How is this for a first timer's trip? - October/November 2017

[PrincessNelly]

Hi Everyone,

We go every year and have disney pretty much down to a science. We know all the ins & outs but I was asked to help plan a trip for my mother-in-law and Aunt for their first time. Its actually somewhat hard because I can only seem to see Disney through the eyes of someone who has been many times. So I'm looking for input on how to make this trip... first timer friendly.

Both my mother & aunt are in their 50s and have small mobility issues but a still pretty active ladies, so I want the trip to be easy going.

Here's what I have so far

Oct 28th - Nov 4

Port Orleans French Quarter
Day 1:
Arrive at MCO around 1pm
Check In to POFQ
Disney Springs
Dinner @ Homecoming 5:30pm

Day 2:
Magic Kingdom (9am to 2pm)
QS Lunch
Rest at Resort/Swim
Dinner @ Yachtsman Steakhouse 6:15pm

Day 3:
Epcot (8am to 9pm w/ possible mid-day break)
Prepark Akershus Breakfast 8:00am
QS Dinner/Food & Wine Booths
Illuminations

Day 4(Halloween):
Typhoon Lagoon (10 am to 4pm)
QS Lunch
Dinner @ Narcoossee's 8:30pm (late dinner to watch MNSSHP fireworks)

Day 5:
Animal Kingdom (9am to 7pm)
Breakfast @ Tusker House 10am
QS Dinner
Rivers of Light

Day 6:
Sleep In/Swim
Hollywood Studios (12:15pm to 8pm)
Lunch @ Mama Melrose w/ Fantasmic Dining Package 12:30pm
QS Dinner
Fantasmic

Day 7:
Sleep In/Swim
QS Lunch
Magic Kingdom (3pm to 9pm)
Dinner @ BOG 6:00pm
Happily Ever After Fireworks

Day 8:
Back Home!

I thought it would be helpful to allow rest time on each day where possible and have a mix of early morning & late starts.

Tell me what you guys think...

 

[bopper]

For Typhoon Lagoon day you still might want to play it by ear...they may want a sleep in rest day at that point.

On Day 1 make sure not to stay out too late...it is tempting to stay in Disney Springs late but then you are tired for MK

 

[pitpat]

did they request the water park? I would think another Epcot day instead of that 1 marathon day there might work better.

 

[Accident]

Is your first magic kingdom day a party night that you are not attending? 2pm is rather early to leave MK and not return after a resort break as it's a park that many spend 2 or 3 full days at minimum at.

Are you sure they don't want to do any dining that you can only get at WDW? They are first timers so I would think o'hana, hoop de doo review, etc.. you have nice meal choices but many are just expensive meals you could get elsewhere and for first timers, I think the only at disney is a great choice for meals..

Related to that your second MK day has a rather late start. based on who your first timers are, if they are more senior in age I think it's a wise choice to give them more down time and some late mornings and many make it to go go go for the more experienced family members in the trip and that's a huge mistake.. they are at a point in life that resting somewhere not home is bliss.

I personally hate mama melrose but not everyone would agree with that.

 

[bopper]

But see if you think they would like hoop de doo review...if you were from a major urban area you might think it too corny to pay that much for.

 

[VAfamily1998]

I was a little surprised to see the water park there, given that they are older and have some mobility issues.

Is the Tusker House breakfast for the Rivers of Light package?

Also I agree with Accident that Mama Melrose is not my favorite restaurant at HS. It's not awful, but it's nothing special that you couldn't get at any Italian restaurant anywhere. My pick for the Fantasmic! package is Hollywood Brown Derby. Yes, it's more expensive, but imo it's worth it.

Also agree with Accident about adding in a dining experience that they can't get anywhere but Disney--like Hoop de Doo review. It looks like you could do that Day 1 in place of Disney Springs/Homecomin' (I ate there in January. It was good...but again, nothing so special that you couldn't find outside of Disney) or on Day 2 in place of Yachtsman or Day 4 in place of Narcoose's (if viewing Fireworks is a priority, there is the beach at Fort Wilderness)

Also, I would keep in mind, since you have a few sleep in/swim days, that the POFQ pool is pretty heavily themed towards young kids, with no quiet pools. They can, of course, use the quiet pools at POR--so you might want to let them know about that.

 

[mickeymom629]

Being in my 50's myself, I would rethink your day #4. I would not need to go to a water park and the late dinner to see fireworks from a distance and then have to get back to my resort to get up early the next morning doesn't sound relaxing. I have never eaten at Narcoossee's though. Maybe a day at the resort and ferry to DS again? Or back to Epcot if I couldn't stay late because of the early breakfast the day before, and see Illuminations. Also, personally, I would eat breakfast at the resort on day #5 and prefer a restaurant for lunch or early dinner. I also haven't eaten at the Yachtsman Steakhouse (that I can recall), but after being at MK (day #2) in the am and then pool, ferrying to DS for an early dinner could be nice on or just eating at the resort. You have them getting up pretty early the following morning.

I'm sure they will have a great trip and that you are doing great planning for them! POFQ is one of my favorite resorts. They can also get a carriage ride there.

Coincidentally, I am going the same week!

 

[PrincessNelly]

did they request the water park? I would think another Epcot day instead of that 1 marathon day there might work better.

They get free one day passes with their package so it's not a big deal if they don't make it to TL

 

[PrincessNelly]

Is your first magic kingdom day a party night that you are not attending? 2pm is rather early to leave MK and not return after a resort break as it's a park that many spend 2 or 3 full days at minimum at.

Are you sure they don't want to do any dining that you can only get at WDW? They are first timers so I would think o'hana, hoop de doo review, etc.. you have nice meal choices but many are just expensive meals you could get elsewhere and for first timers, I think the only at disney is a great choice for meals..

Related to that your second MK day has a rather late start. based on who your first timers are, if they are more senior in age I think it's a wise choice to give them more down time and some late mornings and many make it to go go go for the more experienced family members in the trip and that's a huge mistake.. they are at a point in life that resting somewhere not home is bliss.

I personally hate mama melrose but not everyone would agree with that.

Yes it s a party night.... I think a this point I'm guessing that they'll want to go back to the resort around that time but I was hoping that by making the reservation in the evening, it would give them the choice to stay until 3-4...

My original plan was to have them stay all day or start a little later then have dinner at narcoossees but it wasn't available when booking adrs. So now I'm scrambling to readjust things.

...I'm one of those weirdos who love Mama Melrose but hate Ohana lol
Ill look into hoop de Doo.... I've actually never been to it either!

 

[PrincessNelly]

I was a little surprised to see the water park there, given that they are older and have some mobility issues.

Is the Tusker House breakfast for the Rivers of Light package?

Also I agree with Accident that Mama Melrose is not my favorite restaurant at HS. It's not awful, but it's nothing special that you couldn't get at any Italian restaurant anywhere. My pick for the Fantasmic! package is Hollywood Brown Derby. Yes, it's more expensive, but imo it's worth it.

Also agree with Accident about adding in a dining experience that they can't get anywhere but Disney--like Hoop de Doo review. It looks like you could do that Day 1 in place of Disney Springs/Homecomin' (I ate there in January. It was good...but again, nothing so special that you couldn't find outside of Disney) or on Day 2 in place of Yachtsman or Day 4 in place of Narcoose's (if viewing Fireworks is a priority, there is the beach at Fort Wilderness)

Also, I would keep in mind, since you have a few sleep in/swim days, that the POFQ pool is pretty heavily themed towards young kids, with no quiet pools. They can, of course, use the quiet pools at POR--so you might want to let them know about that.

The mobility issues are really minor... But it was free with their package so if they don't make it is no big deal.
Rivers of Light package isn't available yet but I plan to book it once it does come out.

I'll check out Brown Derby. I happen to love Mama Melrose so it was first choice but they may enjoy something more relaxing like HBD. Plus it may be easier to find than Mama Melrose for a first timer.

For mnsshp fireworks... Does poly beach still pipe in fireworks?... That may be easier for them to get to than ft. Wilderness.

 

[PrincessNelly]

Being in my 50's myself, I would rethink your day #4. I would not need to go to a water park and the late dinner to see fireworks from a distance and then have to get back to my resort to get up early the next morning doesn't sound relaxing. I have never eaten at Narcoossee's though. Maybe a day at the resort and ferry to DS again? Or back to Epcot if I couldn't stay late because of the early breakfast the day before, and see Illuminations. Also, personally, I would eat breakfast at the resort on day #5 and prefer a restaurant for lunch or early dinner. I also haven't eaten at the Yachtsman Steakhouse (that I can recall), but after being at MK (day #2) in the am and then pool, ferrying to DS for an early dinner could be nice on or just eating at the resort. You have them getting up pretty early the following morning.

I'm sure they will have a great trip and that you are doing great planning for them! POFQ is one of my favorite resorts. They can also get a carriage ride there.

Coincidentally, I am going the same week!

Do you think if I switch my day 5 & 6 that it would be better?

That way they can still see the mnsshp fireworks but then sleep in the next morning?

 

[heather913]

Is seeing Happily Ever After important to them? I'd worry about saving it for the last night in case they experience bad weather.

 

[LuvMyEAR]

How awesome that you are planning this trip! Will you be travelling with them? I am sure they are going to have a fantastic time and will appreciate the thought and effort you are putting into this plan so they don't find themselves overwhelmed in advance or lost when they get there.

Since TL is not going to cost them any extra, great idea to slide it in there, since it is a beautiful park. If they really enjoy the water, or a beach atmosphere, they would probably love it. When DH and I visited in our "tween years " (between kids and grandkids) we used it as our midday break spot. We never got to stay onsite, so rather than leave the Disney bubble for some downtime, we'd have a little swim, take a nice nap on a lounge chair, and freshen up before heading back into a park or Downtown Disney for the evening. As you know, the weather is usually still perfect for swimming at that time of year. If I was travelling with my sister at that age, we'd go nuts in the wave pool. With most of my friends, we would likely spend that time at Disney Springs, or touring resorts...always fun.

Good point made about not leaving MK fireworks until the last night, if it is important to them. However, I know options are limited, given the MNSSHP nights. That said, i absolutely LOVE planning MK for our last day, and we try hard to do it that way every time. I will be there during the same time and we are considering the first MVMCP, which falls on our final night. If only we didn't have to be at MCO at 6 am! I am weighing how much I want to make that drive on about 4 hrs of sleep.

Just remind the travellers that your plan is a guide, and as long as they remember to cancel any ADRs a day in advance, they can adhere strictly or change on a whim once they see how their energy is holding up. Fun to think we could be standing next to them in a line somewhere. Maybe holding a glass of wine.

 

[PrincessNelly]

Is seeing Happily Ever After important to them? I'd worry about saving it for the last night in case they experience bad weather.

They really don't have any specific request, they told me to plan and they'd follow it lol

Unfortunately due to the party nights there is only 3 nights to see Happily Ever After.. one with night EMH which I think will be insanely crowded based on a previous experience. The other two were Thursday or Friday nights, given that they have a park to visit almost everyday, it didn't really leave a "just in case" day to go back and see HEA. Darn MNSSHP!

 

[PrincessNelly]

How awesome that you are planning this trip! Will you be travelling with them? I am sure they are going to have a fantastic time and will appreciate the thought and effort you are putting into this plan so they don't find themselves overwhelmed in advance or lost when they get there.

Since TL is not going to cost them any extra, great idea to slide it in there, since it is a beautiful park. If they really enjoy the water, or a beach atmosphere, they would probably love it. When DH and I visited in our "tween years " (between kids and grandkids) we used it as our midday break spot. We never got to stay onsite, so rather than leave the Disney bubble for some downtime, we'd have a little swim, take a nice nap on a lounge chair, and freshen up before heading back into a park or Downtown Disney for the evening. As you know, the weather is usually still perfect for swimming at that time of year. If I was travelling with my sister at that age, we'd go nuts in the wave pool. With most of my friends, we would likely spend that time at Disney Springs, or touring resorts...always fun.

Good point made about not leaving MK fireworks until the last night, if it is important to them. However, I know options are limited, given the MNSSHP nights. That said, i absolutely LOVE planning MK for our last day, and we try hard to do it that way every time. I will be there during the same time and we are considering the first MVMCP, which falls on our final night. If only we didn't have to be at MCO at 6 am! I am weighing how much I want to make that drive on about 4 hrs of sleep.

Just remind the travellers that your plan is a guide, and as long as they remember to cancel any ADRs a day in advance, they can adhere strictly or change on a whim once they see how their energy is holding up. Fun to think we could be standing next to them in a line somewhere. Maybe holding a glass of wine.

No I won't. I've taken many first timers but when I go with them and can "lead" the trip, I feel more comfortable. But with them having little familiarity with anything, I struggling to schedule & plan for them.
I'll be there in late November, so they'll be beating me to disney by about 3 weeks.

I'll definitely be teaching them the ins & outs of the MDE app so they can cancel or change things as they go. I know my aunt said that she is the type of traveler that has a lot of energy to "go go go " at the start of her trips then starts to wind down later into the trip, so thats what I'm trying to keep in mind.

 

[PrincessNelly]

I've bumped Yachtsman up to 5:55pm, maybe that will allow them to make it back to the room around 8-8:30pm so they can get up early the next day.

I've also switched my AK & HS days so that they can sleep in after staying out late to view MNSSHP fireworks.

And changed them to the Brown Derby instead of Mama Melrose.

 

[mickeymom629]

Do you think if I switch my day 5 & 6 that it would be better?

That way they can still see the mnsshp fireworks but then sleep in the next morning?

Yes, that would be better I think.

I've also switched my AK & HS days so that they can sleep in after staying out late to view MNSSHP fireworks.

And changed them to the Brown Derby instead of Mama Melrose.

 

[mickeymom629]

Another place to watch the MNSSHP fireworks is the Contemporary - either the California Grill (and have dinner there) or they can go out on the balcony near the bridge to BLT walkway. They could also have dinner at The Wave.

 

[LuvMyEAR]

I've bumped Yachtsman up to 5:55pm, maybe that will allow them to make it back to the room around 8-8:30pm so they can get up early the next day.

I've also switched my AK & HS days so that they can sleep in after staying out late to view MNSSHP fireworks.

And changed them to the Brown Derby instead of Mama Melrose.