I am so overwhelmed....***UPDATED pg2*** help!

[gemjoy]

In a nutshell ~ this is our first trip to the world - myself, DH, DD9 and DS11. We will be arriving at CBR on the 28th of Feb 06 and probably check out the hotel and maybe Downtown Dis. We will be enjoying the parks for three whole days and then on the 4th of March we board the Eastern Magic for a 7 day cruise

Here is where I need tons of help!!!!! We purchased the dining plan and although I want to make the most of that - I'm not too concerned about character dining due to the fact that we will see plenty of characters on the ship. However ~ because we are heading to Port Canavaral to board the ship on the 4th... I've got a entire days worth of meals to use and figured I'd combine them with another days and do a signature experience...... Which "ONE" would you recommend??? I'm thinking Hoop Dee Doo, Mickey's BBQ or JIKO Also ~ we purchased a three day parkhopper, so should we try to do one park each day or would you park hop so that we can see more than three??? What do we not want to miss??? Where are the best places to eat? HELP!!! I would absolutely love it if someone could create a schedule for me ~ I have no idea where to go first!!!! I don't want to be without some kind of "plan" Any help is extremely appreciated. ThAnK~YoU!!!!!!!!

 

[JodyTG]

Okay, let's see if I can help break this down for you. Going to WDW is pretty overwhelming for the first time especially with your limited schedule. Plus, it is always good to have a plan. We've been MANY times, and I still plan everything out.

What I would do is have the two kids look at Disneyworld.com and make a list of the rides that they really want to do. (You guys do the same.) Taking advantage of early and late entry, you should be able to do everything that you want. They'll probably want to skip the kiddie rides, so that in itself is a time saver. Unless you really want to go to the Animal Kingdom, that's the park that I would "hop" to once you've finished another park if you have time.

The early entry day for the Magic Kingdom is 3/2, so the park will be open 8 am -8 pm. On 3/3 Epcot is open late so it'll be open 9 am until at least 10 pm. 3/1 is a late night for Animal Kingdom, so if you go to Disney Studios on that day and get finished before 2 or 3 pm, you could hop over to the Animal Kingdom afterwards.

So, this would be my plan (not that I know everything, though ) with must do rides for your kids ages:
3/1 - Disney Studios - Rock n Rollercoaster, Tower of Terror, Great Movie Ride, Star Tours - then either stay for the fireworks or hop over to Animal Kingdom open until at least 6 pm.
If you do the Hoop-Di-Do or Mickey's BBQ, this is the night I'd do it for the latest show/meal.
3/2 - Early entry for Magic Kingdom - Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean.
3/3 - Epcot - Mission Space, Test Track, The Living Seas, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, Ellen's Energy Adventure, Maelstrom, Spaceship Earth.
Restaurants: Le Cellier in Canada, Biergarten in Germany, Alfredo's in Italy

If you get to the Animal Kingdom: Kilimanjaro Safari, Dinosaur, Kali River Rapids

I hope this helps you at least a little bit. I'm sorry if I just confused you more. Please let me know if I can answer any other questions or make any other suggestions. I love planning WDW trips, even if I'm not going.

 

[mommystieg]

I vote for HDDR If you haven't already, you may want to purchase one or two guidebooks--that is how I approached our first trip. That way everyone in your family can decide what would be most important to them. That is a good starting point for planning your days. Definitely don't miss Wishes, Illuminations, Spectromagic or Fantasmic. Check out the menus here http://allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm and maybe that will help you pick some places to eat. We actually enjoy the character meals like Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey's. Planning a WDW can be very overwhelming because there is soooo much to see, do and eat in one place. Keep coming back here to ask questions---happy planning!!

 

[JodyTG]

Yeah, what she said. The fireworks are not to be missed. This is why I would skip the Animal Kingdom unless it's something that the kids are looking foward to. Or you could always hop from DS to AK then back to DS for Fantasmic.

Also, you could to Hoop Di Do on arrival night since it doesn't require park admission.

This is so exciting! I know you guys will have a great time.

 

[LiteBrite]

I'd also vote for HDDR for your signature experience, with a second place vote going to Jiko. Jiko would be the better choice if you're interested in a fine dining experience, but HDDR is classic Disney at its best. Save Mickey's BBQ for another time - it won't measure up to HDDR.

 

[JodyTG]

I just thought of another suggestion. Go to http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/map.htm and print out the theme park maps. This way you can familiarize yourself with the layout of everything and circle the rides that you want to do.

 

[crisi]

Frankly, if you are cruising, you'll get plenty of good dining. And I wouldn't spend the time on Hoop de Doo either, it takes a lot of time, you have a limited amount at WDW, and the shows on the cruise are good.

So I'd go for meals that you can do relatively quickly. Since you have the dining plan, do sit down meals, but do a late lunch when the parks are at their most crowded. That will let you maximize park time. (If you can drop the dining plan, I'd do so, and eat counter service for three days, really, you'll eat so much on the cruise that more dining at WDW is really overkill - and you'll find that with three days at WDW you'll want every minute for the attractions).

I'd get a good guidebook and have everyone identify two things they'd like to do each day. Then schedule your days by that. I'd miss MGM in a heartbeat, but I HAVE to ride the Safari every trip at AK - its easily my favorite ride at WDW, so everyone's tastes are different. We make use of park hopping - late afternoons and evenings in Epcot every day with dinner at an Epcot restaurant, mornings at one of the other spots.

 

[Stitch1404]

When I travelled with my cousin and my younger sister on my last trip, they were 9 and 12. Here are their favorite restaurants:

50's Primetime Cafe (MGM)
Tony's Town Square (MK)
Sci-Fi Diner (MGM)
San Angel Inn (Ep)
Liberty Tree Tavern (MK)

I know those are similar ages to your kids, so maybe that would help. Do you like the idea of all you care to eat meals and buffets, or do you want mostly just sit-down meals where you order off a menu? Also, my cousin's (12) favorite park was MGM while my sister's (9) was Magic Kingdom. Let us know more details about what kind of dining you want and we can offer suggestions!

 

[iliketoby]

I have to vote for Hoop-Dee-Doo because I love it so much.

I think everyone should do it at least once...but if you go once, you just might have to go everytime!

Have a great trip and let us know about it - esp. the cruise!

 

[gemjoy]

Okay, let's see if I can help break this down for you. Going to WDW is pretty overwhelming for the first time especially with your limited schedule. Plus, it is always good to have a plan. We've been MANY times, and I still plan everything out.

What I would do is have the two kids look at Disneyworld.com and make a list of the rides that they really want to do. (You guys do the same.) Taking advantage of early and late entry, you should be able to do everything that you want. They'll probably want to skip the kiddie rides, so that in itself is a time saver. Unless you really want to go to the Animal Kingdom, that's the park that I would "hop" to once you've finished another park if you have time.

The early entry day for the Magic Kingdom is 3/2, so the park will be open 8 am -8 pm. On 3/3 Epcot is open late so it'll be open 9 am until at least 10 pm. 3/1 is a late night for Animal Kingdom, so if you go to Disney Studios on that day and get finished before 2 or 3 pm, you could hop over to the Animal Kingdom afterwards.

So, this would be my plan (not that I know everything, though ) with must do rides for your kids ages:
3/1 - Disney Studios - Rock n Rollercoaster, Tower of Terror, Great Movie Ride, Star Tours - then either stay for the fireworks or hop over to Animal Kingdom open until at least 6 pm.
If you do the Hoop-Di-Do or Mickey's BBQ, this is the night I'd do it for the latest show/meal.
3/2 - Early entry for Magic Kingdom - Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean.
3/3 - Epcot - Mission Space, Test Track, The Living Seas, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, Ellen's Energy Adventure, Maelstrom, Spaceship Earth.
Restaurants: Le Cellier in Canada, Biergarten in Germany, Alfredo's in Italy

If you get to the Animal Kingdom: Kilimanjaro Safari, Dinosaur, Kali River Rapids

I hope this helps you at least a little bit. I'm sorry if I just confused you more. Please let me know if I can answer any other questions or make any other suggestions. I love planning WDW trips, even if I'm not going.

Jody TG....ThAnK~YoU!!! So much for all this great information!!!!! It's such a huge help and I appreciate it very much! Lots of great tips!

CRISI ~ I've thought alot about the dining plan.... my DH thinks it's the way to go... but you've made a good point.

Keep em' coming!!!!!

 

[sjrogo713]

I like the Passporter guide book. It has nice short descriptions and reviews of all the rides and restaurants, so the kids can see what is there and maybe eliminate things they don't want to do like the "baby rides", etc. (but we "made" my 11yo sit through some of things Epcot, Quid pro quo for missing 3 days of school, had to have some educational things) Also good maps in that book. Also with kids at that age if you have a premium pass, you may want to consider some time at DisneyQuest (not if you have to pay the separate fee to get in).

 

[gemjoy]

Definitely don't miss Wishes, Illuminations, Spectromagic or Fantasmic.

Where and when do these take place??? TIA!!!

 

[gemjoy]

bumpity~bump....

 

[Stitch1404]

Spectromagic and Wishes take place at the Magic Kingdom. Spectromagic is a light parade and it is followed by the fireworks display (Wishes). Fantasmic takes place at MGM in an outdoor theater. The best way I can think of to describe it is that it is a battle of good and evil between the main Disney "heroes" and villians that takes place throughout the show. IllmiNations takes place on the World Showcase side of Epcot and it is a fireworks show. I think it goes off every night at 9, the other shows vary depending on the park hours. All of these things are not to be missed. They are so amazing, they are one of the best parts of going to WDW!!

 

[gemjoy]

Spectromagic and Wishes take place at the Magic Kingdom. Spectromagic is a light parade and it is followed by the fireworks display (Wishes). Fantasmic takes place at MGM in an outdoor theater. The best way I can think of to describe it is that it is a battle of good and evil between the main Disney "heroes" and villians that takes place throughout the show. IllmiNations takes place on the World Showcase side of Epcot and it is a fireworks show. I think it goes off every night at 9, the other shows vary depending on the park hours. All of these things are not to be missed. They are so amazing, they are one of the best parts of going to WDW!!

Stitch1404, ThAnK~yOu!!!! They sound amazing... I'll have to find out if spectromagic and Wishes take place every night. Fantasmic sounds neat! We're staying at Carribean Beach Resort - (preferred location )and I've been told that you can view Illuminations everynight from our room! That would be a bonus for sure!

 

[lucincia]

Will this be your only trip to WDW for a long time to come?

If not, I would say focus on just 1 or 2 parks during the "land days", like perhaps MK and MGM. This way you're not rushing all over the place. Then, on your next trip to WDW, maybe not do the cruise but make it a longer land stay like 7-10 days and do the park stuff.

 

[crisi]

Stitch1404, ThAnK~yOu!!!! They sound amazing... I'll have to find out if spectromagic and Wishes take place every night. Fantasmic sounds neat! We're staying at Carribean Beach Resort - (preferred location )and I've been told that you can view Illuminations everynight from our room! That would be a bonus for sure!

No, Illuminations fireworks happen almost completely at ground level, you won't see much from the CBR - maybe a few high fireworks. Also, much of it a light show on the lake - which you can't see unless you are standing next to the lagoon at Epcot.

Fantasmic runs nightly, usually around 7:30? Sometimes a second show. Illuminations nightly at 9:00 (it is possible, but difficult, to make both in one night and will involve planning and running). Spectro and Wishes are not nightly except during peak seasons.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

As a previous poster said, I would skip Hoop Dee Do this trip. There are plenty of dinner shows on ship! I would recommend Jiko for your signature meal. The Animal Kingdom Lodge is beautiful, and if you choose not to go to the Animal Kingdom (which, even though I love it, is the park I would skip on such a limited schedule) you'll still get to see the animals! You can't see the animals from Jiko itself, but there's a large savannah just off the hotel lobby for viewing, and you can see giraffes, zebras and a lot of others. We like to arrive about 30-45 minutes before our ADR so we have time to animal watch.

I think your idea about skipping character meals is a good one. From what I've seen from all the advertising Disney does about the cruises, it seems like there's a lot of character contact on the ship. I would recommend hitting MK, MGM and Epcot for your park days. I would have lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern on the MK day, 50s Prime Time on the MGM day and either Rose and Crown (England) or Le Cellier (Canada) on Epcot day.

I would give up one of the shows - either SpectroMagic/Wishes, Fantasmic or Illuminations. Honestly, on a 3-day Disney trip followed by a 4-day cruise, trying to see all three of those is going to exhaust you!! My favorite of them is Fantasmic at MGM. If I were you I might try to get to Epcot early on your Epcot day, then cut out early, too, and have your dinner at Jiko that night.

Those are just my opinions, but since you're giving up AK, I'd definitely try to make it to AKL. And don't run yourself ragged! Disney isn't sinking into the swamp any time soon.

 

[gemjoy]

As a previous poster said, I would skip Hoop Dee Do this trip. There are plenty of dinner shows on ship! I would recommend Jiko for your signature meal. The Animal Kingdom Lodge is beautiful, and if you choose not to go to the Animal Kingdom (which, even though I love it, is the park I would skip on such a limited schedule) you'll still get to see the animals! You can't see the animals from Jiko itself, but there's a large savannah just off the hotel lobby for viewing, and you can see giraffes, zebras and a lot of others. We like to arrive about 30-45 minutes before our ADR so we have time to animal watch.

I think your idea about skipping character meals is a good one. From what I've seen from all the advertising Disney does about the cruises, it seems like there's a lot of character contact on the ship. I would recommend hitting MK, MGM and Epcot for your park days. I would have lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern on the MK day, 50s Prime Time on the MGM day and either Rose and Crown (England) or Le Cellier (Canada) on Epcot day.

I would give up one of the shows - either SpectroMagic/Wishes, Fantasmic or Illuminations. Honestly, on a 3-day Disney trip followed by a 4-day cruise, trying to see all three of those is going to exhaust you!! My favorite of them is Fantasmic at MGM. If I were you I might try to get to Epcot early on your Epcot day, then cut out early, too, and have your dinner at Jiko that night.

Those are just my opinions, but since you're giving up AK, I'd definitely try to make it to AKL. And don't run yourself ragged! Disney isn't sinking into the swamp any time soon.

Thanks CoolDisneyCat! I like the idea of MK, MGM and Epcot for our three park days.... however, I really want the kids to see AK too! (okay, me too) What if I spend a entire day each at MK and MGM and then split one day between two parks??? Would this be too much to try to do? The cruise following our time at disney is actually the 7 day Eastern (plenty of relaxing time which is why I planned it this way - parks first!) Also, the first day we're at Disney, we plan to just get situated and maybe head to Downtown Disney..... then three park days, then off to port canavaral.

Thanks for the suggestions for lunches! Any suggestions for dinner? How do I find out if we'll be able to see spectromagic and wishes while we're there? I think this is the one we don't want to miss!

Thanks Everyone..... I'm starting to feel a little better about having some kind of plan ~ but I have a way to go still..... Keep the suggestions coming!!!! I need a plan!

 

[gemjoy]

Okay ~ I know the experts will consider this a really pathetic schedule.... but I'm trying! I just feel like I'm going in circles......

Arrive Feb 28th at approx. 11:30 am - get situated at hotel - CBR
Head to Downtown Disney and I'm thinking about Planet Hollywood for dinner???? Is this good?

March 1st ~ MGM
I'm thinking Sci Fi Dine in Theatre for lunch.... or should we do Counter Service for lunch and Sci-Fi for dinner?
Fantasmic? Not sure if this will be going on.

March 2nd ~ Early entry at Magic Kingdom
Now this is the day I'm stumped on!!! I'd like to eat lunch at Liberty tree and then go to O'hanas for dinner. Is this something that can work easily... I know it's going to be a long day ~ will we be trying to do too much? Is there time to do dinner and go back to the park for the parade and wishes? HELP

March 3rd ~ 9am Animal Kingdom until after lunch... I know this is limited but I want to split this day between AK and Epcot. (Plus Epcot is open late this night.)
What Counter service is good for lunch at AK?
Planning on LeCellier for dinner at Epcot

Okay ~ as you can see - I'm in desperate need of some real Disney experts here!
What do you think?????
ThAnK~yOu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!