How to work our vacation

[Kallierollo]

Were going to be at the parks for 8 days - Jan 2010. I haven't been there in 20 years and my husband has never been. We've all been to Disneyland together but, I cannot get through to him how much more the World is!!! I want to give us enough time to see everything but at the same time not overload. We'll have our daughter who will be 5 with us as well.

My question is I need alittle help with how to work our days at the parks. We'll be there Monday-Monday...the first Monday arriving mid-day.

This is what I was thinking:

Magic Kingdom - 2 days
Animal Kingdom - 1 day or a half day...I heard it really doesn't take long???
Epcot - 1 day or 2?
A rest day to wander and do Downtown Disney
Hollywood Studios - 1 day
So that leaves me with 1 or possibly 2 open days. Any suggestions?

We are not going to do any water parks and will not have a rental car.

Thanks!!!

 

[verlee]

You did not say where you are staying but a home resort day (or two) is fun. Especially for your 5 yr old. Kids are very happy to spend the day in the pool. You could tour the other resorts, ride the monorail (ride up front with the operator), look for hidden mickeys along the way. Stroll the boardwalk, get an ice cream at beaches and cream.... Walk the beach at the Poly.....Watch the animals at AKL....
The campground has lots to do... fishing, biking, horseback riding, archery.....Take the boat from POR to DTD. Watch the movies at the campground, watch the electric boat parade.

On mousesavers.com there is a list of all the cheap/free stuff to do in the world. You will be suprised at how much there is to do and how little time there is to do it. We were there for 7 days and we needed so much more time!

 

[verlee]

I was just looking at your plan for which parks to visit.

IMO, If you want to make a dent in Epcot you will need two days. There is sooooo much there and it is kind of confusing... not to mention large. It takes more time then you would think. I also think you will find that you can at least spend one full day at AK. Especially, since it is your first visit. There are lots of details there to experience. See the shows, play the bongos, watch the musicians ect...( Your 5 yr old is not going to be able to go full speed ahead. You will need to slow down some anyway.)

I don't think you are going to have to worry about what to do with your extra time.You're going to be wondering "where did all my free time go?"

BTW..One of the bus drivers told us that Disneyland could fit in the parking lot of MK. WDW is so much bigger and more detailed. Hope you have a great trip. We are hoping for a trip around the same time.


Another quick tip... take a look at the unofficial guide to WDW. They have a chart of what parks to visit on which days. This really will help your family beat the crowds. If you are feeling really ambitious, you could get the specific crowd prediction for each day you are going to be there from touringplans.com or tour guide mike.

 

[Kallierollo]

Thanks!

We are staying at Pop Century.

Those are all wonderful ideas! True I am sure we'll be able to find plenty to do but I am a planner so you know how that goes you want to make sure you know every piece of info you can get your hands on!

And about Disneyland fitting in the parking lot...I told my husband about that. LOL He still cannot grasp how much bigger and better it is. He's in for a treat! Even when my mom came to visit after many trips to Disneyworld she took one look at Disneyland and said...is that it? lol

 

[WDWCNY]

Tips take avantage of the early morning and evening hours at the parks. Best tip don't over do. Been to WDW many times since 2002 and still have not seen everything. Favorite fireworks is illuminations at EPCOT. You will need at least 2 days to do this park. Do at least one Character Dining reservation these are always fun. Have a great time in planning you vacation.

I use the following web site to get alot of information:

http://allears.net/index.html

 

[tassma]

We will be there the first part of January with our five year olds. I think the character idea is a good suggestion - AK had one in the Dinoland. I think that is a good park to have a character meal. It is a shorter day at AK and you could fit a character meal in there.

Also, AK is a good one to start the trip with. I know that we always want to get to MK right away, but I think HS or AK are good starter parks or slow day parks, especially for a five year old.

I completely suggest checking out the Unofficial Guide and touringplans.com. It will take a lot of the pressure off if you let it.

Enjoy your trip - we love Disneyland too, but it is a different experience.

Good luck!

 

[VAN]

I know you are a planner, but at this point in time, aside from what you have sketched out you are probably good to go.

Agree that you may want to read up on the touring plans from the Unofficial Guide to WDW. Also, have a list of "other stuff" to do in the event you need a break from the parks. Discuss and take into account attractions that your family would really like to do and then make sure that is factored in.

A big part of a successful vacation is being able to be flexible based on the weather, how everyone is feeling, etc. If you over-schedule at this point or even at a closer point, you will be less inclined to change plans "because I spent so much time on this, dog-gone-it!!"

If you are going to TS meals, you will want to know 90 days out where you need ADRs ... that in itself is very stressful, because "how do I know what time on that day I'm going to be hungry and what I feel like eating!!!" But just bite the bullet and nail down ADRs anyway.

Have fun planning - but also PLAN that the plans will change.

 

[tassma]

I know you are a planner, but at this point in time, aside from what you have sketched out you are probably good to go.

Agree that you may want to read up on the touring plans from the Unofficial Guide to WDW. Also, have a list of "other stuff" to do in the event you need a break from the parks. Discuss and take into account attractions that your family would really like to do and then make sure that is factored in.

A big part of a successful vacation is being able to be flexible based on the weather, how everyone is feeling, etc. If you over-schedule at this point or even at a closer point, you will be less inclined to change plans "because I spent so much time on this, dog-gone-it!!"

If you are going to TS meals, you will want to know 90 days out where you need ADRs ... that in itself is very stressful, because "how do I know what time on that day I'm going to be hungry and what I feel like eating!!!" But just bite the bullet and nail down ADRs anyway.

Have fun planning - but also PLAN that the plans will change.

Great advice!

 

[mommymeg]

We are leaving in less than 1 week for an 8 day adventure. I have planned to set aside 2 days for both MK and EP...(I think we still won't see/do everything we want there). 1 day for AK and HS. We are also doing the Water Park option which has taken up another day. When I look at my schedule, we have plans for every day, but I'm telling myself to stay flexible. I think with 8 days you definitally need some sort of plan, but don't set them in stone. I'm very curious about DTD and am hoping that we have some time to get over there...possibly on our AK day since the park closes at 5pm. If you're interested, my itinerary is as follows
Day 1- arrive at 11am- MK w/ ADR's at Crystal Palace
Day 2- Rope drop at MK afternoon nap Evening ADR's at Boma, back to MK
Day 3- Rope drop at Epcot, afternoon nap, ADR's at Coral Reef
Day 4- Rope drop at HS, evening ADR's at 50's Prime
Day 5- Blizzard Beach, evening ADR's at Chef Mickeys, MK extra magic hours
Day 6- AK, Morning ADR's at Tusker House (hoping to spend evenng at DTD)
Day 7- Epcot WS...EVening ADR's at Garden Grill
Day 8- check out by 10am...boo hoo

8 days goes by faster than you think! Good luck and have fun planning!

 

[Kallierollo]

Thank you so much for all the tips! They really do help alot!