I am having trouble planning

[tink20]

I am trying to plan out my week at Disney, and having some trouble. I can't figure out how to plan things out. We want to do one or both the waterparks, but don't know how to work in everything. DH wants the hopper, so we aren't tied down to one park, but I don't know if we really need it. Plus DD and her husband are coming down for 4 days at the end of the week, so we want to spend time with them too, so maybe we do need the hopper, to hop to the park they are in.

Is one WP enough or should I try to fit in both? I am not going to add that on, until we get there, to make sure the weather is nice.

This is what I have so far

Sat. arrive after 3p....AK
Sun. MK (closes at 7p) do DTD or BW in pm
Mon. WP am/E pm
Tues. AK am/ HS pm (meet up w/DD)
Wed. MK am w/DD/ ? pm
Thur. E am w/DD/ maybe HS pm to watch F
Fri. maybe WP am, DD is doing AK in the am/ MK pm w/DD (we have ADR @BOG at 5:15)
Sat. MK am/ ?
Sun. no park leaving to go home

Not sure if we should just do one day of WP and spend Friday w/DD at AK.
Any advice about WP option vs. one day of WP would be helpful. We will have a car, and plan to drive to the WPs.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

A lot of times we'd do the WP on the day we left. We'd just go and hang out by the pool for half the day, then hit the road. Very relaxing.

I would do the hopper; it definitely allows for more flexibility, especially if you're meeting up with your DD & family. You may find you don't need a whole day at the park, but a half day to finish up, or if the weather turns bad, you can leave the WP and head to a park, or do dinner at Epcot.

 

[eyehartdisney]

Both of these items can be added on while you are there, with no increase in fees vs buying online. I would wait until you want to use them, incase you don't.

 

[mshanson3121]

I am trying to plan out my week at Disney, and having some trouble. I can't figure out how to plan things out. We want to do one or both the waterparks, but don't know how to work in everything. DH wants the hopper, so we aren't tied down to one park, but I don't know if we really need it. Plus DD and her husband are coming down for 4 days at the end of the week, so we want to spend time with them too, so maybe we do need the hopper, to hop to the park they are in.

Is one WP enough or should I try to fit in both? I am not going to add that on, until we get there, to make sure the weather is nice.

This is what I have so far

Sat. arrive after 3p....AK
Sun. MK (closes at 7p) do DTD or BW in pm
Mon. WP am/E pm
Tues. AK am/ HS pm (meet up w/DD)
Wed. MK am w/DD/ ? pm
Thur. E am w/DD/ maybe HS pm to watch F
Fri. maybe WP am, DD is doing AK in the am/ MK pm w/DD (we have ADR @BOG at 5:15)
Sat. MK am/ ?
Sun. no park leaving to go home

Not sure if we should just do one day of WP and spend Friday w/DD at AK.
Any advice about WP option vs. one day of WP would be helpful. We will have a car, and plan to drive to the WPs.

I wouldn't do AK on Saturday. You aren't arriving until after 3... and AK closes at 5. So it's really a waste of a pass. I would go to a park that stays open later: EP, MK or HS. Personally, I'd do probably HS or EK. Then, the day that you plan only half a day at AK - I'd plan on spending a full day at AK. It's only open 9-5 anyways, and there is so much to do there, especially if your child likes nature/animals, you do the exploration thing etc...

Also, I'm a little confused, you said you're not sure you want the Park Hopper, and yet the itinerary you've given requires you to have the park hopper, since you have multiple parks on multiple days. Not sure the ages of your kids, and this is just me, but it would drive me nuts hopping around parks like that.

Myself personally, I'd do something more like this if you don't want park hoppers:

Sat: HS (open till 7)
Sun: MK
Mon: WP
Tues: HS w/ DD
Wed: MK w/ DD
Thurs: EP w/ DD
Fri: MK w/ DD
Sat: AK

Or:

Sat: HS
Sun: MK
Mon: EP (am) WP (pm)
Tues: HS
Wed: MK
Thurs: EP (am) WP (pm)
Fri: MK
Sat: AK

 

[tink20]

On arrival day 5/30 AK is open until 7p, I know that does seem like a waste. I wouldn't mind...not doing a park that day, but when we get there (after 8hr drive) DH is dying to go to a park. Also, "I" personally don't want to hop, again....DH wants to, (he needs to stay out of the planning process)just kidding.

I guess I am trying to please everyone, plus have a few ADRs, meet up with DD and I don't even know how I am going to do my FPs

 

[MrInfinity]

Where are you staying?

Is your DD going to have her own plan, or are you planning it together so you could pick these days and not have to kind of go w whatever she decides?

Are they new or have been as much as you?

Will she be offsite or have the luxury of getting FP+ when you do?

Is she staying at the same resort as you?

Do they want to do a WP or is this something only for your family? This obviously dictates which part of the week the WP goes in. I would plan to do one day at a WP, not two.

Is Downtown Disney of interest to you or her party?

These questions would really dictate the type of plan I'd come up w for the week...

 

[SplashMo]

I would do one WP and one or two trips to DTD. I would park hop.

1) AK
2) MK
3) Epcot
4) DS
5) MK
6) MK -> Epcot
7) AK->DS
8) Waterpark
9) DTD

Perhaps shuffle the days to get the best days in each park.

 

[dachsie]

Personally I would only do one water park. If you were staying longer then maybe both but you are trying to fit way too much in. I would also plan the parks with EMH if you are going to hop around. One thing that puzzles me is you say MK closes at 7 and your AK plan on first nite does too. What time of year are you going?

I think you are going to wear everyone out and not get to ride may of the headliners with hopping around as much as you are

 

[crazyfordisney2000]

Another thought, depending on the time of year you are going, you may want to go to the WP in the am. Quite often they close the park due to lightning in the afternoon. Also, I know when I take my kids to the WP, they are quite wiped when they are done. Sometimes we go to an early dinner after then just chill at our resort for the evening.

 

[tink20]

Where are you staying?

Is your DD going to have her own plan, or are you planning it together so you could pick these days and not have to kind of go w whatever she decides? Some what, she wants us to spend some time together.

Are they new or have been as much as you? no they are not new, this will be our 6th trip, but we have not been since 2012

Will she be offsite or have the luxury of getting FP+ when you do? they will be staying at the same resort as us

Is she staying at the same resort as you? yes

Do they want to do a WP or is this something only for your family? This obviously dictates which part of the week the WP goes in. I would plan to do one day at a WP, not two. They would, but she doesn't think they have enough time. They will only have 4-1/2 days
Is Downtown Disney of interest to you or her party? DTD doesn't interest me, but for some reason DH likes to go. I would like to go check out the Boardwalk, we have never done that.

These questions would really dictate the type of plan I'd come up w for the week...

Thanks, everyone. I really want to get this worked out before I have to make FPs. We are going first week of June.

MK is closing early 7pm on that Sunday due to a private party. But if we spend the whole day there, that is okay with me if they close early. We will be going back later in the week.

 

[HollieS]

Depending on the resort you're at you might want to use the pool there for a mini water park day.

Also what time of year are you planning? Are there any children involved in this trip? Driving or flying? Just because you have a park hopper doesn't mean you have to hop everyday sometimes it just makes more sense to stay put. Do you have an idea of what parks your DD would like to do with you?


I planned with pieces of paper cut into squares that I could move around. I wrote down everything that I really really wanted to do in one color and stuff that I would like to do in another. Then shifted them around on the table looking at different ways I could plan out the week. You could take it a step farther and use different a different color paper for each park.

Where do you want to eat, what attractions do you want to see, how much rest do you need.

For me, once I had it all down in paper in front of me I realized my "plan" to visit Epcot for two days didn't make sense because I only wanted to do a half day worth of stuff there and that day would be better spent at MK.

 

[tink20]

Depending on the resort you're at you might want to use the pool there for a mini water park day.

Also what time of year are you planning? Are there any children involved in this trip? Driving or flying? Just because you have a park hopper doesn't mean you have to hop everyday sometimes it just makes more sense to stay put. Do you have an idea of what parks your DD would like to do with you?


I planned with pieces of paper cut into squares that I could move around. I wrote down everything that I really really wanted to do in one color and stuff that I would like to do in another. Then shifted them around on the table looking at different ways I could plan out the week. You could take it a step farther and use different a different color paper for each park.
Where do you want to eat, what attractions do you want to see, how much rest do you need.

For me, once I had it all down in paper in front of me I realized my "plan" to visit Epcot for two days didn't make sense because I only wanted to do a half day worth of stuff there and that day would be better spent at MK.

Oh, I think this idea will help me out greatly, I keep making up schedules, but writing is down, scratching things out.... I can see your way working better. Thanks!

 

[dkrauss]

Thanks, everyone. I really want to get this worked out before I have to make FPs. We are going first week of June.

MK is closing early 7pm on that Sunday due to a private party. But if we spend the whole day there, that is okay with me if they close early. We will be going back later in the week.

You're right to want to have a plan together by FP+ night . I'm curious what, if any, your ADR plan is? What we do is sketch out a dining plan (usually before ADR day) and make our park plan off of that. We also view our vacation in 2 sections per day (morning and afternoon/evening). We plan from that point. We're a bit older so lunch breaks are very helpful for us.

Our next step is what are the "events/attractions" that we have a must do's. For our Sept 2014 trip that was
1. Rope drop at MK
2. Segway Tour @ FW
3. Fantasmic at HS
4. DAW at Epcot (we're adults )

You could include a "water park" day in that

After we selected the must do's we look at park schedule. We're looking for EMH both morning and evening. We plop our "must do's" into that schedule and build around that.

By FP+ day we've moved and mixed a bunch of times...........flexibility is a must. Because once you've set your FP+ you're kind of committed..........ahh with a caveat. If you're FP is not for any of the prime attractions (A&E, 7DMT, Soar'in, ToyStory........there are a few others) you have more flexibility to modify FP's........but if you've been fortunate to get the really good ones.........you're pretty much locked in...........not exactly but they're tougher to change. We were able to modify FP's in park without much trouble but for lesser attractions.......

From a FP+ perspective I was able to schedule our 3 for just the "morning" or just the "afternoon/evening". Which opened up the 4th FP! That allowed the section that didn't have FP's in it to be a bit more flexible

By FP+ day we realized our plan had us focused on 1 park with our ADR's either in that park or at a resort........bottom line the "hopper" passes I originally purchased were not needed....... I was able to cancel the hopper portion and have the refund before we left on the trip.

I'm not going to sit here and say what day or time is best for each park or attraction..........that is sooooo personal. The one big thing to remember is flexibility...flexibility......flexibility.....and don't be afraid to move things around. Don't let it make you crazy..............it can be done. Its one of the things I love about planning a Disney trip. But...........I'm a little crazy

Doug

 

[tink20]

Right now I have ADRs

Sun Kona 1p (just the 3 of us)
Wed LTT 1p (for all 5 of us)
Thur Coral Reef 1p (DH wants to eat here, but DD doesn't so her and her DH will eat somewhere else in Epcot)
Thurs MM F pkg for all 5 at 5:40p (I may cancel this not sure about it yet)
Fri a 5:15 at BOG (I had to make 2 separate ADRs, 1 for 3 and the other for 2, so we may not be able to sit together) we just wanted to experience BOG, could cancel this if we get lunch FP
Sat Trails End at 6p (for all 5 of us) I want to do the campfire and watch the water parade and fireworks from the beach, but not 100% sure about this either.

I made the lunch ADRs so I could keep my evenings flexible.

 

[dkrauss]

Right now I have ADRs

Sun Kona 1p (just the 3 of us)
Wed LTT 1p (for all 5 of us)
Thur Coral Reef 1p (DH wants to eat here, but DD doesn't so her and her DH will eat somewhere else in Epcot)
Thurs MM F pkg for all 5 at 5:40p (I may cancel this not sure about it yet)
Fri a 5:15 at BOG (I had to make 2 separate ADRs, 1 for 3 and the other for 2, so we may not be able to sit together) we just wanted to experience BOG, could cancel this if we get lunch FP
Sat Trails End at 6p (for all 5 of us) I want to do the campfire and watch the water parade and fireworks from the beach, but not 100% sure about this either.

I made the lunch ADRs so I could keep my evenings flexible.

Nice! Start here and work your parks around these.

For example: on Friday you have an early Dinner ADR in the MK.........so you "could" do the water park this day..........or another park......maybe Disney Springs............ Friday can be wide open! The only thing you "sort of" lock in is being in the MK by 4:45..........otherwise you could mix and match this up until FP day..........or even after.

Because you may cancel some of these give yourself some flexibility..........from my perspective you've actually given yourself a "ton" of options!!!! Don't let that be overwhelming..........its an opportunity!!!

Wishing you a magical vacation!!!
Doug

 

[RustManFan]

We tried park hopper on early years of our WDW visits but gave them up. Too much wasted time with all the running around.

Also too much to do at any one park. I would do a full day at AK and then plan a non-park dinner that evening either at a resort or DTD.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Oh, I think this idea will help me out greatly, I keep making up schedules, but writing is down, scratching things out.... I can see your way working better. Thanks!

We had a bunch of plans, which we did about halfway through our vacation, then we cancelled the last 3 days, all the ADRs and fps. We started at EP, decided not to do any of the fps we had gotten the day before, headed straight for the back. Got Mulan's autograph, headed up front, did the Visa M&G, then headed back to the resort. DGD had an awesome time playing in the pool while DGD #2 took a nap. We ended up grabbing dinner at the resort, taking it back to the room, sat on the balcony and had a wonderful dinner. I think I overplanned and we burned out. Try (if at all possible) for a relaxed day to just enjoy the resort and all it has to offer. It worked wonders for us, and de-stressed as well.

ETA: The ADRs we cancelled were BOG, Akershus and Tusker House. We were just overworked. You'll drive yourself nuts trying to plan! Plan lots of good stuff, sure, but allow for some breaks. It sure helped us!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

I am park hopping
we will start in one park get alot done with rd, go tke a rest, then back to a diffrent park at night time for shows.

We are doing AK and HS in one day. We have a list of what we want to do and dont need to do. We have 5 or 6 things to do in AK and then im done.

We will park hop between Epcot and MK for three days. One of those days will be a party day too and then one day off before a party day.
I am not doign a wp day, it will be dec but if it were summer I might consder it. I would still have park tickets for that day though so we can switch if we want.

If we can pull it off we will also have a park day on arival day. I would deffinatly get park hoppers.
If one park is to crowded you can switch.