? In that case, we are leaving HS for last day on 13th. I kind of wanted to leave the last day on 13th as MK both as a final closure but also flexibility to change if we decide we want more time at HS or anywhere else. Regardless where we go on 13th, we might hop to MK for fireworks if kids want (we'll def do fireworks on our first visit to MK).
Genie+ - i think we'll do it for 1st day at MK. maybe HS? trying to avoid doing it for others, unless you tell me we really really should.
Goals - I want to do everything, but I realize with 4yo in tow that's not possible. So we need to strike a balance of doing as much as we can while not completely wearing out the kids. This is out first and last trip for a very very long time. Probably will do another trip in 5 yrs or so once the youngest can do everything. Trying to minimize extras (no fireworks dessert parties, no Xmas party, only do Genies+ where really necessary, etc).
Any other advice? Since we have the +, on the rest days, if kids are up for it, we might go to Typhoon lagoon but ew'll play it by ear depending on energy levels.
location Nov 6-10 at Shades of Green, Nov 10-14 Marriott Cypress Harbour.
thank you!

 

[Jacq7414]

We did a split stay in April. The day we switched, we had a park day. We just gave all of our bags to bell services and spent the entire day at the park. When we got to the new hotel our rooms were ready and our bags were already there. So I do think it’s good to go to a park during your switch day. Just have everything all packed up the night before. We only had a 2 night stay for the first hotel so I just lived out of my suitcase lol.

 

[lostprincess_danie]

First, take a deep breath and accept that you will not do "everything" in one trip. Maybe you could, but with a grandparent and two kids in tow I would be more focused on getting everyone's top attractions completed. Then try for more.


You have PH but have not planned any hopping as of yet. Christmas party will be at MK on Nov 8, 10 and 11. Usually crowds are light the morning of party days. So you may want to consider starting one of those days at MK then hop elsewhere in the evening to take advantage if lower waits and crowds.

Genie+ is a must for HS right now. It is the best value at MK due to the large amount of attractions available. So I would consider it for at least one if your MK days.

 

[RoseGold]

Shades of Green qualifies for what is now the extended hours.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/en_CA/guest-services/extended-evening/

I would absolutely plan around these, even with a little kid. Take a nap and do the night hours. That's how you'll be able to do everything on this trip. The late hours are incredible.

 

[vspenn]

Thank you for all your responses.
changing hotels - since we are going from on-site to off-site, we need to move our things ourselves and doing park day would be complicated
evening hours - yes, i know about it. Currently, those extra hours are 11p-1am!!! even I am not up that late! i'm looking at it as a bonus - if we/kids have energy, sure, we'll go over. But realistically, i think after fireworks or by 9ish, the kids will be done. My 8yo does not nap, no matter what. The 4yo could be convinced. Instead, I'm hopeful we can potentially put kids to bed, leave them with grandma and go for a date night with my hubby to ride some of the more adult rides. But honestly, the idea of doing that and then waking up at 7am to book Genie+ is not fun.
key questions:
3 park days in a row - with 4yo, is that too much? it doesn't have to be open to close, but not a half-day either. or will kids be excited to keep going? I know all kids are different, but curious to hear from anyone who has done this
Veterans' day - is MK with xmas party that day they best choice vs the weekend (sat/sun) and HS?
and yes, I know I won't be able to do everything. that's ok. we'll try to do what we can and will leave some things for the next trips.
thank you!

 

[dreamscometrue47]

I truly believe 3 park days in a row will work out fine. When my kids were little like yours, we would do all 4 parks in a row! I would rent a stroller for your 4 year old and it can also serve for a holder for sweatshirts etc.
I like how you have AK as your middle day park as you will probably be done mid to late afternoon and can relax back at resort.

 

[RoseGold]

evening hours - yes, i know about it. Currently, those extra hours are 11p-1am!!! even I am not up that late! i'm looking at it as a bonus - if we/kids have energy, sure, we'll go over. But realistically, i think after fireworks or by 9ish, the kids will be done. My 8yo does not nap, no matter what. The 4yo could be convinced. Instead, I'm hopeful we can potentially put kids to bed, leave them with grandma and go for a date night with my hubby to ride some of the more adult rides. But honestly, the idea of doing that and then waking up at 7am to book Genie+ is not fun.

I was concerned, but my 4 year old nailed it. I'd choose the late hours over the early stuff, honestly. They just let us sit on Soarin'. Remy moves fast with no G+ in play.

I planned my last trip and my upcoming trip around these hours. At MK, you can do more in the night hours than you can all day.

 

[vspenn]

thank you all for your help!
yes, doing AK as 2nd day is to change up the pace as I think it will be a bit less intense in all respects (noise, stimulation, number of rides, hopefully crowds, etc) after a very intense day at MK.
sounds like we shouldn't plan on doing rope drop for this trip and focus more on evenings.

 

[sponica]

3 park days in a row - with 4yo, is that too much? it doesn't have to be open to close, but not a half-day either. or will kids be excited to keep going? I know all kids are different, but curious to hear from anyone who has done this

My 20 month old and 5.5 year old did 7 park days in a row. But they are early birds. The extended PM hours would NOT have worked for them, at all. Them being up past 8 =misery in the AM. No way in heck was I going to do that to myself.

We tended to do early entry arrival and take a break for a sit down lunch and then keep going until 2 or 3 and went back to the pool before going for a few hours in the evening. It depended on the day though, as my husband played golf 3 mornings. 2 of those mornings the kids and I just hung out at the quiet pool. One morning we went to Epcot (I'm never taking them to a park by myself again until they're older).

 

[Marionnette]

Hello,
This is our first trip to DW and I need help with choosing my park dates.
We are arriving Nov 6 and leaving Nov 14. We are party of 5 - 3 adults (parents +1 grandma) and 2 kids (8 and 4 yo). We have 5 day park hopper+ ticket
Here's what I have so far:
Nov 6 - arrive and Disney Springs
Nov 7 - MK
Nov 8 - Animal Kingdom
Nov 9 - Epcot
Nov 10 - we are changing hotels. rest day, maybe typhoon lagoon (1 adult takes two kids, the other two are packing and moving hotels)
Nov 11 - HS
Nov 12 - rest day
Nov 13 - MK
Nov 14 - fly out
Questions - doing 3 park days in a row at the start - too aggressive? I would love to do a rest day on Nov 9th, but next day we are moving hotels, so two rest days in a row seems too much.
Nov 11 - Veteran's day. A little worried about it. We can do MK that day. It will be day of Xmas party, so might be lower crowds? In that case, we are leaving HS for last day on 13th. I kind of wanted to leave the last day on 13th as MK both as a final closure but also flexibility to change if we decide we want more time at HS or anywhere else. Regardless where we go on 13th, we might hop to MK for fireworks if kids want (we'll def do fireworks on our first visit to MK).
Genie+ - i think we'll do it for 1st day at MK. maybe HS? trying to avoid doing it for others, unless you tell me we really really should.
Goals - I want to do everything, but I realize with 4yo in tow that's not possible. So we need to strike a balance of doing as much as we can while not completely wearing out the kids. This is out first and last trip for a very very long time. Probably will do another trip in 5 yrs or so once the youngest can do everything. Trying to minimize extras (no fireworks dessert parties, no Xmas party, only do Genies+ where really necessary, etc).
Any other advice? Since we have the +, on the rest days, if kids are up for it, we might go to Typhoon lagoon but ew'll play it by ear depending on energy levels.
location Nov 6-10 at Shades of Green, Nov 10-14 Marriott Cypress Harbour.
thank you!

I'm not sure that I would do TL with one adult to supervise 2 young children. You're a guest of your Disney resort until midnight of the day you check out. Perhaps pool time at the resort pool would be less exhausting for that adult.

I would suggest switching your Epcot and HS days. HS will not be as crowded on a Wednesday compared to a Friday which is also a holiday. Buy G+ for that day and relax in the morning. Read the Genie Plus threads for info on how to stack your G+ selections later in the day. You can hop to Epcot easily from HS and catch dinner there followed by fireworks.

One caveat about doing Epcot on that Friday: the Food & Wine Festival will be winding down. A lot of locals tend to visit Epcot on weekends and with Nov 11 being a holiday, there will be an increased number of folks in all of the parks. I've been in Epcot on the Saturday of the Wine & Dine half marathon and the World Showcase was mobbed! Just pack your patience pants and visit early in the day.

 

[vspenn]

thank you all for great advice! further thoughts:
For two kids (4 and 8) on their first trip to Disney, how big of a deal would it be NOT to do the first day at MK? Our first park day is nov 7 (monday). Nov 8 is Xmas party, so could be a great day to go to MK. Is that a bad idea? If we do this, what would be a good first park for first-timer kids? Maybe HS and (if have energy) go to MK for the fireworks only?
Which one do you recomment - Plan 1 or Plan 2:
Plan 1:
sun Nov 6 - arrive, Disney Springs, dinner
mon Nov 7 - HS, MK fireworks if we make it. Another other other than HS better?
tues Nov 8 - MK (close at 6pm)
wed Nov 9 - rest, TL if up to it
thurs nov 10 - Epcot
fri Nov 11 - rest day, change hotels
sat Nov 12 - AK
sun Nov 13 - MK again or whatever else we didn't get to do
mon Nov 14 - morning pool, flight in the pm

Plan 2:
sun Nov 6 - arrive, Disney Springs, dinner
mon Nov 7 - MK (normal close 9pm)
tues Nov 8 - Epcot
wed Nov 9 - rest, TL if up to it
thurs nov 10 - MK early close
fri Nov 11 - rest day, change hotels
sat Nov 12 - HS (too busy?)
sun Nov 13 - AK
mon Nov 14 - morning pool, flight in the pm

We will do genie + at MK and HS. Although if we do MK on early close day as first day, maybe we don't need it? personally, I like Plan 1 better except I can't tell if my kids would be upset not to go to MK on the first day.
thank you!

 

[sponica]

how big of a deal would it be NOT to do the first day at MK?

It's their first time, they have no basis for comparison. I would try to gauge what their expectations are though. But also a 4 year old and 8 year old might be old enough to grasp "we're going tomorrow when there will be fewer people and the lines will be shorter".

If we ever went during party season, we'd totally hit up MK on a party day.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

Thank you for all your responses.
changing hotels - since we are going from on-site to off-site, we need to move our things ourselves and doing park day would be complicated
evening hours - yes, i know about it. Currently, those extra hours are 11p-1am!!! even I am not up that late! i'm looking at it as a bonus - if we/kids have energy, sure, we'll go over. But realistically, i think after fireworks or by 9ish, the kids will be done. My 8yo does not nap, no matter what. The 4yo could be convinced. Instead, I'm hopeful we can potentially put kids to bed, leave them with grandma and go for a date night with my hubby to ride some of the more adult rides. But honestly, the idea of doing that and then waking up at 7am to book Genie+ is not fun.
key questions:
3 park days in a row - with 4yo, is that too much? it doesn't have to be open to close, but not a half-day either. or will kids be excited to keep going? I know all kids are different, but curious to hear from anyone who has done this
Veterans' day - is MK with xmas party that day they best choice vs the weekend (sat/sun) and HS?
and yes, I know I won't be able to do everything. that's ok. we'll try to do what we can and will leave some things for the next trips.
thank you!

I don't see any issues with 3 park days in a row, we did that with ours younger and they were fine. So long as you're not waking everyone up at dawn and keeping them on full throttle all day, you will make it. We didn't do half days at that age, we did early, mid day breaks and return in the late afternoon/evening. Just read the room and see how they feel and you can sort of gauge their mood and crabbyness factor.

For DHS, you can literally pick any day, it won't matter, it's always crowded. As far as when you go to MK, first day or not, you know your kids best. What are they most excited for? As long as your trip is, I think if you can devote two days to MK, no matter when they are, you'll be happy, and so will your kids. I think both plans above are fine but do keep in mind, you have hoppers. What are your hopping plans? Will you stay at the parks all day? If you only plan to hop one day, you may want to rethink your tickets since it's expensive to not take advantage of hopping most of the days of your trip.

Keep an eye out for extended evening hours if you can go. If your trip was mine, this is what I'd pick if my kids were your ages....

sun Nov 6 - arrive, Disney Springs, dinner at wine bar george
mon Nov 7 - Epcot- hop to MK for fireworks
tues Nov 8 - Start at AK- Hop to DHS
wed Nov 9 - rest, TL if up to it
thurs nov 10 - MK early close/Hop to Epcot if open later
fri Nov 11 - rest day, change hotels
sat Nov 12 - HS (too busy?)
sun Nov 13 - AK Would end our trip at MK and not bother with a second visit to AK
mon Nov 14 - morning pool, flight in the pm